Theo Fox: Game 46 @ Predators
A preview to the Blackhawks crucial 3-game set versus the Predators to dictate the 4th playoff seed.

Plus, a look at the Hockey News 2021 Future Watch and how Chicago's prospects stack up.

Good morning Theo! Good stuff. While I don't really get to see any of the prospects play, I would err on the side of your suggestion as well as Elbows in taking any publications' rankings with a barge of salt.

I know some of the Athletic rankings had Kurashev as an NHL/AHL tweener. Same with Hagel and Suter and Kalynuk weren't even listed IIRC.

Nylander may be a disappointment so far, and may not be the top-six fixture we hope for from a top-10 pick - but he does have good hands.

Maybe the injury - and the hard work he is presumably putting in to come back - will turn on his light.

Good morning Theo! Good stuff. While I don't really get to see any of the prospects play, I would err on the side of your suggestion as well as Elbows in taking any publications' rankings with a barge of salt.

I know some of the Athletic rankings had Kurashev as an NHL/AHL tweener. Same with Hagel and Suter and Kalynuk weren't even listed IIRC.
- HawkintheD

Usually the review of prospects is a review of prospect lists, then talk to a few people. Maybe watch a few highlights. Whereas Wiz has been following the current draft year prospects for a few years, having seen film and studied it. Then often with top prospects will see more film and can see improvement made or not. He actually has a ranking of the '22 draft. And Wiz knows people, talks to some occasionally - in bygone drafts he attended and actually got remarks or comments. Even conversations. Itis a fact he knows people and he has reviewed hockey since the 1980's - maybe longer if you ask him. I cannot divulge whom he knows BUT he is the authority, the most accurate prognosticator of the order they get drafted. He shames Proman at The Athletic. However I think guys like Proman have spent a lot of time on it and they review Wiz lists. I believe Promax is better at it now.

Yet I know past few drafts Wiz was right and Proman wrong on a few.

I recall as an older teenager I helped someone construct a draft list for The Dennis Savard draft. He did most of the work but I actually a green kid called people and asked questions. I must have sounded just what I was, some kid who got through and got a few answers. Anyway, we sent a copy of our report to Brad Palmer WBBM radio. I called Palmer on draft day and told him that Savard was really an offensive player who probably will step in and get some points. Palmer announced the news on the air, said reportedly Savard looks to be a big scoring type but won't play much defense. Ha

My favorite comment was when as this young kid I asked Harry Howell how he would compare Bobby Crawford, a St Louis RW prospect, to Joey Mullen. Mullen might get 50 some year, Crawford probably won't get 25 if he even establishes himself, Howell said.

Wiz could tell you countless stories of Blackhawk players and management he crossed paths with - colorful stories. In fact over the years he has mentioned a few on this site or the old The Daily Herald. He knows J Jaeckel a little bit too. Has done podcasts with him actually right up against the draft. As a panel discussion

Nylander may be a disappointment so far, and may not be the top-six fixture we hope for from a top-10 pick - but he does have good hands.

Maybe the injury - and the hard work he is presumably putting in to come back - will turn on his light.
- StLBravesFan

No doubt, Nylander has all the skills necessary to be a 200 foot player and it would be awesome to see them applied.
Applied skills versus potential is the age old question in major league sports.

Theo. Could you specify a criteria for your rankings. For example a combination of age and games played in NHL. Under 24 years old and less than 35 games in NHL. (Or a criteria of your choice) then maybe rerank them based on that criteria.

Usually the review of prospects is a review of prospect lists, then talk to a few people. Maybe watch a few highlights. Whereas Wiz has been following the current draft year prospects for a few years, having seen film and studied it. Then often with top prospects will see more film and can see improvement made or not. He actually has a ranking of the '22 draft. And Wiz knows people, talks to some occasionally - in bygone drafts he attended and actually got remarks or comments. Even conversations. Itis a fact he knows people and he has reviewed hockey since the 1980's - maybe longer if you ask him. I cannot divulge whom he knows BUT he is the authority, the most accurate prognosticator of the order they get drafted. He shames Proman at The Athletic. However I think guys like Proman have spent a lot of time on it and they review Wiz lists. I believe Promax is better at it now.

Yet I know past few drafts Wiz was right and Proman wrong on a few.

I recall as an older teenager I helped someone construct a draft list for The Dennis Savard draft. He did most of the work but I actually a green kid called people and asked questions. I must have sounded just what I was, some kid who got through and got a few answers. Anyway, we sent a copy of our report to Brad Palmer WBBM radio. I called Palmer on draft day and told him that Savard was really an offensive player who probably will step in and get some points. Palmer announced the news on the air, said reportedly Savard looks to be a big scoring type but won't play much defense. Ha

My favorite comment was when as this young kid I asked Harry Howell how he would compare Bobby Crawford, a St Louis RW prospect, to Joey Mullen. Mullen might get 50 some year, Crawford probably won't get 25 if he even establishes himself, Howell said.

Wiz could tell you countless stories of Blackhawk players and management he crossed paths with - colorful stories. In fact over the years he has mentioned a few on this site or the old The Daily Herald. He knows J Jaeckel a little bit too. Has done podcasts with him actually right up against the draft. As a panel discussion
- jhawk59

J.Jaeckel huh? Now that’s exciting.

I’m wondering where our recently matriculated to the big club youth movement might slot on an overall rankings board? Where would Boqvist slot against his peers, top 10, 20, 50? Similarly for Kurashev, Lankinen, Kalnyuk, Beaudin and Mitchell? Given what we know about them now, would they crack the top 50?

"No doubt, Nylander has all the skills necessary to be a 200 foot player"


I have yet to see this kid skate well or hard enough to ever be considered a 200 foot player.
Some guys look really good in skill drills or a skate with the guys but don't have the tenacity to get the job done in the show. So far that's what I see in Nylander.

J.Jaeckel huh? Now that’s exciting.
- HawkintheD

Quite exciting indeed.

J.Jaeckel huh? Now that’s exciting.
- HawkintheD

Jaeckel was credible no?

I’m not holding my breath for Nylander to crack the top 6, but if the Hawks get lucky and the light does go on like Sage mentioned, that would be huge for the Hawks. For the Hawks to get to the next level, they need to add top 6 talent and push some of the current top 6 down to bottom 6. We need to add at least two top 6 forwards to this team.

"No doubt, Nylander has all the skills necessary to be a 200 foot player"


I have yet to see this kid skate well or hard enough to ever be considered a 200 foot player.
Some guys look really good in skill drills or a skate with the guys but don't have the tenacity to get the job done in the show. So far that's what I see in Nylander.
- 6628

Some players have limited skill but make up for it in determination, hustle and heart, Andrew Shaw comes immediately to mind. Then you have guys who’s heart, hustle and determination don’t exist and Nylander and Strome fit that bill.

"No doubt, Nylander has all the skills necessary to be a 200 foot player"


I have yet to see this kid skate well or hard enough to ever be considered a 200 foot player.
Some guys look really good in skill drills or a skate with the guys but don't have the tenacity to get the job done in the show. So far that's what I see in Nylander.
- 6628

Glad you called him “this kid” - he’s only just 23, still time for him to get it together.

is there a reason why Kayumov is not higher? I think he is the same prospect level as barret and entwhistle. he just turned 23 put up 12g 17a in the KHL. I think Chad Krys is not in the top 10 at this point. he has not produced at any level.

Glad you called him “this kid” - he’s only just 23, still time for him to get it together.
- StLBravesFan

Heart and a desire to be better don’t typically just appear suddenly. Either you have it in you, or you don’t.

is there a reason why Kayumov is not higher? I think he is the same prospect level as barret and entwhistle. he just turned 23 put up 12g 17a in the KHL. I think Chad Krys is not in the top 10 at this point. he has not produced at any level.
- kmw4631

Rather Kayumov than Shulanov too.
Putting Altybarmakian behind Kyrs is disappointing.

Glad you called him “this kid” - he’s only just 23, still time for him to get it together.
- StLBravesFan

I know he's young. Hinnistroza was a guy when here skated around chasing all the time. He was fast but not effective. All of a sudden he comes back and in my opinion shows a maturity level I never saw coming and he is much more effective. Hopefully Nylander develops sooner than later. I seriously can't talk about his skating because he hasn't done much of it. As noted with a previous post that was not the case with Shaw.
I would say to Nylander just because you grew up with it doesn't mean it's yours. You have to earn it. He needs a kick in the ass.

Jaeckel was credible no?
- paulr

No.

I’m not holding my breath for Nylander to crack the top 6, but if the Hawks get lucky and the light does go on like Sage mentioned, that would be huge for the Hawks. For the Hawks to get to the next level, they need to add top 6 talent and push some of the current top 6 down to bottom 6. We need to add at least two top 6 forwards to this team.
- Angotti

Especially if Toews' career is over. And they need to be obvious top six forwards. Imo.

Especially if Toews' career is over. And they need to be obvious top six forwards. Imo.
- mohel

I’m surprised nothing has been said about Toews since the beginning of the season.

Heart and a desire to be better don’t typically just appear suddenly. Either you have it in you, or you don’t.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think this is true a vast majority of the time. There are exceptions to everything, and Nylander isn't blocking any stud prospects. So I'd give him another shot. While short on high end prospects, the Hawks have enough forwards to easily pass Nylander if he doesn't bring it.

Again, I think he doesn't have the "bust arse" tool in his tool box, and likely never will.

I’m surprised nothing has been said about Toews since the beginning of the season.
- paulr

Me, too. While there are reasons for his absence that can be temporary or managed, the silence is disheartening to me. If I had to guess, we will hear something shortly after the Hawk season ends if it is good or kind of bad; and after the Cup Final if it is tragic.

I’m not holding my breath for Nylander to crack the top 6, but if the Hawks get lucky and the light does go on like Sage mentioned, that would be huge for the Hawks. For the Hawks to get to the next level, they need to add top 6 talent and push some of the current top 6 down to bottom 6. We need to add at least two top 6 forwards to this team.
- Angotti

I keep telling you guys. Barkov as a free agent addition the year after next would be one of them. Believe.

Putting players (i.e. Nylander) in the top 6 because "maybe they will finally play to their talent's potential" doesn't sound like the strategy of a legitimate playoff team.

The guy just had a major surgery and they are going to rush him back why exactly?

I'm probably in the minority thinking that rushing Dach back was also foolish, but at least you could rationalize it based on some of the play we saw in the stretch drive and playoffs last year.

Nylander? There is zero reason other than to give Stan an opportunity to pay him more than he should when he inevitably puts good money after bad and re-signs him.