Theo Fox: Game 51 vs Panthers A preview to the Blackhawks concluding match against the Panthers before heading south to NC for a 3-game set versus the Hurricanes.

Plus, a look at what the lineup could look like if the veterans sat out the rest of the season.

Sup Theo!!!!!

First! Easily the dumbest post I've ever had.

Time to put Mitchell back in the line up. Sit Zadorov

Sup Theo!!!!!

First! Easily the dumbest post I've ever had.
- Chunk

Not sure about that.....lots of them to sort through!!

Thanks Theo. So basically anyone over 25 got a maintenance day, with the exception of Dcat.

Sup Theo!!!!!

First! Easily the dumbest post I've ever had.
- Chunk

Definitely one of them.

Sup Theo!!!!!

First! Easily the dumbest post I've ever had.
- Chunk

Don't be silly, not a chance!

The question is, could that line up contend for a playoff spot - in the AHL?

The question is, could that line up contend for a playoff spot - in the AHL?
- rpeters01

No, that isn’t the question.

The questions are - would that lineup be competing for a CUP in three to five years, when the veterans would be gone anyways? What additions and changes would need to be made to it to allow them to do so? Would Stan know what those additions and changes would be, and how to get and make them?

I’ll leave the question about Colliton’s ability to coach a Cup contender out of it for now.

No, that isn’t the question.
T
The questions are - would that lineup be competing for a CUP in three to five years, when the veterans would be gone anyways? What additions and changes would need to be made to it to allow them to do so? Would Stan know what those additions and changes would be, and how to get and make them?

I’ll leave the question about Colliton’s ability to coach a Cup contender out of it for now.
- StLBravesFan

Yes those are the questions. And the Colliton question will present itself as the hawks talent pool increases.

No, that isn’t the question.

The questions are - would that lineup be competing for a CUP in three to five years, when the veterans would be gone anyways? What additions and changes would need to be made to it to allow them to do so? Would Stan know what those additions and changes would be, and how to get and make them?

I’ll leave the question about Colliton’s ability to coach a Cup contender out of it for now.
- StLBravesFan

It's hard to project the lineup in 3 to 5 years. You can use Theo's list as a starting point but I would say among the forward group there would be several changes.

Hino may re-up for next year, but will he still be here in 3 years? Personally I feel Strome may be on the way out. Nylander, depending on if he ever lives up to his potential, may or may not be an addition to the group. Hopefully Reichel and Borgstrom slot in next year and down the road maybe a future 1st round pick. Some of the other guys are dime for dozen type players and may have a short career with the Hawks.

I think the future defensive corps is more solidified. There may be a more seasoned veteran added, obtained via trade or free agency, to provide some experience.

A better exercise would be to identify among this group who you want to be "the core" and want around in 3-5 years. This will determine what types of players have to fill in the gaps and obtain them one way or the other.

The next couple of years is the time to identify the core and to decide whom are the keepers.

Not sure about that.....lots of them to sort through!!

- TheTrob

Knocked that one out of the park!😂

Don't be silly, not a chance!
- mohel

Just because all of your posts are poignant and perfectly thought out doesn’t mean you should point out my flaws. At least I wrote that after GOOD scotch.

Just because all of your posts are poignant and perfectly thought out doesn’t mean you should point out my flaws. At least I wrote that after GOOD scotch.
- Chunk

You might have me confused with Elbows.

No, that isn’t the question.

The questions are - would that lineup be competing for a CUP in three to five years, when the veterans would be gone anyways? What additions and changes would need to be made to it to allow them to do so? Would Stan know what those additions and changes would be, and how to get and make them?

I’ll leave the question about Colliton’s ability to coach a Cup contender out of it for now.
- StLBravesFan

Why are either of these the question. They are at the end of the year and this is theoretically filling in roster spots with middling at best prospects. We KNOW that there is only a small percentage of these guys that actually make it to/in the NHL.

As an example, I like Kurashev, but if he only gets incrementally better than what he currently is, you don't keep him on your team.

There will be many changes in the next 3-5 years. You identify talent (or at least rising talent) and move on from the rest.

I'm sure Stan (and most GM's) know what changes/additions need to be made to get the team competitive and how to do so. The issue is that he needs the ability and authority to do so. When I say authority, I mean that he can't "make" another team trade him a good player just because he identifies them as a good player. He also can't magically eliminate NMC's (whether he gave them out or not). Ability meaning he needs to have the cap space available and/or assets to acquire said good player.

It looks like Subban starting tonight. He seems to have been playing better recently.

It looks like Subban starting tonight. He seems to have been playing better recently.
- Chunk

Or I could just wait for the announcement...

Kevin Lankinen will start in goal tonight vs. Florida.

Ian Mitchell in for Nicolas Beaudin and Philipp Kurashev in for Pius Suter. #Blackhawks

Either Zadorov isn't going to ask for much over his current number, or he doesn't understand the economics of the league:

Zadorov said he’d like to re-sign with the Blackhawks. He doesn’t think the flat cap will impact his negotiations.

No, that isn’t the question.

The questions are - would that lineup be competing for a CUP in three to five years, when the veterans would be gone anyways? What additions and changes would need to be made to it to allow them to do so? Would Stan know what those additions and changes would be, and how to get and make them?

I’ll leave the question about Colliton’s ability to coach a Cup contender out of it for now.
- StLBravesFan

That was basically my point.

Either Zadorov isn't going to ask for much over his current number, or he doesn't understand the economics of the league:

Zadorov said he’d like to re-sign with the Blackhawks. He doesn’t think the flat cap will impact his negotiations.
- Chunk

I thought Russians were good at math evidently not.

Yup,

Jeremy Colliton on managing ice time:

"When you're in development phase for these young guys [in their] 1st, 2nd, 3rd year in the league, you want to try and give them just the right amount. Not too little, not too much. Goldilocks."

I can't stop laughing at the Goldilocks.

It's hard to project the lineup in 3 to 5 years. You can use Theo's list as a starting point but I would say among the forward group there would be several changes.

Hino may re-up for next year, but will he still be here in 3 years? Personally I feel Strome may be on the way out. Nylander, depending on if he ever lives up to his potential, may or may not be an addition to the group. Hopefully Reichel and Borgstrom slot in next year and down the road maybe a future 1st round pick. Some of the other guys are dime for dozen type players and may have a short career with the Hawks.

I think the future defensive corps is more solidified. There may be a more seasoned veteran added, obtained via trade or free agency, to provide some experience.

A better exercise would be to identify among this group who you want to be "the core" and want around in 3-5 years. This will determine what types of players have to fill in the gaps and obtain them one way or the other.

The next couple of years is the time to identify the core and to decide whom are the keepers.
- boilermaker100

Hey Boiler. As much as I despise the idea of a "core", I get what you are saying. That said, I think it is a bit short sighted to assume anyone in this group would be part of a core. ADB maybe due to his scoring prowess, and overall growth to his game, but beyond that I'm not married to anyone on this team right now.

I may be targeting here and concentrating too specifically on what you are saying, but I would prefer to simply re-evaluate what they have each year and go from there. This is why I prefer contracts of 4 years max.

Hey Boiler. As much as I despise the idea of a "core", I get what you are saying. That said, I think it is a bit short sighted to assume anyone in this group would be part of a core. ADB maybe due to his scoring prowess, and overall growth to his game, but beyond that I'm not married to anyone on this team right now.

I may be targeting here and concentrating too specifically on what you are saying, but I would prefer to simply re-evaluate what they have each year and go from there. This is why I prefer contracts of 4 years max.
- Chunk

I hear you Chunk. I thought the premise was that we're looking 3 to 5 years out? Yes Cat is probably one of few of the current bunch who could play on a cup contending team. In 3 to 5 years, will others grow into established NHL players. I think Stan is expecting that Dach and most of the defense prospects become keepers. Reichel and Borgstrom are hopefuls too, but who knows at this point. Maybe Hagel, Suter, Kurashev can be useful forwards as 3rd liners.

Some who probably won't be around in 3 years?
Kampf, Strome, Gaudette, Connolly, Hinostroza, maybe Kubalik and Nylander too. The pipeline is full of bottom 6 types who could replace the first five. Still need some top 6 types.

Never gets old.

https://youtu.be/TxEL-s7Uq1s

Never gets old.

https://youtu.be/TxEL-s7Uq1s
- paulr

Never ever.