Theo Fox: First to Last A look at the Blackhawks recent history of 1st round reclamation projects and a perspective on this personnel strategy.

So happy to see Trashville choke again.

So happy to see Trashville choke again.
- BGKarras

Wasn't it wonderful!?!

That said, I'm not sure you can call a 4 seed losing to a 1 seed in 6 games, with the last 4 going to OT, choking.

Wasn't it wonderful!?!

That said, I'm not sure you can call a 4 seed losing to a 1 seed in 6 games, with the last 4 going to OT, choking.
- tvetter

It is.

And thankfully I won't have to listen to the Nashville home announcers and witness their obnoxious home feed broadcast.

Most here (myself included) think that Pat Foley is past his expiration date and cringe at his play-by-play. The Nashville guys are far worse. Constantly calling the Pred players by their nicknames as if they're players themselves, always a hint of skepticism in every call that goes against the Preds and the hype during the game is the worst. It's like watching a frosh-soph high school game.

How many good young player careers have been ruined - or dramatically set back - because of the hard salary cap - forcing teams to bring skaters and their cheap ELCs into The Show to learn how to be professional hockey players - instead of playing them a year or two in the AHL?

The NHL is not a developmental league, not a league for babysitting 19 and 20 (and even 21) year old young men who are still growing into their bodies and their mental vision and decision making.

Why has Bowman had such good success with Europeans coming over and contributing immediately? Quite possibly because they’ve been playing against men in pro leagues for a couple of seasons.

There are very few 19 or 20 year olds ready to play in THE major league - physically or emotionally.

So happy to see Trashville choke again.
- BGKarras

I'm over the blood moon happy. I've never seen a game in Nashville. What is the long annoying chant the fans do throughout the game? I told my husband as we were watching the game -- I hope to god Hawks fans never adopt a chant like that.

How many good young player careers have been ruined - or dramatically set back - because of the hard salary cap - forcing teams to bring skaters and their cheap ELCs into The Show to learn how to be professional hockey players - instead of playing them a year or two in the AHL?

The NHL is not a developmental league, not a league for babysitting 19 and 20 (and even 21) year old young men who are still growing into their bodies and their mental vision and decision making.

Why has Bowman had such good success with Europeans coming over and contributing immediately? Quite possibly because they’ve been playing against men in pro leagues for a couple of seasons.

There are very few 19 or 20 year olds ready to play in THE major league - physically or emotionally.
- StLBravesFan

Well it seems like Bowman and Co disagree. Extending JC for 3 more years, playing 7 dmen in games, and based on what Hinostroza said, it's nice to sit down with the coaches and go over the video of what you can do better to help the team, how many rookies/players scored their 1st goal ever? 9

Apparently Blackhawks did not get the memo, and still we don't have a top 5 pick, how's that possible

So happy to see Trashville choke again.
- BGKarras

I wish they would make the intermissions shorter, i keep falling asleep, happened the other night between 2nd and 3rd period of Wild and LVGK,
then again last night, good to see the Canes move on, looking forward to Bolts vs Canes

Another interesting write up Theo. After seeing the list of former first round
picks Bowman has brought in I suggest he stops this practice immediately😨
The Detroit blogger has a write up on Nashville, I will not knock Bowman on contacts after seeing the mess Nashville has going on there. Holy poop they are in some serious do-do there.

It is.

And thankfully I won't have to listen to the Nashville home announcers and witness their obnoxious home feed broadcast.

Most here (myself included) think that Pat Foley is past his expiration date and cringe at his play-by-play. The Nashville guys are far worse. Constantly calling the Pred players by their nicknames as if they're players themselves, always a hint of skepticism in every call that goes against the Preds and the hype during the game is the worst. It's like watching a frosh-soph high school game.
- Rota's Rooter

Yeah, have had to suffer through a Pred feed a few times. They are one of the announcing teams that have stuck out among the worst for blatant homerism along with the Bruin crew.

While I agree Foley has outlived his shelf life I think he'd be fine if he'd stick to calling the game...both him and Edzo. Edzo probably bends too far the other way in trying to be objective but I will give Pat that, in that he's pretty even handed.

For me the real nugget in all this is that the Preds had that great run to make the playoffs where they probably would have benefitted from being sellers.

Believe Ekholm might have another year on his deal and is pretty affordable so he could still be flipped at the TDL this next season.

I know they had a couple guys though like Haula and and Granlund who could have also gotten them picks who will walk for nothing.

Hopefully there are a number of players finding themselves in a similar situation as Soderberg this past season. Wouldn't mind getting Granlund for a season and flipping him at the TDL this season or next.

Well it seems like Bowman and Co disagree. Extending JC for 3 more years, playing 7 dmen in games, and based on what Hinostroza said, it's nice to sit down with the coaches and go over the video of what you can do better to help the team, how many rookies/players scored their 1st goal ever? 9

Apparently Blackhawks did not get the memo, and still we don't have a top 5 pick, how's that possible

Between The Dots

Look at Detroits record the past 5 years, highest they have drafted is #4. So the Hawks actually had a higher draft choice (Dach #3) than Detroit with a far worst record.

And how about the Rangers snagging a #1 and #2?

Hey Theo, great write up. Idk, call me crazy but I'm still holding out some hope for Nylander.

Some guys just get it later (or not at all). The kid in EMD, Puljujarvi, finally managed to stay up with EDM and have a decent season after being the fodder of trade rumors the last few years.

For a good part of the season the Hawks were punching above their weight class and I know some prefer not to give any credit but at least some of that's gotta be on the coach.

Nylander's got the tools, so maybe Colliton gets through to him and he blossoms. Stranger things have happened.

Will be interesting to see if Strome is here when the season starts. Hopefully Toews is which would help everyone slot more naturally but unless Strome decides this is the offseason he wants to work on being tougher to play against, maybe a new zip code's in order.

Well it seems like Bowman and Co disagree. Extending JC for 3 more years, playing 7 dmen in games, and based on what Hinostroza said, it's nice to sit down with the coaches and go over the video of what you can do better to help the team, how many rookies/players scored their 1st goal ever? 9

Apparently Blackhawks did not get the memo, and still we don't have a top 5 pick, how's that possible

Between The Dots

Look at Detroits record the past 5 years, highest they have drafted is #4. So the Hawks actually had a higher draft choice (Dach #3) than Detroit with a far worst record.

And how about the Rangers snagging a #1 and #2?
- LAHawk

But that's just being lucky with the lotto ball

I'm over the blood moon happy. I've never seen a game in Nashville. What is the long annoying chant the fans do throughout the game? I told my husband as we were watching the game -- I hope to god Hawks fans never adopt a chant like that.
- ktsparks

Honestly I have no idea but it's annoying as Phuck.

But that's just being lucky with the lotto ball
- BetweenTheDots

Are you sure luck has anything to do with it? Remember, Bettman learned from David Stern.

Wasn't it wonderful!?!

That said, I'm not sure you can call a 4 seed losing to a 1 seed in 6 games, with the last 4 going to OT, choking.
- tvetter

In my book it does. So my statement stands....win the Cup and I will retract my statement. Now the big issue is what theme are they going to do for their annual Banner Night???

Best of all we won't see that Troll Vofarts Rash until next season.

That goal from Slaving was reminesent of Kieth s goal several years ago.... Good times

Hey Theo, great write up. Idk, call me crazy but I'm still holding out some hope for Nylander.

Some guys just get it later (or not at all). The kid in EMD, Puljujarvi, finally managed to stay up with EDM and have a decent season after being the fodder of trade rumors the last few years.

For a good part of the season the Hawks were punching above their weight class and I know some prefer not to give any credit but at least some of that's gotta be on the coach.

Nylander's got the tools, so maybe Colliton gets through to him and he blossoms. Stranger things have happened.

Will be interesting to see if Strome is here when the season starts. Hopefully Toews is which would help everyone slot more naturally but unless Strome decides this is the offseason he wants to work on being tougher to play against, maybe a new zip code's in order.
- HawkintheD

Nylander has three things in his favor. He skates well, and that is important in the league today. He's also cheap, which is also important. Third, Stan traded the next Bobby Orr for him. And no GM wants to see a trade like that fail.

Are you sure luck has anything to do with it? Remember, Bettman learned from David Stern.
- powerenforcer

Wow....

Are you sure luck has anything to do with it? Remember, Bettman learned from David Stern.
- powerenforcer

Hahaha, everything doesnt have to be a conspiracy.

Hey Theo, great write up. Idk, call me crazy but I'm still holding out some hope for Nylander.

Some guys just get it later (or not at all). The kid in EMD, Puljujarvi, finally managed to stay up with EDM and have a decent season after being the fodder of trade rumors the last few years.

For a good part of the season the Hawks were punching above their weight class and I know some prefer not to give any credit but at least some of that's gotta be on the coach.

Nylander's got the tools, so maybe Colliton gets through to him and he blossoms. Stranger things have happened.

Will be interesting to see if Strome is here when the season starts. Hopefully Toews is which would help everyone slot more naturally but unless Strome decides this is the offseason he wants to work on being tougher to play against, maybe a new zip code's in order.
- HawkintheD

I'm not holding out much hope for Nylander, but I'm ok giving him another shot on a one year < $1,000,000 deal. I don't know if the Hawks really need Nylander to succeed. At best he's a middle 6 winger, if he doesn't pan-out there are others to take his place.

Honestly I have no idea but it's annoying as Phuck.
- BGKarras

“He shoots, he scores, you suck!”
“It’s all your fault! It’s all your fault!”
“We’re gonna beat the hell outta of you, you, you.”
“He sucks! He sucks, too!”

“He shoots, he scores, you suck!”
“It’s all your fault! It’s all your fault!”
“We’re gonna beat the hell outta of you, you, you.”
“He sucks! He sucks, too!”
- LAHawk

Yep annoying as PHUCK...

Yep annoying as PHUCK...
- BGKarras

Poor imitation of Wisconsin Badger fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=src3hGKlq6A

Hahaha, everything doesnt have to be a conspiracy.
- BetweenTheDots

That's what THEY want you to think.

Dylan Strome, Henrik Borgstrom, and Alex Nylander. All of them are on the Hawks. All of them are or will be failed experiments. None of them will be on the Hawks in a couple seasons. A tiger can't change his stripes just because its got on a new sweater.
Hawks would do better to build from within as opposed to taking on other teams failed prospects. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between. This isn't baseball.