Theo Fox: Perennial Flower A look at what Marc-Andre Fleury means to the Blackhawks for 2021-22 now that he's committed to the team.

Plus, thoughts on Malcolm Subban, Collin Delia, Arvid Sodeblom, and Drew Commesso as well as what to watch for as the offseason rolls along.

Thank you, Theo.
This team is much improved as compared to the start of last season.
Looking forward to seeing how it goes!

Considering that they got Fleury, essentially, for nothing -Delia for nothing could work too... I can't believe anyone would actually trade assets for him (mainly because depth goalies that have no real track record are not really that high on any teams' priority list.

Considering that they got Fleury, essentially, for nothing -Delia for nothing could work too... I can't believe anyone would actually trade assets for him (mainly because depth goalies that have no real track record are not really that high on any teams' priority list.
- SC116

I never heard of Delia before this blog. Just looked at his stats (which don't tell the whole story) and they're nothing spectacular. Small sample size at the pro level, but never played more than 32 games at any pro level...maybe a 6th rounder in trade.

How about Dylan Strome for Logan Brown?

Glad to hear Fleury reporting.

Now, Hawks may be a Wild Card contender....and if we are outta reach by the deadline, Fleury likely lifts NMC in order to be traded to a "contender"...(Leafs???).
Either way, good stuff...

Improved on paper.

The playing style and break out has to be repaired..You can argue pro con about Colliton's system and point to Carolina, a team with better athletes whom had a successful season. They play a version of Colliton's system

I've heard a few reasons why the players were confused and made bad choices in play selection last season. It probably sounds like I am mentioning the break out play for the million-ith time. But it is a big problem. There is could be veteran players calling out the problem the team has - like Toews did a couple years ago - let's understand BOTH Stan (who choose the coach and endorsed the system) and Jeremy (whose forewards were out of position up ice, as well as dmen whom tried stretch passes repeatedly) need a fresh start with a better group of players.

Probably some youngsters come aboard this season, too, including bottom line grinders/checkers as well as more highly acclaimed skill players.

If they repeat the fiasco of last season both Stan and Jeremy will endanger their reputation and practicly be a laughing stock.

Many readers here played the game. And or coached it. You can appreciate how a system can work. But what system and how effective teacher. Barry Trotz would never allow the circus act to continue last season. Players need structure, they need support from teamattes on ice too

Perhaps some readers can dive into this, analyze the situation at hand better than myself. Pleaese do so.

Nobody will enjoy watching our team if they are going to exhibit last season's mistakes. That would be maddening

Thanks Theo - Another possible scenario could be that at the trade deadline Lankinen gets moved if MAF proves to be a solid tender. Outside of the NHL games played, what is the comparison between Lanks and Soderblom?

Flower and Subban did well together in Vegas so that's something to keep in mind.

Clearly they will have to move out a goal-tending prospect or 2. But Moving Strome , May be there next best option. I think there maybe a taker on him for a prospect and 3 round pick. how about these lines. 1st line Toews Kane Kublick, 2nd LIne Dach, Debrincat, Hagel, 3rd Line Connelly , Johnson, Kurashev 4th line Gaudette, Khaire, Carpenter or Nylander

Flower and Subban did well together in Vegas so that's something to keep in mind.
- 6628
Yes, but Vegas didn’t give up 45 shots a game, this is one area where improvement has to be their top priority going into this season.

Flower and Subban did well together in Vegas so that's something to keep in mind.
- 6628
Yes, but Vegas didn’t give up 45 shots a game, this is one area where improvement has to be their top priority going into this season.
- Angotti

100%

Clearly they will have to move out a goal-tending prospect or 2. But Moving Strome , May be there next best option. I think there maybe a taker on him for a prospect and 3 round pick. how about these lines. 1st line Toews Kane Kublick, 2nd LIne Dach, Debrincat, Hagel, 3rd Line Connelly , Johnson, Kurashev 4th line Gaudette, Khaire, Carpenter or Nylander
- Ging72

While I like Hagel, he has no business being in top six, unless there’s an injury, then yes on a short time basis.

Glad to hear Fleury reporting.

Now, Hawks may be a Wild Card contender....and if we are outta reach by the deadline, Fleury likely lifts NMC in order to be traded to a "contender"...(Leafs???).
Either way, good stuff...
- hawk35

Agreed that this is good. his deal is a M-NTC so he can be pedaled to about 21 other teams without his permission. The sticky part if I read this right i he is reporting with the understanding it's for the full year. IF that is true, moving MAF without a nod could be disastrous trying to attract FA in the future.

Clearly they will have to move out a goal-tending prospect or 2. But Moving Strome , May be there next best option. I think there maybe a taker on him for a prospect and 3 round pick. how about these lines. 1st line Toews Kane Kublick, 2nd LIne Dach, Debrincat, Hagel, 3rd Line Connelly , Johnson, Kurashev 4th line Gaudette, Khaire, Carpenter or Nylander
- Ging72

Kubalik and kane don't really wonk on the same line as they are both primarily RW with a left handed shot. it might work, but Kubalik's main asset is his shot from the right side.

So after two goalie trades with Vegas in the last year, it appears that Stan got the better of both deals (not to mention the best current goalie of the bunch).

Agreed that this is good. his deal is a M-NTC so he can be pedaled to about 21 other teams without his permission. The sticky part if I read this right i he is reporting with the understanding it's for the full year. IF that is true, moving MAF without a nod could be disastrous trying to attract FA in the future.
- riozzo

Your points are well taken and I agree.
I choose to also take an optimistic view of his comments that he thinks this Blackhawks team could well be competitive this year.

Your points are well taken and I agree.
I choose to also take an optimistic view of his comments that he thinks this Blackhawks team could well be competitive this year.
- 35Tony0

I would venture to guess that they will, at a minimum, be less chaotic next year. They have a majority (if not all) of defensemen that have notable experience (and Stillman even showed a pretty steady game). There is more competition for forward spots and the competition they have is (or seems to be) more of the 200 ft variety.

As always, it will come down to how they come together as a team. I would say the bottom six should be much more effective at both preventing goals and scoring points (we know they have plenty of options). It will all come down to how the top six shakes out.

I AGREE WITH YOU ! If the Hawks continue to give up 40 shots against in games, it does not matter who is in net and this has to be a reflection on Colliton's system. Hockey is the fastest sport of all and it's all about read .. and ... react. Decisions are split second at times, so if whatever he is preaching takes to figure out the read, the react will be slower. Simplify the read and the reaction should be favorable. Also, I have seen teams slow other teams down in the neutral zone ... not a trap but scheme that does not allow teams to just go up and down the ice. When Trotz joined the Islanders, they pretty much went from worst defensively to top five. Hoping that the change in personal for the Hawks can do the same. Cautiously optimistic

Improved on paper.

The playing style and break out has to be repaired..You can argue pro con about Colliton's system and point to Carolina, a team with better athletes whom had a successful season. They play a version of Colliton's system

I've heard a few reasons why the players were confused and made bad choices in play selection last season. It probably sounds like I am mentioning the break out play for the million-ith time. But it is a big problem. There is could be veteran players calling out the problem the team has - like Toews did a couple years ago - let's understand BOTH Stan (who choose the coach and endorsed the system) and Jeremy (whose forewards were out of position up ice, as well as dmen whom tried stretch passes repeatedly) need a fresh start with a better group of players.

Probably some youngsters come aboard this season, too, including bottom line grinders/checkers as well as more highly acclaimed skill players.

If they repeat the fiasco of last season both Stan and Jeremy will endanger their reputation and practicly be a laughing stock.

Many readers here played the game. And or coached it. You can appreciate how a system can work. But what system and how effective teacher. Barry Trotz would never allow the circus act to continue last season. Players need structure, they need support from teamattes on ice too

Perhaps some readers can dive into this, analyze the situation at hand better than myself. Pleaese do so.

Nobody will enjoy watching our team if they are going to exhibit last season's mistakes. That would be maddening
- jhawk59

And for the millionth time I will say what would you expect except an f'ing fiasco when college and ahl smurf defensemen are playing against real NHL players? Nothing but get it the "f'out of our zone." Let's see how it goes with some real players.

I AGREE WITH YOU ! If the Hawks continue to give up 40 shots against in games, it does not matter who is in net and this has to be a reflection on Colliton's system. Hockey is the fastest sport of all and it's all about read .. and ... react. Decisions are split second at times, so if whatever he is preaching takes to figure out the read, the react will be slower. Simplify the read and the reaction should be favorable. Also, I have seen teams slow other teams down in the neutral zone ... not a trap but scheme that does not allow teams to just go up and down the ice. When Trotz joined the Islanders, they pretty much went from worst defensively to top five. Hoping that the change in personal for the Hawks can do the same. Cautiously optimistic
- chuckdahammer

This exactly. If you have a goalie with a 92% save pct, they are still going to give up goals. But if you give up 25 shots, that's 2 goals. 40 shots is 4+ goals. Heck, you figure in the blocks and missed shots (posts), and the Hawks were regularly giving up 50+ shot attempts. You have to have a great offense to win. That was the problem with the Caps for years. They could do that in the regular season, but when they faced better defense in the playoffs, their offense couldn't keep up.

I don't want to go into some garbage trap game like Nashville plays, but I would love to see multiple shifts a period where the other team can't even get set up in the offensive zone.

So after two goalie trades with Vegas in the last year, it appears that Stan got the better of both deals (not to mention the best current goalie of the bunch).
- Chunk

That can’t be, Stan doesn’t win any trades.

So after two goalie trades with Vegas in the last year, it appears that Stan got the better of both deals (not to mention the best current goalie of the bunch).
- Chunk

You're kind of setting yourself up there for a good woopin..........

This exactly. If you have a goalie with a 92% save pct, they are still going to give up goals. But if you give up 25 shots, that's 2 goals. 40 shots is 4+ goals. Heck, you figure in the blocks and missed shots (posts), and the Hawks were regularly giving up 50+ shot attempts. You have to have a great offense to win. That was the problem with the Caps for years. They could do that in the regular season, but when they faced better defense in the playoffs, their offense couldn't keep up.

I don't want to go into some garbage trap game like Nashville plays, but I would love to see multiple shifts a period where the other team can't even get set up in the offensive zone.
- biskit67

I agree with most of what you say here, but... the numbers portion is shaky.

You're kind of setting yourself up there for a good woopin..........
- vabeachbear

This one I'm happy to take on. Stan essentially got a 2nd rounder for Lehner (a goalie he did not want or need). He followed that up with obtaining Fleury on a one year deal (a better goalie), for pocket lint (no offense to Hakkarainen). This allows the young goalies to learn more and not be completely counted on to carry the mail.