Theo Fox: Top Prospects: Goalies A look at the Blackhawks top goaltending prospects and the rest of the netminder pipeline.

Plus, a look at MacKenzie Entwistle and why he's a cut above the "dime a dozen" bottom 6 forwards as well as a look at the IceHogs newest player Kale Howarth.

At least they spelt Fleury's name right in your picture.

I see McCabe has the cursed #6 ... no one wearing that number ever stays around for long ... not since Bob Murray...

The absolute worse part of our prospect system. I see nobody who will project to be a #1 goalie, certainly no stud. In reality if one or two of them become career long #2s that would be as good as I see it. We need to get a couple of quality goalies in our system or we will be free agent hunting the next 10 years...

I noticed in an earlier article from you, that you might have referenced hocketdb.com for Arvid Soderblom's slight frame 6-1, 168lbs, and use those numbers again here. NHL.com and elite prospects have him close to 6-3, 180.... I have no idea myself... but that extra size would be nice.. curious which is correct?

I see McCabe has the cursed #6 ... no one wearing that number ever stays around for long ... not since Bob Murray...
- SC116

What do you mean? Ivan Droppa has a successful career wearing #6 for the Hawks.

The absolute worse part of our prospect system. I see nobody who will project to be a #1 goalie, certainly no stud. In reality if one or two of them become career long #2s that would be as good as I see it. We need to get a couple of quality goalies in our system or we will be free agent hunting the next 10 years...
- hawk35

Maybe I misread, but I thought Theo had Drew Commesso as a potential starter in the league once he completed is AHL career. I hope they do not rush any of these goalies to the NHL.

I saw a report from a Euro scout and compared Arvid to Wallstadt. they both payed in the same league and arvid out played him. He was 3 years older. also your height and weight report are off on him. More like 6-3 190 now. Once he signed I went to his Social media (not to be creppy) LOL. his sister is 6-1 BBALL player and brother is 6-7/8 (wings prosepct) and he is somewhere in the middle in there photo's.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUa1XenUky/

Part of signing flower is buying time for the prospects imo.

Part of signing flower is buying time for the prospects imo.
- fattybeef

Yes I agree. I hope he plays well enough, and accepts some team-friendly contracts (maybe 1 yr deals) the next couple years to be a backup so that the prospects are not rushed.

I noticed in an earlier article from you, that you might have referenced hocketdb.com for Arvid Soderblom's slight frame 6-1, 168lbs, and use those numbers again here. NHL.com and elite prospects have him close to 6-3, 180.... I have no idea myself... but that extra size would be nice.. curious which is correct?
- DuKen

Thanks for the correction. Capfriendly is pretty accurate and up to date so I checked out Soderblom's profile there and he's 6'3" 190.

I saw a report from a Euro scout and compared Arvid to Wallstadt. they both payed in the same league and arvid out played him. He was 3 years older. also your height and weight report are off on him. More like 6-3 190 now. Once he signed I went to his Social media (not to be creppy) LOL. his sister is 6-1 BBALL player and brother is 6-7/8 (wings prosepct) and he is somewhere in the middle in there photo's.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUa1XenUky/
- kmw4631

Thank you also for the correction on Soderblom's height and weight.

I either read the same or similar report about Soderblom being considered as better than Wallstedt. We'll see if that's true as their pro careers play out.

Regardless, I'm happy with picking up Soderblom as a free agent versus drafting one early this year especially since I still would have preferred Sillinger or Lucius over Wallstedt or Cossa had the Hawks kept the 11th pick.

Getting a young goalie prospect via free agency and not via the draft by no means is a consolation prize. Soderblom was coveted by at least half the league.

I was a guest on a podcast yesterday with Chicago Tomahawk. Check it out if interested. Thank you to Mike and Matt for inviting me.

https://player.captivate....4-23bbb8f476bd/episode=53

p.s. Feel free to rip me apart with my 3rd place prediction in the Central for the Hawks this season! I can explain...sorta...

Thank you also for the correction on Soderblom's height and weight.

I either read the same or similar report about Soderblom being considered as better than Wallstedt. We'll see if that's true as their pro careers play out.

Regardless, I'm happy with picking up Soderblom as a free agent versus drafting one early this year especially since I still would have preferred Sillinger or Lucius over Wallstedt or Cossa had the Hawks kept the 11th pick.

Getting a young goalie prospect via free agency and not via the draft by no means is a consolation prize. Soderblom was coveted by at least half the league.
- Theo Fox

So Stan was able to pick up a goalie simply by signing him that compares favorably to a first round goalie and is closer to being ready for the NHL. All this without using any Precious Draft Capital (copyright pending) on a goalie.

Considering their development curve, it amazes me that goalies get drafted at all.

I was a guest on a podcast yesterday with Chicago Tomahawk. Check it out if interested. Thank you to Mike and Matt for inviting me.

https://player.captivate....4-23bbb8f476bd/episode=53

p.s. Feel free to rip me apart with my 3rd place prediction in the Central for the Hawks this season! I can explain...sorta...
- Theo Fox

I love it Theo,

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

From one of my favorite movies

I'm just happy that we are going into a new season and Murphy isn't our best defenseman.

I love it Theo,

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

From one of my favorite movies
- BetweenTheDots

Bikini Car Wash Part Deux?

Bikini Car Wash Part Deux?
- Assman22

Close,

I think the key is Toews health.

Get busy living or get busy dying… that’s my favorite line, and here’s hoping that Theo is right.

The absolute worse part of our prospect system. I see nobody who will project to be a #1 goalie, certainly no stud. In reality if one or two of them become career long #2s that would be as good as I see it. We need to get a couple of quality goalies in our system or we will be free agent hunting the next 10 years...
- hawk35

This is the worst part of our prospect system:

MacKenzie Entwistle made the top 10 forwards ranking at #3 behind top 6 prospects Lukas Reichel and Henrik Borgstrom. How can a likely 4th liner be ranked so high?

You can find a goalie. It's more difficult to find 6 top 6 forwards. Reichel and Borgrstrom are hardly sure things and neither is rated a game changer.

I was a guest on a podcast yesterday with Chicago Tomahawk. Check it out if interested. Thank you to Mike and Matt for inviting me.

https://player.captivate....4-23bbb8f476bd/episode=53

p.s. Feel free to rip me apart with my 3rd place prediction in the Central for the Hawks this season! I can explain...sorta...
- Theo Fox

As someone with a Unicorn attached to my name, I applaud the optimism.

Sounds like JC is excited and welcomes the greater expectations.

Today @ 10:53 AM ET
I'm just happy that we are going into a new season and Murphy isn't our best defenseman.

Between the Dots

According to Elbows he still is!!

Today @ 10:53 AM ET
I'm just happy that we are going into a new season and Murphy isn't our best defenseman.

Between the Dots

According to Elbows he still is!!
- LAHawk

He loves that guy?

I still can't think of any better or as good defenseman in our division other than Josi, Heiskanen and Makar?

He loves that guy?

I still can't think of any better or as good defenseman in our division other than Josi, Heiskanen and Makar?
- BetweenTheDots

Is Makar considered good in the defensive zone?