Theo Fox: Over or Under A look at the Hockey News 2021-22 fantasy projections for the Blackhawks as well as THN's top 10 prospects for Chicago.

THe one that stands out to me is Dach. The projection seems bullish. I would set 50-55 as his projection. And even that would be an OK year, as long as he can stand up defensively. Interesting article Theo!

I like your top 10 much more than THN.

THe one that stands out to me is Dach. The projection seems bullish. I would set 50-55 as his projection. And even that would be an OK year, as long as he can stand up defensively. Interesting article Theo!
- hawk35

Dach needs to marinate in Rockford for a season or two.

The big ‘unders’ on that list are Kalynuk and Kurashev. I think Kalynuk will net 30 points and Kurashev 35-40.

The Athletic is ranking the teams with the best prospect cores (under 23) and they’re releasing the results daily. They started with 25-32

25. Edmonton
26. Calgary
27. New York (Islanders)
28. Washington
29. Boston
30. Tampa Bay
31. Pittsburgh
32. Seattle

I’d expect the Hawks to rank in the 20-22 range.

Chicago came in at#23, not too surprising.

The Top 5 are:

Dach
Reichel
Mitchell
Kurashev
Vlasic

Commesso ranked #10, I thought he would have been higher than that.

Dach needs to marinate in Rockford for a season or two.

The big ‘unders’ on that list are Kalynuk and Kurashev. I think Kalynuk will net 30 points and Kurashev 35-40.
- DarthKane

It might be best for Dach....but, I don't see it happening.

More importantly....Beaudin, Mitchell need a year in Rockford. Bet that doesn't happen either. Sign of the times. Young guys are gonna play.

Dach needs to marinate in Rockford for a season or two.

The big ‘unders’ on that list are Kalynuk and Kurashev. I think Kalynuk will net 30 points and Kurashev 35-40.
- DarthKane

Throw Kubalik and Cat in the big unders list if they stay healthy, same with the captain

Throw Kubalik and Cat in the big unders list if they stay healthy, same with the captain
- BetweenTheDots

Who is Toews going to play with to get points:

1.) Toews has to play most of the season, not a sure thing.
2.) Toews needs to play with D-Cat or Kane to get points. Kubalik is not going to get him there (I keep saying 3rd line for Kubalik). Same goes for Dach. D-Cat and Kane one of the two needs to play with each of our #1 and #2 Centers.

* Patrick Kane, 90 points (25 G, 65 A), Even
* Alex DeBrincat, 76 (40, 36), Even
* Kirby Dach, 66 (21, 45), Over
* Seth Jones, 53 (12, 41), Even
* Dominik Kubalik, 50 (25, 25), Even
* Jonathan Toews, 50 (20, 30), Even
* Dylan Strome, 42 (17, 25), Over because he won't be on the team the entire season.
* Tyler Johnson, 36 (13, 23), Under - if under we are in big trouble!
The rest are a crap shoot...

Who is Toews going to play with to get points:

1.) Toews has to play most of the season, not a sure thing.
2.) Toews needs to play with D-Cat or Kane to get points. Kubalik is not going to get him there (I keep saying 3rd line for Kubalik). Same goes for Dach. D-Cat and Kane one of the two needs to play with each of our #1 and #2 Centers.
- rpeters01

Yes, you do keep saying this about a 25-30 goal scorer who already has some history of producing with Toews, so it begs the question, why do you keep insisting this is the case? Not to mention the fact that he made a commitment to become a better overall player and who notably improved his assists/playmaking in a year where he was playing on a team with inferior talent.

Yes, you do keep saying this about a 25-30 goal scorer who already has some history of producing with Toews, so it begs the question, why do you keep insisting this is the case? Not to mention the fact that he made a commitment to become a better overall player and who notably improved his assists/playmaking in a year where he was playing on a team with inferior talent.
- Chunk

On the 2010 Blackhawks Kubalik was a bottom six forward. On this team he’s unquestionably top six. The other thing that Kubalik has done is he’s worked on his two way game to make himself more valuable regardless on what team he plays for.

Yes, you do keep saying this about a 25-30 goal scorer who already has some history of producing with Toews, so it begs the question, why do you keep insisting this is the case? Not to mention the fact that he made a commitment to become a better overall player and who notably improved his assists/playmaking in a year where he was playing on a team with inferior talent.

chunk

Not that I want to, but if Kotkimieni gets $6.1M, as an RFA, what does Kubalik ask after this year as an RFA? Maybe someone would offer sheet him at above $6.2 mil. and give up a first, second, third? Would the Hawks match or take the draft picks?

Not that I want to, but if Kotkimieni gets $6.1M, as an RFA, what does Kubalik ask after this year as an RFA? Maybe someone would offer sheet him at above $6.2 mil. and give up a first, second, third? Would the Hawks match or take the draft picks?

Everyone in the NHL knows that the Kotkaniemi thing is a fluke and a payback and not really comparable to anything. That said, I would take the picks for Kubes and run IF the team giving them is a bottom-10 club. Kubaliks pay could be somewhere in the 5.5 region if he continues to do what he has done.

Yes, you do keep saying this about a 25-30 goal scorer who already has some history of producing with Toews, so it begs the question, why do you keep insisting this is the case? Not to mention the fact that he made a commitment to become a better overall player and who notably improved his assists/playmaking in a year where he was playing on a team with inferior talent.
- Chunk

Saad is a 3rd line player. Kubalik is not better.

On the 2010 Blackhawks Kubalik was a bottom six forward. On this team he’s unquestionably top six. The other thing that Kubalik has done is he’s worked on his two way game to make himself more valuable regardless on what team he plays for.
- paulr

In the immortal words of Elvis "thank you very much!"

Yes, you do keep saying this about a 25-30 goal scorer who already has some history of producing with Toews, so it begs the question, why do you keep insisting this is the case? Not to mention the fact that he made a commitment to become a better overall player and who notably improved his assists/playmaking in a year where he was playing on a team with inferior talent.
- Chunk

A 3rd line of Hagel - Johnson - Kubalik could do some damage assuming Johnson still has tread on his tires.

Saad is a 3rd line player. Kubalik is not better.
- rpeters01

It depends on what we are discussing, if we are talking about hands, then Kubalik is better. If Kubalik is on Hawks third line, then Hawks are cup contenders, because we currently only have two forwards that are better than Kubalik.

On the 2010 Blackhawks Kubalik was a bottom six forward. On this team he’s unquestionably top six. The other thing that Kubalik has done is he’s worked on his two way game to make himself more valuable regardless on what team he plays for.
- paulr

That's pretty good. Cuz he was 15 or 16. Not too shabby for so young!!!

THe one that stands out to me is Dach. The projection seems bullish. I would set 50-55 as his projection. And even that would be an OK year, as long as he can stand up defensively. Interesting article Theo!
- hawk35

Dach in the 45-55 point range would be fine with me as long as that's part of a gradual increase over the next few years.

His water level once he hits his peak is likely 70 points. I don't see him as a PPG or more player. Probably closer to Toews' type of offensive output.

I like your top 10 much more than THN.
- 35Tony0

Honorable mentions for my top 10 are Galvas, Krys, and Wise.

I know, I'm pumping Wise's tires a lot but think there really is something there as long as the Hawks keep investing in him.

If fans like Kurashev, they'll like Wise. Similar players just different trajectories.

Dach needs to marinate in Rockford for a season or two.

The big ‘unders’ on that list are Kalynuk and Kurashev. I think Kalynuk will net 30 points and Kurashev 35-40.
- DarthKane

If they play a full season, Kalynuk and Kurashev are both capable of 30-35 and 35-40 respectively.

Kalynuk's water level is 45-50 points. Kurashev is around that, too, which is still really good considering he's likely to be in a 3rd line role.

With Kurashev, think Backlund or Eriksson Ek.

* Patrick Kane, 90 points (25 G, 65 A), Even
* Alex DeBrincat, 76 (40, 36), Even
* Kirby Dach, 66 (21, 45), Over
* Seth Jones, 53 (12, 41), Even
* Dominik Kubalik, 50 (25, 25), Even
* Jonathan Toews, 50 (20, 30), Even
* Dylan Strome, 42 (17, 25), Over because he won't be on the team the entire season.
* Tyler Johnson, 36 (13, 23), Under - if under we are in big trouble!
The rest are a crap shoot...
- rpeters01

If Jones is banging on all cylinders and lives up to his billing, then he could be even at 55 points give or take. If his point totals are lower in the 40 range, hopefully it's because he's really taking care of his own end to be well rounded.

Kubalik is due for at least 55 points (say on 30-35 goals) as he's been a .67 PPG player his first two seasons and is capable of stepping it up this year with stronger linemates.

Take the picks.. no brainer

If Jones is banging on all cylinders and lives up to his billing, then he could be even at 55 points give or take. If his point totals are lower in the 40 range, hopefully it's because he's really taking care of his own end to be well rounded.

Kubalik is due for at least 55 points (say on 30-35 goals) as he's been a .67 PPG player his first two seasons and is capable of stepping it up this year with stronger linemates.
- Theo Fox

There's not many consistent 30-35 goal scorers in this league. Sharp was a sniper, more athletic and faster. He had his 25 and 35 goal years and that was always playing first or second line. As the paperwork from my stock broker always says: "past performance is not a guarantee of future outcomes."

Take the picks.. no brainer
- LFS

It will more depend what Borgstrom, Nylander, Guadette and how the other suspects do next season. It's not like we're loaded at Forward.

PS. I'll add in Toews, Dach and Reichel.