Theo Fox: Spicy Nuggets Some semi-hot takes on the Blackhawks as the summer lull winds down and the preseason ramps up.

Takes on Toews, Dach, Strome, Nylander, Kubalik, Johnson, Carpenter, Connolly, Hagel, Reichel, Kurashev, Kalynuk, Jones, Murphy, McCabe, de Haan, Subban, and Delia.

Excluded is who toews hands the cup to in spring 2022

So everything goes well for the Hawks? Fascinating hot takes

If I want a good return for Strome I play him in camp at center with Kane and Debrincat and Seth Jones.

Excluded is who toews hands the cup to in spring 2022
- glennjpawlak22

Seth Jones.

Hope springs eternal!

* Ryan Carpenter and Brett Connolly will surprise and play reasonably well as 4th liners...in RFD."

Fixed

You forgot about the coaching staff:

Colliton et.al will marry skaters to a system that works for the players he actually has on the ice - not those he wishes he has - on defense and the two special teams.

Or not.

Good morning Theo. Thanks for keeping us interested during these dog days of summer. I do believe that McCabe and Murphy will form a good Irish shut down pair. My hot-take has to do with Kurashev, I predict that he will break out this year with 15-20 goals. Maybe he will be the other wing on Toews/Kubalik line. For De Haan to stay healthy, I recommend that he bathe in holy water on a daily basis.

I'll go out on a limb here.

Debrincat with 38 goals.

Kane still producing at over a point per game pace. Let's say 92 points - 35 goals and 57 assists.

Good morning Theo. Thanks for keeping us interested during these dog days of summer. I do believe that McCabe and Murphy will form a good Irish shut down pair. My hot-take has to do with Kurashev, I predict that he will break out this year with 15-20 goals. Maybe he will be the other wing on Toews/Kubalik line. For De Haan to stay healthy, I recommend that he bathe in holy water on a daily basis.
- Angotti

Haha yeah, de Haan staying healthy is definitely the least likely of those to happen! I’m going the opposite with Kurashev, I predict he finishes the year in Rockford. He’s got good tools but seems to me to be missing a toolbox, albeit in limited viewing. Hagel and Kalynuk look like the real deals, though.

Switching gears here. Back to the availability of CenterIce on Directv to watch out of town games.

In the past, prior to the season, I received notices from Directv noting that my CenterIce package will be renewed automatically for the upcoming season unless I cancel out. I didn't get such a notification this year.

Also in the past, for a season starting in October, the 1st installment payment came with the September billing statement. No installment was shown on my recently received September statement.

Their website and an overall internet search doesn't show much about the package availability for the 21-22 season.

I really don't want to call customer service and speak to someone in India. Anybody have any further info they can share?

Switching gears here. Back to the availability of CenterIce on Directv to watch out of town games.

In the past, prior to the season, I received notices from Directv noting that my CenterIce package will be renewed automatically for the upcoming season unless I cancel out. I didn't get such a notification this year.

Also in the past, for a season starting in October, the 1st installment payment came with the September billing statement. No installment was shown on my recently received September statement.

Their website and an overall internet search doesn't show much about the package availability for the 21-22 season.

I really don't want to call customer service and speak to someone in India. Anybody have any further info they can share?
- boilermaker100

I’m waiting on path forward as well, looks like ESPN+ is one option, but I don’t believe that gets you all games.

Haha yeah, de Haan staying healthy is definitely the least likely of those to happen! I’m going the opposite with Kurashev, I predict he finishes the year in Rockford. He’s got good tools but seems to me to be missing a toolbox, albeit in limited viewing. Hagel and Kalynuk look like the real deals, though.
- Quetzalcoatl

Such a true statement. DeHaan has exactly one NHL season in which he wasn't injured at some point. Worse than that though, is even when healthy, he has just been bad. Last year he was consistently horrible. If that trend continues, then just play the kids.

I signed up with DirecTV this morning, Boiler. The price reflecting early bird status was $59.95. Choice of 3 payments, or one lump sum. Don't know why they didn't send notices in advance, this year. But, yes, DirecTV is on board for the upcoming NHL season. Here's to hoping it is as good as it has been in the past.

I signed up with DirecTV this morning, Boiler. The price reflecting early bird status was $59.95. Choice of 3 payments, or one lump sum. Don't know why they didn't send notices in advance, this year. But, yes, DirecTV is on board for the upcoming NHL season. Here's to hoping it is as good as it has been in the past.
- gabriel

Thank you sir. That's quite a discount from the past when the payments where about $40 per month over 4 months.

Edit - Boiler Up

Switching gears here. Back to the availability of CenterIce on Directv to watch out of town games.

In the past, prior to the season, I received notices from Directv noting that my CenterIce package will be renewed automatically for the upcoming season unless I cancel out. I didn't get such a notification this year.

Also in the past, for a season starting in October, the 1st installment payment came with the September billing statement. No installment was shown on my recently received September statement.

Their website and an overall internet search doesn't show much about the package availability for the 21-22 season.

I really don't want to call customer service and speak to someone in India. Anybody have any further info they can share?
- boilermaker100

The 1st call I made yesterday, the customer service representative sounded as though she was under air attack in Istanbul. Purposefully made the interaction brief. Today, I spoke to a nice gal who was fluent in the kings' English, who assisted me fully. You may have to call a few times to get lucky. I mean no one any harm or slight in this depiction. Sometimes things are, what they are.

Thank you sir. That's quite a discount from the past when the payments where about $40 per month over 4 months.

Edit - Boiler Up
- boilermaker100

Boiler Up, indeed!

The 1st call I made yesterday, the customer service representative sounded as though she was under air attack in Istanbul. Purposefully made the interaction brief. Today, I spoke to a nice gal who was fluent in the kings' English, who assisted me fully. You may have to call a few times to get lucky. I mean no one any harm or slight in this depiction. Sometimes things are, what they are.
- gabriel

King’s English? You mean she spells colour, favourite and honour with the King’s “u”?

Thank you sir. That's quite a discount from the past when the payments where about $40 per month over 4 months.

Edit - Boiler Up
- boilermaker100

There has to be a catch....

Not to fret, Mo. Next year it will be $300 I'm sure. Apparently attempting to make a concerted effort to get folks acclimated to the best game on the planet. All of us here have been there, and done that.

King’s English? You mean she spells colour, favourite and honour with the King’s “u”?
- paulr

You're one of my favourite posters Paul. Feel better? Now explain to me why I was mugged by spell-check, to correct my first spelling. You're probably correct in your assessment though, seeing as how you absolutely adore splitting hairs. Keep up the good work.

* Jonathan Toews will play no more than 60 games this season but look great in the games where he does lace up the skates. (Over - or else way under.)

* Kirby Dach will turn in a strong comeback season as an impact player in all zones picking up around 55 points (big points jump next year). (Under)

* Dylan Strome will get traded before the season starts for a 2nd rounder + prospect with a long shot for a 1st rounder. (Agreed - return will depend on salary retained)

* Alex Nylander will get traded by the trade deadline for the ever popular 3rd rounder. (Sooner or not at all.)

* Dominik Kubalik will be re-signed to a contract extension before calendar year 2022 begins. (Yup! 4@$5.25 aav last year $8)

* Tyler Johnson will catch his second wind as a veteran offensive contributor in the 50-55 point range. (under)

* Ryan Carpenter and Brett Connolly will surprise and play reasonably well as 4th liners. (Connolly yes, Carpenter "he gone.")

* Brandon Hagel will break out even more with a 20-goal, 45-point sophomore campaign. (he will get hurt and miss half the season.)

* Lukas Reichel will start with the IceHogs but earn a call up then never look back impressing out of the gate. (will play 9 games with the big team to begin the season and then get sent down. There will be a spot for him with Strome and Carpenter gone.)

* Philipp Kurashev and Wyatt Kalynuk will be amongst the youngsters who make it really hard for the coaching staff to cut them. (Special K's)

* Seth Jones will resurge as a top all-around defender in the league to anchor the blueline. (and the Stadium crowd will boo him until he wins a fight after a cheap shot to Toews.)

* Connor Murphy and Jake McCabe will form a formidable shutdown D pair. (Really, the two of them together? Kind of a slow pairing...}

* Calvin de Haan will remain with the Hawks, stay healthy, and help to solidify the top 4 along with Jones, Murphy, and McCabe. (I just saw a pig fly by.)

* Malcolm Subban will be retained and risked to go through waivers if demoted to Rockford to serve as a much needed 3rd string. (I think he's traded in camp.)

* Collin Delia will get traded for a 5th rounder or later pick. (waive bye bye)

King’s English? You mean she spells colour, favourite and honour with the King’s “u”?
- paulr

Demented perfectionist.

Demented perfectionist.

- gabriel

Not in the least. King’s English would use all the unnecessary u’s. The US spelling makes more sense. Now remove the “k” from knife, the “p” from pneumonia, the “c” from muscle and so on and we’ll call it President’s English or better American.

The 1st call I made yesterday, the customer service representative sounded as though she was under air attack in Istanbul. Purposefully made the interaction brief. Today, I spoke to a nice gal who was fluent in the kings' English, who assisted me fully. You may have to call a few times to get lucky. I mean no one any harm or slight in this depiction. Sometimes things are, what they are.
- gabriel

I have had the same problems. Some service reps helpful, others meh. I'll call them shortly.