Theo Fox: Final Fantasy
A look at the Blackhawks final roster as the reality of the 2021-22 NHL regular season begins today.

Plus, thoughts on Erik Gustafsson, recall candidates, and the IceHogs starting lineup, depth, and goalie situation.

Good morning, and one more day to go!

Thank you, Theo!
Let's Go Blackhawks!
Looking forward to see how many steps back toward playoff contention this year's version makes. With Toews back, the addition of Fleury and many young'uns with another year of pro hockey experience, I'm optimistic.

That first pic of Fleury with Tony Esposito's '35' etched in the ice behind the goal really got me. (I'm not crying, it's just really dusty in here!) To my eye, Fleury does belong with Esposito in any goalie conversation.

The prediction for the order of finish in each division ought to be quite interesting. I don't know if Theo, you are planning on a survey as an addendum to your own thought. I really suggest to take a week and see whom are the newbies, maybe some players showing they can take the next step in development. You might even want to think hard about two veterans and theur health, their diminished contribution (Tarasenko, Keith?).

Sort if a segway about defence, I suppose, but when concerned about the Blackhawks blueline crew, just look at the Blues and Oilers

I do not believe Bowman will allow a circus act of playing defense. Colliton will shape them up or he will be gone. Perhaps the defence is worse, however, in St Louis & Edmonton

The Blues defense surely is not the nice balance or anything close to as capable since their Stanley Cup. They would be nuts to trade Parayenko no matter how much they civet Tkaczuk.

The Oilers are missing Klefbom for a while. Nurse is not solid, defensively. Keith is in decline. Special K is not special. Both Broberg and Bouchard are getting an extended look. They can score 'em and be scored upon!

Good morning Theo. I like the idea for the new format this season. With Kurashev and Entwistle making the team, I expect Kurashev to get regular minutes. Hopefully Entwistle's playing more often than not on the 4th line, otherwise he should be in RFD.

Wondering who the odd men out on forward will be most nights.

Edit - Also, unless I misread, I think you left Nylander off the Hogs roster.

Good morning Theo. I like the idea for the new format this season. With Kurashev and Entwistle making the team, I expect Kurashev to get regular minutes. Hopefully Entwistle's playing more often than not on the 4th line, otherwise he should be in RFD.

Wondering who the odd men out on forward will be most nights.

Edit - Also, unless I misread, I think you left Nylander off the Hogs roster.
- HawkintheD

Freudian slip?

This coach hasn't shown a great desire to do any line matching or situational deployments so it'll be a free for all for Gus if he sees the ice which will be hilarious.

Theo Fox: Final Fantasy
A look at the Blackhawks final roster as the reality of the 2021-22 NHL regular season begins today.

Plus, thoughts on Erik Gustafsson, recall candidates, and the IceHogs starting lineup, depth, and goalie situation.
- Theo Fox

Appreciate all the hard work Theo, 3 blogs a week sounds more than fair to me. The question is will you be able to control yourself? Definitely see you have a passion for this team and writing about them. Thank you

Appreciate all the hard work Theo, 3 blogs a week sounds more than fair to me. The question is will you be able to control yourself? Definitely see you have a passion for this team and writing about them. Thank you
- BetweenTheDots

I hope you’re stocked up on the Blood Pressure meds, I’m thinking the first two months of the season will be bumpy.

I hope you’re stocked up on the Blood Pressure meds, I’m thinking the first two months of the season will be bumpy.
- paulr

If that's the case then maybe the great communicator will be gone

Glad to see you have no optimism already and the team hasn't even played one game

If that's the case then maybe the great communicator will be gone
- BetweenTheDots

I’m sure he’ll be given allot of rope after getting re-signed. I expect the Hawks will get into the playoffs but it’ll be a bumpy road getting there.

Good morning Theo. I like the idea for the new format this season. With Kurashev and Entwistle making the team, I expect Kurashev to get regular minutes. Hopefully Entwistle's playing more often than not on the 4th line, otherwise he should be in RFD.

Wondering who the odd men out on forward will be most nights.

Edit - Also, unless I misread, I think you left Nylander off the Hogs roster.
- HawkintheD

Oops. Unintentional wishful thinking with omitting Nylander on my part?

I edited the blog with him penciled in.

Lots of the extra players are on AHL deals so they should be on the Rockford-Indy shuttle.

Oops. Unintentional wishful thinking with omitting Nylander on my part?

I edited the blog with him penciled in.

Lots of the extra players are on AHL deals so they should be on the Rockford-Indy shuttle.
- Theo Fox

Strome seems to understand the dainty perimeter game isn’t going to serve him well and played better in the preseason getting more involved, going to the net and trying to battle harder for the puck. Maybe Nylander can work on that part of his game and be less Nylavendar (thanks D) and more Nylander to get another look with the Hawks?

Appreciate all the hard work Theo, 3 blogs a week sounds more than fair to me. The question is will you be able to control yourself? Definitely see you have a passion for this team and writing about them. Thank you
- BetweenTheDots

I probably will write more than 3 blogs a week but it’s easier for me to write editorial ones than game previews and recaps.

A lot more go into those game blogs. Constant rewinding and rewatching of games to dissect and be thorough.

Strome seems to understand the dainty perimeter game isn’t going to serve him well and played better in the preseason getting more involved, going to the net and trying to battle harder for the puck. Maybe Nylander can work on that part of his game and be less Nylavendar (thanks D) and more Nylander to get another look with the Hawks?
- paulr

On Strome, Elliotte Friedman reporting that he may be on the move soon.

Last season opening night lineup versus likely this season opening night lineup

Holdovers - Carpenter, deHaan, DeBrincat, Kane, Kubalik, Murphy (maybe Mitchell and Strome)

S. Jones - Boqvist traded to Columbus
Khaira - Highmore traded to Canucks
Borgstrum - Janmark traded to Vegas
T. Johnson - Kampf signed by Toronto
McCabe - Keith traded to Edmonton
Hagel - Pirri unsigned UFA
Dach - Shaw LTIR
Toews - Suter signed by Detroit
Kurashev - Wallmark unsigned UFA
Stillman - Zadorov signed by Calgary
Fleury - Subban in AHL (Ice Hogs)

On roster and may or may not be in starting lineup in Colorado:
Mitchell (in lineup last season opening night) or Gus
Strome (in lineup last season opening night) or Entwistle/Gaudette

Overall I like this year's roster.

I’m sure he’ll be given allot of rope after getting re-signed. I expect the Hawks will get into the playoffs but it’ll be a bumpy road getting there.
- paulr

Statistically speaking, by the quarter mark usually 7 of the 8 teams in playoff position remain in playoff position the rest of the season. Maybe 1 possibly 2 teams may unseat the other teams so if its really bumpy bye bye JC and Bowman

Nick Suzuki 8 years @ $7.8 years. Not good for a Kubalik contract, but maked ADB's look like a steal.

Wow NHL only has 4 players that are not vaccinated, damn

Nick Suzuki 8 years @ $7.8 years. Not good for a Kubalik contract, but maked ADB's look like a steal.
- LAHawk

Suziki is also a center, no?

Right now with the Hawks top guys looking healthy, I think they could have a real solid start to the season. I'm not saying there won't be kinks to work out on the defensive side, but MAF helps cover that up. Up front, the scoring should be above average, because they have scoring talent across more of the lines now. Debrincat/Johnson/Kane will produce, because all three of those guys can make a play with the puck and it will be difficult for defenders to contain them.

Kubalik/Toews/Kurashev as a unit we've seen them fight through defenders from down low and the corners to create chances and Kubalik still has the canon of a shot.

Third line Borgstrom-Dach-Hagel are talented guys, who to me, Dach and Hagel are right now on the cusp of top 6. They could be better than the average 3rd line IMO.

The 4th line is not going to wow anyone, but they can get play NHL hockey. They won't have to play big minutes unless JC wants to just give them extra shifts. The Hawks have enough on the top 3 lines to eat a lot of minutes.

Suziki is also a center, no?
- Chunk

Pretty sure he is their No 1. Center in Montreal. Good player.

Suziki is also a center, no?

Chunk

I grant you that, and a #1 with Montreal, but his stats do not scream Mika Zibanijad salary numbers (8 x 8 mil.) I guess Montreal doesn't want to get burned by another offer sheet. If a #1 center is averaging a little over .5 PPG, what does a 30 goal scoring winger get?

Right now with the Hawks top guys looking healthy, I think they could have a real solid start to the season. I'm not saying there won't be kinks to work out on the defensive side, but MAF helps cover that up. Up front, the scoring should be above average, because they have scoring talent across more of the lines now. Debrincat/Johnson/Kane will produce, because all three of those guys can make a play with the puck and it will be difficult for defenders to contain them.

Kubalik/Toews/Kurashev as a unit we've seen them fight through defenders from down low and the corners to create chances and Kubalik still has the canon of a shot.

Third line Borgstrom-Dach-Hagel are talented guys, who to me, Dach and Hagel are right now on the cusp of top 6. They could be better than the average 3rd line IMO.

The 4th line is not going to wow anyone, but they can get play NHL hockey. They won't have to play big minutes unless JC wants to just give them extra shifts. The Hawks have enough on the top 3 lines to eat a lot of minutes.
- breadbag

I was really looking forward to what you were going to say about the pk.

On Strome, Elliotte Friedman reporting that he may be on the move soon.
- Theo Fox

Been talk he’s on his way to Ottawa. If he goes, or stays, it’ll be interesting to see if he continues playing with a little more jam or if he just reverts to his old dainty game.