Theo Fox: Ding Dong Thoughts on the firing of Jeremy Colliton as Blackhawks head coach and naming of Derek King as interim ahead of tonight's game vs the Predators.

Plus, a summary of the IceHogs 2-1 loss to the Griffins in the home opener.

I have to admit, I really loved the title of this blog ... ding dong ... aptly put, sir.

I imagine probably the situation is one where King was not going really be considered for the non-interim role, and Crawford might be (potentially). It's probably also the reason that Boudreau might not have had much to say about things (as someone noted) ... I don't know though, NHL career as a gauge of coaching success isn't really all that relevant; Gretzky wasn't that great of a coach ... but I guess what might be more of a measuring stick might be being in and around the NHL environment ... meaning, like in this case I guess exposure to Euro leagues --- less might be more in the context of the NHL, so I think I see where you're going with this.

Two options
1) Bring in new GM and Head Coach in season. Assess roster (including getting some NHL time for Nylander and Reichel).
2) Stick with the interims until the end of the year and then reevaluate (then blow it up).

It's a new day.
Beat the Predators.
Let's Go Blackhawks.

I think they already know Kubalik’s next contract expectations. If they are too high they play him in the top 6 and give him some power play time to boost his value. Then they move him before the TDL for a first.

If he wants to stay they try to resign Kubalik for one year in the $6 mil range with the promise that the following year when Toews’ and Kane’s big contracts expire he could possibly sign for a little more.

I could see them retaining salary to move T Johnson and promoting Nylander. Johnson might be an affordable positive cost controlled veteran presence on Buffalo or Arizona at $2.5 mil for this year and two more.

Same with Connolly. They could retain salary to move him. Connolly might be an affordable positive cost controlled veteran presence on Buffalo or Arizona at $1.2mil for this year and one more.

Maybe pick up a late round pick for each.

Start Lankinen tonight and if he plays well (win or lose) he keeps the net until he has a bad game. Then it is Fleury’s net to lose.

Great blog as usual Theo. I am hoping they find a GM over the next couple weeks and then they can hire a coach of their choice by the end of November.

I would also like to see the GM then sit back and assess the team until mid-January and at that point put a plan together. Do you resign Kubs to a 2 or 3 year contract or do you move him at the deadline along with De Haan and Fleury if he wants out. I believe the Hawks need to respect Fleury's wishes as he was promised that he wouldn't be moved at the deadline.

I am also hoping that King puts Strome in the lineup and puts him in a position to excel (top 2 lines). If he starts putting up points then that would increase his trade value.

I look forward to Caleb Jones coming back. He looked serviceable in the preseason. When he comes back Gus is your 7th defender (in the press box most nights).

I would like to see Kalynuk go to Rockford at least for a few games.

Great blog as usual Theo. I am hoping they find a GM over the next couple weeks and then they can hire a coach of their choice by the end of November.

I would also like to see the GM then sit back and assess the team until mid-January and at that point put a plan together. Do you resign Kubs to a 2 or 3 year contract or do you move him at the deadline along with De Haan and Fleury if he wants out. I believe the Hawks need to respect Fleury's wishes as he was promised that he wouldn't be moved at the deadline.

I am also hoping that King puts Strome in the lineup and puts him in a position to excel (top 2 lines). If he starts putting up points then that would increase his trade value.
- scott.jackson

What they do with Strome should be interesting. I could see them reuniting Strome with ADB and Kane for a few games. But I could also see Strome on a wing, on the 3rd line, or in a different team’s jersey.

Hagel Toews Kubalik
ADB Strome Kane
Johnson Dach Gaudette/Borgstrum
Khaira Entwistle Carpenter

Send Kurashev to Rockford for additional seasoning.

Or something more radical……
Dach Toews Kubalik
ADB Borgstrum Kane
Hagel Johnson/Strome Gaudette
Khaira Entwistle Carpenter

What they do with Strome should be interesting. I could see them reuniting Strome with ADB and Kane for a few games. But I could also see Strome on a wing, on the 3rd line, or in a different team’s jersey.
- Ztra

I think King is going to give Strome a shot with Dcat hopefully over the next couple of games and see if he sinks or swims.

Colliton playing him and putting him on the 4th line made no sense. Put Carpenter on the 1st line and Strome on the 4th line? Not saying that Strome deserves to be on the 1st line, put I would give him a few games on the 2nd line and see how it goes.

Hagel Toews Kubalik
ADB Strome Kane
Johnson Dach Gaudette/Borgstrum
Khaira Entwistle Carpenter

Send Kurashev to Rockford for additional seasoning.

Or something more radical……
Dach Toews Kubalik
ADB Borgstrum Kane
Hagel Johnson/Strome Gaudette
Khaira Entwistle Carpenter
- Ztra

I like the line combinations. I really like Kurashev and believe he has been snake bitten over the last few games and deserved a few goals. Saying that with the record the Hawks currently have sending both Kurashev and Dach back to the Rock for a month or two would do wonders with their development and also their confidence.

Regardless of the line up, hopefully there's some organization and purpose to what they do on the ice. Next 4 games are a good opportunity to pick up some points.

Hagel- Toews - Kane

Debrincat - Dach - Kubilak

Top 6...leave them alone. Rotate Hagel in/out with some of the THIRD liners (not the 4th liners)

3rd line should consist of these players in some sort of combo -
Kurashev-Borgstrom-Strome-Gaudette-Johnson

And these guys never leave the 4th...
Khaira- Entswittle-R.Johnson-Carpenter-Hardman

Chicago still needs to change the locker room, 1) change the Captain or move him 2) trade Kane while you can get value. Times have change time to move on from these two. Should have changed Towes out when his value was high, it’s still a buisness and the Hawks need a new business plan today. Kane is a GREAT player but not a leader.

Should Dach be sent to Rockford. The AHL players have remarked how much the various coaching assistance has positively hepled them. Dach is not performing the way or the style we expected outvofvhim. He needs to refocus and get his game together. The mental gymnastic the Blackhawks could help him through might very well include off ice chats.

Bring up Barrret. Demote Dach.

Hell....if they put Toews and Kane together...

They could even put .any 4th liner with those two forecheck - move Hagel to the 3rd - and extend the line

But Toews and Kane can carry a 4th liner for times. Even Carpenter

But asking Toews and Hagel to carry a Carpenter? Now that's a line of a 1st liner (Toews), 3rd liner (Hagel) and AHL (Carpenter) - and wonder why the 5 in 5 sucked or couldn't score consistently

First 6min of the game against WINN

Small plays. Toews and Hagel had 2 nice entries. Fed one to Carpenter for a long backhand he threw at the net from the top of a circle.

But plays just die on a guys stick which a more creative offensive player may be able to "make a play"

Not Carpenters fault. Shouldn't be there. Probably doesn't feel good for him either - which doesnt help the ol' confidence either when struggling. Then hit a press conference to have your coach JC say the team needs to work "harder". Bag skates them.

But I think/hope small things like that can/will begin to put confidence into the players where they can relax and play loose.

Take Strome and Gaudette

Their whole hockey lives they've probably only been asked to score. They've probably only ever played in a top 6 role with good skill players. Min 15min a night.

NOW, they are told to be 4th line role players. 5 on 5 only, about 10-12 min a game

Skill players can't find rhythm like that.

Where as Carpenter clawed and fought for 4th line minutes up to the league. Accustomed to playing 10-12min a game. Spot shifts. Play a role. Etc. Learn to stay sharp in a small role.

Yet now, he was expected to be Line 1, PP1, PK1...even led the team in all ice time in first period the last few games.

Then, when Strome gets out there in the Ozone...guarantee he feels pressure to make a play, because he has no clue when his next shift/game will be....and you get a bad/risky play

Look at Strome's PIMs. He was playing 60gms, he had what - 4-6 minors total??

He was averaging 16-17 min a night then getting regular shifts.

Don't get me wrong. Trade him, dont care. But JC ruined him the day he put his slow butt at wing. Worse call with him. He's a slow, bad defensive C....that can create offense with the right skill players.

I think they already know Kubalik’s next contract expectations. If they are too high they play him in the top 6 and give him some power play time to boost his value. Then they move him before the TDL for a first.

If he wants to stay they try to resign Kubalik for one year in the $6 mil range with the promise that the following year when Toews’ and Kane’s big contracts expire he could possibly sign for a little more.
- Ztra

Kubalik at $6M (with a promise to increase this number in the future) would be an overpay at his current level of play. Overspending is part of our problem right now and it is not a good plan moving forward on a rebuild.

Kubalik at $6M (with a promise to increase this number in the future) would be an overpay at his current level of play. Overspending is part of our problem right now and it is not a good plan moving forward on a rebuild.
- 67hawks

Kubalik has averaged a goal every 3 games in his career. He is 26. What do you think he is worth?

Chicago still needs to change the locker room, 1) change the Captain or move him 2) trade Kane while you can get value. Times have change time to move on from these two. Should have changed Towes out when his value was high, it’s still a buisness and the Hawks need a new business plan today. Kane is a GREAT player but not a leader.
- Tee56

Not sure who this is, obviously, but Zawaski's source on the team said while this was going down yesterday, but pre-public announcement: "Something will change - the team is not bought in or can't play the system, and that starts with #19. They should have changed the system to work around him."

Not sure what "work around him" means, whether design the system / lineup around him or do what you suggest by changing the leadership to those who were buying into what JC was selling. Either way, made it sound like Toews returning definitely hadn't helped JC's case, regardless of public statements to the contrary.

Kubalik has averaged a goal every 3 games in his career. He is 26. What do you think he is worth?
- Ztra

Unlike Stan, the new kid is a solid negotiator. Kubalik happily signs for seven years at $2.5M AAV.

Kane signs for three years at $5M AAV

Seth is traded at the deadline for two #1's.

Torts is hired, but never makes any of the vets sad.

Strome lights it up without the anchor of JC around his neck, and is traded for a #1 at the TDL.

Git 'er dun, Kyle.

Not sure who this is, obviously, but Zawaski's source on the team said while this was going down yesterday, but pre-public announcement: "Something will change - the team is not bought in or can't play the system, and that starts with #19. They should have changed the system to work around him."

Not sure what "work around him" means, whether design the system / lineup around him or do what you suggest by changing the leadership to those who were buying into what JC was selling. Either way, made it sound like Toews returning definitely hadn't helped JC's case, regardless of public statements to the contrary.
- pdx2ord

Well, the team seemed to play better last year without Johnny. One would think they'd be better with him back. But, no.

Well hopefully King was told to sh** can whatever hybrid system they were trying to run in the NHL/AHL. They either don't know how to explain it or don't have the personnel to run it.

Just implement a simple zone system for now. All these guys have played and run a zone system since pee-wee. I/we can't expect any big changes in performance in 24 hours but at least get the team to be competitive out there.

Oh and get them to protect the house.