Theo Fox: Magic 8 Ball A speed round of "what if" hypothetical thoughts on the Blackhawks.

Plus, news on 3 top IceHogs in concussion protocol (Reichel, Galvas, Soderblom).

Home game vs the Rangers tonight.

What if Marc-Andre Fleury wants to stay in Chicago?
If he wants to stay in Chicago, I would sign him. I would because his wanting to stay means the 'Hawks are closer to contention than the start of this season indicates.

Speaking of concussions, I will be keeping my eye on Jacob Trouba. It didn't get mentioned but he was quite free with throwing elbows to the head with Blackhawks players in their last game.

Thank you, Theo for this column and specificly the topic.

I have a "what if" for you and the board. You have said enough about the progress of the dmen prospects. So we ought to categorize them and feel reasonably that at least initially if not long term we slotted them properly

So should the prospects make the NHL roster I suggest we can label them to battle for a second pair, third pair, or depth role

Galvas is the steadiness but can he eventually handle NHL big size forwards effectively. Until I see him for a while in the NHL, I have him pegged as third pair

Only Mitchell could stick as second pair

Beaudin, Kyrs, Rogula, Phillips battle for third pair. I have a gut feeling that Rogula with his size and shot has Davidson 's attention more so than the others.

Beaudin had a great scouting report coming out of junior and if the attributes on. the old scouting reports reflect what to expect in the NHL, then he will force a hard decision.

I will add that the Blackhawks may be conscious of each pair ideally has a puck mover and physical (preferably large size) partner whose physical game makes sense as they complement each other

I really like what Allen, Crevier, Vlasic, Kaiser and his collegiate teamatte could become. I understand Kaiser and his teamatte both could be playing defense in the WJC.

It will be fun and very interesting to see how "development" turn out. Can I say this: I like our prospect(us)!
[img][/img]

What if Marc-Andre Fleury wants to stay in Chicago?
If he wants to stay in Chicago, I would sign him. I would because his wanting to stay means the 'Hawks are closer to contention than the start of this season indicates.
Speaking of concussions, I will be keeping my eye on Jacob Trouba. It didn't get mentioned but he was quite free with throwing elbows to the head with Blackhawks players in their last game.
- 35Tony0

Yeah I remember seeing him basically punch Gus in the face after a whistle...in front of which net I don't recall.

Some great questions Theo.

1) Should the Blackhawks re-sign Fleury?

If he keeps playing like this and they can get him on a bit of a hometown discount. If he wants to re-up at $7M then no thanks.

2) What if Jonathan Toews and/or Patrick Kane waive their NMCs? Should the Blackhawks trade them?

Salary would have to be retained on either, Toews for sure and not sure who'd want him right now. I don't think he'd waive or ask to be traded. Kane's a more interesting question. I doubt he goes anywhere also. The only way I trade him is if someone wants to significantly overpay...a first round pick and legit top prospect would have to be the conversation starter.

3) What if Seth Jones plays like a #1 defenseman for a majority of his 8-year contract? Downhill after the contract kicks in?

Hopefully the former and he sure looks to me like one currently. Like someone said the other day, he hasn't been paired with anyone close to Werenski's caliber and he's been driving play, piling pts and playing better defense.

4) What if Colton Dach ends up being the better overall Blackhawks forward than older brother Kirby as far as impact on a game? Or could both flourish in different roles?

Depends. If Colton becomes an elite power forward and Kirby tops out as a defensively responsible 2 or 3C who accounts for between 40-50 pts a season, that could still turn out ok. In the latter scenario, they'd have obviously found someone who jumped ahead of him for center depth. Idk...I know some of the "you heard it here first" crowd are already writing Kirby's epitaph, but I still think he figures it out and becomes an eventual 1C or 2nd at worst.

Also, Let's Go Hawks!

4) What if Colton Dach ends up being the better overall Blackhawks forward than older brother Kirby as far as impact on a game? Or could both flourish in different roles?

First line in three years:
Reichel at center with a Dach on either side?

As usual, nice work Theo but this one on a game day might get 30 pages of responses and a couple suspensions. I'd assume that's ok though.

I'll add my wet blanket response. No to every personnel question, including hiring coaches, until a "permanent" GM and or hockey ops guy is hired. Let a qualified adult with a plan make those decisions and I say this realizing when Jeff Gorton was named interim GM of BOS a decade ago he traded Raycroft for prospect Tukka Rask.

And reading LeBron yesterday he reports he has not heard of the Hawks reaching out to anyone to fill any front office jobs. Maybe Rocky and his boy are waiting for MTL, VAN, ANA, PHI, and whichever other organIzations fire people this yr, to fill their vacancies and the Hawks will take whoever is left over???

Thank you, Theo for this column and specificly the topic.

I have a "what if" for you and the board. You have said enough about the progress of the dmen prospects. So we ought to categorize them and feel reasonably that at least initially if not long term we slotted them properly

So should the prospects make the NHL roster I suggest we can label them to battle for a second pair, third pair, or depth role

Galvas is the steadiness but can he eventually handle NHL big size forwards effectively. Until I see him for a while in the NHL, I have him pegged as third pair

Only Mitchell could stick as second pair

Beaudin, Kyrs, Rogula, Phillips battle for third pair. I have a gut feeling that Rogula with his size and shot has Davidson 's attention more so than the others.

Beaudin had a great scouting report coming out of junior and if the attributes on. the old scouting reports reflect what to expect in the NHL, then he will force a hard decision.

I will add that the Blackhawks may be conscious of each pair ideally has a puck mover and physical (preferably large size) partner whose physical game makes sense as they complement each other

I really like what Allen, Crevier, Vlasic, Kaiser and his collegiate teamatte could become. I understand Kaiser and his teamatte both could be playing defense in the WJC.

It will be fun and very interesting to see how "development" turn out. Can I say this: I like our prospect(us)!

- jhawk59[img][/img]

jhawk: states I have a "what if" for the board.
me: reads entire post and no "what if statement".

As usual, nice work Theo but this one on a game day might get 30 pages of responses and a couple suspensions. I'd assume that's ok though.

I'll add my wet blanket response. No to every personnel question, including hiring coaches, until a "permanent" GM and or hockey ops guy is hired. Let a qualified adult with a plan make those decisions and I say this realizing when Jeff Gorton was named interim GM of BOS a decade ago he traded Raycroft for prospect Tukka Rask.

And reading LeBron yesterday he reports he has not heard of the Hawks reaching out to anyone to fill any front office jobs. Maybe Rocky and his boy are waiting for MTL, VAN, ANA, PHI, and whichever other organIzations fire people this yr, to fill their vacancies and the Hawks will take whoever is left over???
- Mr Ricochet

I'm not sure he's gonna be your best source for hockey related info...

Ricco, I am with you about fresh eyes being a “qualification” for VP of hockey ops, but I have a new personal favorite (hopefully after a complete and speedy recovery). Troy Murray. Long time Hawk, former captain, respected throughout the league, still involved with the game, and a straight shooter. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the team inside and out although not being a “direct employ” of the team. I bet he knows who he would want as GM, coach, and his front office direct reports. Above all I wish him a speedy and complete recovery.

Ricco, I am with you about fresh eyes being a “qualification” for VP of hockey ops, but I have a new personal favorite (hopefully after a complete and speedy recovery). Troy Murray. Long time Hawk, former captain, respected throughout the league, still involved with the game, and a straight shooter. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the team inside and out although not being a “direct employ” of the team. I bet he knows who he would want as GM, coach, and his front office direct reports. Above all I wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
- LAHawk

LA, nice call on Troy. I also wish him a speedy and safe recovery.

I'm not sure he's gonna be your best source for hockey related info...
- Chunk

Idk..I enjoyed Barkley on the TNT broadcast.

Hi Theo. Interesting questions.

Unless someone absolutely blows you away with an offer, I personally don't trade Kane or Toews unless they say they want out. I don't think the returns would be equal to what you are giving away.

If Ian Mitchell ends up being the best of the bunch, it will solidify the thought that Stan used horrible logic in drafting d-men. Not everyone has to be a puck mover. That said, I think if Mitchell hits his ceiling, he will be a very good player (definite 1st pair).

Kirby & Colton: I care less about where a guy is drafted and more about what they bring. If Kirby tops out as a 2-3C, while not thrilled, I'm not upset. In all honesty, no one from that draft class is head and shoulders above him. If Colton turns into something better than his brother, great! You got great value on a 2nd round pick.

jhawk: states I have a "what if" for the board.
me: reads entire post and no "what if statement".


- Chunk

Don’t get fooled again

jhawk: states I have a "what if" for the board.
me: reads entire post and no "what if statement".


- Chunk

What if the defencemrn mentioned wound up in the precise pairing I suggested
Mitchell I said might get up to a second pair. Galvas a third pair I explained
Where's several look to compete for third pair I went on to explain.

I should have typed out "what if" specificly tor each player. My bad.......I should have done so after introducing the term. Nonetheless, you understood where I categorized the prospects.

What if the defencemrn mentioned wound up in the precise pairing I suggested
Mitchell I said might get up to a second pair. Galvas a third pair I explained
Where's several look to compete for third pair I went on to explain.

I should have typed out "what if" specificly tor each player. My bad.......I should have done so after introducing the term. Nonetheless, you understood where I categorized the prospects.
- jhawk59

Just giving you a hard time jhawk, and also confirming to the entire board that I am slightly OCD.

Hi Theo. Interesting questions.

Unless someone absolutely blows you away with an offer, I personally don't trade Kane or Toews unless they say they want out. I don't think the returns would be equal to what you are giving away.

If Ian Mitchell ends up being the best of the bunch, it will solidify the thought that Stan used horrible logic in drafting d-men. Not everyone has to be a puck mover. That said, I think if Mitchell hits his ceiling, he will be a very good player (definite 1st pair).

Kirby & Colton: I care less about where a guy is drafted and more about what they bring. If Kirby tops out as a 2-3C, while not thrilled, I'm not upset. In all honesty, no one from that draft class is head and shoulders above him. If Colton turns into something better than his brother, great! You got great value on a 2nd round pick.
- Chunk

This is a great point. Everyone tends to focus on where a player was drafted while ignoring the rest of the draft class. Dach may or may not live up to other 3rd overall picks, but when compared to his draft class at this point you really can't find much fault. Bowman takes a lot of heat for his draft picks, but realistically speaking, look at each draft, who the Hawks picked and where, and then who picked after them makes the Hawks pick a complete whiff.

This is a great point. Everyone tends to focus on where a player was drafted while ignoring the rest of the draft class. Dach may or may not live up to other 3rd overall picks, but when compared to his draft class at this point you really can't find much fault. Bowman takes a lot of heat for his draft picks, but realistically speaking, look at each draft, who the Hawks picked and where, and then who picked after them makes the Hawks pick a complete whiff.
- TheTrob

. I am actually past Bowman’s past drafts/trades. More interested in who the new top hockey guy will be in the organization, and what return (which I believe will be minuscule) the Hawks can get for their existing roster.

I'm not sure he's gonna be your best source for hockey related info...
- Chunk

Was thinking the same. Who knew King James was a hockey insider?

As usual, nice work Theo but this one on a game day might get 30 pages of responses and a couple suspensions. I'd assume that's ok though.

I'll add my wet blanket response. No to every personnel question, including hiring coaches, until a "permanent" GM and or hockey ops guy is hired. Let a qualified adult with a plan make those decisions and I say this realizing when Jeff Gorton was named interim GM of BOS a decade ago he traded Raycroft for prospect Tukka Rask.

And reading LeBron yesterday he reports he has not heard of the Hawks reaching out to anyone to fill any front office jobs. Maybe Rocky and his boy are waiting for MTL, VAN, ANA, PHI, and whichever other organIzations fire people this yr, to fill their vacancies and the Hawks will take whoever is left over???
- Mr Ricochet

Maybe like some of their players recently, the Hawks are looking to the Euro leagues or the KHL for replacement front office personnel?

Maybe like some of their players recently, the Hawks are looking to the Euro leagues or the KHL for replacement front office personnel?
- Rota's Rooter

.

I bet LeBron knows where to get cheap labor in China.

Ricco, I am with you about fresh eyes being a “qualification” for VP of hockey ops, but I have a new personal favorite (hopefully after a complete and speedy recovery). Troy Murray. Long time Hawk, former captain, respected throughout the league, still involved with the game, and a straight shooter. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the team inside and out although not being a “direct employ” of the team. I bet he knows who he would want as GM, coach, and his front office direct reports. Above all I wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
- LAHawk

Troy would be a solid pick. I also still like you other suggestion, Kevin Weekes. The goalie has the benefit of coming from outside the organization, Troy, the advantage of being inside it.

I think that the issue people have with Dach is that he isn't a build around guy he is a contributing guy.

Probably going to be (already is for the most part) a productive player but maybe not the centerpiece to a dynasty. First line center on a bad team, second line center or contributing wing on a good team. A taller Philip Danault may be a decent projection.

At least it wasn't a complete miss. Who knows maybe he will show something totally and completely unexpected that he has never shown in his career.

Not having a first from 15 or 16 kind of hurts now. I guess that shows how valuable being able to throw crap on the wall for something to stick can be.

It'll be interesting to see if they do anything before the holiday. At any rate, it isn't a completely frustrating team to watch which is nice and hopefully we get a look at ze German and Nylander at some point to see what is there.

Hi Theo. Interesting questions.

Unless someone absolutely blows you away with an offer, I personally don't trade Kane or Toews unless they say they want out. I don't think the returns would be equal to what you are giving away.

If Ian Mitchell ends up being the best of the bunch, it will solidify the thought that Stan used horrible logic in drafting d-men. Not everyone has to be a puck mover. That said, I think if Mitchell hits his ceiling, he will be a very good player (definite 1st pair).

Kirby & Colton: I care less about where a guy is drafted and more about what they bring. If Kirby tops out as a 2-3C, while not thrilled, I'm not upset. In all honesty, no one from that draft class is head and shoulders above him. If Colton turns into something better than his brother, great! You got great value on a 2nd round pick.
- Chunk

I don't think Toews has a lot of value - especially at his salary - for any team. He would have to go to a contender at a reduced role and as a locker room type guy. Dunno what you get back for that.

Mitchell has been touted as the next Duncan Keith since they drafted him. We'll see.

Trevor Zegras looks like a player and was taken after Dach. Byram and Seider as well. Like I mentioned in the other post - at the end of the day - they got a useful NHL player that may not be a centerpiece but a very good and useful player - who is already a good and useful player.

IF Toews was on pace for 50ish points and Kubalik on pace for 25 goals then we probably wouldn't be too disappointed with Dach. But since only Kane and Debrincat are consistent threats it makes Dach not being a goal scoring machine stand out more than it should.

.

I bet LeBron knows where to get cheap labor in China.
- LAHawk

It’s all cheap in China

I think that the issue people have with Dach is that he isn't a build around guy he is a contributing guy.

Probably going to be (already is for the most part) a productive player but maybe not the centerpiece to a dynasty. First line center on a bad team, second line center or contributing wing on a good team. A taller Philip Danault may be a decent projection.

At least it wasn't a complete miss. Who knows maybe he will show something totally and completely unexpected that he has never shown in his career.

Not having a first from 15 or 16 kind of hurts now. I guess that shows how valuable being able to throw crap on the wall for something to stick can be.

It'll be interesting to see if they do anything before the holiday. At any rate, it isn't a completely frustrating team to watch which is nice and hopefully we get a look at ze German and Nylander at some point to see what is there.
- fattybeef

I think the issue that people have with Dach is that they expect too much too soon.