Theo Fox: Half Life Thoughts on the status of the Blackhawks at the halfway point of the season.

Plus, updates on goalies Kevin Lankinen and Arvid Soderblom as well as prospect Artur Kayumov.

Game vs Avalanche tonight.

The last years under Bowman (since last Cup) he did not act to draft or replace the declining level DISPLAYED in Seabrook and Toews. I cannot say how difficult this was to accomplish if, indeed, Bowman needed to keep the Blackhawks competitive..

Hire a bad coach and don't have enough effort, snarl, grit toughness and you see how a team that had built nicely in Minny Wild was a man shallacking the boys. Blame Rocky and Stan. And while on the blame game, McDonough for sticking his nose in where it didn't belong...was he behind Boqvist elevation too soon for his and the team's benefit

There is no way Bowman should have settled for the Panarin exchange. He should have traded him earlier if he knew he had to get rid of that salary. Previously an even more eggregiois error was the extraordinary term and length without a buyout for stars whom took a beating in Toews and Seabrook. Shallow thinking......RIGHT.

I believe Bowman and Kelly have drafted ok but so far Dach had not worked out and they did not make bold moves as an initial step even in rebuild on fly mode, to find replacement for Toews and Seabrook. I guess they aren't too sharp. Bold moves were needed.

Again we have blame game. Was Stan handicapped by what Rocky wanted, which was be competitive all along. Kind of hard to be competitive and not let the ship slowly sink. Too bad we cannot interview Rocky, Bowman, or even McDonough

It’s over move on, geez the horse is already beaten to death.

Have to wonder why the difficult-to-implement systems that Colliton employed didn't leave with him. Why has King elected to keep them? Is he not free, or is he not capable, to implement his own system? Is it the players inability to grasp any system?

Very high expectations to believe that management will hire the right people for roles such as president of hockey operations, general manager, and head coach and then define a clear direction for the franchise.

It's like believing that the McCaskey's will make all the correct decisions for their GM and head coach positions and that the Bears will be Super Bowl Champs within the next 5 years.

Very high expectations to believe that management will hire the right people for roles such as president of hockey operations, general manager, and head coach and then define a clear direction for the franchise.

It's like believing that the McCaskey's will make all the correct decisions for their GM and head coach positions and that the Bears will be Super Bowl Champs within the next 5 years.
- stutzblackhawks

Kind of apples and oranges. When I've heard Rocky or Danny talk, they don't sound like George McCaskey and Ted Phillips to me at all.

Could they botch all the hires as the Bears FO has routinely done under George? Sure, I suppose, but just because they are sports franchise owners in the same city, I don't think the level of disfunction is equal. I hope not anyway.

With the Bears, I'm hoping George stumbles upon his nut with whoever the GM and coaching hires are this time around.

Kind of apples and oranges. When I've heard Rocky or Danny talk, they don't sound like George McCaskey and Ted Phillips to me at all.

Could they botch all the hires as the Bears FO has routinely done under George? Sure, I suppose, but just because they are sports franchise owners in the same city, I don't think the level of disfunction is equal. I hope not anyway.

With the Bears, I'm hoping George stumbles upon his nut with whoever the GM and coaching hires are this time around.
- HawkintheD

Difference is The Bears are the sole source of income for the family, the Hawks are meaningless as far as The Wirtz companies are concerned. I doubt the Wirtz’s cannot run the Hawks organization, considering how big and successful their other businesses are.

Difference is The Bears are the sole source of income for the family, the Hawks are meaningless as far as The Wirtz companies are concerned. I doubt the Wirtz’s cannot run the Hawks organization, considering how big and successful their other businesses are.
- LAHawk

Had thought about adding that to what I posted. All the McCaskey's do is football (and mostly poorly at that) where like you point out, the Wirtz's run a very successful liquor distribution operation...not sure if they have other biz endeavors as well.

Had thought about adding that to what I posted. All the McCaskey's do is football (and mostly poorly at that) where like you point out, the Wirtz's run a very successful liquor distribution operation...not sure if they have other biz endeavors as well.
- HawkintheD

Wirtz owns substantial residential rental properties in Chicago, a bank, a Nursery, an insurance company, video production, an insurance company, 1/2 the United center, etc. etc.

Bettman Cup Standings (pts / games played)
1. Canadiens 0.575
2. Yotes 0.600
3. Kraken 0.732
4. Sens 0.771
5. Sabres 0.805
6. Flyers 0.829
7. Devils 0.875
8. Hawks 0.902
9. Jackets 0.949
10. Canucks 0.976
T11. Wings 1.000
T11. Islanders 1.000

Most likely the Jackets will have the Hawks 1st round pick because of the Seth Jones trade. Ugh. But I think without much effort (which seems to be the Hawks standard) the Hawks could fall to 6th worst or below, which is relevant in later rounds.

I think that the TDL will be disappointing to Hawk fans on this blog with only deHaan being moved for a 4th or 5th round pick. What will be even more disappointing for some on this board, the Hawks do not move Kubalik or Strome. In fact they will resign them this summer for about the same salaries they are making now for 2 or 3 more years. They will also sign Dach, Kurashev, Kalynuk, Caleb Jones, Altybarmakyan, and Lankinen with small increases.

So here are your 2022 - 2023 Hawks
Kane, Toews, Debrincat, T.Johnson, Kubalik, Connolly, Strome, Hagel, Borgstrum, Dach, Reichel, Kurashev, Khaira, Entwistle, S. Jones, McCabe, Murphy, Stillman, C. Jones, Galvas, Kalynuk, Lankinen, Soderblom. Cap hit about $74,600,000. Cap Space $6,900,000.

I would not mind this at all. They will be at or very near the very bottom of the league (and they will have their first round pick).

The following year Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Connolly, Khaira's contracts come off the books. That is another $31,875,000 of cap space.

If Commesso is the real deal and some of the young dmen develop into good NHL players they might be alright. They only have Debrincat and probably Reichel as true future top 6 forwards right now. Their first round pick next year should be a future top 6 center. And they will have plenty of cap room to sign one or two more top 6 forwards.

Don't make any rash (stupid) moves at the TDL or long term commitments during this off season. Make all decisions based on the 2023/24 season and beyond.

It would be nice if they hired a really good coaching staff this summer.

Most likely the Jackets will have the Hawks 1st round pick because of the Seth Jones trade. Ugh. But I think without much effort (which seems to be the Hawks standard) the Hawks could fall to 6th worst or below, which is relevant in later rounds.

doh

I actually feel sorry for Jones because no matter what he does, it will never be enough because through no fault of his own, he will always have that first round draft choice thrown up in his face. It is like any trade that sends away a Hawk roster player (Murphy, Nylander, Strome, etc.), that player is immediately becomes a target of scorn from this BOD.

Have to wonder why the difficult-to-implement systems that Colliton employed didn't leave with him. Why has King elected to keep them? Is he not free, or is he not capable, to implement his own system? Is it the players inability to grasp any system?
- stutzblackhawks

It is because King is a weak coach and just a place holder until they find a real coach. I would expect them to sign an experienced coach with a plan and with some intensity.

I think that the TDL will be disappointing to Hawk fans on this blog with only deHaan being moved for a 4th or 5th round pick. What will be even more disappointing for some on this board, the Hawks do not move Kubalik or Strome. In fact they will resign them this summer for about the same salaries they are making now for 2 or 3 more years. They will also sign Dach, Kurashev, Kalynuk, Caleb Jones, Altybarmakyan, and Lankinen with small increases.

So here are your 2022 - 2023 Hawks
Kane, Toews, Debrincat, T.Johnson, Kubalik, Connolly, Strome, Hagel, Borgstrum, Dach, Reichel, Kurashev, Khaira, Entwistle, S. Jones, McCabe, Murphy, Stillman, C. Jones, Galvas, Kalynuk, Lankinen, Soderblom. Cap hit about $74,600,000. Cap Space $6,900,000.

I would not mind this at all. They will be at or very near the very bottom of the league (and they will have their first round pick).

The following year Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Connolly, Khaira's contracts come off the books. That is another $31,875,000 of cap space.

If Commesso is the real deal and some of the young dmen develop into good NHL players they might be alright. They only have Debrincat and probably Reichel as true future top 6 forwards right now. Their first round pick next year should be a future top 6 center. And they will have plenty of cap room to sign one or two more top 6 forwards.

Don't make any rash (stupid) moves at the TDL or long term commitments during this off season. Make all decisions based on the 2023/24 season and beyond.

It would be nice if they hired a really good coaching staff this summer.
- -Doh-

Such as?

It is because King is a weak coach and just a place holder until they find a real coach. I would expect them to sign an experienced coach with a plan and with some intensity.
- -Doh-

Maybe win at all costs Quenville can petition the league to come back.

Most likely the Jackets will have the Hawks 1st round pick because of the Seth Jones trade. Ugh. But I think without much effort (which seems to be the Hawks standard) the Hawks could fall to 6th worst or below, which is relevant in later rounds.

doh

I actually feel sorry for Jones because no matter what he does, it will never be enough because through no fault of his own, he will always have that first round draft choice thrown up in his face. It is like any trade that sends away a Hawk roster player (Murphy, Nylander, Strome, etc.), that player is immediately becomes a target of scorn from this BOD.
- LAHawk

I like Seth. I think he will be a top paring dman, quarterback on the PP and do very well overall. But that does not change my opinion that they over paid to get him and probably slightly over paid in his new contract.

Maybe win at all costs Quenville can petition the league to come back.
- LAHawk

LOL. I thought of that as I was writing my post. But decided not to type it because most would not see the irony or humor. Good by you.

Such as?
- LAHawk

I am not sure. But hiring Mark Hunter as the GM and/or Dale Hunter as the Coach intrigues me.

Maybe win at all costs Quenville can petition the league to come back.
- LAHawk

We can't afford to put future adults at risk with such an evil man coaching the team.

Had thought about adding that to what I posted. All the McCaskey's do is football (and mostly poorly at that) where like you point out, the Wirtz's run a very successful liquor distribution operation...not sure if they have other biz endeavors as well.
- HawkintheD

Hello D. Just wanted to add that living off the income of an NFL team is much easier than living off the income of an NHL team.

I agree that I trust Rocky more than George; however that's like being the tallest midget.

The last years under Bowman (since last Cup) he did not act to draft or replace the declining level DISPLAYED in Seabrook and Toews. I cannot say how difficult this was to accomplish if, indeed, Bowman needed to keep the Blackhawks competitive..

Hire a bad coach and don't have enough effort, snarl, grit toughness and you see how a team that had built nicely in Minny Wild was a man shallacking the boys. Blame Rocky and Stan. And while on the blame game, McDonough for sticking his nose in where it didn't belong...was he behind Boqvist elevation too soon for his and the team's benefit

There is no way Bowman should have settled for the Panarin exchange. He should have traded him earlier if he knew he had to get rid of that salary. Previously an even more eggregiois error was the extraordinary term and length without a buyout for stars whom took a beating in Toews and Seabrook. Shallow thinking......RIGHT.

I believe Bowman and Kelly have drafted ok but so far Dach had not worked out and they did not make bold moves as an initial step even in rebuild on fly mode, to find replacement for Toews and Seabrook. I guess they aren't too sharp. Bold moves were needed.

Again we have blame game. Was Stan handicapped by what Rocky wanted, which was be competitive all along. Kind of hard to be competitive and not let the ship slowly sink. Too bad we cannot interview Rocky, Bowman, or even McDonough
- jhawk59

Like hell he didn't try to draft or trade to replace Seabrook and Toews:
Boqvist
Beaudin
Jokiharju
Allan
Mitchell
Krys
Murphy
Jones
all 1st or second round picks or traded for

Dach
Riechel
Strome
Schmaltz
All 1st rounders or traded for.

It's not that he didn't try. It is that they didn't work out - or haven't yet. How many of these type players are really out there and available? How often does a player like Toews come up? 200' player commonly a Sleek finalist puts up 0.75-0.8 PPG, is able to be an effective team captain from age 20 or whatever?

Look at the consensus #1 overall picks over the last few years (forwards only):
J. Hughes
Lafreniere
Hischier/Patrick
Matthews
McDavid
MacKinnon
Yakupov
RNH

Some really good players in there, some not so good. Which ones are on Toews' level (no not his current one)? I'd say McKinnon is closest. Matthews and McDavid are both stellar players, but they do not bring nearly the complete game that Toews did.

Wyatt Kalynuk still figure into the hawks future blue line?

Bettman Cup Standings (pts / games played)
1. Canadiens 0.575
2. Yotes 0.600
3. Kraken 0.732
4. Sens 0.771
5. Sabres 0.805
6. Flyers 0.829
7. Devils 0.875
8. Hawks 0.902
9. Jackets 0.949
10. Canucks 0.976
T11. Wings 1.000
T11. Islanders 1.000

Most likely the Jackets will have the Hawks 1st round pick because of the Seth Jones trade. Ugh. But I think without much effort (which seems to be the Hawks standard) the Hawks could fall to 6th worst or below, which is relevant in later rounds.
- -Doh-

Unless Davidson acquires some more picks, the Hawks top picks in the early to mid rounds are their own second, call it the 38th-42nd overall pick, three 3rds and a 4th.

The three 3rds are Edmonton's, Vegas' and Toronto's. Edmonton's will be a mid rounder and the other two will be late in the 3rd, essentially 4ths. Someone wrote recently about the odds of later round picks making the NHL. Maybe something like 8 - 12%? No guarantees these picks will turn into impact players in 4 or 5 years.

Wyatt Kalynuk still figure into the hawks future blue line?
- hello it's me 2050

Depends on how many defenseman the Hawks trade, right now he is probably #8/9/10 on the pecking order

S. Jones
C. Jones
daHaan
Murphy
Stillman
Gusto
Mitchell
Mccabe
Galvas

then Kalnyuk

Such as?
- LAHawk

Any coaching staff that will put out a competitive, winning team regardless of the personnel making up the roster.