Theo Fox: May the 4th Thoughts on how the Blackhawks may have it within the system already to begin the rebuild from the ground floor, i.e. the 4th line.

Plus, a look at whether GM Kyle Davidson is truly on the same wavelength as veteran icons Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

I don't think I have ever heard of a team starting a rebuild from the 3rd and 4th forward lines - based upon past (Blackhawk) experience, it was rather more about putting what would be 3rd and 4th line players on other teams into the 1st and 2nd lines and pretending that was a real line up.

Why wouldn’t Kane and Toews want out of the Chicago rebuild? These two can help any borderline playoff team.
Chicago my have to eat some monies but move them for something!




John Tonelli for HOF

via GIPHY

I think Kurashev and Borgstrom (among others) won’t return next season. They’re not the type of players KD is looking for and neither made a strong case to come back.

While I’d re-sign Strome (max 3 years) and Kubalik (max 1 year) I could see one or both being dealt for a netminder.

If you listen to the Lax & Powers podcast interview , sounds like KD is in charge and knows what his plan is. The vets either get on board or he will trade them . If I was a betting man our Toews goes, Kane stays, If he could trade Jones he would but I'm assuming nobody is taking the 9.5 mill contract? but would he eat a some money for 7 years? I think we are in for a tough 4 to 5 years of a rebuild, At least KD is honest and seems like he will stick to a plan.

Theo I agree with everything you say about the bottom 6. But I would also like to see two things:
1) Keep the 3rd and 4th line together long enough to develop some chemistry (maybe 15 games). You could have four 4th line players and rotate them in and out of the lineup. But rotating 15 players on the 4th line is counter productive for the player and the team.
2) Give them consistent minutes. Roll 4 lines. It is not like you are trying to win the cup. You are trying to give them experience and also get the 1st overall pick in 2023.

I could see Lafferty, Kurashev, Borgstrum, Slavin, Hardman as 3rd line players. They have jump, some hockey sense, some physicality and some offensive skills.

Now Borgstrum looked miserable this year. He is the same age as Strome. He looks a lot like Strome looked when Strome had his disinterested" games when he was in and out and up and down the lineup with different linemates every night. Borgstrum is signed for next year. Put him in position to succeed. Play him consistent minutes with consistent linemates who have similar skill sets. I think he is suited for the 3rd line or the Ice Hogs.

The Blackhawks should develop solid 3rd and 4th line players currently under their control. Then they have 4 first round picks, 5 second round picks and 5 third round picks in the next 3 years. They could add more 1st to 3rd round picks this off season. You need to hope they get lucky and hit on a few top 6 players from those picks (and give them the time and coaching needed to develop).

It should be interesting to see what KD does with marginal RFA's. One train of thought is sign them cheap if they are not holding anyone back.

Strome $4mil x 3 years (If not traded)
Kubalik - sign him for less than his QO for 1 or 2 years. Otherwise trade fodder.
Dach - shouldn't be expecting big raise. Maybe 2/3 years at a decent increase.
Kurashev - minimal dollars short term
Altybarmakyan - minimal dollars short term

C. Jones - will be 25 years old - he would be holding someone back. Bye bye.
Kalynuk - is 25 years old - he would be holding someone back. Bye bye.

Morris - Nope

Thanks Theo - I am not worried about this team and 3rd/4th line players, I think that will be a strength for the next few years.

Watching the Rangers last night, and was wondering if D. Strome could ever be like Mika Zibanejad. Both around the same size, drafted in 1st round. Boy would that be nice if Strome has turned the corner and understands what could be in front of him.

very pleased that they let Marc Crawford go. never liked the man. always though he was a terrible coach. what idiot leaves one of the greatest players on the bench for a shootout and puts in a defensemen. thats Jc level of stupidity. good riddance.

Watching the Rangers last night, and was wondering if D. Strome could ever be like Mika Zibanejad.


Strome doesn't have the wheels. But he does seem to have a hockey instinct. A guy like that can use his instinct to know where the puck is headed so he can get a head start on going to where he needs to be. Which makes him seem not as slow as he might actually be. All the speed in the world doesn't help if a guy has no clue or has to think too long about where to go, and I think we've all seen some of those.

I hope the next coach develops a forechecking system to take advantage of Lafferty's speed. He doesn't have the hands, but he does have the speed to be an effective 1st man in not unlike Ben Eager. But there needs to be some teamwork and a plan.

very pleased that they let Marc Crawford go. never liked the man. always though he was a terrible coach. what idiot leaves one of the greatest players on the bench for a shootout and puts in a defensemen. thats Jc level of stupidity. good riddance.
- SaskHawkFan

Crawford stepped on a lot of people climbing the ladder going back to juniors. There's a lot of people not sorry to see him get dumped on.

Watching the Rangers last night, and was wondering if D. Strome could ever be like Mika Zibanejad.


Strome doesn't have the wheels. But he does seem to have a hockey instinct. A guy like that can use his instinct to know where the puck is headed so he can get a head start on going to where he needs to be. Which makes him seem not as slow as he might actually be. All the speed in the world doesn't help if a guy has no clue or has to think too long about where to go, and I think we've all seen some of those.

I hope the next coach develops a forechecking system to take advantage of Lafferty's speed. He doesn't have the hands, but he does have the speed to be an effective 1st man in not unlike Ben Eager. But there needs to be some teamwork and a plan.
- 6628

His brother is probably a more accurate barometer for production though Dylan is a bit more heady then him I think.

It should be interesting to see what KD does with marginal RFA's. One train of thought is sign them cheap if they are not holding anyone back.

Strome $4mil x 3 years (If not traded)
Kubalik - sign him for less than his QO for 1 or 2 years. Otherwise trade fodder.
Dach - shouldn't be expecting big raise. Maybe 2/3 years at a decent increase.
Kurashev - minimal dollars short term
Altybarmakyan - minimal dollars short term

C. Jones - will be 25 years old - he would be holding someone back. Bye bye.
Kalynuk - is 25 years old - he would be holding someone back. Bye bye.

Morris - Nope

Doh

Strome if signed is getting more than $4 mil.. H is arbitration eligible. His agent is Patrick Morris. He got Sean Monahan $6.3m, and Ryan Strome for $4.5m. My guess you can sign him for what his brother is making $4.5m. (although Ryan is a UFA after this year.

Kubalik's agent on the other hand does not have any other NHL player he represents. To me, anything over $1 mil. is a serious overpay.

I agree with the rest.

one thing he mentioned was speed and compete I agree strome improved as the season went on. I would not say either of those would be his calling card. Kubalik is also a AVG skater.

one thing he mentioned was speed and compete I agree strome improved as the season went on. I would not say either of those would be his calling card. Kubalik is also a AVG skater.
- kmw4631

IDK he competed himself back onto the first line. Once there, did you see a lack of compete? because I didn't. 60 point centers (playing with Kane or not, remember Ryan Carpenter? David Kampf) don't grow on trees.

It should be interesting to see what KD does with marginal RFA's. One train of thought is sign them cheap if they are not holding anyone back.

Strome $4mil x 3 years (If not traded)
Kubalik - sign him for less than his QO for 1 or 2 years. Otherwise trade fodder.
Dach - shouldn't be expecting big raise. Maybe 2/3 years at a decent increase.
Kurashev - minimal dollars short term
Altybarmakyan - minimal dollars short term

C. Jones - will be 25 years old - he would be holding someone back. Bye bye.
Kalynuk - is 25 years old - he would be holding someone back. Bye bye.

Morris - Nope

Doh

Strome if signed is getting more than $4 mil.. H is arbitration eligible. His agent is Patrick Morris. He got Sean Monahan $6.3m, and Ryan Strome for $4.5m. My guess you can sign him for what his brother is making $4.5m. (although Ryan is a UFA after this year.

Kubalik's agent on the other hand does not have any other NHL player he represents. To me, anything over $1 mil. is a serious overpay.

I agree with the rest.
- LAHawk

Strome - I think it depends on Debrincat and Kane. If they are here next year that benefits Strome. If he signs elsewhere he is probably not going to be a #1 center and definitely will not have two excellent players on his wings helping his stats. I think he will know the situation before he signs (or is traded).

A few things that stood out to my listening to the KD presser:

1) King is likely either Hawks head coach or gone. KD was very complimentary of Anders Sorensen in RFD.

2) The Hawks decided that Vlasic should not play with RFD. The specific reason was that KD said he didn't want to take a chance on him being injured because offseason training is so crucial for young developing players and they can't afford to have him miss that time. Probably gives you some insight as to his thoughts on Dach.

3) He stressed a few times the value of being patient. I would highly doubt that we will be seeing many, if any, prospects rushed to the NHL. I wouldn't be surprised is Reichel at least started the year in RFD.

4) KD's tone changed quite a bit when the topic of Brian Campbell came up. He was effusive with praise, and stated how important Campbell's input was. It will be interesting to see how/if KD leans on any additional former players (Hossa?)

I could see Lafferty, Kurashev, Borgstrum, Slavin, Hardman as 3rd line players. They have jump, some hockey sense, some physicality and some offensive skills.

Now Borgstrum looked miserable this year. He is the same age as Strome. He looks a lot like Strome looked when Strome had his disinterested" games when he was in and out and up and down the lineup with different linemates every night. Borgstrum is signed for next year. Put him in position to succeed. Play him consistent minutes with consistent linemates who have similar skill sets. I think he is suited for the 3rd line or the Ice Hogs.
- -Doh-

Borgstrom is a tremendous skater though. Maybe he's not a top line player. Maybe he's just a David Kampf. Those types of players are needed as well.

via GIPHY

- DarthKane

The force is strong with you young Padawan!

A few things that stood out to my listening to the KD presser:

1) King is likely either Hawks head coach or gone. KD was very complimentary of Anders Sorensen in RFD.

2) The Hawks decided that Vlasic should not play with RFD. The specific reason was that KD said he didn't want to take a chance on him being injured because offseason training is so crucial for young developing players and they can't afford to have him miss that time. Probably gives you some insight as to his thoughts on Dach.

3) He stressed a few times the value of being patient. I would highly doubt that we will be seeing many, if any, prospects rushed to the NHL. I wouldn't be surprised is Reichel at least started the year in RFD.

4) KD's tone changed quite a bit when the topic of Brian Campbell came up. He was effusive with praise, and stated how important Campbell's input was. It will be interesting to see how/if KD leans on any additional former players (Hossa?)
- Chunk

KD loves Campbell (not like that, Paulie...). He is going to have a prominent role; I'll be curious if it is behind the bench or in the FO. Either way, he's going to be a major player.

On Toews and Kane....a cynic (it is possible I have a touch of cynicism) might say that KD is trying to avoid the "bad guy" tag. He's telling everyone that the next few seasons will suck, while also saying there's room for the Twins. I suspect he wants them to say they want to leave, rather than the team saying the Hawks need them to leave.

Borgstrom is a tremendous skater though. Maybe he's not a top line player. Maybe he's just a David Kampf. Those types of players are needed as well.
- fattybeef

King has said he will change systems if he is the full time coach. Maybe that might make Borgy's speed more useful on the 3rd line. No harm in finding out, since they will suck next year anyway .

good shocker for hawks. fluery sounds like in net again.