Theo Fox: The Other White Meat A summary of the IceHogs 2-1 victory to kick off their AHL Calder Cup campaign + notes on Michal Teply, Ian Mitchell, Alec Regula, and Arvid Soderblom.

First!!!

Brilliant headline! Nice work Theo.

Nice catch on Alty. I thought Osipov was in for Beaudin.

Theo Fox: The Other White Meat
A summary of the IceHogs 2-1 victory to kick off their AHL Calder Cup campaign + notes on Michal Teply, Ian Mitchell, Alec Regula, and Arvid Soderblom.
- Theo Fox

It's nice to hear good things coming out of the farm. The competition for NHL minutes at RD will be interesting next year if indeed Mitchell and Regula become more consistent with their play.

When it comes to next season the question is can the Blackhawks get off to a good start? This season was over after the coach was let go.

If we win the draft lotto next week that would be sweet. It should add another solid forward to the group.

I really like how KD wants to create layers of talent, it's one thing saying it but it's another thing to actually do it.

I really like how KD wants to create LEVELS of talent, it's one thing saying it but it's another thing to actually do it.
- BetweenTheDots

Fixed it for you BTD.
Suggest KD talk to Kramer about how to accomplish.

Fixed it for you BTD.
Suggest KD talk to Kramer about how to accomplish.

- savvyone-1

Thanks, it'd be nice if he could do what the Blues or Wild did. They both have a nice stable of forwards, Blues have 9 who have scored 20+ goals this year. It's a shame 2 of 4 best teams in the western conference have to face off in the 1st round.

The Jones Brothers and Lafferty will represent Team USA at the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Finland.

It's nice to hear good things coming out of the farm. The competition for NHL minutes at RD will be interesting next year if indeed Mitchell and Regula become more consistent with their play.

When it comes to next season the question is can the Blackhawks get off to a good start? This season was over after the coach was let go.

If we win the draft lotto next week that would be sweet. It should add another solid forward to the group.

I really like how KD wants to create layers of talent, it's one thing saying it but it's another thing to actually do it.
- BetweenTheDots

That Hedman had a solid game for a guy who has lost a step, eh?

The Jones Brothers and Lafferty will represent Team USA at the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Finland.
- Theo Fox

Team USA is screwed.

It's nice to hear good things coming out of the farm. The competition for NHL minutes at RD will be interesting next year if indeed Mitchell and Regula become more consistent with their play.

When it comes to next season the question is can the Blackhawks get off to a good start? This season was over after the coach was let go.

If we win the draft lotto next week that would be sweet. It should add another solid forward to the group.

I really like how KD wants to create layers of talent, it's one thing saying it but it's another thing to actually do it.
- BetweenTheDots

Every team has 'layers of talent'. The good teams have a top layers that are higher than the lesser teams.

That Hedman had a solid game for a guy who has lost a step, eh?
- mohel

He found it again in the off day between G1 & G3. It's a miracle!

That Hedman had a solid game for a guy who has lost a step, eh?
- mohel

UM....85 points in 82 games and likely a Norris winner unless Josi wins it, and somebody said he lost a step?

Team USA is screwed.
- mohel

Not if Connor Murphy dusts off his Captain America outfit and leads the USA JV 4 team to a championship....i read here years ago he was great because of that leadership and since he usually never makes playoffs.....I can see how.

Funny how the 2 Hawks the BOD hates the most (Strome and Murphy) are up for awards for preserverance and to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.

Most don't hate on Kubalik nearly as much as I, he is probably not even in the top 5, the Jones brothers, deHaan and Gus take your pick is more hated on this board than Stone hands and head.

Every team has 'layers of talent'. The good teams have a top layers that are higher than the lesser teams.
- scottak

IMO....your keys to playoff success.

1. A 2nd pairing that can hold it's own vs a team's 1st line. Figure when you go on the road home team will get the last change and likely avoid your top pairing..so if these guys can tread water, likely higher chance to steal road games come playoff time.

2. A very good 3rd line....Again, if an opposing team has 2 very good D pairs, that 3rd pair can feast...Think it was you or somebody else pointed out those 3rd lines when the Hawks were rolling along in the cup years.

3. 4th line that can play and isn't a liability. Same with the last pairing of D men...believe it was was 2013 or 2014 when Q would chain Leddy to the bench in the 3rd periods and roll 5 d men.......

4. PK....Believe Hawks won at least 1 if not multiple cups with a crap PP in the playoffs but the PK was usually top notch.

I think point 2 and 4 is why Hagel was so coveted at the deadline. Checks both of those boxes.

For the Hawks rebuild, they really need a lot of help...so to LAs point yesterday about Kane's possible market being limited re Giroux and why I was saying to trade Debrincat, because he doesn't have any leverage....he can't dictate a thing so that would be a true piece, young, who they could get a sizeable return for. IF they chose to deal him.......Think it comes down to a fan if you want to the play the long game vs the short game.

I am perfectly OK blowing this up and almost starting from scratch and building it back up for sustained success....Keeping 12/19/88 may get you to be a fringe playoff team sooner, but you aren't going to get higher picks, you really don't have prospects you can deal to recoup there....but what does this team look like in say 3-4 years once Kane and Toews are done and you maybe were a 8th seed 2 of those years? Likely in the same spot today and with as many holes.

UM....85 points in 82 games and likely a Norris winner unless Josi wins it, and somebody said he lost a step?


- SteveRain

I guess I've been corrected, scoring points has everything to do with how fast you are, with that mind set i guess Strome is so much faster after January 1st?

I guess you missed the play on the 1st game where Kampf outskated Hedman for a breakaway goal? (frank)ing Kampf

Funny how the 2 Hawks the BOD hates the most (Strome and Murphy) are up for awards for preserverance and to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.

Most don't hate on Kubalik nearly as much as I, he is probably not even in the top 5, the Jones brothers, deHaan and Gus take your pick is more hated on this board than Stone hands and head.
- LAHawk

Strome....I am jaded on because I was excited when he produced coming over here mid-season and then did nothing....we can blame coaching,etc but he didn't do much....Now he does after another coaching change and what if King isn't back and the next guy isn't massaging this kids ego? I just want to see him put together the consistency because the physical tools seem to be there.

Murphy....he's a borderline #4 D men per scouts/executives that the Athletic interviewed mid-season...and as much crap as Jones get for his back end play I see Murphy get walked at the blue line or run out of position trying to make a hit, or make a horrible neutral zone read.....the leadership doesn't mean much because this guy has been on bad teams his whole career and is the king of the cliche lines and then the team doesn't respond. Not just him, but if you're going to pump his leadership tires, shouldn't the results have been different at some point?

I mean hell Adrian Aucoin was a Hawks captain and I think the immortal Boris Mironov was an alternate as well.........

The Jones Brothers and Lafferty will represent Team USA at the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Finland.
- Theo Fox

They'd be better off with the Jonas Brothers...

I guess I've been corrected, scoring points has everything to do with how fast you are, with that mind set i guess Strome is so much faster after January 1st?

I guess you missed the play on the 1st game where Kampf outskated Hedman for a breakaway goal? (frank)ing Kampf
- BetweenTheDots

I am pretty sure Hedman has never been very fast...and if you go back to the glory days I am sure you can find clips of Keith being outskated to pucks to a point a I vividly recall Foley crying about his skates being the wrong model/size at the end of 2010 season.

Hedman is arguably the best defensemen in the league. And he looked pretty damn good last night.

They'd be better off with the Jonas Brothers...
- Chunk

I am sure some of these guys realize it's an honor to play for their country and jump at the chance.....I get that part of it.

I can also see Seth going over there to maybe help his brother's game so if the Hawks dont' sign him he has some good "tape" for somebody else to take a flier on him....

Lets just hope Seth or Lafferty don't suffer a serious injury....

IMO....your keys to playoff success.

1. A 2nd pairing that can hold it's own vs a team's 1st line. Figure when you go on the road home team will get the last change and likely avoid your top pairing..so if these guys can tread water, likely higher chance to steal road games come playoff time.

2. A very good 3rd line....Again, if an opposing team has 2 very good D pairs, that 3rd pair can feast...Think it was you or somebody else pointed out those 3rd lines when the Hawks were rolling along in the cup years.

3. 4th line that can play and isn't a liability. Same with the last pairing of D men...believe it was was 2013 or 2014 when Q would chain Leddy to the bench in the 3rd periods and roll 5 d men.......

4. PK....Believe Hawks won at least 1 if not multiple cups with a crap PP in the playoffs but the PK was usually top notch.

I think point 2 and 4 is why Hagel was so coveted at the deadline. Checks both of those boxes.

For the Hawks rebuild, they really need a lot of help...so to LAs point yesterday about Kane's possible market being limited re Giroux and why I was saying to trade Debrincat, because he doesn't have any leverage....he can't dictate a thing so that would be a true piece, young, who they could get a sizeable return for. IF they chose to deal him.......Think it comes down to a fan if you want to the play the long game vs the short game.

I am perfectly OK blowing this up and almost starting from scratch and building it back up for sustained success....Keeping 12/19/88 may get you to be a fringe playoff team sooner, but you aren't going to get higher picks, you really don't have prospects you can deal to recoup there....but what does this team look like in say 3-4 years once Kane and Toews are done and you maybe were a 8th seed 2 of those years? Likely in the same spot today and with as many holes.
- SteveRain

Although Boston is in a hole against Carolina, they have been relevant for how many years? And how many of those years did they have top draft picks? Pasternick was a very late first, Marchand a 3rd, Bergeron a second. They had 3 first round draft choices in a row one year, and only DeBrusk made it, although he is Boston's answer to Strome.

The highest draft pick that Boston picked that is still on this years roster is McIlvoy at 14th.

Taylor Hall of course was acquired in a trade. Coyle was another late first rounder drafted by San Jose.

They did pick Seguin 2nd overall, but he lasted how long before they shipped him to Dallas?

I an excieted that KD has torn the scouting department to the studs. That is how you rebuild. Yes you try and garner as many kicks at it that you can.

BTW ADB was a second rounder, in order to replace a 40 goal forward, and the I think 3rd highest goal scorer in the league the last few years, you better hit on those first rounders you want. You could end up with Neil Yakapov also. How does that help the rebulid?

IMO....your keys to playoff success.

1. A 2nd pairing that can hold it's own vs a team's 1st line. Figure when you go on the road home team will get the last change and likely avoid your top pairing..so if these guys can tread water, likely higher chance to steal road games come playoff time.

2. A very good 3rd line....Again, if an opposing team has 2 very good D pairs, that 3rd pair can feast...Think it was you or somebody else pointed out those 3rd lines when the Hawks were rolling along in the cup years.

3. 4th line that can play and isn't a liability. Same with the last pairing of D men...believe it was was 2013 or 2014 when Q would chain Leddy to the bench in the 3rd periods and roll 5 d men.......

4. PK....Believe Hawks won at least 1 if not multiple cups with a crap PP in the playoffs but the PK was usually top notch.

I think point 2 and 4 is why Hagel was so coveted at the deadline. Checks both of those boxes.

For the Hawks rebuild, they really need a lot of help...so to LAs point yesterday about Kane's possible market being limited re Giroux and why I was saying to trade Debrincat, because he doesn't have any leverage....he can't dictate a thing so that would be a true piece, young, who they could get a sizeable return for. IF they chose to deal him.......Think it comes down to a fan if you want to the play the long game vs the short game.

I am perfectly OK blowing this up and almost starting from scratch and building it back up for sustained success....Keeping 12/19/88 may get you to be a fringe playoff team sooner, but you aren't going to get higher picks, you really don't have prospects you can deal to recoup there....but what does this team look like in say 3-4 years once Kane and Toews are done and you maybe were a 8th seed 2 of those years? Likely in the same spot today and with as many holes.
- SteveRain

It's actually much simpler. You need:

3 Goalies
9 D-men
16 Forwards
and a bit of luck.

The problem I see with "blowing it up" is that you still need to ice a team every year, and if you want the younger players and prospects to learn how to play properly, they can't be on a team that is just getting completely buried all the time.

Although Boston is in a hole against Carolina, they have been relevant for how many years? And how many of those years did they have top draft picks? Pasternick was a very late first, Marchand a 3rd, Bergeron a second. They had 3 first round draft choices in a row one year, and only DeBrusk made it, although he is Boston's answer to Strome.

The highest draft pick that Boston picked that is still on this years roster is McIlvoy at 14th.

Taylor Hall of course was acquired in a trade. Coyle was another late first rounder drafted by San Jose.

They did pick Seguin 2nd overall, but he lasted how long before they shipped him to Dallas?

I an excieted that KD has torn the scouting department to the studs. That is how you rebuild. Yes you try and garner as many kicks at it that you can.

BTW ADB was a second rounder, in order to replace a 40 goal forward, and the I think 3rd highest goal scorer in the league the last few years, you better hit on those first rounders you want. You could end up with Neil Yakapov also. How does that help the rebulid?
- LAHawk

And you just perfectly brought up the YING to the YANG of this argument. You are 100% correct but I think the biggest difference between a Boston, Washington, Pittsburgh was that those organizations brought in a fresh set of eyes at GM and coach and really kept their core to a minimum....where as Bowman had a core 2-3 times as a big and that's likely why they fell off a cliff........

I am with you on the tearing down the scouting staff....that had to happen given what we have seen come through here lately in regards to NHL ready talent. Did Q and Bowman mess some of those kids up and give up them early ? 100%.

I just dont' know how much longer you can keep on going identifying a core group of 4-8 guys and think it's going to change?

There is no easy answer here.....that much is certain....I would love for kane to retire as a Hawk....I don't think my kids will see athletes in any sport stay with 1 team and be dominant players...it's all business now at the player and owner level more so then ever before. I appreciate what 19 did for this team and fan base but to me....why keep him? 12....I just dont' know...is he product of Kane or is he THAT good by himself like say...panarin?

It's actually much simpler. You need:

3 Goalies
9 D-men
16 Forwards
and a bit of luck.

The problem I see with "blowing it up" is that you still need to ice a team every year, and if you want the younger players and prospects to learn how to play properly, they can't be on a team that is just getting completely buried all the time.
- Chunk

Valid point....you can always find veterans to plug holes until the kids are ready....The Smolinski, barnaby, lappointe, of the world......keep McCabe, Murphy, S Jones on the back end and blend in kids as they are ready.

Key to all this would be finding a veteran goalie chasing dollars who can handle an ambush of shots and high danger chances like Khabibulin.

Valid point....you can always find veterans to plug holes until the kids are ready....The Smolinski, barnaby, lappointe, of the world......keep McCabe, Murphy, S Jones on the back end and blend in kids as they are ready.

Key to all this would be finding a veteran goalie chasing dollars who can handle an ambush of shots and high danger chances like Khabibulin.
- SteveRain

Or Holtby.