Theo Fox: Foursome A look at the Blackhawks Big 4 on defense and how that has evolved from last summer to today and where the team could be headed for next season.

Mitchell starts in Chicago.

Galvas and Stillman might rotate on third pair, depending on the opponent

Rogula may start in Rockford but recalled as soon as either Murphy or McCabe is dealt. Vlasic makes the team

C Jones is on a short leash. He has to play regularly somewhere and be consistent. Not so much making plays and defending adequately, but no looking really bad with too many bone head plays. I don'it think he sticks around too long. It is difficult to ascertain if Davidson likes him or is lukewarm.

If both DeHahn and Gus are gone and C Jones hasn't improved. Yes C Jones could go and a veteran depth type comes aboard

Next season the story on defense is all the prospects moving in and staying. How soon they do so is the question to be answered

The dman situation is interesting.
S. Jones - probably Hawks #1 dman, though could be traded.
Murphy & McCabe- probably 2nd pair, though either or both could be traded.
Stillman - probably 3rd pair unless one of the top 3 are moved.
DeHaan and Gus - both probably gone
C. Jones - if resigned probably 7th dman that rotates in.
Vlasic, Regula, Mitchell, Galvas candidates for Hawks roster otherwise Hogs.
Allen, Phillips, Crevier, Del Mastro, probably needs at least a season at the Rock.
Kalynuk if resigned probably starts at the Rock
Beaudin??? Trade? Hog? Could see a few games in Chicago.
Excluding Gus and DeHaan there are 15 dmen. 7 in Chicago and 8 at the Rock?

If you believe that some of the prospects will become good or even very good NHL dmen, then Bowman gets credit for setting the table as far as the blueline crew.

Of course it will be a few years until a review of the prospects shows who made the NHL. And how good or promising their appraisal.

Perhaps in a few years this board could be talking about trading from our strength (defensemen) so as to upgrade our top six forwards

KD cannot trade anyone because once a former Hawk has one good shift, we would hear about what a KD failure the trade or non-sign was for the next 3 blogs. Stand pat KD, stand pat.

KD cannot trade anyone because once a former Hawk has one good shift, we would hear about what a KD failure the trade or non-sign was for the next 3 blogs. Stand pat KD, stand pat.
- LAHawk

Who do you pick to advance in the playoffs?
Especially how you forecast the Kings- Oilers Topsy turvy series.

Who do you pick to advance in the playoffs?
Especially how you forecast the Kings- Oilers Topsy turvy series.
- jhawk59

Bettman parity on full display! Except for the team with the greatest GM ever (down 3-0).

Theo thanks for the regular topics. Whether some Hogs notes or the current status of the Hawks you're always coming up with fresh stuff to think about. Thanks.

Theo thanks for the regular topics. Whether some Hogs notes or the current status of the Hawks you're always coming up with fresh stuff to think about. Thanks.


- Rota's Rooter

I 2nd that! Thanks Theo

I hit the site this morning to see wwhen the rippin on Trashville was going to start. And PE coming out hot.
Where's Vopatclap now.

I 2nd that! Thanks Theo
- powerenforcer

I think all here should enjoy the writing of Theo while we can. At some point an executive of one sports publication or another will stumble upon this blog site and realize how good of a job he does and try to snap him up. I'm don't know what he does for a living, but I suspect Theo might have a decision to make at some point in the future. Theo, you're that good at this.

*coughs* Leafs

The gerbil is available.

https://twitter.com/NYIsl...tatus/1523660456438939648

The gerbil is available.

https://twitter.com/NYIsl...tatus/1523660456438939648
- Rota's Rooter

He still has Nashville stink on him!

The gerbil is available.

https://twitter.com/NYIsl...tatus/1523660456438939648
- Rota's Rooter

Don’t you need Richard Gere’s permission for that?

Don’t you need Richard Gere’s permission for that?
- Chunk

I had no clue what you were referring to and had to look it up.

I'm confident that was a different gerbil.

I haven't said up until now but, Theo, you are doing a great job generating topics in light of the desert-like condition surrounding teh future past and the short term future.

I see that Lazarus and Powers have taking some time off to have time to create snappy catch lines and sarcasm to publish after teh results if the Lottery Draft tomorrow night, while you hammer out a piece just as soon as the posts slow down every other day.

We all appreciate it!

The gerbil is available.

https://twitter.com/NYIsl...tatus/1523660456438939648
- Rota's Rooter

I assume he'll have better options than the Hawks. If he's willing, though, I'd take him right now. While he's said that the system chosen doesn't matter much, he has shown that he is very capable of instilling a culture that demands adherence to the system chosen. The Hawks badly need to establish a culture that demands all players play defense. Trotz can do that.

Wow that was a period of little patience with Trotz. Miss one playoff and out. Think they were eliminated by TB twice recently?

A lot going on there, not sure how it fits with Trotz's timeline but they lost Tavares, Toews and Eberle over 4 years or so.

He'll be behind the bench somewhere next year- Wings?

I assume he'll have better options than the Hawks. If he's willing, though, I'd take him right now. While he's said that the system chosen doesn't matter much, he has shown that he is very capable of instilling a culture that demands adherence to the system chosen. The Hawks badly need to establish a culture that demands all players play defense. Trotz can do that.
- mohel

Second Mohel wholeheartedly on this one.

Would make me awfully excited about next year. He's done a lot with what he has- in Nashville and the Isle.

He still has Nashville stink on him!
- powerenforcer

Would Trotz even come to Chicago? I honestly wouldn't mind it. Trotz's teams are always structured and play good defense, something the Hawks are clearly lacking!!

Wow that was a period of little patience with Trotz. Miss one playoff and out. Think they were eliminated by TB twice recently?

A lot going on there, not sure how it fits with Trotz's timeline but they lost Tavares, Toews and Eberle over 4 years or so.

He'll be behind the bench somewhere next year- Wings?
- Popsghostly

He couldn't recover from the loss of Leddy. ..

PLEASE Hawks, make at least a strong push for Trotz. Definitely need the help in the neutral zone big time, and can also help these young kids really become more two way players.

I assume he'll have better options than the Hawks. If he's willing, though, I'd take him right now. While he's said that the system chosen doesn't matter much, he has shown that he is very capable of instilling a culture that demands adherence to the system chosen. The Hawks badly need to establish a culture that demands all players play defense. Trotz can do that.
- mohel

I've always liked him. Say what you want about the Preds but, when Trotz was coaching them they were always hard to play against and he did it with a limited team budget. They never had the offense of other teams but he got them to play a good team defense.

Second Mohel wholeheartedly on this one.

Would make me awfully excited about next year. He's done a lot with what he has- in Nashville and the Isle.
- Popsghostly

I'm sure they'd be better next year, but I'd be more excited about 4-5 years from now. It's tough to suddenly "play the right way" when the team is good, after not doing so for years. It's unlikely they will ever be really good again unless they fix the culture. Trotz can do so. So can others, he has shown the ability to do so without becoming Keenan or Torts.