Theo Fox: Hog Warts Thoughts on one way the Blackhawks could formulate the goalie tandem for next season and notes on the Jones Brothers at the IIHF World Championship.

Plus, a look at how the IceHogs offseason could shape up now that their Calder Cup drive is over.

Well, that was an entertaining 1st round!

Thanks Theo - although I am not a fan of Harry Potter.
I'm not disappointed in the Rocks results in the 2nd round, I think it is always good experience just to be in the playoffs. Glad they won 1 round at least. I hope coaching decisions are made soon so we can get an idea if what the teams may look like in the future.

Seeing Keith hug Mike Smith after the game 7 victory just didn't seem right. Teammate or not, I cannot respect that guy.

Nice write up Theo, The ''kids '' got 5 playoff games, can't hurt but only help in their development . It will be such an interesting off season , who goes, who comes in and what the rosters look like, we should have a better idea by mid July!

I don’t think bringing MAF back is in his best interest or the Hawks. I would resign Lankinen for one year on the cheap and sign a low cost journeyman goalie for one year.

Ryan Stanton - See yeh! Replace him with the best defender you can find with NHL experience. There is always a couple NHL defenders without a chair when the music stops.

The Hawks D next year. S. Jones, Murphy, McCabe, and Stillman. After that you can shuttle two defenders from Rockford. But when you shuttle them keep them for 10 or more games at a time and let them play on their strong side with the same partner. Keep C. Jones as 7th defender to keep peace in the family.

I don’t think bringing MAF back is in his best interest or the Hawks. I would resign Lankinen for one year on the cheap and sign a low cost journeyman goalie for one year.

Ryan Stanton - See yeh! Replace him with the best defender you can find with NHL experience. There is always a couple NHL defenders without a chair when the music stops.

The Hawks D next year. S. Jones, Murphy, McCabe, and Stillman. After that you can shuttle two defenders from Rockford. But when you shuttle them keep them for 10 or more games at a time and let them play on their strong side with the same partner. Keep C. Jones as 7th defender to keep peace in the family.
- Ztra

If you think he is actually worth keeping to develop, then sure. Otherwise, this is horrible rationale for signing someone.

I don’t think bringing MAF back is in his best interest or the Hawks. I would resign Lankinen for one year on the cheap and sign a low cost journeyman goalie for one year.

Ryan Stanton - See yeh! Replace him with the best defender you can find with NHL experience. There is always a couple NHL defenders without a chair when the music stops.

The Hawks D next year. S. Jones, Murphy, McCabe, and Stillman. After that you can shuttle two defenders from Rockford. But when you shuttle them keep them for 10 or more games at a time and let them play on their strong side with the same partner. Keep C. Jones as 7th defender to keep peace in the family.
- Ztra

Yeah Z, agree adding MAF (I don't think he'd comeback anyway) would definitely hurt our Bedard chances.

That said, I believe that somehow we'll add a journeyman in the net who can play more consistently than Lankinen and Delia this year, it might even be Lankenin in a rebound, and we'll get more secondary scoring with additions or improvements, giving us a pick in 7-12 range.

I don’t think bringing MAF back is in his best interest or the Hawks. I would resign Lankinen for one year on the cheap and sign a low cost journeyman goalie for one year.

Ryan Stanton - See yeh! Replace him with the best defender you can find with NHL experience. There is always a couple NHL defenders without a chair when the music stops.

The Hawks D next year. S. Jones, Murphy, McCabe, and Stillman. After that you can shuttle two defenders from Rockford. But when you shuttle them keep them for 10 or more games at a time and let them play on their strong side with the same partner. Keep C. Jones as 7th defender to keep peace in the family.
- Ztra

This makes the most sense!! Agree 100% unless Murphy brings us a # 1

Yeah Z, agree adding MAF (I don't think he'd comeback anyway) would definitely hurt our Bedard chances.

That said, I believe that somehow we'll add a journeyman in the net who can play more consistently than Lankinen and Delia this year, it might even be Lankenin in a rebound, and we'll get more secondary scoring with additions or improvements, giving us a pick in 7-12 range.
- Popsghostly

7 to 12 would be optimistic. I could see other changes that would solidify being in the top 3. Trading or not resigning Strome? Kubalik? Trading Toews and Johnson in mid-season with salary retained. Keeping Reichel in Rockford. Trading S. Jones, Murphy and/or McCabe. (I don't see Kane or Debrincat being moved.)

If you think he is actually worth keeping to develop, then sure. Otherwise, this is horrible rationale for signing someone.
- Chunk

Horrible rationale? Maybe. But bringing up a youngster to sit in the press box is not great rationale either. I am not sure if Caleb is worth keeping to develop. But at 25 yo with 140 NHL games experience he still might improve. I am not tied to him but as an RFA it would not cost much to sign him and see if he can figure things out. He has shown flashes of potential.

Well, that was an entertaining 1st round!
- mohel

It certainly was.

I just love NHL playoff hockey and so many of the match-ups went 7 games. Most of the teams I was pulling for have made it through so the next round should be fun and the world is healing since the Leaves didn't make it past the 1st round again.

The Battle of Alberta should be good. Too bad the game times will be late in the CST. I also suspect that since our company's corporate entity is in Calgary, trying to get anything approved though the layers of corporate BS will be next to impossible over the next 10-14 days.

See you out there.

Horrible rationale? Maybe. But bringing up a youngster to sit in the press box is not great rationale either. I am not sure if Caleb is worth keeping to develop. But at 25 yo with 140 NHL games experience he still might improve. I am not tied to him but as an RFA it would not cost much to sign him and see if he can figure things out. He has shown flashes of potential.
- -Doh-

All of this has nothing to do with the fact that his brother is on the team. That is the sole thing I object to. The previous poster implied that signing him would be to keep the family happy (or something along those lines). I personally find that rational utterly stupid. Just my thing. I'm not saying it won't happen, but I think it's stupid to do so for that reason.

Drafting matters.
Fun Fact from Charlie Roumeliotis:

Blackhawks traded back from #26 overall to #29 overall in the 2017 NHL Draft and took Henri Jokiharju.

The Dallas Stars traded up to #26 and selected Jake Oettinger.

Drafting matters.
Fun Fact from Charlie Roumeliotis:

Blackhawks traded back from #26 overall to #29 overall in the 2017 NHL Draft and took Henri Jokiharju.

The Dallas Stars traded up to #26 and selected Jake Oettinger.
- scottak

Is Oettinger considered that great of a goalie? I'll admit he's good, but I think in relation to their respective positions both players are about the same level - pretty good.

Now, trading him away for Nylander was questionable at best...

Golden Knights fire head coach Peter DeBoer

Golden Knights fire head coach Peter DeBoer
- ikeane

No thank you

No thank you
- powerenforcer

Wasn't soliciting, just sharing the news

Wasn't soliciting, just sharing the news
- ikeane

I know, I just didn't want anyone getting that idea.

Golden Knights fire head coach Peter DeBoer
- ikeane

What is the over/under on Keefe keeping the job in TOR? Not saying I want him in Chicago, but just curious as to his job security there. I'm assuming mgmt thinks they should be a much more competitive team, no?

#Isles News: The New York Islanders announced today that Lane Lambert has been named Head Coach.

Golden Knights fire head coach Peter DeBoer
- ikeane

Boiler I think predicted DeBoer getting the axe and VGK hiring Trotz. Let's see if the second half becomes true.

Is Oettinger considered that great of a goalie? I'll admit he's good, but I think in relation to their respective positions both players are about the same level - pretty good.

Now, trading him away for Nylander was questionable at best...
- Chunk

If you ask my son who was at BU when Oettinger dropped a flip-in into his own net for what turned out to be the game winning goal in the NCAA championship game you may get a different opinion of where he stands......

Boiler I think predicted DeBoer getting the axe and VGK hiring Trotz. Let's see if the second half becomes true.
- Popsghostly

Didn't Trotz have Robin "It's Not My Fault" Lehner on the Isle for a season?

Boiler I think predicted DeBoer getting the axe and VGK hiring Trotz. Let's see if the second half becomes true.
- Popsghostly

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. LOL. I'll stick with my Trotz to VGK prediction.

Deboer joins the ranks of the recycled coaches. If the Panthers don't advance any further, he might land there making Burnett available. Or maybe Dallas if Bowness retires?

Burnett to the Hawks?

Didn't Trotz have Robin "It's Not My Fault" Lehner on the Isle for a season?
- Rota's Rooter

Yeah he played for Trotz with the Islanders the year before he signed with the Hawks. He had one of his better career GAA and Save % that season.