Blackhawks Breakaway

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Charlie Roumeliotis and Slavko Bekovic put a bow on the Prague trip. What was the biggest on-ice takeaway from their season-opener vs. Philadelphia? The guys also discuss what's the deal with Calvin de Haan, the plan for Kirby Dach and how comfortable they are with the top line of Alex Nylander, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. They wrap up the show by answering your mailbag questions, including whether Corey Crawford or Robin Lehner should start in the home opener on Thursday, what the future holds for Erik Gustafsson and what line combinations they'd like to see. 0:55 - Biggest takeaway on the ice from Prague 1:52 - Importance of Alex DeBrincat signing 2:40 - Atmosphere overseas 5:00 - Third pairing and update on Calvin de Haan's status 8:00 - What's the plan for Kirby Dach? 11:45 - How comfortable are we with Nylander-Toews-Kane line? 14:37 - Blackhawks give up too many scoring chances and high danger chances vs. Flyers 15:27 - Who will be the Blackhawks' first call-up this season? 16:45 - What does the future hold for Erik Gustafsson? 21:40 - Is David Kampf slotted too high as third-line center? 24:43 - If both goalies have strong play, could one be used as a trade piece? 25:40 - Will the return of de Haan and Murphy be enough to plug holes on defense? 28:37 - Who will start home opener: Crawford or Lehner? 34:16 - What line combinations would you like to see?

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Eddie Olczyk joins the podcast along with David Kaplan to talk about the team's uneven performance in Prague against the Flyers. What did Edzo think about Corey Crawford's performance and what does he think the Hawks can hang their hat on? Plus, Pat Boyle and Slavko Bekovic discuss where the Blackhawks go from here. Could we see Patrick Kane join Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome and who will get the start between the pipes for the home opener back in Chicago. 0:32 - Are these the same old Blackhawks? 3:23 - Blackhawks lacking depth on the blue line 6:09 - What line should Patrick Kane be on? 8:20 - The Kane-DeBrincat connection 12:26 - Would Kirby Dach be on the fit on that 3rd line? 14:32 - Evaluating Corey Crawford's performance 16:45 - Who starts between the pipes for the home opener? 19:38 - Eddie Olczyk joins the podcast 20:05 - An uneven performance by the Blackhawks 21:39 - Flyers deserve credit for limiting Hawks' forwards 22:53 - How long will it take for the Hawks to mesh? 24:01 - Edzo on how he would handle the goalie workload 25:20 - The Blackhawks are never out of a game 26:36 - DeBrincat's ceiling and what Edzo sees as his contract 28:31 - Was Eddie Olczyk a selfish player - in a good way?

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Charlie Roumeliotis gets the chance to catch up with Marian Hossa 1-on-1 from Prague with an update on his health and his thoughts on potentially rejoining the Blackhawks organization one day. Charlie is also joined by Slavko Bekovic to break down Alex DeBrincat's three-year extension and preview the Blackhawks' season opener against the Flyers in the NHL Global Series. 1:09 – Initial reaction to Alex DeBrincat’s extension 2:21 – How the deal came together 3:16 – DeBrincat’s deal expires at the same time as Kane & Toews 4:18 – Surprised DeBrincat want a long-term deal? 5:00 – How DeBrincat’s extension impacts Dylan Strome 6:35 – Jeremy Colliton keeping roster close to the vest 7:36 – The “Czeching Line” with Saad, Kubalik and Kampf 9:46 – The health of the Blackhawks blue line 11:14 – Which goalie will start game one? 12:02 – What’s the status of Kirby Dach 13:20 – Marian Hossa joins the Blackhawks Talk Podcast 14:15 – Hossa updates us on his health 14:34 – How difficult was it for Hossa to walk away from the NHL? 15:03 – What does Hossa miss most about playing hockey? 15:32 – How much does Hossa follow the Blackhawks? 15:47 – Hossa’s memories of the 2010 Stanley Cup run 16:10 – Did Hossa envision three Cups when he signed in Chicago? 16:43 – What was Hossa feeling in the penalty box in Nashville in 2010? 17:29 – Can Hossa see himself back in the Hawks organization? 18:45 – How excited were the Hawks to see Hossa in Prague?

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, President and CEO John McDonough sits down 1-on-1 with Pat Boyle to discuss his "realistic optimism" about the upcoming season. McDonough also discusses Marian Hossa's impact on the franchise and reflects on the three Stanley Cups the team won in the last decade. 0:51 - McDonough feeling optimistic about Blackhawks 2:00 - The passion of Blackhawks fans 3:17 - His thoughts on the Blackhawks offseason moves 4:31 - Excitement for trip to Europe 5:59 - Marian Hossa's impact on the organization 7:24 - The void Hossa left on the Blackhawks 8:37 - Has Hossa been offered a front office job? 9:16 - On a new era of sports in Chicago 10:24 - How McDonough savored the three Stanley Cups

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Blackhawks Head Coach Jeremy Colliton sits down 1-on-1 with Pat Boyle before the team heads overseas to start the season. Colliton discusses how the Blackhawks have handled the preseason to Colliton's expectations for the team. 0:33 - Does this season feel different to Colliton? 1:18 - Was camp as competitive as he wanted? 2:28 - Players who exceeded expectations at camp 3:52 - Where Adam Boqvist fits with the team 4:57 - Are the Blackhawks tougher to play against? 6:11 - His conversation with Bulls coach Jim Boylen 7:08 - The message to the team 8:23 - How the veterans' work ethic rubs off on others 9:42 - Confidence in the PK and the d-zone systems 10:34 - Will Prague remind him of coaching in Sweden? 11:18 - Colliton's work/life balance 12:12 - Importance of the early home schedule 13:35 - Kirby Dach's status 14:40 - The Crawford/Lehner relationship 15:46 - Colliton's expectations for the season

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss the roster being trimmed to 30 and the forwards that are on the bubble. The guys weigh in on Kirby Dach’s situation and whether he will end up playing nine games with the big club. How does Calvin de Haan’s status impact Adam Boqvist’s chances of making the team and what did Duncan Keith think about Boqvist’s between the legs move last week? Plus, they discuss Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane and Dylan Strome practicing on the same line. 1:30 - Forwards on the bubble 3:35 - Alex Nylander evaluation 6:15 - Kirby Dach chances of going to Europe 7:45 - Dylan Sikura sent to Rockford 11:18 - de Haan’s availability 14:15 - Will Boqvist make the team? 15:45 - Boqvist highlight reel play 19:25 - Third line appears to be set in stone 21:45 - Kane on different lines

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis break down the first three days of training camp. Which players have stood out so far and how will the injuries to Kirby Dach and Calvin de Haan impact the final roster? The guys also discuss Jonathan Toews being motivated by an NHL Network snub and their feelings about the relationship between Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner. 0:45 - Fan support at Training Camp Festival 1:45 - Impressions of Wedin-Toews-Nylander line 2:35 - Olli Maatta getting offensive 4:00 - Aleksi Saarela impact 5:00 - Andrew Shaw at center 6:00 - Will Kris Versteeg get another spin with Blackhawks? 7:45 - Optimism at camp 10:15 - Kirby Dach injury 12:00 - What are Dach’s chances of making the team? 14:00 - Will Calvin de Haan be ready for season opener? 17:15 - Jeremy Colliton teaching D-zone 19:00 - Adam Boqvist chances of making the team? 20:15 - Jonathan Toews motivated by snub 24:15 - Crawford-Lehner relationship 28:45 - Importance of three preseason games in three days

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Charlie Roumeliotis and Slavko Bekovic recap the top storylines from the 2019 Traverse City Prospect Tournament. How did Adam Boqvist and Kirby Dach perform? The guys also discuss some standouts, takeaways from the tournament and four prospects escaping with minor injuries. They wrap up by reacting to the Brendan Perlini extension and share what they'll be looking for when training camp opens on Friday. 0:45 – Kirby Dach and Adam Boqvist’s performance in Traverse City 2:40 – What was the talent level at the tournament? 4:08 – Blackhawks Director of Player Development Mark Eaton on tournament evaluation 7:35 – Who can springboard themselves into training camp? 9:36 – How the Blackhawks can reign in Boqvist’s game 12:10 – Crazy injuries in tournament finale vs Wild 16:25 – Other prospects that stood out in the tournament 18:10 – Does Dach or Boqvist have a better chance to play the season opener? 24:02 – Brendan Perlini’s role on the Blackhawks 26:30 – Camp Storylines: Dach’s chances at third line center spot 27:50 – Camp Storylines: the goalie tandem 28:35 – Camp Storylines: the defensive improvements 30:02 – Camp Storylines: Patrick Kane’s usage this season 31:10 – Camp Storylines: the Hawks’ d-zone system 32:20 – Camp Storylines: winger spots open on the top two lines

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis preview the eight-team prospect tournament in Traverse City and what to look for from the Blackhawks. The guys also look ahead to training camp and cover the top storylines, including Kirby Dach's chances at making the Blackhawks roster, where Brendan Perlini fits into the equation and who could get a shot in the top-six. 1:18 – Prospect Tournament preview 3:13 – What to expect from Kirby Dach and Adam Boqvist 7:32 – Defenseman group at the Prospect Tournament 9:37 – Forward prospects to keep an eye on 17:30 – Roster battles open at training camp 19:40 – Should Kane and Toews stay together on a line long-term? 21:27 – Does Dach or Boqvist have better shot to make the Hawks? 25:18 – Clarity on Brendan Perlini’s contract situation 26:15 – The Blackhawks’ bottom-six is wide open at camp 28:15 – How CBA is effecting the RFA market 34:04 – Top Blackhawks get their NHL 20 video game ratings

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Charlie Roumeliotis and Slavko Bekovic answer your mailbag questions. Will the Blackhawks will make the playoffs this season? Which darkhorse player could have a breakout season? And is Stan Bowman's seat a little warm? The guys hit on all that and more. 1:06 – NHL Network lists snubbing the Blackhawks 7:32 – Is Corey Crawford ready for the start of the season? 9:51 – Excitement building around potential of the Hawks 13:27 – Can the Hawks improve their age mix and contract efficiency? 19:22 – Brent Seabrook’s future with the Blackhawks 27:15 – Will a signing like Marian Hossa ever happen again? 32:15 – Who are potential breakout candidates this year? 35:51 – The hype surrounding Dominik Kubalik 38:28 – Is Stan Bowman on the hot seat entering the season?