Blackhawks Mailbag — Ask Coach Frenchy Your Questions!

[CoachFrenchy]

Hey everyone,
I’m starting a Blackhawks Mailbag!
Drop any questions you have about the Hawks — prospects, lineup decisions, stats, player development, trades, or the season outlook — and I’ll answer as many as I can.
Let’s talk hockey!

[Metalhead]

re: 11/7, Rinzel and Arty

1) Do you think Blashill has the complete power to go 12/6 and healthy scratch a D-man?
2) If Blashill said that he thought Arty or Rinzel needed a short break in RFD,
would management let him decide or would they only do it if they agreed?

[boilermaker]

Coach,

Let’s assume Moore, Nazar and Greene show progress in their development and become mainstays among the forward group along with Bedard. Do you think Davidson’s master plan is to wait to see how the next wave of forward prospects (Lardis, Kantserov, Frondell, Bosivert and Vanacker to name a few) develop over the next two years or so and fit into the lineup, or will he tempted to obtain a big name during the off season to add to the lineup sooner?

There may be slim pickings among the upcoming free agents so a trade is the more likely way to obtain a star player. After reading the rumors that Carolina’s Svechnikov wanted a trade earlier this year, I’m thinking he would be an attractive, albeit expensive addition. He’s only 25 and signed reasonably for three years after this, so he fits the rebuild timeline. If he’s available during the off season, would you as a GM make a move for him?

[CoachFrenchy]

Great question, my friend. I love this type of roster-construction discussion.

This is exactly where a GM needs patience and discipline. Let’s be honest: the upcoming UFA class doesn’t offer much for a rebuilding team. Most of the big names are aging, and the rest are bottom-six forwards or third-pair defensemen. Chicago wouldn’t gain anything long-term by throwing money at that group. The only thing you really lose next year is some veteran leadership and experience.

Right now, you already have Teravainen, Bertuzzi, and Burakovsky to insulate your young core with Bedard, Nazar, Moore, and Greene. The urgency to add a top-six forward this summer just isn’t there. If there’s a chance to add a long-term piece who’s under 28 years old, sure — Davidson will listen. But if the market is empty or the price is sky-high, he’ll wait. And honestly, waiting might be the smartest move.

In two years, the contracts for Teravainen and Burakovsky expire, and that’s when KD will need to add legit top-six talent.
By then he’ll also have a better read on the next wave: Lardis, Kantserov, Frondell, Boisvert, Vanacker. One or two of them could absolutely make the jump, but the Blackhawks won’t rush any of them. They’ll come in when they’re ready — not before.

KD can still add one or two bottom-six veterans for experience, PK help, faceoffs, or specific holes in the lineup. But that’s a low-cost move, not a franchise-changing move. For me, the real excitement is at the trade deadline and next offseason — that’s when we’ll really see KD’s long-term strategy unfold.

Now, about Svechnikov…

He’s an excellent talent. No doubt. Skills, size, scoring touch. On paper, he fits the Hawks’ timeline perfectly: only 25 years old and signed for three more seasons at a reasonable number.

But — and this is important — when a team is willing to move a young, productive player, there’s usually a reason. I called a friend of mine who covers Carolina, and here’s what he told me:
• The issue is inconsistency and effort.
• Brind’Amour demands heavy forechecking, winning battles, and crashing the net.
• Those aren’t Svechnikov’s strengths.
• The Hurricanes aren’t actively shopping him, but every year someone in Carolina “wants out.” It’s almost become a tradition over there.

Would I trade for him if I were GM?
Only if the price is reasonable and only if I’m convinced his effort level won’t be an issue in Chicago.
The Hawks can’t afford to give up major assets for a player who might not bring the battle level they want in their culture.

Right now, I think Carolina hangs on to him unless he forces their hand.

If Davidson gets the right player at the right age and the right term, he’ll do it.
If not, he’ll trust the development pipeline and stay patient — and honestly, that might be the smartest move for the rebuild.

[CoachFrenchy]

Thanks for your question, my friend.

1) Absolutely.
Blashill has full control when it comes to game-day decisions like going 12/6 or scratching a defenseman. Of course he and Kyle Davidson talk — every good coach and GM do — but when it comes to roster usage, pairings, matchups, and system decisions, that’s Blashill’s bench. He has the power to decide who plays and who sits.

2) As for sending a player to Rockford, that’s a different process. A coach doesn’t make that move alone.
Here’s how it normally works:
• The coach goes to the GM and explains why he thinks a player might need a reset or a short break in the AHL.
• They discuss the situation together, including who could be called up from Rockford.
• Davidson then talks with Rockford’s coaching staff to make sure the timing makes sense and that there’s the right opportunity for the player.
• After all of that, Davidson makes the final call.

But right now, I don’t see it happening for two reasons:

1. Rinzel and Levshunov are long-term pieces.
The Blackhawks believe their development is better served in the NHL than in the AHL. They want them learning at the highest level, even if there are bumps.

2. There’s no defenseman in Rockford pushing hard for a call-up.
It’s not like the Canadiens situation with Engstrom, who dominated the AHL and earned his call-up. Rockford doesn’t have a D-man right now forcing the organization’s hand.

So in the end, it’s a combination of two things:
Rockford needing someone to step up, and either Rinzel or Levshunov showing a dip big enough to justify the move.
We’re not there yet.

[Metalhead]

Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Laurent Brossoit
could be ready to play in as little as “a few weeks”.

Assuming a conditioning stint happens first, what do you think happens with him?

[CoachFrenchy]

Great question.

I reached out to the Waite brothers — former NHL goalie coaches with both Chicago and Montreal — to get more insight, and here’s what I was told:

From their perspective, based on the current situation with Knight and Söderblom, they don’t expect Laurent Brossoit to have a real role with the Blackhawks once he’s healthy. The crease right now belongs to those two. Chicago wants Knight to get the heavy workload, and Söderblom is still young enough that they need to see what he can become.

Now, could Brossoit get a conditioning stint and maybe a game or two?
Yes — but only under very specific circumstances:
• If there’s an injury
• If the team wants to showcase him for a potential trade
• If they want to evaluate him quickly at the NHL level

For me, that’s the only scenario where he sees action. Otherwise, there’s simply no path for him with the Hawks.

And honestly, if I’m a team like Edmonton, or any team struggling with goaltending depth, I’m keeping an eye on him. He’s a veteran, inexpensive, and could be a temporary upgrade for a playoff team needing support.

But for Chicago?
I don’t see any long-term fit. The organization is more excited about the future of Commesso and Gajan, who are both having strong seasons in their development paths. Those two are part of the next wave.

So unless something unexpected happens, I don’t expect Brossoit to play meaningful minutes for the Hawks.

[Metalhead]

CoachFrenchy wrote:

So unless something unexpected happens, I don’t expect Brossoit to play meaningful minutes for the Hawks.

Thanks Frenchy.
If I have it correct, the Hawks could *temporarily* roster 3 goalies without a big problem.

3G (w/ Brossoit healthy)
7D (the current 7 who are playing)
13F (when Foligno returns they would need to send Slaggert down if everyone else is healthy)

That would allow them to evaluate and/or showcase him if they want.

[CoachFrenchy]

Welcome my friend… You’re right about the situation. Brossoit can go on a conditioning stint in Rockford, and the Hawks have enough roster flexibility to manage three goalies for a short period. It won’t hurt them at all.

Once Foligno returns, Slaggert is the most likely move if the forward group stays healthy. Everything lines up for Chicago to evaluate Brossoit properly before making a final decision.

Thanks for your post!

[Angotti]

Coach,
What are your thoughts on Mikheyev, do the Hawks extend him for a couple of years? He gives 100% every shift, brings lots of speed and is great on the PK.

[CoachFrenchy]

Absolutely they should consider bringing him back — especially if Foligno and Dickinson don’t return.
Mikheyev fits perfectly in a middle-six role and he gives you the same thing every single night: speed, compete level, smart defensive plays, and strong penalty killing.

He’s 31 years old, but he still skates like a younger player and his work ethic is never in question. With close to 400 NHL games of experience, he brings leadership and reliability — two things this roster still needs.

The Blackhawks will have plenty of cap space next season, so signing him will not be a problem. I can see Chicago offering something like:

3 years at $4.5M–$5M AAV.
If Mikheyev wants more term — maybe 4 years — then the Hawks could push the AAV down a bit to make it work.

Overall:
He’s a very good fit, he fills a clear need, and he’s the type of veteran you want around Bedard and the young core.

Thanks for your question

[boilermaker]

Thank you, Frenchy, for your very informative responses and for reaching out to your associates for their thoughts. Good stuff.

[CoachFrenchy]

Thank you, my friend. Always happy to help and talk hockey. I appreciate your comment!

[Haru]

Coach what do you think of the chances of the Hawks sending Broissoit back to Winnipeg along with maybe a defenseman or a pick for Brad Lambert. Assuming Broissoit is later healthy enough, they woud know what they’re getting in him, and the Hawks should know quite a bit about Lambert when they were monitoring Dach, Allen and Korchinski in Seattle. Not sure of the feasibility or even the interest by the teams, just that the familiarity of both teams make this an interesting fit.

[CoachFrenchy]

Thanks for your question!

I took a look at Winnipeg’s situation, and the biggest challenge is the salary cap. Adding Brossoit’s contract would be tough for them unless the Blackhawks retain some of the AAV. Even then, Hellebuyck is expected back in about three weeks, and Brossoit himself probably needs around 10 more days before he’s fully ready to play NHL games again.

For a short-term hole of only 2–3 weeks, I just don’t see Winnipeg paying for a goalie — especially with their cap so tight.

Now, about Brad Lambert…

He’s an interesting case. One year before his draft, he was seen as a potential top-15 pick, but he slid to 30th overall. His AHL start was strong, but the last couple of seasons have been inconsistent. He reminds me a bit of Fabian Lysell in Boston — lots of skill, great tools, but they haven’t been able to translate it to full-time NHL roles. Some players look great in the AHL but struggle to find their game in the NHL.

Right now, I don’t see Lambert as a strong fit for the Blackhawks unless Chicago wants to gamble on upside.

If I was Chicago, the two prospects I’d look at instead are:

• Connor Geekie (Tampa Bay – Syracuse AHL)
• Brennan Othmann (Rangers – Hartford AHL)

Both players are stuck in their organization’s pipeline, both play a heavier forechecking style, and both could fit what the Hawks want to build. They’re still trying to break into the NHL, and their profiles make more sense for Chicago’s system than Lambert.

Final thought:
I’ve heard some negative scouting comments about Lambert over the years, but I can’t confirm anything personally — I’ve never been close enough around him to judge that myself. Your idea isn’t bad at all, but based on the cap, the timeline, and the player fit, I think the Hawks have better options than Lambert.

[Haru]

Thanks for the thoughts regarding this. Perhaps the Hawks already have the intel you mentioned. I like the Geekie option that you mentioned.

[BetweenTheDots]

It’s really going to be interesting where KD goes from here.

I just can’t see him making a trade for a player who’s unhappy somewhere else.

With so many prospects coming and with the youth movement i think they’ll be able to sign some very good vets who want to win. I think the next couple of years and beyond are going to be exciting.

[wizardofi]

Did the Hawks youth hit the wall the last couple of games? If you were KD/Blashill, what would you do to get this team back to the way it has been most of the season?

[wizardofi]

Looks like they needed to send a couple kids down and have a couple of practices to reset

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by wizardofi.

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