Blackhawks Breakaway

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle and Steve Konroyd discuss the Blackhawks’ recent surge after their 3-2 win over the Avalanche. The guys go over personnel moves that have keyed better play recently (1:00), Collin Delia’s emergence in net (4:00), Patrick Kane’s red-hot stretch paired with Dylan Strome (10:00), and the improvement on the power play (14:00). Then, Pat & Steve preview Tuesday’s Winter Classic at Notre Dame against the Boston Bruins (18:00).

Pat Boyle and Jamal Mayers discuss the challenges the Blackhawks and Bruins might face playing in the elements outdoors for the 2019 Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium. Plus, Pat is joined by Steve Mayer, the Chief Content Officer of the NHL to fill us in on the fan festivities in both Chicago and South Bend leading up to and on the day of the game.

On the latest Hawks Talk podcast, Pat Boyle, Steve Konroyd and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss Corey Crawford's concussion, Henri Jokiharju leaving the team to play in World Juniors, how the Blackhawks defensemen stack up, and what gift do the Blackhawks need this holiday season? 01:30 Corey Crawford's concussion 04:00 You can't use Crawford's injury as an excuse this season 06:10 Hawks able to get a look at Collin Delia 07:00 Henri Jokiharju to play for Finland in World Juniors 10:30 Erik Gustafsson's potential 14:00 Strome and Kane playing on the same line 17:00 What have the guys seen from Dylan Sikura 21:30 Tough back to back games at Dallas and Colorado 24:30 Guys give their holiday gift to the Blackhawks

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Patrick Sharp and Jamal Mayers join Pat Boyle to discuss snapping the 8-game losing streak, the Hawks no longer being able to rely on skill alone to win games, and what line combinations the guys would like to see on the ice. 2:00The fourth line being the key to the Hawks win over the Penguins 4:00Hawks giving up goals in the final minute of the first 2 periods 5:50Hawks needing to outwork their opponents 6:55Hawks looking more organized on the ice 7:30Value of Marcus Kruger on the 4th line 9:45The need to stick with lines for a few games for players to develop chemistry 13:00Do the guys like the current lines? 15:00Strome finding new life with his new team 18:45What Brendan Perlini needs to do to be effective with the Hawks 23:00What should the Hawks ask Santa for Christmas?

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis talk about Adam Boqvist's emergence with the London Knights in the OHL, how his game has developed and when we could see him with the Blackhawks. The guys provide updates on a handful of Blackhawks prospects, including Rockford IceHogs forwards Victor Ejdsell and Dylan Sikura, defensemen Nicolas Beaudin and Ian Mitchell, and NCAA's leading scorer Evan Barratt. Why hasn't Sikura been called up yet and should he be? What kind of player could Barratt turn into? They also preview the IIHF World Junior Championships and which Blackhawks prospects to look out for. 0:55 – What did Charlie learn in 1-on-1 with Boqvist? 2:00 – How has Boqvist adjusted to smaller ice surface? 3:10 – How has Boqvist developed in OHL? 5:00 – What is the benefit of playing with Evan Bouchard on a loaded team? 6:45 – Boqvist comps with Erik Karlsson 9:35 – What did Knights GM Rob Simpson say about Boqvist? 10:35 – Brian Campbell helping develop Boqvist 12:10 – Boqvist on Sweden’s World Junior roster 14:25 – Sikura, Ejdsell and Louis updates in Rockford 18:45 – Evan Barratt leading NCAA in points 22:15 – Ian Mitchell makes Team Canada preliminary roster 24:40 – Nicolas Beaudin underrated prospect? 28:35 – Could Jokiharju play in the World Juniors? 30:00 Brandon Hagel a pleasant surprise

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Jamal Mayers and Charlie Roumeliotis assess the past week and provide early impressions on Brendan Perlini and Dylan Strome. They also weigh in on the ongoing first period struggles, the inefficient power play, whether their recent physical play has helped bring the Blackhawks together and what Connor Murphy’s return could mean for the defense. The guys wrap up by discussing what their favorite NHL city to spend an off-night in is. 1:00 Strome and Perlini's first week with the Blackhawks 3:30 First period struggles 6:15 Blackhawks getting used to playing man-on-man under Colliton 9:00 Kunitz' penalty forcing the Blackhawks to an extended penalty kill in two straight games 15:00 Has the recent physical play help bring this team together? 16:00 Blackhawks 1-for-16 on the power play over the last seven games 20:05 Kahun-Kampf-Kane playing together and other possible line changes 23:00 Is Alex DeBrincat a top-6 forward? 26:00 What Connor Murphy's return will mean to the defense 28:00 Favorite NHL city to spend an off-night in

In the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Rocky Wirtz joins Pat Boyle to talk about the state of the team, the firing of Joel Quenneville, and the release of his new book "The Breakaway". 1:00 Rocky Wirtz explains background of “The Breakaway” book 4:00 Rocky talks about his relationship with his father, Bill 5:30 The decision to let Joel Quenneville go 6:00 The dialogue between Rocky and Joel after the decision 7:00 Early thoughts on Jeremy Colliton’s time as Head Coach 8:00 Does Rocky believe this is a playoff roster? 9:00 Rocky will not shy away from tough decisions 10:00 What the Winter Classic means to Rocky

In the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Jamal Mayers joins Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis to discuss the three-player trade that saw Chicago send Nick Schmaltz to Arizona for forwards Brendan Perlini and Dylan Strome. Why did the Blackhawks give up on Schmaltz now and who are they getting in Perlini and Strome? The guys also talk about why Schmaltz was never able to reach his full potential in a contract year, whether Alex DeBrincat and Strome can rekindle the magic they shared with the Erie Otters in the OHL and how this trade impacts the Blackhawks’ plans next summer in free agency. 0:27 – Initial thoughts on the Schmaltz for Strome/Perlini deal 1:10 – Why did the Hawks give up on Schmaltz now? 3:00 – Did contract negotiations play into the timing of the trade? 4:20 – Patrick Kane disappointed in Hawks trading Schmaltz? 5:40 – Coyotes have pursued Schmaltz for a year 7:10 – What could Schmaltz ultimately become as a player? 8:50 – Trade frees up some summer cap room for the Hawks 11:15 – Fourth trade between Hawks and Coyotes in 18 months 13:30 – Schmaltz never reached his potential with Hawks 16:37 – What are Hawks getting in Strome & Perlini? 19:50 – Hawks hope change of scenery does wonders…again 21: 45- Can Strome/DeBrincat OHL magic be rekindled? 23:45 – How does Jeremy Colliton rework his lines? 26:00 – Hawks add young forwards to promising defense prospects for future 29:30 – Another former first-round pick traded by Bowman

On a special Thanksgiving Day edition, Pat Boyle and Slavko Bekovic give thanks for the last 11 seasons of Blackhawks hockey. From the way the city of Chicago embraced the franchise (7:00), to the evolution of Patrick Kane from 18-year-old talent to 30-year-old superstar (11:30), they touch on everything that has happened since the Blackhawks franchise was “rejuvenated and reinvigorated” in 2007. Blackhawks fans have been spoiled by success over the last 11 seasons and there is much to be thankful for! However, the Blackhawks success has also proven costly (3:30) in the salary cap era because winning Stanley Cups means you have to pay players, and that makes longevity difficult in today’s NHL. We asked the listeners of the Hawks Talk podcast to tell us what they were thankful for and the resounding response was the return of Corey Crawford (14:25). Other responses were the return of Jonathan Toews to top form (17:00), the prominsing start to Henri Jokiharju’s career (21:00), and the health of Eddie Olczyk (25:45) allowing him to return to the broadcast booth. As a bonus, Hawks fans are also thankful for the challenge the St. Louis Blues have had winning a Stanley Cup…but could there be a reunion with Joel Quenneville in St. Louis? The guys discuss the fit (23:30) and where Joel Quenneville might eventually end up.

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast Adam Burish joins Pat Boyle to breakdown the Blackhawks' recent four-game point streak, Corey Crawford's second star of the week honors and Brandon Saad’s best stretch of hockey since he returned to Chicago. Burish talks about the criticism that Nick Schmaltz receives, the tweaks to the power play and whether he is impressed with how the team leaders have handled the coaching change. Adam also shares his thoughts on Joel Quenneville attending Sunday night’s Bears game, Eddie Olczyk’s "One More Shift" and shares a couple off-ice stories about Patrick Kane. 0:36 What have you seen over this four-game points streak? 2:35 Crow is second star of the week, are the Hawks relying too much on Crawford? 4:00 Crow: no soft goals and rebound control 5:30 Problems exiting zone cleanly 8:00 Art of the hoister 9:40 Best Saad has looked? 10:45 Schmaltz inconsistencies 12:30 New wrinkles on Power Play 16:30 Sikura call up? 18:00 Leaders handling coaching change 22:00 What Q’s been up to 25:00 Burish Beauty 26:00 Edzo's One More Shift and Hockey Fight’s Cancer Night 28:30 Kane’s 21st Birthday and off-ice 88 story