Blackhawks Breakaway

Ep. 126: What will it take for Blackhawks to make playoffs?

What will it take for the Chicago Blackhawks to earn a playoff spot with 10 games remaining? Pat Boyle, Steve Konroyd and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss where the Blackhawks stand after a rough 3-2 loss in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks. With Corey Crawford at the top of his game again, should the Blackhawks try to ride him into the playoffs? How have Jeremy Colliton’s line changes impacted Patrick Kane’s game? Plus, breakouts from Eric Gustafsson and Brendan Perlini have been huge for the Blackhawks during their recent streak of six straight games with a point.0:45 - Missed opportunity for Blackhawks against Canucks2:45 – Hawks changing up lines has slowed down Patrick Kane5:45 – Should the Blackhawks ride Corey Crawford while he’s hot?8:00 – Hawks will need 13-15 points in final 10 games to get playoff spot10:30 – Brendan Perlini has finally figured it out for Hawks12:35 – Erik Gustafsson’s breakout year has been vital to Hawks success15:35 – Dylan Sikura still hasn’t scored, but he’s been all over the ice18:50 – Prediction time…will the Hawks make the playoffs?

Ep. 125: The Blackhawks aren’t done yet!

After destroying the red-hot Arizona Coyotes, the Blackhawks find themselves five points out of a playoff spot with 13 games remaining. Pat Boyle, Jamal Mayers and Charlie Roumeliotis break down the Blackhawks playoff chances and discuss the team’s improved play over their last three games. And Jamal fills us in on his discussion with Head Coach Jeremy Colliton and explains the Blackhawks defensive systems. Plus – will Patrick Kane decide his own fate down the stretch when it comes to his ice time? 0:30 – Helpful night in the NHL means Blackhawks playoff hopes not dead yet2:15 – The Blackhawks are finally playing some defense3:50 – Jamal’s discussion with Jeremy Colliton breaking down Hawks defensive coverage7:25 – Perlini breaks out in a big way against his former team8:50 – Kampf’s return made the Hawks fourth line legit once again10:00 – How do the Blackhawks handle Patrick Kane’s minutes down the stretch? 12:35 – Which Hawks goal total is most surprising? Alex DeBrincat or Erik Gustafsson? 16:35 – Thoughts on Dylan Sikura’s fit on Colliton’s new lines20:30 – Any concern over the power play drought? 22:30 – Do the Blackhawks have a shot or are they just teasing us?

Ep. 124: Is it time for Blackhawks to look ahead to next season?

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss whether the West Coast trip sealed their playoff fate. Is it time to look ahead to next season?The guys also weigh in on whether their style of play is sustainable, their man-on-man defensive structure and Patrick Kane's dry spell. Is fatigue kicking in?They wrap up by talking about Brandon Saad's emergence in a third-line role and the rule changes for next season.0:45 - Hawks playoff chances plummet to under 2% 3:45 - Was the way the Hawks were playing sustainable? 6:30 - Hawks defense still struggling with systems 11:30 - Do the Hawks have the right personnel 16:00 - Time to look ahead to next year? Outlook for Jokiharju? 18:45 - Can Kane keep up in points race? 20:30 - Is fatigue kicking in for Kane? 22:40 - Looking at depth forwards down the stretch 24:00 - How do we evaluate Saad's season? 26:20 - Proposed rule changes and playoff format

Ep. 123: NHL Trade Deadline quietly passes for Blackhawks

The NHL Trade Deadline got crazy in the final minutes, but the Blackhawks stood pat as no deals came together. You’ll hear from GM Stan Bowman on why the Hawks didn’t make any moves and how they’ll attack improving the team this summer. Steve Konroyd and Pat Boyle break down the Hawks’ approach on deadline day, how the addition of Corey Crawford impacts the stretch run and take a look at some of the major trades that shook up the NHL on Monday. 0:45 – Surprised the Hawks stood pat at trade deadline? 2:00 – Did losses to Avalanche and Stars impact deadline moves?3:45 – Stan Bowman addresses why the Blackhawks made no trades5:45 – Hawks did business early with Strome and Caggiula7:50 – Evaluating the Blackhawks crop of young defensemen10:00 – What are the Hawks’ chances with 19 games left?11:20 – Corey Crawford officially activated13:20 – Vegas makes big splash landing Mark Stone15:00 – Predators add Simmonds and Granlund16:30 – Winnipeg aggressive in landing Hayes and other depth18:30 – West Coast trip coming up for the Blackhawks 21:15 – Which Wild Card contenders in the West are for real?

Ep. 122: Patrick Kane streaking into wildcard weekend in Chicago

On the latest Hawks Talk podcast, Pat Boyle, Jamal Mayers and Charlie Roumeliotis preview a wildcard weekend in Chicago, discuss Patrick Kane continuing his point streak, the latest on Corey Crawford, what Colin Delia needs to work on, and how the Hawks will approach the trade deadline.1:00 - Hawks winning when not playing their best1:45 - Kane extends point streak to 19 games3:00 - Can Kane surpass his previous 26-game point streak?8:33 - DeBrincat reaches 33 goals this season10:30 - Hawks get ready to take on Avs and Stars13:30 - Update on Corey Crawford status16:00 - Crawford play before the trade deadline?17:30 - Crawford being around affecting Colin Delia?18:30 - What Delia needs to work on21:00 - How the Hawks will approach Monday's trade deadline14:00 - Is Gustav Forsling the only defenseman the team would move?26:00 - Are Perlini and Sikura part of the long-term plan with the Hawks28:00 - How Artem Anisimov's contract will affect his future with the Hawks29:00 - Would the Hawks be willing to move Brandon Saad?

Ep. 121: Hawks Talk Podcast with special guest Mike Tirico

On this episode of Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle talks with Mike Tirico, who is doing play-by-play for the Blackhawks-Red Wings game on Wednesday night.0:45 - Mike Tirico on how he got the call to call hockey1:30 - Tirico's preparation for his first NHL play-by-play broadcast4:15 - Patrick Kane continue's to impress as a veteran6:20 - Can Tirico fit more NHL into his busy schedule?8:20 - Will Tirico get nervous for his first NHL broadcast?

Ep. 120: How could Corey Crawford’s return impact Blackhawks playoff push?

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Steve Konroyd and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss Corey Crawford's return to practice and how he could impact the Blackhawks' playoff push.They also weigh in on whether Patrick Kane's 15-game point streak is more impressive than his record-setting 26-game streak from the 2015-16 season, and what to make of the team's seven-game winning streak that ended on Tuesday in Boston.The guys wrap up the segment by offering their bold predictions ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline and what would need to happen for the Blackhawks to become buyers.0:45 – Corey Crawford participating in practice with Blackhawks3:05 – How Crawford’s return would impact Cam Ward & Collin Delia7:45 – What to make of the Hawks 7-game winning streak11:40 – Patrick Kane’s point streak now up to 1514:30 – Kane eats, breathes and lives hockey17:30 – Are the Blackhawks still sellers at the trade deadline?20:45 – Hawks gain more ground over next 6 games22:30 – Bold prediction for the NHL trade deadline24:45 – At what point would the Hawks officially become “buyers”

Ep. 119: Blackhawks are back in the playoff chase

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Patrick Sharp and Adam Burish break down the Hawks 6 game win streak and their chances at making the playoffs.01:00 - Hawks are just 2 points out of a playoff spot03:30 - Has the win streak changed your opinion on the Blackhawks?07:00 - The Hawks resurgent power play13:45 - Is Kane an MVP candidate?17:00 - Toews having a bounceback season21:00 - Does the win streak change Corey Crawford's timeine for return?

Ep. 118: Brent Seabrook rumors and early Blackhawks trade deadline speculation

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss the rumors surrounding Brent Seabrook and his comments on whether or not he was asked to waive his no-movement clause. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are on pace to set a career high in several offensive categories, yet the Blackhawks are near the bottom of the NHL standings. What does that say about the current state of the Blackhawks? The guys also discuss the different ways Kane has evolved his game both on and off the ice, and wrap up by going through a list of players that could be moved before the Feb. 25 trade deadline.0:45 – Trade rumors swirling around Seabrook and Keith1:45 – Seabrook and Kane address trade rumors4:30 – Reaction to Seabrook denying trade rumors6:00 –Bowman’s conversations with Seabrook and Keith should stay in-house8:00 – What is the market for Duncan Keith?11:30 – Hawks need young defense prospects to “hit”13:30 – Winning should not change Hawks plan to sell at deadline15:00 – Kane and Toews on pace for career years17:30 – Kane’s trying to mimic Tom Brady’s longevity22:05 – Selling off parts at the deadline to try for higher pick25:05 – Brandon Saad a potential trade candidate? 26:20 – Could Saad’s salary be used to lure back Artemi Panarin?28:50 – Artem Anisimov a better trade chip this summer?30:40 – Hawks should hold on to John Hayden31:20 – What is Erik Gustafsson’s trade value?33:40 – Would you rather keep Gustafsson or Forsling?

Ep. 117: How are Blackhawks prospects developing in Rockford?

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss their trip to Rockford, where they caught up with several Blackhawks prospects.What is Dylan Sikura’s mindset after getting sent down a second time? How is Anton Forsberg handling his situation? Is he still part of the Blackhawks’ plans going forward?The guys also weigh in on the state of the IceHogs, Derek King’s transition from assistant coach to interim head coach and the biggest surprise.0:45 – Recapping a visit with the IceHogs3:10 – Is Derek King the perfect coach for the Hawks AHL team?4:15 – Dylan Sikura has positive mindset after being sent down7:45 – Sikura trying to find his identity 8:45 – Anton Forsberg handling tough situation well14:20 – Victor Ejdsell adjusting to speed of the game15:45 – Ejdsell learning about tough schedules19:00 – Darren Raddysh hoping to join DeBrincat, Strome in Chicago24:10 – What we learned about Derek King26:45 – The IceHogs spend A LOT of time on the ice27:30 – Lucas Carlsson the biggest Rockford surprise28:30 – Rockford’s other big character: Joni Tuulola29:30 – King explains why Carl Dahlstrom’s game translates to NHL31:00 – How NHL trends are helping Anthony Louis