Blackhawks Breakaway

Ep. 107: Hawks snap 8-game losing streak

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.2:00 The fourth line being the key to the Hawks win over the Penguins4:00 Hawks giving up goals in the final minute of the first 2 periods5:50 Hawks needing to outwork their opponents6:55 Hawks looking more organized on the ice7:30 Value of Marcus Kruger on the 4th line9:45 The need to stick with lines for a few games for players to develop chemistry13:00 Do the guys like the current lines?15:00 Strome finding new life with his new team18:45 What Brendan Perlini needs to do to be effective with the Hawks23:00 What should the Hawks ask Santa for Christmas?

Ep. 106: Blackhawks prospects edition and World Juniors preview

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 Karlsson9:35 – What did Knights GM Rob Simpson say about Boqvist?10:35 – Brian Campbell helping develop Boqvist12:10 – Boqvist on Sweden’s World Junior roster14:25 – Sikura, Ejdsell and Louis updates in Rockford18:45 – Evan Barratt leading NCAA in points22:15 – Ian Mitchell makes Team Canada preliminary roster24:40 – Nicolas Beaudin underrated prospect?28:35 – Could Jokiharju play in the World Juniors?30:00 Brandon Hagel a pleasant surprise

Ep. 105 First period struggles haunting Blackhawks

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

Ep. 104: Rocky Wirtz opens up about the state of the Blackhawks

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” book4:00 Rocky talks about his relationship with his father, Bill5:30 The decision to let Joel Quenneville go6:00 The dialogue between Rocky and Joel after the decision7:00 Early thoughts on Jeremy Colliton’s time as Head Coach8:00 Does Rocky believe this is a playoff roster?9:00 Rocky will not shy away from tough decisions10:00 What the Winter Classic means to Rocky

Ep. 103: Did Blackhawks make right move in cutting ties with Nick Schmaltz?

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 deal1:10 – 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 year7:10 – What could Schmaltz ultimately become as a player?8:50 – Trade frees up some summer cap room for the Hawks11:15 – Fourth trade between Hawks and Coyotes in 18 months13:30 – Schmaltz never reached his potential with Hawks16:37 – What are Hawks getting in Strome & Perlini?19:50 – Hawks hope change of scenery does wonders…again21: 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 future29:30 – Another former first-round pick traded by Bowman

Ep. 102: Giving Thanks to the Blackhawks

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.

Ep. 101: Are the Blackhawks relying too much on Corey Crawford?

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 control5:30 Problems exiting zone cleanly8:00 Art of the hoister9:40 Best Saad has looked?10:45 Schmaltz inconsistencies12:30 New wrinkles on Power Play16:30 Sikura call up?18:00 Leaders handling coaching change22:00 What Q’s been up to25:00 Burish Beauty26:00 Edzo's One More Shift and Hockey Fight’s Cancer Night28:30 Kane’s 21st Birthday and off-ice 88 story

Ep. 100: The Blackhawks losing streak extends to 8

The Blackhawks losing streak extended to eight games with an overtime loss in Carolina, but there were some signs of improvement with the team. Pat Boyle and Steve Konroyd discuss Jeremy Colliton going to the “nuclear option” pairing Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane on the same line and it seemed to work, but how did the other lines fare? Plus – how close are we to seeing some calls made to Rockford and how important are the next two “winnable” games? On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle and Steve Konroyd break down...00:45 - Mindset of the team after their 8th straight loss02:00 - Opposition getting quality chances against hawks goalies4:00 - Toews and Kane playing on the same line5:00 - Nick Schmaltz needs to take more shots5:45 - Colliton's lines during overtime8:00 - DeBrincat playing on a line with Kampf and Kahun9:45 - Debrincat with more goals than Kane or Roenick through 100 career games12:10 - How close are the Blackhawks to making some callups from Rockford to give the team a boost?14:00 - Hawks get a chance against 2 other struggling teams in Blues and Knights

Ep. 99: 1-on-1 with Jeremy Colliton

Pat Boyle sits down for a 1-on-1 with new Blackhawks Head Coach Jeremy Colliton and they discuss Colliton’s journey to become head coach of the Hawks, how he plans to attack his new job, plus memories of the only NHL game he played at the United Center.0:45 – A whirlwind of a week for Colliton1:26 – His biggest challenge taking over the Blackhawks1:55 – How his style is different from Joel Quenneville’s3:08 – His memories of playing at the United Center4:07 – On playing with Brent Seabrook as kids4:50 – Dealing with concussions as a player6:00 – When he knew he wanted to coach6:55 – How he went from Sweden to Rockford8:15 – What he learned in his deep run with the IceHogs9:00 – How he attacks the power play10:10 – On how he uses analytics11:30 – When will Forsling, Sikura and Ejdsell

Ep. 98: Why did Joel Quenneville get fired?

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast it’s all about the firing of Joel Quenneville and the hiring of Jeremy Colliton as the 38th head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss why the move was made now? Blackhawks management believes they have a playoff roster right now and other takeaways from the press conference. Who is Colliton and where could Q end up coaching next?:30 - Why did Q get fired?4:10 - Timing of the firing9:15 - Young players and Q12:30 - Blackhawks brass believes they have a playoff roster15:50 - Colliton, who is he?20:00 - What’s next for the Blackhawks under Colliton?21:20 - Q ends up coaching in...?