Quenneville's tough choice
Ben Eager's three-game suspension has saved Coach Q from having to make a tough roster decision, at least until Sunday's game against Vancouver when Eager can return.
So who sits when all the forwards are available?
It would seem rookies Kris Versteeg and Troy Brouwer have earned their keep. Dustin Byfuglien plays if only for his size, even if he doesn't use it every night. That would leave Eager, Adam Burish and Colin Fraser.
It's possible Fraser gets pushed out of the lineup because of Pahlsson, who can take faceoffs and kill penalties as well as be the shut-down defensive center. Burish has experience to play center on the fourth line, perhaps between Eager and Byfuglien.
Maybe Quenneville will rotate sitting out Eager, Fraser and Burish. We'll find out Sunday.
It looks as if it will be the same lineup Wednesday against San Jose with neither Cam Barker (lower body) nor Matt Walker (upper body) on the ice for practice Tuesday.
To me, Buff is very expendable, I only hope he has some market value when Tallon decides to pull the trigger - he needs improvement in a lot of skills (skating, puck-handling, passing and receiving passes, etc, etc) and doesn't fit in with this team's style. The Hawks are smaller, faster, and more skilled than a lot of tems below them in the standings. Though Buff's size and potential to be physical is desirable, his pricetag doesn't reflect his production. Tallon and Bowman are going to have to get creative with this roster and, while I don't dislike Buff, I recognize that they should get more skill for that kind of salary.
Because he is so powerful, so strong. We don't need a defenseman who is always breaking his stick. Are we willing to see if Bufuglien works out with Bolland on a third line? This means Ladd or someone else moves off the Bolland/Havlat line because Bufuglien is far from being a master at many skills, yet does have some good points and lots of potential. Bufuglien is also a young kid that has lots of off ice interest and isn't sincere enough about being focused and improving as a hockey player. That is what the word on him is. I can't give details, but that is what others have seen and know about his life away from the rinkl. Give a young kid $3mill and he thinks he has enough natural ability to not have to work especially hard to become a better player. So can Quenneville hold him accountable? Is Tallon afraid to trade him, based on what the player he could become (as mentioned by another post person)?
Bolland should go for a better offensive center IF we keep Pahlsson. I like Bolland but we can do better with an even more gifted #2 center. As I've said in other posts, Bolland's best value may yet be as a #3 center, where he would be better than the #3 on another team. He could therefore be part of a Blackhawk team with three productive lines.
In looking at Bolland's junior stat's, he was relegated to the PP and 2nd line behind the star studded #1 line. That #1 line had Perry and Dylan Hunter plus one other big name. The owner coach was one of the former NHL Hunter clan. Maybe if you want TheREALWiz or Jacukel can mention on how Bolland was supposed to project compared to how they BELIEVE he actually will project on this Blackhawks team in the years ahead. To be specific, could Bolland be a solid heads up defensive player with 60-75 point potential with/without a Havlat on his line? Bolland would not be the same shut down, face off ace that Pahlsson is advertised to be.
I think everyones still high from last year when Buff had a hat trick against Phoenix.
The rumor I heard was Tampa wanted Buff for Brad Richards at last years deadline and Dale nixed the proposal which has thus far screwed up our team at the center position.(traded ruuttu,then traded lang, then had to move guys around,then traded for a risk vs reward guy in sami).
To me I think Buff could score 30 in a year easily. He had 19 last year when he didnt play all 82 games and played a new position, why didnt he at least get 20 this year?( along with ladd who sees no pp or pk time)
If you were in your early 20s and had 3 million dollars what would your motivation be? Get drunk every night? Thats the way Buff plays and comes across to me on most game nights, hung over.
Eager has as many goals as Buff,Ladd,Brouwer with 1/3rd the ice time. That cannot be right.
On another note-has Kontiola suited up for the Ducks? He could be really good playing with Getzlaf,Perry,Ryan, and Selanne.
How long can you wait for a player like Buf to develop? Tallon unfortunately gave him a contract based purely on potential and the fear of him developing into a top 6 forward somewhere else. With as much as you have seen of him can you honestly say that he will ever be that top 6 forward?. He gets Ice time based strictly on his size, and the hope that someday it will "click" for him. Other than his size what does he offer?
Buf has many problems with his game. The reality is that he will never be a good enough skater to play defense regularly in the NHL. He has trouble transitioning, and is not a strong skater backwards. He is average at best skating forward. While he does posess a hard shot that is mostly due to his size, not technique. His hands are below average. He is a poor passer, does not receive passes well, and is a mediocre stick handler. For a player his size he does not consistently "play big". If he we 5'11" would he be afforded the same chances?
Yes, he is learning the forward position, but even when he does get himself to the correct place, he rarely finishes. How many of those perfect setup's from Kane, Havlat, or whomever would someone like a Skille have finished? My guess would be a lot more than the 12 that Buf has. I understand the fear of letting him go elsewhere and seeing him become what you though he could be, but realistically do you think that will ever happen? His cap hit is too high at this point to keep wishing.
I know they want him him to throw his weight around. I know they want him to score more than once every few weeks. I know they want him to be a top six or nine forward. I think all of the fans want all of this too. But it ain't happening no matter how much anyone wants it.
I heard Buff on The Score a month or two back say that he has a hard time playing with Havlat because he has trouble reading where Havlat is going. So scratch that line.
He played with Kane for a while and I think that if he botched one more perfect set-up from Kane that even Q was going to lose it. So scratch the top line.
I don't see him being part of a checking line with Paulsson so scratch that line.
That leaves the fourth line which is supposed to generate some energy whenever they hit the ice. Buff's natural personality seems anti-energy so this does not appear to be a good fit either.
Everyone looks at this guy and sees the potential but for whatever reason it has only appeared in games intermittently....like last week in NJ. Maybe we'll finally see his best next season but based on what I've seen thus far I am not optimistic. As far as the rest of this season the coaching staff is going to have some very tough decisions about who sees the ice the rest of the way. Whether Buff is in the line-up probably depends on what team the Hawks get matched up with. If they play San Jose you'll almost certainly see him out there somewhere. If it is Edmonton maybe not.
He played wing and defense in junior, so moving him to wing in the NHL was not a knee-jerk, shot in the dark.
His problem as a defenseman is a real problem with lateral mobility while skating backward, ie, handling fast forwards moving around him on the outside. Something he's probably not ever going to overcome.
He was moved to forward because he has outstanding puck skills for a guy his size and can score. Also, the only thing limiting him as a forward is experience which leads to instinctively knowing where to be, something he CAN gain if he's left there.
i don't have a problem with moving him back to defense temporarily because he can hold his own as a third pairing d-man (not playing against other teams' top lines), and he is underrated on the power play as a defenseman.
BUT, if he's ever going to justify his salary, it will be as a forward. Moving him there was NOT a mistake.
it no way compares to continuing to adjust in the fastest league in the world.
I agree you need the strong heavy Buff shot somewhere in the line-up because it iS a game-changer, or certainly was last season.
It is finding a place where buff can line up on dee is the problem, since he get turnstled often back there. He has speed and balance enough, but he just seems to get "handles" when backing in. Jacukel, you said it better than I did! So temporary defenseman duty in the play-off works for me.
I think Buff is a big part of the guys, so I think you will not see hims slip to the pressbox for long, with Q finding another sitter two games sitting.
I would have said with the Sammi Pahlsson acquisition,that Fraser is the odd man out, but I don't know if you risk new enegry line and PK alignments and trying to learn new assignments this close.
I just don't see Burish or Fraser or Eager as must play guys in this league. Brouwer and Buff still cause a lot more problems in the crease than most fans seem to appreciate. Yeah,teams have that one big guy that does it, but after him, do they have two as skilled as either Buff or Brouwer. That guy who stands in front is pivotal to what they do with the point shot.
The hawks figure that beach becomes that big skilled guy at a later date, and I for one think Buff benched hurts more than helps. Yeah the big contract bothers me, but remember Travis Moen(shark now) was a big goal scorer when the Ducks won the Cup, and that Buff one of those guys that can let it fly
I also like that they're keeping Brouwer where he is. A lot of fans don't realize the difference he makes in terms of creating space and doing the little things that makes that line go. The kid is very, very strong. He'll get his goals when he adjusts to the speed of the league a little more. He'll never score 30 in the NHL, but on that line, he could easily get 20-25 a season while doing the above.
I can see what you're saying and I agree at your point of him playing a position that wasn't his position. I also agree to those that say he was getting screwed around last year by Savard.
Thing is, though, when he was playing defense I was always nervous because he always seemed to bobble that puck just inside the opposition's blue line and eventually led to the opponent scoring. He kept doing this!
That led me to wonder if thats why they decided to try him at forward. "He's got skill and size...let's make him a power forward!" Unfortunately, Buff had some success at it last year and for that short period of success, Tallon probably got scared that the restricted free agent was going to get humongous offer from another team ala Dustin Penner. Soooo...Tallon gives him a pretty sweet deal and Big Buff signs up. This money was not for what he had done but for what Chicago hoped he would do for the upcoming years. Now, Chicago has an overpriced player who has no clue where he fits in the scheme of things. Bravo.
Comments seem to demand, because he's one of the few Hawks with size (not his fault), that he play big. The consensus (as it was with Eric Daze) is Buff doesn't play "as he should." Well then why not have him play to his talents (size is not a talent)? At your jobs (assuming you have one in this recession), is it productive when your bosses (and stockholders, who we'll equate with the fans) keep giving you assignments that aren't your best suit? Probably not. Jeezzus, he's playing out of position. Put Keith on the top forward line and demand the Art Ross while you're at it.
I'm cool if you think what Buff has to offer isn't what you want on this team. But why keep pushing him into situations where he's bound to fail? I say Scottdale Bowlon should look into acquiring a forward who does what they're looking for, instead of experimenting.
I can see your point to an extent.
However, the most frustrating thing for me is that I sit there and watch this guy play balls out for a game and hit everything in sight (dallas after being benched for 2 games), or stand in front of the net and cause havoc/screen (Minnesota/Columbus). Then I see him disappear for a game or 2, or 10, and NOT hit anyone, and look lost and not even be able to hold on to his stick. Or be able to stick handle, or miss the net by at least 5 feet with a very hard but zero accuracy shot.
If you want to blame somebody for this guy, blame Savard. He was the one who saw this guy on defense and determine he can't skate/play defense at the NHL level, and pop him into the forward position and then after a very limited sample of success he gets rewarded with a 3 yr, 9 million dollar contract. So what MOTIVATION does this guy have? He's already been paid and been told he can't play defense at the NHL. Is he going to be the Hawks Antropov, where he looks good to opposing teams when plays hard, but frustrates all of us at a VERY high salary?
Yeah, you can play the job card, but if I was paid on a VERY limited sample size at an overpaid amount for my performance, I would bust my @ss daily to prove I'm worth it. To me, it doesn't look like Buff is doing that. Hitting people on the forecheck should be the easiest thing this guy does. At least show us you care. Don't float and give love taps to people you should be hammering, while a smaller player like a Versteeg, or Burish are hammering people and at least making an effort.
He is by far the most frustrating player on this team for me. I really thought we were getting to see a LEGIT power forward blossom. Maybe he will, and I can hear the "he's only played forward for 80 games..." arguments coming, but at some point either this guy GETS IT or you give somebody else the chance. To me that is the early part of next year. You can't wait forever.
is a 4th line player really worth 3 million a year? Because that's the production we are getting.
stand in front and cause a screen.
he does it game in and out, and although not a 3mil salaried guy's main duty, that has been there, game in and out.
After reviewing TheREALWIZ and Jackucel reply to Bufuglien shortcoming, and Steve Rain's concern as well, I agree that Bufuglien could develop into a valuable player at forward or defense. If this is to happen in Chicago, they've correctly addressed the pressing issue (which is), how do you get the most out of his talent, particularly the big shot?
Obviously Queneville and staff have to teach him how to use his body in front of the net and or how to position his body, ie. in the defense position, turn his body when the forwards bear down on him. He hasn't been learning the finer points very well this season (obviously) as a defenseman or forward. Moving him to a position he was questionable at best, in the midst of the playoffs is foolish. Wrong time to make that move! Do you think Bufuglien can learn these things on the job in Chicago without costing us points in the standings or a playoff game? There is mention that he would be acceptable on the third pair. Using him on defense for the remainder of this season is to to risk turnovers. Trying to be positive and take a counter view, on PP as defenseman Queneville could hope to win the face off and then Bufuglien may get off one of his rocket shots. If the opportunity presents itself, Queneville could also have another defenseman swap out the remainder of the shift.
The point I really was hammering home on the post below is that we cannot afford too much dead weight from big forwards who don't use their size. So Bufuglien must not be a spectator floating around for a stretch of games. The coaching staff has to push, prod, encourage, motivate Bufuglien. Like Campbell, we have a talent that we want to maximize, not minimize!
As for Brouwer, yes, he could maybe score 20-25 goals and be a net presence. But his greatest value is as a fill in and power play guy. We are going to witness a greater emphasis of skating and toughness as young players enter the league and, therefore, the greater the challenge for puck control. Brouwer is slow afoot and sometimes not physical enough. I would try to keep him as an extra forward, maybe technically the roster spot on the fourth line. The third and fourth line really should be interchangable on good teams. Well, at least the players on the 4th line would be able to skate and check, if maybe a tad short on ability. Brouwer would be the opposite: he has the ability to score, the smarts, and hopefully uses his size to great advantage. That way, Brouwer can be used multiple ways: as a scorer on a third line, an energy guy on a fourth line, or just as a fill in. Sometimes the bench gets shortened, and a player that is giving his all will move from line to line. In a long season, keeping focused and playing with an edge each contest is a very big challenge. So if Brouwer wants it bad enough, he can fit in various ways. But he isn't good enough to be a scorer in the top six mix.
Last year Bufuglien had some games where he was great with Bolland on the third line. Those two players could be tough match up for some teams....last year Hitchcock feared this line late in the year. Not so with this year's Blue Jackets...still, this is how Bufuglien could be used up front. On defense, I really would like to see him play half a season with proper coaching/practice....but does that instruction come from former d-men Queneville, Bergevin, and Havilad -- Havilad runs the defense during games. Or does Bufuglien go to Rockford for a while -- maybe send Bergevin down there as a teaching coach. Here's one point not yet covered and maybe to mope about if Bufuglien is on defense: We need more physicality from our defense. Bufuglien isn't naturally a physical player. How much, then, do you covet that big shot on the blueline? Is Bufuglien best under a master motivator, like Keenan?
I would like to see the response to this post from jjHAWKSjj, Steve Rain and the above post people who have like myself been also been critical of Bufuglien. I think I know REALWIZ and Jackukel feeling on Bufuglien/Brouwer.
I don't think it's time to give up on this kid, as he does show signs of realizing what he CAN BE, but then he also disappears for far too long and not make the impact he should nightly. I'm 75% sure he can't go back to Rockford as he has a 1 way deal and would have to clear waivers. So any learning has to be done at the NHL level, which then leads to the whole development vs. losing pts scenario.
DEFENSE: Wow...It's hard for me to remember this guy on defense as it was very quick. I love his shot at the point, IF he can get it on target. I think the above post with him getting A LOT of help on his skating would be the biggest asset. he has to be able to be a quick on his feet and get out of trouble, as I don't see him EVER being the physical beast he could be. I just don't think it's in him. I also heard him on the score, and he sounds very non-schlant with his answers to his flaws.
OFFENSE: it's still a work in progress. if you switch him back to defense, I think this guy would be lost. I think that call has already been made and UNLESS a rash of injuries or lack of depth, he stays at forward. I know he breaks A LOT of sticks during games, and seems to have trouble accepting passes on the fly. I would love to see him learn the forward position because if he played with a Kane, his slap shot would be a HUGE asset on a one timer...I'm thinking Adam Oates and Hull here.....I just don't know if he's skilled enough to be able to understand how to find the open ice and read the skill players. So in turn you'd hope he develop a nasty streak and become a LEGIT power forward with a skill touch.
He is the enigma for me. he really is. I had him penciled in for 20-30 goals after seeing hiim flourish last year, and thinking with that under his belt, the transistion should progress, but instead has degressed. He isn't skilled enough to be a top 6, and doesn't play physical consistently enough to be a checker, so what is he?
i can only imagine the frustration with the coaching staff, management, etc when evaluating him.
However, he needs to be square to the shooter, like Holmstrom is on Detroit. He needs to be in the goalie's face and push how close the refs will let him get. Too many times, I see him at the side of goalie waving his stick at the puck. he starts planting himself in front, and I think you'll see a direct relationship in goals from the point (Campbell, Keith, Seabrook, Barker), and cheap tap ins from a havlat, sharp, kane, or toews because the defense will be forced to collapse down on him to move him out of the way. Brouwer should be the same way.
With that, guys like Kane and Havlat will have TONS of room to move down the half boards and set up prime scoring chances.
No, not Denis-Pepin.
Brian Connelly, the small -sized star defenseman from Colorado College signed a contract with Rockford. How good is he? Looked very good, lots of nice comments made about him last summer in rookie camp. Another D Keith size wise. Hard to see Connelly and Keith and Hjalmarsson on same defense -- all on the thin side -- but if Connelly is good enough? Will get an idea how good he is by how well he transitions to pro game and what impact on Icehogs defense. Look for some junior players, too, on Icehogs late season and playoff roster. Would like to see Beech and Aliu even Lalonde and Sweat. Not sure all the junior guys qualify to be signed to the Icehogs roster. A fairly noticeable rookies camp forward, MacArthur, started out in the ECHL but lately has been getting star of game recognition at Rockford. Bertram should come on eventually, just too good to not score hardly at all. Davis tried to return from inj last year and I think he is worried shoulder inj needs two years fully recover. Out again Inj (I surmise). But at least he looked the part of ...quick, know how scorer. Some guys you have to wait and see. Can't give up too soon if you signed them to a nice contract. Davis is very much the proverbial darkhorse. This is a player who nearly was a Hobey Baker winner. That and junior year (?) Charlesbois, fairly impressive college defenseman from a hockey East school (New Hampshire ?) was signed a short while ago and is on Rockford's playoff elgible roster.
Unless Bufuglien is going to be a fairly big scorer in your top six
Unless he learns how to play defense @ Rockford prep station, because he'll cost us games in the NHL.
Unless you can harness what he does good, and minimize what he can't do well.
Which is stand in front of the net and use his hands and body to his advantage. Oh, in time he may learn to use his body to the extent of creating more havoc and scoring goals in front of the net. Great shot, can be a very good passer, can rush the puck up ice (but can be careless. If he could stop a bouncing puck at the blueline and wasn't horrible in defending against the opposing players in a rush down ice -- he's proven bad at both in Rockford and in Chicago (I've seen plenty of this both locations).
The thing that really pushes me over the edge with any big -size players is this: the other team's smaller players can take advantage of a loafer who doesn't use his body checking or in front of the net but occasionally. Then when there's a skirmish, often Bufuglien doesn't even push back. Even if he doesn't fight often, he needs to strike fear with physical play and he needs to push back. He's just a tease -- like an attractive young lady you will never get -- so discard him and his salary.
Ask yourself this: if you played, would you bust your butt to keep a job? Bufuglien is too immature to see the opportunity in front of him? Maybe some other GM will want to take a gamble...but at his salary, it isn't easy to move him. Prove to me Bufuglien can be a top player for us, anyone who likes him...this may mean you, TheREALWIZ -- whom I greatly respect, but maybe we disagree here. I know others are keeping an open mind on his great promise --- to me it is promising little for what he could provide if he played big. Just not in his nature. Provide a good counter to my view; I'll give you credit if it makes sense. Hey, maybe I'm not entirely correct. Seems Bufuglien has many who really hate or really like him.
I say it time and time again.....Buf is a head case !! I hope After this season Dale Tallon
will trade Big Buf ( He does have trade value seeing he can also play Def.) It would also free up some cap room to sign other needs !! I wish the kid well BUT he never plays the way he should game in and game out !!
fraser needs time in rockford to get acquainted to the game. he looks lost out there, and is the slowest of the three. If burish got 3-4 hits a game I'd say keep him around but he doesn't hit, so it's between these two.
Suffers from a rare case of 'Dustinicus Penneritus'.
Easy choice in my mind... bench Byfuglien!! They won't because of the size of his body that he does not use and the size of his contract that he does not deserve.
After the cheap shot Eager gave I say let him sit some more and earn his way back into the lineup. Especially if the Hawks win Wednesday and Friday, which if Walker continues to sit is certainly a possibility. Not happy that he's injured, but if that's what it takes to force Q to sit him I'm fine with that as he's been absolutely brutal on defense.
Good to be back. Took a little vacation and just caught up with what has happened the past two games.
Glad to see that Aaron Johnson is back in the lineup. The guy was one of the hawks best D men before Grier railroaded him, and then Walker steps up in a few fights, the Hawks go on a roll, and Johnson has disappeared. Hopefully, he can EARN a spot. I really don't want to see Walker's back facing me anymore as he chases down guys that get behind him. It's getting old. His defensive positioning is horrible and sometime in the press box with his "upper'lower" injury will do him some good. I know he keeps Seabrook from being the "goon" on the back end, but if Barker is willing to fight more once he returns, maybe Johnson can stick.
Tim, any word on Havlat's extension talks? I have looked everywhere, but I can't find anything. I really hope this isn't another PLOY by the Hawks were they publicly state they will do "everything in their power" and then let the guy walk. The last I had read, is that Tallon was supposed to meet with his agent after the Gm meetings. Haven't heard a peep since. Makes me nervous.
Big games this week. Especially tomorrow night, when the Sharks will use their added size to pound Keith and Campbell. Should be interesting to see how speed vs size measures up.
11 games to go.
You can use the spot to do a little rotating. You can give guys a little break. Ladd, Brouwer, Buff, Fraser, all the guys that really play a physical game could use a rest here and there. Get them a little recovery time so when the playoffs come and we need them, they might be a little fresher then otherwise. Obviously we can't sit Toews, Kane, Havlat, Bolland, and Versteeg because we don't have the skill sitting around to replace them with. Most of our bigger guys all play the same game. I don't think there is much difference in skill between them. Use the extra forward to your advantage.
If they win again, the answer becomes easy. You keep the same lineup. If not, then go with Byfuglien. And if Byfuglien has a prominent game then go with Fraser.
If they both have solid games then its Huet and put the goalie equipment on Byfuglien.
What?
Buf or Eager. Fraser has been more consistent than Buf; and a bit more restrained in doing stupid Eager-like things.
Burish has heart - too bad his size is not as big. Versteeg is feisty but small. Brouwer seems to be doing well under Q.