Skille recalled; Smolenak waived
The Blackhawks made yet another roster shuffle on Saturday morning, recalling right wing Jack Skille from Rockford and placing left wing Radek Smolenak on waivers.
Smolenak, who had been claimed on waivers by the Hawks from Tampa Bay two weeks ago, was re-claimed by the Lightning.
Smolenak didn’t help his chances to stick around in his one game at Detroit Thursday when he missed a great scoring try and lost a fight to Brad May.
Skille returns after being one of the last cuts of training, more so because of his $1.25 million salary cap hit than his play or the knee injury he suffered in the preseason.
The Hawks have cleared cap room for Skille in the last few days by trading Aaron Johnson to Calgary, waiving Smolenak and placing Ben Eager on injured reserve.
“It’s frustrating knowing that your contract is what’s really hurting you.” Skille said. “But there’s nothing you can do about it and that’s the worse part. You’re completely helpless.”
Skille skated on the fourth line at Saturday’s morning skate with Colin Fraser and Tomas Kopecky.
Dave Bolland will be back in the lineup after missing the Detroit game with a sore back.
I just saw that the Hawks website announced that Skille was sent back to Rockford.
Skille played ok last night. Didn't show to much out there but i guess only time will tell. On another note I've never seen the UC rock that hard. It was amazing to actually see the alumni skating out there. Tony O almost fell down, and I thought there was noway hull would get out there. He proved me wrong. Best Shootout ever.
What does this guy bring to the hockey club? I see him out there. He's got a jersey on with a number. I just never notice the guy. He doesn't have a scoring touch and I don't think much of his ability to work the boards. I don't think he has much hockey sense period. Does he ever work himself open for a shot. Has anyone seen him really deck a guy. I wish Somebody who knows a lot more about hockey than me would explain to me what he adds to the team.
Jack Skille has to play, period. He has to prove that he belongs. The same should apply to Mr. Brouwer. I've seen them together in Rockford and Skille most nights was a man among boys. I didn't think the same about Brouwer. He was just a guy with a number.
The only way the Hawks will ever know if Skille can play is to do the same thing they did with Buff last year......get committed and leave him out there no matter what and let him play through and learn from all his mistakes for at least a half a season. Bringing him up and down from the minors over and over will never tell anyone anything.
I have no idea if Skille will be able to score here but it is just about time for the Hawks to figure that out. It's not like Skille is 18 anymore and when Hossa returns there will even less opportunity for him to stay around barring more injuries.
I saw a note that Dowell got called up today as well. I didn't see it on the website or here. Anyone else see or hear this? Not that it really matters much.
to even pick up the punching bag Blownieak to begin with......
...your favorite memory of the Radek Smolenak era?
realizing Moleysnack must not know who the hell Brad May is and how long he's been ripping guy's heads off that are ten times the man Lonelysmack is.
and got beat soundly by May, proving he could do the job.
It isn't very comforting that Skille thinks "only" heis salary was the impediment for his not making the club.
He stuck in preseason, showed little offensive flair and little use of linemates.
I can tell you how many "can't miss" prospects the hawks have brought up through the years (Krivokrasov comes immediately to mind) who were just unable to use linemates to generate offensive.
Skille was drafted 7th overall to be a power forward and so far he looks liek a tragic figure in a hockey novel.
I wish for his sake that this call up allows him to become an NHL level player, and he can go on and ask for a even higher salary, maybe take the hawks to arbitration to get it.
All based on his 2009-10 showing.
Wouldn't it be a great fairy tale ending for him to come in and score with regularity outscoring Verbeek, and Buff.
Yeah that's gonna happen.
Wiz,
Totally agreed on Skille. Immature, sense of entitlement and doesn't get it.
That said, I agree with Stanley Cup. No reason not to let him play with all the injuries. But ONLY on the fourth line like he did last night. I've said it many times, he will not be a top 6 forward in the NHL. He lacks the hockey sense and hands necessary.
In the limited minutes he played last night, I liked what he did. Energy, physical and getting his nose dirty at both ends of the ice. Maybe sooner or later the light will come on for him and he will begin to play that Kirk Maltby sort of role.
Like you say, anyone who's waiting for him to eclipse Buff or Versteeg is going to be waiting a long time.
Skille can get there, but lacks the hands to finish. Buff & Versteeg have much better hands. Maybe the light will come on for Buff that if he had Skille or Burrish's energy, OMG, who could stop him?
I think you're seeing the maximum energy output for a 250 pounder. I have no problem at all with the Dustin Byuglien we're seeing now. But I do think he's going to get even better.
“It’s frustrating knowing that your contract is what’s really hurting you.” Skille said.
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Especially when your contract is ONLY 1.25 million!
I really hope Eager returns soon. I really noticed the void the 4th line had with him out. I know he isn't an enforcer - even though he is usually willing, but he has speed, puts pressure on the d, and that line can really hurt opposing teams by mucking it up and keeping the pressure on them behind their net. Hopefully Skille will realize the opportunity he has and play to his role. If he winds up with a breakaway, show your skill, but he would best be suited to try and fill Eagers role with his speed and bang a little bit on the forecheck. Lord knows Frasier needs the help back there because if he tries it, hes on the ice getting stomped on.
In what is now an old article, steve from chicago and a follow up post said they feel Hjlamarsson's development is better for him to be playing and gaining that 15 pounds while@ Rockford. Alright, I understand your rationale. But tell me, is there someone better to replace him?
As for the Barker comments, is there someone better to replace him? He can be physical, which we need now more than ever (Walker is gone). What about his feet and his skating? Godd shot; will he get better at unloading it quicker? Don't know. But offensively he will rush the puck, but always wants to dish it off and not complete a rush past (about) center ice. He did the same in junior. I can see some sense when (is it jacukel or 6628) says trade him now while he has value. Alright, some team will be attracted to his potential and his shot..but again I say, who replaces him? I see (more like hope, because it is way too early -- note REALWIZ) -- that Olsen will be the next player to impact our defense (yet also watchful eye on some d-men @ Rockford as posible 3rd pair NHL role). Of course there is conjection that Bowman picks up a veteran bluelioner and can afford him not only whatever is the balance of this season, but years beyond. Hey Steve Rain, keep the faith more to be positive about than the Cubs. Steve, I have a Beggar's Pizza gift certificate (from White Sox popst game caller of the show) and anyone else who would meet before a game, it's good for $50. By the way, I am a Cubs fan, but I like basball and will also watch White Sox.
Any predictions how long a look Skille receives? Note: If you thought Brent and Pelletier were backups, they are no longer in the organization.
Hi Puck. The difference between Barker & Seabrook is that, while neither one has much foot speed, Seabrook thinks faster and anticipates way better. That is huge, especially in the faster game today. Barker's hit on Maltby in the detroit game was an example of how he can & should improve as he anticipated and got him when the puck arrived, not after he passed it off. But that is an exception and not the norm for Barker. And as far as who would replace him, ya got me. The defense as a whole is not as good as they think it is. The hawks need 4 goals a game to win, and it's as much as the defenses play in the crease as pointed out by Jacukel as it is Huet. They both need to improve, and Barker is a perfect example. I'm not sure he has it in him, so I'd like to get something for him while the rest of the league values him.
Huet just lets the puck hit him, he doesn't direct the puck. As a result, he has a tough time finding the rebound some times. Like the first goal in the avs game last night. So he needs more help than most, especially in the crease. And so far for the most part, he's not getting it. If Huet is their guy, they have to accept his quirks & limitations as well and get him the support he requires to have a legit chance to be consistent. As it is, they are not going to win many 1-0, 2-1, or even 3-2 games this year.
There is no one to replace Hammer. This kid gets better every night.
There is someone to replace Barker. Anton Volchenkov.
That is all.
They are reporting it on Canadian radio but I have not seen a press release here.
"There are still some (NHL) things in the fire for him," Wolves GM Wendell Young said Friday.
"If we had him for even a game, I think he could teach guys how to be a pro. I think he's still got something in him in terms of NHL minutes and we'll give him a platform to see if he can do it." There are also reasons Chelios may consider a longer stay with the Wolves if no NHL deal materializes. It's his hometown and he has a son playing for Chicago's USHL team.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/moose/highlight-reel-6391...
seems like interested NHL teams want to see him with the Wolves before committing to a contract
I know a lot of people don't want him on the hawks, but I think he could still help their young players, especially the D in particular - particularly being an example about commitment, fitness, playing the game mentally vs. physically, Cup experience, etc. and he'd would be cap friendly.
Why we plucked him off waivers in the first place? Tampa must be one of those "grass is always greener" teams.
Kind of makes you angry about that open net miss. At least you had to give him time if he remained on your team. He had one lousy game! (and I'm not talking quantity- talking quality- very lousy play)
Nice to know ya.... I always find it amusing when a team re-claims a players back. Good to see Bolland come back into the lineup. The team is much better with him on the ice. Skille will get Eager's ice time I assume. Let's hope he can finally break into the NHL.