Skille back to Rockford
Posted by TimS on Sun, 10/11/2009 - 12:31
That was quick.
The Blackhawks returned winger Jack Skille to Rockford on Sunday. Skille played only 5:22 and had no shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 win over Colorado.
Skille could be recalled today, coach Joel Quenneville said following Sunday's practice.
Without Skille the Hawks would be down a forward for Monday's game against Calgary.
One would have a good second or third line just with the guys that the Hawks have let go or traded recently, like Rene Bourque centered by Robert Lang with Kason Williams on the right wing. Having said that, I'd like to see Bryan Bickell on the fourth line and Cam Barker used exclusively on the power play.
Use Cam Barker exclusively on the power play- is that a joke? No disrespect Bill but defensemen eat up huge minutes and a team can't afford to do that.
Skille - Most folks on the blog boards have opinions on Skille.....some think he's an NHL player and some don't. Only one of the camps is right and the Hawks coaching staff appears to fall on the side of the fence that says he can't play. They definitely won't commit to giving him any consistent ice time with the big boys, that's for sure. Until he gets that Skille is destined to be AHL material unless he gets moved which is very likely at this point.
Brouwer - He has been given plenty of opportunity and simply hasn't shown more than 4th line ability in my opinion. But with his size that might be the perfect spot for him anyway. I know he scored plenty at the lower levels but it doesn't look like this will be the case in the NHL.
PP - The PP is fine. The 5 on 3 situation has been frustrating but it seems like Q is still moving chess pieces around as far as the two units go so some confusion is normal and even with that their PP percentage overall is still pretty good. One thing I was surprised about with what happened in Detroit was that Campbell was not out there directing traffic. It'll be interesting to see who is on the ice for the next couple of 5 on 3's.
as strong in his game as Brouwer, there would be no question as to his being a rostered player.
Player development goes through stages like real life.
A really good example is the hawks drafting Danny Cleary, trying to be patient in his development, and after many cast offs and trips back and forth from the majors, he finally decides he will do what he has to to be a pro, and "gets it."
A Brouwer gets drafted late in the draft, scratches his way to the bigs, and knows every second to be looking over his shoulder that his replacement is in the wings.
Many early draftees like Skille come in thinking they must improve, but they figure the team spent a top pick, so they HAVE to find a place for them...
Imagine if Skille plays like a power forward and suddenly starts finding the net, he then gets your eye as more than the checking line player he is/was in the AHL.
Confidence has to kick in along with melding with teammates and instinctively playing the game with reckless abandon.
Skille was looked at as Bertuzzi type guy with speed jam and scoring ability.
If he was all that at this point there would be no discussion on roster spot.
The question becomes how long you keep riding the horse patiently for him to win.
as a conditioning measure as he played less than 6 minutes.
They want all of that IceHog team chomping at the bit to be the guy called up for a look, and although the trips of others may be short and infrequent, I think the Hawk team in front of you now is who sees ice, and not the Icehog commuter call-ups.Brouwer is a really tough kid who uses his strength when on the ice, but the Lucic comparison ends there because Lucic has always been a tremendous fist fighter as well. Ask Beach. Youtube the fights they had and despite the age difference, Lucic has superior skills in that area.
Steve, they are going to live and die by that two zone stretch pass to the opposition's blue line.
Jimmy, Volchenkov to Chicago doesn't help the Cap as the russian is up for contract and his Cap hit would be more than Barker's present one. The defense cannot afford the monies of an up and comer, and they will be looking for a Vet contract they only have to pay from when they acquire it until the end of the playoff.
Don't think Barker or any Hawk is going to be given away for less than market value.
Barker might get deer in the headlights on dee, but there are plenty of teams lacking a young dee-man with two sides to his game.
If Bowman is keeping the Keith Kane Toews trio, he has to make sure what he trades away brings not only true promise in the future and a reasonable salaried guy for next season.
You don't have to look further than The Kessell trade to see how the Bruins had to make a serious decision that despite his offensive skills that Kessell was worth more in draft pick return than keeping and used the money to lock up Lucic, who will NEVER score like Kessell.
Toronto then OVERPAID for a chance at a possible top line scorer.
Boston used an asset and reloaded for the 2010 draft where they can fortify the team in good players over the next five-six years.
A tricky situation for the Lil Scotty. I don't have confidence in him making a correct decision here after he loaded up on draft picks in a thin draft in 2011. (Oh, that's right, NO ONE in the Hawk organization KNOWS yet if it is a weak draft.)
All I know is as fans we had our surprise and upswing, and the organization's honeymoon is over b/c there will always be new " 'esplaining to do", Lucy!
Stan answered your letter on his podcast about the Toronto draft pick switch and said that it's too early to tell what the 2011 Draft will be because the players have lots of time to develop and be discovered.
Perhaps there is nobody at the top 3 position like Malkin or Crosby but there rarely is.
The vast majority of players, even those in the top round, fail to become NHLers so it seems that an extra 3rd rounder is fair compensation for a year delay.
Look at the Drafts and then look at how few of the drafted players produce. No reason to keep ranting about 2010 vs 2011 until around 2020 when the stats will show 99.9of all of the picks are fire fighters and youth hockey coaches.
with the trite we don't know.
Ask the other organization's scouts and they will tell you they already KNOW 2011 is thin.
Ranting I am.
And yes, you used to be able to call the draft a crap shoot, but the new emphasis on scouting have taken a huge bit of guesswork out of choosing in the last five or so years.
Recent years have yield amuch higher rate of NHLers, fact.
All I am asking everyone is to note the player Toronto picks with their 2nd round this spring and then note the two players the hawks pick in that weaker draft in 2011 and in five years, Steve, come back and tell me I don't know what I am talking about.
In fact after any post I make that you or anyone wants to comment on, you can started with, you were wrong about Bowman's first move with the draft picks.
Burke knows what he did, but Bowman didn't.
I would love to see that documented because I don't think it's true. Actually I see NHL teams much more interested in free agent college guys, guys reentering the draft 2 years later and lots of undrafted europeans making rosters than ever before. The draft is key for the bottom 5 or 6 teams with high picks and then I defy you to present any structured arguement that after top 10 draft picks have longer or more successful careers late picks and free agents.
Look at the Hawks: Toews, Kane and Seabrook seem to be working out. Skille and Barker could have been drafted later as it turns out.
As for Brian Burke can't you see what a fraud he is? Show me what he's done in his career that makes him unusal as a GM. Hartford sucked under him, Vancouver won 1 round in 6 years under him, yes he won a Cup with Bryan Murray's players but look at them now.
In fact Al Strachan has done a detailed analysis of Burke and has found he hasn't had much success at all leading the Drafts anywhere he's been. He gave up McCabe for the 2nd Sedin and what has that done for Vancouver?
The Kessel deal is a perfect example: He could have signed Camalleri, a similar guy and not given up anything. Stan stole a 3rd rounder from him because Burke is irrational.
Go ahead an name 20 guys right now that will be second rounders in 2010 and let's watch their careers. My guess is that you will have a hard time predicting who ends up in that slot and you will have a harder time naming any guy from the second round who actually scores 100 goals or plays 500 games in the NHL.
I am a fan of the draft predictions and the second rounders change dramatically as their draft year goes on. Several guys fall from first round and lots of guys have good Junior Championships or CHL playoff runs and come out of nowhere to move up.
Stan didn't trade down. He didn't give up bulk picks. He added a top half pick for nothing.
The draft is incredibly fickle. Scouts and Draft nicks have a great position: 99% of their picks fail and they get to make names for themselves on the 1% that make it.
If not, have the 'Hawks heard your ideas on the upcoming drafts? I find it hard to believe no-one there knows '11 is weak but if it is like you said, they'd be smart to use those picks to acquire other [draft year] picks or lower-priced vets.
On Barker & the D, the 'Hawks will have to get quicker sometime before the playoffs. Love Cam's shot on the PP, but he's just OK 5-5 and not very quick. While Walker is already gone (love the grit but he skates as if in quick sand), the 'Hawks D is not quite a final four mainstay.
Sopel is a good shot blocker and plays a pretty smart game, but I fear either/both of those guys will be the victim of a fast attacking winger/centre. The trick is like you mentioned, moving any player while still saving some cash. Next summer is gonna be a tough cap summer.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/24538-A-Scouts-Life-2011-draft-loo...
I am presently in Myrtle Beach and my hands are on the keyboard.
My point is: did Lil Scotty consult with his lead scout about the pick trade?
Picks are good, I totally agree.
That Toronto pick was a mighty fine one to keep. Almost like a first rounder in where it will fall and in the strength of the class.
My curiosity doesn't stop with trade of that early Toronto pick.
Why didn't he offer Burke one of the other second rounders? Or did Burke TELL HIM he needed HIS OWN number one back to as compensation for signing Kessell and THEN NOT sign him, but trade for him?
There is nothing wrong with confidence in your scouting that you can unearth another Kruger who is playing oh so well in Sweden.
But if your scouting IS that good, you ask them about what that 2010 Toronto pick will yield because you want the best player, and the quickest replacements as the Cap strangles you, right?
The 3rd and 4th rounder round players of 2011(b/c they will be comparable to the 3rd & 4th rounders of THIS upcoming drafts) are FOR SURE going to be ready later, right?
Toyota Prius Club Rally?
(BWA-HAHAHAHAHAHA!!)
Just a fan who has way too much time on his hands. To suggest that the '11 draft will be weak this early is a bit of a stretch. The players who will be drafted that year are just turning 16. Wonder if anyone pegged wiz as "weak" when he was 16? And to suggest the Hawks front office isn't aware of '11 is laughable as usual. Just listen to the latest Hawkcast for your answer Wiz...
It was FROM ME!
Laughable?
Laughable as usual?
I ma please if I amuse you but I can't seem to have post any outrageous statements, that were not filled with at least a LITTLE insight. I think your mouth got the runs with that one.
Listen listen listen to what he answers my question with: "they're 16 and no one knows their upside..."
....but NHL teams DO already know the BIG DIFFERENCE in the two classes, but as I already stated if you reread, is did Bowman consult with HIS newly reorganized staff and did they know...
you say they did.
I stand by my post and you can judge it if you are more than a casual fan about 5-6 yeras down the road.
Hopefully i'll be around to see the dividends and be wrong.
You have to understand the same scouts who watched the last three draft classes when they were 16 too, and saw that there was many hopeful 16 yr olds that could be projected as first or second rounders when they REACHED their draft years.
They are NOT seeing that for this class.
Yeah, the hockey playing 16 yr olds all across the world can wake up by their draft year, but the last decade of drafts didn't need awakening, so pro scouts (except for the ones Bowman has approached) are projecting guys they were projecting as 4th rounders to move into 2nd and 3rd round slots due to the thin lists they ALREADY HAVE compiled to go in the arly part of 2011.
Example:http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/24538-A-Scouts-Life-2011-draft-looking-weak.html
Yes, I too read The Hockey News, thanks for that earth shattering insight.
As for the "casual fan" remark that's fine. If your studying of drafts lists ad nauseum and asking long winded, non-sensical questions at the Convention make you feel like a "real" fan, keep patting yourself on the back. Excuse me if I refuse to abide your pontifications as the collection of mouthbreather disciples you have do.
of the word causal. I meant that if you were a hard core you would see the results and if you were casual you may not. No true insult meant, not my game.
Since you shadowed me at the convention, maybe you didn't miss when I told Bowman that the 2011 was weak.
Thanks for stalking!
I guess I am NOT a true fan...that was why I got in line to ask a question.
Read or hear whatever you please and be make whatever you want out of what I post, no matter to me, but obviously matters to you.
Hardley stalking, how could I miss it when you introduced yourself as "The Real Wiz" amongst others who chose to introduce themselves with the name listed on their birth certificate? Then again at Prospect Camp feeling the need to be the loudest person in the rink with your "observations". Don't be shy, you want to be noticed. And since you asked Bowman about the '11 draft at the Convention why the need to ask yet again? Has Bowman tendered an offer of employment due to your keen insight on 2011? Carry on...
Yous two either need to get a room, or drop 'em.
Bill, You make a good point about his contract, but I still say for THIS YEAR, he is more what this team needs to go all the way than Barker. I also wanted them to make a move for Derek Morris, which they could still do.
The Hawks mix needs experienced guys who have been to the Finals. All Morris can lead people to is the Golf Course in April.
Volchenkov would be a great pick up for a Cup run if the Hawks are going to be in one this year.
Ilya Kovalchuk stinks.
comes and stays....he needs to be resigned.
and then you need Campbell out the door.
so you are subtracting two defenseman off this present roster for next year for Volchenkov?
We need to put Kane and Toews back together on the power play. If they wouldve been out there for the 5 on 3 we definetly would have scored
More player movement: give and go's, back door, especially on the 5 on 3. Their play is SO predictable and low% right now. Just moving the puck around the perimeter and banging it on net through traffic (90% of the time from the point).
on the PP? The 5-3 was inexcusable, even the 5-4 was a bit questionable at times though they seemed to move it OK. 5-4 almost looks better than 5-3.
They're trying for the perfect play on the 5-3. Both times especially the 1:53 they had in Detroit, some players seemed to be either a bit unsure of what the other guys were doing or were looking for the perfect pass-pass-shot. I'd love to see them click right away on the next 5-3, hopefully tonight.
A little more mobility, keeping the box spread out and one timing a couple more shots from a point guy fading towards the deep slot above the top of the circles (think Savard to Wilson) would work wonders.
I'm not concerned overall since the PP% is pretty good. It's when they don't get chances is when it'll be a cause for concern.
Does look better than the 5-3 at this point. The hawks get the extra space to work with and seem to try to do too much. They need to get someone in front and just make some simple plays.
Thanks for your response. I see what everyone likes about Hjram. He's quick, hardworking and responsible. What I don't like about him is he looks light on his skates to me. Too bad they couldn't bury him in the minors for a few years, get him bigger stronger and meaner. I like my Scandanavian dmen in the mold of Ulf Samuelson, Kjell Samuelson or even Kronwall: a little scary, borderline headhunter. It helps them that they can usually play like that without having to fight much. I hate the breakout they have with the forwards two zones away from the D and Hjram makes the long slap pass nobody can handle. I don't think there is anyone else in the system I would rather see getting the minutes he's getting. With a gun to my head I would say Henry because he played great when Wiz got hurt two years ago and it looked like with a couple hundred games of experience he could be solid and add a touch of offense. I'm sure that Hjarm beat him out because this is a coaching staff that seems to play the right guys and they get to see the players everyday and know who can do what. I think the franchise is real thin on D and let's hope Olsen develops quick because he may be the next young guy to make an impact. It is more than likely someone of Keith,Sopel or Barker will get dealt soon. There is no way Stan can keep everyone and secure Kane and Toews. I was laughing after Hjarm got his assist vs Colorado because it was a real hard shot right on net with a big rebound-which I obviously love. Do you remember Eric Weinrich consistently missing the net or shoot it high? When I saw the replay it looked as if he had another 20 feet he could have walked in. I see it. The D is playing great right now which is all we can ask for. The dark cap clouds coming probably bother me more than most because just when I started to believe that the franchise was going to build from within Tallon botched the cap and gave the future to Hossa.
I totally recall what you are saying about Weinrich. I'm also very glad that we don't have to watch Jassen Cullimore and his terrible mobility. The guy always took his free hand off the stick and used it to hold the opponent and took way too many crappy penalties because he was slow. I think Hjalmarsson wins out over Jordan Hendry because of he seems quicker and better able to handle the puck. He also can put a decent shot on goal and isn't afraid to take a hit to make a play. I know most of us don't have faith in Sopel and I think Hendry would fill in nicely with Barker if they could manage to trade Sopel and his contract.
Hp: I live between Cbus and Pit and frequent both arenas. Used to live in Tampa and frequented many Bolt games. I play hockey as well. Think Nylander with better hair. lol
To answer your question about the Jackets. They will be tough as nails. The Hitchcock mutual fund is due to pay huge dividends this year. He's been there about the right amount of time to see his program come full circle. Getting and staying healthy, as all teams need, will be key. Modin needs to be sound. The obvious key is Mason. If he maintains last year's standards, they could be a home ice advantage playoff team.
In Pittsburgh, there are 2 questions for me. Gonchar is in the last year and I wonder if contract talks might distract. The bigger question is Crosby who's hurt an awful lot for being 22 years old. That balky groin stuff never seems to go away.
I wonder how the Olympics will affect these higher echelon teams with many of their players representing their homelands. Hawks included. Can Keith and Seabs play 27 minutes a game? Start in Finland, go to BC and end in Washington?
(Better than what they have)
They're still pretty much the same team as last year. I see them at Nationwide about ten times a year. And will be at all three hawk games there this year.
Glad you can make all three games. I have been reading all your posts so far this year as well as Hockey Buzz and I agree with you on many of your opinions but I would like to point out to you in my opinion because you are such a huge Hawk fan (so am I) that you really knock some of our players who have not had a fair shake (Skille) and my biggest criticism is that you do not give other teams the credit they deserve. Saying the Hawks D is much better than the Jackets is maybe a fair assesment but you could also say the Jackets goaltending is ten times better than ours and it is. The Jackets are a good up and coming hockey team who are well coached and have a lot of young players on the tip of stardom. (Mason, Russell, Brassard, Voracek, Filatov to name a few and a super star in Nash) However it is not uncommon for home team writers to be biased and maybe write what fans want to hear. I would rather hear an honest unbiased opinion of the Hawks and their competition.
But you need to read my blog more. And maybe check your logic a bit.
I originally had the Jackets third in the division BECAUSE of Mason and their young forwards. I was also taken to task last year on cbh.com because I said in my blog Mason was one of the top 3 goalies in the league.
So I HAVE STATED MASON IS A STUD. IN MY BLOG. I have also acknowledged the BJ's great depth at forward. But when your top 4 is Fedor Tyutin, Rostislav Klesla, Marc Methot and Kris Russell (or whomever), you need help on defense. Many a night last year, I watched the BJ's chase guys around their own zone like a Chinese Fire Drill and Mason get shelled (in person— did you?).
How is being down on Skille because I am a "huge Hawk fan"? It's been my obeservation that Skille lovers generally come form the deluded hard core of Hawk fans.
Finally, I'm 48 years old and go back to the days of the Hawks and Bruins at the Old Barn. I've played hockey off and on since then and I've watched hockey all over North America, including junior, AHL and World Junior. And I've had knowledgeable people compliment my assessments of what I see. One Versus announcer (a former NHLer) borrowed from my game previews last year in the playoffs. Some people disagree with me. And many of them do so respectfully, acknowledging (as I do toward them) that I am not talking out my rear.
You and I have a difference of opinion about the relative value of Khabibulin and Huet. I do not LOVE Huet, nor do I want to bear his Love Child. I just don't think your boy Nik was/is that much better at the respective stages of their careers. He doesn't suck. Neither does Huet.
Like I said, visit my blog more. It's a lot more objective, and always backed by fact, than you're aware.
I do appreciate what you write most of the time. The few times I disagree with you always comes back to the fact you are everything Hawks in this world and there is nothing wrong with that. We could never agree Khabby/Huet issue and I still think Khabby is five times the goalie at 36 and was ten times the goalie at 26. Khabby does not suck but I still say Huet does and that will become more obvious in time. You and I would be great friends for sure, I was invited to the Rangers camp in 1970 but since I was already a supervisor at 20 and had a great job that paid more than hockey at that time (not to mention my hot girlfriend) I made the right decision to decline. I have been a fantasy nhl gm in a 12 team league that is still going strong and started 31 years ago keeping the same players and building through the amateur draft etc. I watch parts of almost every game played in the nhl and have been doing so for as long as I can remember. Yes I have a very nice wife that lets me do my thing. My son who is now 31 says at times I was a lousy father because all I wanted to do was watch hockey and do hockey pools. (That kind of hurts a bit but I now find him doing the same thing so one day he will understand what it was like for me, I am addicted to hockey like booze to alcoholics. Anyway John keep up the good work and let's hope Skille turns out okay or I wasted a first round pick like the Hawks,
unless there is a vcery serious, long injury list and the team has basiclly exhausted ahl recalls...something to that effect is the terms of the NHL/junior agreemetn because Bdeech has junuior elgibility remaining. It is more likely Aliu would get a look at some point this year. I hope that it is Bowman approach not only to use a Skille in managing the salary cap, but to reward ahl players who are playing well, with a look up here.
Nathan Davis had two goals last night for Icehogs. One of a few players at Rockford to keep an eye on for their development. I would like to know how far along is Fallon and Richards, as they are the back ups if Crawford is recalled due to inj.
J Hendry is not bad. Some say he is nothing more than an extra. Well, he can skate very well and moving the puck out of his own end is a strength. He could be consistent enough and is no worse than Sopel. I just hate slow skaters and guys who loose battles due to their size. Sopel is lacking in skating; let's hope his veteran smarts is enough to keep him in llineup. With Johnson gone Hendry is next in line. No one at Rockford is close to Sopel or Hendry as a 6th d-man in Chicago.
Brouwer poster: Brouwer sure was hitting people in playoffs last year. He does not have finishing touch near net. But he does have ability overall; it's just also hat he doesn't skate well enough to merit a regular top six job. He does do a lot of little things well, like screens in fron of net. I have to wonder, if Brouwer is ever dealt, is this KlinkhaMMER a possible replacement? Dowell, Bickel, and probably Brophey can fill in for a while if need be. Some defensemen at Rockford need to take next step in development curve.
I wonder if it isn't because he doesn't have Brouwer clearing space for him, forcing him to clear space for Versteeg and Sharp. I think it's an interesting question.
I don't think not having Brouwer on the wing has much to do with Toews having zero goals up to now. He's had plenty of ice time with Buff who should be able to clear the area fine plus he's been all over the PP. He just hasn't scored.
He also didn't start scoring last year until Thanksgiving so it could be he's just going to be one of these guys that always starts slow. Or maybe he'll have a hat trick tonight....who knows. Either way goal scorers always score eventually so I'm not too concerned. If worst comes to worst Q will just put him out there with Kane again. They always seem to light the lamp when they're together.
I like what Brouwer has done for the club....35 tallies in the minors....decisive wins in fights with Ed Jovonavski and Mike Richards...not to mention a serious shoulder jolt to the jaw of Dion Phaneuf that knocked him out of the Calgary series in last year's playoffs.
22 is playing hurt right now which is another plus....he's a tough kid with a lot of upside....he could seriously be a legit elite power forward in the league....like Boston's wunderkind Milan Lucic. Brouwer has all the tools...talent, toughness and size.....the desire to be great is the great question with him. Does he want it enough? The jury is out.
Have watched him going back to his days at Moose Jaw.
Not sure he can be a Lucic, though. And it's is NOT a question of desire with him. He works as hard as anyone in the league. He does not have much God Given skating ability and he has worked very, very hard to overcome that. He'll get some more goals as I think he is still adjusting a little to the speed of play in the NHL.
Nobody works harder at either end of the ice. And what makes him "special" is e has much better hockey sense than he's given credit for AND he is as tough as they come along the boards and in the corners. That combination is why he has a future in the NHL, where Jack Skille keeps pointing at his contract as why he's in Rockford.
He is tough to be sure and I think all he needs right now is to cash in on some of his scoring chances. I think he does want it enough. I mean, this guy has worked pretty hard to get into the NHL and into a regular spot in the lineup. Keith, Seabrook, and Toews all get respect for their work ethic, but I think Brouwer's work ethic isn't far behind.
Good points fellas....i'm not saying Troy's lazy at all and I know he's worked his butt off to get to where he is....all i'm saying is HE COULD BE GREAT....i just hope he doesn't settle for being a 3rd line plugger is all.
I couldn't agree more that Hjalmarsson shold be here and not in Rockford. There is no one to replace him ...presently. Yes, he could use an extra 15 pounds. Even if we had a top five on the blueline, I'd favor Hjalmarsson in the NHL because he won't develop more in the ahl. In other player scenarios some more time on the farm club usually is beneficial, steve from Chicago. Hey, steve, love your post and you always have good points, although I don't agree this time.
Jacukel:The defenseman on Ottawa....let's see, a quick analysis: 1). Senators hurting on blueline last year. Jury out on Picard, and another youngster hasn't stepped up yet. They did add (probably overpaid) for the d-man in the Islanders trade. 2). Bry Murray will likely request prospects or a prospect and a defenseman in return.
Whom would you offer and what would Murray accept in a trade? Instead of suggesting names, maybe you can just forecast the sort of structure for this trade? I mean, everyone is sure to first think, Barker to Ottawa and Volchenkov to Chicago! I can't see a deal going down until trade deadline. That is mainly due to their off season free agent signing of Kovalev. Have to think Murray owes fans base a realistic effort at a playoff run. Also of note: any time you trade away the best player in a deal (Heatley), you are at risk in loosing out in the trade. Looking over their roster, I would guess they want to bring in prospects...they did draft a good looking d-man in the first round '09. BTW...look at who made Columbus (so far) it's no other than Michael Blunden! I have reservation if Filatov will step up this year. A world of talent for the NHL, but he needs to fit in and keep Hitchcock happy. Is it sixhandeight piost from Ohio..who likley hears and knows about the Blue Jackets..you think they will go far this year?
to Ottawa for Volchenkov.
I agree on the timing you suggest and the reason for it. But I also don't think Ottawa really has a shot. Nor does Murray.
I see Huet starred again, replaced after 5 shots and 2 saves. I rest my case! Until he is replaced permanently as the number one the Hawks go nowhere.
Call Beacher up next time Blowman
It has to be very drastic circumstances and injuries to justify calling him up from minors since he can't play in the AHL yet. Maybe next year he will earn a spot on the roster, but honestly he didn't seem to be mature enough this time around.
He has a ways to go, in spite of the "Hawk-aganda." He might be a Sean Avery someday.
The Hawk prospects with talent = Olsen, Lalonde and especially Aliu. (Maybe Alec Richards, too)
Wiz said it best at Prospect Camp. Aliu looked like a man next to a boy, standing next to Beach. And he looked like a man among boys on the ice.
I agree with that. Lalonde could be a pretty slick D man and Aliu seems to be progressing. I really want to see how he does in Rockford.
I see nothing to get excited about, nothing at all. Does not play with a purpose, looks lost every shift. Most Scouts had him as a 4-6th rounder, he was a rare miss for Tallon
>I think he turned the puck over every time he had it.
>Recall him losing almost every board battle he was in, too.
>Not exactly a statement game.
>Swap him for another "yet to deliver" #1 in the Eastern Conference with a similar or less cap # -- if such a player is out there...
He had a pretty poor game against the Avs. The play I remember, he turned it over at his own blueline. (Can you make any bigger mistake?) He did manage to clear the zone on the next attempt, but got leveled just past the Hawks line. The kid has the tools, but I think there are some confidence issues holding him down.