Thursday, October 13, 2011
Saad Day
Brandon Saad gets finally sent down to the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. We knew that this day would come, I, as well many others, thought this day would come closer to the 9th NHL game. We'll be seeing this kid return to the NHL REALLY soon. Good job Brandon !!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Carcillo returns...
Daniel Carcillo will tomorrow make his Blackhawks debut. He has been practicing with the line that consists of Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. I like this combination. Remember that Carcillo succeeded last year when he was with Mike Richards. He space and will get under people's skin. I like this for it takes away people wanting to take pot-shots at Kane while he's in the corner scrapping for a puck. Maybe, we can call this Kane's personal security guard. (Kind of how Kaner referenced Carcillo in their Tweets amongst each other.)
Carcillo and Kaner having a little fun on Twitter...
10,000 followers per tweet huh@88PKane Not to worry, I will protect that 12yr old face of yours
...@CarBombBoom13 thx for taking care of me but what am I going to do for the first two games of regular season?
Carcillo and Kaner having a little fun on Twitter...
10,000 followers per tweet huh
...
Normal fun,...but it's fun reading into the Tweets.
Back to reality.... Looks like Kruger will be back in the lineup with his impressive play opening night at the OC. Not sure if Saad will be on the first line or not, but it wouldn't be a bad thing to pair the rookie up with Jonny.
Appears that Corey Crawford has a bit of a nagging injury. Yahoo fantasy lists him as DTD... But, Jesse Rogers thinks it's the groin injury that may have acted up again. I expect Crawford to return by Thursday.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Hawks WIN! 5-2. Bolland 2 goals.
The Hawks limited Dallas' chance and defense was stifling. Hjalmarsson with a big hit on Robidas. O'Donnell around the net. "Jammer" Jamal Mayers getting in Steve Ott's face, Seabrook with a pin point pass to Toews for his out-of-the-penalty-box sprint that he converted on. Keith and Leddy played solid. This is how the Hawks can win. Limit the scoring and score off of turnovers, forcing bad plays in the neutral zone and limit action around the blue line. They Hawks still needed to limit their mistakes in the 3rd period (Mainly Patrick Sharp). After his glorious move that he scored on. He took two penalties, one of which led to a 10 minute major and an ejection. He needs to be less careless.
Hawks 3 stars. #3* : Patrick Sharp ( 1 goal, 1 assist )
#2* : Jonathan Toews (1 goal)
#1* : Dave Bolland (2 goals )
Andrew Brunette got on the board first with a powerplay goal.
Other players with Assists: O'D, Frolik, Kruger, Bickell, Kane, Hossa, Seabrook, Montador.
I love seeing those blue-liners with "Assists".
*** Other Notes: Brandon Saad was moved to the 2nd line with Hossa and Kane. He again, is playing solid (23 shifts / 14:57 TOI) pretty solid for an 18 yr. old.
7 defenseman has lowered Seabrook and Keith's TOI from 28-30 minutes .
* Keith TOI : 22:43
* Seabrook TOI: 24:10
Hawks 3 stars. #3* : Patrick Sharp ( 1 goal, 1 assist )
#2* : Jonathan Toews (1 goal)
#1* : Dave Bolland (2 goals )
Andrew Brunette got on the board first with a powerplay goal.
Other players with Assists: O'D, Frolik, Kruger, Bickell, Kane, Hossa, Seabrook, Montador.
I love seeing those blue-liners with "Assists".
*** Other Notes: Brandon Saad was moved to the 2nd line with Hossa and Kane. He again, is playing solid (23 shifts / 14:57 TOI) pretty solid for an 18 yr. old.
7 defenseman has lowered Seabrook and Keith's TOI from 28-30 minutes .
* Keith TOI : 22:43
* Seabrook TOI: 24:10
Swap Pirri for Kruger....Interesting Move
For Saturday's home game. Insert John Scott and MARCUS KRUGER. Brandon Pirri, who out played Marcus Kruger in the preseason, gets an assist on the lone tally of the game, gets sen back to Rockford. Marcus Kruger gets called up and the worst skater in John Scott gets in the game. Sami Lepisto is the healthy scratch. Brandon Pirri has been back down to Rockford. At least Dave Bolland is back!
| 2 | D | DUNCAN KEITH (A) |
| 4 | D | NIKLAS HJALMARSSON |
| 5 | D | STEVE MONTADOR |
| 6 | D | SEAN O'DONNELL |
| 7 | D | BRENT SEABROOK |
| 8 | D | NICK LEDDY |
| 10 | R | PATRICK SHARP (A) |
| 15 | L | ANDREW BRUNETTE |
| 16 | C | MARCUS KRUGER |
| 19 | C | JONATHAN TOEWS (C) |
| 22 | R | JAMAL MAYERS |
| 29 | L | BRYAN BICKELL |
| 36 | C | DAVE BOLLAND |
| 43 | L | BRANDON SAAD |
| 67 | R | MICHAEL FROLIK |
| 81 | R | MARIAN HOSSA |
| 85 | L | ROSTISLAV OLESZ |
| 88 | R | PATRICK KANE |
| 30 | G | RAY EMERY |
| 50 | G | COREY CRAWFORD |
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Giving Lehtonen All Day...
Well, the 2011-12 season is under way, and we already see something they can work on. But,...backing up slightly, the Hawks were without Viktor "V-berg" Stalberg, Ben Smith, Dave Bolland and "Car-Bomb" Dan Carcillo.
Okay,...back on point: The Hawks didn't press the net the entire time. They can spit pucks at an NHL goalie, all day long and they'll all look like Vladislav Tretiak,...IF they don't press the crease.
It's early, still no time to panic and when 20% of your starting lineup is out, one of your stars is playing out of position (Kane), the chemistry wasn't QUITE working,... things like this will occur.
NOTES:
Coach Q thought Kane and his centering position worked. It will work until SMITH and STALBERG re-enter the lineup. THEN, Toews, Bolland, Perri and Mayers appear to be the likely 4 centermen.
Sharp - TOEWS - Kane
Brunette- BOLLAND- Hossa
Stalberg - PERRI - Frolik (Smith)
Bickell - Mayers - Olesz (Carcillo)
(This is assuming that Saad returns to his minor league squad).
The good thing is the ENERGY is there, so they will find a way through this. It's a minor speed bump and I believe the energy from tomorrow nights crowd will give them that extra juice they need. The red carpet event is tomorrow, and the Hawks get to see these very same Dallas Stars in the UC. See you then.
Okay,...back on point: The Hawks didn't press the net the entire time. They can spit pucks at an NHL goalie, all day long and they'll all look like Vladislav Tretiak,...IF they don't press the crease.
It's early, still no time to panic and when 20% of your starting lineup is out, one of your stars is playing out of position (Kane), the chemistry wasn't QUITE working,... things like this will occur.
NOTES:
Coach Q thought Kane and his centering position worked. It will work until SMITH and STALBERG re-enter the lineup. THEN, Toews, Bolland, Perri and Mayers appear to be the likely 4 centermen.
Sharp - TOEWS - Kane
Brunette- BOLLAND- Hossa
Stalberg - PERRI - Frolik (Smith)
Bickell - Mayers - Olesz (Carcillo)
(This is assuming that Saad returns to his minor league squad).
The good thing is the ENERGY is there, so they will find a way through this. It's a minor speed bump and I believe the energy from tomorrow nights crowd will give them that extra juice they need. The red carpet event is tomorrow, and the Hawks get to see these very same Dallas Stars in the UC. See you then.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Brandon Pirri Gets Called Up For Season Opener
Brandon Pirri is going to center a line in the season opener in Dallas, on Friday. Dave Bolland isn't going to make the trip. Ben Smith is doubtful for Friday. Carcillo will serve his two game suspension during the home-n-home series.
Brandon Saad will be Jonathan Toews wing man on the first line along with Patrick Sharp. This will be a very exciting time for the rookie, and one worth watching. Does he impress the staff enough to stick past the 9 games. Even though the likelihood is slim, it will be fun watching the 18yr old to see his moxie.
Brandon Saad will be Jonathan Toews wing man on the first line along with Patrick Sharp. This will be a very exciting time for the rookie, and one worth watching. Does he impress the staff enough to stick past the 9 games. Even though the likelihood is slim, it will be fun watching the 18yr old to see his moxie.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Final Roster coming up...but, what did we learn?
Well, Friday's game against Dallas is coming up and the Hawks are down to 26. Meaning,...they will cut 3. Probably (most likely) Paradis, Morin and John Scott.
But, what did we learn?
1) The goal tending job WAS NEVER up for grabs. How do we know this? Because Alexander Salak should have won that back up goaltending spot. He played far better than Emery, but it wen to Emery instead.
You can't blame the Hawks. First they entice the kid to sign a one way contract eventhough we know due to his 2 games NHL experience that one way contract is "bologna". He was simply being tried out and if Emery was awful, he would taken the spot. The Hawks want Salak to get more experience on American ice,...so off to Rockford he goes. Short term they use Emery, long term they look at Salak as perfect competition with Crawford.
2) The kid can play. Brandon Saad was drafted behind Mark McNeill and Philip Danault and yet,... he is the one making the team. Last year before an injury, it was true he was a projected first round pick ...even as high as a top 5 pick. So, the Hawks stole that draft. STOLE IT.
3) Kyle Beach.........11th overall a few years back....and he STILL isn't ready. There are at least 6-7 prospects in front of him. Not that the Hawks couldn't use a scoring power forward,...but he's not impressing the brass AT ALL. Last year of his contract. Expect him to be moved in a trade SOON.
4) Shawn Lalonde... Is making great strides, but he's behind Dylan Olsen and possibly 2-3 others for cracking a spot in the lineup. HE could be moved as well.
5) Brandon Pirri.... He has a home here in Chicago real soon. Start looking for apartments kid,... you're coming to the big city soon. This kid is one amazing center...and we all know the Hawks can use a center. In fact,....here's my prediction. When V-Berg gets off the IR,... Saad goes to his Jr team and then PIRRI gets called up. That's my prediction.
6) John Scott...for some stinkin' reason, the Hawks love this guy. He can't skate, he can't fill the net. He can't defend. Too slow...yet, he still is around the locker room. GET RID OF HIM. He's no good.
7) Toews (Jonathan, that is) is going to be a BEAST. He's ready to be an 80+ point guy.
8) Kane and the center position. Ehhhhhhhhh, not crazy about the idea. He'll be back on wing before long. He's too strong on the wing and NOT strong enough in the corners grinding for pucks and faceoffs.
9) Duncan Keith is back emotionally and physically. He was useless and a waste of space last year after the cup run. He looks extremely good and could challenge for the Norris again this year.
10) Viktor Stalberg is ready to be an effective player on the Toews line. But, can he be effective off that first line too?
11) The Hawks do have a strong enough team "on paper" to challenge again. Last year was so frustrating to watch, it made you want to pull your hair out. Love the refreshed attitude. Got rid of the dead weight and the ankle anchor (Campbell contract). The Hawks will be hitting 109 points by April 1st. They're that good.
But, what did we learn?
1) The goal tending job WAS NEVER up for grabs. How do we know this? Because Alexander Salak should have won that back up goaltending spot. He played far better than Emery, but it wen to Emery instead.
You can't blame the Hawks. First they entice the kid to sign a one way contract eventhough we know due to his 2 games NHL experience that one way contract is "bologna". He was simply being tried out and if Emery was awful, he would taken the spot. The Hawks want Salak to get more experience on American ice,...so off to Rockford he goes. Short term they use Emery, long term they look at Salak as perfect competition with Crawford.
2) The kid can play. Brandon Saad was drafted behind Mark McNeill and Philip Danault and yet,... he is the one making the team. Last year before an injury, it was true he was a projected first round pick ...even as high as a top 5 pick. So, the Hawks stole that draft. STOLE IT.
3) Kyle Beach.........11th overall a few years back....and he STILL isn't ready. There are at least 6-7 prospects in front of him. Not that the Hawks couldn't use a scoring power forward,...but he's not impressing the brass AT ALL. Last year of his contract. Expect him to be moved in a trade SOON.
4) Shawn Lalonde... Is making great strides, but he's behind Dylan Olsen and possibly 2-3 others for cracking a spot in the lineup. HE could be moved as well.
5) Brandon Pirri.... He has a home here in Chicago real soon. Start looking for apartments kid,... you're coming to the big city soon. This kid is one amazing center...and we all know the Hawks can use a center. In fact,....here's my prediction. When V-Berg gets off the IR,... Saad goes to his Jr team and then PIRRI gets called up. That's my prediction.
6) John Scott...for some stinkin' reason, the Hawks love this guy. He can't skate, he can't fill the net. He can't defend. Too slow...yet, he still is around the locker room. GET RID OF HIM. He's no good.
7) Toews (Jonathan, that is) is going to be a BEAST. He's ready to be an 80+ point guy.
8) Kane and the center position. Ehhhhhhhhh, not crazy about the idea. He'll be back on wing before long. He's too strong on the wing and NOT strong enough in the corners grinding for pucks and faceoffs.
9) Duncan Keith is back emotionally and physically. He was useless and a waste of space last year after the cup run. He looks extremely good and could challenge for the Norris again this year.
10) Viktor Stalberg is ready to be an effective player on the Toews line. But, can he be effective off that first line too?
11) The Hawks do have a strong enough team "on paper" to challenge again. Last year was so frustrating to watch, it made you want to pull your hair out. Love the refreshed attitude. Got rid of the dead weight and the ankle anchor (Campbell contract). The Hawks will be hitting 109 points by April 1st. They're that good.
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