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Hawk fans have reason to be disappointed this morning in the performance of three major prospects for the U.S. entry in the World Juniors.

Of the three—Brandon Saad, Stephen Johns, and Adam Clendening— only Johns' game stood out. As has too often been the case with the much-hyped Saad (and the reason he dropped out of the top 10 to 43rd overall in the 2011 draft), he disappeared against top competition with the pressure on.

This is not to write off Saad as a top-drawer prospect, but rather to temper all the expectations some Hawk fans, and the Hawk organization, have pinned on him.

But a funny thing often happens with prospects on the way to NHL forums: expected stars fall and unexpected ones rise.

Two Hawk prospects have actually done quite well in this tourney: Joakim Nordstrom and Ludvig Rensfelt of Sweden.

Right wing Rensfelt has all the tools: big, smooth-skating, defensively responsible, well-schooled, the son of a top coach in Sweden.

Nordstrom, who has 4 goals in 4 WJC games, will remind you of another Swedish Hawk property: Marcus Kruger. A natural center, Nordstrom projects as a third line/penalty-killing C in the NHL. He wins draws, plays defense, skates well, and a rail-thin 6'1" (like Kruger), he goes to the front of the net, where he gets his goals.

Clearly, Nordstrom's game is benefitting from a full-time role with AIK in the Swedish Elite league this year.

So, all is not lost Hawk fans, and you will likely see Sweden again if you can catch the WJC's where you are, as they and host Canada appear to be the class of the tourney going into the medal round.

RDS (The French TSN, basically) reported Friday night that the Hawks have signed 2011 first round pick Philip Danault to a pro contract. In my mind, Danault (not Saad) is arguably the most exciting prospect the Hawks currently have, bearing all the earmarks of a future 2nd line center in the NHL. Keep in mind, Danault was the last (and very surprising) cut from a highly talented Canada side in the World Juniors.

Happy New Year everyone.


JJ

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