Yep. Not a necessary risk, IMO.
- nathanjf

But I will also add, Saad will not hurt them in some appropriate role—he actually tends to play with a lot of responsibility.

You have a lot of back to back games. I have no problem putting him in a rotation with some of the other LWs—Frolik, Bickell and Stalberg in particular—who each tend to have inconsistencies that seem to ladder back to motivation. My guess is, having Bowman's pet around sniffing after their jobs might motivate them tremendously.

Hey all, any insight on Saad, will he stick in the NHL this season, and if so where do you see him playing?
- 1970vintage

With this organization who knows. Saad could be playing top 6 minutes or end up back in Rockford within a week.

With this organization who knows. Saad could be playing top 6 minutes or end up back in Rockford within a week.
- DarthKane

Thanks, I guess

wow.........

Hey all, any insight on Saad, will he stick in the NHL this season, and if so where do you see him playing?
- 1970vintage

Read the comments before and after yours.

I think he is going to be, high end, a competent to very good, 2nd/3rd line winger, maybe a 50 point guy who will play solid in three zones—but not this year. He does not really play physically at all. Very good skater, kinda nifty around the net. Has a good eye for jumping passes and getting turnovers. Good hands, but not great.

How much more waiting and watching do you need to do before you realize he sucks at being a NHL GM? Not one move over the past 2+ years has made this team better.
- furso27

Hard to fault the guy for the year immediately following the Cup. Didn't like a couple of additions last year. Liked the Montador add; in retrospect wasn't so great, but has yet to really hurt the team. Love being free of Soupy's cap hit. Love getting a 5th rounder for John Scott, love getting a 1st rounder for Brouwer. Don't love the Frolik extension, scared Crawford won't find first year form. Didn't love that he held on to some cap space but no one knows exactly why that happened and it turns out Crawford would have poop the bed anyhow, so.....

All in all, I'm pretty lukewarm about the last two years. He has a lot to prove, certainly. That said, I'm not so sure there is a huge trade market right now, based on the general lack of movement; so when there aren't any moves to make.....

Read the comments before and after yours.

I think he is going to be, high end, a competent to very good, 2nd/3rd line winger, maybe a 50 point guy who will play solid in three zones—but not this year. He does not really play physically at all. Very good skater, kinda nifty around the net. Has a good eye for jumping passes and getting turnovers. Good hands, but not great.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks, I guess if I had posted, 20 seconds later I would have had the answer...

Putting Saad on the first line any time soon would be a mistake on the ice and in the dressing room. Period.

HUGE MISTAKE, unless he comes out of nowhere and really lights it up, which there is ZERO evidence he will do right now against the top players of the L.A. Kings and 24-25 oither NHl franchises.

'You want to lose a dressing room? Put the GM/front office's pet in above NHL veterans who have produced more as pros than Saad has. McDonough is none too popular in the dressing room already for meddling.
- John Jaeckel

Are you reading into this based on what's generally believed/understood with the FO, or are your sources saying this?

I'm not doubting your stance on this but if this is really happening, what's Rocky's timeline and patience level for correcting this?

THAT is far and away the most dangerous thing that can happen on a personnel level.

But I will also add, Saad will not hurt them in some appropriate role—he actually tends to play with a lot of responsibility.

You have a lot of back to back games. I have no problem putting him in a rotation with some of the other LWs—Frolik, Bickell and Stalberg in particular—who each tend to have inconsistencies that seem to ladder back to motivation. My guess is, having Bowman's pet around sniffing after their jobs might motivate them tremendously.
- John Jaeckel

Couldn't hurt in that regard.

Development is just too key in this NHL to risk messing it up. I think top six and all the PP time available in Rockford is much more suited to his game. Like you've mentioned, he isn't tearing it up down there.

Roster is set

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130117,0,7379273.story

Saad made the club...wow.

Are you reading into this based on what's generally believed/understood with the FO, or are your sources saying this?

I'm not doubting your stance on this but if this is really happening, what's Rocky's timeline and patience level for correcting this?

THAT is far and away the most dangerous thing that can happen on a personnel level.
- blackhawk24

That's something I have specifically heard from multiple sources. The "appearance" at practice last year during the losing streak, talking to Q, drew some serious backlash from a couple of team leaders. And from what I know of those guys, I believe it.

Understand, the players care very little about marketing or really whether the team is profitable. They want to win. Period. Can you blame them? So anything the front office does that is seen by the players as a distraction or worse still to support or coddle certain players or bad behaviors is going to be seen negatively. Or anything the front office does to draw attention to itself (like having commercials made about them) is likely going to be seen as a distraction or reinforce the perception that there are things more important than or equal to winning.

After getting to see some of the Rockford regulars last night measure up with the big club, I dont see why Pirri is not slipped into the 2C role. The kid has talent, has some size, and i think he would have a lot of success with Kane and Sharpy on the wings. Saad is nothing special, just an over hyped draft pick. Skates in the mud which was evident last night.

Roster is set

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130117,0,7379273.story

Saad made the club...wow.
- philco28

Terrible just Terrible

Terrible just Terrible
- nickmo2699

Which defenceman sits ?

I try to be on the more positive side of things, but I have grown impatient with Stan's lack of action. What I see is our window of opportunity closing of the next few years and Stan standing by idly and doing nothing. It's great to build your team around your prospects, but you have to supplement that with quality trades/free agents as well. Look our our cup winning team, where would we have been without Ladd, Sharp, Versteeg, and Hossa (just to name a few). I'm sure there are trades out there for Stan to make, but he needs to take a chance and make them.
- DarthKane

This team's window is a lot closer to closing than a lot of people think IMO. Once Edmonton gets some experience and goaltending, watch out!! I would say watch out for the Wild, also (my pick to win the cup this year), as well as the Kings who already won a cup. That is why fixing one or two glaring holes can help them win a cup NOW. Sharp and Hossa are already in their 30's, and their arrow is not going up. This team does feel like the 80's Bears after winning the championship.

Good to know the Hawks are just handing guys like Saad roster spots.

Which defenceman sits ?
- philco28

Watch the front of the Hawks net, all of them will wind up on their @ss at some point and sit there as an opposing player scores

Which defenceman sits ?
- philco28

Pretty good question.

Which defenceman sits ?
- philco28

Probably Leddy bc of his lack of quality the last three months and his abismal performance in the scrimmage.

Pretty good question.
- nathanjf

Either Brookbank or Leddy (sorry Savvy)

or do they dress 7 d ?

Roster is set

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130117,0,7379273.story

Saad made the club...wow.
- philco28

Anyone else find it interesting that Ottawa is carrying three goalies on the roster to start the year?

Oduya on the 2nd pair.

Anyone else find it interesting that Ottawa is carrying three goalies on the roster to start the year?
- furso27

They'll need 3 to keep the puck of their net...but that leaves with just 3 skaters

Either Brookbank or Leddy (sorry Savvy)

or do they dress 7 d ?
- philco28

They dressed 7 at points last year. Brookbank as a fourth liner? Then you're sitting, who? Mayers and Frolik? Weird. But possible.

They dressed 7 at points last year. Brookbank as a fourth liner? Then you're sitting, who? Mayers and Frolik? Weird. But possible.
- nathanjf

I'd sit Saad before Fro...defending on who's playing better at the time...hoping for a solid year from 67.