That was an idiotic move.. Brouwer was a very physical 2 way player. He would look damn good playing ...
- z1990z

Since I am not part of the bandwagon full of fans here who are determined to find elsewhere what they think may be missing on the roster of a team that hasn't lost in regulation, because of their fear that when the playoffs come and tigher checking and physical play ramp up, the team will fold,

I have to wonder IF there was an addition, would this have to be one chance wonder , where the contract is gone after the playoff.

I have to wonder if Brouwer or any addition has the ability to handle the puck as well as the present crew.
Brouwer is a really physically strong guy.
For his to even be in consideration to return here, the Hawks would have to feel not only that he upgrades the present group, but that Brouwer's 3,666,667 for THREE MORE years after when the Cap shrinks is as well a good fit....

Detroit goes east because they haven't stopped crying about this for years or what??

http://deadspin.com/59867...ter&utm_medium=socialflow


- Sconnie

Good bye to Detroit...this fan doesn't care. Let them go east.

Personally, I have always preferred, and gotten more agitated, with the Blues rivalry. Besides, with the Wings back east the Hawks may face them in the finals.

Ruutu was scrap?
- nathanjf

Ruutu never was able to master one position, well or saty healthy.

Ladd was a left wing his entire career, and simply played that position with super effectiveness.
Ladd was drafted and thought of as Carolina's next big thing and the organization heard the fans disapproval, and tried another direction.

Ruutu never was able to master one position, well or saty healthy.

Ladd was a left wing his entire career, and simply played that position with super effectiveness.
Ladd was drafted and thought of as Carolina's next big thing and the organization heard the fans disapproval, and tried another direction.
- wiz1901

That turned out to be a great trade. Ruutu just can't stay on the ice.

Ladd is THE one guy I wish the Hawks had found a way to keep.

Fair enough, but the names on the back of the jersey are Kruger and Stalberg. Not Krueger and Stahlberg.

I noticed the Sharks broadcast graphics had the KruEger. I also had to tweet Randy Hahn and explain to him he was misprounouncing Hjalmarsson.
- eburgio

Marcus Krüger is his name....

Good bye to Detroit...this fan doesn't care. Let them go east.

Personally, I have always preferred, and gotten more agitated, with the Blues rivalry. Besides, with the Wings back east the Hawks may face them in the finals.
- ArlingtonRob

Chicago being the only original 6 team in the west is BS. I want more original 6 matchups, not fewer. IMO they should all be in the same division, the "Legacy Division".

Not trying to put words in your mouth.

But I thought I recalled you saying Saad was NHL ready. I don't know of any similar metrics that would say Danault isn't at least close.

Al is close to a guy who watches Rockford regularly and knows his stuff who is/was very impressed with Danault in his breif go there last year.

Personally, I think Danault's awareness and game with and without the puck is probably higher than Saad's was at the same time last year. They are different kinds of players. But I see no reason Danault could not make the same assimilation, if not faster next year. None.
- John Jaeckel

I was rather upset to learn that Saad made the team out of camp. And, I'm not sure why it always comes back to Saad with regard to Danault - makes no sense because you're right, they're different players. Danault has a high motor and all kinds of intangibles, but he is slight and not strong on his skates (read: knocked off easily). For my money a year in the AHL while he grows into a man is exactly what Danault needs to be an effective NHLer. I have seen him play more than any other Hawk prospect, and likely more than anyone on this board- I like him but I can't understand why he is being hyped in these boards, especially to this extent.

Fair enough, but the names on the back of the jersey are Kruger and Stalberg. Not Krueger and Stahlberg.

I noticed the Sharks broadcast graphics had the KruEger. I also had to tweet Randy Hahn and explain to him he was misprounouncing Hjalmarsson.
- eburgio

Yep. I can understand it when they're new, but these are "our" guys, how hard is it to learn how to spell their names? I would think people would figure it out after 2.5 seasons just by watching the games.

Marcus Krüger is his name....
- wiz1901

The always popular umlaut...

Chicago being the only original 6 team in the west is BS. I want more original 6 matchups, not fewer. IMO they should all be in the same division, the "Legacy Division".
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree

It worked for 100 years
Toronto
Montreal
Rngers
Boston
Chicago
Detroit
5 Divisons of 6
5 Division winners in
16 vx 1,15 vs 2 etc


Lots of talk of Weiss in Florida being traded

Does this present an opportunity for the Hawks?

The always popular umlaut...
- Ogilthorpe2

Where's Mjulqvist when you need him?

So, just sayin', an umlaut in German means you add the "e" going to english. Not sure about Swedish, but it would seem so.

Chicago being the only original 6 team in the west is BS. I want more original 6 matchups, not fewer. IMO they should all be in the same division, the "Legacy Division".
- Ogilthorpe2

That's an interesting idea...hmmm.

One problem I see, and it's unavoidable if looking for time zone/geographical balance ect., is the fact that the Blackhawks are the western most of the original 6, and the only O6 club outside the eastern time zone.

Couple this with the fact that a majority of clubs are in the east, it just leads to unavoidable problems regarding geographical balance. Some clubs are going to find themselves is less than perfect circumstances.

I'm also not sure very many fans give a damn about the original 6 and where they play. Fans in the individual markets may, but not the overall NHL fan base. Personally, I have moved on...it just doesn't matter much to me.

Very true Philco, the issue is this. Hossa, Toews and Saad are puck possession players. The reason this line is lacking in productiveness is this reason alone. The puck can not be broken into three pieces in a game. Move Saad to the third line and put Stalberg with 19-81 to try and get him more production on a consistent basis. Saad will grow as a player more with Shaw and Bickell where he can handle the puck all he wants.

Yes, Saad lovers, they are 15-0-3, but they as of late are not firing on all cylinders. They are winning with a different hero every night. That is not a bad thing, but in these close games they are an unfortunate bounce away from a loss. So if changing things up provides a fresh new energy, we can see this streak continue.
- nickmo2699

I would rather have bickell on the first

Where's Mjulqvist when you need him?

So, just sayin', an umlaut in German means you add the "e" going to english. Not sure about Swedish, but it would seem so.
- John Jaeckel

What about Motley Crue? There's a U and an E and an umlat.

That's an interesting idea...hmmm.

One problem I see, and it's unavoidable if looking for time zone/geographical balance ect., is the fact that the Blackhawks are the western most of the original 6, and the only O6 club outside the eastern time zone.

Couple this with the fact that a majority of clubs are in the east, it just leads to unavoidable problems regarding geographical balance. Some clubs are going to find themselves is less than perfect circumstances.

I'm also not sure very many fans give a damn about the original 6 and where they play. Fans in the individual markets may, but not the overall NHL fan base. Personally, I have moved on...it just doesn't matter much to me.
- ArlingtonRob

Also the opening night of every season should consist of the original 6 all squaring off against each other as the only 3 games on the schedule.

Where's Mjulqvist when you need him?

So, just sayin', an umlaut in German means you add the "e" going to english. Not sure about Swedish, but it would seem so.
- John Jaeckel

Thank you Mr. Jäckel.

I was rather upset to learn that Saad made the team out of camp. And, I'm not sure why it always comes back to Saad with regard to Danault - makes no sense because you're right, they're different players. Danault has a high motor and all kinds of intangibles, but he is slight and not strong on his skates (read: knocked off easily). For my money a year in the AHL while he grows into a man is exactly what Danault needs to be an effective NHLer. I have seen him play more than any other Hawk prospect, and likely more than anyone on this board- I like him but I can't understand why he is being hyped in these boards, especially to this extent.
- nathanjf

I think Danault gets hype here because he is seen as part of the future. Maybe not a superstar, but Hawks fans like the idea that he can fill a role.

Where's Mjulqvist when you need him?

So, just sayin', an umlaut in German means you add the "e" going to english. Not sure about Swedish, but it would seem so.
- John Jaeckel

Why not just add the umlaut to the back of his sweater?

Thank you Mr. Jäckel.
- AL SEC0RD

Exactly

Thank you Mr. Jäckel.
- AL SEC0RD

Äl Sëcörd.

I was rather upset to learn that Saad made the team out of camp. And, I'm not sure why it always comes back to Saad with regard to Danault - makes no sense because you're right, they're different players. Danault has a high motor and all kinds of intangibles, but he is slight and not strong on his skates (read: knocked off easily). For my money a year in the AHL while he grows into a man is exactly what Danault needs to be an effective NHLer. I have seen him play more than any other Hawk prospect, and likely more than anyone on this board- I like him but I can't understand why he is being hyped in these boards, especially to this extent.
- nathanjf

The size/strength issue would seem to be the only inhibitor. That said, he is probably as strong today as Kruger is. The Hawks don't seem to have a huge issue with bringing guys in who are still "boys" physically. I would agree more a year ago. Danault has put on some functional weight since then.

And as I said earlier in the thread, it's not always the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog (see: Kruger and Danault).

Äl Sëcörd.
- Ogilthorpe2

Now it's gone a bit too far . . . .

That's an interesting idea...hmmm.

One problem I see, and it's unavoidable if looking for time zone/geographical balance ect., is the fact that the Blackhawks are the western most of the original 6, and the only O6 club outside the eastern time zone.

Couple this with the fact that a majority of clubs are in the east, it just leads to unavoidable problems regarding geographical balance. Some clubs are going to find themselves is less than perfect circumstances.

I'm also not sure very many fans give a damn about the original 6 and where they play. Fans in the individual markets may, but not the overall NHL fan base. Personally, I have moved on...it just doesn't matter much to me.
- ArlingtonRob

One way to even up the travel issue is to schedule fewer games a season so there is more off days for the teams that need to travel 2 or more time zones. I personally like the idea of an Original 6 division, since I think the historic part of the league should never be lost, since the teams are still in the original cities.

The size/strength issue would seem to be the only inhibitor. That said, he is probably as strong today as Kruger is. The Hawks don't seem to have a huge issue with bringing guys in who are still "boys" physically. I would agree more a year ago. Danault has put on some functional weight since then.

And as I said earlier in the thread, it's not always the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog (see: Kruger and Danault).
- John Jaeckel

That last part is pretty well represented on how Kruger plays. Poor kid gets sacked at least once a game but he gets right back up. He takes way more punishment than I could think was possible without seeming injured,

I was rather upset to learn that Saad made the team out of camp. And, I'm not sure why it always comes back to Saad with regard to Danault - makes no sense because you're right, they're different players. Danault has a high motor and all kinds of intangibles, but he is slight and not strong on his skates (read: knocked off easily). For my money a year in the AHL while he grows into a man is exactly what Danault needs to be an effective NHLer. I have seen him play more than any other Hawk prospect, and likely more than anyone on this board- I like him but I can't understand why he is being hyped in these boards, especially to this extent.
- nathanjf

Danault is "hyped" because more than any other Organizationally truly hyped Ice Hog, barring injury he looks to be a sure fire NHL player sooner than later.

As far as not being strong on his skates...A summer or two with Paul Goodman will make a big diffeence.

This is a different age and players get to the NHL sooner because of the Cap.

Kruger wasn't as strong as he is now last year and would lose board battles.

Shaw has gained about 15 lbs, mostly muscle since last year's playoffs.

Of all the boys who played in Rockford last season Danault turned the heads of those who know the game....

Not Morin, Olsen, Lalonde or Pirri and I could go on but you get the point.

I don't like to overhype a young player but I won't sell them short either... Danault is going to be a NHL player in the near future is my bet.

As far as your Saad reference he was my choice to make it out of camp, and I don't think it was close.