And let's not forget Orr played both sides of the both bluelines while Gretz half as much. Orr could shut down Gretz but not the other way around.
Put it another way, if I was starting a team I would take Orr in his prime in a heartbeat over Gretz in his prime!
- FourOrr

This is NONSENSE....NOBODY SHUT DOWN GRETZ and a guy with bad knees 'would have'

Let me guess. You are under 45 (no offense). But . . .

Bobby Orr, maybe pound for pound the toughest fighter in the league when he played. One of the greatest skaters of all time. One of the greatest passers of all time. He hurt his knees before the age of advanced treatment we have today and at least one doctor botched his knee. That's what cut his career short. If he played today or even in the 90s or maybe the 80s, the knees would not have been the issue they were. Fact.
- John Jaeckel

I think it would be more accurate to say Gretzy was the greatest forward of all time....Bobby Orr was the greatest player of all time.

Last I checked this was ' Hawks thread, no sense in rhetorically bantering about who is better Crosby of Toews, or the Gretzky legacy on ice.

How about this: Which Hawks prospects have the best shots of making the team next year?

1: Ryan Stanton: I think this guy is ready to play on the 5/6 defense in place of Oduya or Roszilav. Low cost and should be a decent contributor if he plays his game.
2: Adam Clendening: This guy can make an impact too but is he crowded out? Isn't he basically a little tougher Nick Leddy(although no bigger) with a little less speed?
3: Brandon Pirri: If he isn't trade bait, he needs a shot on the 2nd line.
4: Jeremy Morin: I think he is also ready but where does he play?
5: DeNault/McNeill: I think both players are a long shot and need seasoning in the AHL but we've got to love the maturity and physical skills. If I was leaning one way, I'd say McNeill because of his size.


What say you?
- Bjm84

1. Stanton would make a fairly solid 7th defenseman, in my opinion. Also, keep an eye on Dahlbeck. He's a moble defensive defenseman who will block shots and seems to be responsible in his own end. He could also be in the mix for the 7th defenseman slot, depending on how he looks at training camp. Olsen could be part of that mix too.

2. Clendening might be someone to start talking about a year from now. Unless something goes wrong with the Leddy negotiations, then I could see Bowman pumping that kid's tires. As of now, I don't think the organization needs to rush him. Hopefully they will give Clendening time to round out his game in Rockford.

3. The only place Pirri fits is on a scoring line. I would have thought he might have gotten a look when Hossa and Sharp were both out, but the organization didn't see it that way. Pirri lacks toughness, which could be an issue. I don't see Pirri fitting in the Hawks top 6. There is no room for him here, and in my opinion, Pirri is destined to be another Jeff Taffe or Martin St. Pierre. Kind of like a quadruple-A player in baseball.

4. If Morin fits anywhere, I think it's on the third or fourth line. I don't think his skating speed is going to improve any more than it has, but the kid plays with grit, and he shoots the puck well.

5. I wouldn't call either McNeill or Danault a "longshot," which I wold interpret that you're saying that longshot means never make the NHL (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about this assumption). Both kids bring talent. They are not getting much ice time in Rockford at the moment due to Rockford's push for a playoff birth, which is unfortunate. The few games that I saw Danault in last year left me with the impression that he may be the next Bolland. I guess we'll see where they are at come training camp as to how ready they might be. Also, I figure Teravainen will be another one to watch in training camp, if he is coming over from Finland.

Pouring cup #4


- Beaver-Warrior

Beav, this is spectacular! Nice find!

I think it would be more accurate to say Gretzy was the greatest forward of all time....Bobby Orr was the greatest player of all time.
- Al

Reasonable for sure Al


Just looking at Orr's career stats...one year he was +124 and 3 other years he was +80 or better...WOW !

1. Stanton would make a fairly solid 7th defenseman, in my opinion. Also, keep an eye on Dahlbeck. He's a moble defensive defenseman who will block shots and seems to be responsible in his own end. He could also be in the mix for the 7th defenseman slot, depending on how he looks at training camp. Olsen could be part of that mix too.

2. Clendening might be someone to start talking about a year from now. Unless something goes wrong with the Leddy negotiations, then I could see Bowman pumping that kids tires. As of now, I don't think the organization needs to rush him. Hopefully they will give Clendening time to round out his game in Rockford.

3. The only place Pirri fits is on a scoring line. I would have thought he might have gotten a look when Hossa and Sharp were both out, but the organization didn't see it that way. Pirri lacks toughness, which could be an issue. I don't see Pirri fitting in the Hawks top 6. There is no room for him here, and in my opinion, Pirri is destined to be another Jeff Taffe or Martin St. Pierre. Kind of like a quadruple-A player in baseball.

4. If Morin fits anywhere, I think it's on the third or fourth line. I don't think his skating speed is going to improve any more than it has, but the kid plays with grit, and he's shoots the puck well.

5. I wouldn't call either McNeill or Danault a "longshot," which I wold interpret that you're saying that longshot means never make the NHL (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about this assumption). Both kids bring talent. They are not getting much ice time in Rockford at the moment due to Rockford's push for a playoff birth, which is unfortunate. The few games that I saw Danault in last year left me with the impression that he may be the next Bolland. I guess we'll see where they are at come training camp as to how ready they might be. Also, I figure Teravainen will be another one to watch in training camp, if he is coming over from Finland.
- EKolb13

Nice writeup EK...now get back to class

Just passing the time, brother.

Morin needs his shot - I think he's shown enough that he can contribute even in a lower line role. Lot of hustle and tenacity that was pleasantly surprising.

Pirri should have been given a look this year when Bolland went down, IMO. If he can't succeed on a line with Kane, that should tell the coaching staff and front office all they need to know.

I haven't seen enough of McNeill or Danault to properly comment.

You're leaving Ben Smith out of this conversation, and I think he is still noteworthy.
- FredoXV

Smith has suffered a handful of different injuries since that horrible concussion in training camp in 2011. I have to really question the ability of him staying healthy long term.

Nice writeup EK...now get back to class

- philco28

I'm done with classes for the day.

I'm done with classes for the day.
- EKolb13

Just finished too in regards to Orr/Gretzky, I'm young, but didn't Orr used to hold on to the puck for the whole two minutes to kill penalties? That's pretty much the coolest thing ever

Reasonable for sure Al


Just looking at Orr's career stats...one year he was +124 and 3 other years he was +80 or better...WOW !
- philco28

yes...and back then goals were not scored as often.

Just finished too in regards to Orr/Gretzky, I'm young, but didn't Orr used to hold on to the puck for the whole two minutes to kill penalties? That's pretty much the coolest thing ever
- rollpards19

....And play about every minute of power plays and probbaly about 40 mins or longer every game.

This is NONSENSE....NOBODY SHUT DOWN GRETZ and a guy with bad knees 'would have'

- philco28

The only way Orr doesn' t shut down Gretz is when Gretz hangs around center ice waiting for someone to dish him the puck while Orr is at the other team's blueline playing both sides of the rink. And I am talking when both were in their primes.

I honestly don't know how Stan plans to address the 2C issue, maybe he just finds a solution from within. There's not a lot of potential 2C free agents that would be affordable. Maybe Bolland (plus) goes to the Islanders for Fran Nielsen and he becomes our 2C?
- DarthKane

Nielsen would be fine as long as they can find a way to bring Martin too. That guy rocks.

Or maybe work a package for Lars Eller and Emelin from the Habs.

If Leddy will not resign maybe package him with Bolland for those 2?

Nielsen would be fine as long as they can find a way to bring Martin too. That guy rocks.

Or maybe work a package for Lars Eller and Emelin from the Habs.

If Leddy will not resign maybe package him with Bolland for those 2?
- tredbrta

I would love this deal. I know Leddy is good, and most likely going to be really good, but Eller is a stud and would thrive with Kane and Sharp, while Emelin absolutely punishes people

I would love this deal. I know Leddy is good, and most likely going to be really good, but Eller is a stud and would thrive with Kane and Sharp, while Emelin absolutely punishes people
- rollpards19

Agree. While I would hate to see Leddy go they need return back now and not picks. Imagine a 2c with offense and a 3-4 d man who actually hits regularly on this team.... Scary.

Who would you say is the most improved player? My pick would be Nick Leddy.

As for Bowman, in my opinion he hasn't accomplished anything yet. Yes he won a cup with a team he no part in building, though I think he deserves credit for not making a move that year to 'put his stamp on the team' which many GMs tend to do. And while he did make moves to relieve the cap hell the Hawks were in, that he wasn't responsible for, the Hawks, aside from a meaningless 24 game unbeaten streak, haven't accomplished anything. If the Hawks win the cup during his tenure, I'll certainly be there with you to bestow him with praise but right now it's wait and see.
- paulr

fair enough assesset

P. S. all due respect, but when you hold just about every record and win that many championships. You are probably the best player ever. Gretzky in my opinion.

Just finished too in regards to Orr/Gretzky, I'm young, but didn't Orr used to hold on to the puck for the whole two minutes to kill penalties? That's pretty much the coolest thing ever
- rollpards19

I left that out, also, best penalty killer of all time

Does anyone else feel like Toews is taken for granted by this city's sportsfans as a whole? Because I do, and we've got a generational player on our hands
- rollpards19

taken for granted no wy
toldmy daughtestheycant marry unill after they meet toews. meet the best then choose

Orr also played with no socks.
- Studebakerhawk

CCM tacks were the dominant skate of the era when Orr played. They were made of kangaroo leather which is softer and stretches more than cowhide. Buy them as tight as you can stand them and they would break in to the form of your foot. A lot of hockey players at all levels would wear those skates barefoot. And when you would get them just right you could have a shoemaker put stitching in the sides and make them more stiff and give more support. Common practice back in the day. Some guys would even put them on and step into a bucket of water and then go skate to break them in.

stuck in night class and can't watch the video on hawks website about Q on LeBlanc. Anyone know what he said? Any ice time coming up?

And put me down for Orr, Lemieux, and Gretzky in that order. In 50 years nobody could control a game like Orr.

Yeah, that'd work. I don't really think the Hawks need a great 2C but just a 2C. You know what I mean? A guy that can win faceoffs, has decent vision, and can play in along the boards better than Kane or Sharp can. They don't need another guy to really dish pucks and score goals.
- Bjm84

they need 2c with grit that cn protect kane from any rough stoff and go in te corner and get the puck IMHO

Nielsen would be fine as long as they can find a way to bring Martin too. That guy rocks.

Or maybe work a package for Lars Eller and Emelin from the Habs.

If Leddy will not resign maybe package him with Bolland for those 2?
- tredbrta

If the Islanders make the playoffs they are most likely not going to trade Nielsen....

My info at the trade deadline was the Isle's were not going to do much if anything....and they did 0.

Playoff hungry fan base and good 2nd line centers don't grow on trees.

Orr also played with no socks.
- Studebakerhawk

thats were my similrities to his game ended