FYI,

I have alerted several mods to be monitoring this thread the next 24 hours or so. I suggest ALL who visit here (Hawk fans and non-Hawk fans) keep it civil and polite.

Thx
- John Jaeckel

i see the #1 ref is already on it.

There you have it! Garrison Orr is the odds on favorite for the Norris and the Hart and if he had played the whole season he would have won the Art Ross too! Guess there is no use in playing any more games, Garrison Orr is patrolling the Vancouver blue line. I bet he even knows how to orchestrate a riot too huh?
- paulr

This is what I'm talking about. You were OK up to that point. Easy big guy.

If I had to bet, Pirri will be traded. That said, I would not call that a safe bet. A lot can happen between now and October.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, Why, if this guy is so good and we need center's, why is he going to be traded?
I would also be interested in what EK has to say about him as he has seen him more than I who only watched him when he was on TV against the Wolves

i see the #1 ref is already on it.
- wolverine19

IMO, this is one of the best pure hockey discussion threads on the internet, much less HB, even with the occasional Schnozzle in the Hawk fanbase showing up.

We'll keep it that way.

Other than hearing ‘stats speak’ are you hearing any other voices?
- paulr

If the spirit is there, I suggest all look at the play-off teams and how many have crappier PPs than the Hawks...

JJ, Why, if this guy is so good and we need center's, why is he going to be traded?
I would also be interested in what EK has to say about him as he has seen him more than I who only watched him when he was on TV against the Wolves
- Maggie

My point.

I think it's taking along time for Hawk fans to get out of the 2004 play the kids mindset and transition to the Detroit model. Pirri could be around for a while. Could also be dealt as he is yet another small forward on a team/system full of them.

If I had to bet, Pirri will be traded. That said, I would not call that a safe bet. A lot can happen between now and October.
- John Jaeckel

If he's traded, wouldn't it be at the draft, seeing as how they need picks this year?

And - some one said "4th round pick in 2014" - need picks this year, I thought.

My point.

I think it's taking along time for Hawk fans to get out of the 2004 play the kids mindset and transition to the Detroit model. Pirri could be around for a while. Could also be dealt as he is yet another small forward on a team/system full of them.
- John Jaeckel

Pirri is 22. He's got one more season under his current entry level deal before he becomes RFA. He doesn't HAVE to go anywhere. The kid has some offensive skill, but according to our scout in Rockford (Eli), he needs to be stronger on his skates. So if he can work on his strength, perhaps he can be a contributor on the big club in the coming years.

My point.

I think it's taking along time for Hawk fans to get out of the 2004 play the kids mindset and transition to the Detroit model. Pirri could be around for a while. Could also be dealt as he is yet another small forward on a team/system full of them.
- John Jaeckel

Pirri is the type of player that could be included in a salary dump to entice the other team to give up more.

It would be nice to see Pirri evolve into the 2C role, but that may be a 50/50 proposition at best.

IMO, this is one of the best pure hockey discussion threads on the internet, much less HB, even with the occasional Schnozzle in the Hawk fanbase showing up.

We'll keep it that way.
- John Jaeckel

The daily thread here gets more posts than daily threads from all rest of the blogs added together.

Columbus having a grt run out of nowhere and they can't get mor than a dozen posts!

Pirri won the AHL scoring title with 75 pts in 76 gp. He had 19 points in the last nine games. Pirri will probably be traded. For what, a 4th round 2014? Perhaps he could be traded with another player, or just used with a pick for an earlier round choice. Who knows? But the AHL scoring leader doesn't appear to have a future in Chicago.
- jhawk59

WHY does he HAVE to be TRADED?

Is he disenchanted attempting to WIN a spot on the Hawk roster next fall?

Does he not want to eventually be an NHL player?

Why would anyone learning their trade feel that the need new surroundings and quick advancement, when they can improve and wait for a chance at a call-up, where that player must do what is necessary TO show they are going to be NHL-calibre.


I am sure there are many a kid playing in NHL farm teams who might feel "slighted" and that if that played in the organization for "crappy team," they would "be there already!"

Just where is "there" becomes the essential question.

Unless Pirri is one of those kids, I suspect he is confident he can continue as an AHLer who at some point must grab hold of the opportunity that opens with the Hawks...wouldn't you rather be suurounded by good players who can make you better, or have to go elsewhere and have to stand-alone in terms of your opportunities?

I don't understand how so much time and energy is wasted on what might happen to the kids....the idea is to keep and develop the kids, so you really have something to talk about when you see them in the Hawk sweater.

Not speculate on which will be traded.

We don't know the future of many Hawks on the REAL team, and there is no reason to speculate on them at present either. Why waste thoughts on trying to dump the teams AHL scoring leader?

And before you do...gaze at who was the second highest scorer former Icehog Jeff Taffe.

This is what I'm talking about. You were OK up to that point. Easy big guy.
- John Jaeckel

Ooopps! I typed that before I read your warning.

Ooopps! I typed that before I read your warning.
- paulr

No worries. I just don't want a lot of ugliness in here over the next 24, much less a lot of ban ugliness.

Do not know what you think, but I think Bollig has played pretty well in the past. Would rather see him play instead of Carcillo

Do not know what you think, but I think Bollig has played pretty well in the past. Would rather see him play instead of Carcillo
- HJULLASTER

THIS

There you have it! Garrison Orr is the odds on favorite for the Norris and the Hart and if he had played the whole season he would have won the Art Ross too! Guess there is no use in playing any more games, Garrison Orr is patrolling the Vancouver blue line. I bet he even knows how to orchestrate a riot too huh?
- paulr

Wow, all that cynical sarcasm and yet not one relevant hockey related point....i guess i should have known better then to attempt to talk hockey with yall.

If Q has even a sniff of that, betcha dollars to donuts, if Keith skates, Bollig skates tonight. And he takes an instigator. And AV knows it.

Nothing to lose.
- John Jaeckel

I'd start Bollig, Mayers and Carcillo if I were Q. That way you can still have an enforcer even if Bollig were to get an instigator. I'd give someone like Kruger and/or Saad a rest. Maybe even Hossa.

Pirri is 22. He's got one more season under his current entry level deal before he becomes RFA. He doesn't HAVE to go anywhere. The kid has some offensive skill, but according to our scout in Rockford (Eli), he needs to be stronger on his skates. So if he can work on his strength, perhaps he can be a contributor on the big club in the coming years.
- eburgio

Bingo!

You win...

This kid has made a real big jump in the last two, but core strength for battling and quickness sometimes take time to build.

It has taken Pirri time to make the abrupt transition go from an OJHL then RPI college player to 2 seasons.
Most guys picked 59th and later take time.
(Just look at all the guys from that draft year who were taken BEFORE him who haven't seen NHL ice with success yet.)

If the Hawks REALLY think he can play, they KNOW his Cap hit is $870,000 and that they may just NEED another budget freindly centre/wing if the current roster low CAP guys move on.

All this talk about his age and contract are poppycock part of the conversation...if they think he can play, he goes nowhere.

I'd start Bollig, Mayers and Carcillo if I were Q. That way you can still have an enforcer even if Bollig were to get an instigator. I'd give someone like Kruger and/or Saad a rest. Maybe even Hossa.
- coldsteelonice

I'd have no issue resting some guys, but it's hard to say who because we don't know exactly who is hurt. Resting Bolland and Hossa while keeping Sharp out wouldn't be a bad idea. Saad should keep playing and Kruger should get more ice time. It may be time to give Pirri or Smith a chance too. But if Bolland, Hossa and Sharp are healthy then I say play them but Q should manage their minutes.

Bingo!

You win...

This kid has made a real big jump in the last two, but core strength for battling and quickness sometimes take time to build.

It has taken Pirri time to make the abrupt transition go from an OJHL then RPI college player to 2 seasons.
Most guys picked 59th and later take time.
(Just look at all the guys from that draft year who were taken BEFORE him who haven't seen NHL ice with success yet.)

If the Hawks REALLY think he can play, they KNOW his Cap hit is $870,000 and that they may just NEED another budget freindly centre/wing if the current roster low CAP guys move on.

All this talk about his age and contract are poppycock part of the conversation...if they think he can play, he goes nowhere.
- wiz1901

That's just it. What does the front office think? I have to assume that just because we don't know why he's not playing at the NHL level, they haven't conveyed that to him. I'm sure, like every job, someone sits down and share what is expected of him.

Chicago fans always want to rush prospects. I just wish we would let these guys marinate in the minors for a bit and see how they develop. He's legally bound to the Hawks for another 3-4 years. He doesn't have to go anywhere, but if they got the right return for him, then I would understand why they would move him.

I think in the last few Q might give a guy off a game. The rest Q just has to continue to roll 4 lines and 3 pairs. Don't ever extend anyone even if a game is on the line.

Dude, apart from a slow transition period in the first 10 to 15 games, Garrison has emerged as one of, if not our best defense man.
- Whiskey-Tango

Not trying to be disrespectful, but I have engaged in viewings, conversations, and actually heard real hockey analysts on the Sat. radio, and TSN say what I thought:

That Garrison was not able to be the catalyst of that powerplay that is currently 23rd overall in the NHL stats.

I will give you fact I haven't had the opportunity to see Garrison in the past weeks, but he has FOURTEEN POINTS,

TWO on the PP. (one in the last five games)

So my original comment about Garrioson not filling the void at PP, wasn't a knee-jerk fanboy opinion...it was based on viewings, and concensus, and I know sometimes it is difficult for any of us to see past our team bias.

I'd have no issue resting some guys, but it's hard to say who because we don't know exactly who is hurt. Resting Bolland and Hossa while keeping Sharp out wouldn't be a bad idea. Saad should keep playing and Kruger should get more ice time. It may be time to give Pirri or Smith a chance too. But if Bolland, Hossa and Sharp are healthy then I say play them but Q should manage their minutes.
- DarthKane

Saad and Kruger have logged a good amount of minutes for players that aren't used to those kind of minutes. That's the reason I mentioned those two. Shaw would make a lot of sense too. Hossa looks like he's playing his best hockey of the year so I might not want to mess with his mojo. I'd say sit Toews, but I get the sense Toews wouldn't allow that.

If Q has even a sniff of that, betcha dollars to donuts, if Keith skates, Bollig skates tonight. And he takes an instigator. And AV knows it.

Nothing to lose.
- John Jaeckel

JJ I'm thinkin' we're going to see as Maggie points out more of the Carbomb, Bollig and Mayers tonight...we saw what happened to Hossa last time these guys were at the UC. And then AV's usual drivel in the post game.

JJ I'm thinkin' we're going to see as Maggie points out more of the Carbomb, Bollig and Mayers tonight...we saw what happened to Hossa last time these guys were at the UC. And then AV's usual drivel in the post game.
- DK002

Anyone know if the NHL has any rules about holding guys out of games just because? If I recall correctly the NBA fined the Spurs big time for holding out star players earlier in the year. I don't think the NHL would do anything given the shortened season and such but just curious....