The list goes waaayy back farther than them. If you are ever bored, check out Hawk draft choice since, well pick any time you like. Its a whole lot of barf.
- Elbows15

For sure Elbows....no need though...i've got enough nightmares from the DARK AGES DEATH SPIRAL (1997-2007) to last a lifetime.

I've never said he is above Danault or McNeil or Harman all three of those are former number 1 pics.....I think he is more than a stop gap guy and the FO views him more as a Krueger type of player.....like I said role player who will hit, smart with the puck, and tough along the boards.....more than a stop gap....which is what Pirri, Hayes,Smith, and Morin are...
- UnnamedSource

Agreed. Why deal with the lumps of playing such an inexperienced guy if he's a stopgap? Handzus is a stopgap. Nordstrom is groomed to be your next Colin Fraser or Adam Burish.

I don't view Hayes any differently than I did the first two years of knowing Buff, Brouwer or Bickell. The Hawks are doing something right that they can develop big men into playoff workhorses. We'll see if they can do the same with Hayes.

Pirri will need to reinvent himself or move on...

Hoping the best for Morin and Smith. They've put in their time at the Rock and are more than serviceable 3rd or even second liners for a weaker team.

Agreed. Why deal with the lumps of playing such an inexperienced guy if he's a stopgap? Handzus is a stopgap. Nordstrom is groomed to be your next Colin Fraser or Adam Burish.
- busmaster

You play him because the team has a position that needs to be filled, "stopgap" or not. Right now, Nordstrom fills that need better than a Morin or a Pirri can at this time (or possibly ever), at least in Q's eyes.

Perhaps Nordstrom fits right in and becomes the next Fraser or Burish - another serviceable lower line role player. Here's the thing - most of these role players have a short amount of shelf life before it's time to move onto a different team due to contract needs versus what cap room is left available. Then there are the ones that eventually fade back into obscurity - your Ben Eagers and Jake Dowells of the world.

Where does that leave Nordstrom?

Being a 1st round pick shouldn't really have too much of a bearing as to if a prospect will make it to the NHL. Given, the talent level that is shown gives some indication as to the chances being a little better then the next guy. Being a first round pick doesn't automatically give a player the drive and determination, or the God given talents to succeed in the next level(s).

There is more than enough 1st round busts out there to support this.
- EKolb13

Every single scouting report and time I've seen him play Danault works his butt off. A lot more first rounders make the NHL than anyone else, it's because, as a whole they're better than the players drafted behind them. Danault is more talented than Nordstrom, he's been the best defensive forward in his league. Plenty of first round busts, few first rounders who work as hard Danault

Agreed. Why deal with the lumps of playing such an inexperienced guy if he's a stopgap? Handzus is a stopgap. Nordstrom is groomed to be your next Colin Fraser or Adam Burish.

I don't view Hayes any differently than I did the first two years of knowing Buff, Brouwer or Bickell. The Hawks are doing something right that they can develop big men into playoff workhorses. We'll see if they can do the same with Hayes.

Pirri will need to reinvent himself or move on...

Hoping the best for Morin and Smith. They've put in their time at the Rock and are more than serviceable 3rd or even second liners for a weaker team.
- busmaster

This will come off Richardish but what team in the NHL would Ben Smith or Jeremy Morin be second liners? Let's not think guys that can't make the Hawks opening day roster would be difference makers in other places

To be honest I would. But I'm a moron of course I realize it is about more than them. They have families to support. But I guess it would have to do with how much of a pay cut. Plus they have the PA to contend with and agents
- tomcat24

Well you're a better man than most TC

Al...have you heard any internal rumblings about management's thoughts on Hayes, Smith and Nordstrom? Realistically I know it's too early to draft any real conclusions, but that doesn't mean management isn't thinking about planning around these three rookies.
- DarthKane

Nope only rumblings are here....

Well you're a better man than most TC
- rollpards19

I am what I am probably because I'm a single guy with no kids. I'm sure my feeling would change with a wife and kids

I am what I am probably because I'm a single guy with no kids. I'm sure my feeling would change with a wife and kids
- tomcat24

I know we all think that hockey players (and athletes in general) make too much money. But their window of opportunity to get paid is relatively small.

Not including the superstars (i.e. Kane and Toews) most players get (at most) one big contract and I don't begrudge them that. Look at Bickell, his first two contracts were for either the league minimum or close to it. This $16,000,000 contract is his big deal, I would be shocked if he saw this type of money again.

For sure Elbows....no need though...i've got enough nightmares from the DARK AGES DEATH SPIRAL (1997-2007) to last a lifetime.
- philco28

Mid seventies to the early eighties weren't too much fun either. (frank)ing Pulford and Old Man Wirtz.

Nope only rumblings are here....
- Al

Well dammit Al. Pass them on.

I know we all think that hockey players (and athletes in general) make too much money. But their window of opportunity to get paid is relatively small.

Not including the superstars (i.e. Kane and Toews) most players get (at most) one big contract and I don't begrudge them that. Look at Bickell, his first two contracts were for either the league minimum or close to it. This $16,000,000 contract is his big deal, I would be shocked if he saw this type of money again.
- DarthKane

I agree it is a small window, but I wonder what hapens to most players after their career is done? I'm not talking about the stars. I bet quite a few end up working in hockey in some form. Not making as much, though. Also, how much do ahl players make? Even a 4th liner makes over $600,000 in the nhl. That is A LOT of money

Yawn...


These long gaps between games are bruuuuuuuuuuutal. I want some Blackhawk hockey.

I agree it is a small window, but I wonder what hapens to most players after their career is done? I'm not talking about the stars. I bet quite a few end up working in hockey in some form. Not making as much, though. Also, how much do ahl players make? Even a 4th liner makes over $600,000 in the nhl. That is A LOT of money
- tomcat24

I know quite a few who end up coaching youth hockey - usually their kid's teams... My nephew played for Scotty Niedermayer (great guy) for a few years before he landed the assistant job in ANA.

I know quite a few who end up coaching youth hockey - usually their kid's teams... My nephew played for Scotty Niedermayer (great guy) for a few years before he landed the assistant job in ANA.
- CBHawks88

That must have been pretty cool. Always seemed like a nice guy. I wonder how many end up getting jobs with their nhl teams in some form?

There sure is. Just ask Beach, Skille, Barker, Yakubov, Vorobiev and McCarthy.
- DarthKane

What if Kevin Hayes never makes the A?

He was Stan's very first ever 1st rounder.

I'm a fan of Frolik as much as anyone, if not more. But the writing was on the wall once it became clear he wouldn't be a top 6 forward here.

I don't believe that trading Frolik was about the 2013/2014 season, it was about after that. Although Frolik is an RFA there's no way he would have be re-signed. Trading Frolik after a solid playoff run and with one year left on his deal gets you more in return then waiting an extra year and being stuck in a contract negotiation (for the receiving team). Plus, guys like Smith, Nordstrom, Hayes and maybe Morin get to jump into the NHL one year soon, and these guys can be brought back cheaply next year if Stan wants.

On the topic of Morin, it looks like he's got off to a good start in Rockford. A hot start for Morin in the AHL and a cold start for Hayes or Smith could force Stan to make a swap.
- DarthKane

Who actually decides on call ups? Does Q say send me that guy or is it up to Bowman?

Who actually decides on call ups? Does Q say send me that guy or is it up to Bowman?
- z1990z

Not sure who has the contractual right to make those calls, but a team where the GM and coach don't consult heavily on matters like that ain't likely to win Cups. What GM would call up player X if the coach says "I don't trust him on defense"? Maybe on trades the coach has less influence since he doesn't have the chance to see the other player too often.

Not sure who has the contractual right to make those calls, but a team where the GM and coach don't consult heavily on matters like that ain't likely to win Cups. What GM would call up player X if the coach says "I don't trust him on defense"? Maybe on trades the coach has less influence since he doesn't have the chance to see the other player too often.
- mohel

From past history, Q and Stanley dont seem to see eye to eye on players. Bowman put Pirri on top of the mountain and he didnt even make the opening day roster.

From past history, Q and Stanley dont seem to see eye to eye on players. Bowman put Pirri on top of the mountain and he didnt even make the opening day roster.
- z1990z

Q and Stanley both really loved John Scott like a shiny new toy when they first got him. Not sure what happened after that.

From past history, Q and Stanley dont seem to see eye to eye on players. Bowman put Pirri on top of the mountain and he didnt even make the opening day roster.
- z1990z

The main point being - he didn't even make the opening day roster.

My guess is SB wouldn't force a player on Q that Q absolutely didn't want - unless there was a reason (showcasing for a trade, for instance).

Who actually decides on call ups? Does Q say send me that guy or is it up to Bowman?
- z1990z

The roster is Bowman's. The line up is Quenville's. But like many have said it has to be a collaboration.

From past history, Q and Stanley dont seem to see eye to eye on players. Bowman put Pirri on top of the mountain and he didnt even make the opening day roster.
- z1990z

Other than on hockey message boards, there's not much evidence of this. Bowman has filled out the roster for two teams that Q has taken all the way - that's evidence they work together pretty well to me.

The main point being - he didn't even make the opening day roster.

My guess is SB wouldn't force a player on Q that Q absolutely didn't want - unless there was a reason (showcasing for a trade, for instance).
- StLBravesFan

I think this is correct; and along those same lines, I can't see Q not playing a useful player just because he was Stan's idea and he didn't want him.

The main point being - he didn't even make the opening day roster.

My guess is SB wouldn't force a player on Q that Q absolutely didn't want - unless there was a reason (showcasing for a trade, for instance).
- StLBravesFan

There is that word again. Do you guys really believe in the showcase idea? or are you just pushing my buttons?

Regarding Pirri, Morin etc...I would not read into anything them not making the opening day roster. The club brought back the same group it had the prior year. From a risk reward standpoint, even if you wanted to or envision things finishing differently, you go with the status qou and adjust from there. The idea that they won't go to Pirri, for a spell, for a 2C role is crazy. Same with Morin. One of the reasons they did not make the opening roster, is because these are the roles they play.

I know many will call me an idiot or dreamer, just remember my position here in a few months when one or both are getting a regular shift with the Hawks. It has less to do with Q guy or Bowman guy than it does with the fact there is no opportunity right now.