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?
- EKolb13

Generally agreed. But you don't know what you have in Nordstrom. You can have a Bolland or a Kruger or a Fraser or a non-NHLer. You don't bring up a kid that young to play once a week. He'll never grow, he'll always have bad outings, his confidence will be shot, and he definitely won't be doing the team any favors. I won't lose sleep if he stays or goes. I just don't want to see a wasted roster spot.

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.
- TrueGrit

Whole heartedly disagree. They didn't make the team because they weren't good enough. A game in October counts the same as in March, and they're going to want to be able to rest guys going in to the playoffs. The picked the best players, Morin and Pirri weren't that.

Whole heartedly disagree. They didn't make the team because they weren't good enough. A game in October counts the same as in March, and they're going to want to be able to rest guys going in to the playoffs. The picked the best players, Morin and Pirri weren't that.
- rollpards19

They did not make the team because they are not going to beatn out Sharp, Kane, Toews or Handzuis. etc...Which is my point. However should one of those guys get hurt, I would not doubt that Pirri or Morin get a call to fill one of those rolls.

Pirri is more developed all around player than Nordstrom, But Pirri is not being groomed to be a 4th line player. Anyways, it is what it is at the point. Reading past the idea that guys are fitting specific jobs is a little goofy. Might as well debate who is tougher, super man or spider man.

They did not make the team because they are not going to beatn out Sharp, Kane, Toews or Handzuis. etc...Which is my point. However should one of those guys get hurt, I would not doubt that Pirri or Morin get a call to fill one of those rolls.

Pirri is more developed all around player than Nordstrom, But Pirri is not being groomed to be a 4th line player. Anyways, it is what it is at the point. Reading past the idea that guys are fitting specific jobs is a little goofy. Might as well debate who is tougher, super man or spider man.
- TrueGrit

Pirri could have beat out Zus and Morin definitely could have beat out Hayes and Smith. And Super Man

They did not make the team because they are not going to beatn out Sharp, Kane, Toews or Handzuis. etc...Which is my point. However should one of those guys get hurt, I would not doubt that Pirri or Morin get a call to fill one of those rolls.

Pirri is more developed all around player than Nordstrom, But Pirri is not being groomed to be a 4th line player. Anyways, it is what it is at the point. Reading past the idea that guys are fitting specific jobs is a little goofy. Might as well debate who is tougher, super man or spider man.
- TrueGrit

I think not, otherwise he'd be on the team. Pirri has higher end offensive upside, Nordstrom lower...but Nordstrom is a more complete player right now.

Pirri could have beat out Zus and Morin definitely have beat out Hayes and Smith. And Super Man
- rollpards19

With a straight face, you are going to tell me that after 49 years in the NHL, Q says, Zus show me what you got or your will lose your job? You do not know professional sports if that is the case. When they signed Zus, he was on the roster. He is not going to play in Rockford. No matter what Pirri did. However, should Zus get hurt or others, the Hawks will not hesitate to give Pirri a regular shift.

Ben Smith had a one way deal, he was not going down. IMO, Hayes may be given opportunity right now, but probably more pressure on him than Morin. That is the intangibles Hayes bring are more suspect that what you know you get with Morin.

I am not saying that either Pirri or Morin are sure fire hall of famers, as some like to put words in my mouth, what i am saying is that it is short sighted to write them off or believe they have been written off. Especially based on who was signed and brought back and everyone is healthy.

I think not, otherwise he'd be on the team. Pirri has higher end offensive upside, Nordstrom lower...but Nordstrom is a more complete player right now.
- Ogilthorpe2

Really, ...Really.? Am I in bizzaro world. Pirri has to make it at the next level as a top 6 guy. That is what he is. A roster is not made up of the 20 most talented players, then you figure out where to play them. Just the opposite.

Pirri was NEVER in the running for a 4th line wing job, or any bottom 6 role. If Zus was hurt, or more practically, soon, when he is hurt, I bet you a case of your favorite beverage that Pirri will be given an opportunity. This is not an invitation from the peanut gallery to explain what Q thinks of him or how I look at stats etc... Lets just see where the chips fall. If I am proven wrong, laugh at me, drinking your favorite beer that I bought you. What better satisfaction is that?

Just don't do it while you are working.

Really, ...Really.? Am I in bizzaro world. Pirri has to make it at the next level as a top 6 guy. That is what he is. A roster is not made up of the 20 most talented players, then you figure out where to play them. Just the opposite.

Pirri was NEVER in the running for a 4th line wing job, or any bottom 6 role. If Zus was hurt, or more practically, soon, when he is hurt, I bet you a case of your favorite beverage that Pirri will be given an opportunity. This is not an invitation from the peanut gallery to explain what Q thinks of him or how I look at stats etc... Lets just see where the chips fall. If I am proven wrong, laugh at me, drinking your favorite beer that I bought you. What better satisfaction is that?

Just don't do it while you are working.
- TrueGrit

Really, ...Really.? Am I in bizzaro world. Pirri has to make it at the next level as a top 6 guy. That is what he is. A roster is not made up of the 20 most talented players, then you figure out where to play them. Just the opposite.

Pirri was NEVER in the running for a 4th line wing job, or any bottom 6 role. If Zus was hurt, or more practically, soon, when he is hurt, I bet you a case of your favorite beverage that Pirri will be given an opportunity. This is not an invitation from the peanut gallery to explain what Q thinks of him or how I look at stats etc... Lets just see where the chips fall. If I am proven wrong, laugh at me, drinking your favorite beer that I bought you. What better satisfaction is that?

Just don't do it while you are working.
- TrueGrit

Proving that he's not a more "developed" player.

If Pirri were the better "all around" player, then he would be able to nail down a spot on the 4th line even if 4th line duty is not where he is ultimately destined to play. He has no all around game and therefore will likely only get a chance if the team is in desperate need of top 6 offensive punch. In that case they will have no choice but to excuse his defensive liabilities and hope the good outweighs the bad. Look at everyone's favorite ex-Hawk Frolik. His skill set is not taditional ideal bottom 6 material, and on most NHL rosters he's a top 6 forward. On the Hawks however, if everyone else was healthy, he was never going to get consistent top 6 minutes. But because he had a solid 2 way game (something Pirri lacks), and because he was willing to embrace and excel at whatever role he was given, he was able to be an extremely valuable, if somewhat overpaid, contributor to a Stanley Cup Championship team, and make himself marketable to a team willing to give him a chance at a bigger role. If Pirri had an all around game, he'd be here learning on the job and hoping to earn some top 6 minutes...like Frolik was, and Krugman is right now.

Proving that he's not a more "developed" player.

If Pirri were the better "all around" player, then he would be able to anchor the 4th line even if 4th line duty is not where he is ultimately destined to play. He has no all around game and therefore will likely only get a chance if the team is in need of top 6 offensive punch. In that case they will have no choice but to excuse his defensive liabilities and hope the good outweighs the bad. Look at everyone's favorite ex-Hawk Frolik. His skill set is not taditional ideal bottom 6 material, and on most NHL rosters he's a top 6 forward. On the Hawks however, if everyone else was healthy, he was never going to get consistent top 6 minutes. But because he had a solid 2 way game (something Pirri lacks), and because he was willing to embrace and excel at whatever role he was given, he was able to be an extremely valuable, if somewhat overpaid, contributor to a Stanley Cup Championship team, and make himself marketable to a team willing to give him a chance at a bigger role. If Pirri had an all around game, he'd be here learning on the job and hoping to earn some top 6 minutes...like Frolik was, and Krugman is right now.
- Ogilthorpe2

This....if Zus gets hurt we are likely to see Kruger at 2c, Nordstrom at 4c and morin brought up...

With a straight face, you are going to tell me that after 49 years in the NHL, Q says, Zus show me what you got or your will lose your job? You do not know professional sports if that is the case. When they signed Zus, he was on the roster. He is not going to play in Rockford. No matter what Pirri did. However, should Zus get hurt or others, the Hawks will not hesitate to give Pirri a regular shift.

Ben Smith had a one way deal, he was not going down. IMO, Hayes may be given opportunity right now, but probably more pressure on him than Morin. That is the intangibles Hayes bring are more suspect that what you know you get with Morin.

I am not saying that either Pirri or Morin are sure fire hall of famers, as some like to put words in my mouth, what i am saying is that it is short sighted to write them off or believe they have been written off. Especially based on who was signed and brought back and everyone is healthy.
- TrueGrit

I'm sorry, is Handzus no longer allowed to be a 4th line center or healthy scratch? If you think coaches don't play the best guy available then you don't know professional. Winning is more important than anything, even loyalty. If Pirri played great two way hockey do you really think Q wouldn't have given him a shot? They didn't make the team because the coach doesn't think they are good enough, not for some weird role reason.

I'm sorry, is Handzus no longer allowed to be a 4th line center or healthy scratch? If you think coaches don't play the best guy available then you don't know professional. Winning is more important than anything, even loyalty. If Pirri played great two way hockey do you really think Q wouldn't have given him a shot? They didn't make the team because the coach doesn't think they are good enough, not for some weird role reason.
- rollpards19

To a point I do think there is some validity to players having certain roles etc.....and having guys on a team who do certain things others can't...but in this case it is more of an indictment on how Pirri isn't a good fit because of the expectation of Zus playing 40-50 games.....

To a point I do think there is some validity to players having certain roles etc.....and having guys on a team who do certain things others can't...but in this case it is more of an indictment on how Pirri isn't a good fit because of the expectation of Zus playing 40-50 games.....
- UnnamedSource

I'm more of the notion that the team should take the best 20 hockey players and then assign them there roles after the fact. Hard work and guys knowing their role is valiant, but talent combined with hard work wins almost every time, and I think Q believes that. One example, Versteeg is a lot like Stalberg as a player (offensively talented, prone to bad turnovers and occasional defensive lapses) but Q used him on the match up line in 2010. There were guys better suited for "the checking line role" but Q put the best player available, a guy who is really a natural offensive guy, and ran with it. That's why I don't buy the Pirri isn't made for the bottom six argument, or Morin was competing against Sharp and Hossa for jobs. Good (obviously an NHL relative term, they're all fantastic athletes) hockey players can play any type of style, any type of role. That's what makes this team great, they can adapt. Q wants adaptable players, and I don't think Pirri and Morin are there in their respective careers

I'm more of the notion that the team should take the best 20 hockey players and then assign them there roles after the fact. Hard work and guys knowing their role is valiant, but talent combined with hard work wins almost every time, and I think Q believes that. One example, Versteeg is a lot like Stalberg as a player (offensively talented, prone to bad turnovers and occasional defensive lapses) but Q used him on the match up line in 2010. There were guys better suited for "the checking line role" but Q put the best player available, a guy who is really a natural offensive guy, and ran with it. That's why I don't buy the Pirri isn't made for the bottom six argument, or Morin was competing against Sharp and Hossa for jobs. Good (obviously an NHL relative term, they're all fantastic athletes) hockey players can play any type of style, any type of role. That's what makes this team great, they can adapt. Q wants adaptable players, and I don't think Pirri and Morin are there in their respective careers
- rollpards19

You think Q believes that based upon what? I'm not going to go back and find the quotes, but Q repeatedly said during camp that the final few roster spots were not going to go to the most talented players. They were going to go to the players that best filled the roles that the team needed filled.

You think Q believes that based upon what? I'm not going to go back and find the quotes, but Q repeatedly said during camp that the final few roster spots were not going to go to the most talented players. They were going to go to the players that best filled the roles that the team needed filled.
- NewToHockey

I look at the Hawks as having a roster/depth chart totalling 26 - 28 NHL capable players right now. Since the rules only permit 23 at one time, the remainder get playing time/experience/teaching in the AHL which is a very tough league in and of itself. So when the inevitable situation occurs due to injury or poor play, there are replacements ready in Rockford to fill holes instead of having to move future draft picks or young kids that you regret trading 5 years from now.

That's what good teams do - Chicago, LAK, Pittsburgh and Detroit as prime examples.

This....if Zus gets hurt we are likely to see Kruger at 2c, Nordstrom at 4c and morin brought up...
- UnnamedSource

I actually agree with the Nordstrom 4C deal. I think that is very plausible. Especially if he wins draws. Watching him rotate in the dzone to Center, you see his defensive instincts.

I am starting to warm to the Kruger 2C thing, however, I can here the ghost of Al last year, opining that Kruger may ultimately be a winger with his faceoff problems.

I believe also that Morin is more NHL ready/practical than Pirri.

Proving that he's not a more "developed" player.

If Pirri were the better "all around" player, then he would be able to nail down a spot on the 4th line even if 4th line duty is not where he is ultimately destined to play. He has no all around game and therefore will likely only get a chance if the team is in desperate need of top 6 offensive punch. In that case they will have no choice but to excuse his defensive liabilities and hope the good outweighs the bad. Look at everyone's favorite ex-Hawk Frolik. His skill set is not taditional ideal bottom 6 material, and on most NHL rosters he's a top 6 forward. On the Hawks however, if everyone else was healthy, he was never going to get consistent top 6 minutes. But because he had a solid 2 way game (something Pirri lacks), and because he was willing to embrace and excel at whatever role he was given, he was able to be an extremely valuable, if somewhat overpaid, contributor to a Stanley Cup Championship team, and make himself marketable to a team willing to give him a chance at a bigger role. If Pirri had an all around game, he'd be here learning on the job and hoping to earn some top 6 minutes...like Frolik was, and Krugman is right now.
- Ogilthorpe2

I understand what you are saying to a point.

1. It is funny to me, that it is now assumed that Pirri is just horrible in his own end. It is as if, coaches cringe and opponents just know they will score a goal every time Pirri is on the ice, because he just floats around the red line cherry picking. Just not the case.

Being tough to play against, in your own zone, is more about commitment than anything else. If people want to critcize him because he is not 6foot 3 and 210lbs and therefore is not going to rub guys out....then DUH!

Last year in Rockford, Pirri was a plus 11. Kruger in 34 games, -1. I am not one who derives a lot from cherry picking stats, but my point is just because it is repeated over and over, does not necessarily make it so.

Ogi, you are a smart guy, but comparing Pirri and Nordstrom, on a "rounded game" scale is nuts. You can teach guys positional hockey, playing high energy, etc...You can't teach those guys how to be elite scorers. Last I checked on cap geek, the guys that make passes drive Caddys, the goal scorers Mercedes and the bottom 6, get a deal on a Chevy from Toews and Kane. Just total apples and oranges.

If Pirri truly does fail to produce offensively at the NHL level, when he gets his chance. He can then decide to change his game. I bet you a steak with that beer, that the Hawks have not had a conversation with him about becoming a 4th line energy guy. Looking at his development, the situations he plays in etc...he is being given a chance by the club to become an option. This is not my opinion, this is not his goals and assists stats, it is his situational play. Being on PK, being on ice in close games late. This is what his coaches are actually DOING.

Nordstrom is a solid hockey player. I like him a lot. But his path and angle at staying in the NHL is a lot different than Pirri.

Great points on Frolik. The only difference is that they are on differnt points in their career journeys. That is Frolik played top 6, produced, had a lull and before he was cast away, found a way to round himself out more and be productive.

If at any point, the Hawks look to Pirri to be a 4th line regular, then it is time to find Andrew Ebbet and bring him back.

- Beaver-Warrior

You are an artist...just painting....Love it.

I'll agree with you on the latter two, but it's still way too early to be promoting Nordstrom as some long term solution anywhere on the team. Typically, yhe bottom end of the forward lines get different personnel cycled in every couple of years. I can't see (at this point, anyways) where Nordstrom fits in on one of the top two lines.

I know you love the kid, but you can't nominate him for sainthood like DarthKane has done with Frolik. Not yet, anyways. He's got to do a hell of a lot more before that happens.


- EKolb13

There is no denying validity of St. Fro. Crappy PK turns awesome after Fro made PK specialist: MIRACLE! Fro makes first Hawks successful PO penalty shot: MIRACLE! Two miracles = sainthood. If JPII gets in because some third world peasant woman claims he healed her post mortem, then St. Fro is indeed a living saint.

I understand what you are saying to a point.

1. It is funny to me, that it is now assumed that Pirri is just horrible in his own end. It is as if, coaches cringe and opponents just know they will score a goal every time Pirri is on the ice, because he just floats around the red line cherry picking. Just not the case.

Being tough to play against, in your own zone, is more about commitment than anything else. If people want to critcize him because he is not 6foot 3 and 210lbs and therefore is not going to rub guys out....then DUH!

Last year in Rockford, Pirri was a plus 11. Kruger in 34 games, -1. I am not one who derives a lot from cherry picking stats, but my point is just because it is repeated over and over, does not necessarily make it so.

Ogi, you are a smart guy, but comparing Pirri and Nordstrom, on a "rounded game" scale is nuts. You can teach guys positional hockey, playing high energy, etc...You can't teach those guys how to be elite scorers. Last I checked on cap geek, the guys that make passes drive Caddys, the goal scorers Mercedes and the bottom 6, get a deal on a Chevy from Toews and Kane. Just total apples and oranges.

If Pirri truly does fail to produce offensively at the NHL level, when he gets his chance. He can then decide to change his game. I bet you a steak with that beer, that the Hawks have not had a conversation with him about becoming a 4th line energy guy. Looking at his development, the situations he plays in etc...he is being given a chance by the club to become an option. This is not my opinion, this is not his goals and assists stats, it is his situational play. Being on PK, being on ice in close games late. This is what his coaches are actually DOING.

Nordstrom is a solid hockey player. I like him a lot. But his path and angle at staying in the NHL is a lot different than Pirri.

Great points on Frolik. The only difference is that they are on differnt points in their career journeys. That is Frolik played top 6, produced, had a lull and before he was cast away, found a way to round himself out more and be productive.

If at any point, the Hawks look to Pirri to be a 4th line regular, then it is time to find Andrew Ebbet and bring him back.
- TrueGrit

Excellent response and points made.

If anyone in Chicago were to be listening to Toronto all sports radio these days now that the Leafs are 3-0, they would be getting to the point of vomiting with all of the Dave Bolland love being expressed every hour on the hour.

Bolland has come in and popped a few goals, played a positionally sound game, checked very well and even done well in the faceoff circle. As a result, he is taking playing time away from Nazim Khadri who is regarded as an elite offensive talent. Randy Carlyle puts Bolland out in every critical game situation because he trusts him to make the right play every time. Khadri not so much.

Frankly, I don't know if Khadri is really any more talented than Brandon Pirri is but he's an NHL'er with the Maple Leafs and Pirri is "languishing in the minors" learning his craft while playing in a Stanley Cup winning organization.

Like you, I believe Pirri will get his chance and will eventually do well in the NHL. I also remember how many on this board regularly threw Dave Bolland under the bus.

I understand what you are saying to a point.

1. It is funny to me, that it is now assumed that Pirri is just horrible in his own end. It is as if, coaches cringe and opponents just know they will score a goal every time Pirri is on the ice, because he just floats around the red line cherry picking. Just not the case.

Being tough to play against, in your own zone, is more about commitment than anything else. If people want to critcize him because he is not 6foot 3 and 210lbs and therefore is not going to rub guys out....then DUH!

Last year in Rockford, Pirri was a plus 11. Kruger in 34 games, -1. I am not one who derives a lot from cherry picking stats, but my point is just because it is repeated over and over, does not necessarily make it so.

Ogi, you are a smart guy, but comparing Pirri and Nordstrom, on a "rounded game" scale is nuts. You can teach guys positional hockey, playing high energy, etc...You can't teach those guys how to be elite scorers. Last I checked on cap geek, the guys that make passes drive Caddys, the goal scorers Mercedes and the bottom 6, get a deal on a Chevy from Toews and Kane. Just total apples and oranges.

If Pirri truly does fail to produce offensively at the NHL level, when he gets his chance. He can then decide to change his game. I bet you a steak with that beer, that the Hawks have not had a conversation with him about becoming a 4th line energy guy. Looking at his development, the situations he plays in etc...he is being given a chance by the club to become an option. This is not my opinion, this is not his goals and assists stats, it is his situational play. Being on PK, being on ice in close games late. This is what his coaches are actually DOING.

Nordstrom is a solid hockey player. I like him a lot. But his path and angle at staying in the NHL is a lot different than Pirri.

Great points on Frolik. The only difference is that they are on differnt points in their career journeys. That is Frolik played top 6, produced, had a lull and before he was cast away, found a way to round himself out more and be productive.

If at any point, the Hawks look to Pirri to be a 4th line regular, then it is time to find Andrew Ebbet and bring him back.
- TrueGrit

You're leaving out a fact in comparing the Pirri/Kruger plus/minus in Rockford last season. The time that Kruger spent in Rockford was during the lockout. During this time, all AHL teams were loaded with NHL quality talent - which you already know. I guess if you want an accurate read on the plus/minus, you might want to look up where Pirri was at that point of the season when the lockout ended.

I do agree that Nordstrom & Pirri "paths at staying in the NHL (if Pirri ever does stick) are completely different." The two are different animals in regards to what type of player they are. However, I think you're off on the "rounded game" point. I believe that Nordstrom's "rounded game," if viewed in the scope that Nordstrom can play in other in game situations besides what you outline Pirri can do - only being an offensive caliber forward capable for a top 6 role, the Nordstrom can be viewed as being a player with somewhat of a "rounded game." At least in the view of being able to be more responsible on the defensive side of things.

Proving that he's not a more "developed" player.

If Pirri were the better "all around" player, then he would be able to nail down a spot on the 4th line even if 4th line duty is not where he is ultimately destined to play. He has no all around game and therefore will likely only get a chance if the team is in desperate need of top 6 offensive punch. In that case they will have no choice but to excuse his defensive liabilities and hope the good outweighs the bad. Look at everyone's favorite ex-Hawk Frolik. His skill set is not taditional ideal bottom 6 material, and on most NHL rosters he's a top 6 forward. On the Hawks however, if everyone else was healthy, he was never going to get consistent top 6 minutes. But because he had a solid 2 way game (something Pirri lacks), and because he was willing to embrace and excel at whatever role he was given, he was able to be an extremely valuable, if somewhat overpaid, contributor to a Stanley Cup Championship team, and make himself marketable to a team willing to give him a chance at a bigger role. If Pirri had an all around game, he'd be here learning on the job and hoping to earn some top 6 minutes...like Frolik was, and Krugman is right now.
- Ogilthorpe2

This.

Generally agreed. But you don't know what you have in Nordstrom. You can have a Bolland or a Kruger or a Fraser or a non-NHLer. You don't bring up a kid that young to play once a week. He'll never grow, he'll always have bad outings, his confidence will be shot, and he definitely won't be doing the team any favors. I won't lose sleep if he stays or goes. I just don't want to see a wasted roster spot.
- busmaster

This is what I was trying to establish yesterday. You don't know exactly what you have in Nordstrom other than he best fills a need the team has out of a short list of players available in the system that could step into a NHL role at this point.

This leads me to believe that he'll play more than once a week, because of the adverse effects stated above if the kid just sits.

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
- rollpards19

I can agree with this, but the point is who is ahead of who in the "talent" department right now, regarding an NHL ready game?

Excellent response and points made.

If anyone in Chicago were to be listening to Toronto all sports radio these days now that the Leafs are 3-0, they would be getting to the point of vomiting with all of the Dave Bolland love being expressed every hour on the hour.

Bolland has come in and popped a few goals, played a positionally sound game, checked very well and even done well in the faceoff circle. As a result, he is taking playing time away from Nazim Khadri who is regarded as an elite offensive talent. Randy Carlyle puts Bolland out in every critical game situation because he trusts him to make the right play every time. Khadri not so much.

Frankly, I don't know if Khadri is really any more talented than Brandon Pirri is but he's an NHL'er with the Maple Leafs and Pirri is "languishing in the minors" learning his craft while playing in a Stanley Cup winning organization.

Like you, I believe Pirri will get his chance and will eventually do well in the NHL. I also remember how many on this board regularly threw Dave Bolland under the bus.
- RickJ

I am really tiring of this Pirri bashing. My biggest fear is that he gets Brouwered out of town and "eventually do(ing) well in the NHL" with some other team.