You noticed that there's zero return from the 2010 purge too.
- Beaver-Warrior

There's still a chance we'll have something to show for the urge but it's not looking good. There's still Clendending and Kevin Hayes but that's it (aside form Morin).

Smith's been playing well. Handzus ought to be taking a seat, IMO. He is ALWAYS behind the play, and now he is taking stupid penalties. Set your lines and play them so they develop chemistry, already. It's got to be a ball of stress playing for Q. If you're top 9, what line will I play on, and how many shifts until he moves me again. If you're a bottom 6, will I play today? Will I get inexplicably sent down? If you're Leddy, who am I paired with today?

The guy seems intent on f'ing up this team.

Chicago Blackhawks ‏@NHLBlackhawks
The #Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Brad Mills, and recalled both him and Jeremy Morin from Rockford. http://bit.ly/17ONDbn

Really like the Mills call up...KID WORKS HARD !!!!

- philco28

Like seeing Morin get another shot here...haven't seen enough of Mills, but we are seeing some long in the tooth players here - Rosy, Zeus and Khabby who looked dreadful 19 saves and 6 goals...yikes. Shame Razor wanted to jump, but the guy wanted his shot.

Kind of bummed about Kostka thought he had his best game and then is out for a month or so.

Smith's been playing well. Handzus ought to be taking a seat, IMO. He is ALWAYS behind the play, and now he is taking stupid penalties. Set your lines and play them so they develop chemistry, already. It's got to be a ball of stress playing for Q. If you're top 9, what line will I play on, and how many shifts until he moves me again. If you're a bottom 6, will I play today? Will I get inexplicably sent down? If you're Leddy, who am I paired with today?

The guy seems intent on f'ing up this team.
- Q...argh

Like he did in 2010 and last year?

Are we sure the players care that much which line line they're on? Maybe (probably) from top-6 to 3rd or 4th line, but maybe it energizes them - shakes them up, wakes them up.

Saad thrived after being "sent down" to the third line lady year; Bolland did well in the play-offs after going from 2nd to 4th; Bickell - 3 goals this year after moving out of the top 6.

Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa - the can play well with anyone with top-6 talent - not sure they care which line they're on.

Leddy, being young, might be different - defensemen might care more than forwards - but except for rotating the 6th spot,mQ has kept stable lines.

Really psyched about Morin being called up. Hopefully he takes advantage of it. Mills I guess is center cover if Handzus takes a game or two off....? With Kostka being injured the Hawks will only send one person back I suppose..... Rockford shuttle continues.

Chicago Blackhawks ‏@NHLBlackhawks
The #Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Brad Mills, and recalled both him and Jeremy Morin from Rockford. http://bit.ly/17ONDbn

Really like the Mills call up...KID WORKS HARD !!!!

- philco28

This is just an obvious move to make a spot for Beach in the Rockford lineup.

This is just an obvious move to make a spot for Beach in the Rockford lineup.
- NewToHockey

We're going to see a depleted team Sunday: no Pirri, no Morin....

We're going to see a depleted team Sunday: no Pirri, no Morin....
- StLBravesFan

But you'll get to see Beach and that's awesome!!

>He's a kid I root for
>Really thought his career got a bad break when he was cheap-shotted and concussed on a hit from behind at the World Juniors -- and then the early pro career Rockford concussion that kept him out most of that year
>Have nothing to base it on but a hunch, but I do think Morin could still turn out to be a real NHL "goal scorer" (still only 22)
- SnapitUpstairs

It would be great for Hawks because he was the kid they wanted when they dumped salary in 2010.

Most teams wouldn't have a chance to win with 3 bad goals in regulation..It took a 4th to sink Hawks: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/168XImh

Really psyched about Morin being called up. Hopefully he takes advantage of it. Mills I guess is center cover if Handzus takes a game or two off....? With Kostka being injured the Hawks will only send one person back I suppose..... Rockford shuttle continues.
- yahoodi

18 games in row vs West and a more congested schedule coming up...Time to ramp things up a bit.



Most teams wouldn't have a chance to win with 3 bad goals in regulation..It took a 4th to sink Hawks: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/168XImh

Here is the reality of the situation. All the loyalty and hoping Zus and Rosival can find lightning in a bottle again is the dumbest thing a pro sports team can do to think that is how they will win a cup again.

Each team develops chemistry and an identity, year to year with the players they have. Without that process, your team will be a hollow shell come the playoffs, no matter how talented your core may be.

I will give Q the benefit of the doubt in bringing Pirri along slowly, however, ultimately, you have to bring in new/hungry players who are givin a legitimate shot. If Q wants to pout because Pirri does not play like a 15 year 6 5 center, then shame on him.

This team needs a spark and some energy. As so many like to project what the "room" feels about Saad, or CC or whoever, if I were on the team, I would wonder when Q is gonna put a few guys out to pasture and give some other guys a real chance.

Placing Pirri out with Bollig and whoever else on 4th line in limited time is really no way to evaluate what he is going to be able to do. I know many of you will talk about earning and deserving, I have news for you. Everything every player has done to the point of getting called up = earning. Splitting hairs on the Q scale is just stupid.

Bottom line is this, I will say it again, and you can all laugh, but come December/January Morin will be on a solid third line with Shaw and Bickell, Pirri 2C and Kruger will resume his role as 4th line C, and hopefully he will be flanked by Smith/Bollig/Nordstrom/Hayes.

People can female dog and complain about youth and all that. Chase their tails with the, let these guys cut their teeth in the A, and then when they do, say proof they suck or will not make it is because they have not already been given a chance, even though originally we collectively wanted them to prove something to us in the A.

Right now, I will give Q the benefit of trying a few things the organization wants him to do, but now it is time to role out consistent lines for a few games and let guys either hold their own or move them on. There has not been much hard logic or evidence to point to the opportunities, promotions and demotions, no matter how you feel about a guy.

Step out of the way Q and let the guys do their thing.

Here is the reality of the situation. All the loyalty and hoping Zus and Rosival can find lightning in a bottle again is the dumbest thing a pro sports team can do to think that is how they will win a cup again.

Each team develops chemistry and an identity, year to year with the players they have. Without that process, your team will be a hollow shell come the playoffs, no matter how talented your core may be.

I will give Q the benefit of the doubt in bringing Pirri along slowly, however, ultimately, you have to bring in new/hungry players who are givin a legitimate shot. If Q wants to pout because Pirri does not play like a 15 year 6 5 center, then shame on him.

This team needs a spark and some energy. As so many like to project what the "room" feels about Saad, or CC or whoever, if I were on the team, I would wonder when Q is gonna put a few guys out to pasture and give some other guys a real chance.

Placing Pirri out with Bollig and whoever else on 4th line in limited time is really no way to evaluate what he is going to be able to do. I know many of you will talk about earning and deserving, I have news for you. Everything every player has done to the point of getting called up = earning. Splitting hairs on the Q scale is just stupid.

Bottom line is this, I will say it again, and you can all laugh, but come December/January Morin will be on a solid third line with Shaw and Bickell, Pirri 2C and Kruger will resume his role as 4th line C, and hopefully he will be flanked by Smith/Bollig/Nordstrom/Hayes.

People can female dog and complain about youth and all that. Chase their tails with the, let these guys cut their teeth in the A, and then when they do, say proof they suck or will not make it is because they have not already been given a chance, even though originally we collectively wanted them to prove something to us in the A.

Right now, I will give Q the benefit of trying a few things the organization wants him to do, but now it is time to role out consistent lines for a few games and let guys either hold their own or move them on. There has not been much hard logic or evidence to point to the opportunities, promotions and demotions, no matter how you feel about a guy.

Step out of the way Q and let the guys do their thing.
- TrueGrit

Good post. Q has been dealt a new hand this year and he's trying to figure it out. If it were April, I would understand the concern. But it's early and he needs to figure a few things out. Trust is big with him. If Pirri earns Q's trust, he will likely play more. We'll see

http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/ty_cam/52959/




My updates from the Rockford IceHogs game this week.

Cheers!

You noticed that there's zero return from the 2010 purge too.
- Beaver-Warrior

The worst of all the trades was Ladd fo the Dallas Russian defensemen prospect who was traded to Atlanta and Stan bit on another small puck moving defensemen who never panned out. OUCH!!!!!

http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/ty_cam/52959/




My updates from the Rockford IceHogs game this week.

Cheers!
- TyCamScore

Great to read about the kids in the A, Ty. I asked this on your actual page, but wanted to ask generally about our former 1st rounder d-man.

I was curious if you saw anything particularly notable from Olsen. Has he recovered from his spiral down the organisational depth chart to be able to (if necessary) get a look back with the big club this season?

Where can i get some kind of scouting report on the Mills kid?
- BlazinMike

This is my take on him having seen him play live the other night. He's a checking forward, with a good motor, who gives 110 % during his shifts. He played 4 years at Yale and spent a lot of time in the Devils system, so he's likely fairly intelligent and pays attention to the defensive side of the game.

He's not a big scorer nor does he get into much trouble, but his work ethic keeps him in the thick of the action. Nice to see the kid get a call up, and hope Morin can contribute as well.

Smith's been playing well. Handzus ought to be taking a seat, IMO. He is ALWAYS behind the play, and now he is taking stupid penalties. Set your lines and play them so they develop chemistry, already. It's got to be a ball of stress playing for Q. If you're top 9, what line will I play on, and how many shifts until he moves me again. If you're a bottom 6, will I play today? Will I get inexplicably sent down? If you're Leddy, who am I paired with today?

The guy seems intent on f'ing up this team.
- Q...argh

No

Here is the reality of the situation. All the loyalty and hoping Zus and Rosival can find lightning in a bottle again is the dumbest thing a pro sports team can do to think that is how they will win a cup again.

Each team develops chemistry and an identity, year to year with the players they have. Without that process, your team will be a hollow shell come the playoffs, no matter how talented your core may be.

I will give Q the benefit of the doubt in bringing Pirri along slowly, however, ultimately, you have to bring in new/hungry players who are givin a legitimate shot. If Q wants to pout because Pirri does not play like a 15 year 6 5 center, then shame on him.

This team needs a spark and some energy. As so many like to project what the "room" feels about Saad, or CC or whoever, if I were on the team, I would wonder when Q is gonna put a few guys out to pasture and give some other guys a real chance.

Placing Pirri out with Bollig and whoever else on 4th line in limited time is really no way to evaluate what he is going to be able to do. I know many of you will talk about earning and deserving, I have news for you. Everything every player has done to the point of getting called up = earning. Splitting hairs on the Q scale is just stupid.

Bottom line is this, I will say it again, and you can all laugh, but come December/January Morin will be on a solid third line with Shaw and Bickell, Pirri 2C and Kruger will resume his role as 4th line C, and hopefully he will be flanked by Smith/Bollig/Nordstrom/Hayes.

People can female dog and complain about youth and all that. Chase their tails with the, let these guys cut their teeth in the A, and then when they do, say proof they suck or will not make it is because they have not already been given a chance, even though originally we collectively wanted them to prove something to us in the A.

Right now, I will give Q the benefit of trying a few things the organization wants him to do, but now it is time to role out consistent lines for a few games and let guys either hold their own or move them on. There has not been much hard logic or evidence to point to the opportunities, promotions and demotions, no matter how you feel about a guy.

Step out of the way Q and let the guys do their thing.
- TrueGrit

Some good points, some not so good points

Let's get Pirri out of the way first since we have opposing views. You know how I feel about the kid....it's not a matter of evaluating what he can do because Q knows what he has with him....he has been in the system for 4 years, they know what they have. Like another poster said , it's about Q trusting Pirri. It has been blogged, written, etc on how Pirri needs to develop a two way game. He needs to show he has one on the 4th line, not on the 2nd. No one questions he can score but that's not what the Hawks need, especially on the top six.

As far as the players on the team questioning the coach and wondering when he's going to give the other guys a real chance.....that's not even close to how a player thinks. NHL'ers are all about earning it and hard work because let's face it...all of them have put in the hard work to get to the NHL. They are loyal to a fault, especially with the guy they've gone to war with......if you think for a second Sharp and Hossa would rather have Pirri than Handzus you're crazy. They won a cup with Zus and that says it all.

Furthermore every player on the Hawks knows how Q is...but they've won two cups with him and they all accept, know, and understand how it is....and I bet know one is complaining. Q will be the head coach for the Hawks for as long as he wants to be.

...and BTW....Q pouting? Really???

After hockey practice my son and I went for pizza....JJ Twigs..if anyone knows it..great place...


Watching the Senators/Ducks game my son says to me.....out of the blue...


"Daddy the Hawks should trade Bickel for Getzlaf"


......after nearly choking on my pizza I looked at him and asked..."who are you and what have you done with my son?"

No
- UnnamedSource

yes

yes
- Q...argh

im glad you agree with me....

http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/ty_cam/52959/




My updates from the Rockford IceHogs game this week.

Cheers!
- TyCamScore

No confirmation on Beach return to Icehogs? As mentioned in threads in past months, he has ability but his maturity is still an issue. I haven't seen much of him at games insofar as whether his balance on skates has improved. That was an issue; that was why he was loosing board battles. He has NHL ability but he cannot be viewed as anything more than a role player whenever and if he does get his NHL cup of coffee. He has a ways to,go from the cheerful draft day prognosis of riding shotgun with Toews and Kane.

The younger Broadhurst played on a second or third line on a loaded (NHL draft choices aplenty) his final year of junior. May turn out if the younger Broadhurst makes NHL, he would be a skilled second line offensive player. But his older brother, obviously not an NHL talent, maybe gets a one game reward as an energy skater?

I mean, if Mills can get a recall....and he is a marginal talent but a hard worker, then the older Broadhurst could conceivably get a game should there be a lot of injuries?

The idea about McNeil not becoming a prototype power forward is the analysis I was waiting to read just might be the case. But McNeill sounds like he has some things in his game that teams want. Just may not be a projection as a #2 center.

How is Danault on face offs? Good in juniors, how about so far his face off ratio in the AHL?

Does he look like he is getting more comfortable at the position?
- rtang415

If last three games is enough to give some clue to this, I would say yes.

I notice a Travis Morin on the Texas Stars is leading the AHL in scoring with 17 points in 7 games. Anyone know if he's related to Jeremy?

Here is the reality of the situation. All the loyalty and hoping Zus and Rosival can find lightning in a bottle again is the dumbest thing a pro sports team can do to think that is how they will win a cup again.

Each team develops chemistry and an identity, year to year with the players they have. Without that process, your team will be a hollow shell come the playoffs, no matter how talented your core may be.

I will give Q the benefit of the doubt in bringing Pirri along slowly, however, ultimately, you have to bring in new/hungry players who are givin a legitimate shot. If Q wants to pout because Pirri does not play like a 15 year 6 5 center, then shame on him.

This team needs a spark and some energy. As so many like to project what the "room" feels about Saad, or CC or whoever, if I were on the team, I would wonder when Q is gonna put a few guys out to pasture and give some other guys a real chance.

Placing Pirri out with Bollig and whoever else on 4th line in limited time is really no way to evaluate what he is going to be able to do. I know many of you will talk about earning and deserving, I have news for you. Everything every player has done to the point of getting called up = earning. Splitting hairs on the Q scale is just stupid.

Bottom line is this, I will say it again, and you can all laugh, but come December/January Morin will be on a solid third line with Shaw and Bickell, Pirri 2C and Kruger will resume his role as 4th line C, and hopefully he will be flanked by Smith/Bollig/Nordstrom/Hayes.

People can female dog and complain about youth and all that. Chase their tails with the, let these guys cut their teeth in the A, and then when they do, say proof they suck or will not make it is because they have not already been given a chance, even though originally we collectively wanted them to prove something to us in the A.

Right now, I will give Q the benefit of trying a few things the organization wants him to do, but now it is time to role out consistent lines for a few games and let guys either hold their own or move them on. There has not been much hard logic or evidence to point to the opportunities, promotions and demotions, no matter how you feel about a guy.

Step out of the way Q and let the guys do their thing.
- TrueGrit

That's a lot to get off your chest at one sitting, hope it was cathartic.

Q pouting about pirri is a classic!