Botch has repeated a couple times how the Edmonton media was going nuts after the JV hit.
Sounds like JV has really made an impression with his physical play and pushing the offense the last 2 games.
If he played centre, I could see him staying up. He will get his 9 games, if he is sent back to jr after, I think he will survive and get better offensively.
If Virtanen earns a spot, who gets dealt? Would like to see Higgins moved, maybe Hansen or Kenins? - hillbillydeluxe
Location: Turning a new Leaf, CA Joined: 09.29.2010
Sep 15 @ 1:41 PM ET
John Jaeckel: Chicago Blackhawks
My heart says "all is well." My eyes see a team that's played a lot of hockey over the past three seasons, gone through yet another post-cap salary purge, and now may start the season (at least) without it's best pure offensive player. That's a lot to overcome.
I really like the pickup of Jan Hejda via a PTO—my gut tells me he can give the Hawks a really steady, solidifying 12-15 minutes a night on the bottom pair. And maybe the Hawks catch lightning in a bottle with some combination of Marko Dano, Teuvo Teravainen and perhaps a Calder Trophy dark horse in Artemi Panarin.
Still, the gap between a playoff team and a bubble team in the West is typically wafer thin. I honestly believe this could be the first year the Hawks miss the playoffs since 2008. Maybe they get in, as well, but unless a lot comes together the right way, I don't see them going far (this year—because I do believe they will be a very good team for another few years after) in the playoffs.
-John Jaeckel
From the Hawks blogger, basically validating my earlier prediction of the Hawks missing the playoffs... for all the naysayers who think i was on drugs... lols..
Botch has repeated a couple times how the Edmonton media was going nuts after the JV hit.
Sounds like JV has really made an impression with his physical play and pushing the offense the last 2 games.
If he played centre, I could see him staying up. He will get his 9 games, if he is sent back to jr after, I think he will survive and get better offensively.
If Virtanen earns a spot, who gets dealt? Would like to see Higgins moved, maybe Hansen or Kenins? - hillbillydeluxe
Location: I didn't read it , BC Joined: 09.21.2013
Sep 15 @ 1:46 PM ET
From the Hawks blogger, basically validating my earlier prediction of the Hawks missing the playoffs... for all the naysayers who think i was on drugs... lols.. - kaptaan
So, what you are saying is, you and Jaeckel do drugs together?
From the Hawks blogger, basically validating my earlier prediction of the Hawks missing the playoffs... for all the naysayers who think i was on drugs... lols.. - kaptaan
The hawks will not miss the playoffs and Kane will play.
I think the lines might look more like this, I don't want Dorsett and Prust on the same line. WD is going to roll them and the ice time may be quite close with the bottom 3 lines.
If we aren't scoring, I wonder how long WD will give whatever lines he has before making changes? - hillbillydeluxe
CA was pointing out that Benning said 3 players would be trying out for the Sedin's winger. He mentioned Burrows and Vrbata but not the 3rd. I know many are thinking Virtanen might be that player but interestingly Hansen is who CA were thinking.
Not sure I love Hansen with the Sedins but it certainly spreads the talent out a bit further.
They were saying
Sedin Sedin Hansen
Higgins Sutter Burrows
Baertschi Horvat Vrbata
Prust Vey Dorsett.
I certainly do like the idea of Horvat getting talented line mates and having a true shutdown line again.
Botch has repeated a couple times how the Edmonton media was going nuts after the JV hit.
Sounds like JV has really made an impression with his physical play and pushing the offense the last 2 games.
If he played centre, I could see him staying up. He will get his 9 games, if he is sent back to jr after, I think he will survive and get better offensively.
If Virtanen earns a spot, who gets dealt? Would like to see Higgins moved, maybe Hansen or Kenins? - hillbillydeluxe
Higgins is the first guy I'd like to see moved for sure. For a few reasons.
Botch has repeated a couple times how the Edmonton media was going nuts after the JV hit.
Sounds like JV has really made an impression with his physical play and pushing the offense the last 2 games.
If he played centre, I could see him staying up. He will get his 9 games, if he is sent back to jr after, I think he will survive and get better offensively.
If Virtanen earns a spot, who gets dealt? Would like to see Higgins moved, maybe Hansen or Kenins? - hillbillydeluxe
Kenins still can pass through waivers until he plays 70gms in the NHL I think so he won't need to be dealt to allow Virtanen to play.
Benning is also running with 7 D right now so the team could have 14 forwards and cycle them through the lineup.
I think pre-season/early season injuries or lack thereof will dictate if Virtanen sticks as well as obviously his play.
Higgins is the first guy I'd like to see moved for sure. For a few reasons. - LeftCoaster
I'd say Higgins too. He's a good depth player that's spent too much time playing over his head, and yet he seems to be a go to guy for secondary offence. I'd like to see that safety net removed.
Hansen beings speed, grit and is great on the forecheck. He's a good player as long as you keep him away from the Sedins.
CA was pointing out that Benning said 3 players would be trying out for the Sedin's winger. He mentioned Burrows and Vrbata but not the 3rd. I know many are thinking Virtanen might be that player but interestingly Hansen is who CA were thinking.
Not sure I love Hansen with the Sedins but it certainly spreads the talent out a bit further.
They were saying
Sedin Sedin Hansen
Higgins Sutter Burrows
Baertschi Horvat Vrbata
Prust Vey Dorsett.
I certainly do like the idea of Horvat getting talented line mates and having a true shutdown line again. - belcherbd
This isn't entirely "correct". I believe he said he already knew that Burrows and Vrbata worked with the twins, and that they planned to try a few (3) players with the twins. To me that reads like other guys who have never played a regular shift there will get a chance...
Location: I didn't read it , BC Joined: 09.21.2013
Sep 15 @ 2:04 PM ET
CA was pointing out that Benning said 3 players would be trying out for the Sedin's winger. He mentioned Burrows and Vrbata but not the 3rd. I know many are thinking Virtanen might be that player but interestingly Hansen is who CA were thinking.
Not sure I love Hansen with the Sedins but it certainly spreads the talent out a bit further.
They were saying
Sedin Sedin Hansen
Higgins Sutter Burrows
Baertschi Horvat Vrbata
Prust Vey Dorsett.
I certainly do like the idea of Horvat getting talented line mates and having a true shutdown line again. - belcherbd
I said line #'s be damned and the first thing I think is you should switch the 2nd and 3rd lines around.
I could live with what you have there and hope WD will be a bit more inclined to experiment to find some good line chemistry. We have some players that have and can score. I think we have an interesting group of forwards.
I think Vey can contribute, just not sure- as with many on here, if he will find any success with Dorsett and Prust. I think JB got in Baertschi what he hoped for from Vey.
Location: I didn't read it , BC Joined: 09.21.2013
Sep 15 @ 2:08 PM ET
I don't have a hate for Higgins, I just don't see him as a top 6 player anymore. - Marwood
So, you did see him as a top6 at one time?
If WD is going to roll the lines, I have softened on my Higgins stance. Still wouldn't mind seeing him gone, but if Bo is 3rd line centre and they want to put Baertschi on his wing, I'd rather see Baertschi there than Higgins.
If WD is going to roll the lines, I have softened on my Higgins stance. Still wouldn't mind seeing him gone, but if Bo is 3rd line centre and they want to put Baertschi on his wing, I'd rather see Baertschi there than Higgins. - hillbillydeluxe
Maybe several years ago. He's had little to no success in that role for the past few seasons, don't why people want to keep plugging him in there. It makes as much sense as playing Hansen on the 1st line with the Sedins.
Location: I didn't read it , BC Joined: 09.21.2013
Sep 15 @ 2:24 PM ET
Maybe several years ago. He's had little to no success in that role for the past few seasons, don't why people want to keep plugging him in there. It makes as much sense as playing Hansen on the 1st line with the Sedins. - Marwood
I am with you.
But, I am guessing here, Higgins is still considered one of the hardest workers in the training room and on the ice. AV, Torts and WD have all had him on the second line wing. As CB said earlier, he is like the safety net for that spot. Defensively responsible with a little upside. One of WD's vets.
So, when I put him on the second line, it is more so the trend than my preference. But if there could be a third line with Baerstchi Horvat Virtanen, I am not sure how good they'd be defensively, it would at least be entertaining.
considering how much time you spend going through posts that happened hours ago, its amazing that you are unable to comprehend any of it. Maybe you should take a bit take a bit more time to sort through this all.
Looking forward to reading your response to every post from today saying the same thing again and again. - belcherbd
I was out fishing all evening in my jet boat. I spend little time on this forum at this time of the year.
