Anyone at the convention?

Anyone at the convention?
- walleyeb1

Lots of former Hawks.

Lots of former Hawks.
- StLBravesFan

Went once in 2015 (picked a good year) was a lot of fun.

Just turned 30. I don't think I've ever seen a curt fraser fight. And most of the secord fights I've seen he seems to be a hugger Ala Brashear or a early stortini.
- vandymeer23

Fraser was tough as nails. Ask Dave Farrish. Started in Vancouver on a good young line with Gradin and Smyl. Threw em hard and fast.

Fraser was tough as nails. Ask Dave Farrish. Started in Vancouver on a good young line with Gradin and Smyl. Threw em hard and fast.
- walter34

Traded Tony Tanti for him who went on to score 40 goals in 3 seasons with
Vancouver. In hindsight it was a bad trade.

Peluso and magnusson were usually punching bags. Ciconne was a nut job fun to watch. And cummins was a gamer but never a top fighter.
- vandymeer23

My favorite was Jocelyn Lemieux beating the crap out of Harold Schnepps.

Jocelyn

Other mentions from the presser:

Q thinks Schmaltz plays each forward position equally well. He's weighing whether to reunite Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, or seek "more balance" in the pairings. Said it's "not a bad thing" to have an influx of youth along the blue line. Said pairings, ice time will sort out in camp. And he mentioned Sikura and Hillman* among the prospects.

Bowman said he likes Murphy's leadership - said he's really a solid two-way defenseman with a lot of range to his game. Said when the team places Hossa on LTIR, they'll be evaluating how the team is performing before utilizing the cap space. Thought Sikura stood out among all the prospects this week. When asked about Toews: "Everyone needs to get better. I don’t know that Jonathan’s any different than anyone else."

*Hillman is interesting because I don't think he's been mentioned much at all, if any, by people covering the prospects. 21 year old D-man who shoots left, selected in the 3rd round in 2016 in his 2nd draft eligible year, out of University of Denver.
- L_B_R

He could be a nice surprise. Also, .maybe he can talk his d partner, Butcher into signing with Hawks.

Little blurb on Hillman from Hockey's Future RE: 2017 Frozen Four.

"The best story coming out of the regionals for Denver was the emergence of freshman defenseman Blake Hillman. The Elk River, MN native earned the regional’s MVP honor after a terrific performance in which he amassed four points (two goals, two assists), including netting the game-winner versus Ferris State in the regional final. Hillman and junior Will Butcher (COL) comprise Denver’s top defensive pairing as well as one of the nation’s top-scoring defensive duos."

Read more at http://www.hockeysfuture....eoff/#P8Xhkhq9CyJqMfy5.99

Interesting read:

Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman: ‘Excellent’ Relationship With Joel Quenneville, Page Turned On Mike Kitchen Firing


http://chicago.cbslocal.c...Chicago+%28CBS+Chicago%29
- walleyeb1

Rozner is one of Bowman/McD's puppets...and he was on with Hanley this morning for the interview...

what I thought was interesting tonight was that all of the Hawks players and alumni were wearing their Reebok jerseys...I think we've seen those new ones with the white collars and they're hideous...hats off to the league on another major f-ck up.

I also thought some of the comments from the video shown on CSN were interesting to say the least...Kane was pretty upset about losing Panarin...and at the same time there seemed to be a consensus that the defense is the bigger concern...no question losing Hammer looms very large.

The comments regarding Hossa from both Sharp and Saad really hit home. A true pro who will be missed in the dressing even more than on the ice...wow. I don't know how you replace Hossa. The reality is you can't. What I appreciate about his game is not only how he sees the game on the offensive end, but what an absolute demon he's been defensively. I love how fans of other teams continually are female dogging about that we're getting a break...I think we'd all rather have 81 in the lineup.

So it'll be interesting to see what they do here once they LTIR Hossa's deal on the 2nd day of the season.- defense needs help and Kane needs his left wing...stay tuned...

Toews on his new outlook for this season - let's hope it works

http://www.chicagotribune...-0723-20170722-story.html

Toews on his new outlook for this season - let's hope it works

http://www.chicagotribune...-0723-20170722-story.html
- pdx2ord

I'm afraid to read it!

I think he is too slow. AA is already not a blazer. The reality is every game you might pick has a issue. Shmaltz needs a shooter and kane is a passer. sharp is old, Hartman is more of a grinder, Jurco is probably just not good enough not consistent. fortin needs to prove his a NHL player but does have the speed.

Also why is everybody down on Rutta? He was very good in the worlds. He is 26 and he is righty. 6-3 200 lbs

“He’s a steady defenseman with size, and he had strong finish of the season,” one NHL scout said. “He was very good in the playoffs and played his best at the Worlds.”

Another NHL scout said, “He looks like a late bloomer. He became a big player the last couple of years. He’s a big guy, a right-handed shot who can skate for a big guy. He sees the ice well. He’s pretty good on the power play in the Czech league at every level. He’s got a pretty good shot. I think he can play in the NHL depending on what team it is. I will say most teams will use him as a depth defenseman.”
- kmw4631

Kane has one of the best releases in the NHL. A pass first guy maybe gets him back in the 40ish goal range

I'm afraid to read it!
- walleyeb1

No space cadet comments. Pretty level-headed

Fraser was tough as nails. Ask Dave Farrish. Started in Vancouver on a good young line with Gradin and Smyl. Threw em hard and fast.
- walter34

No at the time Hawks needed toughness , I think it was the playoffs before the Canucks beat the tar out of the Hawks. FRASER was tough. He put up good numbers until injuries took their toll.
Then the Hawks somehow fished in Minnesota to give us Graham for him. Graham was tough as nails too and a good players well

Rozner is one of Bowman/McD's puppets...and he was on with Hanley this morning for the interview...

what I thought was interesting tonight was that all of the Hawks players and alumni were wearing their Reebok jerseys...I think we've seen those new ones with the white collars and they're hideous...hats off to the league on another major f-ck up.

I also thought some of the comments from the video shown on CSN were interesting to say the least...Kane was pretty upset about losing Panarin...and at the same time there seemed to be a consensus that the defense is the bigger concern...no question losing Hammer looms very large.

The comments regarding Hossa from both Sharp and Saad really hit home. A true pro who will be missed in the dressing even more than on the ice...wow. I don't know how you replace Hossa. The reality is you can't. What I appreciate about his game is not only how he sees the game on the offensive end, but what an absolute demon he's been defensively. I love how fans of other teams continually are female dogging about that we're getting a break...I think we'd all rather have 81 in the lineup.

So it'll be interesting to see what they do here once they LTIR Hossa's deal on the 2nd day of the season.- defense needs help and Kane needs his left wing...stay tuned...
- DK002

I remember this one game where Hossa was out killing a 5 on 3 and he was all over the ice. Practically killed it on his own, keeping the puck away from whoever the Hawks were palying that night.

You definitely don't just replace him but thankfully RW's a position the Hawks seem to have a bit of a suprlus, though I'd still rather he play this season.

I'm not all that worried about Kane's LW. I think you'll see some different guys there at times courtesy of Q: Sharp, Schmalztz, Saad, Hartman.

The D on the otherhand is still a question mark and deepnding on how they look once the season starts, is where I could see potentially using Hossa's LTIR $$$.

Just turned 30. I don't think I've ever seen a curt fraser fight. And most of the secord fights I've seen he seems to be a hugger Ala Brashear or a early stortini.
- vandymeer23

Ok Jimmy boy, some of us got ya by 30 also, so I'm gonna go back to the old days, Regarding Kieth Magnuson and some of the other so called punching bags, he would fight guys like Orland Kurthenbach, Reggie Fleming, John Ferguson, Dave Schultz, Hound Kelly ect. ,who what I feel would beat the livin piss out of half of these so called tough guys in today's game. Maggie included.
Regarding Secord, him and Chris Nilan used to have so nasty fights, you probably saw a few of Al's fights towards the end of his career , but when he first came up , he had a vicious Left hand bomb that was nasty. Early 80's probably was the best fighter in the league for a couple of years.
By the way kid, I love your passion for old school hockey, Give the game back to the players, let them take care of the so called law breakers out on the ice.
I am sure , like myself, most guys who post on these boards are quite knowledgable fans who ,from time to time interact with players in todays game, everyone I ask about the " code " on the ice, every single kid says they still live by the words" ya wanna go" ,or " it's go time". and believe in policing the game within reason. A bloody nose or a bust in the chops some times was part of " the good ole hockey game!"

Toews on his new outlook for this season - let's hope it works

http://www.chicagotribune...-0723-20170722-story.html
- pdx2ord

That article seems to confirm my hypothesis that Jonathan Toews was feeling the weight and pressure of his $10.5mil contract. Putting too much pressure on himself to produce and playing tight is what I saw from him the last 2 years (as well as no jump in his legs most nights). For the majority of the last 150 games he has played, there was very little confidence with the puck, especially off the rush entering the O-zone. Toews used to beat guys 1v1 dangling or taking it hard to the net. The last 2 years he would simply pull up along the half wall or turn the puck over completely. He needs to just relax and play hockey like he did for the first 27 years of his life. Also, Q appears to be as excited as I am about the potential of a big boy 1st line of Saad-Toews-Panik.

The best recap I've seen of camp and player comments: http://puckinhostile.blog...-blackhawks-prospect.html

Mark Lazerus ‏Verified account @MarkLazerus 18h18 hours ago
Anisimov on Panarin: "It’s hard to see my close friend going to my old team. But when we play each other, I’m going to try to hit him."

Mark Lazerus‏ Verified account @MarkLazerus 19h19 hours ago
Nick Schmaltz said he'd rather move back to center, but certainly wouldn't mind being Patrick Kane's left wing. #Blackhawks

Mark Lazerus ‏Verified account @MarkLazerus 19h19 hours ago
#Blackhawks assistants:
Dineen: Will stay with PP
Samuelsson: PK, defense
Granato: Likely will be upstairs with Waite during games

The best recap I've seen of camp and player comments: http://puckinhostile.blog...-blackhawks-prospect.html
- Mr Ricochet

Thank you for sharing that link. Things that stood out to me (granted that blog is one person's opinion and not sure if his opinion has any more weight than any of ours):

- Knott's stock seems to be falling.
- Krys, Bondra, and Radke's stock seem to be rising.
- Mitchell in addition to Krys were the standout d-men in camp.
- Jokiharju, Laavainen, and Tuulola (all Finns) were unspectacular but solid.
- Soderlund is comparable to Arvidsson if he reaches his potential; have seen this comparison on other blogs as well.
- From seems to have potential as a relentless checking forward with some offensive talent.
- Press played wing during the scrimmage although he is a d-man.
- Tomkins and Delia (undrafted) stood out as goalie prospects to keep an eye on.
- Sikura was clearly the best prospect in camp and maybe tops in the organization.

Thank you for sharing that link. Things that stood out to me (granted that blog is one person's opinion and not sure if his opinion has any more weight than any of ours):

- Knott's stock seems to be falling.
- Krys, Bondra, and Radke's stock seem to be rising.
- Mitchell in addition to Krys were the standout d-men in camp.
- Jokiharju, Laavainen, and Tuulola (all Finns) were unspectacular but solid.
- Soderlund is comparable to Arvidsson if he reaches his potential; have seen this comparison on other blogs as well.
- From seems to have potential as a relentless checking forward with some offensive talent.
- Press played wing during the scrimmage although he is a d-man.
- Tomkins and Delia (undrafted) stood out as goalie prospects to keep an eye on.
- Sikura was clearly the best prospect in camp and maybe tops in the organization.
- AEL_Fox

What is his best position? Better C or on the wing?

What is his best position? Better C or on the wing?
- z1990z

Read an article earlier this week where it said Sikura has played wing most of his life (I mistakenly thought he was a natural center). When he started hockey he played wing, then switched to center for a few years (in junior, I think) and is now a winger in college.

The Hawks drafted him as a center in 2014, but I believe they want him at wing, maybe similar to Kane as a playmaking wing with a strong ability to score goals (and definitely not saying Sikura has Kane-like potential, just saying similar styles).

Thank you for sharing that link. Things that stood out to me (granted that blog is one person's opinion and not sure if his opinion has any more weight than any of ours):

- Knott's stock seems to be falling.
- Krys, Bondra, and Radke's stock seem to be rising.
- Mitchell in addition to Krys were the standout d-men in camp.
- Jokiharju, Laavainen, and Tuulola (all Finns) were unspectacular but solid.
- Soderlund is comparable to Arvidsson if he reaches his potential; have seen this comparison on other blogs as well.
- From seems to have potential as a relentless checking forward with some offensive talent.
- Press played wing during the scrimmage although he is a d-man.
- Tomkins and Delia (undrafted) stood out as goalie prospects to keep an eye on.
- Sikura was clearly the best prospect in camp and maybe tops in the organization.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks!

I keep trying to remind myself that it´s July and few days of camp. Let´s not jump to conclusions how they´ll develop from here. A lot can and will happen before we really know who´s the real deal and who is not.

Thanks!

I keep trying to remind myself that it´s July and few days of camp. Let´s not jump to conclusions how they´ll develop from here. A lot can and will happen before we really know who´s the real deal and who is not.
- MjulQvist

That scouting report does not bode well for Alex Debrincat making the Hawks this year. Also, I didnt realize Fortin had sports hernia surgery......

Thank you for sharing that link. Things that stood out to me (granted that blog is one person's opinion and not sure if his opinion has any more weight than any of ours):

- Knott's stock seems to be falling.
- Krys, Bondra, and Radke's stock seem to be rising.
- Mitchell in addition to Krys were the standout d-men in camp.
- Jokiharju, Laavainen, and Tuulola (all Finns) were unspectacular but solid.
- Soderlund is comparable to Arvidsson if he reaches his potential; have seen this comparison on other blogs as well.
- From seems to have potential as a relentless checking forward with some offensive talent.
- Press played wing during the scrimmage although he is a d-man.
- Tomkins and Delia (undrafted) stood out as goalie prospects to keep an eye on.
- Sikura was clearly the best prospect in camp and maybe tops in the organization.
- AEL_Fox

Probably Knott (I mean not)

He could be a nice surprise. Also, .maybe he can talk his d partner, Butcher into signing with Hawks.

Little blurb on Hillman from Hockey's Future RE: 2017 Frozen Four.

"The best story coming out of the regionals for Denver was the emergence of freshman defenseman Blake Hillman. The Elk River, MN native earned the regional’s MVP honor after a terrific performance in which he amassed four points (two goals, two assists), including netting the game-winner versus Ferris State in the regional final. Hillman and junior Will Butcher (COL) comprise Denver’s top defensive pairing as well as one of the nation’s top-scoring defensive duos."

Read more at http://www.hockeysfuture....eoff/#P8Xhkhq9CyJqMfy5.99
- TyCamScore

I linked to this only to see if it was indeed a NEW update at the site that has gone dark, it was from April of last year..
HockeysFuture's future is in doubt and a real mystery.

Let's buy it.