JJ, Surprised that there wasn't a mention of "Olson needs to work on his skating" in your take. And yes this camp shindig has much merit as a 4th year overage wing scoring 50 in the W...
- Beaver-Warrior

Yeah, ok, seriously, I can't even follow your attempts at snark (if that's what this is) anymore.

But continued good luck with it.

It's too bad they are only doing one real scrimmage this week, given it's "equal" importance to battle drills, etc. in gauging a player's overall skill set. Wonder if it is because they feel like they know each player's in-game potential having scouted them for so long, but they aren't clear enough on their fundamentals?
- pdx2ord

They have also scouted these guys to the ends of time in game situations, so it makes more sense to see their individual drill and practice habits.

D-Cat is doing fine. JJ even quotes someone who says it is a D-Cat camp. 3 on 3 drills are exceedingly important because they show Hockey IQ. In actual game situations, at the base level, you are trying to achieve 2 things - find open ice, create open ice. Take a pass, give a pass. If you watch D-Cat in games he is able to do this, even in heavy traffic. 1 on 1 drills have their place but tend to truly highlight certain players, with certain skill sets. In actual game situations a player is not trying to complete 1 on 1 moves often, instead it is about getting open or finding the open player. We also have to realize that other players are just showing up and playing while D-Cat is under incredible pressure and scrutiny. He is under a microscope. His past performance has caused this but I'm sure he'd rather just be showing and playing.
- Z3Hawk

Except when you're defending, killing penalties, trying to get the puck through a neutral zone trap, and some other stuff.

1 on 1, or what it approximates, is very important, especially for a winger whose primary area of play is along the wall and in the corners.

3-on-3 half ice drills (with other prospects) will allow a player like ADB, whose game is all about the offensive zone and making quick decisions, getting off quick shots, shine.

It is not, however, indicative of a complete NHL player.

Hoffman is a much quicker, faster, dynamic player than DeBrincat, no?
- Mr Ricochet

Much faster. No comparison.

Much faster. No comparison.
- John Jaeckel

He was comparing to Fortin, not ADB.

He was comparing to Fortin, not ADB.
- JRoenick97

Ya, haha, I just back read. No worries.

Dunno if Fortin will ever = Mike Hoffman but he is a guy with some wheels who can make plays at top speed.

Exactly. Gretzky's brilliance was how thought the game. At times it looked like the other team wasn't really even concerned with him, which we know wasn't true. But because he was 100x smarter than everyone else on the ice it looked like Gretz was playing his own game out there. I've seen no one since who could think the game like him and I doubt Alex Debrincat thinks it like him either, but that IS a strength of Alex and it will manifest itself when we toss the cones behind the wall and drop the pucks.
- kwolf68

One would hope.

Ya, haha, I just back read. No worries.

Dunno if Fortin will ever = Mike Hoffman but he is a guy with some wheels who can make plays at top speed.
- John Jaeckel

I hope he can equal or better what he did last camp and preseason this year with a bigger frame. He's the guy to watch as far as I'm concerned.

Except when you're defending, killing penalties, trying to get the puck through a neutral zone trap, and some other stuff.

1 on 1, or what it approximates, is very important, especially for a winger whose primary area of play is along the wall and in the corners.

3-on-3 half ice drills (with other prospects) will allow a player like ADB, whose game is all about the offensive zone and making quick decisions, getting off quick shots, shine.

It is not, however, indicative of a complete NHL player.
- John Jaeckel

Exactly. Look at Schmaltz. Exciting in open ice but loses puck battles constantly. He got handled by the Preds. Felt sorry for him, it wasn't for lack of effort.

It definitely affects a line's threat to score when they can't keep the puck along the boards or down low. Main thing he needs to improve, aside from taking the shot more often.

I hope he can equal or better what he did last camp and preseason this year with a bigger frame. He's the guy to watch as far as I'm concerned.
- JRoenick97

Because of his speed, and a couple of other qualities he showed last year (always around the play, good hands and recognition), he's the one I am most excited about. But I also temper it with the fact that was one camp.

Exactly. Look at Schmaltz. Exciting in open ice but loses puck battles constantly. He got handled by the Preds. Felt sorry for him, it wasn't for lack of effort.

It definitely affects a line's threat to score when they can't keep the puck along the boards or down low. Main thing he needs to improve, aside from taking the shot more often.
- kinigitt

His relative advantages playing in space with OHL and camp guys will somewhat dissipate versus the big boys, who are bigger, quicker and smarter. And the physical mano a mano stuff will be a huge challenge for him there if he is struggling now.

Personally, I'm not expecting much out of ADB in preseason, but I'd love to be pleasantly surprised. Even for all the vision/Hockey IQ, a lot of it will come to physical ability and the vision/hockey IQ didn't do much for him last September when he was in camp with the Hawks.

He probably progressed year over year, but IMO there isn't anything from him so far that looks like he has come leaps and bounds yet. Not saying he put up a great preseason, just that I don't know that he is much better indication he is improved from last year. Would love to see him succeed.

His relative advantages playing in space with OHL and camp guys will somewhat dissipate versus the big boys, who are bigger, quicker and smarter. And the physical mano a mano stuff will be a huge challenge for him there if he is struggling now.
- John Jaeckel

JJ - you probably covered this in a previous blog....why was Fortin never drafted?

Are the Hawks still getting Duchense, E Kane and Galchenyuk?

Are the Hawks still getting Duchense, E Kane and Galchenyuk?
- Newgod77

Go away.

Are the Hawks still getting Duchense, E Kane and Galchenyuk?
- Newgod77

Is Boston still reaping the rewards from trading away Tyler Seguin?

An early Thanksgiving acknowledgement, I am thankful for JJ, this group and those devoted and passionate to all things hockey. My Facebook feed was stuffed today by about 90 adults who failed at order of operation and the dumb McDonald's math equation. Even the infrequent trolls make more sense than the dribble i read over there.

Are the Hawks still getting Duchense, E Kane and Galchenyuk?
- Newgod77

I'll answer in 17 seconds . . . . . . .

Personally, I'm not expecting much out of ADB in preseason, but I'd love to be pleasantly surprised. Even for all the vision/Hockey IQ, a lot of it will come to physical ability and the vision/hockey IQ didn't do much for him last September when he was in camp with the Hawks.

He probably progressed year over year, but IMO there isn't anything from him so far that looks like he has come leaps and bounds yet. Not saying he put up a great preseason, just that I don't know that he is much better indication he is improved from last year. Would love to see him succeed.
- breadbag

Same here and I think tempered expectations for many prospects is the safer route. When the Hawks sign a college UFA or an European UFA to supplement a less then ready pipleline to fill gaps up at the big club, I am little less tolerant.

While contrary to some I am not writing off this upcoming season, but to an extent to expect a lot of guys (young/older (sharp) to come in and plug holes and assume they will be a legit cup contender I think is unfair. Should they make the playoffs? Yeah, they should Will they be a top seed? Doubtful.

I thought 2 years ago if they could get by STL they would win the cup. This past year, while the regular season success was there, they still were flawed in too many spots which doomed them.

This year, I am curbing expectations and hopeful that development to guys like Kempny, Rutta, Forsling, Schmaltz, Hartman, Kero, and even Murphy who lets be honest....if he was a keeper Arizona doesn't deal him, all take another step to developing and reaching their individual ceilings......and with Hossa going on LTIR, that should give Bowman flexibility to possibly add a veteran on D for a playoff run.

An early Thanksgiving acknowledgement, I am thankful for JJ, this group and those devoted and passionate to all things hockey. My Facebook feed was stuffed today by about 90 adults who failed at order of operation and the dumb McDonald's math equation. Even the infrequent trolls make more sense than the dribble i read over there.


- riozzo

I'm not on facebook....I joined briefly as a guy on my hockey team created a team page, and then quickly realized that I dont' want to see a feed of people's meals, and weird @ss posts.

I'm alarmed how much personal stuff people put on there without even thinking twice......that site will get hacked at some point, and people will be panicking......

One would hope.
- John Jaeckel

Yep. One thing that you've hinted at is that ADB lacks some intangibles (work ethic, etc) and I've seen none of that personally, but if that is a problem then I downgrade his chances of success. Maybe I am interpreting what you said wrong?

It is that time a year again for JJ to bash prospects. Of course he does this every month. The league is getting younger,faster,and cheaper. Depth is needed to win cups and prosperts build depth. Why do teams covet draft picks so much? This is how the Hawks won in 2010,because they had so many picks between 2003 and 2008. All teams over hype their prospects for possible trade.

I'll answer in 17 seconds . . . . . . .
- riozzo

and we have a winner!

It is that time a year again for JJ to bash prospects. Of course he does this every month. The league is getting younger,faster,and cheaper. Depth is needed to win cups and prosperts build depth. Why do teams covet draft picks so much? This is how the Hawks won in 2010,because they had so many picks between 2003 and 2008. All teams over hype their prospects for possible trade.
- ger68

I don't think he's bashing anyone, in fact I think its more of a wait and see.....

What is there to get excited about watching a 19 yr old kid outduel a fringe NHL player (which some cases, most of those prospects are).......if the same kid lights up training camp against NHL players that's a different story.

I watched a lot of what Powers posted, and I didnt' take much away from it......What does happen far too often is people falling in love with said player and assuming that guy is some shoe in.

Hell a Hawks blog, is probably still in turmoil since the GREAT Teuvo left.......and have the Hawks missed him? NOPE.

I don't think he's bashing anyone, in fact I think its more of a wait and see.....

What is there to get excited about watching a 19 yr old kid outduel a fringe NHL player (which some cases, most of those prospects are).......if the same kid lights up training camp against NHL players that's a different story.

I watched a lot of what Powers posted, and I didnt' take much away from it......What does happen far too often is people falling in love with said player and assuming that guy is some shoe in.

Hell a Hawks blog, is probably still in turmoil since the GREAT Teuvo left.......and have the Hawks missed him? NOPE.
- SteveRain

Good perspective to help fans temper our expectations.

Another perspective that helps me temper expectations while also allowing me to get excited with prospect camp is getting excited for what it is in the moment: a glimpse of what the future could hold for the Blackhawks roster down the line. A vast majority of the prospects in any given year will never make it or just be journeymen in either the NHL, AHL, or both. But the excitement of "what could be" is not only a good way to stay invested in the team long term through thick and thin but also to help fill the hockey void during the slower summer months (outside of the draft and free agency period).