young players give fans hope,ask any Cub fan. Any Sox fan now is excited about the future.
- ger68

Though Moncado (2B) and Anderson (SS) are excellent, I'd like to see a bit more middle infield depth (C, 2, SS) in the system (could Yrizarri be a guy????), but the pitching is embarrassingly deep on the farm and we have some blue chip OF talent. If Basabe turns into something then the OF is also laughingly deep, though he is a real wildcard (I see total flame out or all star level player)....I "think" we're OK on the corners with Sheets, Burger, DelMonico, and I know some Sox fans take me to task for it but I kinda like Matt Davidson. Also, I don't expect top catching prospect Zach Collins to stick at catcher (defense), but he should rake plenty at DH or play 1st.

Just another couple trades for a defensive minded catcher and another middle infielder and then it just becomes a waiting game for us Sox fans.

Cam Atkinson is a good NHL ceiling player for him.
- JRoenick97

Similar size and style. Atkinson' a better skater.

What I have heard is more a case of he went in junior by what he could to succeed on his team in his role. Even his junior coach, a read a quote, seemed to make clear that he had things to work on. Not so much that he wouldn't. But that he wasn't a complete player for the next level yet.

Someone said to me the other day he looked alittle lackadaisical his first day in camp is all.
- John Jaeckel

I have no idea whether he'll be a boom or a bust or something in between, but since we're quoting his coach:


“I think Alex is really close,” Otters coach Kris Knoblauch said in a phone interview on Thursday night. “It’s been a pleasure coaching Alex, seeing him come in as a young player but not too often do young players have an immediate impact. A lot has to do with his skill. Obviously he was fortunate to play with skilled players like (Connor) McDavid but his game has come a long way.”


“The biggest part of his defense is the ability of stealing pucks, pressuring the defensemen, forcing them to make bad decisions,” he said. “Just being able to have the stick in the right lane an intercept passes. He got better at those little subtle skills.”


“I think it’s just playing against the big, strong guys. It’s not that he’s afraid; he’s very good at battles. But just playing against the opposition, against five strong, fast players and just finding out how much time he has, where the room is,” Knoblauch said. “One-on-one battles in our league, there are strong guys and he does fairly well. But when you have a unit of guys, it makes the game a little more difficult.”


“I’m sure many people are telling him he won’t be able to play in the NHL or questioning if he ever will. That’ll be just more motivation for Alex,” Knoblauch said. “He feeds off that. When people tell him he can’t do something, he loves to show them they’re wrong.”

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

After two first round exits people complain this team has lost it's depth at forward. Would Teuvo have been a better option on the third line? YES. Have the Hawks won a playoff round since TT has been traded? NOPE.

I'm not saying Teuvo is a star or a second line centre or even a top 6 forward. But TT is a solid depth forward and would be a welcome addition to the third line. Unless you would prefer to have Jurco there.

Similar size and style. Atkinson' a better skater.
- John Jaeckel

I imagine the coaching/training staff will be working to make ADB even lighter on his skates than he is. He's already pretty quick with his edgework. I'd guess they'll maybe work some yoga for balance in and get a bit more explosion from him over the next season or 2 in Rockford.

Worth a listen, some good insight on ADB, Powers and Hedger:

https://soundcloud.com/th...podcast-prospects-edition

Hockey geeks???

Do I understand this drill ???

3 players and 3 coaches. Coaches pass around outside. Man on puck, puck out of area, fall back to center support. Coach Passing until a steal is made, then attack to support player.


Nice stick by DeBrincat here ... Leads to goal by Matthew Highmore.
https://twitter.com/johnd...status/887750970813411329

Hockey geeks???

Do I understand this drill ???

3 players and 3 coaches. Coaches pass around outside. Man on puck, puck out of area, fall back to center support. Coach Passing until a steal is made, then attack to support player.


Nice stick by DeBrincat here ... Leads to goal by Matthew Highmore.
https://twitter.com/johnd...status/887750970813411329
- kwolf68

bad link

Hockey geeks???

Do I understand this drill ???

3 players and 3 coaches. Coaches pass around outside. Man on puck, puck out of area, fall back to center support. Coach Passing until a steal is made, then attack to support player.


Nice stick by DeBrincat here ... Leads to goal by Matthew Highmore.
https://twitter.com/johnd...status/887750970813411329
- kwolf68

Yep. Basically a forechecking pressure drill to get the puck and make a quick turnover, pass, shoot, goal.

where would you slot him for his NHL ceiling and floor (comparison of a common player)?

I saw a few videos he got pushed off the puck pretty easy, but also made a nice play finding open ice on a busted 2 on 1 and broke up a clearing attempt that led to a goal in 3 on 3.....
- SteveRain

you have to view him as jack of trades and not an elite player unless he actually proves he is.

He's got a little Cam Atkinson in him, but there will be no free ride, time off, or instant top six slot for him.(((GREAT MINDS JJ...I just read your comment above so I added this parenthesis)
Two things, durability and toughness to the injuries he will face and actually being a scoring factor from the lower end, like he WAS a safe big sized checking forward back there...

I am telling you there not as much worried on Debrincat not helping soon and Sikura not helping the team next April.

Well, one year it worked like a charm and there was a parade. They traded Danault and Teravainen but both of them would essentially be depth forwards on this team which the Hawks don't appear to be lacking.

The good news is it's not like there are so many slots open that rookies are being asked to step up and take them and there should be some good competition for bottom 6 spots.
- HawkintheD

I disagree, maybe TT, but Danault will be a 2C before his career is over. Probably is this upcoming year in MTL.

He made big strides this year (which is what young players do)

I disagree, maybe TT, but Danault will be a 2C before his career is over. Probably is this upcoming year in MTL.
- vabeachbear

The Habs have already said they are "uncomfortable with Alex Galchenyuk at centre, so there are many a site projecting Danault as their number one centre!

LOL


It didn't take not long...

Now all I need to hear is the hawks signed some six foot five defenseman with a lethal slapper, but who plays with less aggression than Teuvo....

oh, he got asked to training camp?

Now all I need to hear is the hawks signed some six foot five defenseman with a lethal slapper, but who plays with less aggression than Teuvo....

oh, he got asked to training camp?
- wiz1901

We already have a gentle giant, well not quite as gentle and a bit more of a giant.

Colton Parayko Arb hearing scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow #stlblues

The Habs have already said they are "uncomfortable with Alex Galchenyuk at centre, so there are many a site projecting Danault as their number one centre!

LOL


It didn't take not long...
- wiz1901

He was much improved when I watched them in the playoffs last year, not to mention trading him and keeping Kruger probably cost another player.

Ya, I'm sorry, I know, I'm Savoy when it comes to the Danault trade

Colton Parayko Arb hearing scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow #stlblues
- walleyeb1

So about 3 pm for the Antilles spin

bad link
- walleyeb1

Sorry, I just copied it from a former link.

Yep. Basically a forechecking pressure drill to get the puck and make a quick turnover, pass, shoot, goal.
- JRoenick97

Yea JR that works. I liked that drill, simple and effective.

Because I'm bored...here are the jersey numbers for the new Blackhawks:

Bouma - 17
Wingels - 57
Murphy - 5
Oesterle - 82 (previously assigned to Alex Fortin?)
Rutta - 44 (previously assigned to John Dahlstrom?)

Sharp and Saad will of course return to their old numbers (10 & 20).

He has been playing nice, why are you poking the bear?
- riozzo

Playing nice or not, you can't take back some of the ignorant trolling posts he made a few months ago.

Sorry, I just copied it from a former link.
- kwolf68

No problem went back and found it:

https://twitter.com/johnd...status/887750970813411329

No problem went back and found it:

https://twitter.com/johnd...status/887750970813411329
- walleyeb1

Yea and you could stick players in the coaches spots as well. I'll probably do both with my team.

Still wish there was some way we could move AA, Forsling/Pokka, and a 1st(maybe also throw in DeBrincat if we have to) for Duchene:

Sharp-Toews-Hartman
Fortin-Duchene-Kane
Saad-Schmaltz-Panik
Wingles-Dauphin-Hinostroza

That might be the fastest group of forwards we've had since 2013, and definitely one of the fastest in the league next season.

In general, I've liked Powers coverage of camp. He's tempered any expectations on guys liek Debrincat coming in and immediately making the team. He's actually said Sikura has been most impressive so far.
- JRoenick97

Gents forgive me, casual follower of this site but rabid Hawks fan. Please let me know where to find decent Prospect Camp analysis. This time of year I'm starved for anything Blackhawks. FWIW my 93 yr old Dad was one of the Veterans honored by the Hawks in Playoff game 1, what a class organization! If anyone is or knows a Vet who should be honored I have the contact info for the USO liaison, my Dad loved it.