I do still miss the red pinstripes...and smoking in the dugout.
- ArlingtonRob

The Bull, Jungle Jim Rivera, the shower . . .

Ribbie and Roobarb, Bobby Molinaro, Rainbow Trout

Saad was better in camp, period. Hockey is funny that way. Listen, Saad, to me, is a boom or bust type player. He could be another Ryan Smyth or another Skille. Scouts are divided on him and a surprising number are not over the moon either.
- John Jaeckel

I knew Saad had a great camp. Guess Shaw really needed the pro-seasoning for his game to really flourish and the stint in Rockford seemed to do the trick. Was Saad sent back to junior for any other reason than failing to produce consistently? Any character issues?

John,

That's probably enough White Sox chatter...they could be dreadful this year...ughhh.

Thanks for the correction. All Hail the Canucks.
- John Jaeckel

Now you're getting it. After all we do have one of your favorite players in the NHL...The Great Bieksa.

John,

That's probably enough White Sox chatter...they could be dreadful this year...ughhh.
- ArlingtonRob

I think they will be. Just like the Cubs.

I knew Saad had a great camp. Guess Shaw really needed the pro-seasoning for his game to really flourish and the stint in Rockford seemed to do the trick. Was Saad sent back to junior for any other reason than failing to produce consistently? Any character issues?
- philco28

As of now Shaw is a fluke. Enjoy it while it lasts, for it may vanish quickly. I for one am just hoping for the best, and enjoying the ride.

Here is the link for a Panther/Tallon story from today.

bit.ly/yrRFxM

I spotlighted a few bad signings this summer when the money was flowing in Fla.

Good for those players but if Florida doesn't become a solid playoff team soon Panther management will be bag holders on a few deals.
- Al

Top three beauties for Tallon so far are Kopecky, Bergenheim and Santorelli.

bit.ly/yrRFxM

JJ You think the hawks resign Mayers after this year?

I knew Saad had a great camp. Guess Shaw really needed the pro-seasoning for his game to really flourish and the stint in Rockford seemed to do the trick. Was Saad sent back to junior for any other reason than failing to produce consistently? Any character issues?
- philco28

No character issues I have ever heard of.

What I saw . . . which jives with what I have heard . . is that Saad will utterly dominate against kids, but tends to disappear against men or elite kids. Thus he is a hard prospect to read. He is physically much more mature than most kids his age, has a speed/strength advantage. But that goes away against eliite kids and men. Will his game progress to where he can beat them? I don't know. He has already matured physically. So, in my mind, it will be between his ears and in his chest how good he can be.

JJ You think the hawks resign Mayers after this year?
- southernhawk

Unless this exposure/season makes him "in demand" by other teams. Otherwise, I would expect him to be back. bear in mind, after a year-long work stoppage, he would be 39.

Now you're getting it. After all we do have one of your favorite players in the NHL...The Great Bieksa.
- CanUSA17

All HAIL THE GREAT KEV BIEKSA.

Actually, he has some great one-liners, and I am always down with that. I also agreed with his comments on the Kronwall hit on Kesler, FWIW.

Unless this exposure/season makes him "in demand" by other teams. Otherwise, I would expect him to be back. bear in mind, after a year-long work stoppage, he would be 39.
- John Jaeckel

Yikes! Is this your feeling about the coming CBA negotiations?

As of now Shaw is a fluke. Enjoy it while it lasts, for it may vanish quickly. I for one am just hoping for the best, and enjoying the ride.
- ArlingtonRob

I am somewhere between here and the Kool Aid stand. Tho most who know me well know I am closer to your position.

BTW Rob, I played pee wee and bantam at the rink across form Arlington Park, and I used to pump gas at the Clark station in Palatine— I had a sweet shoulder length shag back then.

As of now Shaw is a fluke. Enjoy it while it lasts, for it may vanish quickly. I for one am just hoping for the best, and enjoying the ride.
- ArlingtonRob

I can't argue with your logic. Just the same he may stick.

Wait until TrueGrit gets a look at this! Oh boy!

FWIW I'm thrilled with the play of Jamal Mayers. Better than I expected.

Yikes! Is this your feeling about the coming CBA negotiations?
- ArlingtonRob

Don Fehr, my friend. I also believe this will ultimately be the end of Bettman.

No character issues I have ever heard of.

What I saw . . . which jives with what I have heard . . is that Saad will utterly dominate against kids, but tends to disappear against men or elite kids. Thus he is a hard prospect to read. He is physically much more mature than most kids his age, has a speed/strength advantage. But that goes away against eliite kids and men. Will his game progress to where he can beat them? I don't know. He has already matured physically. So, in my mind, it will be between his ears and in his chest how good he can be.
- John Jaeckel

Very plausible critique JJ. As for the Chisox being dreadful this year....THEY FLAT OUT SUCKED LAST YEAR. Worst season and worst spectacle to watch 4 sure. Too many BUMS...Rios, Dunn, Danks to name a few. Can't believe Danks is now making almost $11 mil/year when Toews is making $6 mil. The market pays what it pays, but KW erred big time giving Danks that kind of coin. He's a .500 pitcher...not the ace of the staff FFS.

Very plausible critique JJ. As for the Chisox being dreadful this year....THEY FLAT OUT SUCKED LAST YEAR. Worst season and worst spectacle to watch 4 sure. Too many BUMS...Rios, Dunn, Danks to name a few. Can't believe Danks is now almost $11 mil/year when Toews is making $6 mil. The market pays what it pays, but KW erred big time giving Danks that kind of coin. He's a .500 pitcher...not the ace of the staff FFS.
- philco28

Don Fehr, my friend.

Don Fehr, my friend.
- John Jaeckel

He's an evil GENIUS.

I am somewhere between here and the Kool Aid stand. Tho most who know me well know I am closer to your position.

BTW Rob, I played pee wee and bantam at the rink across form Arlington Park, and I used to pump gas at the Clark station in Palatine— I had a sweet shoulder length shag back then.
- John Jaeckel

If by fluke you mean scoring 5 goals in 8 games I agree. But Shaw is here for the rest of the season most likely and is a legit prospect going forward.

Don Fehr, my friend. I also believe this will ultimately be the end of Bettman.
- John Jaeckel

Wow! That's the most cynical take I've heard so far. I sure hope you're wrong since the game is just now coming around. Expanded TV exposure, overall high quality of play, great competition, ect.

But the hiring of Fehr did give me heartburn...

Very plausible critique JJ. As for the Chisox being dreadful this year....THEY FLAT OUT SUCKED LAST YEAR. Worst season and worst spectacle to watch 4 sure. Too many BUMS...Rios, Dunn, Danks to name a few. Can't believe Danks is now making almost $11 mil/year when Toews is making $6 mil. The market pays what it pays, but KW erred big timegiving Danks that kind of coin. He's a .500 pitcher...not the ace of the staff FFS.
- philco28

I have a feeling the end of Kenny Williams in Chicago isn't too far off.

I have a feeling the end of Kenny Williams in Chicago isn't too far off.
- EKolb13

EK...i hope you ARE RIGHT. He's wasted a lot of money in the last few years.

Very plausible critique JJ. As for the Chisox being dreadful this year....THEY FLAT OUT SUCKED LAST YEAR. Worst season and worst spectacle to watch 4 sure. Too many BUMS...Rios, Dunn, Danks to name a few. Can't believe Danks is now making almost $11 mil/year when Toews is making $6 mil. The market pays what it pays, but KW erred big time giving Danks that kind of coin. He's a .500 pitcher...not the ace of the staff FFS.
- philco28

Yes indeed they did...and I predicted it too. I said 78 wins last year before the season while most thought they would compete. But I had it backwards...thought they would pound the ball with bad pitching...and it was the opposite.

That team was unwatchable overall.