You're right, all defenses will have giveaways but not to the extent that ours did. I like Oduya and had high expectations, but he really collapsed in the playoffs. Every time Leddy was on the ice I was scared, I know he'll be great one day but he really needs to work on his defensive zone coverage (and gain some muscle). O'Donnell and Lepisto were not good, Keith was ok and Seabrook was a stud. Hjalmarsson was not good enough either. Olsen wasn't good, but I'll give him a pass as he played only 1 game.
- DarthKane

As soft as Crawford was - and he was soft - only in game 6 did the defense/goalie combination allow more than three goals - of course, only in game 5 did they allow less - but with an average at best goalie, the defense had to play well to do that, minimizing the chances that Crawford had to stop.

ANYTHING on the power play - ANYTHING from the core forwards - ANYTHING in the way of stealing a game by Crawford instead of giving up pillows....

Are you talking about the book where Joyce was privvy to the Bluejackets draft strategy? BTW, I sent the book to Steve Kohn to read...

The book where teams where teams were afraid of drafting Toews because of the three past concussions, and Kessell interviewed poorly even when the were joking with him?

I don't recall the book having any such mono reference...and my own recollection was that EVERYONE had Giroux as a LATE second rounder by March, and only a late first rounder as the draft commenced based on three things:
1) He played for Gatineau in the QMJHL, at that juncture more of a scorer's league which had folks devaluing the goal scorers a bit,
2) He weighed a generous 165 lbs. and stood a generous 5'11."
3) Teams respected the fact he played with moxie, was creative, smart, but ignored the fact that he never took a shift off, played fearless in all the high traffic areas, and and had really good speed and feel.
They just got lost on the fact he might not "wear well."
I don't recall any long on ice absence because Giroux had mono....
I am not trying to make the comparison, but that was essentially the same reason so many scouts had Danault going in the 50's except Danault NEVER shot the puck like Giroux....
- wiz1901

Yep...I thought it was a really good book.

He was small no doubt that added to it too, but there were a few things...

The overriding issue was although he had vg performances Giroux was off the radar.

He came from a very small town, Hearst, and by the end was ranked 38th by Central Scouting but it wasn't so much because of performance. He didn't attract the interest he deserved.

Giroux was passed over by 20 OHL teams over 20 rounds so he ends up in the Quebec Junior League.

As it turned out of the 400 players selected before him in the OHL Draft only four were drafted ahead of Giroux in the NHL draft.

They are young kids and a bad story, poor interview, overbearing parents it all works against a prospect.

It's not a science and that was an interesting Draft.

Toews and Staal were almost perfect...Toews was the whole the package and survived the concussion issues and a poor senior year...Kessel was a dud of an interview and wasn't well liked or he would have been drafted higher.

Hindsight now says Johnson shouldn't have been a number one and the Jackets bit the tamale on Brassard.

It was a very good read and Hawk fans should get it...Kane and Toews are discussed at length along with Aliu.

Steve will love it.

"Future Greats and Heartbreaks" by Gare Joyce

http://www.aftonbladet.se...lt/nhl/article14894749.ab


Looks like, the talent is rolling in.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/internationellt/nhl/article14894749.ab


Looks like, the talent is rolling in.
- barcheus

He looks like a less muscular Kruger...If that is possible.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/internationellt/nhl/article14894749.ab


Looks like, the talent is rolling in.
- barcheus

Except for the part in the 3rd paragraph where it talks about him liking little boys....

Great! Any news/rumors to report?
- captainserious

There will be stuff happening this week because there is a GM meeting on Wednesday....Will probably write for Wednesday.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/internationellt/nhl/article14894749.ab


Looks like, the talent is rolling in.
- barcheus

Can someone translate?

How about these for a few more reasons whhy they got done in:

1) They had more than 100 more shots on goal over 6 games than Phoenix but Smith played substantially better than a very average Crawford. The Hawks couldn't score enough and average goaltending doesn't get it done in the playoffs.

2) They lost all 3 games on home ice.

3) Their power play stunk - like a bad high school team's PP.

4) The team is too small.

5) The roster is poorly constructed.

6) Stan Bowman isn't a qualified NHL GM.
- RickJ

There you go again being so negative...

Isn't easier to just blame Crawford??

So if they've signed Nordstrom to a 3 year ELC - 2-way, I assume - am I correct in assuming that the time in Rockford/Sweden/anywhere-other-than-Chicago doesn't count against the 3 years?

So if they've signed Nordstrom to a 3 year ELC - 2-way, I assume - am I correct in assuming that the time in Rockford/Sweden/anywhere-other-than-Chicago doesn't count against the 3 years?
- StLBravesFan

If he is signed to an EL contract that is correct....No more than 9 NHL games in one season for him.

So if they've signed Nordstrom to a 3 year ELC - 2-way, I assume - am I correct in assuming that the time in Rockford/Sweden/anywhere-other-than-Chicago doesn't count against the 3 years?
- StLBravesFan

I know it doesn't count if the player is in the CHL. I'm not sure about players on entry level deals still playing in Europe.

If they are in Rockford or Toledo, the clock is ticking.

There you go again being so negative...

Isn't easier to just blame Crawford??
- Al

Still mulling it over, but yes it's much easier and concise to just blame the goaltender.

Let me know which of the other points to cross off my list.

Can someone translate?
- captainserious

AIK-talent ready for Chicago Blackhawks

Junior World Championship gold medalist Joakim Nordström, 20, wrote in the evening on a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

But AIK can enjoy his talent another season.

- Yes, the idea is that he lent to AIK next season, says agent Erik Ryman to Sportbladet.

Center Joakim Nordström had the chance to AIK's A-team as early as last season, but took this past season a big step and established himself in the top division.

On Monday evening, he wrote in a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, worth about six million per season. But the next season he was loaned out to AIK.
Many Swedes on the team

- Same deal as Patrik Nemeth had last year. We see enough to Jocke needs to be home for another year. And so he wants to remain in the top division for a while and work slowly but surely. He can pull over to the NHL as soon as AIK's season is over, says agent Erik Ryman.

The Blackhawks played previously Swedes Niklas Hjalmarsson, Johnny Oduya, Marcus Krüger and Viktor Stalberg.


Edit: 6 million kronar = 840K US

AIK-talent ready for Chicago Blackhawks

Junior World Championship gold medalist Joakim Nordström, 20, wrote in the evening on a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

But AIK can enjoy his talent another season.

- Yes, the idea is that he lent to AIK next season, says agent Erik Ryman to Sportbladet.

Center Joakim Nordström had the chance to AIK's A-team as early as last season, but took this past season a big step and established himself in the top division.

On Monday evening, he wrote in a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, worth about six million per season. But the next season he was loaned out to AIK.
Many Swedes on the team

- Same deal as Patrik Nemeth had last year. We see enough to Jocke needs to be home for another year. And so he wants to remain in the top division for a while and work slowly but surely. He can pull over to the NHL as soon as AIK's season is over, says agent Erik Ryman.

The Blackhawks played previously Swedes Niklas Hjalmarsson, Johnny Oduya, Marcus Krüger and Viktor Stalberg.


Edit: 6 million kronar = 840K US
- djd

Edit: 6 million kronar = 840K USAhh...Was just going to ask....

He looks like a less muscular Kruger...If that is possible.
- Al

Kruger outweighs Nordstrom by 20lbs. Memo to Stan Bowman it's ok to draft a player over 180lbs.

Kruger outweighs Nordstrom by 20lbs. Memo to Stan Bowman it's ok to draft a player over 180lbs.


- jhawk159

I just hope he isn't going to sign some at 220 lbs. and average the two together.

Kruger outweighs Nordstrom by 20lbs. Memo to Stan Bowman it's ok to draft a player over 180lbs.


- jhawk159

I don't think Giroux weighed more when he came in the league,he still has time to put on some weight

Kruger outweighs Nordstrom by 20lbs. Memo to Stan Bowman it's ok to draft a player over 180lbs.


- jhawk159

MacNeil, Saad, Olson, Hayes, Flick....

I just hope he isn't going to sign some at 220 lbs. and average the two together.
- Al

Al,what do you make of Stan signing CarBomb during the season,and now signing Mayers to another 1 year deal?Does this mean Stan isn't going to be looking at any fourth liners when free agency begins? Do you think the Hawks will sign another player who can win a good percentage of his faceoffs? I mean that can help big time on the penalty kill

Al,what do you make of Stan signing CarBomb during the season,and now signing Mayers to another 1 year deal?Does this mean Stan isn't going to be looking at any fourth liners when free agency begins? Do you think the Hawks will sign another player who can win a good percentage of his faceoffs? I mean that can help big time on the penalty kill
- captainserious

It is a must to sign a good face off man who can also kill penalties....And Mayers/Carcillo do not fall into that category.

Bowman is obviously a big Carcillo fan and Mayers signed for close to the minimum.......But it would be a mistake imo to use Mayers always at center.

Except for the part in the 3rd paragraph where it talks about him liking little boys....
- StLBravesFan

Really?

I envy your ability to read Swedish.

Really?

I envy your ability to read Swedish.
- Beaver-Warrior

Swedish? Sorry, I was wrong - thought it was Yiddish....

It is a must to sign a good face off man who can also kill penalties....And Mayers/Carcillo do not fall into that category.

Bowman is obviously a big Carcillo fan and Mayers signed for close to the minimum.......But it would be a mistake imo to use Mayers always at center.
- Al

So then is Stan signing CarBomb and Mayers this early just him trying to get ahead? So he knows how much cap room he will have to sign some big bodies and a faceoff penalty kill specialist and perhaps Suter? Or is this him thinking he doesn't need someone to win faceoffs and kill penalties? I hope it isn't the latter

So then is Stan signing CarBomb and Mayers this early just him trying to get ahead? So he knows how much cap room he will have to sign some big bodies and a faceoff penalty kill specialist and perhaps Suter? Or is this him thinking he doesn't need someone to win faceoffs and kill penalties? I hope it isn't the latter
- captainserious

I would hope it is trying to get a jump and he views them as "safe" signings....But they don't fill the PK need.

So then is Stan signing CarBomb and Mayers this early just him trying to get ahead? So he knows how much cap room he will have to sign some big bodies and a faceoff penalty kill specialist and perhaps Suter? Or is this him thinking he doesn't need someone to win faceoffs and kill penalties? I hope it isn't the latter
- captainserious

Assuming Bollig returns, I take this to mean that Stan has filled his wing positions of the 4th and is looking for Carcillo to be a space creator in the top 6 again. Carcillo with Kane and Hossa might have been the Hawks most productive line this year.