Emery and his bum hip seem to be competing fine against Crawford.
- EKolb13

I like Emery...i hope he dropes the glove...and blocker this year and beats someone's a$$ but it will probably be hammers a$$ he beats for letting people whack away in the crease .

We owe a lot to Luongo down here ...when the BP oil well shít storm happened him and his (frank)ed up looking brother put there heads in the gulf and soaked up all the oil...Luongo even rubbed baby birds on his head to rid them of oil...true story
- southernhawk

Ok, with that...I'm out. Good stuff.

based on what? the 2 games he played in the NHL last season?
- eburgio

Don't forget the two playoff games.

Who here has spoke about trading away good chips for OTH has-beens? Some of the deals JJ talked about to some extent would have been OTT, getting Z. Smith for Hammer, a couple MTL deals involving Plekanic/Subban or getting Gagner from EDM. Most deals spoke to dealing Hammer or Leddy + someone else. Hardly has-beens coming this way in any potential deal.

You underestimate Doan's contribution potential. Yes I would agree a 4-year deal is too long but if the 'Hawks are serious, Doan at $20M for 3 years does wonders. Yes, other monies need to be moved. But they could do worse.

Also of issue is the thought other UFA's (tier 2 guys) don't want to come here. THAT is troubling if true.
- blackhawk24

There is no indication SB was truly committed to any of the trades you mentioned. He might have merely wanted to come away saying "Oh well we tried."

The OTH has-beens I'm referring to are the ones currently being discussed, as well as our history of signing for the last two years. SB goes for the "value" position, hoping to squeeze every last drop of production from guys like OD, Brunette and Mayers, AND the way he drafts, invariably going for the guy who drops in the draft.

Not a bad option to consider - I just think with our luck this will be the year Doan slows down markedly if we get him.

Shane Doan's agent has confirmed that the Pittsburgh Penguins have presented his client with an offer.
Doan has interest in joining the Penguins, where he would play alongside either Sidney Crosby of Evgeni Malkin. The San Jose Sharks are also still in the running and we can't rule out the possibility of him ultimately re-signing with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Not sure if this was posted yet....

Don't forget the two playoff games.
- EKolb13

He played in the playoffs ....

Don't forget the two playoff games.
- EKolb13

How about based on a comparison of prospect evaluations:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

Saad:

Talent Analysis
At his best, Saad is a power forward with the strength and scoring touch to wreak havoc in front of the net. He is strong and solidly built at 6'1 and 203 pounds, but does not always use his size as much as he should. Good hockey sense and able to create space for himself as well as linemates. Responsible in his own zone and anticipates the play well. Potential top six power forward, but needs to play with more consistency.


Stalberg:

Talent Analysis
A big player with great speed. Accelerates really well and reaches full speed very fast. Forechecks successfully and plays with good intensity. A natural sniper with a fine scoring touch. Defense and passing game could use some improvement. Should play even more physical with his large frame.

So, my conclusion is they are really planning on no or little NHL hockey being played this year or this Saad thing is the last desperate grasp of a drowning front office.
- John Jaeckel

The jump the shark move, for purposes of not looking like a bunch of buffoons at the convention, would be the announcement that they have signed TT

How about based on a comparison of prospect evaluations:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

Saad:

Talent Analysis
At his best, Saad is a power forward with the strength and scoring touch to wreak havoc in front of the net. He is strong and solidly built at 6'1 and 203 pounds, but does not always use his size as much as he should. Good hockey sense and able to create space for himself as well as linemates. Responsible in his own zone and anticipates the play well. Potential top six power forward, but needs to play with more consistency.


Stalberg:

Talent Analysis
A big player with great speed. Accelerates really well and reaches full speed very fast. Forechecks successfully and plays with good intensity. A natural sniper with a fine scoring touch. Defense and passing game could use some improvement. Should play even more physical with his large frame.
- busmaster

This year?

Or in two years?

How about based on a comparison of prospect evaluations:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

Saad:

Talent Analysis
At his best, Saad is a power forward with the strength and scoring touch to wreak havoc in front of the net. He is strong and solidly built at 6'1 and 203 pounds, but does not always use his size as much as he should. Good hockey sense and able to create space for himself as well as linemates. Responsible in his own zone and anticipates the play well. Potential top six power forward, but needs to play with more consistency.


Stalberg:

Talent Analysis
A big player with great speed. Accelerates really well and reaches full speed very fast. Forechecks successfully and plays with good intensity. A natural sniper with a fine scoring touch. Defense and passing game could use some improvement. Should play even more physical with his large frame.
- busmaster

Stalberg is NHL ready NOW, Saad who knows.

How about based on a comparison of prospect evaluations:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

Saad:

Talent Analysis
At his best, Saad is a power forward with the strength and scoring touch to wreak havoc in front of the net. He is strong and solidly built at 6'1 and 203 pounds, but does not always use his size as much as he should. Good hockey sense and able to create space for himself as well as linemates. Responsible in his own zone and anticipates the play well. Potential top six power forward, but needs to play with more consistency.
- busmaster

How much proof of this have we seen on the professional level? It looks nice on paper, but you're not going to get a clearer picture as to what he's really going to be until he shows it against professional level talent.

That's where Luongo in net saves the day...
- southernhawk

Hey SH, I hope you're right, but ... let's just say his history starting mid-April scares the living daylights out of me.

This year?

Or in two years?
- StLBravesFan

Correct me if I'm wrong JJ but I believe for Stalberg its the last thing written about him before he came up to the big club.

I don't think the analysis is a projection.

And I don't recall anything in the couple games he was up that contradicted what was said - in fact IIRC he was one of the more responsible players on the ice...

How much proof of this have we seen on the professional level? It looks nice on paper, but you're not going to get a clearer picture as to what he's really going to be until he shows it against professional level talent.
- EKolb13

Wasn't Saad the one who "disappeared" when facing top talent ?

Didn't the hawks just draft saad last year? What kind of magic pills are your prospects taking to be nhl ready after 1 season in the minors when the rest of the league takes years to develop kids?

Wasn't Saad the one who "disappeared" when facing top talent ?
- southernhawk

Yup, according to Wiz IIRC, reported by JJ.

How much proof of this have we seen on the professional level? It looks nice on paper, but you're not going to get a clearer picture as to what he's really going to be until he shows it against professional level talent.
- EKolb13

Saad needs to spend a couple seasons in Rockford, let the management team market the heck out of the kid but send him to the AHL. I don't see anyone from Rockford starting the season in Chicago, but there are 4 I think could be called up for a cup of coffee at various times in the season - Olesz, Smith, Beach and Morin (in no particular order). Barring a trade I just don't see anyone from the IceHogs beating out Mayers, Bollig or Hayes for a roster spot. I like Mayers, but I would us him as the 13th forward.

Sharp - Toews - Stalberg
Carcillo - Kane - Hossa
Frolik - Bolland - Shaw
Bickell - Kruger - Hayes
Mayers, Bollig

Keith - Seabrook
Oduya - Leddy
Hjalmarsson - Brookbank
Montador

Crawford
Emery

Didn't the hawks just draft saad last year? What kind of magic pills are your prospects taking to be nhl ready after 1 season in the minors when the rest of the league takes years to develop kids?
- moylander

You'll have to ask Stan Blowman that Moy

Didn't the hawks just draft saad last year? What kind of magic pills are your prospects taking to be nhl ready after 1 season in the minors when the rest of the league takes years to develop kids?
- moylander

Same magic pills 'fans' take that SB/McD will be pandering to this weekend.

How much proof of this have we seen on the professional level? It looks nice on paper, but you're not going to get a clearer picture as to what he's really going to be until he shows it against professional level talent.
- EKolb13

Yes. And it makes no sense to dog a guy who's proven it up to this point and say he hasn't proven it as a pro.

He hasn't had the chance.

None of us expect him to be a savior. As we are not going to win a Cup next year, I think its reasonable to see him get an extended look on the top 9.

Its not ideal, and YES he should be honing his craft in Rockford, but I would much rather see him here than the Pisani's, Dowells, Potunies, and Brunettes.

Its become far too fashionable to take JJ's cue and dog this guy around here; even in light of the unreasonable expectations the club has for him. If anything dog the ownership for putting him in this position.

JJ - I think the Stalberg comparison is quite fair - but I think what makes him Stalberg is in his head - he's got high end physical ability.

You can argue that Saad has the same physical ability for a 19yo. And I think you would even agree that he's already shown more of a commitment to defense than Stalberg has.
- busmaster

Where do I begin with this?

No, I'm sorry, not buying this either. No one is dogging Saad.

I am dogging (AND HARD) the notion that he is a superstar who just needs a regular NHL shift to show it. I suspect you are really taking issue with that.

Please tell me specifically, what his high end skill is. I see a big kid who can skate and will go to the net. Maybe (someday) a Ryan Smyth type player. Does he have elite hands, vision, speed, shot—haven't seen any of those. Have you? Show me the tape.

There were times last year when Stalberg was as effective backchecking as Hossa is. Stalberg's biggest weakness is he makes some head-scratching puck decisions at times. Saad will (guaranteed) make mistakes, too. I have seen more in terms of exceptional physical skill (speed and shot) from Stalberg than I have Saad.

I have asked this question before, still waiting for the answer from the Saad Hypers: what are his distinguishing physical skills?

What I have seen thus far are some size, skating ability and willingness to go to the net—against kids. Seems to understand positonal play. OK. that makes him good when he plays kids.

What else? Waiting . . .

How about based on a comparison of prospect evaluations:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

Saad:

Talent Analysis
At his best, Saad is a power forward with the strength and scoring touch to wreak havoc in front of the net. He is strong and solidly built at 6'1 and 203 pounds, but does not always use his size as much as he should. Potential top six power forward, but needs to play with more consistency.


Stalberg:

Talent Analysis
A big player with great speed. Accelerates really well and reaches full speed very fast. Forechecks successfully and plays with good intensity. A natural sniper with a fine scoring touch. Defense and passing game could use some improvement. Should play even more physical with his large frame.
- busmaster

Why didn't you bold what I did above?

I don't think they have to sell Saad. The kid is a goal scorer at a time when it's become a lost art and I think he'll do well with the big club. They need to address the goaltending first and foremost. If the Hawks had just good goaltending last year, at worst they'd have been the 4 seed.
- dan9189

Against boys yes. Nothing proven against men yet. Could be an issue. Could not be an issue.

Should not be an issue for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations I think is the point.

Didn't the hawks just draft saad last year? What kind of magic pills are your prospects taking to be nhl ready after 1 season in the minors when the rest of the league takes years to develop kids?
- moylander

Says the man whose team had like 6 rookies on it last year.


Why is the Saad debate always so extreme? Either you have the BHB view who think the kid is the next coming of Milan Lucic and then on the other side you have JJ who think ( and sometimes sound like they're hoping) that he's going to be a huge bust. And there's never EVER any in between even though that's where the true answer most likely lies.

If it's one thing I've seen under Stan Bowman is that they're not afraid to bring up a rookie ahead of schedule and let him learn while on the big club. Two years ago it was Leddy, last year it was Kruger, this year is most likely going to be Saad. But Jesus, how about we let the kid play more than three games before we make any kind of declaration on his career.

Silliness.

Where do I begin with this?

No, I'm sorry, not buying this either. No one is dogging Saad.

I am dogging (AND HARD) the notion that he is a superstar who just needs a regular NHL shift to show it. I suspect you are really taking issue with that.

Please tell me specifically, what his high end skill is. I see a big kid who can skate and will go to the net. Maybe (someday) a Ryan Smyth type player. Does he have elite hands, vision, speed, shot—haven't seen any of those. Have you? Show me the tape.

There were times last year when Stalberg was as effective backchecking as Hossa is. Stalberg's biggest weakness is he makes some head-scratching puck decisions at times. Saad will (guaranteed) make mistakes, too. I have seen more in terms of exceptional physical skill (speed and shot) from Stalberg than I have Saad.

I have asked this question before, still waiting for the answer from the Saad Hypers: what are his distinguishing physical skills?

What I have seen thus far are some size, skating ability and willingness to go to the net—against kids. Seems to understand positonal play. OK. that makes him good when he plays kids.

What else? Waiting . . .
- John Jaeckel

In the end I think it's just a bunch of desperate people trying to make a positive spin on the current state of affairs.

Saad is a prospect that one day might be a solid NHL'er nothing more, nothing less.

To say he's the next great one is serioulsly overevaluating his talent.

I guess it's either promoting his potential or nothing else?

Not much else to be excited about this year.