I know everyone is getting bored of this blog and want a new topic. Well here it is:

What do you like more in your chocolate/chocolate bar----

1. Caramel

Or

2. Peanuts/Peanut Butter
- robhawks

The conversation was much more interesting when we were talking about Kellie Pickler.

I still think the teams with the most balance usually wins. Everyone talks about #3-#6 D-men but I don's see a lot of difference between 3-6. Plus, I think Keith and Seabrook play too many minutes as it is. I think their play suffers. Can the team get by with Keith and Seabrook only playing 22-23 minutes? Maybe Johnny O and Nik playing around 20 minutes and Leddy and Brookbank around 18 minutes?

Unless Q. does an about face imo that's where Leddy has been and will be to start the season.
- Al

oboy.... Leddy makes the sisters look tough

chunky or regular
- wolverine19

I think it's more along the lines of it's not cheating if it's your dog

oboy.... Leddy makes the sisters look tough
- wolverine19

The Toews sisters?

The Toews sisters?
- pker2theend

Fail.

I went to the Doctor today and had to get a number to register. That number was "8".

Think Leddy is gonna be traded.

I left the Doctor's office around "2".

8 + 2 = 10

That's it boys, Hawks are trading Leddy for Amonte.

Amonte and Hasek would give great depth to this team.

To be clear the defense is better I wasn't disagreeing there.
Oduya is a decent #5 on a good team...slotting him as #3 could be an issue although imo that will be Leddy.

But at forward and overall team play???

A lot of eggs being put in the Saad basket and the hope Shaw can translate his output last season over the entire course but....

There wasn't enough done to acquire a center who can win faceoffs, or a screen setter and those 2 points are beyond not finding a 2nd line center.

The Hawks last season couldn't hold onto the puck and when they clamped down on defense the offense was lacking.

Has enough been done to make a real difference???
- Al[/quote]

No disagreement, Al. if you've been reading this thread, you know how skeptical (and a little angry) I am about all this Saad nonsense.

Shaw's 34 game numbers extrapolate to a 25 goal season. I think the Hawks should be glad if he is an even player, has 150+ hits and 20 goals. Very glad.

Cuz I'm not sure you're ever going to get much more from Shaw than you did in kind of a storybook rookie year.

To me, and you touched on it, if Nick Leddy is your #3 defenseman, he MUST take a big step forward. He really did not belong on the second pairing last year, certainly not 20+ minutes a night.

To me, if Sharp is not going to play center, Kruger is the guy, as Bolland really has to be your shutdown guy. Will Kruger get stronger this offseason? And will that translate to more effectiveness at the dot? And to more confidence with the puck? He has upside.

Again, it comes back to Leddy and Kruger, two 21 year olds, 2009 draftees. How much can they step up? And honestly, that's a more appropriate ask than expecting Saad to play a meaningful top 6 role.

For those of you that are ripping on molly for choice of words, here's the definition you need to look up from Merriam Webster:

Similar: having characteristics in common : strictly comparable

This does NOT mean exactly the same. Characteristics in common.

So let me see -- Lidstrom:
excellent skater in his prime
very good at closing the gap between defender and opposing player
uses his stick effectively as part of his arsenal of tools to defend
very good shot and effective at getting shot through from the point
knows when/how to pinch without getting caught up-ice
excellent passer, solid break-out skills

Lidstrom was never the most physical player, he excelled at taking away time and space and in his decision-making on ice. One of the best at the point on PP.

Nowhere do I read that Leddy=Lidstrom in molly's choice of words.
- savvyone-1

You want a Hawk approximation of Lidstrom stylistically . . . it's the Norris Trophy winner. Keith is the guy who uses mobility and positioning to take away time and space. As I always say, when you keep his minutes and matchups a bit under control, he's awfully good.

Leddy really looks more like a Campbell/Housley type guy (on the high end) to me.

The conversation was much more interesting when we were talking about Kellie Pickler.
- EKolb13

Outstanding new tits

Sounds more like Keith
- fattybeef

Beat me to it, but see above. Exactly.

You want a Hawk approximation of Lidstrom stylistically . . . it's the Norris Trophy winner. Keith is the guy who uses mobility and positioning to take away time and space. As I always say, when you keep his minutes and matchups a bit under control, he's awfully good.

Leddy really looks more like a Campbell/Housley type guy (on the high end) to me.
- John Jaeckel

Obviously the Hawks have become so boring that JJ cannot come up with a new blog!

My statement is also based on in two years i think he will carry about 25 more pounds. I also think Leddy has shown he can complete checks and deliver a blow
- molly2522

Leddy? Doubtful. he will likely top out around 200 pounds (optimally, without losing mobility).

Obviously the Hawks have become so boring that JJ cannot come up with a new blog!
- Maggie

Oh, I've got one, saving it for the morning of the Convention . . .

My statement is also based on in two years i think he will carry about 25 more pounds. I also think Leddy has shown he can complete checks and deliver a blow
- molly2522

I must of missed that game

JJ...you seem to be high on Kruger and you've said a few times that he's not reached his potential. In your opinion what type of role (long term) do you see Kruger having with the team? Can Kruger be the 2nd line centre we need? Or his he better suited for the 3rd line?
- DarthKane

His game is Swedish . . . two-way . . . will always be responsible defensively.

He is a gifted passer, and I could see him offensively being an Andrew Cassels type player, but maybe with a more well-rounded type game. I'd like to see him gain some strength and get more effective in the dot and maybe also a little harder to move in the corners and around the net—where he's more than willing to go. He could get another 5-10 goals a season if so.

I think he could fill either role, depending on how he develops.

I feel like eggs in the Kruger basket are the same as the Saad basket in terms of either being able to be a consistent high end contributor. Both could end up bit players (which is what Kruger is right now anyways).
- fattybeef

Kruger's overall game and experience makes him a legitimate NHL player right now. Saad might have some moments where he look slike an NHL player at 19. he will also have many where he doesn't. Coaches and scouts will see it, lots of fans won't.

Just needs to work a little on his offense and faceoffs. He has the sight but sometimes lacks the execution.

Kruger has great vision but he needs to work a lot on faceoffs and offense

He makes some slick passes but doesn't shoot enough....passes up prime scoring chances.

Kruger has a lot of guts and I love his attitude but unless he gets quite a bit stronger and learns how to protect himself he isn't going to be much better than he has been.

I wouldn't mind him at wing on the 3rd line.
- Al

Exactly. And while he can play wing, he has higher upside as a center. He would at best be an average sort of occasional third line wing. Natural instincts are as a center and a setup guy, not so much a scorer.

I must of missed that game
- wolverine19

Ask clutterbuck? Not sure of his spelling for the wild

His game is Swedish . . . two-way . . . will always be responsible defensively.

He is a gifted passer, and I could see him offensively being an Andrew Cassels type player, but maybe with a more well-rounded type game. I'd like to see him gain some strength and get more effective in the dot and maybe also a little harder to move in the corners and around the net—where he's more than willing to go. He could get another 5-10 goals a season if so.

I think he could fill either role, depending on how he develops.
- John Jaeckel

I'd be more than happy is Kruger developed into a Cassels type player. I remember the days with Cassels and Sanderson in Hartford.....I miss the Whale!

Kruger's overall game and experience makes him a legitimate NHL player right now. Saad might have some moments where he look slike an NHL player at 19. he will also have many where he doesn't. Coaches and scouts will see it, lots of fans won't.
- John Jaeckel

Then why would any management team want him on the big league team -

(a) Hurts his development, maybe to the point of setting back his confidence and game long term

(b) Hurts the team

Do they see something no one else sees - or do they see what the want to see? This is just baffling.

How bout this for topic until JJ puts up a new blog......Ginger or Mary Ann?

How bout this for topic until JJ puts up a new blog......Ginger or Mary Ann?
- Studebakerhawk

Mary Ann.

Daphne or Velma?

Mary Ann.

Daphne or Velma?
- DarthKane

Daphne, hands down.

Betty or Veronica?

Mary Ann.

Daphne or Velma?
- DarthKane

Daniel or Henrik?