It means nothing is happening that I'm aware of.

You'd like to think that they can still make a move or two between now and training camp, but I am not holding my breath.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ for the official word....(as far as you know)

Oh well, I can hope they will do something.

Will still be a loyal Hawk fan regardless.

Panthers and Versteeg avoid arbitration, signs 4 year deal with FLA
- FourFeathers773

He's really found his game out there. Good for versteeg and the panthers.

Nothing, that's the point. To a reasonable hockey mind Saad is still in the development stage and shouldn't be on an NHL roster yet let alone playing out of position, but StanBow is quoted as saying that Saad is willing to chip in at center at the NHL level.

Also wanted to mention in case folks had forgotten that Q was so enamored with his game day possibilities he had Montador skate up as a forward for a couple games.....

I guess that was his way of getting a point across at the expense of Montador's acclimation to the team/system and the wins column.
- Mr Ricochet

Saad won't see the light of day playing center with Chicago. But if he does you know the Hawks are looking up at 14 teams ahead of them in the standings and they have about 6 centers on IR.

And I doubt Bowman was quoted as saying he was a possibility for that position this year.

OK. You are entitled to your feelings.

We are so past the Richie and Carts trades..... we've moved on and are still trying to improve the team. We are not trying to justify anything - we already know they were good trades. Acquiring Schenn and maybe Weber is a nice touch this offseason. If that falls through I'm sure Nash, Ryan, and plenty others will be on our radar.

I loved last season ..... everyone said the flyers won't score without Richie and Carts..... they ended up scoring MORE goals without them. Everyone said its a re building year.... in the playoffs after the Pitt series everyone thought philly was the team to beat. Most impressive was the perseverance of a team devastated by injuries.... our captain, unlike yours, only played 13 games this season and was one of 7 flyers to suffer a concussion (giroux, briere, schenn, MAB, jvr, read). Throw in multiple other injuries including broken feet (out 3-4 weeks)..... input a goalie that was 'lost in the woods' most of the season (and suffered his own leg injury).... at one point 12 rookies were on the roster..... the results? Pretty damn impressive. That's how I feel.
- moylander

I've told you before, I think they are good deals too. I wont argue that.

But tell yourself anything you want to make it feel better, the Kings won the Cup with Richards and Carter.. Something Holmgren couldn't get them to do.

You can go on about your beloved Flyers all you want, in my eyes, they need to win a Cup or all these trades/moves will go down as something nobody really remembers.

Good news?

Huddle ranks Hawks prospect pool #5 in the league. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...but it's something.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ngs---Prospects/153/45737

Saad won't see the light of day playing center with Chicago. But if he does you know the Hawks are looking up at 14 teams ahead of them in the standings and they have about 6 centers on IR.

And I doubt Bowman was quoted as saying he was a possibility for that position this year.
- RickJ

What he said, from the best I could tell, is that Saad had volunteered to play some C, sort of like implying the kid really wants to make the team any way he can.

Sort of one of those things that gets thrown out there as part of the lovefest surrounding the kid that you can take a variety of ways, including if you're dumb enough to believe he can play C in the NHL.

Why he was not at the Convention, I don't know. My gut tells me someone told the Hawks to cool it on the Saad hype—Papa Bowman, players, coaches.

I will just say this, as kind of insulting as it is to the intelligence of the fans, if I were a Hawk player at the pro level—NHL or AHL—I would be a little perturbed by it at the very least.

What he said, from the best I could tell, is that Saad had volunteered to play some C, sort of like implying the kid really wants to make the team any way he can.

Sort of one of those things that gets thrown out there as part of the lovefest surrounding the kid that you can take a variety of ways, including if you're dumb enough to believe he can play C in the NHL.

Why he was not at the Convention, I don't know. My gut tells me osmeone told the Hawks to cool it on the Saad hype—Papa Bowman, players, coaches.

I will just say this, as kind of insulting as it is to the intelligence of the fans, if I were a Hawk player at the pro level—NHL or AHL—I would be a little perturbed by it at the very least.
- John Jaeckel

Wasn't there some mix ups with this?

One of the beat guys wrote that Saad told him Bowman asked him to try center and Bowman said that Saad asked to play there.

Good news?

Huddle ranks Hawks prospect pool #5 in the league. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...but it's something.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ngs---Prospects/153/45737
- Ogilthorpe2

Good news for those who like the roster as it stands today. #5 of 30 further empowers SB to command more of other teams when talking about his kids. Not saying its right, just saying, "we like our team and our chances".

Wasn't there some mix ups with this?

One of the beat guys wrote that Saad told him Bowman asked him to try center and Bowman said that Saad asked to play there.
- pri$ey

I heard Bowman said Saad asked him to play there.

If Bowman asked Saad to play there, I'm sorry to be negative, that only shows desperation and just cluelessness.

Good news for those who like the roster as it stands today. #5 of 30 further empowers SB to command more of other teams when talking about his kids. Not saying its right, just saying, "we like our team and our chances".
- blackhawk24

Huddle is very high on Saad and that might be why he ranks the Hawks so high. I would challenge him on goaltending but I think also Teravainen vaults them up a spot or two because he is he true blue chipper the system was also lacking.

What he said, from the best I could tell, is that Saad had volunteered to play some C, sort of like implying the kid really wants to make the team any way he can.

Sort of one of those things that gets thrown out there as part of the lovefest surrounding the kid that you can take a variety of ways, including if you're dumb enough to believe he can play C in the NHL.

Why he was not at the Convention, I don't know. My gut tells me someone told the Hawks to cool it on the Saad hype—Papa Bowman, players, coaches.

I will just say this, as kind of insulting as it is to the intelligence of the fans, if I were a Hawk player at the pro level—NHL or AHL—I would be a little perturbed by it at the very least.
- John Jaeckel

Like someone SHOULD HAVE told Krauss to "cool it" on the Toni Kucoc hype back in 1992.

Good news for those who like the roster as it stands today. #5 of 30 further empowers SB to command more of other teams when talking about his kids. Not saying its right, just saying, "we like our team and our chances".
- blackhawk24

Agreed. Exactly why I said I'm not sure it's a good thing

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

Seabs Keith
Hjalmarsson Oduya
Leddy Brookbank

Crawford
Emery
- Ogilthorpe2

You forgot Montador. I also think Bowman will have Saad on the opening night roster.

I heard Bowman said Saad asked him to play there.

If Bowman asked Saad to play there, I'm sorry to be negative, that only shows desperation and just cluelessness.
- John Jaeckel

Absolutely.

I forget which guy wrote it but I know I read it somewhere. Thought it was weird.

I heard Bowman said Saad asked him to play there.

If Bowman asked Saad to play there, I'm sorry to be negative, that only shows desperation and just cluelessness.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed, that would be pure desperation. How confident are you about that, because if it was the other way around and Saad just really wants to make the team any way he can...you gotta like the desire. Still don't want to see him in the bigs this year, but that to me would be a good sign of his competitive drive.

You forgot Montador. I also think Bowman will have Saad on the opening night roster.
- EKolb13

Didn't forget him, but I'm trying to. Just say no to Saad.

Oh, and Good Morning Eli

Absolutely.

I forget which guy wrote it but I know I read it somewhere. Thought it was weird.
- pri$ey

Like I say above, I have not heard this specifically, but it would not surprise me at all if someone hasn't told Bowman and the P.R. machine to cool it on Saad.

If I were Jonathan Toews, Seabrook and some other guys getting ready to lay my blood on the line for this logo, I would be getting real tired of that whole thing. And I have heard that there is a great deal of impatience and frustration among some of the NHL level players with the quick default to prospects and rookies in lieu of NHL experienced help.

Didn't forget him, but I'm trying to. Just say no to Saad.

Oh, and Good Morning Eli
- Ogilthorpe2

Good morning Ogie!

Yeah, I'd love to forget about Montador myself. Bowman and Q will have Saad's head all sorts (frank)ed up by Christmas.

EDIT: That's if Q is still in Chicago come Christmas.

Agreed, that would be pure desperation. How confident are you about that, because if it was the other way around and Saad just really wants to make the team any way he can...you gotta like the desire. Still don't want to see him in the bigs this year, but that to me would be a good sign of his competitive drive.
- Ogilthorpe2

My take on it is this, yeah, you salute the desire if it just came from the kid. At the same time, you know what, let the kid stay at wing and work on what he needs to work on.

If Bowman asked him to do it, what that says is either Bowman has zero confidence in his other prospects who are legitimate natural centers: Pirri, Danault, McNeill. Or he really thinks Saad could help the big team this year as a center, in which case, he is proving he is unqualified as an NHL GM.

What he said, from the best I could tell, is that Saad had volunteered to play some C, sort of like implying the kid really wants to make the team any way he can.

Sort of one of those things that gets thrown out there as part of the lovefest surrounding the kid that you can take a variety of ways, including if you're dumb enough to believe he can play C in the NHL.

Why he was not at the Convention, I don't know. My gut tells me someone told the Hawks to cool it on the Saad hype—Papa Bowman, players, coaches.

I will just say this, as kind of insulting as it is to the intelligence of the fans, if I were a Hawk player at the pro level—NHL or AHL—I would be a little perturbed by it at the very least.
- John Jaeckel

Why would Saad be at the Convention anyway other than he was forced into duty for 2 games in the playoffs. He still has to make the team - just like Morin, Beach, McNeill etc. who probably weren't there either.

That and Scotty probably told Junior to button it about Saad.

Good morning Ogie!

Yeah, I'd love to forget about Montador myself. Bowman and Q will have Saad's head all sorts (frank)ed up by Christmas.
- EKolb13

I don't want Saad anywhere near the big club until Q is gone. So maybe he gets a callup sometime in November

My take on it is this, yeah, you salute the desire if it just came from the kid. At the same time, you know what, let the kid stay at wing and work on what he needs to work on.

If Bowman asked him to do it, what that says is either Bowman has zero confidence in his other prospects who are legitimate natural centers: Pirri, Danault, McNeill. Or he really thinks Saad could help the big team this year as a center, in which case, he is proving he is unqualified as an NHL GM.
- John Jaeckel

What?

Like I say above, I have not heard this specifically, but it would not surprise me at all if someone hasn't told Bowman and the P.R. machine to cool it on Saad.

If I were Jonathan Toews, Seabrook and some other guys getting ready to lay my blood on the line for this logo, I would be getting real tried of that whole thing. And I have heard that there is a great deal of impatience and frustration among some of the NHL level players with the quick default to prospects and rookies in lieu of NHL experienced help.
- John Jaeckel

The fact that Shaw, Bollig and Hayes were somewhat successful when called up simply buys Blowman more time to sit on his hands. Saad and Leddy should be offered around the league for the right price. I watched Saad very closely and nothing and I mean NOTHING jumped off the screen at me. He is mediocre and doing big things in the OHL is not the NHL. I really think Hayes will surprise a lot of people. He has shown some great hands in around the net and I think if his game is fine tuned and he can be relied on in his own end look out.

I don't want Saad anywhere near the big club until Q is gone. So maybe he gets a callup sometime in November
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed.

Even then, I don't want Saad to be looking at a call-up until it's time to put the "Black Aces" on the team. Saad should be spending the year in Rockford.

Too bad Bowman has his head up his ass.

Why would Saad be at the Convention anyway other than he was forced into duty for 2 games in the playoffs. He still has to make the team - just like Morin, Beach, McNeill etc. who probably weren't there either.

That and Scotty probably told Junior to button it about Saad.
- RickJ

I agree, but between having Saad on the dais at the draft (ya, I get the lame Pittsburgh hometown connection) and all the talk inthe media about him making the team as though it is a given, I think alot of people expected them to roll him out at the COnvention.

That said, you're right, he DOES have to make the team ostensibly over other guys with more experience and more pro experience. Again, if I'm Jeremy Morin, I'm pissed and super-motivated to beat this kid out.

Saad has done nothing at any level that Morin hasn't. Morin has also played pro and I believe has an NHL goal or two as well.

I will also say this, Morin was more noticeable to me in his NHL stints than Saad has been. Doesn't mean more is as good or better an NHL prospect. Saad is a better skater, but I also think Morin brings a couple of noticeable attributes I have yet to see from Saad: playing physical and a great shot. Also Morin is pretty nifty around the net.