John Jaeckel: Teravainen Signs/Prospect Tourney

The last two seasons I have seen Blackhawk free agent or invitee Johnny McGuire play against and for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL. This guy is insane! He skates OK has limited hockey ability but he is a throwback in terms of fighting. If anyone goes to the tourney in London expect to see this guy at the center of any scrum, if he hasn't in fact started it. And don't expect to see him hold on for dear life, he will be swinging, miss as many as he lands and will leave himself wide open to get clocked. Seeing as he will want to get noticed I expect one or more fights a games during the tourney.

JJ,

Any news on Shalunov? Do the Hawks have any intentions of ever getting this kid signed to an ELC?

The Hawk roster will include the usual suspects—Danault, McNeill, Olsen, Nordstrom—and a few notable and interesting names such as Drew Leblanc, Russian winger Maxim Shalunov and 6'9" Swedish defenseman Viktor Svedberg.

You got me excited there for a second, thought you were saying Viktor Stalberg

I would have loved to see him blow down the ice on a break then stone hand the puck away into the corner

If there is a bright shining star on the Hawks' horizon it is the 19 year old Finnish C/W.
- John Jaeckel

I think a shot at more Cups the next 2-3 years is a pretty nice horizon too.

John Jaeckel: Teravainen Signs/Prospect Tourney
- John Jaeckel

The ceiling on Teravainen seems to keep going higher and higher. The Hawks prospect depth is getting better and better.

The great situation Chicago is in now, is that they can let younger guys like Teravainen, McNeil, and Danault develop at a good pace and not rush them. At the same time they can let older prospects like Pirri and Morin cut their teeth with the big team in small doses, as unlike other teams, they should be in a position NOT to be stressing over a playoff spot. At least that SHOULD be the case.

A great job done by the organization in developing young talent while their CORE is still in their prime. Remember, Toews and Kane are only 25 or 26 and still young and improving themselves!!!

Glorious time to be a Hawk fan. (and I am old enough to remember when Pit Martin was our top scorer...so ABOUT TIME!!!)

Does anybody know if the prospects tournament will be available on tv in the states? I'm too lazy to google this morning.

Does anybody know if the prospects tournament will be available on tv in the states? I'm too lazy to google this morning.
- Lash8

This.

UnNamed Source and I were discussing this last night. Hopefully there is a way to stream it online.

This.

UnNamed Source and I were discussing this last night. Hopefully there is a way to stream it online.
- EKolb13

So I guess I'm not too lazy to do some googling. Definitely lazy this morning, in general, though.

2 of the 3 Hawks games are at 2pm ET. Not sure I'll be able to catch those from the cubicle. (http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=672785)

NHL.com's NHL network listings aren't posted this far in advance. Fascists.

So I guess I'm not too lazy to do some googling. Definitely lazy this morning, in general, though.

2 of the 3 Hawks games are at 2pm ET. Not sure I'll be able to catch those from the cubicle. (http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=672785)

NHL.com's NHL network listings aren't posted this far in advance. Fascists.
- Lash8

So you're stuck in your cubicle on Saturday and Sunday?

So you're stuck in your cubicle on Saturday and Sunday?
- EKolb13

Not all of us are M-F, 9-5ers you know?

So you're stuck in your cubicle on Saturday and Sunday?
- EKolb13

Even though I was un-lazy enough to google the tournament dates, I was definitely too lazy to look at a calendar!

Not all of us are M-F, 9-5ers you know?
- Ogilthorpe2

I totally get that.

JJ,

Any news on Shalunov? Do the Hawks have any intentions of ever getting this kid signed to an ELC?
- EKolb13

I think the fact he's here is a good sign from both camps. If they get him locked up soon, how about Shalunov as a darkhorse to get some time in Chicago?

He might be the closest thing to replacing Frolik on the penalty kill if anyone has ever watched him play. He's got a nice nasty side to him as well.

His issue is consistency as far as I can see.

This.

UnNamed Source and I were discussing this last night. Hopefully there is a way to stream it online.
- EKolb13

Bet the Hawks have it on their site.

I would also check out:

http://www.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981

If there is a feed available of any relevant hockey anywhere in the world, they typically have it. In HD too.

I think the fact he's here is a good sign from both camps. If they get him locked up soon, how about Shalunov as a darkhorse to get some time in Chicago?

He might be the closest thing to replacing Frolik on the penalty kill if anyone has ever watched him play. He's got a nice nasty side to him as well.

His issue is consistency as far as I can see.
- TyCamScore

Unless the Hawks are certain he wants to play in North America I'd stay well away from Russians.

I think the fact he's here is a good sign from both camps. If they get him locked up soon, how about Shalunov as a darkhorse to get some time in Chicago?

He might be the closest thing to replacing Frolik on the penalty kill if anyone has ever watched him play. He's got a nice nasty side to him as well.

His issue is consistency as far as I can see.
- TyCamScore

I would agree with all this.

I think the fact he's here is a good sign from both camps. If they get him locked up soon, how about Shalunov as a darkhorse to get some time in Chicago?

He might be the closest thing to replacing Frolik on the penalty kill if anyone has ever watched him play. He's got a nice nasty side to him as well.

His issue is consistency as far as I can see.
- TyCamScore

Ty,

Is it Shalunov's contract with his KHL team preventing the Hawks from giving him an ELC? It would seem to me that his willingness to come over for prospects camps and tournaments would show that Shalunov is willing to play outside of Russia.

Hey JJ, I mentioned this in the last blog.

Thanks for everything you do and keep doing what you do. Your awesome blogs bring together the greatest sports fans in the world.

Hey JJ, I mentioned this in the last blog.

Thanks for everything you do and keep doing what you do. Your awesome blogs bring together the greatest sports fans in the world.
- robhawks

Well said.

Ty,

Is it Shalunov's contract with his KHL team preventing the Hawks from giving him an ELC? It would seem to me that his willingness to come over for prospects camps and tournaments would show that Shalunov is willing to play outside of Russia.
- EKolb13

More likely, as a Russian, it's his stance on gay marriage that is the issue.

Ty,

Is it Shalunov's contract with his KHL team preventing the Hawks from giving him an ELC? It would seem to me that his willingness to come over for prospects camps and tournaments would show that Shalunov is willing to play outside of Russia.
- EKolb13

I don't think he's tied to the KHL as much as we think, he's only had a couple spot appearances. He's played more with his junior team (Belie Medvedi) where he's performed well. Maybe he's ready for that jump to the NA surface.

Yep - being here for those as well as coming over to be a part of the Subway Super Series shows a lot of promise.

Hey - I'm weary of Russian prospects as well. Igor Makarov broke my heart, I thought he was going to be a gem. This could very well be a steal of a player in Shalunov with all signs pointing to him wanting to be Chicago.

Well said.
- EKolb13

There's been lots of discussion on which Rockford prospects will make the team next year. There seems to be a consensus that Smith will make the team (likely on the 4th line) and Morin has a decent shot at the 3rd line vacancy.

Over the past 2 seasons it's been Jimmy Hayes who's been called up the most; 10 games last season and 31 in 2011/2012. Management must see something in this guy to keep giving him a chance over the likes of Smith, Morin, and Pirri.

Eli...you've provided your feedback on what's kept Hayes from sticking in Chicago (i.e. skating) but in your opinion what do you think Management sees in this kid? Is it simply his 6'6" frame or is there something else?

There's been lots of discussion on which Rockford prospects will make the team next year. There seems to be a consensus that Smith will make the team (likely on the 4th line) and Morin has a decent shot at the 3rd line vacancy.

Over the past 2 seasons it's been Jimmy Hayes who's been called up the most; 10 games last season and 31 in 2011/2012. Management must see something in this guy to keep giving him a chance over the likes of Smith, Morin, and Pirri.

Eli...you've provided your feedback on what's kept Hayes from sticking in Chicago (i.e. skating) but in your opinion what do you think Management sees in this kid? Is it simply his 6'6" frame or is there something else?
- DarthKane

Smith's either on the Blackhawks or with another organization IMO due to his 1-way contract.

They've committed to him giving him that 2nd year as a 1-way so they must see him as ready to contribute. He had a solid year in Rockford as well, he just needs to stay healthy!

I don't think he's tied to the KHL as much as we think, he's only had a couple spot appearances. He's played more with his junior team (Belie Medvedi) where he's performed well. Maybe he's ready for that jump to the NA surface.

Yep - being here for those as well as coming over to be a part of the Subway Super Series shows a lot of promise.

Hey - I'm weary of Russian prospects as well. Igor Makarov broke my heart, I thought he was going to be a gem. This could very well be a steal of a player in Shalunov with all signs pointing to him wanting to be Chicago.
- TyCamScore

If Ivan Vishnevskiy hadn't of been in Rockford chirping in Makarov's ear about how he (Vishnevskiy) was never going to get his shot in North America, perhaps Makarov would have stayed more than one season in North America.