John Jaeckel: Coffee Talk

Premier....ah oui....FIRST!

Second, and I'm biased towards Dunkin Donuts for my morning Joe

Saw the interview with Stan where he spoke about Hayes, the way I heard it, he called him out like Pat Riley called out Lebron. Basically saying, "he's a wuss for not wanting to come in and fight for a job. He thinks he's entitled, and a player with both of those traits going on, we don't want around here."

That ship has sailed with Stan, and the scouts are looking at who will be available with the second round pick they are adding next year.

Not to get into the entire our prospects are good or they aren't thing, but it will be interesting to see where he signs and how fast he gets to the big club. He knows he's behind a bunch of guys here, and I think this will be a good clue on how good our prospects are or aren't.

Makarov was incredible at that 2009? camp, as was Aliu. But Hayden is a totally different style player, one that it's hard to see his value in a "rat hockey" setting where pure skill shines... So I'm glad to read he was a star at camp.

Interested to hear from anyone who was at camp about Schmaltz, Olofsson, Iocepelli, Starrett, Hartman. Any thoughts on these guys, or any of the goalies?

Does Hayes have a clearer path to play on the Bruins or Rangers than here? It would seem that any potential contender wouldn't have an immediate opening, unless he's relegated to the third or fourth line...if he's lucky.

Makarov was incredible at that 2009? camp, as was Aliu. But Hayden is a totally different style player, one that it's hard to see his value in a "rat hockey" setting where pure skill shines... So I'm glad to read he was a star at camp.

Interested to hear from anyone who was at camp about Schmaltz, Olofsson, Iocepelli, Starrett, Hartman. Any thoughts on these guys, or any of the goalies?
- Mr Ricochet

I don't think Makarov was there in 2009. Aliu was the star, a man among boys (and there ya go).

Makarov was incredible at that 2009? camp, as was Aliu. But Hayden is a totally different style player, one that it's hard to see his value in a "rat hockey" setting where pure skill shines... So I'm glad to read he was a star at camp.

Interested to hear from anyone who was at camp about Schmaltz, Olofsson, Iocepelli, Starrett, Hartman. Any thoughts on these guys, or any of the goalies?
- Mr Ricochet

Starrett had a goal Friday.

Does Hayes have a clearer path to play on the Bruins or Rangers than here? It would seem that any potential contender wouldn't have an immediate opening, unless he's relegated to the third or fourth line...if he's lucky.
- FrancieBrady

Bill Meltzer (flyers blogger on HB) seems to think Philly could be an enticing place for Hayes - he'd have to beat out Read and Umberger (which shouldn't be too hard) to get into the top 6 with a shot at playing on the same line as Giroux.

Bill Meltzer (flyers blogger on HB) seems to think Philly could be an enticing place for Hayes - he'd have to beat out Read and Umberger to get into the top 6 with a shot at being on the same line as Giroux.
- moylander

If Hayes is that good right now, Bowman should set everything else aside and get him signed. Thing is, the Hawks know he's not that good right now. That's the whole issue.

The other issue is, there's some longer term history of immaturity and a sense of entitlement.

If Hayes is that good right now, Bowman should set everything else aside and get him signed. Thing is, the Hawks know he's not that good right now. That's the whole issue.

The other issue is, there's some longer term history of immaturity and a sense of entitlement.
- John Jaeckel

Think this is evident from the way they are dealing with him. Yesterday was different, previously Stan has only spoken about the situation as you would expect him to, working on a deal, time left...... yada yada yada.
Yesterday, he called him out and basically called him a coward.

Six of the prospect showed up to play rate hockey at Johnny's icehouse east on Friday afternoon
TT was there as was Hayden and Johns
They never shot the puck only redirected it into the net
TT played like the puck stuck to his stick

Hope he can add another ten pounds of strength this summer because he is another player that is fun to watch

If Hayes is that good right now, Bowman should set everything else aside and get him signed. Thing is, the Hawks know he's not that good right now. That's the whole issue.

The other issue is, there's some longer term history of immaturity and a sense of entitlement.
- John Jaeckel

From Bill's persepective its less about Hayes being that good right now and more about how weak the flyers currently are at at LW. Hayes has the size, speed, and potential 2-way play that would fit the bill for Ron Hextall. I can see a scenario working out such as Saad playing with the Toews line in his rookie season.

Bill has gone as far as suggesting the flyers should trade SJ's 3rd (in 2015) and PHI's 2nd (in 2016) for Kevin Hayes. He's pretty high on him.

I totally agree about the entitlement part - I'm not sold on Hayes because of that piece in particular. I wouldn't be upset if the flyers signed him - or didn't - at this point.

Six of the prospect showed up to play rate hockey at Johnny's icehouse east on Friday afternoon
TT was there as was Hayden and Johns
They never shot the puck only redirected it into the net
TT played like the puck stuck to his stick

Hope he can add another ten pounds of strength this summer because he is another player that is fun to watch
- molly2522

Gonna say this, and some will go apoplectic at this, but to me it is a favorable comparison.

Watching him play in the WJCs, and some tape from the SM Liiga, the way he controls the puck (to your point above), the smoothness to his game, the refinement, the way he recognizes teammates, he does remind me . . . a little bit . . . of one Alex "Archie" Zhamnov.

He's not going to the Rag's, with 4 RFA's that Sather can't get signed for pocket change?

If any prospect/kid doesn't see that the Hawks are a winning organization and is being stubborn/immature about signing his pro contract, then there's no reason to oblige him w/one. Athletes today need to realize how special it is to be in professional sports and seize the moment......

From Bill's persepective its less about Hayes being that good right now and more about how weak the flyers currently are at at LW. Hayes has the size, speed, and potential 2-way play that would fit the bill for Ron Hextall. I can see a scenario working out such as Saad playing with the Toews line in his rookie season.

Bill has gone as far as suggesting the flyers should trade SJ's 3rd (in 2015) and PHI's 2nd (in 2016) for Kevin Hayes. He's pretty high on him.

I totally agree about the entitlement part - I'm not sold on Hayes because of that piece in particular. I wouldn't be upset if the flyers signed him - or didn't - at this point.
- moylander

Saad sucked a good portion of that year and was an anchor on that line. It also didn't hurt that he was playing with not just one, but two, of the best players in the world. Also, Hayes isn't Saad. Saad was more highly ranked as a prospect, had half a season in the AHL, had international experience.

I like and respect Bill a great deal, but I think that is borderline wishful thinking as far as a projection for this year. Not sure if Bowman would take that offer versus the 2015 compensatory pick.

Bill Meltzer (flyers blogger on HB) seems to think Philly could be an enticing place for Hayes - he'd have to beat out Read and Umberger (which shouldn't be too hard) to get into the top 6 with a shot at playing on the same line as Giroux.
- moylander

I think with the Flyers being in cap hell right now any option to lower the cap hit is being explored. Hayes fits that possibility.

Plus he's a big dude, something that's always a good thing for Philly going back to Day 1.

Read IMO is a nice player.

unless he plays defense, we need another D man more than anything.

Streit & Kimo are a combined 76 years old.

Would be nice to see some prospects with a little size make the team this year and next like Johns, McNeill, Hayden. Think we've been missing that size on the 3rd and 4th lines (and talent, no offense all you Bollig lovers. I did like him, too. Most of the time. Some of the time. Maybe.) since the '10 purge. Brouwer, Buff, Eager, hell, even TomoKop had a little size. And there hasn't been anyone w/size who can really lay the wood on the 3rd d pair in the last 6-7 years.

Gonna say this, and some will go apoplectic at this, but to me it is a favorable comparison.

Watching him play in the WJCs, and some tape from the SM Liiga, the way he controls the puck (to your point above), the smoothness to his game, the refinement, the way he recognizes teammates, he does remind me . . . a little bit . . . of one Alex "Archie" Zhamnov.
- John Jaeckel

And to some he reminds them of Kane in terms of vision and hands.

JJ, I'm curious, as I can't remember, how you had Saad rated when he was brought up and after they drafted him?

I remember watching him with the NTDP as a 17-18 yr old. He had kinda stiff hands and very good straight away speed, no wiggle to his game. He went to Saginaw from there and I didn't see him until he played in preseason for the Hawks.

Huge improvement in that he added lateral movement to his game and he showed vision I hadn't seen. Showed me the kid was coachable, was willing to work to improve and had a higher ceiling than I had thought.

I get the same feeling about TT in that he's coachable and willing to work.

Gonna say this, and some will go apoplectic at this, but to me it is a favorable comparison.

Watching him play in the WJCs, and some tape from the SM Liiga, the way he controls the puck (to your point above), the smoothness to his game, the refinement, the way he recognizes teammates, he does remind me . . . a little bit . . . of one Alex "Archie" Zhamnov.
- John Jaeckel

I think Zhamnov would have been a lot better off in this era of the NHL. He was smooth and had moves, but if they chopped him and ran him not so much. If this TT guy has any of the positive traits that Zhamnov had that's a real good thing.

I think Zhamnov would have been a lot better off in this era of the NHL. He was smooth and had moves, but if they chopped him and ran him not so much. If this TT guy has any of the positive traits that Zhamnov had that's a real good thing.
- 6628

Good point. Add that the redline is taken out in today's game making the surface much bigger....... Anyone watch the replays of cup finals on NHLN lately? Watched the 85 Oilers-Isles and the 86 Flyers-Oilers the last few days. Incredible to see the hacking/wacking/clutching/obstructing that went on. ......And the skating today as compared to then is light years different.

Gonna say this, and some will go apoplectic at this, but to me it is a favorable comparison.

Watching him play in the WJCs, and some tape from the SM Liiga, the way he controls the puck (to your point above), the smoothness to his game, the refinement, the way he recognizes teammates, he does remind me . . . a little bit . . . of one Alex "Archie" Zhamnov.
- John Jaeckel

Can we trade him for Roenick?

Move away from Kevin Hayes if those reports are true. Hawks need high character players in their organization, that's the only way to win Cups...everyone has talent and several teams boast as much talent as the Hawks...where the Hawks sometimes "find a way" is because of character lead by elite-level on ice leadership. no need to take any chances on "problem children"... or spoiled brats who think they are owed a job in Chicago. We got a bunch of kids, very talented, working for that chance. Hayes should consider no different avenue than that, or let him play with someone else.

Not that I like his attitude (not wanting to play for Chicago after being drafted by them) but I would like to see Hayes play on the top line with Giroux and Voracek. Its still not the top dman we need but another young player in the fold.