John Jaeckel: I Got 99 Problems And 88 Ain’t One

The question remains if (Barker) has the foot speed and smarts to make it, either with the Hawks or accept a deal with Rockford.
- John Jaeckel

Given that there are 10 or 11 guys slated to contend for roster spots on the blueline in Rockford once their training camp opens up, would the organization have interest in adding yet another guy to that mix? Especially when there are two veterans (Cumisky, Miskovic) slated to possibly play in Rockford?

John Jaeckel: I Got 99 Problems And 88 Ain’t One
- John Jaeckel

Kane - great players want to be great so if not wanting to be a 1B is his mindset, good for him. But the ultimate measurement is Stanley Cups won - just ask Robert Marvin Hull about that.

Barker - likely his last kick at it as a no risk invitee to camp. If he shows anything at all, the Hawks may offer him an AHL contract to start with, like Leighton. Or he is free to walk out of camp and sign with another team dangling a firm deal. I can live with Barker as a 7, 8, 9 Dman in the system a lot more than having to watch Sean O'Donnell or Sami Lepisto stumble around.

John Jaeckel: I Got 99 Problems And 88 Ain’t One
- John Jaeckel

While I agree Kane's upside may be greater than Toews' upside, I have wondered if JT can ever figure out to maintain his two way play and increase his point totals. In my mind regardless of point totals Toews will always be the Hawks #1, due to having very good offensive skills, being one of the top two or three defensive forwards in the league and his ability to plat at or near his capability game in and game out. On the other hand Kane may challenge for scoring and points totals but he will never be confused with a top two way player (though he does a reasonable job) and he will never be able to play a consistent game day in and day out.

I like the comparison of TT to Savy? Think he was 168 pounds when he arrived back in 1980? Also Barker was coached up huge by Q, so I am looking for Q to get him back on the big club as a 6th or 7th defenseman. Barkers most success came with Q.

I like the comparison of TT to Savy? Think he was 168 pounds when he arrived back in 1980? Also Barker was coached up huge by Q, so I am looking for Q to get him back on the big club as a 6th or 7th defenseman. Barkers most success came with Q.
- artlarson

Nothin personal with Barker, or Q, and certainly not you for that matter. But if Q coached Barker up so huge why did Barker spend the last several years bouncing around the world trying to stick on a roster? Be a nice story if the guy could rally and contribute. But the more important speed is the more useless he is. How ironic would it be if Barker and Leddy were the 5 & 6 D men. If Barker can play a stay at home style and actually clear his crease its not out of the question. I might even play them 1st PP line. But all that's a BIG if. Also lets the defence kids in Rockford mature at their own pace. Good on him for giving it a go.

Kane vs Toews ??? Really ? They're both excellent players with Toews by far playing the harder, tougher two way minutes. I'd take him 24/7/365 over Kane. Love Kaner though. He's a game breaker with a killer instinct. Hawks are lucky to have 'em both.

As for TT, heard he's been working hard to bulk up. He's got an excellent shot to make the team if he has a good camp.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Teuvo Teravainen is sitting out #Blackhawks' scrimmages with an upper-body injury. He's day to day. Looked fine at Five Guys yesterday.

Kane vs Toews ??? Really ? They're both excellent players with Toews by far playing the harder, tougher two way minutes. I'd take him 24/7/365 over Kane. Love Kaner though. He's a game breaker with a killer instinct. Hawks are lucky to have 'em both.

As for TT, heard he's been working hard to bulk up. He's got an excellent shot to make the team if he has a good camp.
- philco28

I think no matter how many Richards and Zharts Kane wins, Toews will always have one thing Kane won't have: the Captaincy.

That will keep him 1A in the jockey part of this town - the first one the media will go to, the team spokesman, the recognized team leader.

I think no matter how many Richards and Zharts Kane wins, Toews will always have one thing Kane won't have: the Captaincy.

That will keep him 1A in the jockey part of this town - the first one the media will go to, the team spokesman, the recognized team leader.
- StLBravesFan

They complement each other so well that they'll linked in every conversation for years to come.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Teuvo Teravainen is sitting out #Blackhawks' scrimmages with an upper-body injury. He's day to day. Looked fine at Five Guys yesterday.
- philco28

The Barker hit perhaps

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Teuvo Teravainen is sitting out #Blackhawks' scrimmages with an upper-body injury. He's day to day. Looked fine at Five Guys yesterday.
- philco28

The Barker hit perhaps
- eagle50

Perhaps....or fart burn from Five Guys

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Teuvo Teravainen is sitting out #Blackhawks' scrimmages with an upper-body injury. He's day to day. Looked fine at Five Guys yesterday.
- philco28

Good. He needs to put the pounds on

#dontbelievethehype

JJ making me keep the thesaurus handy when reading the blog. Well done.

Trade Oduya and Keep Leddy!

JJ making me keep the thesaurus handy when reading the blog. Well done.

Trade Oduya and Keep Leddy!
- TrueGrit

Hopefully not.

Wondering who will be able to fill the void on the 19th ranked PK during regular season and the 7th ranked PK in the playoffs? How do you replace Handzuis without stepping back? Just a small step back to the worst in the league! Can't wait to see Smith and Saad revamp and help the PK regain a top 10 ranking again.

Wondering who will be able to fill the void on the 19th ranked PK during regular season and the 7th ranked PK in the playoffs? How do you replace Handzuis without stepping back? Just a small step back to the worst in the league! Can't wait to see Smith and Saad revamp and help the PK regain a top 10 ranking again.
- TrueGrit

I'm a bit worried about the PK too, we've lost Frolik and Handzus over the past couple seasons and there hasn't been any specific replacements. Kruger will be fine and while Toews & Hossa can man the PK I'd rather see their minutes limited.

The PK is more of a reason to keep Oduya, he averaged just over 2 minutes of PK time per game while Leddy averaged 2 seconds.

@ChrisKuc: Coach Joel Quenneville said Teuvo Teravainen could play in tomorrow's scrimmage at the United Center. #Blackhawks

Wondering who will be able to fill the void on the 19th ranked PK during regular season and the 7th ranked PK in the playoffs? How do you replace Handzuis without stepping back? Just a small step back to the worst in the league! Can't wait to see Smith and Saad revamp and help the PK regain a top 10 ranking again.
- TrueGrit

PK best in the league after January 1 - the last 42 games.

PK best in the league after January 1 - the last 42 games.
- StLBravesFan

@ESPNChiHawks: Quenneville said Ben Smith would get first crack at Handzus’ PK role.

PK best in the league after January 1 - the last 42 games.
- StLBravesFan

The PK didn't look so great when it mattered most, in the playoffs against LA. If the regular season meant anything, Washington and Vancouver would be dynasties. The failure on the PK showed that Frolik and Bolland hadn't been adequately replaced.

Barker blows a pass and fumbles in our own zone (you know the one), career goes to hell, gets invited back and almost seriously injures our best prospect. I get him being a potential 7/8/9 D-man, but the guy is a walking accident. A jinx if you will.

Let's let a herd of goats graze at wrigley while we're at it.

The PK didn't look so great when it mattered most, in the playoffs against LA. If the regular season meant anything, Washington and Vancouver would be dynasties. The failure on the PK showed that Frolik and Bolland hadn't been adequately replaced.
- paulr

PK was excellent the second half of the regular season and the first two rounds of the tournament.

As I recall, there were two bad games against LA - game 2 (third period) and one other. Much of the problem, IIRC, was lost FOs in the PK zone.

I think last year's performance meant it WAS an excellent PK after January 1 - something to build on for this year. Frolik's replacement was Handzus (who didn't get PK responsibility until late) - worked out well.

Now Handzus needs to be replaced.

Barker blows a pass and fumbles in our own zone (you know the one), career goes to hell, gets invited back and almost seriously injures our best prospect. I get him being a potential 7/8/9 D-man, but the guy is a walking accident. A jinx if you will.

Let's let a herd of goats graze at wrigley while we're at it.
- ZenlarTheRed

I don't get people in twitter-land almost celebrating the hit as he will do anything to make the team. I don't see how destroying an asset accomplishes that. This guy was worse than Leddy, scared to death someone might forecheck him. Don't even get the invite, even from a depth perspective.