John Jaeckel: Feeling Roll-y Again

LET'S GO HAWKS!

Too many days off. Let's get some rest and be ready to roll.

Hawks are flying again, thanks JJ good read as always keep up the great work keeping all of us Hawks fans informed!!

LET'S GO HAWKS!

Too many days off. Let's get some rest and be ready to roll.
- Drgonzo399

I think they need this little break. A few 3 in 4 nights and 10 of the last 12 away from the UC? That's tough.

Seabrook was in beast mode last night. Great game. I heard someone on Sirius NHL Radio about a week or two ago call Seabrook a Norris Trophy candidate. I know he's had a good year but is that a stretch? Probably also hard to assess when you play along side a two-time Norris winner.

Ask Kyle Turris, LOL
- John Jaeckel

Steeg has a bit of snarl to his game.

Saw an earlier comment about size/skill combo and a comparison between the 2013 Hawks and this year's group. The only guys I can think of not here from that group are Leddy, Bolland, Zus and Fro.

The last two gave you a bit of size and Bolland, Zus and Fro would hit people but I don't see a big difference with this year's group.

Richards is a step up from Zus and Carcillo and Nordy give you some pest/hitting ability on the 4th line. Even though Versteeg is small he can dish as well as take.

Saad may not be a physical beast yet but he can bring it at times too. Agree that size and skill is desirable but like the '13 group I don't see these guys as a bunch of shrinking violets when the games get rough. Time will tell though.

I find Mike Yao crying about penalties funny when his team was rewarded a penalty shot on a play that didn't deserve a penalty shot. Nino make more of an effort to sell the penalty than finish the play. The ref decided that call too early.

Seabrook was in beast mode last night. Great game. I heard someone on Sirius NHL Radio about a week or two ago call Seabrook a Norris Trophy candidate. I know he's had a good year but is that a stretch? Probably also hard to assess when you play along side a two-time Norris winner.
- golfbard

Don't know about being a Norris candidate but Seabrook is a winner, a great team player and a guy who really brings it when it counts. Horses like him are almost impossible to find in the NHL.

And there will be other guys on this team going out the door long before Stanbo lets Seabs go.

Don't know about being a Norris candidate but Seabrook is a winner, a great team player and a guy who really brings it when it counts. Horses like him are almost impossible to find in the NHL.

And there will be other guys on this team going out the door long before Stanbo lets Seabs go.
- RickJ

Seabs would be wearing the "C" on many teams in the NHL if he were not with Chicago.

Seabs would be wearing the "C" on many teams in the NHL if he were not with Chicago.
- powerenforcer

Agreed

John Jaeckel: Feeling Roll-y Again
- John Jaeckel

I think you were over-counting the power plays somehow: 3 each, plus the Wild penalty shot.

I find Mike Yao crying about penalties funny when his team was rewarded a penalty shot on a play that didn't deserve a penalty shot. Nino make more of an effort to sell the penalty than finish the play. The ref decided that call too early.
- powerenforcer

Good analysis. Replay clearly backs up your assessment.

Other Notes:
Agree with JJ on the recent run....
1.Saad most improved player with a new found confidence with the puck
2.Richards a close second and I don't find him slow
3.Raanta just good enough for the win
4.Prefer to see Nordstrum up and either Shaw or Carcillo sitting
5.Prefer the little of what I have seen of Dahlback over Rudbland

I think they need this little break. A few 3 in 4 nights and 10 of the last 12 away from the UC? That's tough.
- golfbard

Agreed on much needed break. Was mainly speaking personally and having back to back games and 3/4 basically sandwiched in between a longer break doesn't make much sense. But of course we know because of venue's other obligations.

The team looks dialed in and hopefully will be this way come March.

Anyone have an update on Keith? Was it the mumps?

Good analysis. Replay clearly backs up your assessment.

Other Notes:
Agree with JJ on the recent run....
1.Saad most improved player with a new found confidence with the puck
2.Richards a close second and I don't find him slow
3.Raanta just good enough for the win
4.Prefer to see Nordstrum up and either Shaw or Carcillo sitting
5.Prefer the little of what I have seen of Dahlback over Rudbland
- Colbyboy

I look at it this way - the Hawks have 28-30 players who are being given a good taste of what it's like to play on a top NHL squad. The team is winning at home and on the road in front of 2 backup goaltenders. Nordstrom, Dahlbeck, Clendening, Rundblad and Erixon have all been introduced to the big time - nothing spectacular from them yet but definitely adequate. Mark McNeill will be next for a sniff.

With that kind of depth Stanbo isn't going to get bent over in the trade market if he is even thinking of participating in it.

Agreed on much needed break. Was mainly speaking personally and having back to back games and 3/4 basically sandwiched in between a longer break doesn't make much sense. But of course we know because of venue's other obligations.

The team looks dialed in and hopefully will be this way come March.

Anyone have an update on Keith? Was it the mumps?
- Drgonzo399

Think Q said it wasn't the mumps and could be back at practice tomorrow or the next day (whenever their next practice is)

I think you were over-counting the power plays somehow: 3 each, plus the Wild penalty shot.
- StLBravesFan

correct, thx, fixed

I look at it this way - the Hawks have 28-30 players who are being given a good taste of what it's like to play on a top NHL squad. The team is winning at home and on the road in front of 2 backup goaltenders. Nordstrom, Dahlbeck, Clendening, Rundblad and Erixon have all been introduced to the big time - nothing spectacular from them yet but definitely adequate. Mark McNeill will be next for a sniff.

With that kind of depth Stanbo isn't going to get bent over in the trade market if he is even thinking of participating in it.
- RickJ

Does he need to? Maybe a depth guy on D or Fwd with some size, but like you mention there are a number of guys at RFD getting a sniff and several will likely have jobs with the big club next year already providing depth.

I know there will be lots of moaning when Stan doesn't go out and get another all star or Looch to add to the core at the deadline, but barring injuries I think the Hawks are in good shape.

Rundblad didnt look terrible, but to look back knowing Bowman gave up a coveted 2nd round pick for him, yikes...

Rundblad didnt look terrible, but to look back knowing Bowman gave up a coveted 2nd round pick for him, yikes...
- FourFeathers773

My opinion only here: He looks stiff, looks slow to the puck and he skates upright. I know some of this because he's a little taller than other d-men.

My worry is Stan throws this guy a one way contract next year. If anything, sign him to a two-way and teach him some technique in Rockford. He's not terrible, but I'd rather see TVR, Dahlbeck and Erixon rotating on that third pair.

Rundblad didnt look terrible, but to look back knowing Bowman gave up a coveted 2nd round pick for him, yikes...
- FourFeathers773

Still hoping there will be a move for a veteran physical dman at the deadline.

Also if it comes down to Seabs or Craw with the cap- there's no way I'm giving up Seabs.

My opinion only here: He looks stiff, looks slow to the puck and he skates upright. I know some of this because he's a little taller than other d-men.

My worry is Stan throws this guy a one way contract next year. If anything, sign him to a two-way and teach him some technique in Rockford. He's not terrible, but I'd rather see TVR, Dahlbeck and Erixon rotating on that third pair.
- MNHawk

I don't think it's how many "ways" the contract is - that only says what his pay is in Chicago or Rockford - but more important, what his waiver status is: Rundblad would have to clear waivers, one-way or two-way contract.

I don't think it's how many "ways" the contract is - that only says what his pay is in Chicago or Rockford - but more important, what his waiver status is: Rundblad would have to clear waivers, one-way or two-way contract.
- StLBravesFan

Good point.

My opinion only here: He looks stiff, looks slow to the puck and he skates upright. I know some of this because he's a little taller than other d-men.

My worry is Stan throws this guy a one way contract next year. If anything, sign him to a two-way and teach him some technique in Rockford. He's not terrible, but I'd rather see TVR, Dahlbeck and Erixon rotating on that third pair.
- MNHawk

When I saw Rundblad starting with Seabs last night I thought Q was saying "Stan, you wanted him now you can have him."....

I was part of the group that believed Rundblad should get a strong look and chance even after his weak showing post-trade last year. I think we've seen enough after last night and the other games he has played this year. He is definitely "stiff" - both physically and with his decision making. Erixon looks better so far.

Still hoping there will be a move for a veteran physical dman at the deadline.

Also if it comes down to Seabs or Craw with the cap- there's no way I'm giving up Seabs.
- DK002

Chris Bloc had a well researched piece in the Committed Indian with a fair amount of supporting facts about Morin and Stan not showing significant results with his drafts yet. Made a strng point Morin had only himself to blame for falling out of favor.

Also made a point that these trades of developed prospects for other organization's rejects could prove risky for the organization down the line. His point was Stan giving Q players he can play over their own prospects hurts their development and Rundblad/Erixon over Klas and Clendening is an example.

Not sure where I stand on it but I would prefer to see Klas getting those Rundblad minutes now that it is apparent what Rundblad's upside is. Though I'd like to see that physical d man in the lineup - until the trade deadline they need to give Klas or Clendening time in the NHL to develop. Both of them are RFA next summer.

When I saw Rundblad starting with Seabs last night I thought Q was saying "Stan, you wanted him now you can have him."....

I was part of the group that believed Rundblad should get a strong look and chance even after his weak showing post-trade last year. I think we've seen enough after last night and the other games he has played this year. He is definitely "stiff" - both physically and with his decision making. Erixon looks better so far.
- tredbrta

I was another one who was rooting for him to do well. No one wants to see their team trade a second round draft choice for a guy who looks like he'd struggle in the AHL... The booming shot from the point I saw in some videos (can't remember who posted them, maybe you?) was definitely sexy. I guess for the salary ($573k according to cap geek) you get what you pay for...but it comes back to that second round pick...sigh.