John Jaeckel: Hawk Players In The World Cup

Did you expect Seabrook to be on team Canada?

Disagree with you on Finland's talent. They have gotten bronze the last two Olympics. While also getting silver twice over the last three years at the World Championships and talking about their youth, they have won gold at the WJC twice the last three years also. One of the gold was when TT won MVP of the tourney.

Finland is never the most talented in these tourneys but they also have grit and their hockey IQ is always tremendous. I wouldnt take away anything from Pokka making this squad. While Finnish management could have gone with veterans like Kukkonen or Heitanen in the KHL they went with young guys on NHL/AHL rosters. They have many good young D Men led by Ristolainen and Pokka but Ville making the cut over former 1st rounder Julius Honka is a big deal.

Mornin' John...happy Memorial Day weekend especially to all our Veterans!!!

Should be a good tournament...

anxious to see what's going to happen with the Hawks roster over the next month or so.

Meantime I was a bit shocked to see Kessel isn't on the USA roster. He's having a heck of a spring here for the Pens.

But I'd still like to see the Sharks take it. Thought that Wilson made a real nice hire in DeBoer and its paid off.

Disagree with you on Finland's talent. They have gotten bronze the last two Olympics. While also getting silver twice over the last three years at the World Championships and talking about their youth, they have won gold at the WJC twice the last three years also. One of the gold was when TT won MVP of the tourney.

Finland is never the most talented in these tourneys but they also have grit and their hockey IQ is always tremendous. I wouldnt take away anything from Pokka making this squad. While Finnish management could have gone with veterans like Kukkonen or Heitanen in the KHL they went with young guys on NHL/AHL rosters. They have many good young D Men led by Ristolainen and Pokka but Ville making the cut over former 1st rounder Julius Honka is a big deal.
- pistolkiwi

Fair points, especially about Finland's often surprising competitiveness year after year.

As far as Pokka, in Chicago, we (some of us) also know that David Rundblad and Kyle Cumiskey have been considered better options by the organization than Pokka when the biggest hardware on the planet was on the line. And when the consideration set for Team Finland includes Lasse Kukkonen and Sami Lepisto, again, here in Chicago, we have something to go by there as far as metrics. It's not like choosing between Brent Seabrook and say Shea Weber, is it?

Not to be a jerk, but facts are facts.

So at best, the jury is still out on Pokka as far as the NHL. Taking nothing away from his being named to what should be at least a competitive World Cup team.

Mornin' John...happy Memorial Day weekend especially to all our Veterans!!!

Should be a good tournament...

anxious to see what's going to happen with the Hawks roster over the next month or so.

Meantime I was a bit shocked to see Kessel isn't on the USA roster. He's having a heck of a spring here for the Pens.

But I'd still like to see the Sharks take it. Thought that Wilson made a real nice hire in DeBoer and its paid off.
- DK002

Mornin' DK.

Yep, good points all the way around.

- cheater2

Meh, you've done better.

Did you expect Seabrook to be on team Canada?
- deadpoulet

Actually, no. Would I have been surprised if he was? No. But not surprised at all he isn't either.

Fair points, especially about Finland's often surprising competitiveness year after year.

As far as Pokka, in Chicago, we (some of us) also know that David Rundblad and Kyle Cumiskey have been considered better options by the organization than Pokka when the biggest hardware on the planet was on the line. And when the consideration set for Team Finland includes Lasse Kukkonen and Sami Lepisto, again, here in Chicago, we have something to go by there as far as metrics. It's not like choosing between Brent Seabrook and say Shea Weber, is it?

Not to be a jerk, but facts are facts.

So at best, the jury is still out on Pokka as far as the NHL. Taking nothing away from his being named to what should be at least a competitive World Cup team.
- John Jaeckel

I know what you are saying, but do you think we all think that Rundblad was ever a better option than, well, anyone?

I've learned my lesson on young guys, I'll wait and see how VP turns out. Would be good to see the org develop someone.....................

I'm shocked Saad isn't playing for the US

Wonder if daddy told them he couldn't play

Only one not in Canada is Seabrook. That's ok... Time off. Wish Toews, Hossa, Hjalmarsson didn't have to go.

Saad is on that North American 23 year and younger team. Lots of young talent there. Should be fun to watch them.

Kruger's selection (yet again) to a fairly stacked Team Sweden roster may provide an "instructive moment" for some Hawk fans who still adamantly refuse to see his value. Joel Quennneville, Stan and Scotty Bowman have zero influence on Swedish hockey. Kruger is on Team Sweden, as he has been consistently for several years going back to World Junior play 8-9 years ago, because he is a useful player who helps win hockey games.

IMO if a fan doesn't see Kruger's value as a part of a solid team they are missing it, but that's not the question concerning the Hawks. Another way, to compare with the Hawks and Kruger, is would you keep Kruger or say, Hagelin, if you're Team Sweden?

It's the cap and who fills irreplaceable needs for an NHL club, who checks more boxes, no such worry for an international tournament.

Love Freddy and what he brings but if I have to choose between Freddy and Shaw I'll go with Shaw. If the Hawks can replace the grittiest Hawk who can slot anywhere in the lineup, play wing or center, put up 40 points, play PP for less money then I'm ok with choosing Kruger over Shaw.

Only one not in Canada is Seabrook. That's ok... Time off. Wish Toews, Hossa, Hjalmarsson didn't have to go.
- 93Joe

Me too. Would love to see every Hawk rest this summer.

Only one not in Canada is Seabrook. That's ok... Time off. Wish Toews, Hossa, Hjalmarsson didn't have to go.
- 93Joe

Time off not much of an issue, I don't think:

World Cup starts goes from 9/16 to 10/1 - figure a week of training camp, so 9/9 - which is about when NHL camps would begin anyways.

Time off not much of an issue, I don't think:

World Cup starts goes from 9/16 to 10/1 - figure a week of training camp, so 9/9 - which is about when NHL camps would begin anyways.
- StLBravesFan

Good point, but big difference between playing games vs the best in the world vs working on puck and skating drills in camp.

I'm shocked Saad isn't playing for the US

Wonder if daddy told them he couldn't play
- BetweenTheDots

I was surprised as well...but he's on the 23 and under squad...

''World Cup is dismissed by some as just a meaningless endeavor in marketing by the players' association"


yeah...you framed what I was trying to say yesterday, better than my attempt to say it...

Fair points, especially about Finland's often surprising competitiveness year after year.

As far as Pokka, in Chicago, we (some of us) also know that David Rundblad and Kyle Cumiskey have been considered better options by the organization than Pokka when the biggest hardware on the planet was on the line. And when the consideration set for Team Finland includes Lasse Kukkonen and Sami Lepisto, again, here in Chicago, we have something to go by there as far as metrics. It's not like choosing between Brent Seabrook and say Shea Weber, is it?

Not to be a jerk, but facts are facts.

So at best, the jury is still out on Pokka as far as the NHL. Taking nothing away from his being named to what should be at least a competitive World Cup team.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed, way too soon to reach a final conclusion on what Pokka can or can't do as an NHL Dman. He is still only 21 and is getting valuable development time in the AHL, World Championships and now the World Cup.

And its all about the cap too, breaking in a rookie at $925K isn't a terrible thing. Unless some people think it would be better to do what the Bruins did and sign a mediocre Kevan Miller type for 4 years and $10M.

It is easy to see what people like about Kruger. I don't think there is any denying that, but facts are facts. He is getting a big raise after completing his worst season with the Hawks. That is the part that is tough to swallow for a lot of Hawks fans. When you consider the Hawks may end up having to part ways with other important pieces, you know that Kruger must bounce back next year. Kruger is a useful player. He can play better and he likely will. It isn't all on him... one of his usual line mates needs to do his part and that is Andrew Desjardins.

Don't get me wrong, Desjardins is a nice player for his salary, but I don't think he can handle that much defensive responsibility. The fact that Desi was the forward that played the most shorthanded minutes is a problem and a big reason why the Hawks PK struggled.

Kruger isn't going anywhere. The fans like him, the Hawks like him and he is a useful player, but for his salary he needs to bounce back and the Hawks need to find some more depth at killing penalties. It is nice when 4th line guys are able to play well defensively, but relying on them take the bulk of the defensive assignment isn't always going to work out well. This comes back to the root of the problem and the BIGGEST issue with this team in the last year. Lack of forward depth.

It isn't necessarily a new issue, the problem has been there to a degree for two seasons, but it is at it's worst now. Sure, you can point out that the Hawks won the cup season before last, but remember that the only reason the Hawks had enough depth to win that cup was because Kane got injured and they were able to far exceed the cap for the playoffs.

Follow that up the next season with Kane/Toews getting their huge paydays and the Hawks can't field enough depth. Guys like Desi are playing above their pay grade and Hossa has age steal some of his scoring touch. The Hawks didn't lose because they parted ways with Oduya, they lost because of the issues up front.

It is easy to see what people like about Kruger. I don't think there is any denying that, but facts are facts. He is getting a big raise after completing his worst season with the Hawks. That is the part that is tough to swallow for a lot of Hawks fans. When you consider the Hawks may end up having to part ways with other important pieces, you know that Kruger must bounce back next year. Kruger is a useful player. He can play better and he likely will. It isn't all on him... one of his usual line mates needs to do his part and that is Andrew Desjardins.

Don't get me wrong, Desjardins is a nice player for his salary, but I don't think he can handle that much defensive responsibility. The fact that Desi was the forward that played the most shorthanded minutes is a problem and a big reason why the Hawks PK struggled.

Kruger isn't going anywhere. The fans like him, the Hawks like him and he is a useful player, but for his salary he needs to bounce back and the Hawks need to find some more depth at killing penalties. It is nice when 4th line guys are able to play well defensively, but relying on them take the bulk of the defensive assignment isn't always going to work out well. This comes back to the root of the problem and the BIGGEST issue with this team in the last year. Lack of forward depth.

It isn't necessarily a new issue, the problem has been there to a degree for two seasons, but it is at it's worst now. Sure, you can point out that the Hawks won the cup season before last, but remember that the only reason the Hawks had enough depth to win that cup was because Kane got injured and they were able to far exceed the cap for the playoffs.

Follow that up the next season with Kane/Toews getting their huge paydays and the Hawks can't field enough depth. Guys like Desi are playing above their pay grade and Hossa has age steal some of his scoring touch. The Hawks didn't lose because they parted ways with Oduya, they lost because of the issues up front.
- breadbag

He had his worst season as a Hawk because he had almost a season long injury, and he got a raise because, 1. He took a cheap one year deal to stay the year before, and 2. He is extremely vital to the Hawks success.

Everyone can either deny or forget how Krugers line shut down the top lines in the playoffs of the cup years, but make no mistake about it, they don't win those last two cups without having his line out there against the others #1.

Don't think its good business to cut loose guys who are young, competitive team guys, with lots of upside, because they have one injury.

Kruger is a lifer (at least as long as Bowman's, Q, and any other hockey guy with a brain is in charge), so everyone should get used to it.

I didn't see Runblad on that list. Must be a mistake......

He had his worst season as a Hawk because he had almost a season long injury, and he got a raise because, 1. He took a cheap one year deal to stay the year before, and 2. He is extremely vital to the Hawks success.

Everyone can either deny or forget how Krugers line shut down the top lines in the playoffs of the cup years, but make no mistake about it, they don't win those last two cups without having his line out there against the others #1.

Don't think its good business to cut loose guys who are young, competitive team guys, with lots of upside, because they have one injury.

Kruger is a lifer (at least as long as Bowman's, Q, and any other hockey guy with a brain is in charge), so everyone should get used to it.
- vabeachbear

I'm not saying they should cut him loose, but the injury happened as he was well into his sub-par season. It's not like he was playing great and then got hurt. He was playing "meh" hockey and then got hurt. That makes it tough to be happy about his big raise.

I think they lose either Kruger or Anisimov in the expansion draft or perhaps both if there are drafts in successive years. They are not protected via NMC's. So there's at least part of Panarin's money.

Really think next year Q needs to do:

Panarin - Toews - XXX
XXX - Anisimov - Kane

There ya go. Two scoring lines.