John Jaeckel: The Ballad of Igor Makarov

FIRST

In general, I've liked Powers coverage of camp. He's tempered any expectations on guys liek Debrincat coming in and immediately making the team. He's actually said Sikura has been most impressive so far.

They are all prospects. Kane, Toews, Keith....all of them at one time were prospects. Some hit, some miss. The point is....none are born at age 20 and playing in the NHL without having played hockey for 16 years.

So I understand why there is a need to tell us they are only prospects and many miss. That is true. But many hit too because you have to fill out a roster and play the games. And we have won 3 cups. And many of our studs were all "prospects" drafted by the Hawks. Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabs, Hammer, Saad, Shaw, Crawford...etc....the list goes on. Point is...we did not trade for 20 guys to win our three cups each year. Most of the guys on the roster were "prospects" brought up through our system.

I guess I tend to have a more "glass half full" view on things considering the Hawks have won so often and seem to know more than any of us...what they are doing. They draft pretty damn well.

In general, I've liked Powers coverage of camp. He's tempered any expectations on guys liek Debrincat coming in and immediately making the team. He's actually said Sikura has been most impressive so far.
- JRoenick97

Ya, saw that. He does a nice job overall and a nice guy.

Great write up as always JJ. Will be interesting if Hawks slow out of the gate whether Coach Q and Bowman can continue to coexist.

They are all prospects. Kane, Toews, Keith....all of them at one time were prospects. Some hit, some miss. The point is....none are born at age 20 and playing in the NHL without having played hockey for 16 years.

So I understand why there is a need to tell us they are only prospects and many miss. That is true. But many hit too because you have to fill out a roster and play the games. And we have won 3 cups. And many of our studs were all "prospects" drafted by the Hawks. Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabs, Hammer, Saad, Shaw, Crawford...etc....the list goes on. Point is...we did not trade for 20 guys to win our three cups each year. Most of the guys on the roster were "prospects" brought up through our system.

I guess I tend to have a more "glass half full" view on things considering the Hawks have won so often and seem to know more than any of us...what they are doing. They draft pretty damn well.
- onehundredlevel

Actually, they drafted better (way more hits) from 2001 to 2007 than they have since. Fact.

A lot has to do with draft position but also trading high picks away for TDL acquisitions the last few years.

They draft OK.

The current pipeline is generally ranked in the bottom third of the league by objective observers.

Great write up as always JJ. Will be interesting if Hawks slow out of the gate whether Coach Q and Bowman can continue to coexist.
- VopatsRash

Fair questions, IMO.

Really excited to see Alex Fortin in the preseason. If it is true that he really improved on his two way game, then that is great news. Hawks can use a future LW who can play two ways and put it in the net at the NHL level.

I've read numerous places (not just in this blog) Fortin has put on about 20 pounds. He will certainly be given a looksie in camp this year.

I think the defense will be the most interesting (suspect) part of this team. For those following prospect camp closely please report if you are seeing any Ulf-influence.

"I've read numerous places Fortin has put on about 20 pounds. He will certainly be given a looksie in camp this year."

Love his response to gaining weight: "My mom says it's just natural,"!

Actually, they drafted better (way more hits) from 2001 to 2007 than they have since. Fact.

A lot has to do with draft position but also trading high picks away for TDL acquisitions the last few years.

They draft OK.

The current pipeline is generally ranked in the bottom third of the league by objective observers.
- John Jaeckel

They really lack guys that may down the road project top 6 or top 4. If all your best prospects peak projection is bottom 6 and bottom pairing that is not very good.

Not sure if people read the other boards but this was one person thougthts that was there Monday:
Was at Camp Monday- Mostly one/one and 2/2 battle type drills... most in tight space...

One drill- Forward attacked - starting about 10 feet out of zone - D man tried to "Hold em up near blue line/or angle them out"

Forwards that impressed:
From- blazing speed, dominated that drill , only kid to Put D on their heels

Bondra- strong, huge, heavy shot, obviously tough on the cycle versus rest of kids

Sikura and Foo- actually very similar in skating +, smooth handles, agile and darting types, that managed to get shots off and handle the puck well... Foo could be a star some day -- Sikura looked like a clone- But Foo is younger/bigger- so more room/time for improvement

D-Cat was bad/forgettable in the battle drills.... But showed the BEST in the "small ice" 3 on 3 scrimmage... he simply thought the game and anticipated the plays - way better than the rest... Not even close.

D- guys
Gilbert- absolutely pancaked a couple of the forwards- in that 1/1 zone entry... it wasn't even funny... as soon as the Forwards entered the zone... they were on their backs... the Only D to do that!!!

Snuggy- was solid, quick, bigger than I remember

Ian Mitchell- This kid was impressive... yes - he is tiny... but like D-Cat in the 3/3 scrimmage... He just moved the puck faster- and anticipated at a way higher/faster level than the other kids!!! His feet/stick were very good in the drills... I really left camp thinking- he could be a star (despite his size)... He will be in a perfect program in Denver (plays really fast/up tempo)

I liked that Soderlund kid too... quick

Peeters- looked great

I think the defense will be the most interesting (suspect) part of this team. For those following prospect camp closely please report if you are seeing any Ulf-influence.
- -Doh-

So far I've heard no one taking another guy's knees out.

I've read numerous places Fortin has put on about 20 pounds. He will certainly be given a looksie in camp this year.
- kwolf68

He looked a lot more like a man in the interview Powers posted. I mean just from the chest up. 20 pounds is a LOT of muscle for anyone to add in one year.

Love his demeanor and comments. But like I say, nothing is guaranteed.

They really lack guys that may down the road project top 6 or top 4. If all your best prospects peak projection is bottom 6 and bottom pairing that is not very good.

Not sure if people read the other boards but this was one person thougthts that was there Monday:
Was at Camp Monday- Mostly one/one and 2/2 battle type drills... most in tight space...

One drill- Forward attacked - starting about 10 feet out of zone - D man tried to "Hold em up near blue line/or angle them out"

Forwards that impressed:
From- blazing speed, dominated that drill , only kid to Put D on their heels

Bondra- strong, huge, heavy shot, obviously tough on the cycle versus rest of kids

Sikura and Foo- actually very similar in skating +, smooth handles, agile and darting types, that managed to get shots off and handle the puck well... Foo could be a star some day -- Sikura looked like a clone- But Foo is younger/bigger- so more room/time for improvement

D-Cat was bad/forgettable in the battle drills.... But showed the BEST in the "small ice" 3 on 3 scrimmage... he simply thought the game and anticipated the plays - way better than the rest... Not even close.

D- guys
Gilbert- absolutely pancaked a couple of the forwards- in that 1/1 zone entry... it wasn't even funny... as soon as the Forwards entered the zone... they were on their backs... the Only D to do that!!!

Snuggy- was solid, quick, bigger than I remember

Ian Mitchell- This kid was impressive... yes - he is tiny... but like D-Cat in the 3/3 scrimmage... He just moved the puck faster- and anticipated at a way higher/faster level than the other kids!!! His feet/stick were very good in the drills... I really left camp thinking- he could be a star (despite his size)... He will be in a perfect program in Denver (plays really fast/up tempo)

I liked that Soderlund kid too... quick

Peeters- looked great
- kmw4631

Not surprising, that's where he really has a lot of skill. Issue is the other 120 feet of the ice and getting to the o-zone too.

BTW, thanks for the detailed report. Nice insights.

He looked a lot more like a man in the interview Powers posted. I mean just from the chest up. 20 pounds is a LOT of muscle for anyone to add in one year.

Love his demeanor and comments. But like I say, nothing is guaranteed.
- John Jaeckel

Of course. If he follows the momentum from last year then who knows. I think he's got as good a chance as any of the kids to shock the world and break as a L2-LW. We can only hope. Saad got an early call, struggled a bit, but eventually figured it out and that was that. If Fortin earns a spot I say play him, let him learn, coach him up and maybe you got a player.

Of course. If he follows the momentum from last year then who knows. I think he's got as good a chance as any of the kids to shock the world and break as a L2-LW. We can only hope. Saad got an early call, struggled a bit, but eventually figured it out and that was that. If Fortin earns a spot I say play him, let him learn, coach him up and maybe you got a player.
- kwolf68

Totally agreed.

Would be a great story because he basically came literally out of nowhere, and hasn't really ripped it up in junior. But the plays he made last year in pro exhibitions were hard to doubt.

Then again, you really need to see it again this year, assuming he's healthy at that point.

So no Patrick Kane in the wings - we already knew that.
Will be interesting to see how short the leash is on Q.
Im guessing not too long if the team stumbles out the gate badly which could happen.

Totally agreed.

Would be a great story because he basically came literally out of nowhere, and hasn't really ripped it up in junior. But the plays he made last year in pro exhibitions were hard to doubt.

Then again, you really need to see it again this year, assuming he's healthy at that point.
- John Jaeckel

Absolutely. Not interested in a one hit wonder, so if he comes to camp this year and does it again then we take notice. I don't think the Hawks will balk a bit putting him on the team, but only if they know he can handle it. He better be healthy though, and it sounds like he should be.

They really lack guys that may down the road project top 6 or top 4. If all your best prospects peak projection is bottom 6 and bottom pairing that is not very good.

Not sure if people read the other boards but this was one person thougthts that was there Monday:
Was at Camp Monday- Mostly one/one and 2/2 battle type drills... most in tight space...

One drill- Forward attacked - starting about 10 feet out of zone - D man tried to "Hold em up near blue line/or angle them out"

Forwards that impressed:
From- blazing speed, dominated that drill , only kid to Put D on their heels

Bondra- strong, huge, heavy shot, obviously tough on the cycle versus rest of kids

Sikura and Foo- actually very similar in skating +, smooth handles, agile and darting types, that managed to get shots off and handle the puck well... Foo could be a star some day -- Sikura looked like a clone- But Foo is younger/bigger- so more room/time for improvement

D-Cat was bad/forgettable in the battle drills.... But showed the BEST in the "small ice" 3 on 3 scrimmage... he simply thought the game and anticipated the plays - way better than the rest... Not even close.

D- guys
Gilbert- absolutely pancaked a couple of the forwards- in that 1/1 zone entry... it wasn't even funny... as soon as the Forwards entered the zone... they were on their backs... the Only D to do that!!!

Snuggy- was solid, quick, bigger than I remember

Ian Mitchell- This kid was impressive... yes - he is tiny... but like D-Cat in the 3/3 scrimmage... He just moved the puck faster- and anticipated at a way higher/faster level than the other kids!!! His feet/stick were very good in the drills... I really left camp thinking- he could be a star (despite his size)... He will be in a perfect program in Denver (plays really fast/up tempo)

I liked that Soderlund kid too... quick

Peeters- looked great
- kmw4631

I'll add that form what I saw, Carlsson was a great guy at breaking up plays at the blueline.

I'll add that form what I saw, Carlsson was a great guy at breaking up plays at the blueline.
- JRoenick97

One of my sleeper names for this year. Getting him in round 4 will prove to be a steal - in time. a Swedish 'defensive D-man'....where have I heard and loved that before?

Great write up as always JJ. Will be interesting if Hawks slow out of the gate whether Coach Q and Bowman can continue to coexist.
- VopatsRash

If "slow out of the gate" means looking at 6/7/8 seed in the conference, pretty much assured, then my guess (only a guess) is that nothing will happen until everyone sees what happens in the tournament.

Everyone will remember how Nashville almost ran the table after being what would have been the 8 seed - and several other teams recently have had long playoff runs after mediocre seasons.

If they are stuck out of a playoff spot - and the playoffs are seriously in doubt - then the co-existence probably will become problematic - as will, perhaps, tenure.

I'm not shocked the Debrincat isn't standing out. As I mentioned before, he didn't stand out last year either. I don't think it is a big deal at this point. He is young and the Hawks can take some time with him. Odds are that the big club will likely get more help from the guys who were rookies last year and have some experience now.

Glad to see a good guy like Campbell staying with the Hawks. Still not sure why some folks wanted him to play again. There was very little intensity in his game last year. He didn't have much to play for and it showed. Time to pass the torch.

How dare you blunt my enthusiasm