>Quick review of today's scrimmage
>Danault looked very good -- protects puck well, took it to the net at every opportunity, won nearly every faceoff, clearly loves playing the game of hockey
>Hayden, at 18, stood out quite a bit -- good size, skates well, puck follows him, scored two completely different types of goals -- got himself open for all types of passes -- was open for breakaways that teammates couldn't get him the puck
>O'Brien -- stood out the most of the invitees -- great speed and quickness, created two "partial" breakaways right from faceoffs in his own end, smart, but tips scales at 170lbs
>Dahlstrom, at 18, very calm and smart in his own end -- good size, skater, and passer -- has potential to be a solid Dman
>Holl -- great speed and good size -- might be better suited to be a power forward -- needs to learn how to use his teammates better -- but clearly a talent
>Fournier -- appeared to fill out a bit, skates well, plays with his head up with the puck




>Johns -- made some big hits, skates very well for his size, would like to see him unload a booming slapshot from the point
>McNeill -- has all the tools -- speed, hands, didn't look that big in person, reads well, passes well -- not sure wing is where he should be -- turned down several opportunities to try to beat a Dman 1-on-1 and take it to the net -- vs Danault who did so at every opportunity
>Ross and Calnan -- had some good chemistry together and some solid shifts -- puck follows Calnan
- SnapitUpstairs

Thanks, great report, really appreciated it

>Quick review of today's scrimmage
>Danault looked very good -- protects puck well, took it to the net at every opportunity, won nearly every faceoff, clearly loves playing the game of hockey
>Hayden, at 18, stood out quite a bit -- good size, skates well, puck follows him, scored two completely different types of goals -- got himself open for all types of passes -- was open for breakaways that teammates couldn't get him the puck
>O'Brien -- stood out the most of the invitees -- great speed and quickness, created two "partial" breakaways right from faceoffs in his own end, smart, but tips scales at 170lbs
>Dahlstrom, at 18, very calm and smart in his own end -- good size, skater, and passer -- has potential to be a solid Dman
>Holl -- great speed and good size -- might be better suited to be a power forward -- needs to learn how to use his teammates better -- but clearly a talent
>Fournier -- appeared to fill out a bit, skates well, plays with his head up with the puck
>Johns -- made some big hits, skates very well for his size, would like to see him unload a booming slapshot from the point
>McNeill -- has all the tools -- speed, hands, didn't look that big in person, reads well, passes well -- not sure wing is where he should be -- turned down several opportunities to try to beat a Dman 1-on-1 and take it to the net -- vs Danault who did so at every opportunity
>Ross and Calnan -- had some good chemistry together and some solid shifts -- puck follows Calnan
- SnapitUpstairs

You went water bottle AGAIN Stairs


What about McNeill's willingness to ENGAGE PHYSICALLY ?

Makes you wonder if he does stuff like this on purpose in order to stay in the news and gain exposure.
- Lash8

Wouldn't surprise...he's gotten more pub (albeit highly negative) over this than he has in months...cuz i hadn't heard a peep about the creep in GOOD long while.

You went water bottle AGAIN Stairs


What about McNeill's willingness to ENGAGE PHYSICALLY ?
- philco28

>That's really tough to answer -- would have to see him a lot more to know
>When I saw him today I kept thinking of Messier -- who as winger at the very beginning of his pro days showed little -- then became a center and a Hall-of-Famer
>Think moving McNeill to wing may cause him to disengage too much
>While Danault exudes an aura of "I love hockey" -- McNeill puts out an energy -- though he clearly is more talented than almost everyone there -- "I've got these chores to do."
>That's pure speculation on my part as I do not know McNeill -- that's just the vibe he projects -- he's taking out the garbage

>That's really tough to answer -- would have to see him a lot more to know
>When I saw him today I kept thinking of Messier -- who as winger at the very beginning of his pro days showed little -- then became a center and a Hall-of-Famer
>Think moving McNeill to wing may cause him to disengage too much
>While Danault exudes an aura of "I love hockey" -- McNeill puts out an energy -- though he clearly is more talented than almost everyone there -- "I've got these chores to do."
>That's pure speculation on my part as I do not know McNeill -- that's just the vibe he projects -- he's taking out the garbage
- SnapitUpstairs

>Another thought on McNeill -- perhaps he's been overcoached and overcontrolled his whole development
>Think playing without the fear of mistakes would do wonders for his game -- like some good ol' pond hockey

>That's really tough to answer -- would have to see him a lot more to know
>When I saw him today I kept thinking of Messier -- who as winger at the very beginning of his pro days showed little -- then became a center and a Hall-of-Famer
>Think moving McNeill to wing may cause him to disengage too much
>While Danault exudes an aura of "I love hockey" -- McNeill puts out an energy -- though he clearly is more talented than almost everyone there -- "I've got these chores to do."
>That's pure speculation on my part as I do not know McNeill -- that's just the vibe he projects -- he's taking out the garbage
- SnapitUpstairs

Hasn't the knock on McNeill in part been skating ability? At least that's why I think he was cut from Team Canada Juniors initially.

Interesting how Hayden stood out to you - he's a big boy.

If the worst thing in your life is Justin Beiber walking on a carpet, you have no problems. lol

Beiber is a _____ but I'm not going to spend any time thinking about that or being upset.
- Hemingways

I too could care less about Beiber himself with the Cup, but I do think it's disrespectful of him blatantly stepping on the logo. I know for my son's HS team, NO ONE is allowed to step on the logo in the locker room. We have seen videos of the Hawks having it roped off as well. It's just a matter of respect and Beiber stepping on it just shows that he has no clue.

As for Hawks brass telling fans to get over it, to me it just seems like their whoring themselves out to get a few more fans who don't know icing from a field goal.

I too could care less about Beiber himself with the Cup, but I do think it's disrespectful of him blatantly stepping on the logo. I know for my son's HS team, NO ONE is allowed to step on the logo in the locker room. We have seen videos of the Hawks having it roped off as well. It's just a matter of respect and Beiber stepping on it just shows that he has no clue.

As for Hawks brass telling fans to get over it, to me it just seems like their whoring themselves out to get a few more fans who don't know icing from a field goal.
- GoHawks63

You get 3 points for Icing right?

Hasn't the knock on McNeill in part been skating ability? At least that's why I think he was cut from Team Canada Juniors initially.

Interesting how Hayden stood out to you - he's a big boy.
- RickJ

>McNeill seemed to move just fine -- didn't have the "game impact" I was looking for
>But Hayden, only 18, looked very good -- and as you say -- he's big already
6'3" and over 200lbs -- could make it if he keeps progressing

You get 3 points for Icing right?
- victorymc98

..and you get the ball.

..and you get the ball.
- GoHawks63

Only if it's a clear path icing.

You get 3 points for Icing right?
- victorymc98

Unless it's hybrid icing, which is when the puck is iced with a hybrid golf club.

I too could care less about Beiber himself with the Cup, but I do think it's disrespectful of him blatantly stepping on the logo. I know for my son's HS team, NO ONE is allowed to step on the logo in the locker room. We have seen videos of the Hawks having it roped off as well. It's just a matter of respect and Beiber stepping on it just shows that he has no clue.

As for Hawks brass telling fans to get over it, to me it just seems like their whoring themselves out to get a few more fans who don't know icing from a field goal.
- GoHawks63

Do you mean preteen girls? I am not sure who else listens to Bieber. It is not like little girls will scream at their parents to Blackhawks tickets because Bieber made an appearance. Wait........are the Blackhawks planning on selling replica Blackhawks Bieber jerseys?

Yes, shame on Hawk brass for (a) letting it happen, and (b) telling Hawk fans to get over it. Not good public relations.

I'm torn between thinking this is the worst thing that's ever happened and thinking how stupid of us to care that much.

I'm leaning toward the latter.

Much more concerned about (a) getting Krugman signed, (b) getting all the injuries healed, (c) replacing Frolik on the PK, and (c) who will be the 2C.
- StLBravesFan

+1

Don't care to know anything about the Bieb. I suppose I should be upset but don't really care where he steps; though preferably into oncoming Chicago traffic. Not so much for the Blackhawk logo thing but so he stops assaulting our ears and eyes with his music and endless press clippings.

You get 3 points for Icing right?
- victorymc98

6. You get an extra point for offsides.

You went water bottle AGAIN Stairs


What about McNeill's willingness to ENGAGE PHYSICALLY ?
- philco28

Geez Phil! For that kind of info don't you think you should have PM'd him.

Geez Phil! For that kind of info don't you think you should have PM'd him.
- HawkintheD

>McNeill seemed to move just fine -- didn't have the "game impact" I was looking for
- SnapitUpstairs

Perhaps that may come with playing in Rockford?

Thanks for the camp updates. It's appreciated.

>That's really tough to answer -- would have to see him a lot more to know
>When I saw him today I kept thinking of Messier -- who as winger at the very beginning of his pro days showed little -- then became a center and a Hall-of-Famer
>Think moving McNeill to wing may cause him to disengage too much
>While Danault exudes an aura of "I love hockey" -- McNeill puts out an energy -- though he clearly is more talented than almost everyone there -- "I've got these chores to do."
>That's pure speculation on my part as I do not know McNeill -- that's just the vibe he projects -- he's taking out the garbage
- SnapitUpstairs

Appreciate the thoughts Stairs




If McNeill's mindset is that this camp is a drag and a waste of his time...that's not a good sign IMO. He's played 12 professional games in Rockford and been held pointless. He better find his COMPETE LEVEL EVERY SHIFT, EVERY TIME he takes the ice, no matter where he is.

Geez Phil! For that kind of info don't you think you should have PM'd him.
- HawkintheD

GONG

Wonder if those A S S HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLES even know there is a WESTERN CONFERENCE ?
- philco28

St Louis is west of the Mississippi......doesn't that count?

>Quick review of today's scrimmage
>Danault looked very good -- protects puck well, took it to the net at every opportunity, won nearly every faceoff, clearly loves playing the game of hockey
>Hayden, at 18, stood out quite a bit -- good size, skates well, puck follows him, scored two completely different types of goals -- got himself open for all types of passes -- was open for breakaways that teammates couldn't get him the puck
>O'Brien -- stood out the most of the invitees -- great speed and quickness, created two "partial" breakaways right from faceoffs in his own end, smart, but tips scales at 170lbs
>Dahlstrom, at 18, very calm and smart in his own end -- good size, skater, and passer -- has potential to be a solid Dman
>Holl -- great speed and good size -- might be better suited to be a power forward -- needs to learn how to use his teammates better -- but clearly a talent
>Fournier -- appeared to fill out a bit, skates well, plays with his head up with the puck
>Johns -- made some big hits, skates very well for his size, would like to see him unload a booming slapshot from the point
>McNeill -- has all the tools -- speed, hands, didn't look that big in person, reads well, passes well -- not sure wing is where he should be -- turned down several opportunities to try to beat a Dman 1-on-1 and take it to the net -- vs Danault who did so at every opportunity
>Ross and Calnan -- had some good chemistry together and some solid shifts -- puck follows Calnan
- SnapitUpstairs

Thx Snapper, that is a great description of how Danault plays, and everything at top speed.

The 'mic'd up' features have returned to blackhawks.nhl.com .

Yesterday, we had Justin Holl who was fairly colorful....

and today...we had the anti-McNeill John Hayden. This kid loves to go into traffic and he's funny too. He got SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKED by Johns about 1:25 into the segment and was up quickly but was understandably dizzy. The force of the hit was caught fully by the mic.

Our website ROCKS

Always good stuff being produced by the good folks there

>Quick review of today's scrimmage
>Danault looked very good -- protects puck well, took it to the net at every opportunity, won nearly every faceoff, clearly loves playing the game of hockey
>Hayden, at 18, stood out quite a bit -- good size, skates well, puck follows him, scored two completely different types of goals -- got himself open for all types of passes -- was open for breakaways that teammates couldn't get him the puck
>O'Brien -- stood out the most of the invitees -- great speed and quickness, created two "partial" breakaways right from faceoffs in his own end, smart, but tips scales at 170lbs
>Dahlstrom, at 18, very calm and smart in his own end -- good size, skater, and passer -- has potential to be a solid Dman
>Holl -- great speed and good size -- might be better suited to be a power forward -- needs to learn how to use his teammates better -- but clearly a talent
>Fournier -- appeared to fill out a bit, skates well, plays with his head up with the puck
>Johns -- made some big hits, skates very well for his size, would like to see him unload a booming slapshot from the point
>McNeill -- has all the tools -- speed, hands, didn't look that big in person, reads well, passes well -- not sure wing is where he should be -- turned down several opportunities to try to beat a Dman 1-on-1 and take it to the net -- vs Danault who did so at every opportunity
>Ross and Calnan -- had some good chemistry together and some solid shifts -- puck follows Calnan
- SnapitUpstairs

We learned to skate together and played together till about 12, clearly that's were our career trajectories diverged. Even as a young kid the kid was one of the best skaters in the state. Stride is freaking textbook, with incredible knee-bend and explosion. Also never, ever, stops moving his feet. He's a Loyola Academy kid, cool seeing him get a shot, even though he'll never play in the NHL.

Also, awesome post, thanks man.

Edit: The more I read and hear of Hayden, I'm kind of excited for him. Seems like he's got hands, a big body, natural center, and some desire to be good. Sounds like everything I want in a 2C

We learned to skate together and played together till about 12, clearly that's were our career trajectories diverged. Even as a young kid the kid was one of the best skaters in the state. Stride is freaking textbook, with incredible knee-bend and explosion. Also never, ever, stops moving his feet. He's a Loyola Academy kid, cool seeing him get a shot, even though he'll never play in the NHL.

Also, awesome post, thanks man.

Edit: The more I read and hear of Hayden, I'm kind of excited for him. Seems like he's got hands, a big body, natural center, and some desire to be good. Sounds like everything I want in a 2C
- rollpards19

Its way early, but he appears to have some Bolland in him.