Did he sign a PTO with a team?
- EKolb13

If he did I missed it. Heard Carolina was a possibility.

If he did I missed it. Heard Carolina was a possibility.
- golfbard

I haven't seen anything other that the Carolina rumors.

Beach is a clown, McNeill hasn't shown any indication he is or will be. The step from Junior to the AHL is a big one, the step from the AHL to the NHL is a GIANT one. McNeill may or may not make it, the AHL is there to try to develop him and help him make that step. Think about what that development did for Duncan keith.
- paulr

I'm with you here on the concept that McNeill isn't the next Beach. He's only 20 right now, let's give him some time down on the farm before we pronounce him "Bust".

I'm with you here on the concept that McNeill isn't the next Beach. He's only 20 right now, let's give him some time down on the farm before we pronounce him "Bust".
- Beaver-Warrior

Agreed.

McNeill has bust written all over him. The same MO over and over again. If he needed to grow, gain experience, put on some muscles, etc...that's one thing, but his disinterest in putting in required work ethic will NOT fly in Chicago. Dump the Russian too.

McNeill has bust written all over him. The same MO over and over again. If he needed to grow, gain experience, put on some muscles, etc...that's one thing, but his disinterest in putting in required work ethic will NOT fly in Chicago. Dump the Russian too.
- kwolf68

Wow...either somebody is really cranky today or they forgot to use red font.

Wow...either somebody is really cranky today or they forgot to use red font.
- DarthKane

...and you call me "Crankypants."

McNeill has bust written all over him. The same MO over and over again. If he needed to grow, gain experience, put on some muscles, etc...that's one thing, but his disinterest in putting in required work ethic will NOT fly in Chicago. Dump the Russian too.
- kwolf68

I'm glad the hawks didn't have you decide Keith, Bickell, Crawford and Shaw were all busts because none of them came screaming into the scene as 18 year olds.

McNeill's work ethic has never been an issue. His issue is playing consistantly game in and game out. Lucic has that problem too you know!

Did the Brenden Morrow ship sail?
- golfbard

Haven't heard anything, so still in dry dock, apparently.

McNeill has bust written all over him. The same MO over and over again. If he needed to grow, gain experience, put on some muscles, etc...that's one thing, but his disinterest in putting in required work ethic will NOT fly in Chicago. Dump the Russian too.
- kwolf68

Its hard not to think like this. Time and time again Russian players prove to be flakes. And then you get Kovulchuck (sp?) who i always loved and thought was awesome, go and do what he did and it makes it hard to trust them.

The Stanley Cup will be in Rockford for the Hockeybuzz Group Outing game.

http://icehogs.com/news/icehogs/?article_id=3877

Texas Stars vs. Rockford Icehogs

When: Sunday, October 27th at 4 pm

Where: BMO Harris bank Center in Rockford, IL

Tickets: May be purchased at a reduced rate by contacting Icehogs Ticket Rep. Ryan Woodrow by either phone 815-847-6383 or by email [email protected]. Make sure to tell him that you are part of the Hockeybuzz group.

Hockeybuzz posters or reader, spouses, significant others and children would be welcome and encouraged to attend with the group. If you gave any questions or need other information, contact Eli Kolb at: [email protected].

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 am.

...and you call me "Crankypants."
- EKolb13

Well....you are still the most consistently cranky one on this board.

I think Mark McNeil is one of those guys who will drive us, the fan base, crazy with a slow development like many bigger guys. Remember it took Bryan Bickell a few years in the AHL before he was ready for prime time. Bickell had the advantage of low expectations which McNeill will not enjoy. McNeill does have one huge advantage over Bickell, McNeill is a gym rat, a physical speciman who played in the WHL in a man's body but with a boy's brain. McNeill needs to mature, not so much physically but mentally. The AHL is about development, the Hawks don't need McNeill for a few years so he has time to learn how to play, how to be a professional, how to maximize his talent and how to become consistant.
- paulr

Maybe Beach will show he has grown up, at least somewhat. He would grow up real fast if he doesn't use his brain on and off ice if he is in Chg for even a few games.

I would guess with so many prospects at Rockford, a message is sent that good performance (maybe working on what the coaches say and the chg brass said in preseason) earns a cup of coffee. This makes sense for NHL contests with an injury or a particular strategy is desired on a per game basis.

On Gleason: heard same thing. I recall he was a jitterbug, skating all over the place in rookies camp in Bensenville.

On younger Broadhurst: perhaps a second line scorer is his projection? He played on a loaded junior team, where he was not top line.

A collegiate dman I believe could become better as a pro is Holl. He should become a dman, not a forward. Just my hunch....but he I would bet is better than Gleason. Of course these offensively gifted collegiate dmen first have to play at ex Icehog Connelly level in AHL. Then see if they can take next step. Even with good showing you have to say it is difficult to have too many light weight dmen on an NHL roster. Each would have to be really good. Just to use Keith as a model....can the light weight dmen prospects skate in coverage like Keith can. Can they separate player from puck with a big check like Keith is able to do?

I would expect Stanton, Johns, the AhL rookie swede last season whose name temporarily escapes me, even a Clendenning is probably going to see ice in Chg before a Gleason could even dream of it. In fact Gleason could start in the EcHL.

I liked Carlsson ability but he went back to Sweden. There are only so many openings.

A Beach and a McNeil do get extra opportunities, though, because they combine grit with talent.

I also will add that Nordstrom could take a beating playing at 160 pounds in the NHL. I would not be surprised if Nordstrom and Danault offer the best meaningful contribution in Chg this year. Unless Smith stays healthy and Morin finds enough TOI. Hayes is not worth the bother. We do not need more plodders. Handzus and possibly Morin is enough for my liking. Speed kills or wins out whenever possible.

Well....you are still the most consistently cranky one on this board.
- DarthKane

Screw you

Screw you
- Ogilthorpe2

Ogi trying to take over as King Cranky?

Was at a KHL game last night...Cheechoo,Montador,O'Byrne...oh my!!

...and you call me "Crankypants."
- EKolb13

Hey hey Eli! How are Da Hogs doin'?

Ready for a new season?

McNeill has bust written all over him. The same MO over and over again. If he needed to grow, gain experience, put on some muscles, etc...that's one thing, but his disinterest in putting in required work ethic will NOT fly in Chicago. Dump the Russian too.
- kwolf68

ladies and gentlemen....every one sit down. The great talent evaluator has spoken.

ladies and gentlemen....every one sit down. The great talent evaluator has spoken.
- UnnamedSource

Understand Wiz got canned from Draftsite.com to make room for him.

ladies and gentlemen....every one sit down. The great talent evaluator has spoken.
- UnnamedSource

Just found this...turns out he's right!

Didn't see it on Capgeek: what's the cap hit?
- StLBravesFan

I heard Kompon may have to be moved to get under the cap. May have to clear waivers. Its a risk, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Oh my....

so because a few guys don't show up in a bs "rookie tournament" we are calling them busts? Yet, people wanted to pump the tires non stop on the great Makarov a few years back.

UGh...they're prospects....some get it, some don't. Some take a little longer. Lets see what McNeil does during camp before we right him off. I thought he and Danault were OK during the world juniors. Nothing great, but nothing to get excited about.'

I thought LeBlanc looked OK vs Edmonton last year. Held his own, has some creativity, and skill. Made a bad defensive zone play but he wasn't THAT bad.

Probably for the best
- Yeti1181

How long is that leash?

What will be interesting to see is how these guys scored on their tests today. Considering the finals went into mid-late June, only really gave them 8 weeks to get completely out of shape.

At some point, the grind from last year will catch up to them...my guess is November, they'll hit the skids for a bit, as the grind sets in, and they'll regroup, but to assume they wont' hit a wall for any extended period of time this year is crazy. It's going to happen, it's just a matter of when....

Oh my....

so because a few guys don't show up in a bs "rookie tournament" we are calling them busts? Yet, people wanted to pump the tires non stop on the great Makarov a few years back.

UGh...they're prospects....some get it, some don't. Some take a little longer. Lets see what McNeil does during camp before we right him off. I thought he and Danault were OK during the world juniors. Nothing great, but nothing to get excited about.'

I thought LeBlanc looked OK vs Edmonton last year. Held his own, has some creativity, and skill. Made a bad defensive zone play but he wasn't THAT bad.
- SteveRain

No no no, a 20 yr old kid who hasn't played a full year of professional hockey and hasn't lit up a rookie tournament is a BUST. A BUST I tell ya. just imagine red is raining all over that statement.

I love auto correct...some how write became right.