I think just about everyone here agrees Wiz. Its way too early to determine whether McNeil is a bust or not. He hasn't even begun his professional career.
- Elbows15

Zactly!

McNeil is 19 years old for Christ sake! I just hope they have the right player development types in the Rock to steer him in the right direction. Hearing he is a gym rat is encouraging. Most busts start by having issues with off ice training.

via Chris Kuc twitter

"#Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman on Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane: "We’re going to keep them around for a long, long time.""

Hes really hammering that point down ey

via Chris Kuc twitter

"#Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman on Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane: "We’re going to keep them around for a long, long time.""

Hes really hammering that point down ey
- erhryck

Uh oh....Stan has backed down from "forever" and gone with "a long, long time". Is there trouble in paradise???

Really Stan is just putting the fan base at ease and defending his decision to sign Crawford, Hjalmarsson and Bickell to those big deals.

Chris Kuc‏@ChrisKuc2m
#Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Brandon Saad will start camp at center.

Chris Kuc‏@ChrisKuc2m
#Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Brandon Saad will start camp at center.
- Sconnie

How many centers is that now? 8?

How many centers is that now? 8?
- erhryck

Real centers...maybe three.

Chris Kuc‏@ChrisKuc2m
#Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Brandon Saad will start camp at center.
- Sconnie

That doesn't mean he'll finish camp there.

Off topic as I'm often am...

That doesn't mean he'll finish camp there.
- DarthKane

I think Q wants him to. And I like his potential to play a 200 foot game better than Pirri. And I like his offensive abilities more than Krugers (though not by much). He's just a better hockey player than Shaw. If he spent the summer working on playing center (hopefully by watching tape of his centerman last year) I think he could do it. Plus, in limited attempts, he did look good at the dot.

Off topic as I'm often am...


- Beaver-Warrior

Priceless.

Off topic as I'm often am...


- Beaver-Warrior

I miss Frolik.

I wonder where q plans on playing Saad at center? I like him with Shaw on line 3. But I figure he is talking about between Sharp and Hossa. So I guess Kruger will be with shaw on line 3 with maybe Smith or Morin?

Off topic as I'm often am...


- Beaver-Warrior

ive always wondered this, did Datsyuk spit at him?

ive always wondered this, did Datsyuk spit at him?
- FourFeathers773

Sure looks like it.

I wonder where q plans on playing Saad at center? I like him with Shaw on line 3. But I figure he is talking about between Sharp and Hossa. So I guess Kruger will be with shaw on line 3 with maybe Smith or Morin?
- tomcat24

I liked Saad on LW because it improved our depth. With Saad taking the 2C role I don't like our depth as much (I know I'm being nit-picky).

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Saad - Hossa
Morin - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Handzus - Smith
Winchester, Hayes

I could be wrong, but I have doubts about Pirri making the team unless it's at 2C.

Kent Simpson's Mask:

I liked Saad on LW because it improved our depth. With Saad taking the 2C role I don't like our depth as much (I know I'm being nit-picky).

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Saad - Hossa
Morin - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Handzus - Smith
Winchester, Hayes

I could be wrong, but I have doubts about Pirri making the team unless it's at 2C.
- DarthKane

I'd like this line up a lot better if Nordstrom or Danault could make the team as 4C. That 4th line is really slow. Love the top 6 though.

Off topic as I'm often am...


- Beaver-Warrior

For the life of me, I don't really get the Saad at 2c at all. And I'm as big a Saad fan as there is. I was pumping his tires when JJ and everyone else was screaming for Carcillo on the top line ....( It's still humorous....) But why he wants to take one of his strongest wingers and make him a center is beyond me. The best thing Saad did was use his speed to be the first man in on the forecheck. That's negated by moving to center.

I'm hoping this is used as a shot across Pirri's bow " Stan might think you're the eventual 2C but you're gonna have to EARN it son"..... one of those. Or maybe Q knows it's a long season and there will be time for all five- Pirri, Saad, Leblanc, Handzus, and Kruger to take time at 2C...... But Q get's so point chasey I dont see that happening.

Saad's alread a pretty good winger. He has the possibility to be very good. Maybe even great. Pending on growth. So why is he playing center?

Ehhh...... Long year. No reason getting upset now.

I liked Saad on LW because it improved our depth. With Saad taking the 2C role I don't like our depth as much (I know I'm being nit-picky).

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Saad - Hossa
Morin - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Handzus - Smith
Winchester, Hayes

I could be wrong, but I have doubts about Pirri making the team unless it's at 2C.
- DarthKane

As you should.

I also have my doubts that Saad will be the #2 center. In all, I really believe that the #2 center role will be a shared thing between Handzus and Kruger to start the season, with Kruger gradually taking over the role.

For the life of me, I don't really get the Saad at 2c at all. And I'm as big a Saad fan as there is. I was pumping his tires when JJ and everyone else was screaming for Carcillo on the top line ....( It's still humorous....) But why he wants to take one of his strongest wingers and make him a center is beyond me. The best thing Saad did was use his speed to be the first man in on the forecheck. That's negated by moving to center.

I'm hoping this is used as a shot across Pirri's bow " Stan might think you're the eventual 2C but you're gonna have to EARN it son"..... one of those. Or maybe Q knows it's a long season and there will be time for all five- Pirri, Saad, Leblanc, Handzus, and Kruger to take time at 2C...... But Q get's so point chasey I dont see that happening.

Saad's alread a pretty good winger. He has the possibility to be very good. Maybe even great. Pending on growth. So why is he playing center?

Ehhh...... Long year. No reason getting upset now.
- yahoodi

I think there's a very good chance Pirri has started paying rent in Q's doghouse. Every night when he falls asleep he looks at the ceiling that says, "Troy waz here" and "Viktor 2"

I'd like this line up a lot better if Nordstrom or Danault could make the team as 4C. That 4th line is really slow. Love the top 6 though.
- rollpards19

I'd prefer to see Danault at 4C too, but I'm not expecting that until next season (or maybe 3C).

That top 6 was great, but I'd rather spread around the talent a bit more. The third line is still good but the 4th is lacking a bit.

Saad or Pirri may start the season as the 2C, but I agree with Eli that it will be Kruger and Handzus platooning the position for most of the year.

I liked Saad on LW because it improved our depth. With Saad taking the 2C role I don't like our depth as much (I know I'm being nit-picky).

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Saad - Hossa
Morin - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Handzus - Smith
Winchester, Hayes

I could be wrong, but I have doubts about Pirri making the team unless it's at 2C.
- DarthKane

I echo your same doubts, its been worrying me as far as its impact on our forward depth. If Pirri doesn't cut it as 2C, then I really dont like that 4th line(when compared to what our 4th line was last year), not to mention Handzus cant possibly play every game. When u add in the fact that the 3rd line will also be slightly weaker than last years version with the addition of Morin, id say it still might not be a bad idea to use that remaining cap room and sign a 1 year deal for the perfect fit UFA before its too late. Just to be sure, just to maximize the chance at a repeat and to cover for the possibility that the rookies might potentially become detrimental. Can never have too much depth.

@shawz15er: Look at the meat head in the background @bbicks29 #bears http://twitter.com/shawz1...77523888587960320/photo/1

They're talking sh!t about me!

I echo your same doubts, its been worrying me as far as its impact on our forward depth. If Pirri doesn't cut it as 2C, then I really dont like that 4th line(when compared to what our 4th line was last year), not to mention Handzus cant possibly play every game. When u add in the fact that the 3rd line will also be slightly weaker than last years version with the addition of Morin, id say it still might not be a bad idea to use that remaining cap room and sign a 1 year deal for the perfect fit UFA before its too late. Just to be sure, just to maximize the chance at a repeat and to cover for the possibility that the rookies might potentially become detrimental. Can never have too much depth.
- SimpleJack

We were spoiled last year with our 4th line, Kruger and Frolik are not 4th liners. So whomever fills those voids they may be unfairly judged. I'd like to see some more speed on that line, we still could see Kruger on the 4th line if Saad gets the 2C role permanently.