John Jaeckel: Calling the Hogs

How has Beach looked?

Hate to hear that coaching may be an issue. These kids need a solid foundation to build on...

-Was surprised Ben Smith didn't make the Hawks last year on a full-time basis. Good to hear he's back on track.

-Your measured take on Hawks prospects is very refreshing compared to other bloggers on this site, who are annointing superstars before they ever step on NHL ice

I haven't seen much of Clendening but I am wondering if the Hawks D' which is already on the small side can afford to have another D-man who can skate and move the puck but does not have the size to take the physical pounding by larger and more physical forwards game in and game out. Would this be a problem that the Hawks should consider?

Mooooooooo.....

Hate to hear that coaching may be an issue. These kids need a solid foundation to build on...
- Iknockuout

I never cared for Dent myself. I would have hoped when Bill Peters left, the organization would have brought in someone with more head coaching experience.

I haven't seen much of Clendening but I am wondering if the Hawks D' which is already on the small side can afford to have another D-man who can skate and move the puck but does not have the size to take the physical pounding by larger and more physical forwards game in and game out. Would this be a problem that the Hawks should consider?
- jhawk159

IMO Clendening is 2-3 years from being an NHL defenceman and if Bowman thinks otherwise, he is nuts. Only the absolute very best 19-20 year old D men make an NHL team and usually the team is a weak squad, like when Seabrook and Keith joined the Hawks.

Clendening is no Doughty, Pietrangelo or Karlsson. And he better find a way to pack on some muscle or he will be run out of town. Can you imagine him standing up to the type of forwards the LA Kings or St.Louis can throw at him shift after shift. A young boy against onery men on a mission.

Trainwreck in their own end? They're just making sure when the kids make the jump to the Hawks they'll fit right in.

I never cared for Dent myself. I would have hoped when Bill Peters left, the organization would have brought in someone with more head coaching experience.
- EKolb13

Two guys I was hoping for - Trent Yawney and John Marks.

I've been watching AHL hockey this season also, and I think your comments about how the Hogs play in their own zone could easily go for just about every team I've seen, with only a few exceptions. In fact, I'd say much of the reason why the Hogs, Sound Tigers, and other teams look so great on the forecheck is probably because most teams just tend to run around too much in their own zone. One-on-one, defensemen seem to make some good plays. But team defense in the AHL doesn't seem to be anywhere near as structured and efficient as it is in the NHL. Seems that once you get a good cycle going, you'll have the other team running all over the place.

Two guys I was hoping for - Trent Yawney and John Marks.
- powerenforcer

I would have loved to see Yawney, but I'm guessing there still some hard feelings between him and the organization.

I have held back after hearing all the initial Clendening nut holding here and various Hawk fan blog sites, but it have been crystal clear that after Leddy turned pro, he was clearly a far better defensive player in his own end, despite the size & strength limitations.
Clendening is a tough kid, but as you stated he is still far away from understanding how to play in his end, and a lot has to do with coming under control.

Re:Morin
I know that the coaching staff has over and over asked him to "use his linemates" instead of continuing to think his scoring chances will only come if he has the puck to shoot, and won't use his linemates to move it around and make space.

I have held back after hearing all the initial Clendening nut holding here and various Hawk fan blog sites, but it have been crystal clear that after Leddy turned pro, he was clearly a far better defensive player in his own end, despite the size & strength limitations.
Clendening is a tough kid, but as you stated he is still far away from understanding how to play in his end, and a lot has to do with coming under control.

Re:Morin
I know that the coaching staff has over and over asked him to "use his linemates" instead of continuing to think his scoring chances will only come if he has the puck to shoot, and won't use his linemates to move it around and make space.
- wiz1901

Hey Wiz!

Which Blackhawk prospect do you think will have the best WJC campaign? Teravainen, Shalunov, or Danault? Will you be watching tbe WJC, and will you give us a summary about their play when it is over?

I've been watching AHL hockey this season also, and I think your comments about how the Hogs play in their own zone could easily go for just about every team I've seen, with only a few exceptions. In fact, I'd say much of the reason why the Hogs, Sound Tigers, and other teams look so great on the forecheck is probably because most teams just tend to run around too much in their own zone. One-on-one, defensemen seem to make some good plays. But team defense in the AHL doesn't seem to be anywhere near as structured and efficient as it is in the NHL. Seems that once you get a good cycle going, you'll have the other team running all over the place.
- UIF

Great observation.

-Was surprised Ben Smith didn't make the Hawks last year on a full-time basis. Good to hear he's back on track.

-Your measured take on Hawks prospects is very refreshing compared to other bloggers on this site, who are annointing superstars before they ever step on NHL ice
- BestRapperAlive

Thank you. I have covered prospects before coming to HB and know the odds of junior or NCAA stars making the NHL much less starring there are not terribly high.

How has Beach looked?
- Hawks64

Not being mentioned in the blog speaks volumes.

I would have loved to see Yawney, but I'm guessing there still some hard feelings between him and the organization.
- EKolb13

I think we chatted about this at the time....

In my view and from what I heard back then ...If the Hawks went outside the Organization the job was Yawney's to turn down.

Yawney's issue with the Organization was about Dale Tallon, so I don't think hard feelings came into play.

What else I wrote back then is....

It makes a big difference if an AHL or NHL 1st yr head coach had previous head coaching experience. Dent was basically always as an assistant but he wanted the job and the Hawks chose what most franchises would do....Promote from within.

So last season was tough...Young coach, young team without veteran leadership.

This year all eyes are on Dent and some of the moves he is making must be orchestrated from above.

For example.... Playing Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw at center was probably not a Ted Dent idea.

You can connnect the dots how you like but the Hawks need to find another center and the cheapest way to go is find a young Ice Hog to do so.


On Twitter@AlCimaglia

How has Beach looked?
- Hawks64

The same way he has since being at the AHL level.

I think we chatted about this at the time....

In my view and from what I heard back then ...If the Hawks went outside the Organization the job was Yawney's to turn down.

Yawney's issue with the Organization was about Dale Tallon, so I don't think hard feelings came into play.

What else I wrote back then is....

It makes a big difference if an AHL or NHL 1st yr head coach had previous head coaching experience. Dent was basically always as an assistant but he wanted the job and the Hawks chose what most franchises would do....Promote from within.

So last season was tough...Young coach, young team without veteran leadership.

This year all eyes are on Dent and some of the moves he is making must be orchestrated from above.

For example.... Playing Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw at center was probably not a Ted Dent idea.

You can connnect the dots how you like but the Hawks need to find another center and the cheapest way to go is find a young Ice Hog to do so.


On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

This seems to be a trend with the Hawks, they keep trying to convert a winger to fill holes down the middle. Shaw (like Kane) play centre in junior, but I still think he's better suited on the wing. Hayes at centre...blah, aside from his size there's no good reason to play him there.

Whenever the season starts the 2 best options for the 2C (barring a trade) role are Kane or Kruger. The longer the lockout goes and the more time Kruger has to develop could make him the more viable long term option.

This seems to be a trend with the Hawks, they keep trying to convert a winger to fill holes down the middle. Shaw (like Kane) play centre in junior, but I still think he's better suited on the wing. Hayes at centre...blah, aside from his size there's no good reason to play him there.

Whenever the season starts the 2 best options for the 2C (barring a trade) role are Kane or Kruger. The longer the lockout goes and the more time Kruger has to develop could make him the more viable long term option.
- DarthKane

I think Kane is a really good option at center with the right line mates if he can learn how to win draws. The way he reads the ice and how well he controls the puck is more useful racing up the middle than being sequestered on the half boards IMO.

Hey Wiz!

Which Blackhawk prospect do you think will have the best WJC campaign? Teravainen, Shalunov, or Danault? Will you be watching tbe WJC, and will you give us a summary about their play when it is over?
- captainserious

Well, if Teravainen did put up big numbers, it would be him. It isn't too often when the younger guys shine the brightest though...

If Danault continues to be the strong jack of all trades that shuts down the opposition, it's him. But I don't you will see him lighting the lamp witha barrel of goals.

and Shalunov WILL be in a position with that big strong Russian team TO be a factor in the box score, since they have a big team, and they may make room for him to actually take a position of leading by example.



Yeah, I am gonna spend lots of hours devted to each game.
I presently have "something" written about the first four rounds of my mock, and need maybe 25 more to be done.
As you are I am very interested in how the younger Teravainen does, because usually the Finns play tough and disciplined and try and capitalize on their few & far between opportunities.

I think Danault will be a pro, and will seamless advance up the ranks to the pro level, but I just don't know if he is classic set-up man that plays 2nd pivot minutes. It begs to the same question that we have heard about Bolland before and since the Cup, about everyone who is a Hawk Fan wanting a scoring centre or a all-around guy.

...and yup, you can count on me to attempt break down and comment on their play.

I also am very curious about this speedy small US club. I thik they may be heading into an ambush, no matter if Gibson is in net or not.

Well, if Teravainen did put up big numbers, it would be him. It isn't too often when the younger guys shine the brightest though...

If Danault continues to be the strong jack of all trades that shuts down the opposition, it's him. But I don't you will see him lighting the lamp witha barrel of goals.

and Shalunov WILL be in a position with that big strong Russian team TO be a factor in the box score, since they have a big team, and they may make room for him to actually take a position of leading by example.



Yeah, I am gonna spend lots of hours devted to each game.
I presently have "something" written about the first four rounds of my mock, and need maybe 25 more to be done.
As you are I am very interested in how the younger Teravainen does, because usually the Finns play tough and disciplined and try and capitalize on their few & far between opportunities.

I think Danault will be a pro, and will seamless advance up the ranks to the pro level, but I just don't know if he is classic set-up man that plays 2nd pivot minutes. It begs to the same question that we have heard about Bolland before and since the Cup, about everyone who is a Hawk Fan wanting a scoring centre or a all-around guy.

...and yup, you can count on me to attempt break down and comment on their play.

I also am very curious about this speedy small US club. I thik they may be heading into an ambush, no matter if Gibson is in net or not.
- wiz1901

...Any opinion on goal keeper Garret Sparks....Local boy that may have a chance to play some say.

Hayes at centre...blah, aside from his size there's no good reason to play him there.
- DarthKane

I just wonder if the reason he is being experimented with there is

a) They want him skating hard and improving the stop/start quickness that the position will require.

b) They figure having to play centre will help enlighten his on-ice perspective and he will them become more instinctive as a wing.

c) The see if his size there will lead to more active engagement of the enemy, or

d) to simply expiriment with him there, to see if is maybe he can play an odd shift there, so he is in the middel and in the crease more than he would be as a wing pulling out to the front from behind...

I just wonder if the reason he is being experimented with there is

a) They want him skating hard and improving the stop/start quickness that the position will require.

b) They figure having to play centre will help enlighten his on-ice perspective and he will them become more instinctive as a wing.

c) The see if his size there will lead to more active engagement of the enemy, or

d) to simply expiriment with him there, to see if is maybe he can play an odd shift there, so he is in the middel and in the crease more than he would be as a wing pulling out to the front from behind...
- wiz1901

Everything points to decision coming from above as the front office would love to plug a hole with an inexpensive draft pick.