John Jaeckel: Preds at Hawks Breakdown

First!

Second, Debating watching the game or Live PD...

JJ I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor. Your a person who's opinion I have come to respect quickly since following your blog.

JJ is leaving?

I've definitely enjoyed your blog over the past couple of years I've been here, JJ. It's a part of my day now.

I wish Q would plug Hayden at either 1RW or 2LW. I suppose it will happen sooner or later.

JJ, is there any talk about Anisimov going back to Columbus? I mentioned it in a previous thread, the idea that they might want to reunite him with Torts, who loved coaching him with the Rangers. I don't know what we could get for him, but if he's really a guy that has to be traded, that seems like the first place to call. Mind you I wonder if he has an undisclosed injury. Just doesn't seem quite right so far.

I've definitely enjoyed your blog over the past couple of years I've been here, JJ. It's a part of my day now.

I wish Q would plug Hayden at either 1RW or 2LW. I suppose it will happen sooner or later.

JJ, is there any talk about Anisimov going back to Columbus? I mentioned it in a previous thread, the idea that they might want to reunite him with Torts, who loved coaching him with the Rangers. I don't know what we could get for him, but if he's really a guy that has to be traded, that seems like the first place to call. Mind you I wonder if he has an undisclosed injury. Just doesn't seem quite right so far.
- 333inthe3rd

Some scuttlebutt AA may be playing thru injury so any trade is maybe questionable. He has an NTC (but that can be waived and he might for Cbus). It's plausible.

The Hawks pretty much shopped him to several teams this summer. I think his contract v. actual role/ability is another issue.

I hadn't seen or heard that JJ is leaving, but I have always enjoyed his write-ups on the Hawks (even as a Preds fan).

I do think there is a possibility that Girard will play tonight, paired with Josi. That would put Subban and Eckholm together, and allow the Preds to sit Irwin, who has been awful to start the year. Even the thought of Girard in and Irwin out has Preds' fans smiling today!

Both of these teams have holes and question marks, but they are still very good teams, and capable of playing strong hockey over long stretches. The Preds are really struggling to find the right chemistry on their 2nd line with Bonino out, and I expect we may see the Hawks gain some advantage when the 2nd line for the Preds is on the ice tonight.

Some scuttlebutt AA may be playing thru injury so any trade is maybe questionable. He has an NTC (but that can be waived and he might for Cbus). It's plausible.

The Hawks pretty much shopped him to several teams this summer. I think his contract v. actual role/ability is another issue.
- John Jaeckel

Why don't the Hawks let him rest/recover?
We need our players 100% healthy for the playoffs

Some scuttlebutt AA may be playing thru injury so any trade is maybe questionable. He has an NTC (but that can be waived and he might for Cbus). It's plausible.

The Hawks pretty much shopped him to several teams this summer. I think his contract v. actual role/ability is another issue.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks for the info. It's not that I'm all for trading him, but it's good to get a more complete picture of his situation.

My other concern is whether or not Q has lost the room, something that can happen to any coach. They just don't seem to respond like they used to.

I appreciate what you do Mr. Jaeckel. You're a good writer and you taught me a lot about hockey and the blackhawks over the years. I don't miss many of your blogs.

Good luck with your next gig.

JJ, considering the start that they have gotten off to, do you think Buffalo has any added incentive to move E. Kane? I know the question comes back to "what can you trade for him?", but considering the internal lobbying for him maybe the Hawks get a bit more aggressive.

Re: Q losing room

Players not as good. Keith not the same player as he was 8 years ago.

JJ, considering the start that they have gotten off to, do you think Buffalo has any added incentive to move E. Kane? I know the question comes back to "what can you trade for him?", but considering the internal lobbying for him maybe the Hawks get a bit more aggressive.
- Chunk

What do you figure he'd sign for?

If he can stay off the IR and stop taking moronic penalties at the worst time, he's a tantalizing prospect. Huge ifs though.

My expectations when the season started was a fringe playoff team and that hasn't changed through 10 games....way early I know. Lost of warts that can be fixed, and I'm not writing off the season.......

However, this team once again is 1 line. Toews and Saad and whoever else. They are asking Kane to carry not 1 legitimate top 6 guy....Panik is nice but inconsistent. Hartman's NHL future is a bottom 6 role player...Schmaltz? No idea, but is he a proven commodity as a top 6? No.....and it's no surprise to me that kane's production has slipped because you took marque skill away from him. To me I would go the Ducks route and load up....Saad-Toews-Kane and let that line explode, and fill in the rest.

As far Toews eating habits.....these are professional athletes. They have dieticians and planned meals etc to fuel their bodies correctly. Do other professional athletes have grow houses they pimp? Ahh.....no. So what magic bean is Toews ingesting that has results into on ice increased performance because of it?

When I look at this core.....and this core to me now is 5 deep.......19/88/2/7/50 I see two guys 88/50 who have gotten better year after year. I see 3 guys whos skill sets have plateaued. That's the issue and by the way that's also your veteran leadership .

Re: Q losing room

Players not as good. Keith not the same player as he was 8 years ago.
- fattybeef

Agreed and 19/2/7 not improving their individual games either.

Agreed and 19/2/7 not improving their individual games either.
- SteveRain

What player is the same guy he was 8 years ago? Maybe a handful of guys in the league? Those are expectations not based in reality.

Re: Q losing room

Players not as good. Keith not the same player as he was 8 years ago.
- fattybeef

Keeping the room is what Q does best. I've never been a Q guy as far as x's and o's, but be careful what you wish for. All Q has to do is let the teaching coaches teach. And there's no question that you're right, the whole core isn't what it used to be.
Never know, if everyone does their part it could jell and they are set up to give some teams a nightmare in the playoffs. That first night was like a happy ending with the prom queen, but that's a one time thing. I'm interested in how things progress (or don't) from here and willing to invest the time being patient. Just hope it's more about hockey and much less about politics going forward.

Some scuttlebutt AA may be playing thru injury so any trade is maybe questionable. He has an NTC (but that can be waived and he might for Cbus). It's plausible.

The Hawks pretty much shopped him to several teams this summer. I think his contract v. actual role/ability is another issue.
- John Jaeckel

So once again, another Bowman bad contract/early extension/No movement clause has tied the organization's hands in trying to deal a player.....especially with some nice young depth in Rockford.

I just can't put my finger around who will go first, Quenneville or Bowman....if the season continues at the current highly questionable rate.

Moving 2 forwards out of their normal positions tonight is a gamble. Panic is not a left wing and ADB is not a right wing. More questionable thinking by Quenneville. I hope it works, but if it doesn't, more changes to come I guess.

What player is the same guy he was 8 years ago? Maybe a handful of guys in the league? Those are expectations not based in reality.
- JRoenick97

No - but presumably, management foresaw this AND the loss of players for cap reasons - the mantra always was we'll be able to replace them with young players coming up.

That hasn't happened - and may or may not be happening now - jury is still out on the likes of Schmaltz, Hartman, Hayden, Kempny, Forsling, Rutta....

Just off the top, I think Saad is the only young player not part of the 2010 team that has made an impact and is still with the team (although gone for 2 years).

My expectations when the season started was a fringe playoff team and that hasn't changed through 10 games....way early I know. Lost of warts that can be fixed, and I'm not writing off the season.......

However, this team once again is 1 line. Toews and Saad and whoever else. They are asking Kane to carry not 1 legitimate top 6 guy....Panik is nice but inconsistent. Hartman's NHL future is a bottom 6 role player...Schmaltz? No idea, but is he a proven commodity as a top 6? No.....and it's no surprise to me that kane's production has slipped because you took marque skill away from him. To me I would go the Ducks route and load up....Saad-Toews-Kane and let that line explode, and fill in the rest.

As far Toews eating habits.....these are professional athletes. They have dieticians and planned meals etc to fuel their bodies correctly. Do other professional athletes have grow houses they pimp? Ahh.....no. So what magic bean is Toews ingesting that has results into on ice increased performance because of it?

When I look at this core.....and this core to me now is 5 deep.......19/88/2/7/50 I see two guys 88/50 who have gotten better year after year. I see 3 guys whos skill sets have plateaued. That's the issue and by the way that's also your veteran leadership .
- SteveRain

From my useless vantage point, Toews nutrition deal is part of a bigger problem. He's focusing on "doing good". Not on being the best hockey player he's getting paid for. Philosophical crisis? Can't call him a jerk for wanting to make the planet a better place. But it is a tad hypocritical considering that he's...kinda getting paid to be a hockey player. Makes sense to compromise between professional and personal ideals when you aren't making much money. But when you have a historical, and very public, obligation to be the biggest pro in your league.... it's not a good look

I don't know if that makes sense.

Re: Q losing room

Players not as good. Keith not the same player as he was 8 years ago.
- fattybeef

He's become a liability on the power play, that much is obvious. Remember how they used to say that Lidstrom's shot always got through? Well, Keith's never seems to get through.

One thing that's obvious is that he doesn't have a top pairing partner anymore.

How much do his knees still bother him? Recovery from the operations can take time, and even then...

From my useless vantage point, Toews nutrition deal is part of a bigger problem. He's focusing on "doing good". Not on being the best hockey player he's getting paid for. Philosophical crisis? Can't call him a jerk for wanting to make the planet a better place. But it is a tad hypocritical considering that he's...kinda getting paid to be a hockey player. Makes sense to compromise between professional and personal ideals when you aren't making much money. But when you have a historical, and very public, obligation to be the biggest pro in your league.... it's not a good look

I don't know if that makes sense.
- kinigitt

How much time is he spending on his "doing good" projects vs. how much on hockey?

I haven't heard that he hasn't been training enough - just that (by his own admission) he hasn't been training properly.

He's become a liability on the power play, that much is obvious. Remember how they used to say that Lidstrom's shot always got through? Well, Keith's never seems to get through.

One thing that's obvious is that he doesn't have a top pairing partner anymore.

How much do his knees still bother him? Recovery from the operations can take time, and even then...
- 333inthe3rd

Did his shot EVER get through, more than now?

I remember female doging about it (and reading about female doging about it) for years.

How much time is he spending on his "doing good" projects vs. how much on hockey?

I haven't heard that he hasn't been training enough - just that (by his own admission) he hasn't been training properly.
- StLBravesFan

Hence the "philosophical" part. I've read numerous quotes from him about being "less serious" and "more balanced".

Fine and dandy. But he is paid for performance that comes at a personal cost.

If he's had an epiphany and wants to be a more sane, balanced, healthy person... GOOD! But not at the Blackhawks organization and fan's expense.

Crosby is still a very good hockey player. They say neurosis drives ambition.

He's become a liability on the power play, that much is obvious. Remember how they used to say that Lidstrom's shot always got through? Well, Keith's never seems to get through.

One thing that's obvious is that he doesn't have a top pairing partner anymore.

How much do his knees still bother him? Recovery from the operations can take time, and even then...
- 333inthe3rd

Lets be honest here....keith has always been a liability on the PP because nobody is afraid to step in front of his shot and his offensive ability to create isn't there. Keith is/was a top notch defensemen but his offensive skill set was/is his biggest weakness IMO