Blackhawks Fall 4-1 In Detroit
After handling their business at home with a roster filled with mostly NHL players, the Blackhawks sent primarily prospects to Detroit for Wednesday night’s second preseason affair. And, predictably, the Red Wings NHL players were able to take advantage of the less experiences Hawks.
Forward Daniel Paille and defensemen Jan Hejda, David Rundblad and Viktor Svedberg played in back-to-back games for Chicago, but the rest of the roster was new for this exhibition game that saw Tomas Tatar celebrate a hat trick in a 4-1 Detroit victory.
Vince Hinostroza looked great up front of the Hawks, picking up one takeaway and three shots on net in more than 14 minutes of ice time. He was noticeable the entire night, and is clearly someone IceHogs fans should be excited about this season.
Ryan Hartman also looked good at the outset, picking up one hit and one takeaway with three shots on net. He did spend four minutes in the penalty box, however.
Viktor Tikhonov made his Blackhawks debut and was credited with two shots on net and one hit in 15 minutes of ice time. Bryan Bickell had two hits in just under 13 minutes of ice time, while Mike Liambas led the way with four hits.
Trevor van Riemsdyk was the high ice time in the Chicago box score, skating 20:42 with one blocked shot and two shots on net in his first action of the preseason.
On the blue line, Ville Pokka had a nice game that included one hit in 16:18 on the ice. Pokka and van Riemsdyk were the only two defensemen wearing a road jersey who looked like they’re ready for the NHL this season.
Rundblad led the team with two blocked shots and was credited with an assist on Andrew Shaw’s goal, the only tally for the Hawks in the game.
Corey Crawford started the game and allowed one goal against eight shots in 30:35. Michael Leighton replaced him in the middle of the second period and allowed two goals against 15 shots (Tatar finished his hat trick into an empty net).
Ah, no biggie. We were up against the real Red Wings this time vs. mostly our prospects…good to hear Vince Hinostroza had a big game. Did not see this game so I’m curious how Bickell was on the ice. Tab states he had 2 hits and a bit less than 13 minutes but I’m wondering how he carried himself out there…any signs of vertigo or disorientation? Was he any good? TVR carrying the load for Keith tells the tale of the team we had tonight. Thats OK for us…we were not blown out by any means. Now my worry is all the distraction on the team by the latest round of the ongoing Kane saga, which is getting utterly weird.
Hopefully Hinostroza gets a couple more games before he’s shipped down to Rockford. Really an exciting player.
I thought the Icehogs held their own pretty well against the Wings for the most part. A bad line change (where have we seen that before) led to a wings goal, a leaky Leighton led to another and then an empty netter. Otherwise it was a fairly even game with each team having some good possession moments.
I was quite surprised at how competitive the Hawks were with only a couple of regulars playing against the Wings who had six regular d-men and several of the top forwards. The Hawks clearly were the better team through the first half of the game. Agree with Tab and ER that Hino was the most noticeable player – he was very competitive and was part of several good scoring chances. He needs to get stronger on his skates as he was knocked on his ass fairly easily. Was also impressed with Tikhonov – he seems like a good bet for the 3rd line with good speed and is defensively responsible. Didn’t think either Paille or Hejda had particularly good nights. Mining Man – thought Bicks was ok at best. He coughed up the puck in his own zone a couple of times although he did crush Tatar with a big hit. Lastly, I know Rundblad has a long way to go defensively but you can’t dispute that the guy can skate and has above average offensive skills. I will take some flak for this comment but I still think there is a chance he can become a decent bottom pair guy.
On the first goal the weak side Wing made a huge mistake leaving his spot in order to follow a a guy diving to the net. I think that was Hartman. I couldn’t see beacuse the stream I was watching was poor and it was Detroit TV station, so they didn’t name names. That’s a huge, basic error.
I’ll give one piece of credit to Bickell. He got himself big in front of the net for the only Hawks score. Would love, in a perfect world, if he did that more often!
Viktor Tikhonov #14 is a player but I wish he was younger! Good size and speed. Very quick to the puck all night and closes on the man, plays the hawks system well, closes the gaps and find gaps on offense, with a physical presence. Was actually outstanding on the penalty kill and was the only stand out on the ice. I hope he makes the Team, not sure there is room. But this is only kid who stood out. Very Kruger like and even with a Car-Bomb intensity.
David Rundblad days as a defensemen are over, he is still way to inconsistent to play defense on the NHL level. Just too slow and his defensive zone awareness is horrible and that is not something you do NOT learn. Runblad would and should be up on Offense as a winger his “offensive skills” far out weigh inconsistent defense.
TVR is NO BETTER than last year. Van Reimsdyk is still a step slow to close and relies on his long arms and lame poke checks way too much. Never closes hard into the body or into the corner boards and actually if you watch he is AVOIDING CONTACT ( injury on or injury) Since he is actually slow on his turns in the defensive end combine that with a “lazy and weak poke check or reach in” it’s a recipe for disaster as bigger skilled players can play thru that easily. I had hoped to see some improvement but see NONE. He is effective on the power play at the point and smart break out passer but Hawks have bet on his name and he is not even close to NHL level unless he has a solid d-partner veteran next to him.
Whom ever is on that 3rd Defensive line needs a veteran and it might be ROZY and then we can whine in the playoffs how slow he is . . .ho hum
Like Bick and Shaw together if Bick is not going to score 30 goals ( he isn’t ) then have a line that is just smothering and physical! Some good chemistry between them but Hawks depth chart is shallow this year.
Go hawks
Comments:
1. Agree Hinostroza stood out. He really buzzes around. Tikihonov caught my eye as well. Looks like he can contribute on third line and not just be useful ordering dinner for Panarin at Mike Ditka’s restaurant.
2. Not a big fan of Rundblad but actually wasn’t too bad. The Detroit broadcasters actually praised him.
3. Actually disappointed with Pokka. Haven’t looked at box score but I’m pretty sure he was on the ice for two of the first three Detroit goals. Looked small
and indecisive in his own end. Too bad as I thought he would be better than what he showed.
4. Liambas is really a badass. He may not have much skill but he caused havoc out there with his physical play.
5. Not a fan of Svedberg either but he also exceeded expectations. His reach really helps disrupt plays and he stands-up for teammates when the pushing and shoving begins in front of his own net.
6. Aside from the nice screen of the goalie on Shaw’s goal, Bickell was awful. If he were wearing a different number he would look just like any other of the AHL grinders out there looking for a spot on the roster.
7. I would have no problem packaging Hartman and McNeil in a trade for a solid veteran defenseman who is younger and better than Rozsival and those other two washed-up Dmen trying out for a spot on the roster.
I agree that Runblad should be tried at a forward position. Good size and length. The offensive version of Runblad is 1st round draft pick Mark McNeil. No fire in his belly to put out his best effort on the ice. I seen him raise his hand a few times to come off the ice. What A shame because both have alot of talent but, should I say it, No Heart!
On Pokka, he made a bad change decision on the Abdelkader goal. I wouldn’t put too much stock into a guy’s first game vs. NHL’ers though, particularly an exhibition game. Pokka will start in Rockford anyway, they know he needs more experience and want him better prepared for the long grind, they want his conditioning improved which is fairly normal for guys at his experience level.
I noted they got Graham Knott into a game. Must have been a big thrill for the 18 year old and it’s a nice message to him from the front office to let him play an NHL game before going back to juniors.
I’m also surprised to see both Heyda and Visnovsky being labeled as washed up. Seems a bit early to be making proclamations like that, let’s see how they progress through training camp – lots of games left.
re: trying Rundblad at forward – because the Hawks don’t have enough forwards already? C’mon… get real. If he isn’t a defenseman he isn’t an NHL player, and the Hawks sure as hell don’t have time, cap space or roster space to “try him out” at a different position.
I have problems in seeing Visnovsky as a viable option. I mean, the Capitals went hard after him in the playoffs and they finally concussed him badly with a semi cheap nasty shot. So he has a target on his back. Maybe as a 7th Dman or a later in the season pick-up Timonen style
Here’s the hit. Listen to the announcers… they recap the targeting that was taking place from the start of the series.
That series was nasty top to bottom, but when Visnovsky was on the ice you were becoming instinctively anxious, the tension was increased and you were holding your breath. And for good reason, just look what ended up happening.
The idea was to force the Isles to go to some young AHL little experience Dman. And they already had 1 of those in the lineup. They ended up playing very well (the 2 ‘rookies’), but that meant more minutes for Leddy-Boychuk and they kind of faded at the end of the series there.
TAB your response OHHHHH COME ON, feels a little HEAVY HANDED to me! Maybe I’m sensitive this morning? Plus your comments are basic “back fill” miss my point and my observation of Run-bad for the last 2 years. I played too much hockey was Hawks season ticket holder with my brothers and dad in the 70’s and 80s so I’m a died hard hawks fan but also big NHL fan. I’ve seen like you have every “type” of player play come and go in the NHL in over 50 years!
ALL I WAS SAYING is RUN-BAD has a more a “natural skill set ” as FORWARD, period. He will not replace a HAWKS forward in the HAWKS line up, cap space blah blah, but would be more valuable as a forward for himself and his own career and even in trade. Also is scares me that he is THE top choice still for Hawks on third line, hence ROZY’s come back. Rambo 6 . . . Also show how distorted the TVR expectations might be too.
amen
Hawks as a “Stanley Cup” contender year in and year out do not have time to develop the third line defensemen like most teams can. The AHL does almost nothing in comparison to getting ice time in the NHL playing defense. Game is literally 100 times faster end to end, transition, bigger, and quicker and NHL and hockey is ALL about who makes the fewest mistakes so that does put pressure on Rundblad and TVR also. Shaw can miss coverage, over over skate a puck but on defense ya hear about it and it often results in a goal?