Blackhawks Place Kruger On IR, Recall Johnson
On Wednesday morning the Blackhawks placed Marcus Kruger on IR and recalled center Luke Johnson from Rockford.
Kruger suffered a concussion when he collided with Ryan Hartman’s elbow on Tuesday night.
Johnson, 24, appeared in 13 games for the Blackhawks earlier this year. He picked up one assist in those games.
It’s clear that the remaining talent in Rockford is mediocre at best. StanBo needs to start dealing to improve this team or at least position it for future success.
A 4th line call up that’s all it is. Maybe Kampf moves down to center line 4. Johnson goes to wing and still takes the draw on his strong side. Maybe rotates with Martinsen. Still better then having Kunitz as the 13th forward.
I just want to see Johnson play more aggressive.
I think Johnson will just slide into Kruger’s 4C spot – I liked 40 and 11 on that 4th line
Hopefully Johnson looks more comfortable after some time in Rockford. Maybe the starting 4th center next season.
Wall, has already told us there isint much left in Rockford after these guys that are up now.
We’re not looking to improve now/NHL roster wise. Need that top5 skill.
Draft wise yes.
We are loaded at juniors level with moar coming at deadline/draft.
See Johnson layout EK. When the next game against SJ.
I like what we see from Dals and Murf.
The Four Horsemen, Dunks, any others.
Loaded at D for future is best way to go.
64/62/hagel/wise/barret.
Need some moar Shawzer 2.0s
Unfortunately Highmore is out long term. Would be nice to get a nice long look. As far as Rockford forwards does Edjsell get a run at some point? Does Tyler Sikura or Jacob Nilsson do anything to excite the front office. Anthony Louis should get a look. Fortin probably will again. The other forwards under contract probably aren’t in the discussion Knott, Schroeder, Noel and Iacopelli.
There are the young dmen that might get a shot Hillman and Raddysh stand out.
Carlsson, Gilbert, and Tuulola stay down for the year. Snuggerud hasn’t been healthy for 2 years. Campbell an Ahl veteran guy only.
So there isn’t much to be excited for.
how has Sikura looked so far?
Dylan has been ok. Not much ice time. A third line role. You see the skill flash. Has not very willing to go to the corners. Looks like the coaching staff was right colliton and king saying he’s not ready yet.
Jake Wise BU out fir tge season shoulder
Hakkarainen back in lineup for Muskeegon USHL
Hopefully that ends up good timing for Wise and where roster is at when he’s ready.
Very good deep for yrs wave.
“We need more.”
Back to back games with Hawks getting concussions …..not good
Speaking of players getting recalled, Pirri was recalled by Vegas and is playing in their next game. Say what you want about Pirri 5-7 years ago, but he has improved as a player, and his forte is the PP as well. He is even better at faceoffs and he skates as well as Strome at worst.
Q minded him. Q is gone. Pirri is a far better player than numerous forwards on the Hawks now, as well as better than any forwards in Rockford. I’m not saying Pirri is the answer or a portion thereof to the Hawks woes — especially offensively\PP — but he is a far better complimentary, useful piece than players like Martinsen and Kunitz, as well as players like Schroeder & Broadhurst in Rockford. This is how you build depth.
The issue isn’t Pirri, but having depth at all positions. Bowman actually didn’t trust his own solid signings and drafting of D men like Dahlstrom, Hillman & Raddysh. Gustafson as well. The signing of Manning and Davidson threw the NHL D into a quagmire and tied Q’s hands. The forward situation for short term help is bleak to non existent. There is help down the road (non Rockford players), but when?
Tonight on TSN-Canada Juniors-vs. Switzerland
Kruger played a key role in the past when he was so good on the PK but he’s not the same player he was then and I doubt he’s got a future role on the team – so may as well get Johnson in there to see if he can be a future piece of the puzzle.
KURASHEV a with Goal in 1st versus Canada U20!!!
Kurashev- my boy!!!
Johnson… Good AHL’er– imo
This is what I am talking about. Getting excited for certain juniors players. Rout foe them all and have some favs. Makes it more personal.
That’s one of the guys we got in the 38 trade. What a deal for that piece of shit.
This group of juniors we have and the moar that are coming, are Not, just a guy/s.
For all the Stephen Johns lovers out there, it appears he has not played all year. Nor has he put up any points in the playoffs in his career.
For all the Seabrook negativity, Johns was coined as the “next Seabrook “, I would imagine Jim Nill and Dallas are a bit disappointed.
On another note, Rockford with an incredible comeback tonight. 4-3 win after being down 3-0. Darren Raddysh is turning into a legitimate NHL prospect. Also, Lucas Carlsson is now on the first pair on defense. Great to see.
Raddysh is someone who finds a way to adapt to get to the next level. Hopefully he gets a chance with Hawks or somewhere in NHL next year. He and the possible development of Gus in the next 12 months may provide some depth if a trade needs to happen when all the D-Men get to pro.
Stephen Johns has been out all year because he is having a tough time recovery from a concussion. His absence has nothing to do with his level of play.
Johns was a huge loss for the Hawks especially when you consider he was basically thrown in as a sweetener for Dallas to take Sharp’s contract so we could be cap compliant, after the Hawks missed opportunities to move the contract at the draft because they didn’t like the return. He was their top prospect at the time and Nill had Bowman over a barrel.
He was actually very effective playing a top 4 role on D when Dallas advanced a few rounds in the playoffs his second year with them.
Agree Mike. Johns play has not diminished. He’s just unlucky with the head shot like so many others.
Soderlund suspended 3 games for jumping through the blue paint with his knees raised. There is video of it on Second City hockey. It looks more reckless than malicious (unlike that dreadful hit by Kayumov). I still like Soderlund – the lad is not shy.
Yes unfortunately Johns is another concussion sufferer. To Craigs point on Rockford though, there is some real talent there on defence. Interested to see how Delia looks when he gets his starts. If his starts are not regular would seem to maybe indication that Crawford could be back fairly soon. Otherwise you would think they would want to see what can bring. Some of forwards have not developed as quickly as hoped but like Strome there is still time for that yet in some cases.
Jordy agree Soderlund play careless in that video but doesn’t appear like he had an intent to injure on it.
Watching to see if he gets an elc this year, i believe he can make the team as bottom 6 forward next season.
I suppose it’s still too soon to draw any indelible conclusions about Soderlund but this is his 3rd full year in the SHL and he has all of 5 points in 26 games. Granted. Frolunda in a veteran team with most players in the late 20’s and 30’s so he’s not getting top ice time on the 3rd line – but still. He’s got a high RPM motor but not much production to show for it. Hopefully he’s a late bloomer.
Were lucky the FW and D have these 2 yrs, to get NHL ready.
Is nice/extra depth players, when the blue chip players are ready/established.
Soderlund likely not somebody who l8ghts up scoresheet. He is speedy tireless forechecker similar to Fortin with better hands, works hard both ends of the ice too, could be a good add for bottom 6.