Blackhawks Prospect Camp Preview: Forwards
In the wake of the blockbuster deals for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the organization will have most of their top prospects in town to compete for roster spots in Rockford and, perhaps, Chicago.
Earlier, we discussed the defensemen attending this year’s Blackhawks prospect camp. Now, let’s look at the forwards on the roster.
There’s some pretty good size coming to camp this year. Beau Starrett (6-5, 197), John Hayden (6-3, 210), Dennis Rasmussen (6-3, 201), Jack Ramsey (6-3, 175) and free agent Samuel Walser (6-3, 218) will all make poor Anthony Louis (5-7, 145) look tiny on the ice.
But a couple of the shorter players – Louis and Vince Hinostroza (5-9, 165) – aren’t likely to be intimidated. Louis registered 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 36 games with Miami (Ohio) last season while Hinostroza posted 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 24 games at Notre Dame.
At 24, Rasmussen will be the oldest signed player at the camp, and he’ll certainly be one of the guys looking to make an impression.
Later this summer, three of the forwards in attendance at the Hawks’ camp will be at USA Hockey’s evaluation camp for the 2014 World Junior Championships: Hayden, Louis and 2014 first round pick Nick Schmaltz. Tyler Motte, who is not on the Hawks’ camp roster after a good first season at the University of Michigan, is also expected to attend the USA Hockey camp.
Schmaltz, Luke Johnson (the Hawks’ fifth round pick in 2013), and defenseman Nick Mattson will be teammates at North Dakota this winter. There will be four Ohio State Buckeyes in attendance next week as well.
Among the free agent forwards, there’s one Big Ten player to keep an eye on next week. Tanner Fritz just finished his third season at Ohio State and tied for the team lead with 24 assists in 32 games.
Teuvo Teräväinen
Draft: 1st round (18) – 2012
2013-14 Team(s): Jokerit (Finland), Rockford (AHL), Chicago (NHL)
Phillip Danault
Draft: 1st round (26) – 2011
2013-14 Team: Rockford (AHL)
Mark McNeill
Draft: 1st round (18) – 2011
2013-14 Team: Rockford (AHL)
Ryan Hartman
Draft: 1st round (30) – 2013
2013-14 Team(s): Plymouth (OHL), Rockford (AHL)
Nick Schmaltz
Draft: 1st round (20) – 2014
2013-14 Team: Green Bay (USHL)
Vince Hinostroza
Draft: 6th round (169) – 2012
2013-14 Team: Notre Dame (NCAA)
John Hayden
Draft: 3rd round (74) – 2013
2013-14 Team: Yale (NCAA)
Garret Ross
Draft: 5th round (139) – 2012
2013-14 Team: Rockford (AHL)
Dennis Rasmussen
Acquired: Free Agent (2014)
2013-14 Team: Vaxjo HC (Sweden)
Chris Calnan
Draft: 3rd round (79) – 2012
2013-14 Team: Boston College (NCAA)
Alex Broadhurst
Draft: 7th round (199) – 2011
2013-14 Team: Rockford (AHL)
Matt Carey
Acquired: Free Agent (2014)
2013-14 Team(s): St. Lawrence (NCAA), Chicago (NHL)
Matheson Iacopelli
Draft: 3rd round (83) – 2014
2013-14 Team: Muskegon (USHL)
Luke Johnson
Draft: 5th round (134) – 2013
2013-14 Team: North Dakota (NCAA)
Anthony Louis
Draft: 6th round (181) – 2013
2013-14 Team: Miami (OH) (NCAA)
Fredrick Olofsson
Draft: 4th round (98) – 2014
2013-14 Team(s): Green Bay (USHL), Chicago (USHL)
Beau Starrett
Draft: 3rd round (88) – 2014
2013-14 Team: South Shore (USPHL)
Dylan Sikura
Draft: 6th round (178) – 2014
2013-14 Team: Aurora (OJHL)
Jack Ramsey
Draft: 7th round (208) – 2014
2013-14 Team: Penticton (BCHL)
The Free Agents
- Zachary Aston-Reese (Northeastern)
- Michael Borkowski (Colgate)
- Cody Caron (Niagara – OHL)
- Tanner Fritz (Ohio State)
- Quinn Gould (Merrimack)
- Cole Gunner (Air Force)
- Ryan Hitchcock (USNTDP)
- Nolan La Porte (Western Michigan)
- Joni Nikko (Lukko – Finland)
- John Stevens (Northeastern)
- Nolan Stevens (USNTDP)
- Samuel Walser (Davos – Switzerland)
- Brian Ward (St. Lawrence)
- Matthew Zay (Mercyhurst – AHA)
Missing?
- Joakim Nordstrom
- Drew LeBlanc
- Tyler Motte (Michigan)
- Kevin Hayes (Boston College)
Im really excited to see if Danualt, McNeill, and Hartman can make strides. I think they all have good potential to be ok 2nd liners at some point with the ability to be 3rd line contibutors in the next year or 2 if asked. Motte as a no-show is a suprise. Nordy as a no show, might mean he is going to be in the 12th man rotation at the pro level and not viewed as a “prospect”.
I am going to try to go Wednesday, is it a zoo to get in and watch the scrimmage?
Just a nit to pick – Jokerit is Finland, not Sweden.
Exciting times! Lots of quality prospects to ogle next week.
I’m not surprised that Nordstrom and Dahlbeck aren’t there because this should be more for player evaluation and orientation and it’s not needed for Nordstrom and Dahlbeck.
I think it’s telling that Nordstrom & Dahlbeck will not be at the prospect camp but TT is, with regards to where the Hawks expect them to start the year. Also LeBlanc not their might be an indication that they were not impressed with his 1st year and will likely move on after this one. By the same token, it will be interesting to see what Carey & Van Riemsdyk do this year…hopefully more than LeBlanc showed as a college free agent.
Now that the Toews/Kane contracts are signed, Bowman can focus on moving a couple of players to get the Blackhawks back under the cap, and put the finishing touches on this team for training camp
Jokerit will also be in the KHL next year. Glad they got him out when they did.
Even though there are high expectations for TT, he is only 19 still and I think he should be in the prospect camp. Nordstrom and Dahlbeck are older and been around the block a couple times. TT is still wet behind the ears when it comes to N.A play.
I’m a little surprised by all of the stock the commenters are putting into the prospect camp. No one invited to it will make the team out of this camp or get sent down to Rockford or juniors based on performance here.if you deserve to be at the big camp your not flying under the radar. Sure it is telling to see how players perform against competition their own age but nothing is set in stone until they reach the big camp. All that this week is really used for is to get the coaches and management to get know players a bit better and what they can come to expect in the future, and maybe get lucky and have a free agent impress with his performance. With that being said I’m most excited to see Hoffmann and O’connor between the pipes. Both could be sleepers coming out of the NCAA ranks
Are you kidding? This camp is HUGE for any prospect who wants to make the Hawks roster this season, or to let Bowman know that he doesn’t need to make any moves for next year’s roster…this is a big stage, against motivated competition, to show how you stand out and are deserved of a long look at camp.
For former first round picks McNeil and Danault, this camp is GIGANTIC. Both should be ready to play NHL by sometime this season…anything less and they will be considered disappointments…and in this organization, you either take a step forward or you get left behind in the dust…Kyle who? In the past a clown like Beach would have been given opportunity after opportunity to prove himself, no longer…the 2010 picks are now on the clock, as are the first rounders from 2011…to an extent even Clendening…look at Saad and Shaw.
From 2009 Kruger made it and everyone else is now gone…the 2010 class must now perform or face the same fate (goalies are given more time). So while there are lots of kids that I want to see play, I am most interested in those that have their careers on the line…and at this point McNeil and Danault MUST show NHL ready or very close to NHL ready or this could be there last seasons in the Hawks organization…no excuses, you can either play NHL hockey or you can’t.
Just my hunch but I think SB moves a player off the Hawks roster after the camp concludes. SB will evaluate & rank his system accordingly and will try to get something for whoever he moves off the NHL roster. Obviously because of the cap the Hawks aren’t getting a NHL roster player in return for whoever he moves.
I view TT like other bluechip prosects (Toews, Kane, Saad) If TT outshines everyone and plays himself on the NHL roster he will start the year in Chicago. If not he will refine his game in the AHL. Sure seems like LeBlanc time in Chicago is over.
Florida is looking for a goal scorer and Sharpie was at the Cubs game with Campbell recently,… Sharp for Jonathan Huberdeau???
When ‘isn’t’ Florida looking? I know that’s just wishing for JH but I will be glad when Sharp’s name is done being thrown around. I see moving him as a big mistake. Regardless of numbers, he is way too valuable in the dressing room and elsewhere. Nobody outside of 19 gets the respect from young and old, or brings guys together like Sharpie. He has had the ‘A’ for good reason. Just like the tweet he sent out about 19 the other day, perfect example of how he can say and do things others can’t or don’t. The diva crap is just that, bs. He is a great teammate. We need 10.
The guy just played 82+ for us, yet gets maligned for being hurt it seems. Led us in scoring at 32, but is ‘always’ in a scoring slump. Played his ass off in g7 vs LA. His cap hit is not anything over the top either. Plenty of NHL players ahead of him salary wise who have no business being there. If he goes, and Oduya is still here, I will not be pleased. I don’t think Stan is sending Sharp anywhere. Not now, not next summer.
Ryan, you absolutely nailed it on sharp. His agent came out saying Stan assured him he won’t be traded. If Stan told him that, then that is pretty much it. Hawks are taking a run at the cup in 2015 , there is no way they remove their leading goal scorer. Sharp’s play in game 7 against the kings was big time, as was his play against st. Louis in clinching game 6 . Go back even further and his short handed goal against Philadelphia in the cup clinching game 6 was Huge. If he doesn’t tie the game, it likely would have gone to game 7 .
Brad- You are spot on Re: McNeill, Danault, Cden… THEY better look “more seasoned” then most- and out class the Newbies… If they don’t- a BIG step back!!!
Cden- has to see this as a “wake-up” call that Dbeck is a head of him (if Dbeck is- like most of us assume)… Cden- needs to work on D and skating…
Even TT- has to feel a little pressure… like I said before- He dominated his Draft year/prospect camp… the Hawk’s system has improved… but if he doesn’t dominate (at least several plays/match-ups) … it will be telling at this stage – that maybe he is not “ready”… He SHOULD be held to a higher standard playing in a Pro league and being a Captain on a Gold Medal Junior team!!! I am confident TT will…
Not so Confident about Cden/Mcneill.
This is a huge camp for guys like McNeill and Danault. No question about that. I agree also that Bowman will make his deal(s) to get under the cap shortly after camp.
Clendening, Dahlbeck and Nordstrom clearly will be in competition to make the Hawks this season. I strongly suspect Bowman will do whatever possible to jettison Versteeg, to the point of enticing a trade partner living well under the cap right now with a decent prospect included. Then it comes down to Oduya or Leddy being on the move.
Saad-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Richards-Hossa
Bickell-Kruger-Shaw
Morin-Smith-Nordstrom
Regin
Keith-Seabrook
Leddy or Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Clendening or Dahlbeck-Rosival
Runblad
RD,
I to think Sharpy is here his entire contract as well. We wont have 32, 23, 27 contracts then (2.2, 2.2, 3.4/that 7.7 basically covers 19/18 raises right there)(cap at 75ish & moar in ’17).
Craig,
I think that goal in Philadelphia game6 was 4on4, before we were short-handed. Your right that that was a Huge goal and set us up for the Hammer Slap Laddy tip 3-2 lead.
Teuvo timeline is similar to Saader. Played a couple games right out of the gate, then jr/finnish league for season and came back to play in a few at later stages for experience. Saader got about 25-40games? in ahl during lockout before season started jan19 probably helped 20. Teuvo could play some in ahl during first half season then be really ready like Saader was around that jan19 time of the year. Teuvo was a yr younger at draft then 20, so I think this puts the timelines about the same based on agewise. Teuvo just needs time/games/adjust/more comfortable. Theres a reason Finland smoked CAN & beat SWE in world juniors. Teuvo had some help on the roster compared to yr before.
RFT- you and Brad finally agree on something (big camp for McN and Danault– I add Cden… cuz I think Dbeck and Johns have passed him)…
I like your lines… but I flip Morin and 16… AND I am still really hopeful MOOSE/TT or ??? shines in camps and makes the Hawks even better (Perhaps Hartman/Ross).
Read that Hartman and Danault had some great chemistry late for Hogs when Hartman showed up!!! So who knows…
We know 42, Hartman, TT, Danault can ALL skate like Hawks… I will be looking forward to see which recent Picks fit that mold.
Who do you guys think the assistant coach could be.
Morrison- Me!!!
Problems w/ Rufus’ lines – no Versteeg. He’ll start the season in Chicago…
Sharp-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Richards-Kane
Bickell-Smith-Shaw
Versteeg-Kruger-Morin/Regin
Once Versteeg proves he’s A) healthy or B) legitimately has nothing left, the Hawks will do something w/ him to make room for Nordstrom. But Joakim likely begins the season in Rockford because of the cap
Tab- I don’t see RTF/lines w/23 missing as a problem!!! I see it as a Blessing and a Cap reduction!
W/23 there- just means that Hawks will still have to trade 8/27/32 (one or two of)…
I ask you- are the Hawks better getting rid of 23 or getting rid of 27 or 8???
I know it will be harder to find “Dance partner for 23″…
But you suggest they will wait to see if 23 is healthy or not… if not is proven- then it will be twice as hard to move him!
I agree that Wall should be the new Asst. Coach…however, if its not Wall, Ted Dent being promoted from the Hogs makes a TON of sense as he is not only a good hockey mind and a great TEACHER, but he knows the Hogs and can relate to the younger players on the team…he’s ready.
Someone else mentioned Adam Oates and if he would come here as an Asst. I would like that very much…smart guy.
RD welcome back! GREAT POST on Sharp, I agree 100% Lots of value to Sharpy beyond his 30+ goals…
Rufus, you are starting to come around…good thoughts, good post.
Wall, so right on Clendening…Dahlbeck added offence to his rock solid defensive game and he’s promoted first…Clendening needs to understand this…but I will remind everyone one important thing about Clendening…he’s good in his own zone with the puck, and clearing it…that’s not his problem, like it is for virtually every other DMan…Adam’s biggest problem is an insatiable desire to stay in the offensive zone, and thus he gets caught up ice a LOT. This can be coached…this is easily changeable…panicking in your own zone and struggling to clear the puck is MUCH harder to change.
Clendening is a very strong bodied, strong minded player…he’s tough, not weak like a lot of prospects are…he gets in trouble by being reckless not chicken…if Leddy had Clenedning’s toughness he would be an all star. So if Adam listens to Q and follows the system, he should make the roster at some point this season…he is not only a premier talent, he is EXACTLY what our Defence needs…more smarts, more strength, more youth, more vision, and a QB of the PP, which Duncan Keith simply is not.
Dahlbeck, Clendening and Johns are going to make us BETTER not worse or the same…this is a good transition for the Hawks.
Tab, I agree with Steeger…he was one of our best forwards in Dec and Jan before his game started to ebb…and that had to be from conditioning, which was a result of the knee…which most people don’t understand…when you come back too early from major knee surgery you are cheating your core of the long, tedious miles needed for foundation…Versteeg looked to me like a guy who lost his “core energy”…he looked and acted listless, and began to whine…he was dead tired because he wasn’t in proper shape because of that knee.
You have to believe that Versteeg understands that his career is at a crossroads…he could easily out of this league in a hurry if he doesn’t rebound with a BIG SEASON in CHI. He will be a completely different player from the playoffs when we see him in October. We are flying back home to CAN in 2 weeks time and will visit Kris’ family and get the “poop” on what’s happening and what went wrong.
As for the lines, I see Morin as a Top 6, Top 9 forward, and with his success already playing with Bickell you would think that Shaw centring them will make a great line. However, I would LOVE to see Ben Smith move up from the 4th line, because I know he can handle it…but much like with Saad playing on the 3rd line for much of the last 2 seasons, having Smith and Kruger on the 4th line is like cheating…they are “too good” for a conventional 4th line role, giving us a huge advantage.
And this is what I was thinking Tab, the Kruger/Smith/Steeger/Regin line will be our shut down line, playing against the opposition’s best, giving them 10-12 five on five minutes a game, making them a regular line and not a traditional 4th line group with low minutes…this allows our three best lines to enjoy mismatches…especially our 3rd line that will be dominate against a lot of 4th lines…
As I said last week, with these additions/departures we have become once again the team to beat, especially considering that Crawford will just continue to get better. The only key for us is defensively…we MUST get better there (stronger, tougher) and that’s why I am looking forward to Oduya leaving…he did a nice job for us, but he wasn’t bred to play against the Kings and STL. Its time for Dahlbeck and Clendening.
Brad, The Adam Oates suggestion was mine. He took on very difficult circumstances in Washington, and maybe he was a little over his head. But as an assistant for the Hawks I think he would be great.
I also suggested Dent because he knows the youth. As intimidating as Q “seems” to be with young players, a familiar face might make their transitions a little easier.
Mike, I agree 100% on both.
I like everything Sr Brad had to say about Versteeg manning up and getting his career back on track… but the other reality is that even if Bowman was going to pay him to go away there’s nobody who would want the player we watched struggled thru the playoffs. he needs to be healthy for there to be a market for him, even at the discounted price w/ Florida eating half his salary.
As we all recall, the mantra last season was roll 4 lines, as it should be every season but it becomes more pronounced when it isn’t happening. So when I look at the various possible line combinations for 2014/15 I am pleased because they all look better than what the Hawks had last season. The subtraction of Handzus and Bollig will result in 4 better lines regardless how Q’s line-blender spits them out.
An intriguing idea for me is to have Morin play LW with Toews and Hossa. Morin’s best asset is his shot and he seems to have that goal scorer’s knack for finding openings in the defense to put shots on net. With Toews and Hossa driving possession as well as they do I think Morin would be a nice complement to them as someone who will be ready and able to shoot when they find him. Similar to Saad when he broke into the NHL in 2012/13. Different types of players, but the strategy is the same – to jump start the rookie by putting him in a position to succeed. Morin has the potential to be a big time goal scorer. Let him play with 19-81 and as the goals go in his confidence builds and who knows – maybe he nets 25+ goals on the season. Wouldn’t that cushion the potential loss of Sharp next summer.
Now, I know some will have a conniption when my suggestion of Morin on the top line necessarily pushes Bickell t0 the 4th line (Sharp at 3LW), and I understand that normally a $4M player wouldn’t play on the 4th line. However, looking back at the King’s 4th line – Richards was their 4th line center and he makes more than $4M. So it isn’t unprecedented. Additionally, Bickell plays better with limited minutes. It’s the reason he shouldn’t play 1LW unless it’s in the playoffs for short bursts – he simply can’t lug his big frame around the ice and play his best for 1st or 2nd line minutes. He will be more effective playing 12 minutes than 15 minutes. I realize that is anecdotal, but that’s all I got – so bear with me :)
Besides, I don’t get hung up on a guys salary dictating where he plays in the lineup. Once the lineup is determined – what difference does it make. The objective should be to take the players on the roster and construct the best possible lineup – salary need not have any bearing on the lineup. Therefore, with the objective being to construct the lineup best able to provide consistent play across all 4 lines, I think this lineup is as good as any and maybe the best:
Morin-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Richards-Kane
Sharp-Shaw-Versteeg
Bickell-Kruger-Smith
ER- I like the idea of Mo up on 1st… suggested that both Mo and JHayes were better in that role than 3rd/4th line guys…
BUT- I would move 10 to 2nd… and Saad to 3rd w/ Moose or TT and 65 on RW.
Bottom line — 23 is odd man out
Lots of good chat. Oates would do wonders for PP Im sure, but probably a reach getting him. Dent makes sense, but Q isn’t always sensible. Sign Wall with a cigs/booze salary.
a lot riding on 23 being his old self. be interesting
ER, GREAT post…and I agree completely…with Kruger and Smith on the 4th line anyways, it isn’t a conventional “4th line” as they will likely become the “shut down” line playing significant minutes every game…to that end, putting Bickell on the 4th, or even Sharp on the 3rd is not demeaning to either of them, its balance and thus gives us an even better chance at winning.
Think how much better Toews, Hossa and Richards would be playing fewer minutes and staying fresh? Plus a 3rd line of Shaw with Sharp and Versteeg would feast playing against most teams 4th lines…as you said, the depth here is outstanding, and there’s still Regin, Nordstrom, TT and RasMOOSEn waiting in the wings to play…that’s why I said that if we can improve our Defence, we can beat the Kings next season and take back the Cup…very, very encouraging for all Hawk fans…
Addition through Subtraction…
Wall, you and I have always suggested that Morin best suits a top 6 role, however, that line with Regin and Bickell at the end of last year, was great too. Really, with Smith and Kruger on the “4th” I don’t see us as having a 4th line…really two #1 lines and two #3 lines. Now we just need better defence and Special teams…
ER – I’m with you with Bickell on the 4th line. Real fans would see how much better he would play in short bursts rather than top 6 minutes (until the playoffs). Another good thing about your lineup is that if Morin falters or Q becomes anxious (guaranteed with Morin) then Sharp is a proven top line player.
Well I agree not to trade SHARP this year nor SEABROOK ….but these vets are on the clock to be traded next year ….one of them…because even with the cap probably going up another $6-8 million for 2015-16 the T and K increase of another $8.4 mil combined eats that cap increase all up…no money to raise SAAD. plus cap space wiggle room …and KRUGER too… SO they will need a lot of cap savings and so SHARP and SEABROOK get one more CUP contend this year before the loser of the Q value test this season between them is shown the door next year…SHARP must still show he is our top LW sniper and must not again go MIA unproductive in the playoffs as per this past season…SEABROOK must prove a better commitment to CONDITIONING and a regain of both skating speed and FOCUS ….His numerous FAILS TO CLEAR garbage MUST end and his skating backwards stumbles and slow reaction times must get beter. He probably needs to lose 10-15 pounds to regain speed and mobility else he is on the path to a slowing down of epic CHRIS PHILLIPS-like proportions—into total uselessness …So 2 vets with best days maybe behind them need to PROVE they should still be here a year from now.
LUCKILY for the Hawks–the 2015 draft is very very exceptional and deep—IF Versteeg Sharp Seabrook and Leddy ALL have a great season this year THEN we are in great great shape to package deal with some of these guys and with our own picks of this draft including the extra second for the Hayes loss…to EITHER move up in this exceptional draft OR to simply acqire more picks and partake of thisd deep deep motherlode of a draft…What IF we traded some quantity of Sharp Leddy Seabrook Versteeg AND our first or 2 seconds or some other assets from the system in a bid to get MCDAVID or EICHEL or HANIFAN or other prizes at the top of this draft or to move up from late first to maybe having 3 firsts earlier in the round one …maybe one top six and two early teensÉ THIS will be the draft to do that and to shed the congestion and cap space issues and set us up very pretty for a long long time. It is great that Versteeg and Sharp and Seabrook and Leddy ought to be motivated to show they either are not trending down in a bid to stay (but ironically Stan would trade them if it improves us longer term and helps our cap issues …but atleast he trades them on a high note IF this motivation to be great this year comes through) or in the ledy case his motivation is to break through and fulfill this alleged potential to earn BIG $$$ –in which case we have to trade him anyway…SO we SHOULD get much better TOTAL reg season and playoff performances from these vet SUSPECTS –all tou our advantage to get a higher price when we trade them before the draft next summer…this is great for the Hawks…OF course should they decline then it is curtains for them here anyway…We win either way.
AS to the Hossa into old age decline mode trending (he looked like an old nothing left guy vs. L,a. …a shell of his best form…meaning he probably can no longer take the grind and playoff toll anymore and will keep petering out in future playoff runs the longer they go…AND his reg season form may start declining in 2nd half of seasons from now on…well This albatross problem going forward I guess STAN hopes will disappear in 3 years because BETTMAN will go to EXPANSION by then as the cap increases will start flattening out after the big in 2015-16 and maybe a slightly lesser rise the tear after..but SOON there will be a decline in the steepness of cap increases and when that happens the only way NHL revenues increase much will be via expansion. They will dump Hossa at 38 or 39 when the NHL goes to expand in 3 or 4 years..Back to nice cap space then.
Good post HF50 – haven’t seen you in a while – welcome back.
Nice post HF50, but I disagree on Hoss…he, Toews and Bickell worked their butts off versus the Kopitar line…they played big minutes and actually got the better of the King’s best line time and again…the stats weren’t there for that line, but the quality of their play was outstanding…Hossa showed ZERO signs of slowing down last year…one could argue it was his best season in CHI.
Thanks for posting such detailed, intelligent thoughts.
Wally World National Anthem:
“Who’s the moosiest moose we know? Marty Moose!
Who’s the star of our favorite show? Marty Moose!
M is for Merry – we’re merry, you see;
O is for Oh gosh, Oh golly, Oh gee;
S is for Super Swell family glee;
E is for Everything you want to be.
M – A – R – T – Y; M – O – O – S – E.
What’s that spell? Marty Moose! Marty Moose! Marty Moose!
(Hyuk! That’s me!)”
rasMOOSE.
In my nearly 4 decades of playing and watching hockey, to include my many years at the Old Stadium and the UC, I rack my brains to see what some of you pretend is the upside of Morin. Folks, he is a 4th liner type at the zenith of his NHL value. Which is just fine. But where the heck does this bat crap goofy stuff come that he is top 6?!? He wouldn’t be top 6 in friggin Calgary or Buffalo. Some of you are trying way, way to hard on this guy.
Sharp? My criticism of him is well documented. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a fine player or any other such psychoanalysis you want to apply to that assessment. Regardless, without a doubt this will be his last season in Chicago. The cap and his age shall dictate as such. Sharp played like a greedy bastard for meaningful stretches of last season. Apparently also he things he’s acquired senior statesman status in the game and no longer really has to work hard on all his shifts or muss up his hair. He’s gotten too comfortable in Chicago. It’s s syndrome and an arrogance that can affect many a proven veteran. This season Q needs to shove a shoe up his ass and demand more out of Sharp on the ice.
RTF – While Morin may not be a top 6 guy he is definitely not a 4th liner in the sense that a typical 4th liner is a grinder type with limited offensive skills. IMO If Morin is going to make it in the league it will be as a top 9 forward.
Regarding those that believe K. Hayes will end up in Calgary – if he does then I believe the Bollig trade was the Flames way of trying to be stand-up guys knowing it sucks for the Hawks to lose the prospect. Otherwise I still can’t understand how SB got a 3rd round pick for Bollig.
Lastly with all the posts about potential line combinations, who will play the tough guy role that will have to fight from time to time?
RTF – Morin is unproven at the NHL level so you may be right that he doesn’t amount to much, but that remains to be seen. I see a player who can score at the NHL level and I believe if he is put in the right spot he could flourish. But I could be wrong – it remains to be seen.
MS,
I was thinking that the other day. Whos our Tyson now. I know 29/7/65 can throw but I do not want these guys hurting the wrist/hand for sideshow (like Smith did that yr). We only need? one for regular season anyways. That’s were 17 (trade 32 & sign 17 for a ‘team’ caphitcontract…) would be handy at #6/7 for certain teams (the Philadelphia Russels).
Bowman is Really good ‘overall’, hes so calm cool and collective. Doesn’t ever do more needed/people get restless with ‘not as much action as They always want’, but it seems when he does do something he always get a great deal/transaction. Maybe Calgary is doing that and then that is class act by them. I would really have bigtime respect to them then and that kind of stuff helps future transactions, etc as well.
I think 11 is better then 4th line quality (regardless of His style of play). Mo normally plays with a chip on his shoulder, even when I saw him eating pizza with his friend at worldjuniors in lakeplacid. I could just tell his demeanor. Sr Brad is right though we do not have a typical 4th line we have a couple of top lines and a 3a & a 3b. BOS had the best typical 4th line in league recently, but our roster/organization is stacked with fast skating/moar sill/tough type guys then 4th liners of pastime. We our on the verge of setting a new standard for the league with this kind of quality not just on 3rd but 4th as well. Franking wicked that we are going to be doing this these yrs because of the excellent drafting and team system/farm we paid our dues to set it up this way. The Calvary is coming for our Longterm core players.