Blackhawks Prospects Finish Rookie Tournament 0-3
The Blackhawks finished their three-game rookie tournament with losses to the Penguins, Maple Leafs and Senators. There were some highlights, however.
The ridiculous feed from Teuvo Teravainen to Mark McNeill in the video above came in last night’s loss to the Sens.
Here are highlights from the first game against Toronto:
Phillip Danault scored this impressive goal against the Pens:
Here are more highlights from the loss to Pittsburgh:
No win no problem:
We have see very good Young players , go hawks go
very good organization .
ty , Mr.Bowman : )
It is what it is…very few of the Hawk prospects gave their all…they have training camp very soon and wanted to avoid injury. But players like TT, Danault, McNeil and Johns that should have stood out, did so in the time they got…ultimately it was about who else would surprise or stand out…I thought Hartman was OK, but he was going through the motions…Garret Ross might have been our best player not named Danault. Ross has SPEED, quickness, good vision, great positioning, toughness and will to go to the net. This is kid that might get to the Hawks sooner than some other big names. He possesses great hockey intellect and uses his stick better than any prospect I have seen in a long time. I am very impressed with this kid…another 5th round pick. Fournier also looked very good, smooth out there…and bigger than I remember him…he might have a very nice future if he can stay healthy.
But the 2 main stories were Phillip Danault serving notice to the Hawks that he’s ready…I don’t think we will see Danault this year, perhaps in small doses, but I cannot see him NOT making Hawks next year…that’s a player…he does everything well…plus he has been really working on both is PK and his F/Os…huge character kid that will only make the Hawks better…the other story was our goaltending…yikes…
Agreed that Teravainen, Danault, McNeill & Johns were excellent. To Brad’s point about Danault being ready – good to see that given Kruger’s contract has 10 months left on it.
I thought Rasmussen was OK, but organizational depth could make things interesting for how/where he fits in. The battle for the 11-13 fwd spots is going to be fun to watch at training camp.
I didn’t see any of the games except for a few highlights (like above). The reports I read were a mixed bag – not discouraging but certainly nothing to get too excited about either. Nothing new or learned – TT shows flashes, so do Danault, McNeill, Johns and a few others, goaltending still a weakness … but at least there were games to read about and we’re within a few days of training camp – WOOT!
Tab are there any updates on what the Hawks plan to do to get under the cap this year?
@Dark Bird
Wait until phone rings, and trade a Defenceman. Nothing really new that we don’t already know already. I’d be shocked if multiple players are traded. When something happens, we’ll know. Wait until training camp, as they’ve said for over a month now.
@Dark Bird – unfortunately, there are a number of unsigned RFAs (specifically Krug in Boston) who are holding up the trade market. Undoubtedly teams looking for a defensemen will look at the cap situations in Chicago & Boston and the surplus both teams have on the blue line and let the two bid against each other to unload a veteran. Oduya vs Boychuk? Interesting question, especially when you’re bidding to take less for the veteran commodity. But the Bruins haven’t signed Krug yet, which complicates matters. My guess is we’ll have an answer by the middle of the preseason
The Hawks 1st preseason game is the 23rd not too much longer! Go Hawks looking forward to another exciting season!
Just so people know, not that its a big deal, but Danault wasn’t just okay, he was REALLY GOOD, often playing (like game 1) with weaker FAs…Danault will score goals in the NHL because he’s so tenacious around the net, he really impressed me.
I have always liked Danault a lot. Expectations for his offensive contributions need to be tempered, but no doubt he helps the Hawks in a meaningful way. Kid can flat out skate and he is strong two-way player. A hybrid of Bolland and Kruger.
I also am very high on Johns. He will be in the 6 man defensive mix this season. He’s going to be a keeper too. I like Clendening, but Johns fills the critical need for a true blueliner.
Nevermind hawks’ prospects, can’t wait to follow Calgary camp and watch Bollig flying up and down the wing. Sean Monohan won’t be able to keep up with him. On a related note, its been over three months, and no one has yet to post the name of Bollig’s agent.
Iceman- I think Hawks just found younger/better version of Bollig-Ryan Van Stralen–
Johns- does make the Hawks very deep on D… He was very aggressive joining/leading rushes/pinching… He would be perfect with a Keith or Hammer… someone who could cover his ass when he gets too aggressive or makes a bad pinch!!! Bowman has a lot of options on the D side of things.
Who is going to get traded????????
Yea, Johns looked good in the TOR scrimmage I saw streamed. He just went threw/around people carrying the puck. I was going to say the same thing about Danault, he is a lot like Bolly (good off but not as good as Bolly on off). The points Bolly put up in jr was sick. Danault is one of many nasty two-way players (24, 61, 38, etc) that are coming these yrs coming up.
I am up for a fake injury.
Wall not sure if you saw the post in the previous article-I was at the T.O game and Johns by far looked the most confident of the D-men but we have another really good skater in Fournier. Will he pan out and be strong/smart enough in the D-zone, time will tell?
Does anyone know if the practices will be available online to stream or attend. I am curious to see how the rookies play with the NHL guys. Its one thing to dominate a rookie game its another to hold your own against professionals. They aren’t alot of spots on this team but alot of talent in the pipeline.
As for the rookies. I will have my eyes on Johns. I am not as sold on him as most others are. Specifically his speed, skating and NHL IQ. No doubt he is physically ready to be an NHL player but the other parts are equally as important, and I’m not sure if he’s ready. Its one of the reasons that TT is the uber prospect. His NHL IQ and vision are off the charts! It doesnt take alot of time to see how well he “thinks” the game. Once his body catches up he will be something special. I am very anxious to see more Dennis Rasmussen. His skating and size is an impressive combination. I personally think he is NHL ready so let’s how good my scouting is. I would be very surprised if he isn’t one of the final cuts and battling for a NHL roster spot.
On a side note I’d be very surprised of Nordstrom makes the big club this year, too much competition for his spot. I give him a lot of credit, I am always impressed by the players that see an opportunity and really run with it. The Hawks currently have two of those guys; Ben Smith & Shaw. Neither of these guys were promised anything they earned every second of ice time and for that they deserve to be commended.
Go Hawks!
SS Hit Man,
I think the scrimmages in Indiana are highlight/blackhawkstv clips only (like prospect camp) and the actual scrimmage M in Chicago is the only one on csn.
Johns showed more than adequate speed while in Rockford last season…plus he showed a lot of offensive zone understanding. He will be far from just a stay at home DMan, for a big man he can move, so don’t worry, he’s not a tank…
Rasmussen did not show much during the rookie tourney, but I could tell he was coasting, making sure he did not get hurt out there, as MOST were doing…McNeill never tried a lick until halfway through the last game…there is a LOT riding on the line for these players coming this weekend, especially TT who has an outside chance of making our team as the 3rd line Centre if his defensive game is ready…
BTW, TT played this tourney at 184 pounds, not bad for the 165 lb. weakling just a year ago…
The single largest issue for the Hawks is improved Defensive play in front of their own net. This is why we lost to the Kings, CC couldn’t see a thing all series. We NEED to dump at least one, if not two of our existing DMen (see Oduya) and get younger and stronger there…to that end Dahlbeck (a big kid who clears the crease) and Johns will make very nice additions and upgrades…right now we only have two DMen willing to consistently clear the crease (Seabrook and Hammer) and that has to change.