Blackhawks Updates: Rundblad In, Panarin Coming Soon
The Blackhawks were back on the ice for a practice on Sunday, and we learned a couple things.
David Rundblad skated with Duncan Keith, indicating he has taken Michal Rozsival’s place as the sixth defenseman (at least for now). Coach Joel Quenneville also indicated that rookie Mike Paliotta is not with the team any longer, with Quenneville saying Paliotta “went home for training.”
Forward Andrew Desjardins was not at practice on Sunday, but indications are that he was sick. Joakim Nordstrom skated on the fourth line in his place.
Finally, the Chicago Tribune’s Chris Kuc reported some great stuff from GM Stan Bowman about newly signed Russian sniper Artemi Panarin.
“[Panarin]’s going to have to earn a spot, but we didn’t sign him to be a minor-league player,” Bowman told Kuc. “He has elite talent. You have to be patient in the sense that there’s a cultural transition … (and) that’s why we’re not putting any expectations on him. (But) he has incredible talent, there’s no denying that. How that translates and how quickly will sort itself out.”
It is certain that Runblad knows what is expected of him. He definitely has the best mentors in the whole world around him. Lets assume the Ducks are up next. So far they have had a relatively easy go and have been dominant. Thought Winnipeg would give ’em hell, maybe they sort of did, but it does not show yet. Calgary will put up a good effort tonight and lets hope they can extend things. Can we handle the Ducks? You Betcha!
Panarin- with another highlite goal- GW in OT… skating past/thru 4 players!!!
Don’t set yourself up for disappointment Wall. There will be an adjustment period with Panarin for certain. Not a big guy at all, plus cultural adjustments and getting used to smaller ice are about the biggest hurdles a player can experience. I can just see the posts criticizing him next year …
That said I am certainly glad they signed him. The talent is plain as day and undeniable.
Very true Hof. Wow, NHL or bust for Panarin. Pretty tough league to develop one’s game in.
Just watching Washington tonight remembering how highly touted and deservedly so Kuznetsov was. He is turning into a very good player but it certainly did not happen on day 1 .
I still would like to see the Hawks bring a guy like Ivan Vishnevskiy over with Panarin to help him get to know the language, food, hotel life.
Vishnevskiy would be the 7th or 8th defenseman. Sort of like a left handed David rundblad this past season.
Panarin is 1/2 year older than Kuznetsov – he’s not a kid like Kuznetsov was when he broke into the NHL. For sure there will be some adjustments for Panarin, but he is 23 and been around the block before, albeit a Russian block. :)
Just seeing if i can get thru as two earlier comments didn’t go through
Trying for the 4th time-
has anyone else heard the talk in the Toronto media-including a former NHL GM linking Babcock and his preference-Chicago? They also talked about divide between Bowman and Coach Q
Heard this train of thought twice last week while in the car.
Noonan…no…sounds totally ridiculous..absurd beyond the beyond….looks like Stajan may have just took out Perry..knee on knee…wait maybe not…hes back on the bench!
Well, Anaheim here we come. Game 1 thursday or friday. If TB/MTL closes out tomorrow, i would call Thursday a lock, cuz then the East would be Friday/Sunday and the West could be Thursday/Saturday.
I could see them doing TB/MTL game 7 at 7pm est, with the Hawks/Ducks at 10 EST on thursday though. I hope they dont push it back to friday… just dont want to wait any longer. The Hawks are hot, and i want them to keep it going for sure.
Rundblad in… probably means him and Timmo both get about 11, and then 25 each for 2, 4, 7, 27.
While, the buzz around Panarin should be held with a grain of salt, it does look real, and to think he could be a good 3rd line player i think is realistic, but we will see.
Come on round 3!
Noonan96, I mentioned this back when Babcock refused to sign an extension. Seemed likely that the Bowmans and Babcock have a connection. I once asked if not Q then who could you get, Babcock would be one of very few coaches the Bowmans could bring in that would not get THEM run out of town. Can not see Q being removed as head coach as his success speaks for itself, so unless the rift is deeper than anyone knows or Q doesn’t want the job, I think its just speculation.
MM – Ever see a guy act like Perry and miss only 1 shift? Thought he was done.
So we get the goons from Anaheim. Perry is the dirtiest cheap shot artist in the NHL. I have watched quite a few of their games and those Ducks are ferocious forecheckers. The Toews line will really have their hands full. I have not been impressed by their goaltending. The Hawks should be able to light up Andersen. They have 2 excellent lines but not much after that. Our third line will be key.
Hawks1961 great summary. Perry is the ringleader of the cheap shots — constantly. Can’t help himself. Like overweight guy at all-you-can -at buffet. W/ Perry’s nearby influence, Getzlaf plays dirty as well when the opportunity rises. Slashing of wrists is one of their favorite tactics. Cogliano skates around like RoadRunner, he causes turnovers. Let’s hope Desjardins gets over whatever illness he has, he has played v. Anaheim his whole career in that division. They will need him to keep Shaw in line as well, Shaw is going to be a focal point in this series, and he needs to stay w/in the rules. Although Perry and Shaw both get suspended? Sign me up.
all-you-can-eat buffet.
Has anyone heard any further info regarding Mike Reilly? Signing him after the world championship would be the cherry on top of all the FA signings.
Good point Iceman about Desjardins. I wonder how comfortable Q will be in occasionally matching up our 4rth line with Perry’s line. Huge weight differential. Hopefully Shaw can get under their skin.
Since 06/07 season
Q-2 cups, 5 WCF appearances, .615 career regular season points %, .560 playoff %
Babcock- 1 cup, 3 WCF appearances, .627 career regular season points%, .569 playoff%
Any perceived improvement in coaching is marginal at best. I think it would be foolish on the Bowman’s to think the job the front office is doing is that much superior to the job the coaching is doing. The schism that was created following 11/12 first round loss was long ago, Stan gave Q full authority to hire who he wanted to. Babcock isn’t god. I’m sure he has his faults as well. The Red Wings have failed to make it out of the first round in 3 of the last 4 years. Prior to this year their regular season points percentage went down every year since 10/11. Is it worth losing out on Babcock and pissing off your current coach for a marginal at best improvement?
Reilly can’t be signed until after June 1 because of the drafted player window. Expect we won’t hear much until the end of the Conf Finals and/or end of May
Babcocks 2 olympic gold medals have convinced many, especially Canadians, that he is the top dog. I bet Babcock is looking to get more control than he’s had to date, much more, that surely wouldnt happen in Chicago.
I think Babcock has proven he is one of the top coaches, if not the best. But with most things – timing is everything and the timing isn’t right for him to land with the Hawks at this time, and I’m not sure I would want him to replace Q. For all the warts that we point out on Q, he runs a very exciting brand of hockey and I would prefer for the Hawks to keep playing this style.
My only hope is that Babcock doesn’t end up with a Central division rival like the Blues and help them get past their playoff ineptitude.
You are 100% right on that Ebony…the Blues will tear down this style of play…going to see Backus and those guys and that type of play expunged from the Blues plus a goaltending solution…if Babcock goes there ( several say yes ) this is not good news for us, however, Q is pretty darn good coach and will rise to the challenge. Buffalo would be good…or Joisey ( doubtful )…long shot bet…Leafs!
Qs replacement will not happen unless he doesnt want the job , hes still young enough and not burned out. if he doesnt want to be here coaching captain serious and the magic man where would he rather be. the whole question is moot B