Kyle Baun, Blackhawks Beat Canadiens
When the rosters were announced for Friday night’s game in Montreal, most honest onlookers gave the advantage to the Habs.
Chicago brought a roster of mostly players headed for Rockford (or, in some cases, free agency), while Montreal was starting Carey Price. At home.
It didn’t take long for the young Hawks to throw any assumptions out the window, however. In a span of 5:07 in the first period, the Hawks beat Price three times to blow the game open.
Ryan Garbutt started the parade, redirecting a David Rundblad shot past Price for a power play goal. Less than two minutes later, Garrett Ross tipped a beautiful pass from Kyle Baun into the net to extend the lead to two. And just over three minutes after assisting on Ross’ goal, Baun ripped a shot past Price to make the score 3-0 in favor of the defending champions.
Montreal got on the board 25 seconds into the second period when Zack Kassian beat Scott Darling, but that was the only tally for the Canadiens.
Baun added his second goal of the night at 3:02, redirecting a pass from Andrew Desjardins over Price.
Jan Hejda scored a short-handed goal into an empty net to finish the scoring late in the third period.
Darling was good once again, stopping 22 of 23 in a complete game victory. Mac Carruth dressed as the backup.
But the story of the night was the play of Baun, who continues to impress. In 13:58, Baun was credited with five hits, four shots on goal and two blocked shots with three points (two goals, one assist). He used his size effectively, skated well and showed good hands around the net. Baun saw time on both the power play and penalty kill units in the game.
Desjardins and defenseman Trevor Daley had two assists each, and Ross added an assist to have a multi-point night as well.
Lubomir Visnovsky skated a team-high 21:58 and was credited with four blocked shots. David Rundblad blocked three shots and added an assist in 20:26, while Viktor Svedberg led the Hawks with five blocks in 21:08.
Chris Desousa led the Hawks with six hits and 20 penalty minutes.
Obviously a nice game for Kyle Baun and just about everyone else played well too. Desjardins had an excellent game, looked good at center and Garret Ross did a good job on that line’s wing.
The two veteran try out defensemen were solid. Nice effort for this practice game.
Fun game to watch as well.
Ditto to that. For a preseason game, it was very exciting and action packed. The four forward lines we end up fielding will be very, very solid. The vets on D may help allay concerns about the defense. Looks like Q is going to have a lot of tough personnel decisions to make. What a great position to be in. This is already an exciting season. Can’t wait until they start counting. I hope in 30 days rape allegations, rape kits, DNA findings, etc. will all be history.
A prediction…After another post Stanley Cup Championship dismantling, Stan Bowman wins GM of the year this season.
Go Hawks.
I wonder if there’s room for Baun or Ross, or both on the big squad. I’ve always like watching Ross play.
A very nice gesture that Paille and Garbutt wear the “A” on their jersey(sweater). When they were both on the opposing teams, I never noticed their individual talents or what they did on the ice to make a “difference”. But when you put them with a group of skilled, quick, fast, motivated and well coached players, they look like impact players.
Both of them looked great on the ice and the less I see of Shaw the more I think that he may be the odd-man out on the 3rd or 4th lines. Again, I love 65, but bringing in all of these PTO players to camp gives the Hawks options. Plus, it gives teams a chance to see these guys in action, so they are actually trying out for every team in the league.
When I go to games, I love watching warm ups because you see players do things with their hands and sticks that they would never do in a game situation, or they never have a chance to use that type of skill in a game. Two players that did very well in Southbend:
Tomas Kopecky stood in the slot while one of the Hawk “D” men was firing slapshots at the net. Out of 9 slap shots he re-directed 5 on his forehand and 4 on his backhand into the corners of the net. I reffed high school, college and junior hockey for over 20 years and not only does it astonish me the amount of eye / hand coordination that these players have, but that a guy who has 12 years in the league and a Stanley Cup on his resume’ is out on the ice before a scrimmage game, working on his skill. Again, a guy brought into camp to show the young guys how to be a “PRO” hockey player.
The guy I really like is Luby Visnosky. He put on a show with his slick hands, in warm ups. He stood just outside the crease and put the toe of his stick on the ice and as the passes came to him on his forehand he would catch the puck with the toe of his stick and top shelf the puck with just the toe of his stick. I had never seen anyone do that before, and, more importantly, a defenseman. But I just love it when a guy, who has nothing left to prove in the NHL, is still working on his skills in a scrimmage game warm up.
I love this game!!
I personally can’t see Marko Dano starting on the top line at LW. I think that way to much for a 20 years old at this stage of his career. I’d start him in his natural position on the 3rd line, make him earn a top role, get his going and then spot him with Toews. If he does well then I’ll give him a more important role there.
Last night he had a decent night, nothing more. All the good things he did were from the right side. The 2 shots on net…from the right side. That slick no look from the boards, cross ice pass to Teravainen, wide open Garbutt shot…again from the right side.
First of all I think you have to earn Top line minutes especially alongside Towes. Second… he should play his natural position as he’s very young and unproven. You can’t just throw him out there, in the spot beast/fan favorite Saad had. It’s to much and he might pay for it.
Main principles for big time coaches and teams are: 1) you have to merit/gain your role, nothing is gift wrapped. 2) you put players in a position to succeed.
I just can’t see how Marko Dano on the LW of the Toews line fits these vital pointers.
The Hawks have to find someone who can do Bickell’s role and Baun should be one of the main options.
Many had a great game last night, but I liked what the ex-Dallas guys and Paille brought to the table. Those are real players who seem prone to help the Hawks a lot this season.
I don’t see any reason why Daley would struggle while playing for the Hawks. He seems like a good veteran player that fits perfectly in their system. But we already knew that frankly, so it’s not a big surprise.
Reg, Nice comments. Thanks for sharing that.
Forwards: I thought Baun solidified his spot as the replacement for Bickell – as soon as they can find a taker for him (praying for that). Paille showed tenacity for sure, but he doesn’t seem to finish his plays (got three great passes he didn’t bury), so he’s a tough one to gauge. Tikhonov looks fast and tough, which is half of what Stahlberg used to be, but I hope he can finish. Garbutt has surprised me a lot with good skills, and he’s making a case for the 3rd or 4th line as an everyday guy. Desjardins looked great; he’s smart and skilled, along with having good hands and being able to hit well – quite an upgrade from Ben Smith for sure. After watching this game, I think it’s going to be very hard for Hartman, McNeill, Ross, Labrie or the other top Rockford guys to make this team because there is just so much line 3 and 4 talent to choose from. Good problems to have.
Defense: Runblad was OK. Daley looks better on D already; the system is making it easier on him and he’s responding ( he has forwards coming back to help, unlike Dallas’ system). Visnovsky looked really good; Hejda looked ok but a bit shaky at times. Svedberg played his best game yet. Pokke looks like he could replace Runblad but with a bigger upside in his defensive zone speed and positioning.
Great game overall; surprised by the score and the talent from the B-team.
Nice post Reg, thanks for that.
Observations:
1. I agree that Dano should play right wing on a third line but not for the reasons mentioned in the post above. Having Teuvo center a line with Dano and Garbutt would provide a nice balance of skill and physicality. Btw, I thought Teuvo was terrific last night even though he didn’t score. His patience and stick handling skills are top notch and I can see why the Hawks’ brass are so high on him.
2. So who plays left wing with Toews and Hossa? I would put Panarin there. Any defense issues he presents would be mitigated by Toews and Hossa. The language issue could present a problem but his skill with the puck could ignite that line. Panarin’s “Kane-like” vision plus his inate skills could lead to something special.
3. Prediction: Crawford, Hossa, and Shaw will not be with the Hawks two years from today. Salary cap issues will not go away and the Hawks will need cap room to retain the young studs on the team, i.e. Teuvo, Dano, and Panarin.
Good game summary, Tab. Good comments.
It looks like Baun and Paille are playing their way onto the team – are there spots for them?
Dumdum, “can’t see Marko Dano starting on the top line at LW. I think that way to much for a 20 years old at this stage of his career” — Saad did it. Although he had chemistry with Anisimov, so they could play a solid third line.
I believe Teuvo plays second line (minutes) with whoever (- Panarin and Tikhonov?). and, again hopefully, the Desjardins/Kruger/Shaw line remains intact.
DumDum. What an appropriate name! You truly are an idiot. Q loves Dano on the top line and teaming him with his buddy Hossa is a great idea. Look at what it did for Saad and Dano will be better than Saad. So now that DumDum is against the idea of Dano on the top line you can bet the ranch that Dano will start and finish the season on the top line!
Bowman does it again. This team looks deeper, stronger and more talented than last year’s team. Of course a bunch of idiot posters on here have been Bowman bashers over the years!
Reg – nice post. To your point, thought both Garbutt and Baun’s deflections were high-skill plays. To one of your other points – I would be shocked if Shaw was moved. I believe he is a “heart and soul” guy that remains in the core. He may move in the future but not this year. To me, the decision with Bickell will decide many things. I am beginning to think he will be put on waivers (or LTIR) and go to Rockford. While it doesn’t provide much salary cap savings, it allows for more roster flexibility. I think we will all be surprised by Garbutt’s skill level and he (and possibly Baun) will take care of Bickell’s role. Regarding Baun, I only see him sticking If Q wants to play him as a regular every night. It won’t do him any good to be in the press box – better off playing big minutes in Rockford.
Among those getting a breather for tonight’s game vs. St, Louis are Dano, Tikhonov, Hejda, Rundblad.
TVR in, as are Kero, Hinostroza, Cameron Schilling, Mashinter, Baun, and most of the big guns. Bickell playing.
I think Quenneville will start moving guys around to different lines (duh) to see who can play with who. Don’t be surprised if you see Garbutt take a few shifts or more with Toews and Hossa, they are really liking what Garbutt is bringing so far.
Note no McNeill in the line up again. Hartman is in, so is Shaw.
I think Daley so much. Reports are that he was a solid D man prior to the last couple of years. He was asked to produce more offense and it hurt his defense. The Hawks do not need his offense so much. That will help alot
Sorry for the string of posts, but also to Reg’s comment that Daniel Paille wore an “A” last night in Montreal. Take what message from that as you will, but I think it’s safe to say they’re trying to figure out a way to keep him and get him signed.
This bodes well. The mighty Price shell shocked by our high flying newcomers. Excellent. Felt this way about the team all summer long. All the other teams tweaking and tweaking this and that while we are way ahead of them. Its going to be a very difficult year for the other teams to match up against us, and on so many levels. This is going to be fun.
I don’t worry about Daley so much……sorry
I think the Paille makes this roster if we carry 13 forwards. I’d love to see this (or any variation of it that Q sees fit):
Toews Hossa Dano
Anisimov Kane Panarin
Teravainen Baun Garbutt
Kruger Shaw Dejardins
That is one hell of a lineup, with so many options to mix and match. Great skaters, great playmakers. The new guys who are more rested than our Cup champion guys will really help the mix, too. This group, if healthy, can make Sharp and Saad just a fond memory. Q has got to be drooling over this challenge.
I think 14 forwards will make the team. I would unfortunately add Bickell to the list above. On any given night I could see two of the group of Paille, Baun, Bickell and Desi playing and two being scratched.
Hof, maybe you can help me with this, but at this time what is our cap stance? Are we under, close, over? If Bickel goes LTIR, what does it do for our cap flexability? Does he just come off the books and that’s it? If he goes to Rockford, do we still have a cap hit? Also, what will it take to sign Paille?
To Reggie Fleming……your third paragraph speaks volumes. I think Hossa is signed until he is 42 years old, I may be wrong, but I don’t think so. His cap hit keeps dropping every year, also. I don’t think he can play until he is 42, either, but the guy keeps proving me wrong every year. Crow will be the odd man out, for sure, especially if Darling keeps growing into a starting roll.
Tony……..even though I believe what you are saying about Saader and Sharpie, at some point this year we will miss Sharpie’s leadership and Saader’s size and speed. It maybe in just 2-3 games, but guys with that much talent and leadership will be missed at certain times and in certain games. But I like the moves that Stan has made and I like your line up card!!
Mike………Daley and Duncan Keith are going to be tough for opponents to deal with if they ever play together. Their skating and play making skills are amazing and they both join the rush AND RECOVER better than most D-men in the NHL.
It’s nice to see really positive posts and very good observations by knowledgeable hockey fans. I can’t wait to see the Panarin kid.
Reg D – My understanding re: LTIR is that a) The Hawks have to be under the cap including Bickell’s full salary before he goes on LTIR. Once they put him on LTIR (needs to be out for at least 10 games) they can use his salary on other players against the cap. If he goes to Rockford we save $950k against the cap – the balance of his salary still counts.
Tony – The Hawks will definitely carry 13 forwards (and possibly 14). The only comment I would make on your lines, which I like, is I would give Tikhonov an edge over Baun at this point. My current view is that Tikhonov, Bickell, Baun and Paille are fighting for the last two (possibly 3) spots barring any injuries. Q said at the beginning of camp that he liked tough decisions and I think he will have some to make over the next 10 days.
Dickie Dunn- just because Saad did it doesn’t mean everybody can do it. Plus, the example is different because Saad played in his natural position which is half the preposition.
I’d go with a Penarin-Anisimov-Dano 3rd line because Anisimov is connected with both of them and they fit well with each other.
Hey DumDum…. You and Bobby are connected by stupidity and misogynist tendencies. Does that mean you’ll be playing in the same line?
Can someone confirm the .375 plus league min. .550 for a .925 can be put in Rockford or is it .950