Phillip Danault Set To Return
On Monday, forward Phillip Danault was a full participant at practice with the Rockford IceHogs for the first time this season. Danault had surgery on his left hip in mid-August.
Danault, 22, was one of the Blackhawks’ first round draft choices in 2011 (with Mark McNeill). He appeared in two games with the Hawks last year, and recorded 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in 70 games with the IceHogs.
As noted, he will be joining Rockford on their 4 game Texas road trip this week and is expected to make his season debut in one of the games.
Time for Danault to take the next step in his career. Kero has already stepped in on the big club and taken advantage of a role that Danault was likely going to have.
Nevermind Bolland II, Jake Dowell would be an upgrade from Mashinter.
I mentioned about Danault last night. Good vibes to see this this morning. When is the roster freeze range.
He had hip surgery August 17th, and was said to be out of hockey related activities for 4 months. He wasnt even supposed to be skating for another few weeks and we thought we’d see him play in January. Depending on how he comes back I think we need to remember a few things about his game.
Hawks told him he needs to play “more like Shaw”….this was before Shaw hit a damn wall.
Also, back when he was in the Q he was given the Guy Carboneau award for best defensive forward. I believe he led that league in faceoffs.
Knowing that, If he plays well. He could make Shaw or Kruger expendable. I doubt theyd part with Kruger in the regular season. But I could see Shaw going in a trade to dump Bickell.
The Hawks new first line LW? … maybe? … I’ll sit down and listen for my answer :)
Ernie, I remember following him when he was in Victoriaville (Moncton) as a nasty two player. Comparing him to Bolly because he put up quite a few points in juniors. I think he was good at FO and played 3rd checking center for Canada WJ tournament.
“Hawks told him to play more like shaw”. How did you come to that conclusion?
He was told he needs to play like Kruger.
Yep, Bri is correct – he was told to model his game after Kruger.
Very good news. Would be nice if he or the other 2011 first rounder McNeil
Panned out. It looks very doubtful on McNeil, but Denault has a shot.
Perhaps, the best news going forward for Denault was he played 2 games for the Hawks on the circus trip last year and Q spoke glowingly about him, which we all know is Rundblad, errr Rare.
Must’ve misremembered. My bad
Danault is back ahead of schedule, which is good. Let’s see how he does during December. It will take him some to to reacclimate and get back up to speed.
Remember at some point this guy could be trade bait too – as part of a package. Kero has been a somewhat unexpected find at center, plus they love Kruger and Schmaltz is on the horizon. It is great to have depth up the middle but also in consideration is this is the last year of Danault’s entry level deal.
Decisions, decisions …
Great news. I think there’s going to be a place for him during the season.
Not to replace somebody (that’s just silly on so many levels), but to gain his own roster spot.
I think the Blackhawks youngsters/unexperienced players have showed very good potential up until now. There’s something impressive in the group brewing behind the ‘veteran’ players.
Teravainen, Panarin, van Riemsdyk, Kero, Svedberg, Gustafsson, Hinestroza…these have been very, very good. Some have already proven they belong.
Dano, Hartman and Braun seemed to be the ones struggling.
10 green players the Hawks can use in various ways. Danault is just another one.
Very high marks for the Hawks organization. You have to believe they’re absolutely extatic with this situation… they’ve been probably working with this season in mind for a couple of years. They delivered.
PS: Huge marks for grabbing Anisimov in the Saad trade as well. They almost added what they had to lose with that move and they also had the balls to do a re-sign right then and there.
Mo- watching Danault in several games last year in Rock… he could be the guy to Center 3rd line or 4th line… Really sticks his nose into corners to dig out pucks and cycle like Kruger…
imo- Hogs minus Danault… is the reason Ross has been pretty invisible this year for Hogs ( think he’s been injured too)… Hope Danault can make 100% recovery… I think he would be a big + over friggin Mashitter!!!
Presuming health, Danault brings a quality two-way game. Very responsible defensively. His issue is that he is probable to suffer from Dave Bolland disease at the NHL level in terms of not being much of an offensive generator. If he can get back to health then he is strongly in line to be the replacement for Kruger by next season. Kruger becomes too expensive for the Hawks given the cap.
I am highly biased when it comes to Tanner Kero. But so far he has looked surprisingly good and he be the heir apparent to the Kruger role.
I really like Danault, always have. Nasty two way player and in your face like Bolly. Depending where the lines are for playoffs I can see him being with 16/11 like 65 and 36 were with 16/11 and 16/67.
Nick Schmaltz was just named the National Hockey Athletic Conference player of the month. Blackhawks will certainly push to sign him after the year if he keeps up this high level of play.