The Blackhawks take to the classroom and ice today as they kick off their prospect development camp.
This sneak peek to Chicago's exciting future assets is a welcomed sight for this guy.
There is nothing like a little positivity to distract everyone from, what has been deemed a lacklustre off-season by Stan Bowman.
There is a lot of things on my mind this morning and it's a bit of a rollercoaster emotionally as I make my way into work. Here are just a few feelings:
1) Excitement – I'm really excited to see the best-of-the-best Blackhawks prospects and how they all fare in the skills exercises this week.
If you recall, the Hawks took a different approach to this developmental camp last year and it appears the format will remain the same this week.
The Hawks coaches structure this as a specific skill test with more 1-on-1 drills and individual evaluation vs. the past camps where the focus was on how these prospects performed during daily scrimmages.
A younger version of myself would not be happy with the lack of in-game play. I used to hate practices when we didn't even touch the puck once or just did skating drills.
However, I think this is a great way to measure up and track trends from returning players. I broke everything down
HERE with returning player details and who I'm projecting as the most talked about players after this week.
Looking forward to seeing clips, interviews and who stands out in the Friday scrimmage.
Confused and Impatient - After last week's Marian Hossa deal, I (im)patiently waited to see the aftershock of a move(s) as it appeared like Stan was getting close on making a move.
With this new-found cap space for the next 3 years, this gives Bowman a lot more flexibility.
I am left confused, impatient and maybe an underlying sense of intrigue as to what is next.
I am reserving judgment on this team until the roster is close to finalized as training camp nears.
I did hear 1 thing that is interesting. Over the weekend I was told that Bowman and Co. wanted to see how 2017 1st round pick, Henri Jokiharju looked in prospect camp before bringing in another RHD.
In essence, if Jokiharju comes in and looks leaps and bounds above others, then it might give the Hawks the confidence that he is ready for the NHL, as well as give them a nice PR spin at the tournament recap interview by Stan.
Maybe this is why there have been more rumours floating around about wingers vs. acquiring help on defence.
Personally, I think it's a bad decision and it's really difficult to rely on a 19-year old kid, one, who they would probably be paired in a top-4 role with Duncan Keith.
3) Sad – the news about Ray Emery is heartbreaking. Ray was not perfect and definitely had some demons he attempted to deal with for his entire life.
I have a 2nd-degree connection from Ray and was actually supposed to be at his Stanley Cup party (a story for another day).
I will always remember him for his Biron/Peters fight when he was in Ottawa. As well as, obviously, his time with the Blackhawks.
His impressive consistency as their backup in 2013 was remarkable. So, too, was that 45-save performance vs. Calgary on February 2nd, 2013.
RIP, Ray… hope you truly do find peace.
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I will back throughout the week with prospect notes and rumour updates.
See ya out there!
JL
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Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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