The Hawks have a terrific stable of prospects.

Caveat emptor. Not all will realize their potential or present projection. And none are NHL ready right now. But they have scouted and drafted very well for the last three seasons.

If there is one achilles heel in the system, it is in net. The big kid at Victoriaville might pan out, also maybe Mattson. But they lack any bona fide blue chippers or really even reliably projectable guys in net.
- John Jaeckel

I certainly don't expect all of our prospects to actually end up being solid, long term NHL contributors. However, if even half Saad, Teravainen, McNeill, Shaluniv, Beach, Pirri and Hayes end of having half decent careers the Blackahwks will be set for the next several years. For those that make I know some may be top 6 and some bottom 6. As we learned from 2010 you need quality depth to win. So even if McNeill (for example) ends up as a top quality bottom 6 forward that's still great.

Goaltending is a big question mark for us, but I am a little worried about our defense prospects too. Leddy will likely be the real deal, but I don't think there are any solid bets between Olsen, Lalonde, Clendening and Dahlbeck. I'm not saying these guys won't make the NHL, but I don't think they show the same promise our our forward prospects.

I know he isn't a blue chipper, but what about the kid that plays for the Portland WinterHawks, Mac Carruth? Got any love for him JJ? And one more quick question, I know a little before the draft you were hoping that the Hawks would draft Vasilevski because he would be their top goalie prospect, do you think the Hawks made the wrong move by drafting Teravainnen instead of Vasilevski?
- captainserious

Mac "The Truth" Carruth is off to a fantastic start in Portland. He's got good size (6'3") and his stats so far have been incredible. 9 GP, 8 GA, 0.97 GAA, 0.963 SV%, 9 Wins, 2 SO. These are incredible stats, but WHL success doesn't always lead to AHL or NHL success. That being said, I would think Mac has a great shot to stick in Rockford next season if he keeps this up.

Watching the NBA is beyond painful

Speaking of NBA would some arbitration and letting the suits sort it out be a bad idea here?

I would kind of like an individual statement from each owner as to what their grievance is so we can at least blame the appropriate people for this mess. Could be the NHLPA's fault as well but some more definitive evidence would be exciting.

I know he isn't a blue chipper, but what about the kid that plays for the Portland WinterHawks, Mac Carruth? Got any love for him JJ? And one more quick question, I know a little before the draft you were hoping that the Hawks would draft Vasilevski because he would be their top goalie prospect, do you think the Hawks made the wrong move by drafting Teravainnen instead of Vasilevski?
- captainserious

Not a great idea to draft a goalie in the first round, historically very few taken there turn out to be impact NHL'ers. Take a look back at the 2001, 2006 and 2008 drafts. 3 or 4 guys taken in Round 1, nobody has made it in any big way.

And a guy like Mike Smith gets taken in Round 5, spends years finding himself and then all of a sudden signs with the right team at about 29 or 30 and is on his way to a nice contract.

I'd take the defenceman or forward every time in Round 1.

Mac "The Truth" Carruth is off to a fantastic start in Portland. He's got good size (6'3") and his stats so far have been incredible. 9 GP, 8 GA, 0.97 GAA, 0.963 SV%, 9 Wins, 2 SO. These are incredible stats, but WHL success doesn't always lead to AHL or NHL success. That being said, I would think Mac has a great shot to stick in Rockford next season if he keeps this up.
- DarthKane

You have ask yourself this about his numbers, Is his improvement this year due to his play or due to having four fourth year jr's and a player that Wiz has ranked second in this year's draft playing D for the Winterhawks?

You have ask yourself this about his numbers, Is his improvement this year due to his play or due to having four fourth year jr's and a player that Wiz has ranked second in this year's draft playing D for the Winterhawks?
- Beaver-Warrior

I agree with you, he's an older WHL player and the team in front of him is stellar. But you still need to give Carruth some credit for his play. That's why I said that WHL success doesn't always translate into AHL or NHL success.

I certainly don't expect all of our prospects to actually end up being solid, long term NHL contributors. However, if even half Saad, Teravainen, McNeill, Shaluniv, Beach, Pirri and Hayes end of having half decent careers the Blackahwks will be set for the next several years. For those that make I know some may be top 6 and some bottom 6. As we learned from 2010 you need quality depth to win. So even if McNeill (for example) ends up as a top quality bottom 6 forward that's still great.

Goaltending is a big question mark for us, but I am a little worried about our defense prospects too. Leddy will likely be the real deal, but I don't think there are any solid bets between Olsen, Lalonde, Clendening and Dahlbeck. I'm not saying these guys won't make the NHL, but I don't think they show the same promise our our forward prospects.
- DarthKane

I agree. And even if we trade one of the big 4 forwards or 1 retires over the next 5 years, 3 all-star forwards is still rare. Plus add one of the best 3rd line centers in Bolland and all we need are solid 2-way physical guys that can contribute some goals. Shaw will be one plus a few of the above players

I agree. And even if we trade one of the big 4 forwards or 1 retires over the next 5 years, 3 all-star forwards is still rare. Plus add one of the best 3rd line centers in Bolland and all we need are solid 2-way physical guys that can contribute some goals. Shaw will be one plus a few of the above players
- tomcat24

This conversation has been about the prospects we have, but we also have some good young talent on the roster. Toews , Kane and Bolland are still young and have lots of great years ahead of them. We also have Kruger and Shaw who are NHLers who can play in the middle 2 lines. That's 5 excellent forwards (in their roles) under 26. If by some miracle Bickell and/or Frolik can consistently find their game then we could have 6 or 7. Having 5 - 7 solid young forwards on your roster, plus a stable of 5 - 7 prospects is pretty dame sweet, even if only 2 - 3 of those prospect make the team.

Jonathon Toews, on making a decision to play in Europe: "We’ll see what happens the next couple of weeks. We’re really getting to that point where enough is enough and if nothing happens, then decisions have to be made. We’ve hung tight long enough so we’ll see."

Jonathon - if nothing is happening, show some leadership and help MAKE something happen.

Enough of "we'll see" and "we've hung tight long enough" - those in ownership and the PA who actually want to have a season must step out, step up and make it happen.

I agree with you, he's an older WHL player and the team in front of him is stellar. But you still need to give Carruth some credit for his play. That's why I said that WHL success doesn't always translate into AHL or NHL success.
- DarthKane

True, Big Mac is playing better then I've seen in the past. His numbers are lights out compared to the other Winterhawk goalie. 0.97 GAA vs 3.41 and Sav% of .963 vs .873 in the same number of games...

I know he isn't a blue chipper, but what about the kid that plays for the Portland WinterHawks, Mac Carruth? Got any love for him JJ? And one more quick question, I know a little before the draft you were hoping that the Hawks would draft Vasilevski because he would be their top goalie prospect, do you think the Hawks made the wrong move by drafting Teravainnen instead of Vasilevski?
- captainserious

Tough call. All depends on TT's upside.

Off topic here but if the Icehogs lose tonight do you think a coaching change may result?They could always put Q there as he might as well do something this year.

Off topic here but if the Icehogs lose tonight do you think a coaching change may result?They could always put Q there as he might as well do something this year.
- eagle50

No thanks.

Q does just fine ruining these kids at the NHL level, no need to give him a head start.

No thanks.

Q does just fine ruining these kids at the NHL level, no need to give him a head start.
- Ogilthorpe2

No thanks.

Q does just fine ruining these kids at the NHL level, no need to give him a head start.
- Ogilthorpe2

Maybe Q can coach Lalonde into an NHL superstar?

Some Big Mac news.

http://whl.ca/article/mac...goalie-of-the-week_131582

Caught the 3rd period of the Rockford game on the 'net Wednesday night. Aside from playing like a bunch of floaters that couldn't defend, there were some bright spots. Saad had a ton of jump and tied the game at 4 on a nice feed from Kruger. Saad and Morin both had 6 SOG....Morin had to leave early in the period after getting drilled, but did return and was moving well. He sure does get hit a lot. I worry about that.

Beach is still a FLOATER. Lalonde's making progress. My boy Flick is glued to the pine and rarely gets a shift. Not happy about that, but he's young and will only improve. I see he did get in a scrap. Hope he won.

Martin St. Pierre's wearing the C and he's got good wheels and chipped with a goal and a helper.

Leddy looks ok but he's a target for the bushers. Ben Smith and Pirri didn't do much in the period i saw.

I was expecting a big year from Smith. I wonder if he still feel affects from the concussion? He looked really good and bigger over the summer. They really need him to produce

The Dub beat the Russians 1-0 Wednesday night. The game went to the shoot-out. McNeill was one of three Canadians that scored in the shoot-out.

Jonathon Toews, on making a decision to play in Europe: "We’ll see what happens the next couple of weeks. We’re really getting to that point where enough is enough and if nothing happens, then decisions have to be made. We’ve hung tight long enough so we’ll see."

Jonathon - if nothing is happening, show some leadership and help MAKE something happen.

Enough of "we'll see" and "we've hung tight long enough" - those in ownership and the PA who actually want to have a season must step out, step up and make it happen.
- StLBravesFan

Speaking of Toews there was an article in todays Tribune saying that he was not 100% in the playoffs which I think most suspected and that he was still not 100% in July and went to some clinic in Atlanta in October and is just now feeling right. My question is how do the Hawks allow him to play and risk the future of their best player.

Jonathon Toews, on making a decision to play in Europe: "We’ll see what happens the next couple of weeks. We’re really getting to that point where enough is enough and if nothing happens, then decisions have to be made. We’ve hung tight long enough so we’ll see."

Jonathon - if nothing is happening, show some leadership and help MAKE something happen.

Enough of "we'll see" and "we've hung tight long enough" - those in ownership and the PA who actually want to have a season must step out, step up and make it happen.
- StLBravesFan

I think that is what they call "posturing"

The Dub beat the Russians 1-0 Wednesday night. The game went to the shoot-out. McNeill was one of three Canadians that scored in the shoot-out.


- Beaver-Warrior

I'm not sure if anyone caught this game but I watched from the 2nd until near the end of the 3rd and it was a great game. It was fast paced and very physical.

McNeill almost scored near the end of the 3rd as well. He wasn't playing a lot when mid-frame but in the 3rd it seemed like he was out every other shift.

Shalunov once again looked like one of the most physical forwards on the Russian team. He did get drilled himself and the WHL were really trying to line him up.

I'm not sure if anyone caught this game but I watched from the 2nd until near the end of the 3rd and it was a great game. It was fast paced and very physical.

McNeill almost scored near the end of the 3rd as well. He wasn't playing a lot when mid-frame but in the 3rd it seemed like he was out every other shift.

Shalunov once again looked like one of the most physical forwards on the Russian team. He did get drilled himself and the WHL were really trying to line him up.
- TyCamScore

McNeill looked great...nice shootout goal too...pulling a Tazer: low 5-hole.

Caught the 3rd period of the Rockford game on the 'net Wednesday night. Aside from playing like a bunch of floaters that couldn't defend, there were some bright spots. Saad had a ton of jump and tied the game at 4 on a nice feed from Kruger. Saad and Morin both had 6 SOG....Morin had to leave early in the period after getting drilled, but did return and was moving well. He sure does get hit a lot. I worry about that.

Beach is still a FLOATER. Lalonde's making progress. My boy Flick is glued to the pine and rarely gets a shift. Not happy about that, but he's young and will only improve. I see he did get in a scrap. Hope he won.

Martin St. Pierre's wearing the C and he's got good wheels and chipped with a goal and a helper.

Leddy looks ok but he's a target for the bushers. Ben Smith and Pirri didn't do much in the period i saw.
- philco28

Since coming back from injury earlier this season Saad has been such a different player. He is playing with much greater confidence and is getting results. Starting to worry about Carter Hutton though....

Speaking of Toews there was an article in todays Tribune saying that he was not 100% in the playoffs which I think most suspected and that he was still not 100% in July and went to some clinic in Atlanta in October and is just now feeling right. My question is how do the Hawks allow him to play and risk the future of their best player.
- jhawk159

I'm more concerned about how many concussions Toews has had. He had at least 2 before he ever turned pro and has had 2 or more since he joined the Hawks. That translates to short career for most players.