John Jaeckel: The Saad Truth
- John Jaeckel

Hossa's rookie year:

GP G A PTS PIM
1998–99 Ottawa Senators NHL 60 15 15 30 37

Saad:

2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 37 9 14 23 8

Hossa's rookie year:

GP G A PTS PIM
1998–99 Ottawa Senators NHL 60 15 15 30 37

Saad:

2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 37 9 14 23 8
- Fistafury17

Hossa also came off major knee surgery the first couple seasons

We need Olesz to put us over the hump......apparently.
- UnnamedSource

hey...that is heresy....take your ban like a gentlemen...

Saad's wingspan is a subtle asset and for a big body, he's silky smooth. Love the way he buried that sweet feed (edit: in the St. Loo game) from Tazer too....on the tape and in the net.

His mental maturity at such a young age is worth noting. He's not a knucklehead and has handled everything that has come his way this year with considerable grace.

Major shoutout to JJ too for the mea culpa

Hossa's rookie year:

GP G A PTS PIM
1998–99 Ottawa Senators NHL 60 15 15 30 37

Saad:

2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 37 9 14 23 8
- Fistafury17

pretty comparable...but better not say that

Great piece JJ! I too am finally kneeling to the Saad Father. He is really adding to this roster and paired with 19-81 I think that line is possibly the best line with the most skill below the goal line.

Right from the start of the season I could see this kid was strong on his skates and had the skills to be on the top 2 lines in spite of all the criticism hurled his way for not belonging there.
The only criticism I had of him was his obvious respect (too much of it) for his linemates. He was holding back too much when he had chances and throwing the puck to his mates too much (many times causing breaks for the opposition). As he becomes more confident in his game his puck management is improving along with his stats.

Boom...Marty Havlat....great comparison and a player I absolutely loved to watch in his early years coming up with Ottawa and was even more thrilled when he became a Hawk.

I have been seeing traces of someone and while I dont think I would have thought of Havlat, it really clicked when I read the Blog.

I have been playing Monday morning quarterback with frends and my brother about StaBow's conservative nature, but as rewarding as it would have been to see a rental last year in terms of EA Sports NHL 2012 lineup stacking, or even this year with a Jagr or Iginla, its nice to see a player the organization has been high on actually come to fruition and give us all an "I told you so". Obviously there is time in this equation as well as for every Saad, there's an Everett Sanipass or whomever cant miss self proclaimed prospect.

My second guessing will now continue to remain focused on the crease, and wonder if Emery will get a real chance to carry the mail. I would have loved to see a deadline Ryan Miller for Patrick Lalime, I mean Cory Crawford deal.

When the smoke clears, with a game on the line in 3OT, I still am haunted by Mikael Boedker OT goals from last years playoffs. Maybe he's refocused, and has won over alot of people with stats earlier this year, but I still am reserving judgement and I'd hate to see the year the Hawks are having being tarnished by a string of soft goals. Scotty's Osgood formula may be the forced way or organizational thinking, but if there is a money goaltender available, I'd love to see what sort of confidence resonates from a player like that.

The market have some significant goalies on the market this summer with Lu and Miller. Perhaps the time will come this summer where we get one of the US' finest big game performers in net.

Boom...Marty Havlat....great comparison and a player I absolutely loved to watch in his early years coming up with Ottawa and was even more thrilled when he became a Hawk.

I have been seeing traces of someone and while I dont think I would have thought of Havlat, it really clicked when I read the Blog.

I have been playing Monday morning quarterback with frends and my brother about StaBow's conservative nature, but as rewarding as it would have been to see a rental last year in terms of EA Sports NHL 2012 lineup stacking, or even this year with a Jagr or Iginla, its nice to see a player the organization has been high on actually come to fruition and give us all an "I told you so". Obviously there is time in this equation as well as for every Saad, there's an Everett Sanipass or whomever cant miss self proclaimed prospect.

My second guessing will now continue to remain focused on the crease, and wonder if Emery will get a real chance to carry the mail. I would have loved to see a deadline Ryan Miller for Patrick Lalime, I mean Cory Crawford deal.

When the smoke clears, with a game on the line in 3OT, I still am haunted by Mikael Boedker OT goals from last years playoffs. Maybe he's refocused, and has won over alot of people with stats earlier this year, but I still am reserving judgement and I'd hate to see the year the Hawks are having being tarnished by a string of soft goals. Scotty's Osgood formula may be the forced way or organizational thinking, but if there is a money goaltender available, I'd love to see what sort of confidence resonates from a player like that.

The market have some significant goalies on the market this summer with Lu and Miller. Perhaps the time will come this summer where we get one of the US' finest big game performers in net.
- GuyForget

GREAT POST

We need Olesz to put us over the hump......apparently.
- UnnamedSource

No?

Hossa's rookie year:

GP G A PTS PIM
1998–99 Ottawa Senators NHL 60 15 15 30 37

Saad:

2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 37 9 14 23 8
- Fistafury17

I said, recently, that he was Hossa-like in the way that he can control the puck in the offensive zone, circling around, and then do something productive with it - like Hossa.

Certainly, he can't be compared to Hossa as a player at this stage in his career.

Comparisons are a shortcut to thinking.

Saad is good, young and playing with all star line mates.
- AceRatbang

He reminds me of a young Brandon Saad.

Boom...Marty Havlat....great comparison and a player I absolutely loved to watch in his early years coming up with Ottawa and was even more thrilled when he became a Hawk.

I have been seeing traces of someone and while I dont think I would have thought of Havlat, it really clicked when I read the Blog.

I have been playing Monday morning quarterback with frends and my brother about StaBow's conservative nature, but as rewarding as it would have been to see a rental last year in terms of EA Sports NHL 2012 lineup stacking, or even this year with a Jagr or Iginla, its nice to see a player the organization has been high on actually come to fruition and give us all an "I told you so". Obviously there is time in this equation as well as for every Saad, there's an Everett Sanipass or whomever cant miss self proclaimed prospect.

My second guessing will now continue to remain focused on the crease, and wonder if Emery will get a real chance to carry the mail. I would have loved to see a deadline Ryan Miller for Patrick Lalime, I mean Cory Crawford deal.

When the smoke clears, with a game on the line in 3OT, I still am haunted by Mikael Boedker OT goals from last years playoffs. Maybe he's refocused, and has won over alot of people with stats earlier this year, but I still am reserving judgement and I'd hate to see the year the Hawks are having being tarnished by a string of soft goals. Scotty's Osgood formula may be the forced way or organizational thinking, but if there is a money goaltender available, I'd love to see what sort of confidence resonates from a player like that.

The market have some significant goalies on the market this summer with Lu and Miller. Perhaps the time will come this summer where we get one of the US' finest big game performers in net.
- GuyForget

Emery or Crawford - the goaltending will only be as good as the defense that surrounds it.

Neither goalie will win - or steal - a series, either can be a winning goalie with - and only with - excellent protection by the five skaters on the ice with him.

Thing that impresses me the most about Saad and has from the beginning of the season is how hard he seems to play. Lots o hustle in his game. I think it's what kept him in the lineup early on, even though he wasn't scoring. Hopefully that doesn't slowly go away once he realizes he's "made it", so to speak.
- Jocelyn26

True dat.

He reminds me of a young Brandon Saad.
- Ogilthorpe2

Is that like Being John Malkovich?

He reminds me of a young Brandon Saad.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah they are kinda similar.... LOL

Good point though! Comparing to future HOF'ers is a waste. Let the kid grow in his own way.

Nice piece on Saad by Verdi....repost for those who may have missed it

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=664379

No?
- Ogilthorpe2

I give up.

Boom...Marty Havlat....great comparison and a player I absolutely loved to watch in his early years coming up with Ottawa and was even more thrilled when he became a Hawk.

I have been seeing traces of someone and while I dont think I would have thought of Havlat, it really clicked when I read the Blog.

I have been playing Monday morning quarterback with frends and my brother about StaBow's conservative nature, but as rewarding as it would have been to see a rental last year in terms of EA Sports NHL 2012 lineup stacking, or even this year with a Jagr or Iginla, its nice to see a player the organization has been high on actually come to fruition and give us all an "I told you so". Obviously there is time in this equation as well as for every Saad, there's an Everett Sanipass or whomever cant miss self proclaimed prospect.

My second guessing will now continue to remain focused on the crease, and wonder if Emery will get a real chance to carry the mail. I would have loved to see a deadline Ryan Miller for Patrick Lalime, I mean Cory Crawford deal.

When the smoke clears, with a game on the line in 3OT, I still am haunted by Mikael Boedker OT goals from last years playoffs. Maybe he's refocused, and has won over alot of people with stats earlier this year, but I still am reserving judgement and I'd hate to see the year the Hawks are having being tarnished by a string of soft goals. Scotty's Osgood formula may be the forced way or organizational thinking, but if there is a money goaltender available, I'd love to see what sort of confidence resonates from a player like that.

The market have some significant goalies on the market this summer with Lu and Miller. Perhaps the time will come this summer where we get one of the US' finest big game performers in net.
- GuyForget

Good analysis. However, I havent seen enough high end skill from him to be put in Havlat's category. Havlat has a rediculous set of hands, Saad has better shot, Havlat is not physical at all, Saad will throw his weight around. I feel like Saad is a young Keith Tkachuk.

Comparisons are a shortcut to thinking.

Saad is good, young and playing with all star line mates.
- AceRatbang

Excellent line, and true. Who cares if he is Hossa, Havlat, or even Jesus himself?!?
He has shown enough talent to know that he's good right now. How good will he be? The answer is within him to a large extent. If he wants to keep learning and getting better, he'll be a damn good player. Importantly, we started the year with four Top Six players; now we've got five.

Great read, and I am anxious to see what Saad plays next year. Lots of respect to you JJ. I can't think of many bloggers that would concede an opinion they had that countered readers like you did. Esplen, no. Eklund, heck no. Very admiarble to say that you see what some other posters ave been clamorring about. I'm not referring to myself since I have been on the fence about Saad. I see flashes of brilliance, and a lot of hustle, then I remember games in which his timing has looked off. I am cautiously optimistic regarding young Mr. Saad

Yeah dat Andrew Saad kid is purdy gewd at puttin da puck in da net an he plays well wit dat Toe-es feller too.

And I have to say I'll step up to the mic next and say my predictions for Saad far underestimated the kid. He's been hustling for pucks and looks very smooth skating up the ice with the biscuit on his stick. And wow has that chemistry developed with the Cap'n.

I hope he keeps it up, because while I was quite skeptical of the kid initially, I want him to keep going and utterly obliterate my less-than-favourable predictions for him coming in to the season.

Good analysis. However, I havent seen enough high end skill from him to be put in Havlat's category. Havlat has a rediculous set of hands, Saad has better shot, Havlat is not physical at all, Saad will throw his weight around. I feel like Saad is a young Keith Tkachuk.
- nickmo2699

Minus the SNARL

Good analysis. However, I havent seen enough high end skill from him to be put in Havlat's category. Havlat has a rediculous set of hands, Saad has better shot, Havlat is not physical at all, Saad will throw his weight around. I feel like Saad is a young Keith Tkachuk.
- nickmo2699

I haven't seen Saad pop a hammy jumping the boards, though!

Yeah dat Andrew Saad kid is purdy gewd at puttin da puck in da net an he plays well wit dat Toe-es feller too.

And I have to say I'll step up to the mic next and say my predictions for Saad far underestimated the kid. He's been hustling for pucks and looks very smooth skating up the ice with the biscuit on his stick. And wow has that chemistry developed with the Cap'n.

I hope he keeps it up, because while I was quite skeptical of the kid initially, I want him to keep going and utterly obliterate my less-than-favourable predictions for him coming in to the season.
- prd797

Still can't believe the p.a. announcer flubbed Saad's first name during the 3 stars presentation