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

- philco28

He'll probably get his share of crap over that one. Did you hear Tazer's jab at Kaner about the real headline being Kaner actually forechecking? Love the ball busting!

not to be forgotten is that Saad can play on the PK too. Pretty good at the age of 20 to do that. Also good in that it spreads the PK min out and he is a threat out there on the PK as well. Pretty impressive all around. Of course, none of this regular season stuff matters once the playoffs come around. Then we'll see how good the goaltending is, how the deeper D is, etc.

Yes.Saad has developed quite nicely. I really thought may be back and forth from the Hawks to Rockford throughout the year, especially after the lack of production early. But I really noticed, even those early games when he wasn't getting points, that he was becoming more "Hossa-like". Not to compare his whole game to Hossa, just that Saad was so much stronger on the puck than last year. And these last 15-20 games, he has stepped it up even further by trying to beat guys one-on-one, by showing more confidence.

It has been a very pivotal year for Saad....taking him from a "???, will he even be an NHL player???" to a "Just how good an NHL player will he be???"

I have loved watching the progression....and hope it continues....if he can improve as much again next year....WOW!!!

He'll probably get his share of crap over that one. Did you hear Tazer's jab at Kaner about the real headline being Kaner actually forechecking? Love the ball busting!
- mohel

I did hear that and have to admit, i was pretty shocked myself to see Kaner dart in and steal that puck....AMAZING PLAY by a lad having an AMAZING YEAR

Today's article...


Hawks clinch playoff spot, now aim for Presidents' Trophy- Will Hawks follow '95 Wings to Cup Finals: FOX Chicago: http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih

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

- philco28

Great points. That play against the Blows showed a lot in the youngsters game, from getting to the right spot to burying the pass. I really don't see the need for mea culpas except that some felt the need to critique Saad with such vitriol and venom. Everyone's entitled to an opinion. I just wish people would have been a little more calculated in their approach to Saad. Kid didn't need an entire segment of the fan base rooting for him to fail and that's how it seemed at times on here. With guys like Shaw and Saad and Leddy and some of the guys in the pipeline, plus the known commodoties like Toews and Kane and Seabrook, if you're older than 35 you've got to know what a great time it is to be a Hawks fan and that, to me, is what is most important right now.

Today's article...


Hawks clinch playoff spot, now aim for Presidents' Trophy- Will Hawks follow '95 Wings to Cup Finals: FOX Chicago: http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih
- Al

Nice piece Al


Paul Goodman is a TOP NOTCH fitness and strength GURU !

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

Wow....somebody is getting worked up over the whole Olesz discussion (hint: it's you).

Nobody ever said Olesz would put us over the top. I can speak for myself in saying that I think Rusty deserves a shot given that Sharp and Bolland are out with injuries and right now Olesz is the best forward in Rockford.

Once the team is fully healthy would Olesz crack the line-up? Likely not. But what does it hurt to give him a try now? The cap space argument is irrelevant, we have more than enough cap space to recall Olesz (all but $900K of his cap hit is already on the books). The argument of Olesz being overpaid (as relating to a call-up) is also irrelevant because he's already being paid $3.125 no matter where he plays.

So, with the injuries to Bolland and Sharp what's the issue with giving your best AHL forward (of of recently) a shot?

BTW...I was just kidding about you getting worked up.

I did hear that and have to admit, i was pretty shocked myself to see Kaner dart in and steal that puck....AMAZING PLAY by a lad having an AMAZING YEAR


- philco28

He's a beast on the forecheck! It was a great play and he is having a great year. We are talking about how Saad will develop, and Kane is an example of the vagaries of trying to predict these things. I know they are very different players, but the old man Kane has really taken a step up this year - you never know when (or if) these steps will be taken. While it is common to say Kane's improvement is because of off-ice growth (and that is certainly a good part of it), I think Kane has really grown on-ice as well. I think he looked around and decided he wanted to be the player he could be. If Saad continues to have this same attitude for the long haul, I think he'll be damn good.

Great points. That play against the Blows showed a lot in the youngsters game, from getting to the right spot to burying the pass. I really don't see the need for mea culpas except that some felt the need to critique Saad with such vitriol and venom. Everyone's entitled to an opinion. I just wish people would have been a little more calculated in their approach to Saad. Kid didn't need an entire segment of the fan base rooting for him to fail and that's how it seemed at times on here. With guys like Shaw and Saad and Leddy and some of the guys in the pipeline, plus the known commodoties like Toews and Kane and Seabrook, if you're older than 35 you've got to know what a great time it is to be a Hawks fan and that, to me, is what is most important right now.
- Baaaaaaannerman!

Nice post Murray


My own view on Saad was that i wasn't sure if he was ready either, but that i would just sit back and enjoy watching his development and try not to get mired in the lively discussion surrounding his readiness.

He's given all Hawk fans a reason to smile this year and hopefully for many more to come.

John Jaeckel: The Saad Truth
- John Jaeckel

Thanks John. Great read and this adds to your credibility (not that it was in question) after the passion you and many folks put into arguing he was this Stanbo sideshow that had no right to be on the team.

Honestly I don't see anyone comparing him to Hossa... but for sure the month of March is definitely setting the bar high for him...

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

Juss wisht he hat more of a red ass.

He's a beast on the forecheck! It was a great play and he is having a great year. We are talking about how Saad will develop, and Kane is an example of the vagaries of trying to predict these things. I know they are very different players, but the old man Kane has really taken a step up this year - you never know when (or if) these steps will be taken. While it is common to say Kane's improvement is because of off-ice growth (and that is certainly a good part of it), I think Kane has really grown on-ice as well. I think he looked around and decided he wanted to be the player he could be. If Saad continues to have this same attitude for the long haul, I think he'll be damn good.
- mohel

He's definitely off to a great start in that regard.

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

- philco28

That was inexcuseable. Can't imagine the Hawks marketing monolith was too happy about that. I guess that's what happens when you share your public address announcer with the Sox who apparently get first dibs, which is why we had the fill in at the UC.

That was inexcuseable. Can't imagine the Hawks marketing monolith was too happy about that. I guess that's what happens when you share your public address announcer with the Sox who apparently get first dibs, which is why we had the fill in at the UC.
- Baaaaaaannerman!

Good to know !

Just wisht he hat more of a red ass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Maybe in due time? Probably not though, looks like he fits the Hawks MO perfect. Speed, speed, and speed.

All this and he can walk on water...albeit frozen.

Wow....somebody is getting worked up over the whole Olesz discussion (hint: it's you).

Nobody ever said Olesz would put us over the top. I can speak for myself in saying that I think Rusty deserves a shot given that Sharp and Bolland are out with injuries and right now Olesz is the best forward in Rockford.

Once the team is fully healthy would Olesz crack the line-up? Likely not. But what does it hurt to give him a try now? The cap space argument is irrelevant, we have more than enough cap space to recall Olesz (all but $900K of his cap hit is already on the books). The argument of Olesz being overpaid (as relating to a call-up) is also irrelevant because he's already being paid $3.125 no matter where he plays.

So, with the injuries to Bolland and Sharp what's the issue with giving your best AHL forward (of of recently) a shot?

BTW...I was just kidding about you getting worked up.
- DarthKane

Not getting worked up.....just amazed thatpeople think because he has 12 pts in 9 games he deserves to be part of the discussion. Have you ever seen him play? Maybe not this year in Rockford but last year for the Hawks? You do realize he was largely considered a bust when the Hawks acquired him from Florida. Who would you send down or take off the active roster for him? The argument is not whether he is being over paid it's whether he is good enough. He simply isn't......end of story. In any of my arguments I have not brought up the cap space. However with your arguments you have failed to mention any concrete reason as to why he deserves a shot. Based on what I've read it's because you think it wouldn't hurt to see what he's got which for some reason you think that cannot be done by watching him in Rockford.

All this and he can walk on water...albeit frozen.
- sgt1480

It don't matter to Jesus.

If Saad is Jesus, does that make Tazer Liam?

Maybe in due time? Probably not though, looks like he fits the Hawks MO perfect. Speed, speed, and speed.
- droe411

In all of the interviews and articles about the kid, he seems to be pretty reserved and tries to stay off the radar. I think that translates to his style, I don't think he'll get easily rattled and I don't see him coming easily unhinged if a guy gets in his face.

Hell, he rooms with Shaw and can handle that well enough

Good to know !

- philco28

Hey Phil Ogi hows things

We need more red asses......

We need more red asses......
- UnnamedSource

One named olesz

One named olesz
- southernhawk

Not getting worked up.....just amazed thatpeople think because he has 12 pts in 9 games he deserves to be part of the discussion. Have you ever seen him play? Maybe not this year in Rockford but last year for the Hawks? You do realize he was largely considered a bust when the Hawks acquired him from Florida. Who would you send down or take off the active roster for him? The argument is not whether he is being over paid it's whether he is good enough. He simply isn't......end of story. In any of my arguments I have not brought up the cap space. However with your arguments you have failed to mention any concrete reason as to why he deserves a shot. Based on what I've read it's because you think it wouldn't hurt to see what he's got which for some reason you think that cannot be done by watching him in Rockford.
- UnnamedSource

Part of Olesz's struggle is that he never properly healed from previous knee issues/surgeries. But now Rusty is suppose to be 100% so his situation is different than it has been in the past.