Has anybody said what he would provide that the Hawks are missing, where he would play, or who he would replace?
- mohel

yes people have mentioned he could be the missing piece.......I just got nauseous and must go puke.

Never! I will never give up hope on Olesz until he gets recalled!!!

#freerusty
- DarthKane

Let me know how that works out for you.....

yes people have mentioned he could be the missing piece.......I just got nauseous and must go puke.
- UnnamedSource

What missing piece? Top 6, Bottom 6? Will he play goal? Who is he better than on the current roster and who would he replace? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler?

Let me know how that works out for you.....
- UnnamedSource

Oh I will!!

#freerusty

Oh I will!!

#freerusty


- DarthKane

What missing piece? Top 6, Bottom 6? Will he play goal? Who is he better than on the current roster and who would he replace? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler?
- mohel

Exactly and the areas needed to improve this team.....Big body in front of the net, face off wins, and more physical play......Rusty doesn't do any of those.

A closer examination Olesz' NHL stats is revealing.

-first round pick by F.L.A., 7th overall in 2004, 27 years old

-he's never scored more than 14 goals at the NHL level

-he's never topped the 30 point plateau in 7 seasons, some of which were either abbreviated by injury or demotion

-yet someone rewarded him with a handsome contract that pays $3.1 mil through next year

-he seems like a fairly responsible player defensively
with no really egregious MINUS seasons...

He reminds me of a young Brandon Saad.
- Ogilthorpe2

It don't matter to Jesus.

If Saad is Jesus, does that make Tazer Liam?


- Ogilthorpe2

More like Q...

I don't think the benefit of playing with Toews and Hossa can be overstated for a young player's development. Two superstars who chase the puck relentlessly. One of the 3 best defensive centers and probably the best defensive winger. If you don't work your tail off to get back, and make sure you win pucks along the boards playing with those two, bad things are going to happen. Has anyone else noticed that since Hoss came back, he seems more comfortable giving Saad the puck along the wall, rather than trying to create by wheeling out of the corner?

A closer examination Olesz' NHL stats is revealing.

-first round pick by F.L.A., 7th overall in 2004, 27 years old

-he's never scored more than 14 goals at the NHL level

-he's never topped the 30 point plateau in 7 seasons, some of which were either abbreviated by injury or demotion

-yet someone rewarded him with a handsome contract that pays $3.1 mil through next year

-he seems like a fairly responsible player defensively
with no really egregious MINUS seasons...
- philco28

Was that Tallon who gave him that reward?

Nice post Phil -- sort of my attitude too -- figured that I couldn't handle another man-child adoption since I already have Leddy to worry about!

Al noted this in one of his posts a few days ago about Leddy's wide stance/wide base for skating. This is the EXACT same thing I see with the Saad-father and Toews and a few others. Of course, with Leddy, he's got that magical unicorn speed that makes one wonder where the hell it comes from.

Oh and speaking of Jesus, my family just doesn't get it -- I yelled when the Saad-father scored yesterday and the wife asks who scored. "Jesus," I replied. You should have seen the look I got. Had to try and explain it and when I got done, the look was even worse as if to say, WTF is wrong with you and your internet hockey buddies???
- savvyone-1

Yep....I'm waiting for the Mrs. to call the wagon to throw me in a room with padded walls. If these playoffs end badly, I'll save you a spot...

I wonder if McDonough enjoyed snacking on the balls of the sub in PA guy last night for calling Bradon Saad, Andrew Saad during the 3 stars.....Damn you Gene Honda....Sox April games, don't need your bombastic voice to ease the 7K in attendance at the cell.

Was that Tallon who gave him that reward?
- hockey nut 28

The Panthers made numerous mistakes before Tallon got there....Always rushed up draft picks and seemed to pay the wrong guys.

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

Nice piece Al


Paul Goodman is a TOP NOTCH fitness and strength GURU !
- philco28

Thanks Phil...

I would say Goodman was a great add to the OrganIzation.

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

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

- mohel

They make sure he's never short on bananas

I wonder if McDonough enjoyed snacking on the balls of the sub in PA guy last night for calling Bradon Saad, Andrew Saad during the 3 stars.....Damn you Gene Honda....Sox April games, don't need your bombastic voice to ease the 7K in attendance at the cell.
- SteveRain

Gene's in Atlanta doing the Final Four. Had he been at the Sox game I think he would have been able to pull the double header off. Wish they would bring back Harvey Wittenberg on Gene's off days like they used to. "One minute to play in the period, one minute...."

Gene's in Atlanta doing the Final Four. Had he been at the Sox game I think he would have been able to pull the double header off. Wish they would bring back Harvey Wittenberg on Gene's off days like they used to. "One minute to play in the period, one minute...."
- PhatJoeSki

Concur on Harvey whenever they've had him come back it helps you get the feel of the old stadium..."Blackhaawwk Goal - in that monotone that only Harvey can bring.

Anybody else catch Pat Boyle in the pregame saying this was the last game between the Hawks and Preds this season...and then the Brandon Saad comparison with Ladd during which Pat mentioned Ladd is the captain of his team in Edmonton...yikes.

A closer examination Olesz' NHL stats is revealing.

-first round pick by F.L.A., 7th overall in 2004, 27 years old

-he's never scored more than 14 goals at the NHL level

-he's never topped the 30 point plateau in 7 seasons, some of which were either abbreviated by injury or demotion

-yet someone rewarded him with a handsome contract that pays $3.1 mil through next year

-he seems like a fairly responsible player defensively
with no really egregious MINUS seasons...
- philco28

A closer examination Olesz' NHL stats is revealing.

-first round pick by F.L.A., 7th overall in 2004, 27 years old

-he's never scored more than 14 goals at the NHL level

-he's never topped the 30 point plateau in 7 seasons, some of which were either abbreviated by injury or demotion

-yet someone rewarded him with a handsome contract that pays $3.1 mil through next year

-he seems like a fairly responsible player defensively
with no really egregious MINUS seasons...
- philco28

And - he was AHL player of the week last week.

Nice look at Jesus JJ.

For what it's worth, the guy he reminds me of most is James Neal.

Neal's blend of strength, skating and shooting is what he should strive to emulate. I doubt Saad will ever equal Hossa in the defensive awareness department (and really, few ever would), but he has the tools to be a 30 goal-60 point power forward, who could reach higher playing with top players.

Not the kind of player who makes his linemates better, but the kind who produces more with better linemates.

Nice look at Jesus JJ.

For what it's worth, the guy he reminds me of most is James Neal.

Neal's blend of strength, skating and shooting is what he should strive to emulate. I doubt Saad will ever equal Hossa in the defensive awareness department (and really, few ever would), but he has the tools to be a 30 goal-60 point power forward, who could reach higher playing with top players.

Not the kind of player who makes his linemates better, but the kind who produces more with better linemates.
- andru2797

Maybe Saad will just be the next Saad? Then in a few years we can debate who the next Saad will be?

Nice look at Jesus JJ.

For what it's worth, the guy he reminds me of most is James Neal.

Neal's blend of strength, skating and shooting is what he should strive to emulate. I doubt Saad will ever equal Hossa in the defensive awareness department (and really, few ever would), but he has the tools to be a 30 goal-60 point power forward, who could reach higher playing with top players.

Not the kind of player who makes his linemates better, but the kind who produces more with better linemates.
- andru2797

Saad doesnt float like Neal. Not to mention Neal is a fly under the radar cheap player like some other Penguins we know. Saad plays the game the right way and is moving his feet at all times. His brand is an interesting one because it is hard to really pin point his game and style.

Maybe Saad will just be the next Saad? Then in a few years we can debate who the next Saad will be?


- DarthKane

If Saad is simply the next Saad, then he'll be a pretty special player (to not have a comparable) lol.

And everyone knows the next Saad is whoever Chuck Norris decides it is!

Saad doesnt float like Neal. Not to mention Neal is a fly under the radar cheap player like some other Penguins we know. Saad plays the game the right way and is moving his feet at all times. His brand is an interesting one because it is hard to really pin point his game and style.
- nickmo2699

This really stands out about his game, but younger players always tend to have that. You look at everyone from Ovie to Shaw and when they're younger, they play with more energy and are always buzzing around. It's tough to play a whole career like that though because it's very inefficient in terms of energy.

The best players of all time never looked like they were trying because they had the uncanny ability to know when to push it. They could turn it on and off (think Lidstrom, Lemieux, Yzerman, Sakic).

I think that comes with experience and maturity and is one of the differences between good and great.

Hossa and Kane are good examples as well. He's not out there skating at top speed and maximum effort all the time.