You mean Gretzky Gretzky, or Ott Gretzky?
- Ogilthorpe2

LMAO

Oh God...
- EKolb13

It's growing like a virus......

Honestly, I am so tired of bloggers predicting future results and great things for players based on potential. I blame Cloutier's inane wishful thinking that he has been spewing like hot garbage for the last 3 years or so. Please refrain from stooping to that level.
- alcatrazhockey

Fair enough, but go back and read my blogs on this subject going back to the start of the season.

What's wrong with you? They're all top notch blue chippers.
- EKolb13

I guess every time a player wins the AHL player of the week their team must bring them up just to see what they got....because scouting them relentlessly is a waste of time.

It's growing like a virus......
- UnnamedSource

It's more like a fungus - like athlete's foot. Just my opinion.

Earlier reports had Sharp practicing at 2C, but I haven't heard that lately (could be because there's been little time for practice lately?). If he does switch, who do you like at 2LW?
- mohel

I thought I saw a 13-16-81 line generating some good pressure in the third period. So a 13-10-81 line I think would be nice, it's also possible they try Frolik or maybe Shaw as the LW on that line. They have several options that could work with Sharp at C for the 2nd line.

Though likely "something" will come up to prematurely end the experiment and he'll just slot back into his left wing spot.

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
- ikeane

JJ`s quote was "this good this fast" 38 games so far is NOT 82. Not a knock just an observation. One test will be playoff pressure, I believe he will pass. REAL men like JJ live in a real world. I have never read he doesn`t like the kid he was in the back seat waiting for his stop.

I guess every time a player wins the AHL player of the week their team must bring them up just to see what they got....because scouting them relentlessly is a waste of time.
- UnnamedSource

Why all the "promote Rusty" lobbying all the sudden?

Good lord, the guy plays a handful of games and throws up some numbers on the score-sheet and all the sudden he's the answer to everything the Hawks need?

It's crap.

The thing you want to hope for is that he stays healthy and is available for the playoffs. Maybe "Rusty" sees ice time after half a dozen guys go down with injuries. Then this team can use "Rusty."

Why all the "promote Rusty" lobbying all the sudden?

Good lord, the guy plays a handful of games and throws up some numbers on the score-sheet and all the sudden he's the answer to everything the Hawks need?

It's crap.

The thing you want to hope for is that he stays healthy and is available for the playoffs. Maybe "Rusty" sees ice time after half a dozen guys go down with injuries. Then this team can use "Rusty."
- EKolb13

I want my Snickers....

It's more like a fungus - like athlete's foot. Just my opinion.
- EKolb13

Never thought with a 9 point lead in the western conference we would be discussing how Rusty Olesz could improve the team.....

.......I think if Olesz is on your team it's means that team is bad......

I want my Snickers....
- UnnamedSource

If "Rusty" makes it as a Black Ace...no Snickers for you!


...Snickers for me.

Never thought with a 9 point lead in the western conference we would be discussing how Rusty Olesz could improve the team.....

.......I think if Olesz is on your team it's means that team is bad......
- UnnamedSource

At this point, I view him just like Montador - experienced depth for the playoffs. That's the upside with both Montador and Olsez.

During the playoffs, the both of them should be kept in the press box in life-sized cases that resemble this:



Montador & Olesz should only be removed if needed under extreme emergency or at the end of the playoffs.

At this point, I view him just like Montador - experienced depth for the playoffs. That's the upside with both Montador and Olsez.

During the playoffs, the both of them should be kept in the press box in life-sized cases that resemble this:


- EKolb13

Morin or Hayes would get the call before....They would fly TT here on a jet plane before they would call up rusty

- Tanuki

Nice!

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

I think it was...DT was throwing money around at that time like Oduya throws arounds pizzas...pretty sure it was Tallon.

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
- Al

AGREED.

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!

We are watching "THE GOLDEN AREA OF THE BLACKHAWKS" [tongue in cheek] as some one posted a few days ago. Granted if this and if that . But what I see in this Hawk team is "TALENT". Not only in NHL form but In the pipeline, like NEVER before. Remember this, as low as we will pick in the draft these next few years we will be developing 3rd and 4th line guys hoping some will pop into 1/2 liners. crying shame there is a low hard cap with no way out. Saad looks like 3.5 to 5 mill a year right now that is. This will happen the same time Tazer & Kane is due for aprox. 2 mill each raise, we must have the farm come through. In 2 years I expect cap to go up to only 66.4 Sorry about the late post on Brandon "Andrew" Saad" I read very slow due to aad or add or is it .....O crap you get it

Hi John...

I typically love all of your columns...some of the time you are a good writer with great insight...some of the time you are a great writer with good insight...I'm sure you will understand that. Just recently I voiced my opinion regarding how strongly I felt Saad should be considered for ROY. My vision of Saad and what type of player he could become is a little different than yours...I am actually surprised considering my opening to this comment that you did not think of the most obvious comparison...that being mine. Brandon Saad is a young Jon Toews. I realize those are mighty big words or skates to fill but he has the chance to do it. He has the wheels, his hands and strength will only get better, he plays with 2 of the best examples of complete hockey players and quite simply he never, ever gives up on the puck. What we have in Saad is another piece to the "core"...a piece we would be wise to lock up for many years. Keep up the good/great great/good work...a pleasure reading your stuff.

Doobie Bros wrote a song for Saad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEvy8mROAj0

Doobie Bros wrote a song for Saad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEvy8mROAj0
- philco28

Classic!

How's things up North, Phil?

Classic!

How's things up North, Phil?
- EKolb13

Rusty's song....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p7ubE4NaO4

All signs point to the Blackhawks getting the Red Wings in Round 1.

And did the NHL send a memo to he officials to stop calling hooking, holding and interference? The Blues spent 60 minutes mugging DET yesterday, and the Preds did the same last night.

Doobie Bros wrote a song for Saad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEvy8mROAj0
- philco28

Going off topic here but maybe Stan and co should try getting another goalie named Antti from Finland to the system. Antti Raanta who plays for Porin Ässät in Finnish Elite League is playing lights out this year. He was already voted for the best player of regular season this year and has continued playing very well in playoffs. Today had a shutout (4th so in playoffs) with 32 saves and lead Ässät to the finals.

http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=17016

If anyone has Stan´s number or email, feel free to send him this message
- MjulQvist

If he doesn`t DROP to the low 4 or 5 round don`t count on it, this years 1st round pick will be defencive or a rugged center. We do not have a 2 and 3 pick this year, care of "The FRENCH Pizza man" he`s like a soft french turnover