Nicely done sir.

For my nickel, McNeill should be bumped one position to #3. Also I'm of the opinion that the lines are singled up on the good ships Olsen & Beach and are going to sail off into the night to be never to seen again. Finally I'm going "homer" on you. No Mac Carruth?
- Beaver-Warrior

Don't trust Carruth. Played well in his overage season on one of the three most stacked defenses in junior. If he shows something in the AHL I'll start believing more. Goalies are weird though so you have a point, unless they have lost a hand or something you really can't count them out

Can't recall Saad as a centre, was that in the USHL?
- AdamFrench

Yes. He centered for Garrett Ross among others. I think the other wing was a high draft pick as well.

Yes. He centered for Garrett Ross among others. I think the other wing was a high draft pick as well.
- tredbrta

For Saginaw?

For the most part in his second year he was on the left side of Trocheck and Shalla.

I think Ross was with Fine and Locke (after the trade)


Could be wrong, should probably ask Rossy who watches practically every OHL game

Can't recall Saad as a centre, was that in the USHL?
- AdamFrench

Im not sure. All I know is Q said that he would like for Saad to have the puck more and he would get a look in the middle. I think Q mentioned him playing some before he was drafted but can't say for sure. IMO I don't like Saad in the middle. Just leave him on the left side.

Garrett Ross might have deserved some mention. Not in the top 10 but somewhere - good year at Saginaw. Think he is in Rockford this year.
- tredbrta

I disagree, for now. If he can really make a name for himself in Rockford, he might be worth some mention.

For Saginaw?

For the most part in his second year he was on the left side of Trocheck and Shalla.

I think Ross was with Fine and Locke (after the trade)


Could be wrong, should probably ask Rossy who watches practically every OHL game
- AdamFrench

Yes, for Saginaw. Wiz would know over on JJ's thread. I will ask if I see him. Not sure about Saad at center in the NHL. He does have some passing skills though - that feed to Zus on the PK in the finals was sweet.

very weak prospects outside of teuvo, but its not like they're drafting top 10 every year either (went through the pens rebuild a few years ago). Great core for years to come, but I still believe Crawford isn't the real deal, having one of or the best top 4 d core really helps
- kovey27

Outside of maybe 5-8 teams with more blue chippers, I disagree that the prospects are "really weak." I'd argue that we have more prospects in the "good but not great" range than anyone...

I'd say Craw doesn't give me the peace of mind that a Lundqvist or Quick or Niemi does, but having been an above average performer in a Cup winning year, he has earned more than the benefit of the doubt.

I disagree, for now. If he can really make a name for himself in Rockford, he might be worth some mention.
- EKolb13

You wouldn't consider him a "notable" along with the others in there?

Did Ross see any time in Rockford this year? I need to get out there this year for a few games.

Outside of maybe 5-8 teams with more blue chippers, I disagree that the prospects are "really weak." I'd argue that we have more prospects in the "good but not great" range than anyone...

I'd say Craw doesn't give me the peace of mind that a Lundqvist or Quick or Niemi does, but having been an above average performer in a Cup winning year, he has earned more than the benefit of the doubt.
- busmaster

Most of those "weak" prospects in Rockford would have made the Habs roster last year as 3rd or 4th liners. Morin, Smith, Pirri, Hayes... He was trolling for a response.

You wouldn't consider him a "notable" along with the others in there?

Did Ross see any time in Rockford this year? I need to get out there this year for a few games.
- tredbrta

He played in a handful of games at the end of the season. Nothing really noteworthy.

If you do come out to Rockford, drop me a line beforehand.

Well done French. Danault is the one I think might find some time in the NHL this season. Aside from Morin, Smith or Pirri that is. His compete level is what stands out to me. Plus, I think his offensive abilities tend to get under--rated From what I have seen of him, he has above average vision on the ice. McNeil is kind of meh to me. He hasn't really stood out to me the games I've seen. Though, his size will earn him a long look from the Hawks.

He played in a handful of games at the end of the season. Nothing really noteworthy.

If you do come out to Rockford, drop me a line beforehand.
- EKolb13

Thanks. Will do.

Should be an interesting year there with some of the adds and the kids. Ross should bring some fire. Daneault and McNeil along with the Hawk leftovers will bring the skill. Winchester, Peckham and the guy from Toronto veterans.... Intriguing mix. Would have liked to see Johns there this year. He and Hayes may have been better off staying in college with the system's depth though.

Regarding Saad at 2C:

http://espn.go.com/blog/c...-could-be-in-hawks-future

Regarding Saad at 2C:

http://espn.go.com/blog/c...-could-be-in-hawks-future
- Quetzalcoatl

Saad is a possibility, but I don't think it's written in stone. Pirri, Saad and maybe Kruger will have a shot to centre the 2nd line.

Saad is a possibility, but I don't think it's written in stone. Pirri, Saad and maybe Kruger will have a shot to centre the 2nd line.
- DarthKane

I may be reading too much into it, but it seems to me when the organ i zation mentions the 2C seems like Stan mentions Pirri a lot, Q mentions everyone else.

Me thinks, Q now gets final say.

Saad is a possibility, but I don't think it's written in stone. Pirri, Saad and maybe Kruger will have a shot to centre the 2nd line.
- DarthKane

You need to read between the lines a bit. Bowman is pumping the tires on Pirri. Q is talking Saad. Kruger and Handzus are players Q trusts as well. We all know how stubborn Q can be - for example, remember when he consistently marched out John Scott on defense and sat Lepisto?

Anyways, that decision is going to come down to Q. If Pirri can't convince Q that he can handle the job entirely, Q is going to give that job to someone he trusts.

Regarding Saad at 2C:

http://espn.go.com/blog/c...-could-be-in-hawks-future
- Quetzalcoatl

Thanks for that article.

One thing you have to like about the Hawks system now is they really are diversifying their risk. They can plug and play until they see one of these pieces perform. The math favors them for the next 2-3 years.

Of course, if no one steps up then their prospect chain has been way over rated.

This is much better than banking on a Pisani or Brunette to fill critical roles...

Not sold on Pirri but I hope he surprises. I really think the key new pieces will be Smith and I think Daneault later in the year.

Ty,

I'm going to love watching him in Rockford this season.
- EKolb13

I hope to see him a couple times as well when he's in my neck of the woods.

When's the schedule being released Eli? You know?

I hope to see him a couple times as well when he's in my neck of the woods.

When's the schedule being released Eli? You know?
- TyCamScore

Hopefully within the next couple of weeks. There are 4 or 5 teams that share buildings with NBA teams, so the AHL has to wait for the NBA to release their schedule first. It usually takes about three weeks after the NBA schedule has been released.

I'm also anxiously awaiting the release of the AHL schedule in order to plan a Hockeybuzz night in Rockford this season.

i enjoy reading all these prospect blogs of yours. you seem to know what you're talking about...moreso than sites like hockeysfuture.

do the rangers next

Check out NHL Young Guns Daily on twitter @YoungGunsDaily. They covered Hartman, Clendening, Danault & McNeill as well as Fournier as prospects. Adam gives great reports, but check it out anyway for a few more depth prospects.

Great thread Adam..cheers from Southern Ontario!

Nice job French, think the Hawks are really counting on Danault to develop? Especially after trading Bolland
- tomburton99

Fixed. Also don't rule out Nordstrom as a future (and maybe not too distant) 3C. And Kruger could be there for the next several years. Hawks are fairly well supplied with 3C type guys, starting with these three. Even Shaw could get a shot there, although he is probably going to be at RW.

Saad is a possibility, but I don't think it's written in stone. Pirri, Saad and maybe Kruger will have a shot to centre the 2nd line.
- DarthKane

Saad's going to be at W. Kruger will be there before Saad will.

Im not sure. All I know is Q said that he would like for Saad to have the puck more and he would get a look in the middle. I think Q mentioned him playing some before he was drafted but can't say for sure. IMO I don't like Saad in the middle. Just leave him on the left side.
- NedsHead_88

Saad had some developmental experience as a C, but he is going to remain at W in the NHL. There is nothing about his game that says C.