Strong on his skates yes....Bigger frame than Kruger but don't know if he can hold up an entire year as a banger unless he gets stronger and heavier.
- Al

Nordstrom is all muscle. The problem is that he needs 10 to 20 more lbs of it.

Nordstrom is all muscle. The problem is that he needs 10 to 20 more lbs of it.
- EKolb13

I'm sure they are working with him and gaining 20 pounds could happen for me this month....Sometimes younger players have trouble putting on weight.

We will see Q. likes him and seems smart with the puck.

Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR

Less than 1 hour here, and more comments than the entire month to date on the Blues blog.

I'm sure they are working with him and gaining 20 pounds could happen for me this month....Sometimes younger players have trouble putting on weight.

We will see Q. likes him and seems smart with the puck.

Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR
- Al

Yeah, I used to have that problem. I still wish I did.

The muscle is there. The weight isn't.
- EKolb13

Someone needs to take him to Portillo's.

That's not really the point I was making. More about how the fan base perceives losing a guy, which is why Steve said they might be baiting the hook to soften the blow IF he leaves.
- eburgio

I dont think theres anything wrong with a fan base giving a guy credit when its due (Sharp: IF he leaves), the Derosa poop was ridiculous though. Seeing as how he didnt help the Cubs do anything

I dont think theres anything wrong with a fan base giving a guy credit when its due (Sharp: IF he leaves), the Derosa poop was ridiculous though. Seeing as how he didnt help the Cubs do anything
- BlazinMike

Again, not going to argue with you. But so much of the fan uproar over him leaving was that he was a likeable guy and the ladies loved him.

Less than 1 hour here, and more comments than the entire month to date on the Blues blog.


- carcus

We'd be willing to ship a few of our posters over there in some sort of permanent exchange program.

Less than 1 hour here, and more comments than the entire month to date on the Blues blog.


- carcus

Unemployment rate is very high here in Chicago.

Unemployment rate is very high here in Chicago.
- Canardhawk

We should open a jort factory

We should open a jort factory
- Return of the Roar

You got me on that one?

We should open a jort factory
- Return of the Roar

I spit out my coffee reading this. Well played.

We should open a jort factory
- Return of the Roar

You got me on that one?
- Canardhawk

Look "jort" up on the internet.

We should open a jort factory
- Return of the Roar

or Jart. Remember all the fun (and eyes lost) due to Jarts? Wussification of America...

Again, not going to argue with you. But so much of the fan uproar over him leaving was that he was a likeable guy and the ladies loved him.
- eburgio

I hear ya, not trying to argue, just agreeing (i think) on the Derosa thing. It was dumb, he wasnt that great.

or Jart. Remember all the fun (and eyes lost) due to Jarts? Wussification of America...
- eburgio

Jarts is a really fun game.

Look "jort" up on the internet.
- EKolb13

Okay, I'm caught up, it takes me awhile you know.

Look "jort" up on the internet.
- EKolb13

It's possible you could have just asked him what he was wearing.

It's possible you could have just asked him what he was wearing.
- HawkintheD

It's possible you could have just asked him what he was wearing.
- HawkintheD

No.

No.
- EKolb13

Tell the truth EK.

Tell the truth EK.
- carcus

I am.

No.
- EKolb13

Yeah, tell the truth EK

Most on this board will go apoplectic over this, but I suspect the Hawks are more likely to deal Shaw than Kruger, although I don't think either is being shopped. Shaw is probably never going to be more than what he is, Kruger will be.

Kruger is, or will soon be, a classic shutdown 3C. Shaw is really more of a true wing, on a team loaded at wing and weak at center, and therefore already somewhat less valuable.

Kruger is NOT physically mature. When he is, he WILL be a better player than he is today. And he is already a good NHL player, with real value as a PK guy and able to spot anywhere from lines 2-4 as a center, great defensively.
- John Jaeckel

He is 24 though...

I mean he looks like a little kid but it isn't like he is a boy either.

I agree that he can get stronger, and I'm surprised they haven't been more aggressive with him in the weight room, but if he hasn't grown or developed physically much in the last few years not sure how much more is realistic to expect.

He's listed at 180 and isn't a tree trunk like Smith. Maybe he can bulk to closer to 200 in two years but maybe that just isn't ideal for his frame.

Good player player for sure and if he can do better to avoid getting lit up like a Christmas tree I think he will have a solid career but I have no clue where his peak is physically. It isn't like he hasn't been a pro for a while and had access to great coaches both physio and nutritional wise.