Depends who you're talking to!
- paulr

A true contrarian perhaps?

Agreed and man that makes me kinda uncomfortable LOL, maybe he's just not that great an athlete, maybe he has some maturing to do cuz he's not much physically on the ice
- John Jaeckel

John you know very well that 75-80% of athletic strength, especially hockey, comes from the legs and hips. All this pictures does is tell us that A) he certainly is not cog b) has low body fat c) has some hyperthrophy.

Hockey strength? Totally different than what this picture tells us....

A true contrarian perhaps?
- biegs

Could be .......

John you know very well that 75-80% of athletic strength, especially hockey, comes from the legs and hips. All this pictures does is tell us that A) he certainly is not cog b) has low body fat c) has some hyperthrophy.

Hockey strength? Totally different than what this picture tells us....
- Bjm84

Exactly!

John you know very well that 75-80% of athletic strength, especially hockey, comes from the legs and hips. All this pictures does is tell us that A) he certainly is not cog b) has low body fat c) has some hyperthrophy.

Hockey strength? Totally different than what this picture tells us....
- Bjm84

TVR's brother has shown some solid balance. When he has played well he scores a lot in the crease area so , if genetics mean anything, the leg and core potential is there. TVR was really showing some decent qualities before the injury but that history - which stretches back apparently all the way to high school according to MH - has to be something of note. Hard to avoid atrophy with a series of similar injuries over years.

Obviously, the Hawks really want Reilly. Hopefully we see him signed this week and then we have Johns, Reilly, TVR, Gustafson to go for those open spots. Probably a veteran like Paul Martin or Beauchamin (not Jackhead) in the mix.. I'd personally love to see Oduya stay while these kids transition but that probably means Crow goes. Even then, hard to take Oduya on a long term deal at the current market.

TVR's brother has shown some solid balance. Scores a lot in the crease area so , if genetics mean anything, the leg and core potential is there. TVR was really showing some decent qualities before the injury but that history - which stretches back apparently all the way to high school according to MH - has to be something of note. Obviously, the Hawks really want Reilly. Hopefully we see him signed this week and then we have Johns, Reilly, TVR, Gustafson to go for those open spots. Probably a veteran like Paul Martin or Beauchamin (not Jackhead) in the mix.. I'd personally love to see Oduya stay while these kids transition but that probably means Crow goes. Even then, hard to take Oduya on a long term deal at the current market.
- tredbrta

Totally. Looks, TVR is listed as 6'2 185 lbs(preseason). Comparaively, Saad, Toews, Hossa are around the same height and all over 200 lbs. Judging from the TvR picture and taking a comparative, albeit observational, analysis with the aforementioned players, it means TvR either needs to bulk up in his legs/hips OR that he doesn't have the bone structure that those other players do. In fact, his brother has a wider jaw and thicker neck than him. TvR picture does tell us though that he is probably well conditioned though(low body fat).

Injuries, totally agree. Something is amiss.... bones? Build?

Agree on your other points too. Reilly would be big grab for long term and I think Johns has a good chance at a spot as does TvR in a #5 or #6 role. Who knows about Gustaffson? Can't also count out strong showings from Pokka or Paliotta in camp. I think the Hawks will try to sign a F/A depth defender looking to win a cup(ala Richards) OR through trade.

The lines at practice are prrfect.

Throbbingly perfect

#Blackhawks lines at practice: Sharp-Toews-Hossa; Saad-Richards-Kane; Versteeg-Vermette-Teravainen; Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw
- mrpaulish

Like them as well

With regards to that photo of TVR, it takes more than chest and bicep muscle to be strong on the puck in hockey...I'll bet that if that photo showed his legs you would find your answer. Just talk to Toews about which part of the body is most important in his game, and he'll tell you his core anchored to his legs. Toews does not possess the biggest upper body in the league, and he doesn't need it...but I defy you to show me a centre with a stronger centre of gravity than him! From his abs to his ankles Kane is likely the strongest Centre in hockey! For TVR to become effective as an NHL DMan he will need to strengthen his centre of gravity, and become even quicker at moving the puck.

I can tell you this from experience, the bulk up top on a hockey player is mostly necessary for ABSORBING the force in hits. Success at face-offs comes from your core...and even delivering big hits comes from your hips and legs! In hockey they talk about the necessity to be strong down the middle, in hockey players its strong IN the middle...when I played Bryan Trottier told me "big arms are just for show, but its the core that makes you strong". And have any of you tried to take Trotts of the puck? Mel Bridgman told me once that he hit Trottier at full speed and got knocked to the ice seeing little birds and Mel was built like a tank!
- MexicoHawk

Two strongest guys from the hips down I have ever seen in person, by appearance only mind you, are Toews and Nik Lidstrom. From the waist up, both are pretty ordinary. From the waist down, both are built like tanks.

Two strongest guys I have ever seen in person, by appearance only mind you, are Toews and Nik Lidstrom. From the waist up, both are pretty ordinary. From the waist down, both are built like tanks.
- John Jaeckel

Andrew Ladd. Another guy who I saw as taller with an ordinary looking upper body but OBVIOUS lower body size/girth.

John you know very well that 75-80% of athletic strength, especially hockey, comes from the legs and hips. All this pictures does is tell us that A) he certainly is not cog b) has low body fat c) has some hyperthrophy.

Hockey strength? Totally different than what this picture tells us....
- Bjm84

Gotta have strong legs and hips in hockey for sure.

John you know very well that 75-80% of athletic strength, especially hockey, comes from the legs and hips. All this pictures does is tell us that A) he certainly is not cog b) has low body fat c) has some hyperthrophy.

Hockey strength? Totally different than what this picture tells us....
- Bjm84

How many people who work out regularly (he does...obviously) only work their upper body?

Pace yourselves folks. It's not even game day yet, and this board is slowly edging toward lunacy.

2 more wins to enjoy before everyone jumps off the ledge over the off-season Armageddon.

AND . . . I just heard from a source who talked to Desjardins. He's fine. FWIW. Maybe tired.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, if you don't mind me asking..
Do you know if the organization has any plans to bring back Desjardins or is he expendable after the season? I think he is a great depth player that can play anywhere in the bottom 6. Just curious sir.

How many people who work out regularly (he does...obviously) only work their upper body?

Pace yourselves folks. It's not even game day yet, and this board is slowly edging toward lunacy.

2 more wins to enjoy before everyone jumps off the ledge over the off-season Armageddon.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm not suggesting anything about his training regiment, merely what the picture that was posted does and does not tell us. Along with the simple observational fact that Saad, Toews, Hossa etc. are all around his height but about 20+ lbs heavier.

JJ, if you don't mind me asking..
Do you know if the organization has any plans to bring back Desjardins or is he expendable after the season? I think he is a great depth player that can play anywhere in the bottom 6. Just curious sir.
- 93Joe

He is a bottom 3 player. A good one but he doesn't have the skills to be a 3rd line player.

With regards to that photo of TVR, it takes more than chest and bicep muscle to be strong on the puck in hockey...I'll bet that if that photo showed his legs you would find your answer. Just talk to Toews about which part of the body is most important in his game, and he'll tell you his core anchored to his legs. Toews does not possess the biggest upper body in the league, and he doesn't need it...but I defy you to show me a centre with a stronger centre of gravity than him! From his abs to his ankles Kane is likely the strongest Centre in hockey! For TVR to become effective as an NHL DMan he will need to strengthen his centre of gravity, and become even quicker at moving the puck.

I can tell you this from experience, the bulk up top on a hockey player is mostly necessary for ABSORBING the force in hits. Success at face-offs comes from your core...and even delivering big hits comes from your hips and legs! In hockey they talk about the necessity to be strong down the middle, in hockey players its strong IN the middle...when I played Bryan Trottier told me "big arms are just for show, but its the core that makes you strong". And have any of you tried to take Trotts of the puck? Mel Bridgman told me once that he hit Trottier at full speed and got knocked to the ice seeing little birds and Mel was built like a tank!
- MexicoHawk

I believe Peter Forsberg (listed about 190 lbs I think) was a lot like this. I remember some Hawks players commenting in the 90's about not being able to separate him from the puck...until they saw his tree trunk legs when they were at a swimming pool or something along those lines.

John you know very well that 75-80% of athletic strength, especially hockey, comes from the legs and hips. All this pictures does is tell us that A) he certainly is not cog b) has low body fat c) has some hyperthrophy.

Hockey strength? Totally different than what this picture tells us....
- Bjm84

Besides, you need strong triceps and pecs to throw big nasty cross-checks...

Besides, you need strong triceps and pecs to throw big nasty cross-checks...
- grinder10

Besides, you need strong triceps and pecs to throw big nasty cross-checks...
- grinder10

hahaha.... not if your Corey Perry.

JJ, if you don't mind me asking..
Do you know if the organization has any plans to bring back Desjardins or is he expendable after the season? I think he is a great depth player that can play anywhere in the bottom 6. Just curious sir.
- 93Joe

They like him. No decisions will be made on who's coming back until:

a) the official cap is announced,
and
b) the Hawks then decide who's going

I think they would like to have him back though

Sorry....missed the last few pages of posts because my eyes are bleeding after seeing a half naked TVR make his debut on here.

I wonder if he and Sharp have blue steel stare offs in the locker room?

And I'm sure for the 25-45 female demographic you will see a shirtless TVR and shirtless Keith flicking that rope again in the gym.

They'll need new eye candy once Chicago's sexiest man is gone........

Sorry....missed the last few pages of posts because my eyes are bleeding after seeing a half naked TVR make his debut on here.

I wonder if he and Sharp have blue steel stare offs in the locker room?


- SteveRain

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

How many people who work out regularly (he does...obviously) only work their upper body?

Pace yourselves folks. It's not even game day yet, and this board is slowly edging toward lunacy.

2 more wins to enjoy before everyone jumps off the ledge over the off-season Armageddon.
- Ogilthorpe2

Actually Ogi, MOST people in the gym are ONLY interested in their upper body, because that's the "million dollar look". I know it exists with athletes too from personal experience. Most guys simply don't want to put the same TIME and effort into their "legs" (which means core) as they do their upper body, which has always surprised me.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.
- Ogilthorpe2

No...of course not.

He is a bottom 3 player. A good one but he doesn't have the skills to be a 3rd line player.
- Elbows15

Fair point sir. I say bottom 6 because if I recall correctly he was playing on the third line with Richards close to after he was acquired. I see your point though.