Honest question, do you think that the Hawks and other teams for that matter with a developed core, would rather sign more NHL ready older college players, vs draft and Junior guys?

This has to be strategic. The college prospect is going to be who he is rather quickly. Meaning, you are not going to wait 3 years for a 23 year old to be ready. he is either close and serviceable or not?
- TrueGrit

Sometimes it depends not only the talent but the interested team's depth at the position. Rangers - Kevin Hayes is a fit - they were light on frontliners and he wanted to play right away.

Let talk defense now. The college career of Anahiem's ah, Edmonton Justin Schultz was one that demostrated keen offensive instincts and skill. Did the fact that he was gonna need much more time to hone the defensive aspect sour either team or the other suitors?

The different route through college just means less junior hockey years and less AHL time. And the less games maybe hunders some.

You can't ever have enough good players.

Signing a Mike Reilly gives any team that thinks they want depth on dee an alternative to the younger defenseman in their organization, if he is actually more mature both mentally and physically and plays better right now.

Sure, your Stephan Johns SHOULD BE STRONGER THAN your Ville Pokka, GUSTAV FORSLING, LUC SNUGGERUD, ANDREAS SODERBERG, ROBIN PRESS and the other Swedish defenders, so IF they CAN skate the nHL they can physically endure, and compete.

When you draft a 18 yr old, (Like the 5 10 at drfat Mike REILLY) you just are hoping that they blossom and the skills you saw in the smaller player continue to develop in that bigger version...

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.
- MexicoHawk

and having a big muscle behind that helps you anchor down in the slot doesn't hurt....

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.
- tredbrta

Yeah throw that thought to Toews brother, or Seabrook's brother or Brett Hulls siblings.

JvR was drafted second overall on a whim and TvR went undrafted probably because the injures started in his draft year. No one ever projected him anything but a late pick based on their viewings.

Only forgetting pullups... great metabolic conditioning and can never have to strong a back....
- Bjm84

Agreed 100%. Marty St Louis is another guy who is in great shape for his age.

Yeah throw that thought to Toews brother, or Seabrook's brother or Brett Hulls siblings.

JvR was drafted second overall on a whim and TvR went undrafted probably because the injures started in his draft year. No one ever projected him anything but a late pick based on their viewings.
- wiz1901

Give TVR some time to develop bis body and he will be fine. He is calm and has very good on ice IQ. TVR will be a solid 5-6 guy and I can see him getting PK time if he can build his core strength a bit.

Reilly isn't a "big kid" either, but for whatever reason he has avoided major injury. His advantage over TVR is that he is a much faster skater with a quicker first step. Plus he has a lot of experience being the leader of the PP unit. Reilly is a kid that could become a regular contributor within two years if he's given a chance to prove himself. I would bet that whoever eventually signs Reilly will have to "guarantee" that he plays on an NHL roster, much like Kevin Hayes. And if the Hawks do sign Reilly, that is DIRECT competition for TVR as Johns is another type of player altogether.
- MexicoHawk

Yeah the signing basically guarantees him a long audition unless he compleetly craps the bed. He is signing TO play in the bigs, compete for a job in the bigs.
If he loses the job in Chicago (IF HE EVEN SIGNS HERE) it is because he wasted ready to beat out the other contenders. Reilly has really nice short area quickness too. And all that is worth a gumdrop if he can't play balanced man on man, and handle attackers pursuers.
Just think about it; Rundblad practices to get better in the deficit areas everyday...putting the defensive game together can take a whole lot more time than most fans and teams afford defenders. Whether it be Matt Ravlich, Aut Erickson, Behn Wilson, Bob McGill, Christain LaFlamme, or Tallon's "greatest find," Michal Sykora, eventually all the amatuer development, minor pro development and eventual pro game minutes lead players to a juncture where they either reach that next step or the flatline and are that guy you really thought was going to reach a higher level.
In many of the case and names above, rushing then into the pro game are what did them in.

I maintain defense in the NHL takes strength, time, incredible training and work and sometimes guys like Runblad and TvR figure it out with work and reps and are 29-30 before they are solid.

Boy, did I just date myself with thise thoughts on those defenseman..stuck in my head in mediocrity, with me hoping they actually progressed and we were champions...

>Agree
>DK's offseason workout regimen with comments by his trainer:
http://www.duncankeith.co...ses/dumbbell-squat-jumps/
>former NHLer Gary Roberts runs a very popular off-season training clinic for current NHLers including Stamkos
>Have seen clips of a sprinting Kane pushing a TON of weight in front of him -- sled style
>Funny, the TOP players all train, the rest -- who knows?
- SnapitUpstairs

Very good piece at PuckDaddy about Keith's TOI and how amazingly effective he while playing huge mins.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...ing-topics-133338555.html

: 70 percent of all of Chicago's high-quality chances in this postseason, and 60 percent of its goals, have come with Keith on the ice.

The Russians and Germans knew the trick:

high weight/low reps:
dead lift
squats
bench press
clean and press
lots of protein and sleep

crush your enemies
see them driven before you
and hear the lamentations of da women
- John Jaeckel

Last night RED ARMY arrived in disk from NetFlix and my wife actually watched (rolling her eyes that it was yet another hour the videos I was "attached to' , my "first love")
and thought it was a nice forthright story of what happened.

My favorite part was when, at the very end, Fetisov, looks at the entire documentary interviewer, Gabe Polsky, and says, (you are) "...good california boy.." and Polsky without any hestitation, snaps back, "Chicago."

For most NHL players, the 2 month offseason exists of one month of sleeping/relaxing (spending time with family members, like KIDS) and the other of LIGHT exercise, mostly cardio in prep for camp. It's a VERY TOUGH profession, but they are well compensated for it.
- MexicoHawk

Brian Campbell told me he takse a good three weeks but then gets back to an intense program to get ready for the next season and that Hawk playoff run shortened his play time...

Yeah throw that thought to Toews brother, or Seabrook's brother or Brett Hulls siblings.

JvR was drafted second overall on a whim and TvR went undrafted probably because the injures started in his draft year. No one ever projected him anything but a late pick based on their viewings.
- wiz1901

I was going to add a note on Toews and Seabs brothers. Genetics may mean squat. However, the chain of those injuries may have hampered lower body development. That could end up as a positive or a negative. If he can get the right training regimen and guidance - which he should as a pro - maybe he blooms and the injuries end up in the past. It could also end being too late and simply lead to further injuries. TWT but not good making a bet on TVR as an integral piece. If his assumed comeback was part of Stan's further "bet" on KT than it was a mistake.

Maybe I should be two , I still Hate Dryden
- oldduffman

I never could muster a hatred for Dryden...always liked the guy, but Henri Richard?

F' the "pocket rocket"

I never could muster a hatred for Dryden...always liked the guy, but Henri Richard?

F' the "pocket rocket"
- ArlingtonRob

A I hated them all , I think I will book a therapist for Monday

>Highly recommend grip strength training (Russians big on that, too)
>Probably the easiest and most efficient way to add speed to your shot without practicing shooting
>I use these, they rock: http://www.captainsofcrushgrippers.com/
- SnapitUpstairs

Long farmer carries with 45 pound plates, heavy dead lifts, repeat.

You will be the next BARON VON RASCHKE!!!!! (that's for Wiz and Elbows and Al)

Rockin the Conan The Barbarian... great flick..
- z1990z

Yes it was

nooooo....the only reason this team is with in 2 wins of their cup this playoff is their intensity, will and hunger...

lets be honest here after the season this team looked like a 1st round loser regardless of kane injury or the trade line addition....

they have mind boggling compete and championship pedigree that has carried them this far.....they are the dominate team of 3 and 5 years ago.

How from watching the game from your TV can anyone assess "want to" more than the other team.

for gawd sakes they have played 11 strt games with 4 dmen...now 3.5 vs strong physical forecheck from 2 teams....

there one large big winger, 29, i'm convinced is seriously hurt and just can't go anymore....their top sniper sharp for what ever reason has seen his conversion rate plummet and can't finish anymore....kane has never seen a team defense on him like tampa....

in my view its their intensity and will that has taken them this far...

and oh BTW the bolts are a very very good team
- bogiedoc

So kane, sharp, TT, TVR, Vermette, Bickell(he gets a pass bc his brains and body are not there right now) have brought that kind of compete level this series? I disagree. No doubt they are fatigued bc of the complete failure of a 3rd pair and the grind of the Ducks series..but some players need to step up and earn their salaries.

Also, why is Vermette getting such limited TOI? are his legs completely gone? he has been very solid in his limited minutes....id like to see more of the 3rd line tm night

25 hours till we are in battle mode.

I was going to add a note on Toews and Seabs brothers. Genetics may mean squat. However, the chain of those injuries may have hampered lower body development. That could end up as a positive or a negative. If he can get the right training regimen and guidance - which he should as a pro - maybe he blooms and the injuries end up in the past. It could also end being too late and simply lead to further injuries. TWT but not good making a bet on TVR as an integral piece. If his assumed comeback was part of Stan's further "bet" on KT than it was a mistake.
- tredbrta

TVR is a College UFA that had an excellent training camp and 18 game stint in the NHL on a very good team. He is not a top-pairing projected D and probably projected as a #4 on his best days. The Hawks' future does not ride on TVR....only the Stanley Cup rides on TVR...and Kimmo

Long farmer carries with 45 pound plates, heavy dead lifts, repeat.

You will be the next BARON VON RASCHKE!!!!! (that's for Wiz and Elbows and Al)
- John Jaeckel

Some good memories right there. Watching wrestling with my old man on Sunday mornings. Followed by the Cisco Kid and the Lone Ranger.

Some good memories right there. Watching wrestling with my old man on Sunday mornings. Followed by the Cisco Kid and the Lone Ranger.
- Elbows15

Badges?
We don't need no stinking badges.

So kane, sharp, TT, TVR, Vermette, Bickell(he gets a pass bc his brains and body are not there right now) have brought that kind of compete level this series? I disagree. No doubt they are fatigued bc of the complete failure of a 3rd pair and the grind of the Ducks series..but some players need to step up and earn their salaries.

Also, why is Vermette getting such limited TOI? are his legs completely gone? he has been very solid in his limited minutes....id like to see more of the 3rd line tm night
- EnzoD

Overpaid bums. Trade them all. So sick of the lack of compete level from these clowns! This the finals! Least they could do is (frank)ing show up.

So kane, sharp, TT, TVR, Vermette, Bickell(he gets a pass bc his brains and body are not there right now) have brought that kind of compete level this series? I disagree. No doubt they are fatigued bc of the complete failure of a 3rd pair and the grind of the Ducks series..but some players need to step up and earn their salaries.

Also, why is Vermette getting such limited TOI? are his legs completely gone? he has been very solid in his limited minutes....id like to see more of the 3rd line tm night
- EnzoD

If ..... If thenlines from practice can stay intact for at least the 1st period O really like the Hawks chances.

I have been super pissed at Sharp lately but I bet if he stays with Toews and Hossa he pots a goal tomorrow.

I expect Saad to open up space for Kane on the 2nd line .

If Versteeg can have 2 good games in a row then i fully expect the Vermette TT Versteeg line to be very competitive against whoever they are matched up with .

In all likelyhood the rookie is in net again for Tampa and I think the Hawks eat him alive . Could of had 5 goals legit against him in game 4.

Crawford will have to be good especially early and have to continue to be better then them on special teams.

How can you not like the Hawks chances ?

If feels like the Hawks have been dominated but they really havent. Goals have been even . Hawks a tic better on the PP and PK . Hawks a few more SOG then TB so far.

The Bishop onjury could really hurt TB here.

We'll see

Overpaid bums. Trade them all. So sick of the lack of compete level from these clowns! This the finals! Least they could do is (frank)ing show up.
- Ogilthorpe2

So kane, sharp, TT, TVR, Vermette, Bickell(he gets a pass bc his brains and body are not there right now) have brought that kind of compete level this series? I disagree. No doubt they are fatigued bc of the complete failure of a 3rd pair and the grind of the Ducks series..but some players need to step up and earn their salaries.

Also, why is Vermette getting such limited TOI? are his legs completely gone? he has been very solid in his limited minutes....id like to see more of the 3rd line tm night
- EnzoD

Players don't get paid during the playoffs.

Overpaid bums. Trade them all. So sick of the lack of compete level from these clowns! This the finals! Least they could do is (frank)ing show up.
- Ogilthorpe2

Are they lollygagging?

Are they lollygagging?
- Elbows15

Sure as hell ain't earning their keep!