I think jhawk talks to him and posts their conversations (pm's?). My long post was what jhawk wanted when he talked to Wiz way back in the Murphy blog. I don't talk to Wiz.
- I Am The Breadman

Actually wiz and i email now and then and it is usually about prospects or i want to pick his mind about some things i read on the blog. Occasionally i give him a ring but he is very busy with family too. I know too that he knows all the best restauranta in Chicago. I had some great Chinese once with him.

I do most seasons attend a few Icehog games, a few Blackhawks and watch bits and.pieces on the tube. I really enjoy the frank no hiding behind or scared to say what they see from Wideman and Tr Murray.

Actually wiz and i email now and then and it is usually about prospects or i want to pick his mind about some things i read on the blog. Occasionally i give him a ring but he is very busy with family too. I know too that he knows all the best restauranta in Chicago. I had some great Chinese once with him.

I do most seasons attend a few Icehog games, a few Blackhawks and watch bits and.pieces on the tube. I really enjoy the frank no hiding behind or scared to say what they see from Wideman and Tr Murray.
- jhawk59

I had no clue, that's why I used the question mark. That's pretty cool!

Did Wiz comment on Boqvist? I didn't see any mention in what Breadman was relaying from Wiz.

Did Wiz comment on Boqvist? I didn't see any mention in what Breadman was relaying from Wiz.
- EbonyRaptor

I don't know, can't help you, ER. Sorry. Jhawk might have posted something in a previous blog that Wiz said, but only he can answer for sure.

I don't know, can't help you, ER. Sorry. Jhawk might have posted something in a previous blog that Wiz said, but only he can answer for sure.
- I Am The Breadman

Breadman- I hear that you are going to be a school teacher!! Good for u buddy!! I have taught 21 years. Middle school Social Studies, very rewarding profession. I coached Fresh-Soph Girls Basketball in those years too!! Glad to see young people wanting to make a difference in the lives of kids!!

Breadman- I hear that you are going to be a school teacher!! Good for u buddy!! I have taught 21 years. Middle School Social Studies, very rewarding profession. I coached Fresh-Soph Girls Basketball in those years too!! Glad to see young people wanting to make a difference in the lives of kids!!
- ChicagoHope

Any interest in coaching?

Breadman- I hear that you are going to be a school teacher!! Good for u buddy!! I have taught 21 years. Middle school Social Studies, very rewarding profession. I coached Fresh-Soph Girls Basketball in those years too!! Glad to see young people wanting to make a difference in the lives of kids!!
- ChicagoHope

Thanks! Yeah, I'm really excited to get started. I'm going to be at the high school level. I'm probably not going to coach (I know it's one of the first questions I'll be asked and makes me more marketable). I want to see if there's any clubs or creative writing contests can be started.

21 years, that's awesome! Where at?

Thanks! Yeah, I'm really excited to get started. I'm going to be at the high school level. I'm probably not going to coach (I know it's one of the first questions I'll be asked and makes me more marketable). I want to see if there's any clubs or creative writing contests can be started.

21 years, that's awesome! Where at?
- I Am The Breadman

Prophetstown Middle School about 2.5 hours west of Chicago. I teach in my hometown, I graduated from there in 1992.

Prophetstown Middle School about 2.5 hours west of Chicago. I teach in my hometown, I graduated from there in 1992.
- ChicagoHope

Where are u student teaching?

Prophetstown Middle School about 2.5 hours west of Chicago. I teach in my hometown, I graduated from there in 1992.
- ChicagoHope

Ohhh okay. I never heard of it, haha. That's great you got to stay close to home and that's what I want to do. I want to teach at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, where I graduated from. I'm going to student teach in the fall at Crete Monee High School.

Ohhh okay. I never heard of it, haha. That's great you got to stay close to home and that's what I want to do. I want to teach at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, where I graduated from. I'm going to student teach in the fall at Crete Monee High School.
- I Am The Breadman

Our basketball program got 2nd and 3rd in State in 2014 and 2015 in Class 1A. We are in rebuild mode the last couple of years. Competitive, but not state contenders.

The “Jokiharju plays scared” narrative is pure fantasy straight from the same place Eklund gets his rumors....his ass. The kid was arguably the best Dman through 30 games, led his junior team to a championship, then given 12 minutes a night by Collition, then scratched, then demoted.

Jokiharju is one of 2 or 3 teenage defenseman that played in the NHL this year and he was very good for most of that time. Give me a break with the “Joki plays scared”’ nonsense.
- EnzoD

I look at this way Enzo - this is a throw away year that has recently been complicated by a winning streak that got the team back to within striking distance of a playoff spot. The team is mediocre at best, doesn't belong in the playoffs. The brass and coaching staff realize Joki is going to be a real player on their back end for a long time and decided to send him down to the AHL into an environment where he can get loads of ice time, be a leader and have some on ice success personally. If he helps Rockford make the playoffs he's done great, just like what he accomplished in the World Junior. Thats far better than having him on this stink ball team in Chicago.

Watch some of Rasmus Ristolainen in Buffalo, he's a really nice Dman in his 5th NHL season. But he was forced into an NHL lineup with a terrible team losing every night, a rookie surrounded by garbage, no training in the minors. Now as a 5th year guy he is better and physically developed but still makes many bad plays and poor decisions on the ice which shouldnt be occurring as often as they do.

What the Sabres did with RR is a mistake the Hawks are trying to avoid with Joki. He will be a better NHL player for it, and the scared rumour BS won't be heard of anymore.

Our basketball program got 2nd and 3rd in State in 2014 and 2015 in Class 1A. We are in rebuild mode the last couple of years. Competitive, but not state contenders.
- ChicagoHope

Some advice, do whatever u can to make yourself marketable, districts like people that are willing to do anything extra with kids!!

Our basketball program got 2nd and 3rd in State in 2014 and 2015 in Class 1A. We are in rebuild mode the last couple of years. Competitive, but not state contenders.
- ChicagoHope

That's great, your placements that is. Chicago is "rebuilding" all over the place. It really stinks losing kids, but also awesome and wish them the best beyond your doors. Hope you guys can compete again, sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely take it!

I look at this way Enzo - this is a throw away year that has recently been complicated by a winning streak that got the team back to within striking distance of a playoff spot. The team is mediocre at best, doesn't belong in the playoffs. The brass and coaching staff realize Joki is going to be a real player on their back end for a long time and decided to send him down to the AHL into an environment where he can get loads of ice time, be a leader and have some on ice success personally. If he helps Rockford make the playoffs he's done great, just like what he accomplished in the World Junior. Thats far better than having him on this stink ball team in Chicago.

Watch some of Rasmus Ristolainen in Buffalo, he's a really nice Dman in his 5th NHL season. But he was forced into an NHL lineup with a terrible team losing every night, a rookie surrounded by garbage, no training in the minors. Now as a 5th year guy he is better and physically developed but still makes many bad plays and poor decisions on the ice which shouldnt be occurring as often as they do.

What the Sabres did with RR is a mistake the Hawks are trying to avoid with Joki. He will be a better NHL player for it, and the scared rumour BS won't be heard of anymore.
- RickJ

Rick - The Hawks no this is a wasted season too, nice little run they have been on. The 3rd period showed last night how far they are away, Columbus is fighting like hell to make the postseason and they made the Hawks look like a peewee team in the 3rd last night.

That's great, your placements that is. Chicago is "rebuilding" all over the place. It really stinks losing kids, but also awesome and wish them the best beyond your doors. Hope you guys can compete again, sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely take it!
- I Am The Breadman

No problem, Illinois has teacher shortage right now, but don’t limit yourself on where to teach, take a job when offered, get some experience, then be selective.

Rick - The Hawks know this is a wasted season too, nice little run they have been on. The 3rd period showed last night how far they are away, Columbus is fighting like hell to make the postseason and they made the Hawks look like a peewee team in the 3rd last night.
- ChicagoHope

No problem, Illinois has teacher shortage right now, but don’t limit yourself on where to teach, take a job when offered, get some experience, then be selective.
- ChicagoHope

Will do!

Rick - The Hawks no this is a wasted season too, nice little run they have been on. The 3rd period showed last night how far they are away, Columbus is fighting like hell to make the postseason and they made the Hawks look like a peewee team in the 3rd last night.
- ChicagoHope

Yes, they are basically the Rockford Blackhawks and the playing for keeps has just started. And thats why there is no need for a 19 year old kid to be over exposed in a tough situation he isn't quite ready for. It certainly hasn't worked with Forsling either. And it won't work with Bovqist, Mitchell and the other kid if they push them onto the NHL roster too soon.

Yes, they are basically the Rockford Blackhawks and the playing for keeps has just started. And thats why there is no need for a 19 year old kid to be over exposed in a tough situation he isn't quite ready for. It certainly hasn't worked with Forsling either. And it won't work with Bovqist, Mitchell and the other kid if they push them onto the NHL roster too soon.
- RickJ

Exactly right! The Hawks made that mistake years ago with Steve McCarthy!! I am hoping any deadline moves are moving dead weight and not trying to squeak into the playoffs.

I got you jhawk.

Spoke with wiz a couple days ago about Blackhawks. Below is excerpts of that conversation but know that i am expressing or concentrating more my viewpoint here and not claiming this is wiz verbatim

Re: dmen

FORSLING. He MAY be given until xmas to improve. Will he - hard to say. He has desirable ability with that shot but moreover it is the skill set in quick react at speed. He may be best among current guys in Chicago in the latter point (according to wiz last season) but more goes into being an NHL dman than that. Teams nowadays strive to carry two, three puck movers who can make plays at speed.

In an old conversation i recall how I Cole fit into a role and Penguins won the Cuo (i think they won it with him). Next season (later on anyway) Cole was thrust into a position of needing to read react make plays at speed. He failed. That is why they moved on from his services. I have not looked to see role he plays in Colorado but their defense is chok- full iof underachieving talent such as Barrie and E Johnson. Add Cole most likely.

So is Forsling going to keep serving up pizzs. I "dk."

KOEKKOECK. This guy just fell into the right spot. If you notice his strength from his junior scouting report as well as his success with Chicago, know that he has been a pro for a while and just needed to get an opportunity. He is ready and he probably is going to become a solid third pair....cannot say if he could become a solid second pair...let us just see how he turns out. But i am glad mother fortune brought another good skating puck mover and am encouraged by his consistency (defensively) and the pbysicality he shows. Not a behometh but he will check or dump you on your fanny - excellent\team needs more of this.

ON PROSPECTS. I "dk" that Mitchell is all that great. Good stick and can help offensively....maybe can play here adequately and soon....but he didn t play so great in WJC to influence the thought that he will be so good in NHL. Beaudin is the one who appears to be closest to ready from defensively speaking.

It is probably too soon for Carlsson to excel in NHL as well although i like him a lot... Iike his competitiveness and skating plus he could complement other prospects like Boqvist. Since coming to Rockford i trust the reports/analysis AEL_FOX provides. I have not this season made it to a Rockford game nor seen Carlsson.

I also have therefore not seen Gilbert although i did see Hillman once last season. I believe Chicago does not make playoffs and will give a couple late season games to maybe Gilbert or Mitchell if he signs. They cannot easily give each prospect a cup of coffee this season and they have seen Hillman already. Maybe they want to see Gilbert and to tell him to be careful hiw often he picks spots to join rush etc al as it will hinder his development to playing NHL.

Raddysh is too much like Gus and until he improves his effort and accountability i dismiss his NHL look. From a ticket standpoint, though, some team may one day capitalize on having him and apparently his more highly touted brother (Tampa Bay Ligbtning) in same line up.

I just wonder if and how Galvas could come along.

Gus will get descent money but right now they need his type on this defense. It remains to be seen how his overall game might improve and the timetable for each of tbe prospects being next season is probably pushing it.

The exception is Jokiharju. Should be playing in Chicago next season. Wiz does not seem ready to say that tbe ykung dmen play scarred....let's see how that turns out because at least with Jokiharju i bet he handles it. Concussions always is a concern for all players. Yet Jokiharju is very young so expect him to become stronger and smarter regarding physicality.
- I Am The Breadman

Beaudin’s had a real solid year in the Q, he’s at more than a point per game and he’s second in defensemen scoring. If Beaudin turns out to be a legit NHL d-man that Hartman trace will look like a steal.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm really excited to get started. I'm going to be at the high school level. I'm probably not going to coach (I know it's one of the first questions I'll be asked and makes me more marketable). I want to see if there's any clubs or creative writing contests can be started.

21 years, that's awesome! Where at?
- I Am The Breadman

Two of the most underappreciate professions in our society - Teachers and Nurses.

Every one of us has a memory of the influence a teacher had on us, good or bad. Their impact on is cannot be overstated.

I don't know, can't help you, ER. Sorry. Jhawk might have posted something in a previous blog that Wiz said, but only he can answer for sure.
- I Am The Breadman

No problem Breadman - thx.

Beaudin’s had a real solid year in the Q, he’s at more than a point per game and he’s second in defensemen scoring. If Beaudin turns out to be a legit NHL d-man that Hartman trace will look like a steal.
- DarthKane

In my opinion, jury is still out on Gilbert. He has gotten better throughout the year at Rockford, but is still raw. I do like Mitchell a lot, but he will need time as well. Gus is needed, but I do not go nuts on a contract for him. Boqvist is the future PP QB, would rather spend time and energy on developing him than Gus if he asks for too much money! Jokijarju is a rock, he will play in Chicago next year and years beyond!! Unfortunately, there are contracts in Chicago that may prevent that at the present. No huge rush, but he is a NHL d-man.

I don't know, can't help you, ER. Sorry. Jhawk might have posted something in a previous blog that Wiz said, but only he can answer for sure.
- I Am The Breadman

Boqvist is the obvious future top offensive dman. That much i know believe wiz may have expressed.

Mow the remainder here is what i have culled and is whatvi frel is a common sense analysis and expectation.

Trying to say anything concrete about how good his game overall is going to be, is just pushing own personal wishful thinking. There is reason to think he could become very good partially due to athleticismn but first he has to learn some things. I believe he is making excellent progress and is in a good situation to continue an upward piecemeal trajectory.

I will go as far as to say, at a future point in time it may be hesitation to promote him a tad YES A TAD NOT WAY EARLY due extraordinary offensive capability. But mind you there are other prospects certainly farther advanced in their development whom offer attractive assets albeit not quite like Boqvist. Those others i expect to get opportunity to beat out an incumbent.

It is going to be muddy water mix and match style and putting prospects in position to succeed vis - a - vis they are placed on their natural right or left side.

I have commented how a future strength could be our dman crew has one or more great skaters in each pair. Well that is to say if Kryz, Carlsson, Boqvist as the top skaters although most of the others are above average.

Together with speedsters like the swedish forward and perhaps another couple guys surface, well speed is the trending factor if possible which teams are looking to add. Wiz alluded to that. Says furthetmore that Kelly and Bowman are aware of thectrend the game is going and they will look to add forwards who can playvat speed in future trade/drafts.

Makes it even more challenging "btw" for dmen to break in successfully in the NHL. The Coyotes are apparently in overdrive building with speed, eh?

I just want to reach out to certain posters who embrace the physical style of hockey and bemoan Bowman's reluctance to embrace barely physicality in constructing the team.

Take heart since i really do believe he wants that element.

Bowman's history suggests he finds physical players on later rounds of the draft. Shaw primary example. Hard working type could be Nilsson, has been Kreuger, how about nice combination skill and bugger in the Penn State kid. Maybe he would be a more skill than Burrish type, better point producer than Eager. He will go to Rockford for one season, then maybe him and that swedish kid could be what we need in bottom lines.

Bowman is going to build through the draft. I think Rocky backs him. Wiz had said as veterans are dispatched to think [hope] for second round choices as renumeration.