A few other observations from the Hogs game:

Although he was more impressive earlier in his time on the farm, Jokiharju was also underwhelming in this game like Krys. Jokiharju played too passive, often being at least a stick's length away from the puck handler. Just not engaging and actually somewhat lazy at times.

In comparison, Jokiharju's fellow Finn and D partner Tuulola was by far the best defender on the Hogs, IMHO. I really enjoyed watching Tuulola play because he engages the puck handler, gets in their grill, rubs them out, and isn't afraid to muck it up in order to protect his goalie. He also double shifted a lot, especially when Gilbert sat out half of the 2nd after a temporary injury (he skated in the 3rd).

Carlsson and Gilbert seem to be the Hogs top pair. Carlsson had a steady yet unspectacular game as he skates well, takes the body, and sets subtle picks. Like Tuulola, Gilbert was the standout of his duo, though. Physical is one word to sum up Gilbert's game. He skates fairly well, too.

The 3rd pair was Campbell with Krys.

Louis is a really fast and fluid skater with nice moves and vision but he gets pushed around like a rag doll. On one play an Admirals player ran into Louis at the blueline and literally sent him flying 5-6 feet across the ice. Can't really see him surviving in the NHL.

And watching Fortin be a non factor in a minor league game makes you wonder how he was even considered for an NHL call up. A player with his speed should be noticeable every shift but he does nothing much at all to be a disruptive force on the ice.
- AEL_Fox

I understand someone had to sit when orders from high up say to play the newbies who are freshly signed. Yet had Hillman and Knott played poorly at all (or erratic performance).

Insofar as Krys' underwhelming debut goes, when YOU last saw (not read about) Krys collegiate games.....was he just the opposite....meaning engaged in the play?

Previously you have spoken of the strides in improvement in his game. He has been noted as someone whom too easily is pushed off puck early days as a collegiate..Have you noticed he is stronger or at least not a rag doll? Here is a player whom has worked hard to improve.

At the AHL level he has much more to improve before even considered for NHL. And I do realize the difference between game one AHL and last game AHL next season may be tremendous. But I am quite wary of his advancement to NHL. A case of show me

That much said about Krys, how about Tuulola. Here is an example of needing to see a guy play a few times and the difference is between early and late season. We would do well to give Krys an incomplete report card since you don't know if he might be a completely better looking prospect aftet sone necessary "seasoning."

So Tuulola your first impression was career AHL. Thought he was slow.

My initial impression on Dahlstrom was this guy can skate and he is all over the ice. But very passive. Looked like he gets a descent shot on net. Early this season he was the main man for Colliton. Eventually both coach and player graduated

Now of course I [we] need to see more of this version of Tuulola. But after the report you just gave, Tuulola looks like he is worthy of a look see. Keep an eye on him too. He is a lefty.

You're an eye of newt and toe of frog away from Macbeth.
- I Am The Breadman

I think you'd need to add some magic mushrooms to that witches brew to get me to endure Macbeth, or pretty much any other Bardian blather for that matter. I'm too simple for that high brow stuff. Flintstones is more my speed. That Barney Rubble - what an actor.

I think you'd need to add some magic mushrooms to that witches brew to get me to endure Macbeth, or pretty much any other Bardian blather for that matter. I'm too simple for that high brow stuff. Flintstones is more my speed. That Barney Rubble - what an actor.
- EbonyRaptor

That sounds like a recipe for a horrible trip...and Barney was a wonderful actor (great Night Shift quote) til they tried to bring him to life in the form of the least of all Baldwins, Stephen.

The best thing about Stephen is when he used to go on Howard Stern and Howard would take calls from listeners who were merciless. Made for some great radio.

That sounds like a recipe for a horrible trip...and Barney was a wonderful actor (great Night Shift quote) til they tried to bring him to life in the form of the least of all Baldwins, Stephen.

The best thing about Stephen is when he used to go on Howard Stern and Howard would take calls from listeners who were merciless. Made for some great radio.
- HawkintheD

Howard Stern ...... Now I get it! Is your real name Eric?

Howard Stern ...... Now I get it! Is your real name Eric?
- paulr

Yes...as in The Actor.

Yes...as in The Actor.
- HawkintheD

KNEW IT!!!

I think it was last century by a few decades. Around the same time I tried kidney beans, artichoke hearts, pig's feet, black eyed peas, sow's ears, finger sandwiches, smoked butt and other disgusting body parts.
- EbonyRaptor

You’re making me hungry.

You’re making me hungry.
- Ogilthorpe2

The liver filters poison from the bloodstream. No thanks.

The liver filters poison from the bloodstream. No thanks.
- mohel

How much poison does a 3 month old chicken have in its system? Also, artichoke hearts? Black eyed peas? Sandwiches?

The liver filters poison from the bloodstream. No thanks.
- mohel

Try Rocky Mountain Oysters!

I think you'd need to add some magic mushrooms to that witches brew to get me to endure Macbeth, or pretty much any other Bardian blather for that matter. I'm too simple for that high brow stuff. Flintstones is more my speed. That Barney Rubble - what an actor.
- EbonyRaptor

He's the greatest rip-off writer ever ... not for everyone.

Baldwin or Moranis?

That sounds like a recipe for a horrible trip...and Barney was a wonderful actor (great Night Shift quote) til they tried to bring him to life in the form of the least of all Baldwins, Stephen.

The best thing about Stephen is when he used to go on Howard Stern and Howard would take calls from listeners who were merciless. Made for some great radio.
- HawkintheD

That was Viva Rock Vegas, very poor follow-up to the first one. The first one had Rick Moranis as Barney. I liked him more than Baldwin.

Always Howard Stern with you, hahaha! I think I remember hearing a call of what you're talking about.

Paging Patrick Kane, Alex Debrincat, and Dylan Strome!?!?! Hawks had a damn good chance to be in the playoffs and 3 of their 4 top scorers all dried up like the Sahara Desert in the most important 2 weeks of the season. Kane looks way off, he's about to get passed by Draisaitl in the scoring race, and might not even pass his career best total from the Hart Trophy year.
- EnzoD

What did you expect from Kane? The guy played lights out for 4 months... Double shifted on a regular basis.... 22 -24 minutes a game will do it. Blame the coach if you want to vent. Personally, I think Kane has some physical issues also besides being gassed.

What did you expect from Kane? The guy played lights out for 4 months... Double shifted on a regular basis.... 22 -24 minutes a game will do it. Blame the coach if you want to vent. Personally, I think Kane has some physical issues also besides being gassed.
- spanky

Never mind Enzo, today it's Kane tomorrow someone else. It's what happens when you evaluate the team in Real Time.

A few other observations from the Hogs game:

Although he was more impressive earlier in his time on the farm, Jokiharju was also underwhelming in this game like Krys. Jokiharju played too passive, often being at least a stick's length away from the puck handler. Just not engaging and actually somewhat lazy at times.

In comparison, Jokiharju's fellow Finn and D partner Tuulola was by far the best defender on the Hogs, IMHO. I really enjoyed watching Tuulola play because he engages the puck handler, gets in their grill, rubs them out, and isn't afraid to muck it up in order to protect his goalie. He also double shifted a lot, especially when Gilbert sat out half of the 2nd after a temporary injury (he skated in the 3rd).

Carlsson and Gilbert seem to be the Hogs top pair. Carlsson had a steady yet unspectacular game as he skates well, takes the body, and sets subtle picks. Like Tuulola, Gilbert was the standout of his duo, though. Physical is one word to sum up Gilbert's game. He skates fairly well, too.

The 3rd pair was Campbell with Krys.

Louis is a really fast and fluid skater with nice moves and vision but he gets pushed around like a rag doll. On one play an Admirals player ran into Louis at the blueline and literally sent him flying 5-6 feet across the ice. Can't really see him surviving in the NHL.

And watching Fortin be a non factor in a minor league game makes you wonder how he was even considered for an NHL call up. A player with his speed should be noticeable every shift but he does nothing much at all to be a disruptive force on the ice.
- AEL_Fox

I trust your opinion on AHL matters more. I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say you've seen a lot more than this one game. Does this one game, where most of the players were meh, kind of sum up what you've seen from them in previous games?

Also, to a comment you made about Krys, you said jitters. That, added to the fact that he's no longer playing against college kids, but grown ass guys more used to the AHL. I don't think that's news to you though.

Try Rocky Mountain Oysters!
- paulr

Because it's the Rocky Mountain Way?

That was Viva Rock Vegas, very poor follow-up to the first one. The first one had Rick Moranis as Barney. I liked him more than Baldwin.

Always Howard Stern with you, hahaha! I think I remember hearing a call of what you're talking about.
- I Am The Breadman

Other than the matriarch of the Baldwin family, I’m pretty sure everyone would side with you on the Moranis vs S. Baldwin debate.

Also, ER is referencing a quote from the moron funeral director’s kid in Night Shift.

Try Rocky Mountain Oysters!
- paulr

No one should eat those. Bi-valves yes, cow testes,

Justin,

I am looking forward to your upcoming blogs especially on the subject of potential changes during the off season. Many of us have chimed in on potential trade targets, RFA offer sheets, UFA signings, etc. I hope to read what direction you think the Hawks will be headed based on what you have heard or know.

I especially liked your idea from many blogs ago about how the Hawks can take advantage of cap strapped teams. I believe you used as an example picking up a Callahan type contract from TB along with a prospect. One troubling thing is that all all the GM's know some teams will have cap problems and many of them will be competing with Bowman to offer the best deal.

Should be an interesting summer. We'll see what Bowman accomplishes.

How much poison does a 3 month old chicken have in its system? Also, artichoke hearts? Black eyed peas? Sandwiches?
- Ogilthorpe2

The rest of the list is tasty. Forget the livers.

Other than the matriarch of the Baldwin family, I’m pretty sure everyone would side with you on the Moranis vs S. Baldwin debate.

Also, ER is referencing a quote from the moron funeral director’s kid in Night Shift.
- HawkintheD

I don't really care for any Baldwin too much.

I've heard of the name, but never saw it.

Other than the matriarch of the Baldwin family, I’m pretty sure everyone would side with you on the Moranis vs S. Baldwin debate.

Also, ER is referencing a quote from the moron funeral director’s kid in Night Shift.
- HawkintheD

I think that may be a bit harsh. He was an idea man. I believe it was him who thought of the idea to feed mayo to tuna fish - no one can ever take that away from him.

Jeez, that takes me back ... all the way to when I thought Shelly Long was HHHHOT!

I think that may be a bit harsh. He was an idea man. I believe it was him who thought of the idea to feed mayo to tuna fish - no one can ever take that away from him.

Jeez, that takes me back ... all the way to when I thought Shelly Long was HHHHOT!



- EbonyRaptor

She was ok at 2nd City.

Not funny particularly, but cute.

The rest of the list is tasty. Forget the livers.
- mohel

Liver may be poison, but considering most of what winds up in my digestive tract, I'm ok with it:

Chopped chicken livers, calves live sauteed rare with bacon and onion, foie gras (if you can get past how it's harvested)....

Organ meats in general are very good when prepared creatively.

I think that may be a bit harsh. He was an idea man. I believe it was him who thought of the idea to feed mayo to tuna fish - no one can ever take that away from him.

Jeez, that takes me back ... all the way to when I thought Shelly Long was HHHHOT!



- EbonyRaptor

Really weird, when I think of Shelley Long, I think of Cheers Thanksgiving and she's covered in mashed potatoes.