Edmonton just traded Lucic to Calgary for Neal.
- DarthKane

Sounds like Frolik & Russell were included too. The more I look, the more I think I'm wrong.

Toews
- powerenforcer

Cool! $21.0 million in cap space or did we take Hossa back?

Then there will be Mitchell and lesser lights like Carlsson, Saarela, Hagel and Johnson knocking on the door in 20/21 too.

I was there this morning and really liked Johnson. Didn't know anything about him. He works his butt off and looks like he's tough to play against. Hagel also. Liked Saarela alot too, good speed, quick hard shot, he looked more "filled out" than most guys out there.

Really hope they don't rush Boq. The offense is there for sure....he made people look absolutely stupid more than a few times. He needs some bulk though. A lot of those moves probably wouldn't fly in the NHL but they were sure fun to watch.

Trouba signs with the Rangers. 8M x 7.

Cool! $21.0 million in cap space or did we take Hossa back?
- rpeters01

Hossa, Vinny, Nick, Nik and Oesterle.

Trouba signs with the Rangers. 8M x 7.
- boilermaker100

That’s a lot of cheese for Trouba.

Winners Losers Meh at today's scrimage? Dach was my big winner from what i saw. Guy can dangle, slick mitts and can protect the puck very well with guys draped all over him.
- glennjpawlak22

I am in Chicago this week and got to see the scrimmage live. The following is based only on today -- for most of these guys, the first time I've seen them live.


Today's Winners

Kurashev - to me was today's most impressive player on the ice, consistent across three periods, in all three zones; loved watching him away from the puck

Dach - very impressive debut; he made a couple mistakes, but mostly a great display of skill and strength/size. Loved his goal with a guy on his back. He had a couple noticeable back-checks, including breaking up a Teply breakaway from behind with tremendous effort.

Mitchell - he looked every bit the part of a potential top pair dman and really surprised with the snipe on his shootout goal. he's ready to play pro, too bad for us he's going back to college for another year.

Boqvist - noticeable in good ways; really excited to see how he develops this year

McLaughlin - I had forgotten about this kid, but his skill and awareness impressed. He did not stand out in terms of production, but first impression is he is someone to watch over next two years.


Today's Losers

Hakkarainen - was most noticeable the handful of times he failed to execute

Entwistle - I was disappointed as I've loved him on paper and video. Scrimmage he looked a bit out of control and wasn't a factor. Got the sense today wasn't conducive to the type of role player he would be at the nhl level.

Teply - appeared slow, tentative, and did not display his skill level


Other Notable

Hagel - had some nice shifts but disappeared some too

Slavin - seemed to get tired; was very noticeable (and on the scoresheet) early and then disappeared for much of the rest of the game until late.

Saarela - showed some great flashes

Beaudin - skating seemed effortless, he's a step behind Mitchell and Boqvist in overall game

Krys - wanted to see more

Vlasic - handled himself well for a young kid, lots of potential to work with

Moberg - couple nice shifts

Nylander - clearly has elite skill; I'll be generous and reserve judgment on his effort level. My read is he needs other top notch skill guys to play off of, but did not have instant chemistry with Dach.

I am in Chicago this week and got to see the scrimmage live. The following is based only on today -- for most of these guys, the first time I've seen them live.


Today's Winners

Kurashev - to me was today's most impressive player on the ice, consistent across three periods, in all three zones; loved watching him away from the puck

Dach - very impressive debut; he made a couple mistakes, but mostly a great display of skill and strength/size. Loved his goal with a guy on his back. He had a couple noticeable back-checks, including breaking up a Teply breakaway from behind with tremendous effort.

Mitchell - he looked every bit the part of a potential top pair dman and really surprised with the snipe on his shootout goal. he's ready to play pro, too bad for us he's going back to college for another year.

Boqvist - noticeable in good ways; really excited to see how he develops this year

McLaughlin - I had forgotten about this kid, but his skill and awareness impressed. He did not stand out in terms of production, but first impression is he is someone to watch over next two years.


Today's Losers

Hakkarainen - was most noticeable the handful of times he failed to execute

Entwistle - I was disappointed as I've loved him on paper and video. Scrimmage he looked a bit out of control and wasn't a factor. Got the sense today wasn't conducive to the type of role player he would be at the nhl level.

Teply - appeared slow, tentative, and did not display his skill level


Other Notable

Hagel - had some nice shifts but disappeared some too

Slavin - seemed to get tired; was very noticeable (and on the scoresheet) early and then disappeared for much of the rest of the game until late.

Saarela - showed some great flashes

Beaudin - skating seemed effortless, he's a step behind Mitchell and Boqvist in overall game

Krys - wanted to see more

Vlasic - handled himself well for a young kid, lots of potential to work with

Moberg - couple nice shifts

Nylander - clearly has elite skill; I'll be generous and reserve judgment on his effort level. My read is he needs other top notch skill guys to play off of, but did not have instant chemistry with Dach.
- gmurban

Thats awesome stuff, thanks for that LIVE recap

I'm no hockey expert or guru by any stretch of the imagination but I have to disagree with the prevailing perspective amongst pundits who say Nylander was above everyone else and really didn't have to be at camp. He wasn't horrible but he wasn't a standout either. Same with Boqvist, to be honest.

Agree with you on Nylander. At least today. He has some nice speed and hands but didn't stick out to me at all. Completely disagree on Boqvist.

Sorry. Quotes acting goofy.

Just in case you missed it the link is still good. The first 15:00 is dead air so start there:

https://youtu.be/f-sQDqLr0mI

How did the goaltenders look?

The Jokiharju information is 2nd hand who heard directly from someone on the Rockford staff.

Believe it or not... just don't shoot the messenger.
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler, what's the chances the Joki info is a spin job coming from above to justify the trade to the torch and pitchfork fans?

How did the goaltenders look?
- LAHawk

I wasn't able to focus on goalies, but Cooley appeared confident and moved well for a big guy in the brief time I watched him.

Watching the replay, it really just looks like a glorified scrimmage, basically a reward for the work that was put in during the week.

That’s a lot of cheese for Trouba.
- DarthKane

That is more cheddar than I'd give him. Who do you think won out in the Neal/Lucic deal?

I think Neal is more likely to bounce back.

[quote=powerenforcer]
We can use them to get Anisimov and Jokiharju back if we include Lehner.

Watching the replay, it really just looks like a glorified scrimmage, basically a reward for the work that was put in during the week.
- LAHawk

That's exactly what it is. That's why you shouldn't put much stock in what you saw.

That's exactly what it is. That's why you shouldn't put much stock in what you saw.
- Blackwater13

Is Hagel gonna get an invite to training camp? That guy could be a steal of a pick up for Stan.

Watching the replay, it really just looks like a glorified scrimmage, basically a reward for the work that was put in during the week.
- LAHawk

Of course that is what this annual game is always going to be.

Team brass is looking at how players perform in certain areas that the players may have been given instruction.about during camp. Quick reaction, making plays at speed is obviously going to be a focus of attention because it is a big deal in today's nhl. Quick sticks also gets talked and if you don't display this.....someone is going to say something. Rrally though the scrimmage is an opportunity for top management to view players and their corresponding skil set.

So just to say : i am going to see if that link earlier in this blog comments was only for live stream of the game. There was over 700.people viewing it. "it" is Bodin, and the ex Blackhawk forward who does tv between periods and newbie Kuc the hockeywriter joined the blackhawk broadcast. Unfortunstely they talked topics and too much pr and bs with little play - by - play. Kuc was hired to be the Blackhawks senior writer. I guess that makes B Verdi writer emeritus.

Anyway i have a couple thoughts fairly certain plays out no matter the show you hopefully saw in the scrimmage

Boqvist is needing some work but clearly can play professional and improve/develop more in the AHL. Kyrs is right there with him needing a full year or more to learn how to play defense better. You do love what you see in their skillset. My guess is that there is strong consideration to allow Dahlstrom to be the leader and veteran in Rockford. He has the size the ability makes smart plays doesn't try to do too much ....and he was the man early last season under Colliton in Rockford.

The Dahlstrom decision is interesting as while Colliton may like him and he has experience sharing the shutdown pairing in Chicago; nonetheless, perhaps he helps the organization more by playing at Rockford. I just do not see room for AHL owned veterans in Rockford so maybe Dahlstrom is that guy

I believe Dach is wasting his develooment returning to junior. He is too good and does enough things well so he will stick in Chicago. I want to know once he passes the 9 game played, can he be assigned to AHL - no due to his age? If he turns old emough during season can he go to AHL on conditioning or injury status?

Nylander needs to play with skill players. He probably is going to be told to not drift and be responsible defensively. This translates to, make an effort both ways even if you aren't physical. Else you will not receive an extended NHL opportunity

On Mitchell: he probably can match just fine at NHL level now. But still needs to get better. Back just after the WJC wiz told me as much. He added that Mitchell probably needs to get better defensively but is not bad right now. The disappointment in Bowman body voice language (if indeed this is accurate read) could be that without Mitchell this season Colliton may dress both slow afoot/skating Seabrook and Maata each night. Not ideal and TOI starts must be closely managed by Colliton.

Hagel effort is constant even in scheduled 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 parts of the scrimmage.

I am curious how TOI plays out later in season between veterans and Hagel, Sikura, Kuarasev, Highmore and let's see if Re Johnson forces his way up for a look see. I like the veteran Stan signed (Carpentar) as well as Caggiula in their roles. I believe Nilsson would be solid and our Czech #4 center is solid but likely expendable.

But kids may be good enough so that at trade deadline a veteran or two is moved for draft pick. In playoff chase and appease Rocky/McDonough then no trading role players at trade deadline. Although reserve judgment on Gus. If Gus has great season he would fetch a #1 at deadline. Which interests me if that pick looks like a top half and not bottom half in first round.

Sounds like Frolik & Russell were included too. The more I look, the more I think I'm wrong.
- I Am The Breadman

1 for 1 deal. Edm just got better.

Of course that is what this annual game is always going to be.

Team brass is looking at how players perform in certain areas that the players may have been given instruction.about during camp. Quick reaction, making plays at speed is obviously going to be a focus of attention because it is a big deal in today's nhl. Quick sticks also gets talked and if you don't display this.....someone is going to say something. Rrally though the scrimmage is an opportunity for top management to view players and their corresponding skil set.

So just to say : i am going to see if that link earlier in this blog comments was only for live stream of the game. There was over 700.people viewing it. "it" is Bodin, and the ex Blackhawk forward who does tv between periods and newbie Kuc the hockeywriter joined the blackhawk broadcast. Unfortunstely they talked topics and too much pr and bs with little play - by - play. Kuc was hired to be the Blackhawks senior writer. I guess that makes B Verdi writer emeritus.

Anyway i have a couple thoughts fairly certain plays out no matter the show you hopefully saw in the scrimmage

Boqvist is needing some work but clearly can play professional and improve/develop more in the AHL. Kyrs is right there with him needing a full year or more to learn how to play defense better. You do love what you see in their skillset. My guess is that there is strong consideration to allow Dahlstrom to be the leader and veteran in Rockford. He has the size the ability makes smart plays doesn't try to do too much ....and he was the man early last season under Colliton in Rockford.

The Dahlstrom decision is interesting as while Colliton may like him and he has experience sharing the shutdown pairing in Chicago; nonetheless, perhaps he helps the organization more by playing at Rockford. I just do not see room for AHL owned veterans in Rockford so maybe Dahlstrom is that guy

I believe Dach is wasting his develooment returning to junior. He is too good and does enough things well so he will stick in Chicago. I want to know once he passes the 9 game played, can he be assigned to AHL - no due to his age? If he turns old emough during season can he go to AHL on conditioning or injury status?

Nylander needs to play with skill players. He probably is going to be told to not drift and be responsible defensively. This translates to, make an effort both ways even if you aren't physical. Else you will not receive an extended NHL opportunity

On Mitchell: he probably can match just fine at NHL level now. Buy dtill dirs need to get better. Back just after the WJC wiz told me as much. He added that Mitchell probably needs to get better defensively but is not bad right now. The disappointment in Bowman body voice language (if indeed this is accurate read) could be that without Mitchell this season Colliton may dress both slow afoot/skating Seabrook and Maata each night. Not ideal and TOI starts must be closely managed by Colliton.

Hagel effort is constant even in scheduled 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 parts of the scrimmage.

I am curious how TOI plays out later in season between veterans and Hagel, Sikura, Kuarasev, Highmore and let's see if Re Johnson forces his way up for a look see. I like the veteran Stan signed (Carpentar) as well as Caggiula in their roles. I believe Nilsson would be solid and our Czech #4 center is solid but likely expendable.

But kids may be good enough so that at trade deadline a veteran or two is moved for draft pick. In playoff chase and appease Rocky/McDonough then no trading role players at trade deadline. Although reserve judgment on Gus. If Gus has great season he would fetch a #1 at deadline. Which interests me if that pick looks like a top half and not bottom half in first round.
- jhawk59

No, he either plays for the Blackhawks or he goes back to his old team, due to the NHL/CHL agreement.

No, he either plays for the Blackhawks or he goes back to his old team, due to the NHL/CHL agreement.
- walleyeb1

I was thinking Rockford since there was a few mention of it on the board. My understanding is that you are correct (I figured then maybe he could go to AHL; thanks for the correction).

Beaudin is the dman prospect closest to nhl duty. It would serve everyone best to let him play a half season AHL- maybe less - just to be able to come up and stick. Also i want both Dahlstrom and Koekkoek to get a final extended trial.

Dahlstrom willingness to use his big frame body effectively is his ticket maybe more than anything else for nhl consideration. On the other hand, Koekkoek has a nice blend of skating skill and willingness to play chippy. He needs consistency. Colliton can make or break these guys nhl career in Chicago to a large extent by allocating regular playing time. But there is an abundance of dmen when everyone is healthy. Best for hanger on dmen like this to make a strong showing because plenty of kids are on the way

That’s a lot of cheese for Trouba.
- DarthKane

I agree...if he was a finished product, solid both ways, I guess I would understand, but...this is potential you are paying for. (I really like the player, but you just have to wonder mid rebuild, no championships, not even a playoff round won, the Rangers white flag for the sake of Jacob's "new beginning?"

You know I watched that game that was on youtube too.
In fact I stopped it and backed up many times, but

I guess I didn't see as many negatives as the group here did.

This was a pond game after a week of work where you aren't on your regular team, or familar players...I liked the guy I told you guys to watch for me, Cole Moberg, and I thought the defenders a group were nice players, and so many of the forwards were skilled...
I didn't like the play by play, the Burrish "color" or the their centered discussions about themselves and the obvious.


But...I am also the guy that didn't see all the hubbub during the early parts of the year when Henri Jokiharju was canonized on every level of the media and fandom...