53 So, since it seems like we already found our future big redwood at forward, after the kid showed us he can play all phases (and maybe get better at them as he develops as a pro), can now be when his name is officially changed to Marcel?

Especially since there are a scant number of NHL Marcles playing now, it is not like we need to differentiate him from another.
- wiz1901

I liked his game. He's got potential. You can teach skills but you can't teach size.

The Hawks send Lardis, Misiak, and Pharand back to their junior clubs.
- DarthKane

All three will be pros on some capacities.

What a way to leave for Lardis + Misiak

Pharand at the dot as he feet catch up, will be a possible shut guy.
Lightweight pot-shooter Lardis won't be forever.
and Misiak looked pretty frisky when he was playing between the two recently acquired towers of Perry and Foligno as his line mates tonight.

I liked Marcel Marcel's game. He's got potential. You can teach skills but you can't teach size.
- SaskHawkFan

He had a big role with his countries national team, as they rush up and down around him, as he used his strengths when he could.

But Marcel once is enough

Yes I saw what wiz has said about the Blackhawk dmen prospects.

We are not going to be surprised with KK performance on the exhibition season and if he sticks for nine games

Clearly he needs to play and if he isn't yet ready - had a few areas he needs to improve upon - then he can work on them even at the Junior hockey level.
And then too it would be better ti see him stronger next fall competing for a job. No.need to rush him along.

I believe it would be more beneficial to save one or two games played exhibition season for both Crevier and Roos. I believe both are legitimate NHL prosoects who gain a better understanding of what they need to do or improve upon by playing in even two exhibition contests

Then too we know that Phillios and Kaiser are both close to NHL ready so they should play on most of not each NHL preseason game.

Additionally we should see Allennin.at least a couple of games. Richardson is fond of his style of play and BOTH Richardson and our GM know.that between DelMaestto, Allen and Crevier one of them.could at some point replace a veteran physical style veteran dman like Zaitsev or Murphy

I just do not want KK playing roo much at the expense of playing time for other prospets......
..........they all deserve some reps so do not give too much look to KK. I do not believe KK gets so much better on.huscweaknaread by playing extra exhibition contests anyway

I am not pleased to see decisions made on prosoects without getting at least a couple games in...........and I refer to Roos and Crevier. Both are too good to overlook for the sake of KK max out his games played in preseason
- jhawk59

OKay. I need a dictionary.

He had a big role with his countries national team, as they rush up and down around him, as he used his strengths when he could.

But Marcel once is enough
- wiz1901

Go with Marcel squared .... make it into algebra.

Go with Marcel squared .... make it into algebra.
- SC116

Does anyone think he has nearly the polish to stick? I'd rather see him grow into a role than watch Reese Johnson, Blackwell or Entwistle...

Does anyone think he has nearly the polish to stick? I'd rather see him grow into a role than watch Reese Johnson, Blackwell or Entwistle...
- busmaster

Honestly? Probably not yet. But that's just me.

With 5 and half minutes left, Bedard gets the puck to Hall, but, no, he doesn't...

They need the emergence of a draft prospect who is in the very same spot Hall was with defenders closing, who handles that puck and gets the shot off (that Hall didn't).

Quite specific I am when hall and Bedard got bunched together.
- wiz1901

I'd guess the obvious first guy to get that opportunity would be Nazar and he seems to have the best hands of the forward prospects not already expected to be on the team (although if Reichel doesn't stick as a 2C I could see him there with his new found "selfishness" and willingness to shoot).

My second choice - once he gets NHL ready - would be Lardis. Definitely shoot first mentality and certainly has the speed.

I know Paulie will be miffed, but KK has looked pretty noticeable to my untrained eye.
- mohel

We don't care about that one. How did he look through the trained one?

Honestly? Probably not yet. But that's just me.
- SC116

Not that it would be much of an issue to fix, but Marcel only has an AHL contract at the moment, so the Hawks would still have to sign him. Ultimately, I'd say he needs time in Rockford to figure out what he can actually do before he gets to the Hawks. We've seen plenty of "big" players who simply can't keep up (speed and/or IQ) and are more of a liability than an asset.

The Hawks send Lardis, Misiak, and Pharand back to their junior clubs.
- DarthKane

They all looked good. For a little guy Lardis was all over the ice and competing

Murphy skating back for the puck and Korchinski just blows by him to cover for him, nice to see the second gear by a defenseman, like KKs stick on stick work as well.
- BetweenTheDots

Anyone else have flashbacks of Gus every time he wandered below the goal line in the O zone?

It is just nice to see a coaching staff with a system, players grasping it, the team developing a style of play and playing with a little edge.
Outside of Bedard, I thought good games from Kaiser, Commesso, Marcel, Reichel (other than the face off dot). Athanasiou and Kurashev (who is not my favorite) had their moments.
I would like to see KK on the first PP unit.
Guys who had poor games... Murphy, Jones, Perry. Let's hope they know they are on the roster and just cruising through the early exhibition games. Donato was mostly invisible.
It will be interesting to see what lines are thrown out there in the next few games. In particular I am interested in seeing where T. Johnson plays. If he shows something in the exhibition season he is one guy that could have some trade value if Hawks retain salary. I could see them getting another 3rd round pick if they retain 1/2 salary.

Anyone else have flashbacks of Gus every time he wandered below the goal line in the O zone?
- Rota's Rooter

I was thinking more Campbell. It's funny reading all the different viewpoints here. Many are/were begging for more speed and dynamics from our blueline since the Hawks recently have only had "stay-at-home" types (outside of the Joneses). Now they have some prospects and others are concerned they are too risky.

As with everything, moderation is best. It will be up to the coaches and GM to make sure they have the right mix of players and those players do what is necessary within their system. The nice thing is that the vast majority of players on this team (and coming in the near future) can all skate and play aggressive. There seems to be a lot of hunger out there.

I was thinking more Campbell. It's funny reading all the different viewpoints here. Many are/were begging for more speed and dynamics from our blueline since the Hawks recently have only had "stay-at-home" types (outside of the Joneses). Now they have some prospects and others are concerned they are too risky.

As with everything, moderation is best. It will be up to the coaches and GM to make sure they have the right mix of players and those players do what is necessary within their system. The nice thing is that the vast majority of players on this team (and coming in the near future) can all skate and play aggressive. There seems to be a lot of hunger out there.
- Chunk

I don't disagree. One could argue that the best defense is a good offense.

As long as he has the awareness and skill to know when he needs to get back if the puck gets turned over he can play rover all he wants.

I was thinking more Campbell. It's funny reading all the different viewpoints here. Many are/were begging for more speed and dynamics from our blueline since the Hawks recently have only had "stay-at-home" types (outside of the Joneses). Now they have some prospects and others are concerned they are too risky.

As with everything, moderation is best. It will be up to the coaches and GM to make sure they have the right mix of players and those players do what is necessary within their system. The nice thing is that the vast majority of players on this team (and coming in the near future) can all skate and play aggressive. There seems to be a lot of hunger out there.
- Chunk

The speedy slick offensive defensemen need to use good judgement and decision making. Campbell figured it out late in his career. Gus hasn't consistently shown it.
Who knows how soon KK or Kaiser or the other young guys will figure it out.

I don't disagree. One could argue that the best defense is a good offense.

As long as he has the awareness and skill to know when he needs to get back if the puck gets turned over he can play rover all he wants.
- Rota's Rooter

Considering that's the main thing that KD and LR have been harping on with Korchinski since before training camp started, I'm sure he won't see much ice time until he figures that out. It's not like they aren't flush with a ton of other defensemen prospects.

The speedy slick offensive defensemen need to use good judgement and decision making. Campbell figured it out late in his career. Gus hasn't consistently shown it.
Who knows how soon KK or Kaiser or the other young guys will figure it out.
- -Doh-

I don't think Kaiser is in that same bucket. His overall game (IMO) is closer to Keith's than Campbell or Karlsson. He seems very positionally aware, plays calm in his zone and knows where to go with the puck. Has a decent shot as well. I am not at all saying that he will be as good as Keith, but that's who's game he reminds me of the most right now.

Anyone else have flashbacks of Gus every time he wandered below the goal line in the O zone?
- Rota's Rooter

No because he made an effort (or he had support from the F3) to get back if his pinches didn't work. you can't have him play scared and second guessing. With experience, he will be more judicious. How many times does Roman Josi pinch in a game, or is on the right wing boards in the O zone while lining up at LD.?

I really like Allen and Vlasic. Loved how they used the boards at the defensive blue line as the third man and forced the Blue to either cough it up or dump it in. Again, if the D has no forward support, they D can't make this play.

The 2 $4 mil. boat anchors needed an armada of tug boats to get them off the ice after that one shift in the defensive zone.

No because he made an effort (or he had support from the F3) to get back if his pinches didn't work. you can't have him play scared and second guessing. With experience, he will be more judicious. How many times does Roman Josi pinch in a game, or is on the right wing boards in the O zone while lining up at LD.?

I really like Allen and Vlasic. Loved how they used the boards at the defensive blue line as the third man and forced the Blue to either cough it up or dump it in. Again, if the D has no forward support, they D can't make this play.

The 2 $4 mil. boat anchors needed an armada of tug boats to get them off the ice after that one shift in the defensive zone.
- LAHawk

Caleb Jones, Ian Mitchell, and a good portion of the bottom six last year needed the same thing when they were stuck in the zone for extended periods. Come to think of it, most players need that after an extended d-zone shift. It happens to the best of them. I get your point about them being slow, but considering the makeup of the rest of the team, I don't think it will be overly concerning during the season (especially considering the general consensus is that the Hawks won't be a playoff team this year.

Foligno was on the best regular season team in history last year and Perry had been in the finals for three straight years and put up 5 pts in six playoff games last year. They bring other things to the table that apparently the entire team appreciates at this point in time judging by the comments in the media.

Go with Marcel squared .... make it into algebra.
- SC116

In a few years if Martin Misiak and Marcel Marcel are on the team, they can get an endorsement for M&Ms candy.

In a few years if Martin Misiak and Marcel Marcel are on the team, they can get an endorsement for M&Ms candy.
- boilermaker100

I have been impressed with Misiak, both in the Kurvers tournament and last night. He is a very smart hockey player, good skater has size. Projects to be a bottom 6 player though with a lack of scoring touch.

Does anyone think Marcel has nearly the polish to stick? I'd rather see him grow into a role than watch Reese Johnson, Blackwell or Entwistle...
- busmaster

Yes, there are all indications he can project as a low line-up guy.

He needs seasoning and that will get the pins in his boots improved.

There is plenty to like in his well he moves at that 245 lbs. already, but I don't see them rushing into the NHL.

Anyone else have flashbacks of Gus every time he wandered below the goal line in the O zone?
- Rota's Rooter

The NHL is full od back end gallop and Korchinski has the jets to get back, so I don't expect anyone on his coaching staffs to limit his jump ins, just make sure they coach up the judiciousness of it in various situations...that IS why they took him, to use the speed, processing ,and set up skills to win.

Anyone else have flashbacks of Gus every time he wandered below the goal line in the O zone?
- Rota's Rooter

Not at all. The Hawks need someone to do that, much like Brian Campbell used to do. It creates havoc for the other team and the forwards will get used to his tendencies and need to watch for coverage.