John Jaeckel: More Round 2 Thoughts/Panarin

FIRST!

JJ, just a correction, Torres laid out Hossa in game 3 of the Coyotes series, not game 1

This guy looks like a sniper.....

Maybe he's the Sharp replacement to play on Kane's line......

Honestly, one of your key points JJ should also be the penalty kill getting back on track

CHI might win the NSH series in 4 games if it wasnt for such a brutal PK

6 power play goals against on 22 chances

I'm not suggesting that there wasn't a couple of weak goals, but all the goals were from up close and the opposition was allowed to walk right in. Solve the lax defense before I question the goalies. In my opinion the goalies are the least of Q's challenges going forward. The defense and special teams are another story. I have to agree with Rain at the end of the last thread.

Also remember that the Blackhawks, under Q, have a history of getting better as the series goes on. Whether it's the players, the leadership or the coaches, they are able to make adjustments that play to the Blackhawk strengths, and capitalize on the opponents weakness.

As for next year, it would appear that the Blackhawks are looking to get younger and faster. Which as good, as there was a lengthy discussion on NHL radio that the faster teams are beating the bigger teams in this year's playoffs, and two of the more bruising teams did not make the tournament.

Going to be on business in MSP next week, and should be at game 3. Secondary market tickets start in the low $300s.

Go Blackhawks!

I'm not suggesting that there wasn't a couple of weak goals, but all the goals were from up close and the opposition was allowed to walk right in. Solve the lax defense before I question the goalies. In my opinion the goalies are the least of Q's challenges going forward. The defense and special teams are another story. I have to agree with Rain at the end of the last thread.
- 6628

Thanks.

The matchups in this series is going to be something to watch.

Shaw, Bickell, Vermette, Teravanien, Versteeg, and Hossa combined for 2 goals vs Nashville.

I love Hossa, but he has GOT to score. He's gone a LONG Time without a playoff goal.

Here's hoping Panarin fares better than the past Russians that the Hawks were counting on to make the next step.

Igor Makarov was someone that I watched live and thought had a the type of game the Hawks could have used but obviously that didn't pan out.

Speaking of guys that didn't pan out - anyone know if Shalunov is skill CHI property? I know he's in the KHL currently.

Also, I wonder if they'll bring someone else in to help Panarin get comfortable in NA. A veteran Russian maybe (a la Volchenkov, Gonchar). I know those guys aren't very appealing, but Lord knows Hawks will need to scrape the bottom of the barrel on a couple signings this summer.

Dunno if anyone has mentioned it yet but apparently the Hawks signed a Swedish Dman, Erik Gustafsson.

https://twitter.com/P_alt...status/593695028125552640

FIRST!

JJ, just a correction, Torres laid out Hossa in game 3 of the Coyotes series, not game 1
- FourFeathers773

Fixed, thx

True enough on the Makarov comparison but the nice thing about Panarin (along with Baun, Paliotta, Kero now Gustafsson) is that they are getting these guys without giving up any draft picks or other assets...

In a series that is expected to be very close, special teams is gonna be huge! Both our PP and PK were dreadful against the Preds. The Wild had the #1 PK in the regular season. Must have improvement against the Wild in these areas.

Rozy and Kimo will play limited minutes so as long as we don't have an injury to one of the top 4 D-men, I don't buy the fact that Minny gets the advantage on D as some of the other blogs have stated.

In a series that is expected to be very close, special teams is gonna be huge! Both our PP and PK were dreadful against the Preds. The Wild had the #1 PK in the regular season. Must have improvement against the Wild in these areas.

Rozy and Kimo will play limited minutes so as long as we don't have an injury to one of the top 4 D-men, I don't buy the fact that Minny gets the advantage on D as some of the other blogs have stated.
- tboucher77

You can't keep taxing your top 4 d men series after series and expect to win a cup. It won't happen.

Q is going to have to shelter 32/44 during HOME games and play them consistent minutes. Otherwise, your top 4 will be worthless IF you make it to a later round(s)

I am not as worried about 32 as I am 44......44 is just pure garbage. I wish Q would roll the dice on the other D men at this time, but I don't see that happening.

True enough on the Makarov comparison but the nice thing about Panarin (along with Baun, Paliotta, Kero now Gustafsson) is that they are getting these guys without giving up any draft picks or other assets...
- dsav123

For sure... low risk moves. Stan is really doing his homework with his scouts and hopefully they pan out. It gives Joel a lot of options once everyone is traded away in the off-season. ha.

Sounds right. Hawks type of player.

"A somewhat undersized defenseman that plays a strong two-way game. Gustafsson is a very mobile player, with good acceleration and top speed. He handles the puck with ease and has above average hockey sense. Offensively, he stands out with his passes and coolness. Defensively, he has good timing and solves tricky situations with his on-ice vision. Very good attitude. - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5545#sthash.wfNBanCv.dpuf"

http://lastwordonsports.c...lackhawks-what-to-expect/

JJ, I don't understand all the in's and out', with recruitment, But if this kid is that good, and he may be, how does he escape the draft and fall into the free agent category?Looks like the Hawks are loading up well for cap hell coming this summer and are trying to stockpile as many kids as they can. Hopefully some of them work out,just waiting for that big nasty 6"4 220 lb. unsigned FA that can play to also come our way. Good luck boys tommorow night, would love to come home up 2 , nothing else!

I have to believe a few things for next year other than the big cap moves that are coming(Sharp, Versteeg, Bickel et el).

The Hawks will be going younger. They're not signing all these draft picks and free agent prospects to play in indefinitely in Rockford. Some of these guys are definitely ready to get the NHL experience(Johns, Danault, Hartman) and some of them were clearly signed with that intention(Baun, Panarin, Gustaffson, Paliotta).

Some of the Blackhawks prospect assets will be moved to help make the bigger contracts more tradable.

Agreed?

Sounds right. Hawks type of player.

"A somewhat undersized defenseman that plays a strong two-way game. Gustafsson is a very mobile player, with good acceleration and top speed. He handles the puck with ease and has above average hockey sense. Offensively, he stands out with his passes and coolness. Defensively, he has good timing and solves tricky situations with his on-ice vision. Very good attitude. - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5545#sthash.wfNBanCv.dpuf"
- TyCamScore

This the wrong Erik Gustafsson you want the one that was drafted by Edmonton in 2012..

Here's hoping Panarin fares better than the past Russians that the Hawks were counting on to make the next step.

Igor Makarov was someone that I watched live and thought had a the type of game the Hawks could have used but obviously that didn't pan out.

Speaking of guys that didn't pan out - anyone know if Shalunov is skill CHI property? I know he's in the KHL currently.

Also, I wonder if they'll bring someone else in to help Panarin get comfortable in NA. A veteran Russian maybe (a la Volchenkov, Gonchar). I know those guys aren't very appealing, but Lord knows Hawks will need to scrape the bottom of the barrel on a couple signings this summer.
- TyCamScore

It's my understanding that the contract clock stops for all players in the KHL as per the agreement between the leagues. That means that, in theory, if Shalunov wanted to come back, he would be Chicago property until his entry level deadline.

JJ, I don't understand all the in's and out', with recruitment, But if this kid is that good, and he may be, how does he escape the draft and fall into the free agent category?Looks like the Hawks are loading up well for cap hell coming this summer and are trying to stockpile as many kids as they can. Hopefully some of them work out,just waiting for that big nasty 6"4 220 lb. unsigned FA that can play to also come our way. Good luck boys tommorow night, would love to come home up 2 , nothing else!
- wonthecup10

My guesses:
1. NHL execs don't want to spend picks on players they don't think will ever come to North America. Add in the fact the draft is a crap shoot much of the time anyway...and a GM would rather have a kid they can keep an eye on in the OHL/AHL/College/WCHL etc. than one that is playing in Russia someplace. Easier to scout the NA players too. Closer to your traditional scouting routes.
2. A couple of years ago the KHL was pushing to become the number 2 hockey league on the planet. Russian oil money was helping to keep Russian players at home.
3. When teams would have looked at this kid, 6-7 years ago, he was probably smaller than he is reported now and didn't have the high end skill. Clearly he has blossomed if you look at his stats. His first couple years were meh.

I have one question, who is this kid's agent? I thought I read somewhere he is affiliated with Tuevo's agent? This is not confirmed...but thought I saw something someplace?

The more I think about this series, the more I think about what seems to be in my mind the real issue - the play in the Hawks defensive zone.

MIN is dangerous around the crease. The CHI D is not. In fact, sloppy play in the CHI D zone results in more snafus and shifts in game momentum than any other element of their game. Stick over body, outlets through the slot instead of the boards, and an inability to clear the zone usually result in very bad outcomes.

While forechecking hard in the O zone will wear down their D over time, the real risk is falling behind early, which this CHI has the penchant to do, and have difficulty rebounding from. No matter who is in the net, the CHI D mistakes almost always result in unrecoverable and high quality chances in the slot area.

My prescription for success in this series is feed Kane early and often, don't let Parise sniff ice below the dots, and make D zone play all about quick outs.

The Hawks have to protect themselves in the form of No stupid behind the play penalties. Keep the Pk off the ice.

The more I think about this series, the more I think about what seems to be in my mind the real issue - the play in the Hawks defensive zone.

MIN is dangerous around the crease. The CHI D is not. In fact, sloppy play in the CHI D zone results in more snafus and shifts in game momentum than any other element of their game. Stick over body, outlets through the slot instead of the boards, and an inability to clear the zone usually result in very bad outcomes.

While forechecking hard in the O zone will wear down their D over time, the real risk is falling behind early, which this CHI has the penchant to do, and have difficulty rebounding from. No matter who is in the net, the CHI D mistakes almost always result in unrecoverable and high quality chances in the slot area.

My prescription for success in this series is feed Kane early and often, don't let Parise sniff ice below the dots, and make D zone play all about quick outs.
- Return of the Roar

Good analysis. I think in the end, it comes down to this: If Minnesota can contain our high end skill and scorers then they will win the series, if not, then we win. Period.