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Damn you guys are fast... just came here to post the article...
Great read and I agree with 95% of Mooney's analysis.
Great read and I agree with 95% of Mooney's analysis.
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I agreed with a lot of it. It was a good preview. Covered everything very simply and quickly. I love Puck Daddy.
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I disagree about Bickell as the breakout player, I'd personally go with Frolik for that, but I like the read and love the part that at the end it says we'll be right up top in the conference all season long... not sure if that mean top 3, top 4, top whatever, but I like it...
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Yeah. I disagree about Bickell, too. I think Frolik, Leddy, or Smith will be the breakout player.
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Ya, Smith too... he should play a large role in the team's success...
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Yeah. He'll probably be playing onthe second line. I don't expect him to become like Toews in a year, but he's going to be an important part of this team coming together.
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This.
HawkWriter
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I really don't see Smith ever being a top 6 player in the NHL. If he ever tops 45 points I will be very, very pleasantly surprised. He is a nice complete player for his age, but he doesn't have a very high ceiling. Crazier things have happened and he did put up nice numbers in college, but I just haven't really seen the offensive creativity or awareness around the net to be a top 6 player (in the NHL and AHL) . Trust me, I like what Smith brings to the table and I think he would be a great depth guy in this league as a top 9 guy (who could spot in the top 6 at times) but I just don't think he is a second line guy.
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I think that's just where he fits right now. In my opinion, he could be a good third liner. He has grit and works hard. Those are good qualities for bottom 6 forwards.
southern_cross_116
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Smith hasn't proven anything in the NHL; taking a look at prospects, and can't miss prospects in the not so distant history of the Hawks (or probably any team for that matter- I'm not entirely sure where all of the gushing is coming from- especially to the point of automatically giving that guy a slot based upon what? A handful of regular season games and one round of the playoffs?
No offense intended, but it strikes me as a little over the top. Strike that -- way over the top.
I'm not even sure with the depth chart as it currently stands that Mr Smith even makes the roster at the start of the season.
No offense intended, but it strikes me as a little over the top. Strike that -- way over the top.
I'm not even sure with the depth chart as it currently stands that Mr Smith even makes the roster at the start of the season.
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I dont think Smith is a lock for the roster right now
Well damn...beat me to it
HawkWriter
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I do think that Smith makes the team to start opening night (even without taking into account that Carcillo is suspended the first 2 games - which also helps if you look at it that way)...but I do agree that it is no certainty. He is definitely on the bubble but I've heard/seen Coach Q talk him up and the Strength and Conditioning coach as well this summer. He is 5'11" and supposedly an absolute brickhouse and a beast in the weight room. The nice thing about Smith is that he doesn't seem to take a shift off, he might not be the most offensively talented guy but pure will is what makes him a NHL player from what I have seen.
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Both stalberg and smith are borderline on making the team IMO
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no way dude. have you seen stalgod skate?
HawkWriter
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I can see Smith being borderline, but not Stalberg. If Stalberg isn't on the team I would be pretty surprised. Most of it has to do with the fact that Stalberg has a 1 way contract compared to Smith/Kruger having two-way contracts. Also, Stalberg is pretty serviceable and accepted his role nicely towards the end of last year - even if he isn't your prototypical bottom 6 guy. He does give you some versatility with his skill set. I still think Stalberg is the perfect #13 guy for this team, and that could be where he fits in.
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Thats a good point, forgot about the contracts...
As much as I love stalberg, we just have alot of players who can play NHL level, and only 12 forward spots (maybe 1 reserve)
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I think Smith will make the team. That's just my opinion, though. As long as he has a good training camp, he has a spot on the roster.
HawkWriter
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I agree on Smith.
To me, the most intriguing player going into camp might be Kruger.
The Blackhawks brass certainly talks him up.
He started to look like he gained some confidence in the playoffs and he played very well in the world championships this offseason.
He is a natural center but might have to play wing to break into the NHL because of his size (even though it is rumored he has added on to his previous 172lb frame).
He is built for a top 6 role, but is he ready? I think the Blackhawks are crazy and high enough on him to put him in a bottom 6 role, just to have him ready. The best spot for him might be in the AHL, centering, on the first two lines.
A lot of storylines with just Kruger, in my eyes atleast. I'm really interested to see how it plays out in camp.
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Ben Smith did a hell of alot more than Stalberg in the playoffs.
Stalberg shouldn't be a lock because he has speed.
Whoop dee fucking do. :dunno:
Stalberg shouldn't be a lock because he has speed.
Whoop dee fucking do. :dunno: