Marcus Kruger to play 2C ... for now.

[DMelt36]

Word out of practice today is that Kruger is going to be taking the spot between Kaner and Versteeg in the Hawks lineup.

It's a definite upgrade over Handzus. Still wish Pirri was the guy.

 

[CreepyBasementGuy]

I like it..I like Kruger for some odd reason...Handzus on the other hand....

Eh, we will see how it plays out

 

[Jntg4]

Still amazed that Handzus hampered Kane so very much, no goals when on the ice at the same time as him... from a guy otherwise putting up numbers worthy of a Hart Trophy, hopefully this gets Kaner going again.

 

[DewsSox79]

ugh no pirri? unreal.

 

[Jntg4]

ugh no pirri? unreal.

Pirri > Kruger >>>>>>>>>> Handzus

At least it is something :shrug:

Think I read Pirri was day-to-day and also just named to the AHL All-Star team, maybe we'll see him after the game?

 

[DMelt36]

Pirri > Kruger >>>>>>>>>> Handzus

At least it is something :shrug:

Think I read Pirri was day-to-day and also just named to the AHL All-Star team, maybe we'll see him after the game?

I can't imagine that Pirris is going to spend the rest of the season in the AHL without getting at least one more shot.

But, yeah, last reports were that he was injured down in Rockford so he wasn't even available to be called up.

 

[ClydeLee]

ugh no pirri? unreal.

I know, Q must be making up injuries now

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[Capt. Serious]

Pirri gets healthy, get him the hell up.

Stop fucking around with the #2 center & be done.

 

[ClydeLee]

Pirri gets healthy, get him the hell up.

Stop fucking around with the #2 center & be done.

And if Pirri goes 6 games without a point, quality defensive play, or winking faceoffs well should that "be done" and kept as a solid option?

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[DMelt36]

And if Pirri goes 6 games without a point, quality defensive play, or winking faceoffs well should that "be done" and kept as a solid option?

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And that appears to be the reason why Pirri isn't in Chicago.

Especially if you put him between Kane and Versteeg. That's a line ripe for defensive lapses and odd man rushes in the other direction.

 

[Raskolnikov]

And that appears to be the reason why Pirri isn't in Chicago.

Especially if you put him between Kane and Versteeg. That's a line ripe for defensive lapses and odd man rushes in the other direction.

So put Kane back on the first line with Toews and in my opinion, Pirri and Hossa would be a good match with Bickell while Toews/Kane/Saad is nasty

 

[HawkWriter]

Should be interesting to see how this switches up the role of the 4th line. In the recent past they have taken on the top line or two of the opposing team. Don't know if that is possible with a Handzus for Kruger swap. Takes a good amount away defensively and Handzus likely against pure speed in any way isn't good.

In terms of Pirri coming up...I am a big Pirri fan, but his point production was greater and inflated compared to his actual play. I do think he gets an another shot at some point though, and hopefully he doesn't take any nights off (both Pirri and Morin were guilty of this their last go around). He definitely has the offensive prowess to help out but his defensive lapses and lack of speed didn't do him any favors.

 

[DMelt36]

So put Kane back on the first line with Toews and in my opinion, Pirri and Hossa would be a good match with Bickell while Toews/Kane/Saad is nasty

Oh that 20/19/88 line would own the league.

But I don't think Q is in a rush to break up the 10/19/81 line that's currently doing a similar thing. I don't think it's a coincidence that line is playing so well when it's got, probably, the 3 best two-way forwards on the Hawks roster.

 

[Jntg4]

Oh that 20/19/88 line would own the league.

But I don't think Q is in a rush to break up the 10/19/81 line that's currently doing a similar thing. I don't think it's a coincidence that line is playing so well when it's got, probably, the 3 best two-way forwards on the Hawks roster.

Not to mention those proposed changes he suggested would bump Sharp to the third line...

 

[KBIB]

I seriously don't know how to take this.

On one hand, you have the one guy in the NHL stopping Kane from keeping up with Crosby in scoring.
On the other, you have a guy who has taken to the fourth line role and creates a speed mis-match who is actually very good at playing the checking role and has made a plug like Bollig look respectable. Not good, but good enough so he isn't pouring over priced beer in the concourse. Now, switching them up, you are putting a plug in Zeus next to a plug in Bollig, but you are getting needed speed and defensive presence next to Kaner and the aloof Steeger.

I really don't know. The fourth line with Kruger has, at times been pretty damn solid. You put a guy with bricks in his skates at center and shits gonna happen. The Hawks are gonna have to suck it up and keep Zeus with Kane until TT gets shipped over.


13-3!!!

 

[Jntg4]

I seriously don't know how to take this.

On one hand, you have the one guy in the NHL stopping Kane from keeping up with Crosby in scoring.
On the other, you have a guy who has taken to the fourth line role and creates a speed mis-match who is actually very good at playing the checking role and has made a plug like Bollig look respectable. Not good, but good enough so he isn't pouring over priced beer in the concourse. Now, switching them up, you are putting a plug in Zeus next to a plug in Bollig, but you are getting needed speed and defensive presence next to Kaner and the aloof Steeger.

I really don't know. The fourth line with Kruger has, at times been pretty damn solid. You put a guy with bricks in his skates at center and shits gonna happen. The Hawks are gonna have to suck it up and keep Zeus with Kane until TT gets shipped over.


13-3!!!

Or call up Pirri....

 

[KBIB]

Or call up Pirri....

pfft, not gonna happen. Pirri has to produce at an absurd rate offensively in Q eyes to compensate his lack of defensive awareness. Q now has the best excuse in the world- I played Pirri with Kane, when Bowman comes up to him now. Pirri surely will get a call up sooner or later, but his actual time as a Hawk is basically over. I have watched the Hogs on feed, McNeil has been turning the corner as of late, is a big body, and doesn't suck too much on the dot with a bit of nasty that could also be a byproduct of playing on the Hogs. Give that kid a shot instead of taking your gifted fourth line center away from his gifts and keeping a plug in the lineup.

I have no problems with Zeus playing in the playoffs, none. But him in mothballs until then.


13-3!!!

 

[Capt. Serious]

Lets hold off on the TT hype train for the time being.

Health permitting, Sid the Kid will run away with the scoring title.

Besides, I just want a legit center to go with Kaner.

 

[DMelt36]

pfft, not gonna happen. Pirri has to produce at an absurd rate offensively in Q eyes to compensate his lack of defensive awareness. Q now has the best excuse in the world- I played Pirri with Kane, when Bowman comes up to him now. Pirri surely will get a call up sooner or later, but his actual time as a Hawk is basically over. I have watched the Hogs on feed, McNeil has been turning the corner as of late, is a big body, and doesn't suck too much on the dot with a bit of nasty that could also be a byproduct of playing on the Hogs. Give that kid a shot instead of taking your gifted fourth line center away from his gifts and keeping a plug in the lineup.

I have no problems with Zeus playing in the playoffs, none. But him in mothballs until then.


13-3!!!

I'm getting this feeling, too. Think he's going to be trade bait in the offseason.

I see a very real possibility that Teravainen is playing 2C for the Hawks in the postseason. I think they may be bringing him across the ocean as soon as his season ends in Finland.

And you can hold off on the hype train all you want, Capt. Serious, but I'm yet to come across someone who's watched Teuvo play and wasn't blown away by his skills. That includes a multitude of people who were raving about him during the recent World Juniors.

 

[KBIB]

Kaner was playing well with Pirri.

But Pirri was having a problem scoring while playing with Kane. That's the rub. Q expects either other world offensive production or slow footed mediocrity as the caveat to center Kane. I don't get it, but taking Kruger out of a spot where he actually excels to compensate Zeus and weaken a decent fourth line doesn't seem like a bright idea.

Lets hold off on the TT hype train for the time being.

Agreed. This kid is gonna have the weight of the world on his shoulders soon enough.


13-3!!!