Oduya 'Makes Plays Forwards Can Dream Of'

[icehogfan08]

Oduya 'makes plays forwards can dream of'

Patrick Kane was talking about the Blackhawks’ defense against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night when the compliment to its newest member came.

“This (Johnny) Oduya can make plays that forwards can dream of,” Kane said. “Coming up the ice with speed, he jumps in; he seems to be real smooth and fits in perfect with our team. He’s another guy who can jump in the play. It’s nice to have a guy like that; it adds a little more balance with our D.”

Yes, it’s only been two games for Oduya, but the Blackhawks are appreciating what he’s bringing. Oduya has provided speed, veteran presence and solid minutes for a Blackhawks team that needed it.

“It’s huge. It showed last night in all the things he can do defensively and in getting the puck to our offensive players’ hands,” said Duncan Keith. “He’s got good skill. He’s been around, he’s smart and he can help us a bunch of different ways.”

Taking up minutes was a big part of that; Oduya played nearly 20 against Toronto and over 22 against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night. Oduya’s had to adjust quickly from his time with the Jets.

“We were more of a checking group (in Winnipeg), not much skill up front, obviously. And this is a more skilled team where, for me, I can try to get into plays more,” Oduya said. “It’s important to move the puck up quick to the forwards. They have a lot of speed to get open.”

Hence Kane’s adulation with Oduya’s style, which seems to fit in more with the Blackhawks: speed, movement and show off that skill.

“He’s got a lot of poise, patience to his game,” said coach Joel Quenneville, who put Oduya with Nick Leddy and reunited Keith and Brent Seabrook during the Toronto game. “He’s got some reliability, predictability and steadiness. In two games we really like the addition. You looked at our needs (at the deadline), we talked about this and that; defenseman was something we could use and he’s fit in perfectly.”

Oduya will keep learning. Right now he’s sharing quality minutes with his fellow veteran defensemen and taking the pressure off some of those guys. It’s only two games, but it’s been a good start.

“It’s a little bit different style of game, more possession than checking maybe, I knew it would take some getting used to but I feel pretty comfortable,” Oduya said. “As long as we keep winning games I’m happy.”

 

[Capt. Serious]

Fine & dandy. Hope he enjoys another team in the summer.

 

[southern_cross_116]

Why? If they want the guy, I'm sure they will be able to afford the guy. Of course, yes, I get that there might be an organization dictated spending moratorium ... but, aside from that...

 

[Capt. Serious]

Hawks can do better than O-du-ya-know

 

[DewsSox79]

he wont cost a shit load. no reason not to bring him back

 

[Capt. Serious]

No thanks. Say goodbye to him & trade Hammer then sign Ryan Suter.

 

[tbo41fan]

Re: Oduya 'makes plays forwards can dream of'

No thanks. Say goodbye to him & trade Hammer then sign Ryan Suter.

Talk about a pipe dream

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[bleacherbum54]

That pass he made was one of the best passes I have seen. I dont watch a ton of Hockey but that pass made me jump off the couch hell of a play.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

he wont cost a shit load. no reason not to bring him back

He'll cost more than Campolli and we all saw how those negotiations worked out

 

[southern_cross_116]

Hawks can do better than O-du-ya-know

Not disputed.

 

[southern_cross_116]

No thanks. Say goodbye to him & trade Hammer then sign Ryan Suter.

I wouldn't object to that, but the problem then is that you dumped 2 guys (in theory 3 if you also plan on not bringing back O'Donnell- which, I think you'd be for dropping him (no objection there), plus Lepisto is out there too.

So right there you got 4 open spots being filled by 1. Who are your other 2 guys, or 4 guys presuming that the team needs a couple extra to account for depth?

 

[Capt. Serious]

Sorry we have enough overpaid guys on this team.

Let him be another teams problem.

 

[Captain Iago]

Sorry we have enough overpaid guys on this team.

Let him be another teams problem.

Would love to see your wish list after adding pipe-dream Suter.

 

[tbo41fan]

Would love to see your wish list after adding pipe-dream Suter.

probably more overpaid players since Joe still doesnt understand a salary cap...must have missed the class where addition was taught

 

[Capt. Serious]

O-du-ya-know on the ice for another goal...shocker!

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Would love to see your wish list after adding pipe-dream Suter.

Yeah, Suter is specifically looking to become an overpaid player.

 

[DewsSox79]

suter will cost a fortune.

 

[tbo41fan]

suter will cost a fortune.

thats what we r saying. lol

 

[DewsSox79]

thats what we r saying. lol

i wasnt reading all the posts, mostly read SCs and Iagos.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Decent game by Oduya today.

Just having a competent guy back there that can eat minutes has been big. When Meatball gets back in the lineup, things will only be better.