Saad to get first crack at Center

[JOVE23]

I'd much rather see Pirri get a shot at it than just have it gifted to Saad. I'm hoping that's what happens.</p>

 

[Shantz My Pants]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JOVE23" data-cid="207469" data-time="1375561518">
<div>


I'd much rather see Pirri get a shot at it than just have it gifted to Saad. I'm hoping that's what happens.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


It makes the most sense.</p>


 </p>


You could have a line of Saad-Kruger-Shaw as your 3rd and that line has plenty of skill, physicality and defensive responsibility.  Saad will jump into the top 6 when injuries come up and I'm sure will get a spot on the PP and PK. </p>


 </p>


Again, it's really nice to have a surplus of depth problems instead of not enough.</p>

 

[Rex]

Emma told me about this a month ago, and I didn't believe it.</p>


 </p>


This reminds me too much of 2011 "Kane is our second line center"</p>


 </p>


Just give Kruger/Pirri/Danault/McNeill a fucking chance!</p>

 

[Shantz My Pants]

McNeil and Dandault will be in RockVegas. No way they put them into the lineup especially since they have higher cap hits due to their ELCs.

 

[Ton]

Next up is Jimmy Hayes... then Jeremy Morin... then Kyle Beach... as long as they don't actually play center, they will play 2nd line center for the Blackhawks.</p>

 

[MassHavoc]

I'm going with Beach. Only because I found my signed puck yesterday and couldn't figure out who it was, then remembered where I got it.</p>

 

[winos5]

Pirri's job IMO.</p>


 </p>


Training camp x-factor long shots; LeBlanc, McNeill, Danault but they woul;d have to blow the socks off of Q/Stan/Scotty.</p>


 </p>


If they go with Saad, Kruger or anyone else already on the roster it's because Pirri didn't impress them enough.</p>

 

[BigPete]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Ton DeFrancesco" data-cid="207449" data-time="1375483076">
<div>


Can't be that hard... if they wanted to keep Saad in the top six, move Sharp to center.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


 </p>


^ THIS</p>


 </p>


There, I just did Q's job for him.  Now give me his salary and one of his rings.</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="winos5" data-cid="207670" data-time="1376332267">
<div>


Pirri's job IMO.</p>


 </p>


Training camp x-factor long shots; LeBlanc, McNeill, Danault but they woul;d have to blow the socks off of Q/Stan/Scotty.</p>


 </p>


If they go with Saad, Kruger or anyone else already on the roster it's because Pirri didn't impress them enough.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


Pretty much.  I also think it's to induce urgency in Pirri rather than handing him the job on a platter.</p>


 </p>


My only concern is if Pirri does a fine job and they still give it to Saad. That's the kind of move that a Used Car Salesman would make.</p>


 </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="BigPete" data-cid="207980" data-time="1377116645">
<div>


^ THIS</p>


 </p>


There, I just did Q's job for him.  Now give me his salary and one of his rings.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


Thing about Sharp is (a) he's on record saying he prefers wing and (b) his plateau as a #2C is high 20's in goals and as wing is mid 30's.  Between all of our prospects at center, and the fact that we have 2 cups and neither one of them were won with a bonafied natural #2C, I think the 'hawks coaches can have a little leeway in seeing if any pieces will fit there without seriously hamstringing our run at a repeat.</p>

 

[winos5]

Teravainen signed 3 year ELC.   Add him to the list?</p>

 

[JOVE23]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="winos5" data-cid="208039" data-time="1377229987">
<div>


Teravainen signed 3 year ELC.   Add him to the list?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


Unless he has a pants shittingly awesome camp he either starts in Rockford or back in Suomi.</p>

 

[BigPete]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LordKOTL" data-cid="207982" data-time="1377117381">
<div>


Thing about Sharp is (a) he's on record saying he prefers wing and ( B) his plateau as a #2C is high 20's in goals and as wing is mid 30's.  Between all of our prospects at center, and the fact that we have 2 cups and neither one of them were won with a bonafied natural #2C, I think the 'hawks coaches can have a little leeway in seeing if any pieces will fit there without seriously hamstringing our run at a repeat.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


 </p>


I thought that about Sharpie too, but apparently the fact that he hasn't played center in two seasons is entirely because of Q and has nothing to do with what Sharp does and does not want.  I think he would be able to produce twice as many assists at C and 20-25 goals.  It would be worth it.</p>

 

[Forklift]

2C is really the only spot out of 20 that doesn't have a flag pretty firmly planted in it, so it's a popular topic of discussion.</p>


 </p>


Last season the Hawks never really had a true 2C, and (as I recall) the season worked out OK.</p>


 </p>


Fortunately, expecially in the God-awful division the Hawks are in, they don't exactly need Stan Mikita to start the season. Pirri doesn't have a 200 foot game, and LeBla isn't really an offensive center. I'd expect to see each guy get a chance to claim the spot, both in camp and after the season starts. Whoever gets sent down is a quick hit on the IPass away.</p>

 

[Shantz My Pants]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Forklift" data-cid="208081" data-time="1377289919">
<div>


2C is really the only spot out of 20 that doesn't have a flag pretty firmly planted in it, so it's a popular topic of discussion.</p>


 </p>


Last season the Hawks never really had a true 2C, and (as I recall) the season worked out OK.</p>


 </p>


Fortunately, expecially in the God-awful division the Hawks are in, they don't exactly need Stan Mikita to start the season. Pirri doesn't have a 200 foot game, and LeBla isn't really an offensive center. I'd expect to see each guy get a chance to claim the spot, both in camp and after the season starts. Whoever gets sent down is a quick hit on the IPass away.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


I think he will get some slack with that if he has Hossa and Sharp both on his wings. </p>

 

[Rex]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LordKOTL" data-cid="207982" data-time="1377117381">
<div>


Pretty much.  I also think it's to induce urgency in Pirri rather than handing him the job on a platter.</p>


 </p>


My only concern is if Pirri does a fine job and they still give it to Saad. That's the kind of move that a Used Car Salesman would make.</p>


 </p>


Thing about Sharp is (a) he's on record saying he prefers wing and ( B) his plateau as a #2C is high 20's in goals and as wing is mid 30's.  Between all of our prospects at center, and the fact that we have 2 cups and neither one of them were won with a bonafied natural #2C, I think the 'hawks coaches can have a little leeway in seeing if any pieces will fit there without seriously hamstringing our run at a repeat.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


 </p>


I don't really care if Sharp gets less goals as a second line center than he would as a second line winger</p>


 </p>


Sharp missed almost half of last season, scored 6 goals, and the Hawks lost only 7 games. </p>


 </p>


Bickell-Toews-Kane</p>


Saad-Sharp-Hossa</p>


 </p>


**** it, the team is deep enough to take the hit from a 30 goal Sharp to a 20 goal Sharp</p>

 

[Tater]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rex" data-cid="208422" data-time="1378139426">
<div>


I don't really care if Sharp gets less goals as a second line center than he would as a second line winger</p>


 </p>


Sharp missed almost half of last season, scored 6 goals, and the Hawks lost only 7 games. </p>


 </p>


Bickell-Toews-Kane</p>


Saad-Sharp-Hossa</p>


 </p>


**** it, the team is deep enough to take the hit from a 30 goal Sharp to a 20 goal Sharp</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


Plus, he's probably win more faceoffs allowing for more possession and team mates scoring. </p>

 

[MassHavoc]

In case you didn't hear me the first time...</p>


 </p>

Saad getting chance to move to center


 </p>


SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad has never played center in his life.


“I’ve played both sides of the wing, but never center,� Saad said on Thursday.


That was news to Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, who began auditioning Saad as the team’s second-line center during the first day of practice at the University of Notre Dame on Thursday. Quenneville was under the belief Saad had played center in juniors.



“I think he played center a lot of his earlier years, and I think that versatility of playing more than one or two positions up front gives us more depth over time,� Quenneville said after holding two practices.


Quenneville was then told by a media member Saad had just said he had never played center.


“He’s never played center?� Quenneville said. “Oh, I thought he played in juniors at some point."


Even with the new information, Quenneville was confident Saad could do the job.


"He goes all over the ice anyways, and he seems like [he’s played center,]" Quenneville said. "No matter where he’s at, he has the puck a lot. I think him being in the middle of the ice or on the walls, I think you have the puck more in the middle. When he has it, he does some good things. You like his size. I think one thing he has to adapt to is how he plays down low in his own end. But I think that will be the determining factor on how well he’s going to be doing it and how long he’s going to be doing it.�


Saad centered a line with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa on the wings during practice on Thursday and admitted it was an adjustment.


“I got my first taste of it today,� Saad said. “It’s going to be a learning experience, but I’m going to be playing with some pretty good players, so that’s definitely going to help out.


“I’m pretty excited, actually. Center’s usually one of the best players on the ice and get to come up the middle and play well defensively. So it’s going to be new for me. But I usually pride myself on playing well defensively. Hopefully that will work out.�


Saad learned to make adjustments on the fly last season. He was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks’ season opener, and he was unsure whether he’d stick in the NHL for the season. But then Daniel Carcillo suffered an injury in the season opener, and Saad was placed on the top line with Hossa and Jonathan Toews for the rest of the regular season.


Saad held more than his own for his first season. He had 10 goals and 17 assists in 47 games and was voted a Calder Trophy finalist.


“I guess there’s some similarities there throwing me into a new position,� Saad said. “But I’m ready for it and ready to go and ready for the challenge.�


One area Saad thinks he needs to put a lot of work into is faceoffs. He won 17-of-46 faceoffs in the regular season and 7-of-17 in the playoffs.


Saad plans on utilizing the team’s other centers, especially Jonathan Toews, to assist him.


“Fortunately, I have guys like Jonny and centers like that to hope and talk me through it and learn part of that game,� Saad said. “I’m definitely going to use that to my advantage. [Toews is] definitely going to be the No. 1 guy. He’s the premier center in the league and he does a great job of it. He’s definitely going to help me out.�</p>

 

[Rex]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MassHavoc" data-cid="209119" data-time="1379090382">
<div>


In case you didn't hear me the first time...</p>


 </p>
Saad getting chance to move to center


 </p>


SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad has never played center in his life.


“I’ve played both sides of the wing, but never center,� Saad said on Thursday.


That was news to Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, who began auditioning Saad as the team’s second-line center during the first day of practice at the University of Notre Dame on Thursday. Quenneville was under the belief Saad had played center in juniors.



“I think he played center a lot of his earlier years, and I think that versatility of playing more than one or two positions up front gives us more depth over time,� Quenneville said after holding two practices.


Quenneville was then told by a media member Saad had just said he had never played center.


“He’s never played center?� Quenneville said. “Oh, I thought he played in juniors at some point."


Even with the new information, Quenneville was confident Saad could do the job.


"He goes all over the ice anyways, and he seems like [he’s played center,]" Quenneville said. "No matter where he’s at, he has the puck a lot. I think him being in the middle of the ice or on the walls, I think you have the puck more in the middle. When he has it, he does some good things. You like his size. I think one thing he has to adapt to is how he plays down low in his own end. But I think that will be the determining factor on how well he’s going to be doing it and how long he’s going to be doing it.�


Saad centered a line with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa on the wings during practice on Thursday and admitted it was an adjustment.


“I got my first taste of it today,� Saad said. “It’s going to be a learning experience, but I’m going to be playing with some pretty good players, so that’s definitely going to help out.


“I’m pretty excited, actually. Center’s usually one of the best players on the ice and get to come up the middle and play well defensively. So it’s going to be new for me. But I usually pride myself on playing well defensively. Hopefully that will work out.�


Saad learned to make adjustments on the fly last season. He was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks’ season opener, and he was unsure whether he’d stick in the NHL for the season. But then Daniel Carcillo suffered an injury in the season opener, and Saad was placed on the top line with Hossa and Jonathan Toews for the rest of the regular season.


Saad held more than his own for his first season. He had 10 goals and 17 assists in 47 games and was voted a Calder Trophy finalist.


“I guess there’s some similarities there throwing me into a new position,� Saad said. “But I’m ready for it and ready to go and ready for the challenge.�


One area Saad thinks he needs to put a lot of work into is faceoffs. He won 17-of-46 faceoffs in the regular season and 7-of-17 in the playoffs.


Saad plans on utilizing the team’s other centers, especially Jonathan Toews, to assist him.


“Fortunately, I have guys like Jonny and centers like that to hope and talk me through it and learn part of that game,� Saad said. “I’m definitely going to use that to my advantage. [Toews is] definitely going to be the No. 1 guy. He’s the premier center in the league and he does a great job of it. He’s definitely going to help me out.�</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>

</p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>


 </p>

</p>

 

[MassHavoc]

http://youtu.be/REAqCB9vfbU</p>

 

[Rex]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MassHavoc" data-cid="209121" data-time="1379091578">
<div>


http://youtu.be/REAqCB9vfbU</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


why has nobody tried that guy at center?? </p>


 </p>


Purple</p>