and a 2nd rounder.

 

http://www.chicagoblackhawks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=3198

Edited March 9, 200620 yr by The Critic

arnason, simpson, dowd, hilbert gone... wish they could have gotten rid of about 10 other guys

I honestly wouldn't have minded if they could have found a taker for Khabibulin.

Nobody wanted the contracts of Brown or Cullimore I see.

 

I like the Arny trade though. Bocheski could be another Vrbata for this team, he did have some success in Ottawa when they actually played him.

Not a bad job by Tallon this trading deadline. I like getting picks in the post mike smith era of drafting.

 

I used to be a big Arnason fan, but he ended up as wasted talent in an Indianhead jersey.

I like getting picks in the post mike smith era of drafting. 

Funny that, because Tallon said yesterday IIRC that he didn't want to stockpile picks.

Picks were all you were going to get for these guys. AND PICKS ARE CHEAP

 

(a sign in Wirtz office)

This was a good deal by Tallon... he got rid of one of the biggest slugs on the Hawks and got a potentially good player and a pick for him....

I was glad to see the Canes picking up someone to help the team down the home stretch with the loss of Cole.

I love it, Dowd, Arnie, Simpson, all sucked. Good Riddance!

Boch played tonight. I think he arrived during the first intermission, as from the second period on, he was playing with Bell and Calder. He had a couple of scoring opportunities, looked like he had a pretty decent wrister. Other than that, I couldn't tell you a whole lot.

 

BTW -- I Byfuglian. He absolutely manhandles guys behind the net and on the boards. Plus, he showed some surprising quickness for a big-man, along with a rocket slapshot. He's down from something like 280 when he was first drafted to around 240. Real, real impressive.

I like our defense right now - the fact that they are all young and getting a ton of playing time...well, minus Cullimore. If only we could have traded him as well. The defense is something we have to look forward to at least.

 

And yeah, Boch arrived at the intermission i guess. Also weird that Dowd just had to change locker rooms and jerseys to play tonight. That had to be weird for him.

Scouting Report on Bochenski;

 

Perhaps the best way to describe Bochenski is pure goal-scorer. He possesses a wicked wrist-shot. He has no trouble scoring and does so with great consistency and in bunches. He can also score those timely goals as well. He finished the 2003-04 season tied for sixth in the nation in game-winning goals with five. 11 of his 27 goals have come on the power play as well. He possesses a long reach and has very good passing skills. He’s willing to drive to the net and has the ability to “cash in” on those in-close rebounds given up by opposing netminders. Having good players who can set up also helps his game tremendously. He had that in Zach Parise this past season, but with Parise and Bochenski both going to the professional ranks in different organizations, he’ll have to find a new set-up man in Binghamton of the AHL.

The two greatest weaknesses Bochenski has are in his skating and his overall defensive game. His skating is average at best. How much it will improve in the future remains to be seen. His defensive game needs to improve if he ever wants to make it to the NHL level. His greatest weakness as far as the defensive side is concerned is his positioning when attempting to defend against opposing players one on one. More often than not, he’s not where he should be and it has led to some good scoring opportunities for opposing players, particularly in the slot and crease areas. At 6’2”/195, Bochenski possesses good size. While he has shown that he can be physical and make very good use of his size and strength, he doesn’t do it often enough. If he did, he would be even more difficult to play against than he already is.

 

I also like the way our defense is shaping up at the moment. It's no secret, Tallon has to get at least 2 top 6 forwards for this offense, and that's what he needs to do in the off-season at the very least.

Dowd changed locker rooms, and then promptly got an assist.

Dowd changed locker rooms, and then promptly got an assist.

On the eventual game winner, no less.

A feeling he didn't have often in that other locker room.

BTW -- I  Byfuglian.  He absolutely manhandles guys behind the net and on the boards.  Plus, he showed some surprising quickness for a big-man, along with a rocket slapshot.  He's down from something like 280 when he was first drafted to around 240.  Real, real impressive.

 

I don't know if I told you this before, but he shot at one of my camps like 6 years ago. I was terrified, he was so damn big and his shot was just brutal. But a true baby-faced big man. It's really fun to watch him play and think, wow, he scored on me. Anyway, I hope he pans out, he's such a talent.