I know you're not supposed to speak this way about "The Great One", but Wayne Gretzky at center in the NHL now wouldn't be great. Or even good. And Patrick Kane is no Wayne Gretzky.

No matter the era, Gretzky would have been a beast. The NHL has much more of a dedication to working out and getting big, just look at how large Sid the Kid has gotten since he came into the league. Do you think Wayne Gretzky wouldn't have access to the same nutrition and workout methods all current NHLers have? He'd have been amazing no matter the era, because he was better than everyone. Sure, he's not getting 200+ points or 90+ goals in a season in today's NHL, but he'd be rocking 120-140 points in his prime. Today's NHL is way more conducive to scoring than the late nineties (where 2 line passes were penalties, a foot in the crease nowhere near the play meant no goal, there was no such thing as obscruction calls), and at age 36 Gretzky still posted 97 points with the Rangers in said era.

 

As for "Kane is no Gretzky"... no f***ing s***. No one said that, not even close. Kane's playmaking abilities were rated "top notch". However, Rock saying he was compared to Gretzky for that was just downright silly, ESPECIALLY when talking about Kaner's ability to play center. It was completely irrelevant. Hell, Paul Coffey had vision, that doesn't mean Kaner can play defense either.

Edited September 28, 201114 yr by Steve9347

I know you're not supposed to speak this way about "The Great One", but Wayne Gretzky at center in the NHL now wouldn't be great. Or even good.

 

Jesus.. lets not get carried away here.

Not the mid 80's anymore. He can pass, I'm aware, but his defense is awful, he's too soft to play the middle of the ice, and he won't win faceoffs. It won't last, so I'm not worried, but it's not a good fit. Trying to check the other line's center and help out below the dots would be a nightmare.

Wasnt the NHL more physical back then? We already have 2 dynamic 2-way centers on the roster so its not like his role would be to stop the opposing top lines.

Elbow to the head in a f***ing preseason game you p****.

Elbow to the head in a f***ing preseason game you p****.

 

That hit really deserves a suspension. No need for that kind hit to the head.

I like kanes line. I'm on board for now.

Wasnt the NHL more physical back then? We already have 2 dynamic 2-way centers on the roster so its not like his role would be to stop the opposing top lines.

No.

 

You play a lot of minutes, you play against top lines throughout the game, those matchups happen, regardless of "role"

Elbow to the head in a f***ing preseason game you p****.

 

Mike Babcock's comment after the game was very disappointing. I know you have to try to back your guy, but he basically placed blame on Ben Smith for "toe-dragging" and not protecting his head.

Bulls***, Mike. Would you blame your guy if the situation was reversed? Doubtful.

 

Jesus.. lets not get carried away here.

 

He'd score a s***load of points obviously since he's Wayne friggin Gretzky. He'd also get killed on defense and draws. Have to balance everything out.

 

Kane actually looked good at center tonight, which I found to be quite discouraging because it means they'll probably do that bull s*** to start the regular season now. And Mike Babcock is a f***ing idiot. His comments after the game were laughable. I don't normally know Detroit as a team of dirty whiners, but that's what they looked like tonight. Which is especially bad because it was a meaningless preseason game!

Edited September 29, 201114 yr by whitesoxfan101

Elbow to the head in a f***ing preseason game you p****.

 

Hopefully the kid ends up being OK. That one will get filed away though. Too many goons on this squad for that one to not get paid back at a later date.

Stalberg was injured as well. (rumor is potential ACL/MCL) If his and Smith's injury are serious, Hawks will be down 3 guys to start the season. (Carcillo 2 game suspension) Might see a couple of youth guys make the team to start.

No.

 

You play a lot of minutes, you play against top lines throughout the game, those matchups happen, regardless of "role"

I liked him in that role last night because Hossa and Brunette already back check well enough to cover up for his lack of physicality.

Stalberg was injured as well. (rumor is potential ACL/MCL) If his and Smith's injury are serious, Hawks will be down 3 guys to start the season. (Carcillo 2 game suspension) Might see a couple of youth guys make the team to start.

 

f***!

f***!

Oh yeah, all Q said was "not good"

Stalberg was injured as well. (rumor is potential ACL/MCL) If his and Smith's injury are serious, Hawks will be down 3 guys to start the season. (Carcillo 2 game suspension) Might see a couple of youth guys make the team to start.

Yeah, Stalberg is toast. We'll likely see some rooks on 9-game tryouts to start the season.

Stalberg out for 3 weeks

 

Smith is day to day. Q says he is OK but they don't wanna put a timeline on it.

Stalberg out for 3 weeks

 

Smith is day to day. Q says he is OK but they don't wanna put a timeline on it.

 

Good news on Stalberg, and they should be very careful with Smith. Don't rush him out there after a head shot.

Good news on Stalberg, and they should be very careful with Smith. Don't rush him out there after a head shot.

I'm shocked on Stalberg. It might have been a blessing in disguise as all he does is skate, though.

Hopefully the kid ends up being OK. That one will get filed away though. Too many goons on this squad for that one to not get paid back at a later date.

Problem is Rockford would have to file it away for Grand Rapids

8 games for Brendan Smith. 3 preseason and 5 regular season. Of course, when he gets sent to the Griffins, it won't matter. Babcock said the suspension was extreme. Of course he did.

8 games for Brendan Smith. 3 preseason and 5 regular season. Of course, when he gets sent to the Griffins, it won't matter. Babcock said the suspension was extreme. Of course he did.

Yes, when he gets to the Griffins it won't matter, but upon any call-up at any point in his career he's not playing the first 5 games.

CSNCClark Chris Clark

RT @TramyersCSN: #Blackhawks assign Jimmy Hayes, Marcus Kruger, Peter LeBlanc, Brandon Pirri and Dylan Olsen to Rockford IceHogs today.

 

Brenden Saad among those who have survived the big cuts. 4 more cuts need to be made, and one of them will be Emery vs Salak.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/story/_/id/...s?asid=115460a6

 

The Chicago Blackhawks and second-round pick Brandon Saad are in contract talks, according to a source familiar with the situation, which means the 18-year-old winger from Pittsburgh is likely to break training camp with the team.

 

More On The Blackhawks

 

For all the latest on the Blackhawks, check out Jesse Rogers' blog on ESPNChicago.com. Blog

 

Saad has been the biggest surprise in camp, easily outlasting most other prospects, including two players drafted ahead of him in June's entry-level draft.

 

Saad played in six of seven preseason games and impressed coaches with his skills and hockey smarts. The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder also possesses an NHL-ready body and scored the game-winning goal in the 3-2 victory over Washington on Sept. 23.

 

A spot on the roster may have opened up for Saad when forwards Ben Smith and Viktor Stalberg were injured in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

 

Saad needs to sign an entry-level deal before he is eligible to play in the NHL. When he does, he can play up to nine games this season without it counting as a year on his contract. If he plays fewer than nine games he can be sent back to his junior team, the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL, otherwise he has to stay with the Hawks for the entire season. Because of his age he's not eligible to play for the Hawks' minor league affiliate, Rockford of the AHL.

 

Expect a deal to be worked out for Saad by Tuesday, the source said. Rosters have to be finalized by Wednesday afternoon.

 

Jesse Rogers covers the Blackhawks for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.

Pirri was tearing it up in the pre-season, right? I don't get games on TV anymore here at school, but IIRC, he had at least 2 or 3 goals.