Chicago Blackhawks Overview and Overhaul, Part 4: Who's Ready for the NHL?
This is Part 4 of a look at the Chicago Blackhawks as it was constructed for the 2010-11 season and how they may renew their quest for NHL supremacy.
In the first three installments of this look at the team, I shared my thoughts on the Blackhawks' forwards and defensemen, as well as the situation in goal. Part 4 will consist of a look at the talent coming up in the organization.
There will likely be changes in the makeup of Chicago's roster before the team hits the ice for the 2011-12 season. How many of those spots are going to be filled from within?
Several of Chicago's prospects saw significant time with the 'Hawks this season, including Marcus Kruger's cameo in the season's final weeks and a strong playoff performance by Ben Smith.
A few prospects got called up to skate with the team during the Blackhawks abbreviated playoff run. One who did not was Chicago's top pick in 2008, Kyle Beach. As he struggles to learn the pro game, several other prospects have moved ahead of the young forward on the pipeline to the NHL.
My list starts with five players who, in my opinion, are most ready for the NHL. They could find their way to the 'Hawks lineup at some point this next season.
Ben Smith, RW
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2008 Sixth Round Selection (169th Overall)
2010-11: 63 games with Rockford, 19 G, 12 A, 31 points, -3.
Fans have seen quite a bit of the former Boston College standout, as he appeared in six regular season games for the Blackhawks, including the last three of the season. He also had a pair of goals in the playoffs.
Smith is not a huge player (5'11", 205), but is strong and has a low center of gravity. He was knocked around some by the Canucks and needs to continue to become more of a force in the corners.
Despite breaking his jaw in Rockford this season, he was the Ice Hogs' Rookie Of The Year. He had 10 goals in his last 15 games before the 'Hawks called him up.
I'm guessing that Smith is going to get a long look in camp, and could be on the roster opening night. Where he ends up will depend on how Chicago alters its roster.
Jeremy Morin, LW
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2009 Second Round Selection (45th Overall, by Atlanta)
Obtained by trade in June 2010
2010-11: 22 games with Rockford, 8 G, 4 A, 12 points, +2.
2010-11: 9 games with Chicago, 2 G, 1 A, 3 points, +2.
If you'd asked me if Morin would be on the 'Hawks roster in 2011-12 before he left to play in the World Junior Championships in January, I'd have been pretty certain he would be.
Morin looked good in the pre-season, played well when Chicago brought him up and he seemed to have a lot going for him in Rockford. He has good hands, doesn't mind getting physical and has a nose for the goal.
He injured his shoulder in the WJC. In his third game after coming back to the Ice Hogs, Morin was flipped onto his head against the Chicago Wolves. He has not played since.
Morin looked to be on his way to a 20-25 goal season and a sure spot in the Blackhawks lineup this fall. Missing four months of development time may push back the timetable, though if he has another strong camp, Chicago may still find a spot for him.
I'd still say he has a good chance to make an impact with the 'Hawks. I'm just not as sure he spends the whole season up in Chicago.
Rob Klinkhammer, LW
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Signed as a free agent, March 2009
2010-11: 76 games with Rockford, 17 G, 29 A, 46 points, +14.
Klinkhammer appeared in one game with the 'Hawks back in December. His number in his fourth season in the AHL were his best to date. He led Rockford in plus/minus.
A real blue-collar player, Klinkhammer was a mainstay on Rockford's top penalty kill unit. He's a hard-working winger who isn't afraid to do the dirty work in the corners. He also has the size (6'3", 206) to come out with the puck.
Chicago would like to see Klinkhammer convert more on scoring opportunities. He generates a lot of them by getting to the net and converting steals into shorthanded breakaways.
Klinkhammer is an RFA who the 'Hawks will have to re-sign. On the other hand, the organization thought enough of him to call him up for the playoffs.
Klinkhammer could receive strong consideration for a spot on next year's club, probably as a fourth-liner.
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Brian Connelly, D
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Signed as a free agent, March 2009
2010-11: 80 games in Rockford, 11 G, 41 A, 52 points, +3.
Connelly was Rockford's lone representative in the AHL All-Star Game. He is extremely adept on the offensive end of the ice, being the point man on Rockford's power play.
Connelly is a RFA this summer, so the 'Hawks have to decide on whether to bring back the 24-year old.
The knock on Connelly is his small stature. At 5'10" and 167 pounds, he's not the physical player the 'Hawks could use more of. Connelly needs to prove he's capable of handling bigger NHL forwards.
Unless the 'Hawks create a spot for him, they may trade his rights. He is probably as ready for a shot at the big time as he is likely to be.
Marcus Kruger, C
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2009 Fifth Round Selection (149th Overall)
2010-11: 52 games for Djurgårdens IF (Swedish Elite League), 6 G, 29 A, 35 points.
2010-11: 12 games for Chicago (regular season and playoffs), 0 G, 1A, 1 point, -2.
When Bowman brought Kruger across the Atlantic late in the season, he insisted the following:
1. This was the plan all along.
2. This wasn't done to replace Patrick Sharp, who had been injured.
Of course, when Sharp returned to the lineup, out went Kruger. If Tomas Kopecky had not been injured in the first game of the playoffs, I don't think we would have seen Kruger, who played reasonably well against the Canucks.
Kruger has talent and seems to have a good head for the game. He may be the answer to the second-line center, but not next season.
He needs to start the season in the AHL, playing on Rockford's top line and getting the feel for North American hockey. Playing 18-20 minutes a night instead of the eight-10 minutes he may see on Chicago's fourth line is the best course of action for the young Swede.
Next up is a look at some other top prospects in Rockford who will benefit from at least another season to develop.
Shawn Lalonde, D
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2008 Third Round Selection (68th Overall)
2010-11: 73 games with Rockford, 5 G, 27 A, 32 points, -16.
Another guy Dale Tallon thought a lot of, Lalonde was nearly a point a game player in his last season of junior hockey. Lalonde had a decent season in his first full year as a pro, but the 21-year old has to improve his defense and keep getting stronger to keep refining his game.
Another season in Rockford should tell the 'Hawks what kind of player they have.
Brandon Pirri, C
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2009 Second Round Selection (59th overall)
2010-11: 70 games for Rockford, 12 G, 31 A, 43 points, -6.
Pirri should compete with Kruger as a top-six center in the next year or two. Like Kruger, he needs to develop the strength to win battles for the puck. Pirri (6'0", 180) could probably benefit from a second year of college hockey, but the 'Hawks signed him after his freshman year at Rensselaer Polytechic Institute.
Pirri was activated for an early season game in Chicago. He struggled at times with the physical pro game, but is quite a distributor of the puck. He flashed the scoring touch that made him a high-round pick, but needs to be more consistent in the scoring department. 10 pounds and another year learning the game in Rockford should move him up the ladder.
Ryan Stanton, D
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Signed as a free agent, March 2010.
2010-11: 73 games for Rockford, 3 G, 14 A, 17 points, +9.
The 21-year old defenseman brings a physical, defensive-oriented style to the ice, something the 'Hawks lack from many of their defensive prospects.
Stanton started slowly in his first full year as a pro, but came on starting in December and earned a call up with the Blackhawks after the Ice Hogs finished their season. He has the size (6'2", 205) to bang around with NHL forwards and isn't shy about defending a teammate.
Kyle Beach, LW
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2008 First Round Selection (11th Overall)
2010-11: 71 games with Rockford, 16 G, 20 A, 36 points, -24
Beach has the potential to be the power forward the organization covets. Every time the overall toughness of the Blackhawks is questioned, Beach's name inevitably comes up.
Beach is certainly a physical guy with the size (6'3", 210), and he has great hands. He's capable of firing off wrist shots with scoring potential anywhere in the zone. He's also not afraid to get to the front of the net.
If he could solve the problems in his game that resides between his ears, he could be a goal-scoring power forward that fits the 'Hawks needs to a T.
Beach has not done that yet.
His first full season in Rockford saw him bounce around the lineup. He tends to get goaded into silly penalties. The fact that he was not brought up for the playoffs may indicate that the team is losing patience with him.
Beach is just 21 and needs another season in Rockford to get his act together. I'd like to see him get that season. On the other hand, if Beach is the price of obtaining a key piece this summer, they may be inclined to part with him.
Igor Makarov, RW
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2006 Second Round Selection (33rd Overall)
2010-11: 68 games for Rockford, 11 G, 13 A, 24 points, -8.
Makarov spent his first season of North American hockey after two seasons in the KHL. He's an energy guy who doesn't give up on any play. He provided fans in Rockford with some exciting play.
The Hawks envision him as a fourth-line prospect, but Makarov is still in need of time in the AHL fine-tuning his defense. He does fly around the ice, though.
Dylan Olsen, D
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2009 First Round Selection (28th Overall)
2010: 17 games for University of Minnesota-Duluth: 1 G, 12 A, 13 points.
2010-11: 42 games played for Rockford, 0 G, 4 A, 4 points, -18.
If Olsen had been academically eligible, the 'Hawks would have been fine with letting the young defenseman develop at Minnesota-Duluth.
He wasn't. He departure from the Bulldogs was so crippling that the team was only able to win the national championship by one goal without him.
Rather than letting him sit around and play video games, Chicago signed Olsen to an entry-level contract. They sent him to Rockford after he played in the World Junior Championships with Team Canada.
Olsen is a big kid (6'2", 206) and that's exactly what he looked like on the ice. He has a lot to learn about the pro game and that starts with a full season in Rockford.
Olsen saw some time with veteran defenseman Jassen Cullimore. Cullimore may be resigned by Chicago if only to have him season the youngster in the AHL.
Jimmy Hayes, RW
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2008 Second Round Selection (60th Overall, by Toronto)
Obtained by trade in June 2010
2010-11: 39 games for Boston College, 21 G, 12 A, 33 points.
2010-11: 7 games for Rockford, 0 G, 0 A.
Two big forwards obtained from Toronto last summer are going to be watched closely by the Hawks in Rockford next season.
Hayes, who turns pro after three years of college hockey, was picked up on the second day of the 2010 HNL draft. His younger brother Kevin was selected by Chicago in the first round and is still at Boston College.
Jimmy Hayes is a 6'5", 210 pound prospect who the 'Hawks signed to his entry level contract after the Eagles were eliminated from the NCAA tournament. He was signed to a 30-day PTO so he could get a taste of what will surely be a full-season in the AHL.
Hayes is coming to Rockford to learn how to use that big body in traffic. The 'Hawks hope that he can play more physical as a pro and retain his scoring touch.
Phillipe Paradis, C/LW
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2009 First Round Selection (by Carolina, 27th overall)
Obtained by trade in June 2010
2010-11: 59 games with P.E.I. Rocket, 23 G, 30 A, 53 points
2010-11: 4 games with Rockford, 1 G, 0 A, 1 point, +1.
Paradis, who came to the 'Hawks via the trade that sent Kris Versteeg out of town, is an intriguing prospect.
The 20-year old is a physical, two-way forward (6'2", 205) who owns a big slap shot. The Maple Leafs signed him to an entry contract last spring. Chicago let him play one more year of juniors and will probably let him mature in Rockford this season.
He is listed as a wing and a center, though he was a left wing in his brief run with the Ice Hogs in April.
Hayes and Paradis are two potential power forwards to keep an eye on, but I think the 'Hawks need to show some patience with these players.
Other Names to Watch
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Some other names developing in Rockford next season should include the following players.
Alec Richards: Former Yale goalie, talented but inconsistent, should get more than the 44 games he played last season.
David Gilbert: Center, had three points in Rockford's last five games.
Joe Lavin: Just signed out of Notre Dame, the fifth round pick from 2007 had a cup of coffee in Rockford at the end of the season.
Rockford was one of the youngest teams in the AHL this season, with many players seeing their first full-time season as a professional. Despite not reaching the playoffs, the Ice Hogs won 15 of their last 18 games and indicated that there is a good measure of talent in the 'Hawks organization.
I'd guess that we will see at least one or two of Chicago's top prospects to be skating with the Blackhawks in the fall. Who those players might be depends on what the organization needs, and who impresses out of training camp.
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