The Dog Days Are Over (or "I'm just here so I won't get fined)

It's been a while since my last blog. Christmas, the new year, Cancun and the All Star break all created the dog days of the season. There were hot and cold streaks for teams and players, but overall not too much motion up and down in the league. Now that the hockey ice capades  (aka the All Star game) are over we can get back to the business of "One Goal." Speaking of the all stars, Nikita Gusev did what no NLHer could really pull off during the shootout competition. Check out the video of this 2012 Tampa Bay pick during the KHL All Star Shootout. Sick. (Wait for the commercial to finish, its worth it.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJtOzWMjP9o

So let me catch up a bit with a few observations. First, I have been asked to give my thoughts on Carcillo. When I first saw the play I did not think too much about it. It did not appear that he put a lot of effort into the cross-check. I was quite surprised to that Mathieu Perreaulthad left the ice and missed a couple of games. But the replays reveled the force that Danny exerted in that hit. Being an ex-offender it is no surprise that he gets the  suspension and, yes, I believe he deserved that suspension. But I still love Danny's tenacity and enthusiasm for the game. I think he will do a lot for us in the playoffs if he keeps himself on the ice.

Tuevo-mania has arrive! See my report from November 23rd when I was scouting the hogs. http://blackhawksinsights.blogspot.com/2014/11/scouting-icehog.html
In that game TT had a log way to go. I planned to see how he was developing when I attended a game on Jan 3 but by that time the Versteeg injury led to Tuevo being called up to the big league. I was amazed on how different he looked from 6 weeks earlier. He really came a long way. He still has a ways to go to be a star in the NHL but he most definitely has the skill. I was able to see him practice one day over at Johnny's west. He has some incredible puck control and blind passing ability. He needs to get over his fear of getting smeared against the boards to show these skills more predominantly with the Hawks. It was that practice that showed me what he can do and why Bowman picked him in the first round.

Speaking on that Jan 3 game, the Wolves used that game to celebrate Brent Sopel's 1000th professional hockey game. And Brent still looks like a refugee from the 70s! I must admit that I once had my hair parted in the middle and sported a fu manchu. For anyone keeping track the Wolves have signed Adam Burish, Colin Fraser, Terry Broadhurst (former Hog), and Ben Eager in addition to Sopel. They also have Jake Chelios, son of Chris, in their line-up. Jake was once playing in the Hawks system down in Toledo when they were affiliated with the Blackhawks.

So, I'm BAAAAAAAAaaaaaack.

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#Blackhawks #DanCarcillo #Teravainen #Sopel