Blueline ??

I realize that our blueline play has improved greatly from last year to this year, but I am still seeing alot of the same mistakes made by the same players(ie Tamer, Tremblay). We are consistently hearing Don Waddell refer to all of the talented Dmen we have in the system, but when will we get to see some of them on the big stage? Also, who do you think will be the first ones to see action?

I realize that our blueline play has improved greatly from last year to this year, but I am still seeing alot of the same mistakes made by the same players (ie Tamer, Tremblay). I'm not, I'm seeing fewer mistakes under Bob. Except for maybe Sutton. But all the other D are better.

I don't think you'll see anyone up til spring, barring injuries of course. No one in the system is anywhere close to being as fit for an NHL job as the 7 guys who have them right now.

I'm not, I'm seeing fewer mistakes under Bob. Except for maybe Sutton. But all the other D are better.

I don't think you'll see anyone up til spring, barring injuries of course. No one in the system is anywhere close to being as fit for an NHL job as the 7 guys who have them right now.

Holly- If we happen to make it injury free, what would allow some of these players to be called up this spring?
Also, what young Dmen have you heard are progessing quicker than the others?

I realize that our blueline play has improved greatly from last year to this year, but I am still seeing alot of the same mistakes made by the same players(ie Tamer, Tremblay). We are consistently hearing Don Waddell refer to all of the talented Dmen we have in the system, but when will we get to see some of them on the big stage? Also, who do you think will be the first ones to see action?

Well if Tremblay and Tamer play as #5 and #6 DMan, I have no problem with that!

If we happen to make it injury free, what would allow some of these players to be called up this spring? Well that's usually when trades are made and the roster shaken up a bit. Right now there's hardly any player movement going on. Plus any of these young guys would need that long to improve their games to the level they need to be. Then again, if the team is buying and not selling at the deadline, it could get harder to see time too. Hard to tell this far out. Spring at the earliest I guess should have been my answer.

Also, what young Dmen have you heard are progessing quicker than the others? Well the last time I saw everyone was training camp and none of them looked ready. Foster and Safronov are the most likely to see time but DiPenta and Weaver can both play if necessary. I'm not very excited about the defensemen we have in Chicago actually. Well, I like Dipenta's game but I don't know if he'll get a chance. Coburn is out there of course but he's farther away than these guys.

Coburn's farther away geographically. But he's not farther away from making it to the show. I figure no defenseman in Chicago will become a full-time NHLer this year. Coburn will next year before any of these guys we currently have.

Coburn's farther away geographically. But he's not farther away from making it to the show. I figure no defenseman in Chicago will become a full-time NHLer this year. Coburn will next year before any of these guys we currently have. Next year? I doubt that. Even if the CBA is settled. He's still pretty raw.

Next year? I doubt that. Even if the CBA is settled. He's still pretty raw.
No need to rush him either. I'd rather have him playing the #1 for another season in Portland. Whether he is ready to play or not isn't the question, he could have played this year for us, but another year of being a leader and improving his game at that level will pay off down the road IMHO.

It would also be the same window in which I would expect him and Tobias Enstrom to begin what could be a very interesting partnership along the blueline.

Holly, what is the deal with Nikulin? Is it something we should worry about or just another DW 2nd rounder gone awry?

Just one more question, could you, or any of our resident Chicago Wolves gurus, give us an update on how Ustrnul has looked now that he is getting regular ice time with the Wolves? Okay, I lied, one more question, how in the world do you pronounce "Ustrnul"?

For every 3 good plays Kablerle makes he pulls a really dumb one. By the way Sutton is a +8 this year for somebody making more mistakes than last year. Waddell is still talking about trades and I hope its for a defensmen rather than offense. I would rather package a deal for Gonchar than Comrie.

Next year? I doubt that. Even if the CBA is settled. He's still pretty raw.
Raw or not, he'll be more ready than any Chicago defensemen. How do you figure he's 'raw' anyways? He missed virtually all of camp with an injury and only got to play in one road game in preseason. He was the best defenseman in prospect camp. It would be a waste to have him play another year in juniors. He'll be way too good for that level at that point. One additional year is fine but two would be a shame.

He was the best defenseman in prospect camp. Of course, it was other junior and college players. But compared to pro players, he looked raw. He's got great potential, but no way could he have played in the NHL this year. He's no Bouwmeester, the rare defenseman who can step right in.

It would be a waste to have him play another year in juniors. He'll be way too good for that level at that point. One additional year is fine but two would be a shame. Well he's not exactly eating people up at that level now, from both reports I'm getting and looking at his plus/minus. I don't think it would kill him to play another year down there -- he likely won't be ready for the NHL full time next year. But this point may be moot anyway due to the CBA issue. He may be in juniors by default.

Holly, what is the deal with Nikulin? Is it something we should worry about or just another DW 2nd rounder gone awry? I wouldn't count on this guy making it over. If he does, then it will be a bonus. There's a story here, I know that much.

As far as Ustrnul goes, I haven't watched any tapes yet. I will be soon though.

What about Jimmy Sharrow? His numbers look good this season and he looks like he has the frame to put on some weight.

What about Jimmy Sharrow? His numbers look good this season and he looks like he has the frame to put on some weight. He'll stay in juniors until he's old enough for the AHL. Then we'll see. Defensemen take time, but that's OK.

Of course, it was other junior and college players. But compared to pro players, he looked raw. He's got great potential, but no way could he have played in the NHL this year. He's no Bouwmeester, the rare defenseman who can step right in.
When did you see him play against pros? He was injured for virtually the entire training camp. Conversely, when did you see Jim Slater play against anyone other than junior and college players? You can't seem to rave enough about him.

Coburn was one of the few players from the last draft that a few scouting sources seemed to think would be ready to step into the NHL as an 18 year-old.