Recalled/Assigned: Pirri Recalled, Hayes Sent Down

[rick hawk]

As others have said, good to hear. Hayes has sucked and Pirri didn't get a fair crack at the roster. C'mon, Pirri - BE AWESOME.

I wonder if Pirri was sent down because he had been injured most of the pre season and they wanted to give him a chance to play a few games to get his timing back.

 

[pvr]

I wonder if Pirri was sent down because he had been injured most of the pre season and they wanted to give him a chance to play a few games to get his timing back.

He was disappointed, according to this article quoted by UWT (in the prospect thread)...

Pirri and Morin discuss their disappointment over getting sent back to the AHL.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bla...45/morin-pirri-working-through-disappointment

Doesn't sound like he was told he'd be back up anytime soon, after he got better.

 

[rick hawk]

Still, you have to wonder what changed their minds so quickly. I can't see how he could have impressed so much in two games down there.

 

[Taze em]

Still, you have to wonder what changed their minds so quickly. I can't see how he could have impressed so much in two games down there.

My dream scenario that could be playing out: Pirri, Hayes, Nordstrom and morin are getting an extended try out and the best 2 stick.

 

[Crazy_Ike]

Still, you have to wonder what changed their minds so quickly. I can't see how he could have impressed so much in two games down there.

He didn't, but Kruger's abysmal faceoff performance has the Hawks brass a little worried.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

He didn't, but Kruger's abysmal faceoff performance has the Hawks brass a little worried.

But Kruger was promoted to 2c and Pirri's on the 4th line. Handzus isn't playing. i think the second Handzus is back in teh lineup Pirri's scratched.

 

[Nothingman*]

I saw Pirri's winning face offs. That will help him stick.

 

[wladyslaw]

But Kruger was promoted to 2c and Pirri's on the 4th line. Handzus isn't playing. i think the second Handzus is back in teh lineup Pirri's scratched.

Kruger actually looked good w/ 10/81 last nite. And that is the first time I have seen that out of 16 when paired w 10/81. Sharp can take some FO's to help.

37 is still too slow/weak D for the 2nd C position- he can play 4th C or rotate 3rd/4th C w/ injuries and back-back games.

I still like a 20/42/65 line... lots of speed, forecheck, IQ in this line.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Kruger isn't the answer at #2C. Never was, never will be.

 

[Kurtosis]

Kruger actually looked good w/ 10/81 last nite. And that is the first time I have seen that out of 16 when paired w 10/81. Sharp can take some FO's to help.

37 is still too slow/weak D for the 2nd C position- he can play 4th C or rotate 3rd/4th C w/ injuries and back-back games.

I still like a 20/42/65 line... lots of speed, forecheck, IQ in this line.

I think Kruger looked the same as always with those 2, he made a couple good plays but otherwise was invisible for the bulk of his ice time. Pirri should be slotted in the 2nd line role where his skill set belongs and not on a checking line or with Brandon freaking Bollig on the 4th (he's been playing well for himself, but doesn't allow Pirri to showcase his talent, that's for sure).

 

[moose vasko]

Pirri's last shift (with about 2 minutes left) was rough, but otherwise he did fine and should stay with the big club for now over Jayes. Playing on the fourth line he won't shine offensively, but Zus will miss a lot of games so Q will have opportunities to try him between 10/81.

I think Q was right to play him there last night--ie. not put too much on him to start, and keep him with someone (Smith) he knows. The blocked shot was nice too. I think the bigger test for Pirri will be against the physical clubs.

 

[zytz]

Pirri 60% on faceoffs last night. He keep that up, that in itself could be reason for him to stick lol

 

[Bubba88]

his D and skating is still holding him back. Only 1 game so too early to tell

 

[pvr]

his D and skating is still holding him back. Only 1 game so too early to tell

He looked a little out of step last night (but so did Hossa). However, his skating is no worse than Kruger's (neither is a speedster), and he's already shown that he won't be knocked to his knees along the boards like Kruger is 10 times a game (though one of those times resulted in a weak penalty call against the Sabres last night). It's too early to tell about faceoffs, but he's obviously a better passer than Kruger, and there is no way his shot is as poor as Kruger's. His defense was not bad last night, and in fact he made a few good plays.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

his D and skating is still holding him back. Only 1 game so too early to tell

His skating is fine and his defensive game is overstated by his detractors. Put him with talent to see what he's got.

 

[Cullksinikers]

I almost wish Kruger was the guy at a 60% clip at the dot since he is more responsible and savvy in his own end due to experience. After you win a draw in your own end, you aren't out of the woods. Pirri needs a few weeks to prove he can get better with experience and the comfort of knowing he is more safe than his last few cups of coffee.

 

[bookjones]

His skating is fine and his defensive game is overstated by his detractors. Put him with talent to see what he's got.

Basically this. I feel it's absurd for folks to sill trot out these aspects of his game like throwaway memes as though the kid hasn't tried to address them or shown any improvement in the least in his 3 pro years. Admittedly, I watch the Hogs games online but IMO, after watching the majority of last season I felt I saw improvement in his game as last season progressed and even in the few games Rockford has played already this season. My personal feeling is that his staying in Chicago to train with Paul Goodman all summer as opposed to going home has paid some measure of dividends. He looks a little bigger, seems a little stronger and after his first couple of games I mentioned to someone that he seems faster at times so I was heartened to think it wasn't just me wishing it and to read someone who's Hogs analysis I trust when Chris Block did a recap earlier this week and said, "–Brandon Pirri’s straight line speed has noticeably improved" (http://thethirdmanin.com/2013/10/07...ead-rockford-to-a-4-3-win-in-texas/#more-3447).

ETA: Meant to say the first time that you don't just do nothing and without having improved your game to wind up the pts leader in the AHL at 21/22. Pirri was 1st, Morin was 15th and I believe 7 or 8 of the players in between them were 30+ yo AHL lifers which just shows how much scoring is often dictated by the serious AHL vets. 3-yr AHL-seasoned prospects who were 1st and 15th in league scoring still relegated back to the Minors is maddeningly frustrating.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I almost wish Kruger was the guy at a 60% clip at the dot since he is more responsible and savvy in his own end due to experience. After you win a draw in your own end, you aren't out of the woods. Pirri needs a few weeks to prove he can get better with experience and the comfort of knowing he is more safe than his last few cups of coffee.

I wish Kruger was at a 60% clip too because then he'd be an elite fourth line center instead of the decent fourth line player he is.

 

[Bubba88]

Krüger is more than a 4th line player... Q agrees to this

 

[CS85]

Krüger is more than a 4th line player... Q agrees to this

Kruger has gotten better, but he'll never grow beyond the 3rd line/4th line defensive specialist. He won't lose you games but he won't necessarily win them either. I like what he brings to the team but he shouldn't be the 2C, absolutely not.

Pirri should get as many 3C/4C starts as possible because he has the offensive skillset to thrive at that 2C position that he seems destined to acquire, the question is, like you said yourself, if Q will ever allow that.

 

[HockeySauce]

He looked a little out of step last night (but so did Hossa). However, his skating is no worse than Kruger's (neither is a speedster), and he's already shown that he won't be knocked to his knees along the boards like Kruger is 10 times a game (though one of those times resulted in a weak penalty call against the Sabres last night). It's too early to tell about faceoffs, but he's obviously a better passer than Kruger, and there is no way his shot is as poor as Kruger's. His defense was not bad last night, and in fact he made a few good plays.

Lol, Kruger gets knocked down because he's always involved in the play. He's always battling along the boards - and he wins more than his fair share. Pirri doesn't because he's a passenger, waiting for someone else on his line to get the puck for him.

People pointing to Pirri's faceoff % last night don't know very much about him. Two words, one name folks: Brad Mills. That's who takes a hefty percentage of Pirri's faceoffs in the AHL. You can guess why.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Right, but Pirri isn't up here to win faceoffs. And I like Kruger on this team in a fourth line role. I think he might one day have the ability to play a solid third line center role. Right now he's a good PK guy that should be rotating between fourth line LW/C with Handzus getting rest days.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Krüger is more than a 4th line player... Q agrees to this

Q also thinks Handzus is a second line center.

 

[Bubba88]

Krüger plays on the 3rd line so far... getting more minutes up there than last year.

Q plays Zeus as #2 C, that is true. In the end he got it right and we should give him the benefit of the doubt in this case.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

In the end he got what right?