Recalled/Assigned: Pirri Recalled, Hayes Sent Down

[pvr]

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.

Kruger is always on his knees because he can't stay on his skates along the wall or in front of the net. He lacks lower body strength. Nothing more, nothing less. Pirri was along the boards and not on his knees. While he seems neither faster nor slower than Kruger, he's obviously stronger on his skates.

I made no verdict on his faceoff ability. However, Pirri has taken all manner of faceoffs in the Rockford games I've personally seen over the past two years.

 

[ColdSteel2]

Good, step 2 is putting him in at 2C and leaving him there for the rest of the season.

 

[Sarava]

Good, step 2 is putting him in at 2C and leaving him there for the rest of the season.

That's way over the top thinking he should be handed the #2 center role for the entire season.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

Kruger is always on his knees because he can't stay on his skates along the wall or in front of the net. He lacks lower body strength. Nothing more, nothing less. Pirri was along the boards and not on his knees. While he seems neither faster nor slower than Kruger, he's obviously stronger on his skates.

I made no verdict on his faceoff ability. However, Pirri has taken all manner of faceoffs in the Rockford games I've personally seen over the past two years.

Kruger has decent speed while it looks like Pirri has less than decent speed to me (admittedly small sample size). But then Pirri has more speed than the glacier known as Handzus, and Handzus spends a lot of time as the 2C - so Pirri's speed should not preclude him from playing 2C so long as he is effectively dishing the puck to Sharp and Hossa.

 

[Cullksinikers]

Blackhawks' lines during practice: 29--19--88, 10--26--81, 20--65--42, 52--16--28. Pirri not on a line.

I hope Q isn't serious. It was one ****ing game. You can't judge a player based on one damn game. I think Q is a very good coach and should stay here as long as he wants to keep coaching, but some of the **** he does honestly baffles me.

 

[Cullksinikers]

Pirri deserves a shot. He has the talent. A one-game sample size to determine the guy isn't fit for the second line or any line is a load of crap. If Q isn't a Pirri fan, then I think it's time Brandon is given a fair shot in another organization. I just don't understand why he's already going to get scratched.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

The only confusing thing to me is that people just now realize he's not being given a real chance.

 

[ColdSteel2]

The only way he gets a real chance is Toews going down for the season and even then, 50-50.

 

[Cullksinikers]

The only confusing thing to me is that people just now realize he's not being given a real chance.

Like who?

It has been obvious the last few years they don't like his overall skillset. Over the past couple years, they'll give him a game or two. He gets a cup of coffee at the NHL level, little time to adjust, and then a bus ticket back to Rockford.

Pirri needs to be given a couple weeks in the top-six to show Stan and Q what he is capable of. The AHL and NHL are completely different in terms of speed. I think it's obvious the best of the best are in the NHL. If given a couple weeks to adjust to the NHL level and develop chemistry with consistent linemates, athough that will be tough with Q's constant juggling, the coaching staff and management can truly gauge if Pirri is the right guy for a Cup run this year as one of their centers.

If he doesn't cut it, include him in a package for an upgrade at the TD. It's pretty simple.

 

[Hawkscap]

They should have done it, last summer. Q and Stan are going to let him die on the vine.

 

[Sarava]

Why is everyone acting surprised? He was obviously brought up with Handzus out. Handzus is back, so he's the odd man out. They may as well send him back down. Maybe give Morin his chance next?

 

[Cullksinikers]

Why is everyone acting surprised? He was obviously brought up with Handzus out. Handzus is back, so he's the odd man out. They may as well send him back down. Maybe give Morin his chance next?

If Smith falls off, yes. I love Morin.

 

[massivegoonery]

Like who?

It has been obvious the last few years they don't like his overall skillset. Over the past couple years, they'll give him a game or two. He gets a cup of coffee at the NHL level, little time to adjust, and then a bus ticket back to Rockford.

Pirri needs to be given a couple weeks in the top-six to show Stan and Q what he is capable of. The AHL and NHL are completely different in terms of speed. I think it's obvious the best of the best are in the NHL. If given a couple weeks to adjust to the NHL level and develop chemistry with consistent linemates, athough that will be tough with Q's constant juggling, the coaching staff and management can truly gauge if Pirri is the right guy for a Cup run this year as one of their centers.

If he doesn't cut it, include him in a package for an upgrade at the TD. It's pretty simple.

Pirri has two options. 1) He can step in and help the team immediately, or 2) he can go **** himself.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

I hope Q isn't serious. It was one ****ing game. You can't judge a player based on one damn game. I think Q is a very good coach and should stay here as long as he wants to keep coaching, but some of the **** he does honestly baffles me.

I've said it over and over - it was obvious in the summer the second that Q contradicted Bowman/McDonagh's statement that Pirri would get a shot at 2c that Q was never giving him a chance. I do not know how you can be slightly surprised.

Q has decided his does not like Pirri and if there is something we know very well about Q it is that once he has decided he does not like a player he will not change his mind.

 

[Bubba88]

why are you surprised? Pirri had a game nobody would remember if it wasn't for the name on the back.

I don't think 1 game is enough to show what you have, but Pirri did nothing to suggest he earned more chances and that you just can't sit him. His D leaves a lot to be desired at the NHL level.

 

[zac]

I hope Q isn't serious. It was one ****ing game. You can't judge a player based on one damn game. I think Q is a very good coach and should stay here as long as he wants to keep coaching, but some of the **** he does honestly baffles me.

You are overestimating our coach...grotesquely. The bold is one of the many reasons why.

 

[Cullksinikers]

You are overestimating our coach...grotesquely. The bold is one of the many reasons why.

 

[Cullksinikers]

why are you surprised? Pirri had a game nobody would remember if it wasn't for the name on the back.

I don't think 1 game is enough to show what you have, but Pirri did nothing to suggest he earned more chances and that you just can't sit him. His D leaves a lot to be desired at the NHL level.

I'm not surprised he isn't being given a fair shake again. I just thought it would be three games in or something, not one.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

why are you surprised? Pirri had a game nobody would remember if it wasn't for the name on the back.

I don't think 1 game is enough to show what you have, but Pirri did nothing to suggest he earned more chances and that you just can't sit him. His D leaves a lot to be desired at the NHL level.

Replace Pirri with Kruger and D with offense and you have two+ years of valid criticism.

 

[Bubba88]

I know, but Pirris Offense isn't really that great and proven at the NHL level while Krügers defense IS.

Not to mention the need on our team and there is a difference

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Just because we HAVE won a cup with a fourth line center playing in our top six doesn't mean that's we SHOULD strive for. Pirri has the ability to put up 60+ points and his defense isn't anywhere near as atrocious as you and others on these boards make it out to be.

If you want a defensively responsible limited upside player to play the second line pivot I'm ok with that. Somebody like Goc, Zach Smith, etc. But go get a decent one instead of plugging in an extra forward in Handzus or a physically weak fourth line center that can't win faceoffs.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

And how in the hell is the kid supposed to prove he belongs in the top 6 playing with Ben Smith and Brandon Bollig? I wish Pirri was given a fraction of the chance Kruger was unjustly gifted to show he belongs in the top six.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

I am still waiting to see a player who has blossomed, flourished or developed under Q's tutelage.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

Q has decided his does not like Pirri and if there is something we know very well about Q it is that once he has decided he does not like a player he will not change his mind.

That is certainly not the way a good coach operates.

 

[Hawkscap]

I am still waiting to see a player who has blossomed, flourished or developed under Q's tutelage.