Blackhawks Sign Two College Free Agents And They're The Bullies We Need
This happens every Spring after the College Hockey season wraps up. Teams around the league race to sign their draft picks currently playing in the NCAA, or the best College Free Agents. Sometimes you get an NHL ready defenseman like Trevor van Riemsdyk, and other times you sign the Hobey Bake winner who ends up being a marginal AHL player(Drew LeBlanc). Either way, I think it’s worthwhile to learn a bit about the newest Blackhawks Kyle Baun and Michael Paliotta since they could see some time in Chicago in the last 10 days of the season.
Now, I am not a scout. I watch college here and there, but I am not going to pretend to be an expert on these kids. But here is an element of the Stool that makes us better than most of the internet…stoolies are everywhere in college hockey. So we can get first hand reports from opponents and teammates. Here is the Kyle Baun report
One from John Buccigross for good measure
And now his coach(tried to alter the start time on the video, but if it didn’t work skip to 1:20 mark)
Big, mean, bully who works hard, goes to the front of the net, and can snipe. That’s definitely an element that the Blackhawks have been missing. It’s something that the LA Kings have in spades, but the Hawks have lacked outside of Bickell(when he feels like it). If you didn’t get a little tingly listening to his coach rave about him then you’re dead inside. Again, take it with a huge grain of salt, but Kyle Baun sounds like he could be a nice addition. Haven’t had a true bully on the team since Byfuglien got traded.
And then there’s Michael Paliotta. This kid sounds like the truth. The Hawks drafted him in the 3rd round out of a New England prep school(where all the best players/bloggers hone their skills) in 2011 and he’s been at UVM since. He’s 6’4 205lbs. Was originally projected as a stay-at-home/smash-you-into-a-pulp type guy, but he’s really developed his skating and offensive skills since his draft year. He had 36 points in 41 games this year. Almost a PPG as a defenseman in college hockey. The Blackhawks are suddenly flush with young and promising defensemen in their system. Pokka, Johns, TVR, and now Paliotta to go with mainstays Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson. I’m already excited about Johns and Paliotta bashing guys to Bolivia. Live look at the future D-pair
The Hawks, thanks to Canada’s shitty poor country dollar, are going to be squeezed by the cap next year. The team is going to need young and cheap guys to step in and play a role as the Hawks look to replace Oduya, Rozsival, on defense and who knows up front. Stan has done an outstanding job of keeping the prospect pool full and the dynasty rolling along and these signings could help the Hawks become a team that can beat you with physicality or finesse. I love bullies in hockey and if that’s wrong then I don’t want to be right.
Viva la Hawks