Confirmed with Link: Blackhawks Re-Sign Marcus Kruger (2 years / 1.325 AAV)

[clydesdale line]

Still think he will eventually overtake Shaw at 3LC at some point next season. Much more offensive upside. Would like to see his playmaking on a line with a sniper like Morin on his wing. (and Mr. do everything in Saad)

 

[HockeySauce]

I don't necessarily think he'll, "overtake" Shaw as the 3rd line centre, but I think Shaw will be moved to wing at some point next year and Kruger given the role as the 3rd line centre. Shaw didn't do a bad job at centre by any means, but Kruger's much more refined defensively, understands his positioning better, and with Shaw's energy/grit, you'd like him to be involved more on the forecheck and along the walls.

 

[madgoat33]

I don't necessarily think he'll, "overtake" Shaw as the 3rd line centre, but I think Shaw will be moved to wing at some point next year and Kruger given the role as the 3rd line centre. Shaw didn't do a bad job at centre by any means, but Kruger's much more refined defensively, understands his positioning better, and with Shaw's energy/grit, you'd like him to be involved more on the forecheck and along the walls.

yes, ideally shaw is on the wing, but kruger has shown essentially nothing offensively in the NHL in 2 seasons.

 

[HockeySauce]

yes, ideally shaw is on the wing, but kruger has shown essentially nothing offensively in the NHL in 2 seasons.

He had 27 points, and was a 0.5PpG over the 2nd half, in his rookie season. Obviously he didn't have much opportunity to show anything this past year on the 4th line.

It's actually hilarious. Most on this board pimp Pirri's offensive game (and to an extent, rightfully so), yet him and Kruger had nearly identical statlines when the NHL resumed - and Kruger played a decent chunk of the season to that point with Brandon Bollig on his wing. Brandon Bollig.

There is undeniable, untapped offensive upside in Kruger's game. I'm not saying he'll be a premiere 2nd line centre, but to say he's shown nothing in the NHL (which is in itself ridiculous) and thus won't show anything as he matures and gains more experience is naïve. He was in a role last year where he had to focus on defense and did a marvelous job. Next year, in a 3rd line role, he'll still have defensive responsibility but will have more freedom to make plays and create more offense. Whether he will/can or not remains to be seen, but the potential is there. It always has been.

 

[Sarava]

I'd agree Kruger has #2 center potential. He showed some really nice hands on that goal in game 4 of the SCF. That said - he must improve on faceoffs. You can't have a guy losing 60% of his faceoffs as your #2 center. He also needs to muscle up some more, because he seems to be one of the easiest guys to knock down in the NHL.

 

[Gootie]

He had 27 points, and was a 0.5PpG over the 2nd half, in his rookie season. Obviously he didn't have much opportunity to show anything this past year on the 4th line.

There is undeniable, untapped offensive upside in Kruger's game. I'm not saying he'll be a premiere 2nd line centre, but to say he's shown nothing in the NHL (which is in itself ridiculous) and thus won't show anything as he matures and gains more experience is naïve. He was in a role last year where he had to focus on defense and did a marvelous job. Next year, in a 3rd line role, he'll still have defensive responsibility but will have more freedom to make plays and create more offense. Whether he will/can or not remains to be seen, but the potential is there. It always has been.

I'd agree Kruger has #2 center potential. He showed some really nice hands on that goal in game 4 of the SCF. That said - he must improve on faceoffs. You can't have a guy losing 60% of his faceoffs as your #2 center. He also needs to muscle up some more, because he seems to be one of the easiest guys to knock down in the NHL.

I've said before I see Filppula in Kruger when it comes to offensive potential. I don't think Kruger will ever reach 66 pts like Flip did a couple years ago, but I can see him being a consistent 40-50 point guy who can be very creative in the offensive zone and drive puck possession. Most of the time Kruger is hammered into a very conservative, defense-first mentality, but we've seen a flash of potential here or there.

Obviously, he still has a way to go and needs to improve strength+faceoff ability.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

I'd agree Kruger has #2 center potential. He showed some really nice hands on that goal in game 4 of the SCF. That said - he must improve on faceoffs. You can't have a guy losing 60% of his faceoffs as your #2 center. He also needs to muscle up some more, because he seems to be one of the easiest guys to knock down in the NHL.

Are you kidding me? Good hands roofs that backhander, he was fortunate the Bruins didn't backcheck hard enough.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

Berglund 8+6 in 43
Weinhandl 15+9 in 32
Lundqvist 12+14 in 46
Kahnberg 0+0 in 4
Nilsson 2+4 in 23

Kruger 11+20 in 38


Keep in mind that Weinhandl played with Sedins, and also had a freak eye injury later which damaged his career. Also, guys that you've listed are certainly talented offensive players. Espescially Nilsson. Now he wasn't a bust too, but his career in NHL wasn't as sucessful as it could but it has nothing to do with his offensive talent, in that way he's more talented than Loui Eriksson who is same age.

Try 17/20 37 for Lundie; Weinhandl better PPG than Kruger (who btw had .67 PPG not 1.0 PPG) Nilsson as a 17 Y.O. 41 games 21 points. 1st round draft pick, 5 seasons NHL/37 goals looks like a bust to me.

Kruger's stats for when he was a 20 Y.O. (your stated point of reference) 52 games 6G; 29A; 35 points. So what was your point again, that he's a magician on offense?

 

[HockeySauce]

First, Djurgarden sucked that year and were relegated because of it.. but since you brought up the point total, to suggest how unimpressive it was, those 35 points lead the team in scoring by 5 points and the next closest forward on the team had 23 points. The next closest forward had 12 less points than Kruger. That's a significant difference, especially on a team that barely scored.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

First, Djurgarden sucked that year and were relegated because of it.. but since you brought up the point total, to suggest how unimpressive it was, those 35 points lead the team in scoring by 5 points and the next closest forward on the team had 23 points. The next closest forward had 12 less points than Kruger. That's a significant difference, especially on a team that barely scored.

Always a 'yeah but" with you Kruger guys.

 

[HockeySauce]

Always a 'yeah but" with you Kruger guys.

Context = "Yeah but.."

You know you've lost an argument when..

 

[AvsRobin]

Sorry for opening a can of worms guys.... Haha

 

[HockeySauce]

Sorry for opening a can of worms guys.... Haha

The whole Kruger thing got to it's most ridiculous point last year. That's when it was fun. At this point, most understand Kruger's a solid/good player, now it's just a matter of opinion as to how high his ceiling is. Clearly, some don't think it's as high as others.

 

[needle]

I think it is pathetic that a team that has won 2 Cups in 4 years is penciling in a rookie with 7 games NHL experience as 2C to start the season.

I have high hopes like the rest of you for Pirri's success in this league and with the Blackhawks, but he has not proven anything yet.

 

[madgoat33]

I think it is pathetic that a team that has won 2 Cups in 4 years is penciling in a rookie with 7 games NHL experience as 2C to start the season.

I have high hopes like the rest of you for Pirri's success in this league and with the Blackhawks, but he has not proven anything yet.

I think its pathetic that a fan of a team that's won 2 cups in 4 years is questioning the way the team operates. Its the nature of the salary cap era, you're going to have to use cheap players somewhere. You have to trust that management knows what they're doing, and so far, its looked pretty good.

 

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Who cares about pencilling in who for what spot? What works will work.

Saad was pencilled into a top 6 spot before this season started and guess what happened? Saad was in the top 6 spot and did wonders. Remember when we were penciling in Peter Kontiola for our top 6 C spot? Or when Barker was a top 4 defenseman?

It doesn't matter, like Madgoat said, our management will figure it out. If Pirri looks like he's ready, he'll be there. If not, then he won't. It's that simple.

 

[Garl]

Try 17/20 37 for Lundie; Weinhandl better PPG than Kruger (who btw had .67 PPG not 1.0 PPG) Nilsson as a 17 Y.O. 41 games 21 points. 1st round draft pick, 5 seasons NHL/37 goals looks like a bust to me.

Kruger's stats for when he was a 20 Y.O. (your stated point of reference) 52 games 6G; 29A; 35 points. So what was your point again, that he's a magician on offense?

Kruger in season 2009-10, he was 20 y.o. A junior season. That what was meant. Lundqvist had 26 points when he played his last junior season. And no, I'm not trying to say he is a magician. But he is a talented player with potential. Not just some plug and not a Samy Pahlsson clone.

Weinhandl as I've said played with Sedins, and could have been a productive NHLer if not for his eye injury.

Nilsson is a record holder for U18 players, I know that. Are you actually questioning Robert Nilsson's offensive talent?
His attitude was a big problem, and you can see that his production was very bad for a prodigy in Sweden after his draft. And btw, offensive game is not why he isn't in NHL now.

 

[Garl]

I'd agree Kruger has #2 center potential. He showed some really nice hands on that goal in game 4 of the SCF. That said - he must improve on faceoffs. You can't have a guy losing 60% of his faceoffs as your #2 center. He also needs to muscle up some more, because he seems to be one of the easiest guys to knock down in the NHL.

I agree, this is very important for his career in NHL, he definately should add some strength. It's hard to hold on the puck on small ice when you're not strong enough.

 

[CS85]

Mentioning Kruger's name on this forum bears similar results from mentioning Cutler's name on a Bears message board.

 

[slappipappi]

I think it is pathetic that a team that has won 2 Cups in 4 years is penciling in a rookie with 7 games NHL experience as 2C to start the season.

I have high hopes like the rest of you for Pirri's success in this league and with the Blackhawks, but he has not proven anything yet.

Do you understand what "pencilling in" mean? It's not like we had a #2 centre last year, and still won the Cup.

I think it's more pathetic that anyone would complain about a team that has won 2 Cups in 4 years.

In a cap world, you have to continually move youngsters into the line up.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Kruger in season 2009-10, he was 20 y.o. A junior season. That what was meant. Lundqvist had 26 points when he played his last junior season. And no, I'm not trying to say he is a magician. But he is a talented player with potential. Not just some plug and not a Samy Pahlsson clone.

Weinhandl as I've said played with Sedins, and could have been a productive NHLer if not for his eye injury.

Nilsson is a record holder for U18 players, I know that. Are you actually questioning Robert Nilsson's offensive talent?
His attitude was a big problem, and you can see that his production was very bad for a prodigy in Sweden after his draft. And btw, offensive game is not why he isn't in NHL now.

If Kruger turns into Pahlsson I'll be thrilled. He's got a ways to go.

 

[Garl]

If Kruger turns into Pahlsson I'll be thrilled. He's got a ways to go.

Kruger will not be like Pahlsson. They are very different, and I understand that in terms of value Pahlsson in his prime was way more valuable than Kruger. But offensivly Kruger is easily more talented.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

If Kruger turns into Pahlsson I'll be thrilled. He's got a ways to go.

Agreed and I hope I'm dead wrong on Kruger. Time will tell.

 

[ndgt10]

So what did the cap hit turn out to be?

 

[here come the]

Are we really going to criticize Kruger's offense when he started like 70% of his shifts in his own zone? Too lazy to look up the actual numbers on how greatly that effects point totals, but when Brandon Pirri is getting 65% OZ starts and putting up some points, it doesn't mean he's some god while Kruger has no offensive talent. Its really hard to score when you start so far away from where the puck needs to go