Ben Eager

[newfy 695]

So true.Wings fans love rock em sock em hockey (who doesn't?) That would totally make my summer if we got Boogaard.

Don't get your hopes up. Kenny is going to sign a guy who can play a regular shift this year and there are a lot of decent scrappy players who can play a shift this year.

It would be sweet to have Boogard but don't get your hopes up. Get your hopes up for Nystrom, Burish or Winchester

[Hockey Convert 55]

It would be sweet to have Boogard but don't get your hopes up. Get your hopes up for Nystrom, Burish or Winchester

I agree with you that those are more likely; I just don't like it. After games 2 and 3 of the cup final this week, I don't want Eager or Burish in a winged wheel. Game 3 last night, Hartnell got away with at least two blatant cheap shots, which isn't entirely surprising but what did Chicago's supposed "enforcers" do? Not. A. Thing. I know it's the playoffs, but come on, could one of you at least *hit* him? Plus in game 2, Asham flat-out challenged Eager at one point; and Eager skated away.

Not that I'm rooting for the Hawks in this one, but I at least wanted to see a battle. Instead, nada and it's really soured me on Eager and Burish.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Don't get your hopes up. Kenny is going to sign a guy who can play a regular shift this year and there are a lot of decent scrappy players who can play a shift this year.

It would be sweet to have Boogard but don't get your hopes up. Get your hopes up for Nystrom, Burish or Winchester

Isn't Matt Hendricks a free agent?..even tho he's an Av..

[newfy 695]

I agree with you that those are more likely; I just don't like it. After games 2 and 3 of the cup final this week, I don't want Eager or Burish in a winged wheel. Game 3 last night, Hartnell got away with at least two blatant cheap shots, which isn't entirely surprising but what did Chicago's supposed "enforcers" do? Not. A. Thing. I know it's the playoffs, but come on, could one of you at least *hit* him? Plus in game 2, Asham flat-out challenged Eager at one point; and Eager skated away.

Not that I'm rooting for the Hawks in this one, but I at least wanted to see a battle. Instead, nada and it's really soured me on Eager and Burish.

Stanley cup finals I doubt they would back down in the regular season.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

NHL.com is reporting Koci has re-signed with the Avalanche.

[jollymania 162]

Thank you. Yeah Datsyuk can take a lot but that doesn't mean he is hockey tough. And when People are talking about the NHL they are talking about hockey tough players not guys who can take a lot in the corners or absorb a check.

A tough hockey player has the defense looking over their shoulder, will stick up for teammates and will hit. Hitting, fighting and blocking shots are really the three things I use to say if a player is tough or not. Homer can take a lot sure, but he isn't a tough guy. Datsyuk can dig in the corners but to say he's as tough as Drake or Eager is stupid.

Actually this year is a good year for signing decent 4th line tough guys compared to eyars past. If Holland says he wants a gritty guy thats tough to play against this is the year he could do it.

I think most people agree Nystrom is the best fit out there for the wings,but he might get paid too much.

Yes it does mean he is hockey tough, fighting does not equal "hockey" toughness, Holmstrom is imo one of the toughest players in the league, does he fight? it hurts a lot more to be nailed by a puck in the face or be crosschecked mercilessly, i wonder sometimes if anybody who uses the fighting = toughness argument have ever even played the game. Ian Laperriere gets double respect in that regard yes he fights, but thats not where all of his toughness lies and not even most of it is boogaard out there blocking shots with his face. Booggaard probably isn't as tough in those kind of regards, I have seen him get laid out and get up like a skating ******, if he were smaller he could possibly be exposed. He wins all of his fights because 1 he's good at fighting and 2 he is flat out massive not because he is a tough, gritty player.

Edited June 4, 2010 by jollymania

[newfy 695]

Yes it does mean he is hockey tough, fighting does not equal "hockey" toughness, Holmstrom is imo one of the toughest players in the league, does he fight? it hurts a lot more to be nailed by a puck in the face or be crosschecked mercilessly, i wonder sometimes if anybody who uses the fighting = toughness argument have ever even played the game. Ian Laperriere gets double respect in that regard yes he fights, but thats not where all of his toughness lies and not even most of it is boogaard out there blocking shots with his face. Booggaard probably isn't as tough in those kind of regards, I have seen him get laid out and get up like a skating ******, if he were smaller he could possibly be exposed. He wins all of his fights because 1 he's good at fighting and 2 he is flat out massive not because he is a tough, gritty player.

No hockey tough is not Pavel Datsyuk. Ben Eager is much tougher then he is.

Datsyuk is fairly tough because of what he can take but Eager is the type of guy who will sit there and give it to Datsyuk or another skilled player all game long and take it right back. Dats can take a hit and give one half decent. Eager can throw a big hit, take a big hit and fight.

I know youre gonna come back and say something stupid that makes it seem like Datsyuk is tough or a big hitter or soemthing but he just plain isn't a tough player. Hockey tough players dish it out and give it, players like Datsyuk can just take alot.

[jollymania 162]

No hockey tough is not Pavel Datsyuk. Ben Eager is much tougher then he is.

Datsyuk is fairly tough because of what he can take but Eager is the type of guy who will sit there and give it to Datsyuk or another skilled player all game long and take it right back. Dats can take a hit and give one half decent. Eager can throw a big hit, take a big hit and fight.

I know youre gonna come back and say something stupid that makes it seem like Datsyuk is tough or a big hitter or soemthing but he just plain isn't a tough player. Hockey tough players dish it out and give it, players like Datsyuk can just take alot.

Datsyuk is a tough player in a hockey sense, Eager is not, Eager only has his current job because he completely failed when he joined the nhl, he was a 1st rounder after all. Have you ever seen one of Eager's hits? He doesn't completely nail the guy unless he has at least half an ice worth's of strides. There is no reason for pavel to fight, if he were that type of player he would probably one of the highest rated guys in toughness. Eager is a ***** who prances around the ice looking tough

Edited June 4, 2010 by jollymania

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I'm down for Boogaard. They can tie him to Pav's right leg and just have him growl at people.

[newfy 695]

Datsyuk is a tough player in a hockey sense, Eager is not, Eager only has his current job because he completely failed when he joined the nhl, he was a 1st rounder after all. Have you ever seen one of Eager's hits? He doesn't completely nail the guy unless he has at least half an ice worth's of strides. There is no reason for pavel to fight, if he were that type of player he would probably one of the highest rated guys in toughness. Eager is a ***** who prances around the ice looking tough

Youre trying to tell me a tough hockey player is Datsyuk and a guy like Eager isn't tough? Are you high?

If you see a player get laid out like Datsyuk but gets up youre like oh wow he's pretty tough I wouldn't get up from that but when its a guy like Eager making the hit he`s the tougher of the 2.

Say what you want but DAtsyuk doesnèt hit, fight and hardly blocks shots. What is it that makes him so tough? Is he a tough hockey player because he dangles deefnseman so good? No, is it because he lays big hits? No

Datsyuk isn't even gritty barely, so don't even mention tough.

[Sprsquirt7 45]

Datsyuk is tough as in he can take the punishment and keep chugging. The problem is he isn't tough in the way he plays the game, and no reason for him to be with that skill. If you are going to compare Eager vs Datsyuk in "toughness" its such a dumb argument that it shouldn't even be mentioned. Eager is not what everyone is making him out to be. Eager is not nearly as tough as people think. I would say in about 50% of the games he plays he is literally invisible. For someone who is perpetually on an "energy" line and someone who has his physical stature he shouldn't be invisible. Players don't have to score to become visible mind you. I notice Helm each and every game, not because he's putting up major points but because of work ethic and physical play. Eager disappears. I would be very disappointed if he got signed as a Wing, unless he does a Leino and flips the switch. Glimpses of noteworthy performances does not make a good player, consistency combined with those performances does.

[newfy 695]

Datsyuk is tough as in he can take the punishment and keep chugging. The problem is he isn't tough in the way he plays the game, and no reason for him to be with that skill. If you are going to compare Eager vs Datsyuk in "toughness" its such a dumb argument that it shouldn't even be mentioned. Eager is not what everyone is making him out to be. Eager is not nearly as tough as people think. I would say in about 50% of the games he plays he is literally invisible. For someone who is perpetually on an "energy" line and someone who has his physical stature he shouldn't be invisible. Players don't have to score to become visible mind you. I notice Helm each and every game, not because he's putting up major points but because of work ethic and physical play. Eager disappears. I would be very disappointed if he got signed as a Wing, unless he does a Leino and flips the switch. Glimpses of noteworthy performances does not make a good player, consistency combined with those performances does.

Yeah he is tough in that way. But the guys who hand out that punishment and can take it as well are tougher players.

[chrisdetroit 189]

This is another thread about the possible drake type Holland may be looking at. Eager is a huge hitter, young and a solid fihgter. Reading some chicago boards people seem to think Eager will not be back next year because of the cap situation.

Scored 11 goals a couple seasons ago and can play solid 4th line minutes, he doesn't just play 3 fighter minutes a night.

Anyone think this is a possibilty? Seems most Hawks fans don't think he'll return.

Not interested, If we add somebody it needs to be a goal scorer. Our 3rd and 4th lines of draper, Helm, Eaves, Miller, Williams amd Cleary didn't score this year and that IMO cost us the most. Williams gets replaced by Huds and my guess Miller gets replaced by Ritola/Abby but other than Huds, these guys aren't goal scorers. We don't need another huge hitter who can't score.

[Broken 16 381]

Please, no Ben Eager. We already have too may Ben Eagers.

[jollymania 162]

Datsyuk is tough as in he can take the punishment and keep chugging. The problem is he isn't tough in the way he plays the game, and no reason for him to be with that skill. If you are going to compare Eager vs Datsyuk in "toughness" its such a dumb argument that it shouldn't even be mentioned. Eager is not what everyone is making him out to be. Eager is not nearly as tough as people think. I would say in about 50% of the games he plays he is literally invisible. For someone who is perpetually on an "energy" line and someone who has his physical stature he shouldn't be invisible. Players don't have to score to become visible mind you. I notice Helm each and every game, not because he's putting up major points but because of work ethic and physical play. Eager disappears. I would be very disappointed if he got signed as a Wing, unless he does a Leino and flips the switch. Glimpses of noteworthy performances does not make a good player, consistency combined with those performances does.

thats what i am trying to say, there are tough attitudes, and then there are peopel liek ben eager who are literally prancing monkeys on ice

Yeah he is tough in that way. But the guys who hand out that punishment and can take it as well are tougher players.

not necessarily, datysuk can take and give more punishment if he wanted/does, eager is forced into that role becuase he sucks and there is no doubt apprehension in his game. Datsyuk would rumble into corners featuring guys like Doug Murray or Zdeno Chara, good luck getting Eager to go near those guys. YOu cant compare them as being tough in the manner that you are speaking of no, but in general toughness a guy like datsyuk is very high on the list and eager is very low. If datsyuk wasn't a 90 pts a year guy and just a 4 goal scorer, and probably born in canada where there is more of a culture for fighting, he probably would be a fighter and a tough one at that. Just because Eager fights does not make him tough. He is the last person Holland is looking for on the 4th line he is like Jason Williams, but he sucks even harder and fights on occasion and never when it is necessary.

[jollymania 162]

Youre trying to tell me a tough hockey player is Datsyuk and a guy like Eager isn't tough? Are you high?

If you see a player get laid out like Datsyuk but gets up youre like oh wow he's pretty tough I wouldn't get up from that but when its a guy like Eager making the hit he`s the tougher of the 2.

Say what you want but DAtsyuk doesnèt hit, fight and hardly blocks shots. What is it that makes him so tough? Is he a tough hockey player because he dangles deefnseman so good? No, is it because he lays big hits? No

Datsyuk isn't even gritty barely, so don't even mention tough.

you have a warped view of hockey then. Here are a list of people datsyuk has put on thier cans: Chara, Murray, CLowe, Malone, Perry.

is this your definition of a good hit?

looks to me like ville leino or jason williams could have laid someone out in that situation

so much skill involved in this amazingly tough hit:

Edited June 4, 2010 by jollymania

[Broken 16 381]

Youre trying to tell me a tough hockey player is Datsyuk and a guy like Eager isn't tough? Are you high?

If you see a player get laid out like Datsyuk but gets up youre like oh wow he's pretty tough I wouldn't get up from that but when its a guy like Eager making the hit he`s the tougher of the 2.

Say what you want but DAtsyuk doesnèt hit, fight and hardly blocks shots. What is it that makes him so tough? Is he a tough hockey player because he dangles deefnseman so good? No, is it because he lays big hits? No

Datsyuk isn't even gritty barely, so don't even mention tough.

Sorry. You are clueless.

Datsyuk is the very definition of gritty. Tenacious back-checker, tenacious stick lifter, able to knock the biggest bodies in the NHL on their cans to get the puck, routinely goes into the corners against 2-3 defenders and gets the puck, will throw punches if necessary, has lead in the 'hits' column in many, many important games.

The guy IS grit and would knock Ben Eager on his ass without blinking... oh, and take the puck and score.

Seriously. Get a clue. Eager is just a plugger that gets a bone once in a while. The only way he can stay in the league is by running around like a chicken with his head cut off hoping for a break.

Edited June 4, 2010 by Broken 16

[jollymania 162]

Sorry. You are clueless.

Datsyuk is the very definition of gritty. Tenacious back-checker, tenacious stick lifter, able to knock the biggest bodies in the NHL on their cans to get the puck, routinely goes into the corners against 2-3 defenders and gets the puck, will throw punches if necessary, has lead in the 'hits' column in many, many important games.

The guy IS grit and would knock Ben Eager on his ass without blinking... oh, and take the puck and score.

Seriously. Get a clue. Eager is just a plugger that gets a bone once in a while. The only way he can stay in the league is by running around like a chicken with his head cut off hoping for a break.

exactly, the dude is probably laughed at by his teammates on a regular basis

[newfy 695]

Sorry. You are clueless.

Datsyuk is the very definition of gritty. Tenacious back-checker, tenacious stick lifter, able to knock the biggest bodies in the NHL on their cans to get the puck, routinely goes into the corners against 2-3 defenders and gets the puck, will throw punches if necessary, has lead in the 'hits' column in many, many important games.

The guy IS grit and would knock Ben Eager on his ass without blinking... oh, and take the puck and score.

Seriously. Get a clue. Eager is just a plugger that gets a bone once in a while. The only way he can stay in the league is by running around like a chicken with his head cut off hoping for a break.

I'm clueless? Youre telling me a gritty player is someone who is a tenacious stick lifter but I'm the clueless one.

Dastyuk is a good player with some grit to his game but not very much. He is a skilled player not a gritty one. I'm not just saying Eager is grittier then Datsyuk but by your definition Dats is grittier then guys like Ian Lapperriere because he isn't a tenacious stick lifter. Youre saying Dats is gritter then Abdelkader because he can go into a corner with 2 guys and come out of it. Thats called skill, they can't take the puck from him. Gritty guys are the ones who are in there digging and hitting people in the corners.

Datsyuk is a great player, Eager is a gritty one and you are a clueless poster.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

tenacious stick lifter

[Broken 16 381]

tenacious stick lifter

What do you think grit is? When a player is constantly tieing up and lifting sticks over and over on a back-check... that's gritty.

Edited June 4, 2010 by Broken 16

[HankthaTank 1,100]

What do you think grit is? When a player is constantly tieing up and lifting sticks over and over on a back-check... that's gritty. Maybe you need to get a clue too.

Could be wrong... But I think he was more or less laughing at the use of words there. Tenacious stick lifter? I don't know its amateur day..

[Broken 16 381]

Could be wrong... But I think he was more or less laughing at the use of words there. Tenacious stick lifter? I don't know its amateur day..

I couldn't think of any other way to word it.

But the guy is very, very gritty. More so than Eager, by a mile.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Tenacious D....

Tenacious stick lift...

[Broken 16 381]

Tenacious D....

Tenacious stick lift...

Lol... I played them at the same time. They compliment each other.