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2011-12 NHL Season Preview: Chicago Blackhawks

Sep 26

Posted by Matt in Season Previews | 1 Comment

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will lead the offensive attack for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011-12

Key Offseason Additions: Steve Montador, Dan Carcillo, Andrew Brunette, Jamal Mayers, Ray Emery

Key Offseason Losses: Brian Campbell, Troy Brouwer, Chris Campoli, Tomas Kopecky,

Last Season Ranking: 8th in the West

Offense: The Chicago Blackhawks offense hopes to build on a productive season in 2010-11 and return this year with a bit more pop. Blackhawks captain, Jonathan Toews, along with winger Patrick Kane, both look to increase their output this season. Kane, specifically, has been saying this off-season he wants to take his game to another level. After a 15 point drop in production last season, you have to assume that Kane is looking to break the 90 point mark and help lead his team back to the playoffs.

Another huge bonus to the squad will be a healthy Marian Hossa. He posted 57 points in a mere 65 games last season, and if healthy, can contribute roughly a point per game to the Blackhawks potent offense. A full season by Hossa could also mean the difference between barely making the playoffs and perhaps winning the division.

Additionally, Patrick Sharp will continue to be a goal scoring threat for the Blackhawks. Sharp lead the squad in goals last season with 34, and will look to improve on his point totals after a career-high 71 points last season.

New to the offense are Andrew Brunette, Dan Carcillo, and Jamal Mayers. While Brunette will be expected to contribute heavily, look for Carcillo and Mayers to provide a physical presence above anything else.

The Blackhawks have a few young guys rounding out the offense. Be sure to keep an eye on Michael Frolik and Viktor Stalberg this season, as both have a tremendous upside. Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland will be counted on to provide additional depth scoring as well.

Defense: The departure of Brian Campbell places even more importance on Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, who will lead the Blackhawks defense this season. Both defenseman were huge on the power-play last season, and will continue to hold the blue line on the PP again in 2011-12.

The addition of Steve Montador on the blue line will add some veteran depth for the Blackhawks. He’ll be a great compliment to some of the young defenseman on the squad, such as Niklas Hjalmarsson, Nick Leddy, and Sami Lepisto. Hjalmarsson should see upwards of 20 minutes per game this season, being used in more and more situations as he continues to gain experience.

Goaltending: After the Marty Turco experiment failed last season, the Blackhawks went with rookie Corey Crawford in goal. He played well enough to earn the starting job, and helped Chicago nearly come back from an 0-3 start against Vancouver in last season’s playoffs. Crawford returns this season with the number one spot from the beginning.

In an interesting scenario, however, the Blackhawks chose to sign Ray Emery in the off-season. He’s currently competing with Alexander Salak for the backup job, but you have to imagine he has his eyes on the starting role as well. Last season, after returning to game action with the Anaheim Ducks, Emery won his first six starts, before finishing the season 7-2 with a .926 save percentage and 2.28 goals against average. Emery is looking to prove everyone wrong and earn a starting spot in the NHL again, and Chicago could be the place if Corey Crawford begins to stumble during his sophomore campaign.

HWB Playoff Prediction: Playoff bound. The Blackhawks have what it takes to make it into the playoffs, and could earn another division championship if key players, such as Marian Hossa, stay healthy. Having their best players on the ice for 82 games will be the difference between a potential division win and barely sneaking into the playoffs.

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Jonathan Toews Checks a Kid at Hockey Camp

Sep 13

Posted by Matt in Media | 1 Comment

You might know Jonathan Toews as captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, but he’s also a co-founder of the Canadian Tire Hockey School. Well, while instructing at said school, Toews managed to dangle a few youngsters, and then completely steamroll another. Check out the video below, and let it be a lesson to you: always skate with your head up!

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Hockey World Blog Season Previews 2010: Chicago Blackhawks

Sep 29

Posted by EB in Season Previews | No Comments

Key Offseason Losses: Antti Niemi, Andrew Ladd, John Madden, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager, Dustin Byfuglien, Cristobal Huet

Key Offseason Additions: Ryan Potulny, Marty Turco

Last Season Ranking: 2nd, West. Stanley Cup Champions

Offense: Much is to be desired about the defending Stanley Cup Champions and their offensive power. Young leaders Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane had very good stats last season. Toews was one point shy of his career high posting 68 points in 76 games and a very impressive +22 rating. Kane however did go above and beyond his previous career high of 72 points, only to match his player number at 88 points. That total came from 30 goals and 58 assists, 29 of those points on the powerplay.

The team however has lost a lot of talent, mainly to the Atlanta Thrashers in a 7 man deal, but still looks to compete in this upcoming season and defend their reigning title. Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa need to have another excellent year to help carry the load. Sharp alos had a career high of 66 points last season, while Hossa nearly had a career low with only 51 points. Hossa was battling injuries from his head to his toes last season, but if healthy, could very well reach numbers in the 70 and up range.

Defense: What a great year for Duncan Keith last season. A career high of 69 points, loses almost all his teeth, and a Stanley Cup ring. Keith will be the backbone of the defense and will most likely be the leading time on ice player for the Blackhawks.

The rest of the defending core needs to step up this year. Young Niklas Hjalmarsson looks to improve upon his first career full season, 17 points in 77 games and a +9 rating. Injury plagued Brian Campbell looks to play a full season and returning to his once 50+ point season days. Lastly, Brent Seabrook will be given more time on ice after his 30 point, +20 season last year.

Sure Andrew Ladd may not be with team, as many other players, still you cannot count out the young and talented Chicago Blackhawks for a reapeat.

Sure Andrew Ladd may not be with team, as many other players, still you cannot count out the young and talented Chicago Blackhawks for a repeat.

Goaltending: If there ever was a question of GM Stan Bowman’s decisions, it lies in the goalie fiasco. Cristobal Huet is heading to the Swiss league and Antti Niemi is now on Conference rival the San Jose Sharks. Together, two combined for a 52-21-8 record. That is a whole lot of wins gone out the door.

The Blackhawks instead have decided to sign veteran, on his way out of the league, Marty Turco. Turco has spent all his days in the Dallas Stars organization, so it will be interesting to see how he fares with a new team. In Turco’s career he has a 262-154-37 record, as well as 26 ties in there from the old days, as well as a combined 2.31 goals against average and .911 save percentage.

Since Turco is not quite a young whipper snapper, backup net-minder Corey Crawford will get more playing time this season.  With only 8 game splayed in 3 seasons, it sure will be interesting to see how he does with more time. Crawford is a butterfly goalie excelling at stopping the first initial shot.

Season Outlook: It is tough to say what to expect from the reigning Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks. Indeed the team went all out last season in going for victory or nothing, but the team still does have a talented, young core of players. Many fans have written them off this year, however once they make the playoffs, anything can happen in a 7 game series.

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NHL 11 Cover Athletes Announced

Jun 23

Posted by Eddie in Media | No Comments

As rumored last week, Chicago Blackhawks captain and 2010 Conn Smythe Award winner Jonathan Toews will be the main cover athlete of EA Sports NHL 11. He joins teammate Patrick Kane, who was on the cover of NHL 10. Other parts of the world will have NHL superstars on the cover, with Henrik and Daniel Sedin on Swedish versions of the game. New York Islanders star Mark Streit will appear on games sold in Switzerland.

WorldWide NHL 11 cover athlete Jonathan Joews

WorldWide NHL 11 cover athlete Jonathan Toews

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NHL ’11 Trailer

Jun 15

Posted by Matt in Media, News | 1 Comment

EA has released its first trailer for the upcoming NHL ’11 game. No cover athlete has been announced yet, however, some leaked images from an EA website suggest Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Toews will appear on the cover. Chicago fans will surely be happy with this decision, but the rest of the hockey world will ponder why the cover athlete comes from the Chicago Blackhawks in two consecutive releases. Anyway, check out the new trailer below.

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Chicago Blackhawks Win the Stanley Cup

Jun 10

Posted by EB in News | No Comments

Chicago Blackhawks are the Big Chiefs in the NHL, finally winning the Stanley Cup since 1961.

Chicago Blackhawks are the Big Chiefs in the NHL, finally winning the Stanley Cup since 1961.

In what may be one of the most bizarre ending to a Stanley Cup finals, the Chicago Blackhawks have beaten the Philadelphia Flyers to become the Stanley Cup Champions.

The two teams faced off in an up and down game with the Philadelphia Flyers coming on strong in the third period and tying it with just under 4 minutes to go at three a piece. The momentum continued for the Flyers but Blackhawk’s goaltender Antti Niemi made acrobatic saves to push the game into overtime.

The two teams came out in overtime skating hard. With about 4 minutes into the period on a broken play, Blackhawk’s forward Patrick Kane deked around Flyer’s defender Kimmo Timonen to the outside and shot a low, poor angle shot to the five hole. The puck went in, but no one cheered, not because they were in Philly, but because no one knew what happened, no goal light, no referee’s hand pointing to the net, no nothing except for that of Patrick Kane who celebrated immediately, throwing his gloves off, jumping up and down all while skating to the other end of the ice to celebrate with his goaltender. The Blackhawk’s bench soon followed, all while the referees were going to Toronto to make sure it was indeed a goal, and that it was.

The Chicago Blackhawks have finally won another Cup, that of which has taken them since 49 years ago in 1961. Blackhawk’s captain and Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Towes hoisted it first, sharing the emotions of victory with all of his team. The rumors of the Marian Hossa curse will now subside, the doubts of such a young team having what it takes will extinguish, and all that will remain is a giant party in Chicago for a whole year until next season starts. And you know what? They very well could do it again next year.

Congratulations Chicago Blackhawks. And way to keep the Stanley Cup in the West.

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How the West Was Won

May 25

Posted by EB in News | 2 Comments

Chicago Blackhawks celebrate the Conference Championship, just one more big celebration left.

Chicago Blackhawks celebrate the Conference Championship, just one more big celebration left.

What began as hopeful dreams of hometown teams and others to win the Stanley Cup remains with only two teams left to face one another, the Chicago Blackhawks of the Western Conference faces off against the Philadelphia Flyers of the Eastern Conference. The first game of 2009 – 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins Saturday May 29th, at 8:00pm est, the beginning of a series that already knows the winner. Spoiler Alert if read any further.

Before the season started, each of the Hockey Wolrd Blog crew predicted their Stanley Cup Champions, only one team still remains from that prediction: the Philadelphia Flyers. Although my prediction could be correct, I believe it to be as slim of chance as Eddie finding the back of the net on a breakaway.

In watching the Stanley Cup playoffs this year I have noticed one major difference between that of the Western conference and the Eastern conference. What is it you may ask? Simple, talent.

When watching the Chicago Blackhawks throughout their series they have beaten an underrated thorn in your side Nashville Predators, hotter than hot Vancouver Canucks, and the Western Conference champions the San Jose Sharks. In comparison, the Flyers have taken on an over played goalie New Jersey Devils, biggest chokers of all time the Boston Bruins and the Cinderella story with a realistic ending Montreal Canadiens.

The two teams roads are completely different and so is their play. The Flyers are goons who take head shots and silly penalties, 193 to be exact in comparison to Chicago’s 155. The Flyers were only second highest to the Montreal Canadiens. While their old opponents did not capitalize, you sure can bet the Chicago Blackhawks will stick it to them.

The Flyers also play a very sloppy style of play, a play style that could be summed up by the old saying, “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.” The puck seems to bounce abnormally and end up on the Flyer’s sticks to the point of I have yet to see the Flyers really set up in the zone in a controlled manner. Do they even know how to cycle the puck? The Blackhawks on the other hand are like a swarm of bees, buzzing around just waiting to sting. Jonatahan Toews, Patrick Kane, Dustin Byfuglien, just to name a few of those buzzing bees.

The only down side the Blackhawks have going is the Marian Hossa curse. Hey, the guys has some bad luck on his side, but as the saying goes, “Third times a charm.”

The list could be longer, but to be honest I just don’t want to waste my time on what is known. The Chicago Blackhawks are going to show the Philadelphia Flyers what real hockey is all about, how the Western conference does things, how to play crisp team hockey and win the Stanley Cup. My prediction is it will only take 5 games, that is with me being generous to say Philadelphia even wins one game.

Sure you may not believe me, but if you believe anything, believe in the superstition of touching the conference champion’s trophy. Blackhawk’s captain Jonatahan Toews did not even look at the Clarence S. Campbell trophy while Flyer’s Captain Mike Richards paraded around like a prom queen and her crown with the Prince of Wales trophy. That’s a no no Mikey boy.

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Playoff Ramblings

May 17

Posted by Matt in Soap Box | No Comments

Here are some thoughts on the playoffs over the past couple weeks:

My post praising Miroslav Satan’s performance during the playoffs must have been the ultimate jinx. He carried a six game point streak when I wrote about how excellent he had been. In the four games that followed, and an epic collapse by the Bruins, Satan posted zero points, was a minus one, and only had nine shots on goal. Good news for the Bruins though, they’re still going to land either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin in the draft this summer.

Daniel Briere has been huge for the Flyers in the playoffs

Daniel Briere has been huge for the Flyers in the playoffs

The Philadelphia Flyers are the first ever seven seed to end up with home ice advantage in a playoff series. How did they pull this off? Well, I think its fair to say that they aren’t necessarily as bad as their seed and 88 point season may indicate. Remember this team has several young, but experienced, scorers. Mike Richards has been great, and Danny Briere has played his best playoff hockey picking up 17 points so far, with seven multi-point games. On top of that, the Flyers are picking up a lot of secondary scoring, especially in Claude Giroux who has six goals and seven assists in 13 playoff games. Ville Leino, a late season acquisition, has even made his presence felt with nine points in as many games. You certainly can’t forget about the defensive prowess this team has, lead by perennial all star Chris Pronger. He’s more than capable of shutting down the oppositions top scorers.

So perhaps the Philadelphia Flyers are finally molding into the team that many thought they were going to be. Maybe the leadership issues and problems in the locker room are a thing of the past. They have all the confidence and momentum in the world right now, and will be a tough team to handle.

The Chicago Blackhawks are outstanding. Young captain, Jonathan Toews has been very impressive so far with 21 post-season points. Goaltending has not been the huge issue everyone thought it would be. Antti Niemi has been solid, and has out-dueled two very good goaltenders in Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo.

Things seem to be clicking on all cylinders for the Blackhawks, minus the presence of two players. Marian Hossa had a very good first round against Nashville, posting six points in the series. But since them, he’s been very quiet, much like last year, with only three points in the seven games played since finishing off the Predators. Along with Hossa, Kris Versteeg has been less productive than I expected so far. His six points and minus two rating seem low for a young player with the talent level he has. Remember, Versteeg posted terrific numbers as a rookie last season, but is perhaps seeing a decrease in ice time with the top line being so effective.

The San Jose Sharks are still very much competitive in the west. It seemed like everyone wrote them off after being crushed by the Red Wings in game four of that series. Did everyone just forget that they still had a 3-1 series lead? Even if they were still the Sharks who choke in the playoffs, they could have surely taken one game and prevented the Wings from going on. But instead, they bounced back like a true contender and eliminated Detroit in five.

Montreal is having one of the most impressive playoff campaigns in recent years that I can remember. First, they squandered the top seeded Washington Capitals in seven games. This is a team that featured several of the world’s top players: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, and Green. Then, they followed that performance with a seven game dismantling of the defending Stanley Cup champions. Surely a team that can take out two of the top NHL clubs is capable of making it to the finals, right?

Finally, here’s to hoping for an original six match-up in the finals.

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Chicago Blackhawks

Sep 29

Posted by EB in Season Previews | 1 Comment

Jonathan Toews looks to lead the Blackhawks to the Stnaley Cup.

Captain Jonathan Toews looks to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup this season.

A young speedy team who finished 2nd in the tough Central Division, and 4th in the Western Conference, looks to improve upon their Cup ending loss to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals.

During the offseason the Blackhawks received some negative press about ousting general manager Dale Tallon to be replaced by Stan Bowman. Stan, the son of retired NHL coach Scotty Bowman, replaced Tallon due to a filed grievance from the NHL Players Association pertaining to the team missing deadlines for sending qualifying offers to restricted free agents. The team has since moved forward with the off season acquisitions of some pretty big names.

The Blackhawks were unable to resign unrestricted free agent Martin Havlat who eventually signed with the Minnesota Wild. Havlat scored 29 goals with 48 assists to total 77 points. He also posted 15 points in 16 games played in the playoffs last season, which happened to lead the team.

The void is to be replaced by NHL All Star player Marian Hossa who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the previous year. Hossa, who played for the Pittsburg Penguins before the Wings, has made the NHL finals 2 years in a row, yet both times have come up empty handed. Hossa underwent shoulder surgery in the off season and is expected to make his debut you in a Hawk’s jersey in late November. A question of full rehabilitation, game ready physical capability and team chemistry will be answered when he returns to the ice.

Center John Madden joins the mix of the Blackhawks this year. Madden has played for the New Jersey Devils for all his NHL career, posting 297 points in 712 regular season games and 41 points in 112 playoff games.

The Blackhawks have parted ways with goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin in hopes that Cristobal Huet will be able to carry the workload. The two goaltenders split time last year during the regular season, only one game difference. However, come playoff time, Khabibulin played all but 3 games. With the success of last year, one would think the possibility of doing the same two goalie system again, or if having to choose between the one, would have chosen to stay with Khabibulin, but that is not the case.

All hope is not lost though as the 34 year old Cristobal Huet has a respectable record and stats. Last season he had a 20-15-4-3 record in 41 games, with a .909 save percentage and a 2.53 goals against average. This number is down in comparison to the ’07-’08 season where he had a combined 32-14-6-4 record between Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals.

The team is led by young stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Together the duo is nearly impossible to stop, all things considering they are only 21 and 20 years of age. Together the two were able to net 59 goals and 80 assists between their 162 games played.

Defensively the team is led by offensive defenseman Brian Campbell. Campbell was 5th in points last year with 52, the majority of them being 45 assists. Shortly behind in points are defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook who both have better +/- ratings then Campbell. Keith tallied in at + 33 while Seabrook with +23.

The Chicago Blackhawks lack no skill in scoring points, and have a solid defensive core that also are able to contribute offensively. The goaltender position will be a test this year, but should not be a factor as the team is projected to be first within the Central Division as last year’s leader the Detroit Red Wings have suffered a major rebuild of new and young players.

Last year’s playoff’s were a learning experience for the young team. This year with one more year under their belt, and the addition of some veteran playoff performers, the Chicago Blackhawks have their eyes set on the Cup.

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