08-09' Blackhawks (46-24-12) 104 PTS - 4th Seed In The West!

[jersey cubs fan]

The Blackhawks are going to be much different this year then they have been since I've been alive... very exciting to watch.

 

You must be pretty young. They were pretty good and exciting in the early-to-mid-90's.

 

I'm 21 but didn't start watching hockey until I started playing at about 8.

 

So you were alive!!!

 

Your point stands though, it's been long enough for most of us to forget they ever were good or even exciting. I'm strongly considering buying the center ice package this season.

 

And I'm definitely going to opening night in the garden.

[shnsajax]

It's good to see anything less than the playoffs is a failure. It's been a long time since that.

[kujay]

^Hawks finished three points out of a playoff spot last year.

 

If they don't make it this year, and there isn't a rash of injuries or something, I would consider the season a colossal failure if they miss the playoffs. And if that happens, I would be fine with firing Tallon and Savard.

[Cynosure]

^Hawks finished three points out of a playoff spot last year.

 

If they don't make it this year, and there isn't a rash of injuries or something, I would consider the season a colossal failure if they miss the playoffs. And if that happens, I would be fine with firing Tallon and Savard.

 

Yea they really had no chance to make the playoffs the last 3 weeks but in the last 5-6 games they pulled it out and almost snuck in... would have been a quick exit though.

 

This year, the Hawks should basically guarantee themselves a spot, barring injuries.

[Cynosure]

I figured we'd have at least a few more Hawks fans on here... I'd like to get me some "hockey skeptics" opinions... if you're a hockey skeptic let me change your mind... what are you skeptic about?

[jersey cubs fan]

^Hawks finished three points out of a playoff spot last year.

 

If they don't make it this year, and there isn't a rash of injuries or something, I would consider the season a colossal failure if they miss the playoffs. And if that happens, I would be fine with firing Tallon and Savard.

 

Yea they really had no chance to make the playoffs the last 3 weeks but in the last 5-6 games they pulled it out and almost snuck in... would have been a quick exit though.

 

This year, the Hawks should basically guarantee themselves a spot, barring injuries.

 

The Hawks owned Detroit, they would have put up a fight.

[kujay]

Single game tickets went on sale yesterday. Several of the obvious sellers (Detroit, Crosby, day after xmas) only have SRO left.

 

Apparently the STH base is up almost 400 percent and the Hawks are expecting sellouts for most games.

 

I don't mean to be crass, but a lot of people said all this was possible once the old man died. He died, and here we are less than a year later.

[jersey cubs fan]

I figured we'd have at least a few more Hawks fans on here... I'd like to get me some "hockey skeptics" opinions... if you're a hockey skeptic let me change your mind... what are you skeptic about?

 

We've had multiple NHL season, postseason and Blackhawks offseason threads on here and the same small group of people post in them repeatedly. The damage done by the previous decision makers was real, in that there just aren't that many people who are openly Blackhawks fans. There's probably a significant amount of people that would start to have an interest if they became relavent over a long period of time, but that's going to take a lot more than contending for a playoff spot, putting games on TV and signing a goalie and a defenseman. They still don't have any one player who has been in contention for the big trophies, and last year's season was no more successful than 01/02 and there wasn't much excitement built off that season.

 

The Blackhawks are going to have to make the playoffs and win a series this year in order to move from what is now bubbling below the surface. And even then you are only going to get a relatively small percentage of people on a Cubs board talking about them. Probably half the hockey fans here are actually fans of other teams.

[Wilson A2000]

McDonough was out shaking hands, giving out free t-shirts, and serving free coffee to those who got tickets yesterday. What a change.

[CuseCubFan69]

I want the old owner back. I wonder if he cloned himself?

 

Hawks up 2-0 on the Canadians in 71 and then they broke my heart. I was a Wing fan but being a goalie I LOVED Tony Esposito. I hated Montreal for a long time after that.

[WrigleyField 22]

I figured we'd have at least a few more Hawks fans on here... I'd like to get me some "hockey skeptics" opinions... if you're a hockey skeptic let me change your mind... what are you skeptic about?

Don't know the rules, strategy, players, etc.

[kujay]

I figured we'd have at least a few more Hawks fans on here... I'd like to get me some "hockey skeptics" opinions... if you're a hockey skeptic let me change your mind... what are you skeptic about?

Don't know the rules, strategy, players, etc.

 

Is it because you were never interested in learning? Not being a jerk, just asking.

[WrigleyField 22]

I figured we'd have at least a few more Hawks fans on here... I'd like to get me some "hockey skeptics" opinions... if you're a hockey skeptic let me change your mind... what are you skeptic about?

Don't know the rules, strategy, players, etc.

 

Is it because you were never interested in learning? Not being a jerk, just asking.

Pretty much, wsith the Blackhawks being relevant I have taken some effort to learn about the stars but nothing real deep, just basic stuff.

[kujay]

I figured we'd have at least a few more Hawks fans on here... I'd like to get me some "hockey skeptics" opinions... if you're a hockey skeptic let me change your mind... what are you skeptic about?

Don't know the rules, strategy, players, etc.

 

Is it because you were never interested in learning? Not being a jerk, just asking.

Pretty much, wsith the Blackhawks being relevant I have taken some effort to learn about the stars but nothing real deep, just basic stuff.

 

Gotcha.

 

I'll grant you that as someone who was put in skates when I was three, I forget that the game can be mysterious to folks.

 

I hope the Hawks live up to their potential this year and keep your interest.

[Cynosure]

Also, I'll keep this thread going and give reviews of the games and maybe do some period by period recaps of whats going on to kind of get people knowing the players etc... also will answer questions on the rules as they come up.

 

I am just so happy Chicagoans might be able to finally steer away from the old sentiment of "hockey sucks" because they've never watched it :)

[kujay]

Also, I'll keep this thread going and give reviews of the games and maybe do some period by period recaps of whats going on to kind of get people knowing the players etc... also will answer questions on the rules as they come up.

 

I am just so happy Chicagoans might be able to finally steer away from the old sentiment of "hockey sucks" because they've never watched it :)

 

I'll be happy to help you with that as I can.

[UMFan83]

Also, I'll keep this thread going and give reviews of the games and maybe do some period by period recaps of whats going on to kind of get people knowing the players etc... also will answer questions on the rules as they come up.

 

I am just so happy Chicagoans might be able to finally steer away from the old sentiment of "hockey sucks" because they've never watched it :)

 

That's so weird. I've never heard people say Hockey sucks. I've only heard "I'm a hockey fan" or "Meh, the Blackhawks are never good/Wirtz is horrible/etc"

[jersey cubs fan]

Also, I'll keep this thread going and give reviews of the games and maybe do some period by period recaps of whats going on to kind of get people knowing the players etc... also will answer questions on the rules as they come up.

 

I am just so happy Chicagoans might be able to finally steer away from the old sentiment of "hockey sucks" because they've never watched it :)

 

That's so weird. I've never heard people say Hockey sucks. I've only heard "I'm a hockey fan" or "Meh, the Blackhawks are never good/Wirtz is horrible/etc"

 

Lots of people say hockey sucks.

[Cynosure]

Yep, it's hard for me to talk to anyone around my immediate area or from high school about hockey because the majority of them don't care and won't unless I pressure them to watch the Hawks this year.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Yep, it's hard for me to talk to anyone around my immediate area or from high school about hockey because the majority of them don't care and won't unless I pressure them to watch the Hawks this year.

 

Is hockey the reason you're in Finland?

[Cynosure]

Nah, I'm not playing here... just here for a year abroad... would be scary playing here, they're vicious.

[brinoch]

I love hockey, but like many other fans, the slide of the Hawks starting in the mid-90's did me in. Plus, I've lived in various places that weren't close to Chicago. It's tough to follow the Hawks if you can't watch them on television.

[salukifudd]

I'll jump on the bandwagon before the season starts. I watch hockey occasionally and go to atleast one Hawks' game a year. It's nice to have excitement again before an upcoming seaon.

 

Stupid question #1:

Is Havlat still on the Hawks' roster and is he expected to be 100% to begin the year?

[Cynosure]

I'll jump on the bandwagon before the season starts. I watch hockey occasionally and go to atleast one Hawks' game a year. It's nice to have excitement again before an upcoming seaon.

 

Stupid question #1:

Is Havlat still on the Hawks' roster and is he expected to be 100% to begin the year?

 

Yes he is still on the Hawks.

 

About being 100%... I'm not even going to venture a guess on whether he is 100%, you can never tell with him.

[UMFan83]

I'll jump on the bandwagon before the season starts. I watch hockey occasionally and go to atleast one Hawks' game a year. It's nice to have excitement again before an upcoming seaon.

 

Stupid question #1:

Is Havlat still on the Hawks' roster and is he expected to be 100% to begin the year?

 

Yes he is still on the Hawks.

 

About being 100%... I'm not even going to venture a guess on whether he is 100%, you can never tell with him.

 

I'm pretty sure the Hawks aren't counting on him for much this season even if he is 100%