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

[Drew Doughty]

i have never in my life heard someone describe the relationship between a dman and a forward as conducive to chemistry. maybe on the PP...but it's not like Campbell is charging up ice with Kane on every shift, and even when they are on the ice at the same time, their roles are completely different.

 

The defenseman is the one who starts the charge up the ice, as you put it. He needs to know where his forwards are going to be. Of course their roles are different. But I don't think it's a stretch at all to describe the relationship of all five players as having something to do with "chemistry."

 

breakouts are largely set plays, it's something you practice everday, and it's usually a system created by the coaching staff. the "chemistry" between a dman and a forward is almost non-existent. there are set plays in the offensive zone, but it's mostly a free-flow between the forwards (because you can't predict how a defense will react when things actually start happening in the offensive zone, whereas if you watch enough tape, you can see how a defense protects against a breakout).

 

brian campbell is an offensive dman, but he's still a dman. he's going to pinch more often than most, but that doesn't make him any less of a dman. it should also be noted that he's not going to be on the ice with toews and kane on every shift at even strength.

 

bleh, tried to find shift charts for this year but they're not available. i hate that nhl.com took them off their website.

 

Breakouts are often set plays, but much of the time they aren't and you have to adapt to where the puck is when you're trying to clear it.

 

i think there's a difference in what we're thinking about here. when i'm thinking breakout, i think your team has clear control of the puck and has a chance to set themselves up. there is something to be said for a guy like campbell and his ability to move the puck up ice (he's clearly one of the best in the game at it, up there with a guy like visnovsky -- well pre 07-08 visnovsky at least -- or zubov at his abiltiy to get the puck up ice), but i'm not sure how much of that is chemistry vs. just being able to see the ice really well. generally (again, not always), forwards go up the ice in the same fashion every time and it's more the defenseman being able to read the play well rather than knowing his teammates. one thing campbell has benefited from is playing with very, very good offensive players (sabres with drury and briere and vanek and pominville and the sharks with thornton at the end of last year), so he knows where good offensive players are supposed to be. that's going to make a guy like kane or toews or havlat look even better if he can apply it.

 

and i think the campbell move is an alright move...it's really good in the short term and it's okay in the long term. i guess some of it comes down to which direction the cap moves (and most people think it's coming down soon), but the 'hawks have a very solid defenseman for a while if nothing changes in his game.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/icing/2008/10/no-place-like-h.html

 

Huet starts home opener; Aaron Johnson recalled

The Blackhawks open the home portion of the 2008-09 season tonight at the United Center.

 

Cristobal Huet will get the call in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin as his backup as the Hawks host the Nashville Predators.

 

"It's his turn," coach Denis Savard said of Huet. "Probably for a little bit I might alternate [goaltenders], I don't know that. Tonight, to me, it's the right call to do. I felt it's his turn to come out in front of his new fans and we'll go from there."

 

Huet started Friday night against the Rangers in New York and Khabibulin played in Washington on Saturday night. Savard said he may continue to alternate them until one establishes himself as the team's starter.

[kujay]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/icing/2008/10/no-place-like-h.html

 

Huet starts home opener; Aaron Johnson recalled

The Blackhawks open the home portion of the 2008-09 season tonight at the United Center.

 

Cristobal Huet will get the call in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin as his backup as the Hawks host the Nashville Predators.

 

"It's his turn," coach Denis Savard said of Huet. "Probably for a little bit I might alternate [goaltenders], I don't know that. Tonight, to me, it's the right call to do. I felt it's his turn to come out in front of his new fans and we'll go from there."

 

Huet started Friday night against the Rangers in New York and Khabibulin played in Washington on Saturday night. Savard said he may continue to alternate them until one establishes himself as the team's starter.

 

](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

 

Why the hell did we sign Huet then?

[jersey cubs fan]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/icing/2008/10/no-place-like-h.html

 

Huet starts home opener; Aaron Johnson recalled

The Blackhawks open the home portion of the 2008-09 season tonight at the United Center.

 

Cristobal Huet will get the call in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin as his backup as the Hawks host the Nashville Predators.

 

"It's his turn," coach Denis Savard said of Huet. "Probably for a little bit I might alternate [goaltenders], I don't know that. Tonight, to me, it's the right call to do. I felt it's his turn to come out in front of his new fans and we'll go from there."

 

Huet started Friday night against the Rangers in New York and Khabibulin played in Washington on Saturday night. Savard said he may continue to alternate them until one establishes himself as the team's starter.

 

](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

 

Why the hell did we sign Huet then?

 

I assume you are referring to the rotation. I can only assume they are trying to showcase Khabi to get teams interested. If he plays in 15 of the first 30 games he could get traded and leave Huet as the undisputed starter.

[kujay]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/icing/2008/10/no-place-like-h.html

 

Huet starts home opener; Aaron Johnson recalled

The Blackhawks open the home portion of the 2008-09 season tonight at the United Center.

 

Cristobal Huet will get the call in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin as his backup as the Hawks host the Nashville Predators.

 

"It's his turn," coach Denis Savard said of Huet. "Probably for a little bit I might alternate [goaltenders], I don't know that. Tonight, to me, it's the right call to do. I felt it's his turn to come out in front of his new fans and we'll go from there."

 

Huet started Friday night against the Rangers in New York and Khabibulin played in Washington on Saturday night. Savard said he may continue to alternate them until one establishes himself as the team's starter.

 

](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

 

Why the hell did we sign Huet then?

 

I assume you are referring to the rotation. I can only assume they are trying to showcase Khabi to get teams interested. If he plays in 15 of the first 30 games he could get traded and leave Huet as the undisputed starter.

 

I was.

 

And I did have that thought as well, and I hope that's what is going on. I should know not to get frustrated after just two games, but I can't help it. Lots of expectations on this team, and a loss tonight would leave them in an early hole.

 

If you think that's not important, just look at the final standings last year. 4 more points in Oct/Nov last year and the Hawks would have been in the playoffs.

[manbearcub]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/icing/2008/10/no-place-like-h.html

 

Huet starts home opener; Aaron Johnson recalled

The Blackhawks open the home portion of the 2008-09 season tonight at the United Center.

 

Cristobal Huet will get the call in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin as his backup as the Hawks host the Nashville Predators.

 

"It's his turn," coach Denis Savard said of Huet. "Probably for a little bit I might alternate [goaltenders], I don't know that. Tonight, to me, it's the right call to do. I felt it's his turn to come out in front of his new fans and we'll go from there."

 

Huet started Friday night against the Rangers in New York and Khabibulin played in Washington on Saturday night. Savard said he may continue to alternate them until one establishes himself as the team's starter.

 

](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

 

Why the hell did we sign Huet then?

 

I assume you are referring to the rotation. I can only assume they are trying to showcase Khabi to get teams interested. If he plays in 15 of the first 30 games he could get traded and leave Huet as the undisputed starter.

 

The problem with that is Khabi is more likely to suck and scare teams away from him.

[jersey cubs fan]

The problem with that is Khabi is more likely to suck and scare teams away from him.

 

The interest in him is already zero, so there's no real risk of damaging his value. I would prefer Huet get the majority of playing time, instead of 50/50, but Khabi does have to play if they want to find a taker.

[Cynosure]

Woo here we go! I am so excited!!!

[Soul]

Win the opener and all is well.

 

Do it.

[Cynosure]

Versteeg, Toews, Kane are now on first line...

 

Sharp, Havlat, Byflugien on second... I like this.

[RedFlash]

Versteeg, Toews, Kane are now on first line...

 

Sharp, Havlat, Byflugien on second... I like this.

 

Oh...........hell yes. I likee....

[Cynosure]

What a stupid ass opening ceremony.

[salukifudd]

What a stupid ass opening ceremony.

 

I'll agree, it's pretty weak.

[salukifudd]

This, however, is not.

[Cynosure]

Weak.... should have been Obama. The Flyers got Palin :(

[Cynosure]

HAWKS GOAL

 

6:14 (PP) - Havlat scores (1), assisted by Kane (1) and Sharp (2).

 

Hawks lead 1-0.

Edited October 14, 2008 by Cynosure

[salukifudd]

Kane to Havlat, a thing a beauty even if it was a 5 on 3.

[Cynosure]

PREDATORS GOAL

 

9:29 (PP) - Weber scores (2), assisted by Suter (1) and Dumont (1).

 

Game tied at 1-1.

Edited October 14, 2008 by Cynosure

[salukifudd]

Was that redirected or was Sopel blocking Huet?

[Cynosure]

PREDATORS GOAL

 

12:49 (Breakaway) - Klein scores (1), unassisted.

 

Predators lead 2-1.

Edited October 14, 2008 by Cynosure

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Sheesh. How many goals will the Blackhawks allow this season?

[manbearcub]

First game Ive gotten a chance to see. We dont look good at all.

[Cynosure]

Sheesh. How many goals will the Blackhawks allow this season?

 

With the current goaltending situation... a lot.

 

To be fair, a lot of the goals given up have been lucky as hell.

[Soul]

Hawks, when I said win the opener I meant actually win.

 

What the heck was that giveaway at the end of the PP. COME ON.

[Cynosure]

Hawks, when I said win the opener I meant actually win.

 

What the heck was that giveaway at the end of the PP. COME ON.

 

Luck.