Re: 2009 Chicago Blackhawks

[RedFlash]

 

I go to bed last night, thinking this was "one of those games" that a team completely seems disinterested in playing, and when I rise from a much needed resting of the night I see the Hawks come back and win the game in OT? Colour me pleasantly surprise, but damn Hawks you don't need to toyed with the Flames like that, tho.

 

With that said, after last night's game there is NO DEFICIT the Hawks can't come back from for the rest of the season.

[jersey cubs fan]

So what are the odds that the eventual solution to the salary cap mess includes releasing Huet to get his contract off the books next year or the following, like they almost did with Khabi last year? My faith in him was tenuous at best this offseason and he's obviously been very disappointing so far. As a directv customer I couldn't watch the game, but first time I checked on the phone it was 3-0, and literally the next two refreshes went to 4-0 and 5-0. I checked it when it was 5-1, then didn't see the score until it was 5-4, but since I couldn't watch, I went to bed and checked this morning. Wow, crazy game. Would have been nice to watch.

[kujay]

So what are the odds that the eventual solution to the salary cap mess includes releasing Huet to get his contract off the books next year or the following, like they almost did with Khabi last year? My faith in him was tenuous at best this offseason and he's obviously been very disappointing so far. As a directv customer I couldn't watch the game, but first time I checked on the phone it was 3-0, and literally the next two refreshes went to 4-0 and 5-0. I checked it when it was 5-1, then didn't see the score until it was 5-4, but since I couldn't watch, I went to bed and checked this morning. Wow, crazy game. Would have been nice to watch.

 

It might come to that with Huet, just an outright release. I'm certainly not up on how the cap hits work, but I'm sure Bowman will see if there are any trade options out there first. If eating some of his salary would be more beneficial than the cap hit from releasing him, might as well see if there is interest in him. I can't imagine there would be, but who knows. He has shown in the past he can be a stud, albeit for very short periods.

 

I ended up listening to the 3rd period online. Wiedeman is a great listen.

[jersey cubs fan]

So what are the odds that the eventual solution to the salary cap mess includes releasing Huet to get his contract off the books next year or the following, like they almost did with Khabi last year? My faith in him was tenuous at best this offseason and he's obviously been very disappointing so far. As a directv customer I couldn't watch the game, but first time I checked on the phone it was 3-0, and literally the next two refreshes went to 4-0 and 5-0. I checked it when it was 5-1, then didn't see the score until it was 5-4, but since I couldn't watch, I went to bed and checked this morning. Wow, crazy game. Would have been nice to watch.

 

It might come to that with Huet, just an outright release. I'm certainly not up on how the cap hits work, but I'm sure Bowman will see if there are any trade options out there first. If eating some of his salary would be more beneficial than the cap hit from releasing him, might as well see if there is interest in him. I can't imagine there would be, but who knows. He has shown in the past he can be a stud, albeit for very short periods.

 

I ended up listening to the 3rd period online. Wiedeman is a great listen.

 

I think I've read that an outright release would simply erase a contract from the cap, although they'd obviously still owe it. I think the Blackhawks might actually be willing to do something like that as part of their solution to the Tallon mess. But it would have to be the last resort obviously.

[kujay]

I think I've read that an outright release would simply erase a contract from the cap, although they'd obviously still owe it. I think the Blackhawks might actually be willing to do something like that as part of their solution to the Tallon mess. But it would have to be the last resort obviously.

 

I mean, it's not my money. But if that's true, I'm 100% in favor of making a trade at the appropriate time and packing Huet's bags for him.

[Soul]

They'll likely give Huet some time, see if he's able to get on a hot streak. He did that at times last year.

 

I'm not a fan, but it's a tough situation. Not going to come back from many 0-5 deficits, obviously. Very exciting last night, and I missed it. Was that game televised?

[jersey cubs fan]

They'll likely give Huet some time, see if he's able to get on a hot streak. He did that at times last year.

 

I'm not a fan, but it's a tough situation. Not going to come back from many 0-5 deficits, obviously. Very exciting last night, and I missed it. Was that game televised?

 

Yeah, I'm sure he's here for at least this season. Maybe next year they'd pull the plug though.

[kujay]

They'll likely give Huet some time, see if he's able to get on a hot streak. He did that at times last year.

 

I'm not a fan, but it's a tough situation. Not going to come back from many 0-5 deficits, obviously. Very exciting last night, and I missed it. Was that game televised?

 

It was on Versus, which left out us Directv people. Next two games (Weds, Thurs) are on CSN.

[Soul]

They'll likely give Huet some time, see if he's able to get on a hot streak. He did that at times last year.

 

I'm not a fan, but it's a tough situation. Not going to come back from many 0-5 deficits, obviously. Very exciting last night, and I missed it. Was that game televised?

 

It was on Versus, which left out us Directv people. Next two games (Weds, Thurs) are on CSN.

 

Ahh. I would have missed it anyway because I always forget to check Versus.

[Old Style]

Aren't you still getting the Center Ice package free preview? I'm pretty sure I am on Dish.

[jersey cubs fan]

Aren't you still getting the Center Ice package free preview? I'm pretty sure I am on Dish.

 

directv has it through Oct 24, but games on versus are not shown on center ice.

[kujay]

Niemi starting tonight opposite Khabi. How's that for a kick in the balls?

 

Not that I want Khabi back considered the money he got. But still.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Since I don't know much about the NHL in terms of backup and prospects, how does (or did, I guess) Niemi project? I know he's 26 now, so he's not necessarily a prospect anymore, but was he a guy who projected to be a decent, almost-everyday goalie in the league, or was he seen as a backup when he came in? I'm just curious if he's actually a viable option as a starter on this team or not.

[kujay]

Since I don't know much about the NHL in terms of backup and prospects, how does (or did, I guess) Niemi project? I know he's 26 now, so he's not necessarily a prospect anymore, but was he a guy who projected to be a decent, almost-everyday goalie in the league, or was he seen as a backup when he came in? I'm just curious if he's actually a viable option as a starter on this team or not.

 

I'm certainly no expert on the Hawks farm system either, but my impression is that Crawford was seen as a better prospect than Niemi. Crawford just didn't step up when given the chance last year and in training camp.

 

Hopefully the crappy internet at this hotel will hold up so I can listen to the game tonight.

[bcl412]

I forgot that Khabby played for the Oilers.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Nice start!

[bcl412]

I think I'd have Patrick Sharp's babies if given the option.

[kujay]

I think I'd have Patrick Sharp's babies if given the option.

[Butterscup1679666578]

That wasn't good.

[kujay]

That wasn't good.

 

I must be waaaaaayyyy behind with this online feed.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I miss Khabi

[kujay]

Sounds like a hell of a pace to start this one. That's always going to favor the Hawks, as long as the defensemen stay honest and don't leave Niemi in any bad situations.

[kujay]

Very happy to see Skille get rewarded with one.

[Butterscup1679666578]

We've been dominating on the offensive side this entire game besides that one quick Edmonton push. This team is so much fun to watch when they are pushing like they do on the offensive side, and when they're doing that they're tough to beat.

[kujay]

We've been dominating on the offensive side this entire game besides that one quick Edmonton push. This team is so much fun to watch when they are pushing like they do on the offensive side, and when they're doing that they're tough to beat.

 

Seems like after that Detroit game they got their legs back and it's been off to the races since then. I don't know what the shots/game record is (at least in the post-2005 era), but the Hawks are going to put up an amazing average this year.