Chicago Blackhawks 2011 Offseason

[kujay]

Training camp starts next week. I am so pumped. This is going to be an awesome year. I can feel it.

 

I'm right there with you. If nothing else, I think this is going to be a much more fun team to watch. Too often last year it was watch the first line do something exciting, then three minutes of crap while the other lines played. I think it will be more balanced this year.

[17 Seconds]

I'm predicting 35 goals and 60 assists from Toews this year

[Butterscup1679666578]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-In-which-Jonathan-Toews-accidentally-body?urn=nhl-wp12360&active_dimension=carousel_ept_sports_blog&ysp_frm_woah=1

[Butterscup1679666578]

Emergency appendectomy for Sharpie, out 3-4 weeks

[kujay]

Emergency appendectomy for Sharpie, out 3-4 weeks

 

Not a great way to start. But assume four weeks, and he still only misses 2-3 games. Perhaps more importantly he'll miss all of camp.

[Soul]

Emergency appendectomy for Sharpie, out 3-4 weeks

 

Not a great way to start. But assume four weeks, and he still only misses 2-3 games. Perhaps more importantly he'll miss all of camp.

 

Never good to have a guy down, but all things considered I'd rather have a veteran like Sharpie suffer this now, than in February. Missing camp won't hurt nearly as much for a player with as much experience in the system as he has.

 

Here's to a quick, full recovery.

[biittner77]

as long as his replacement isn't John Scott, it will be ok. In fact, it forces them to take a longer look at their other options at C for the 2nd line. Fans of Kruger and perhaps Smith could see that silver lining.

[kujay]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-blackhawks-sharp-targets-opening-game-20110917,0,5238915.story

 

Sharpie hopes to not miss any time. Not that I'd expect him to say anything less.

[biittner77]

anyone able to see the game last night? It sounds like Rusteez looked pretty good alongside The real Toews.

[Prizefight]

anyone able to see the game last night? It sounds like Rusteez looked pretty good alongside The real Toews.

 

 

I caught most of it. Not really much to say.

 

Olesz did look pretty solid. If he's more than just a guy that'll be super. John Scott is still really bad at hockey. Ben Smith didn't have the best of nights. Other than that it was the equivalent of an NFL preseason game. McNeil looked like he'll be something. I doubt anything was decided for Crawfords backup.

[biittner77]

Can Pirri supplant Krueger on the roster? If he did, would they maybe him on the 3rd line and move Bolland between Sharp and Hossa on the 2nd line?

[brinoch]

Can Pirri supplant Krueger on the roster? If he did, would they maybe him on the 3rd line and move Bolland between Sharp and Hossa on the 2nd line?

 

Pirri needs another year. I could see Ben Smith making the #4 center spot. Possibly.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Interesting

 

Patrick Kane might start the season as a center, according to Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.

 

"We might try Kane at center," Quenneville said. "He's been playing center throughout scrimmages and practices now. We'll see." Quenneville isn't worried about Kane's ability to handle the defensive responsibilities that come with the position. We'll keep you posted.

[Flames24Rulz]

I hate that. Do we not have any confidence in Kruger?

[biittner77]

I hate that. Do we not have any confidence in Kruger?

 

We'll also try John Scott on the power play.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Just preseason, but Hawks trailed the Wings 3-1 earlier and won 4-3. Keith w/3 assists, Kane to Hossa for the game winner

[Flames24Rulz]

Ben Smith was leveled on a very dirty hit that will lead to a suspension for some random Red Wing. Smith was down on the ice for several moments and appeared concussed. Stalberg also had a knee/leg injury and Quenneville said, "It wasn't good."

 

Not a good night.

[Prizefight]

Man, F Detroit. I hate those assholes.

 

Already in mid-season form in their smugness after Babcock's comment's last night. Blaming Ben Smith for not keeping his head up after he just juked the jock of your guy.

[kujay]

Man, F Detroit. I hate those [expletive].

 

Already in mid-season form in their smugness after Babcock's comment's last night. Blaming Ben Smith for not keeping his head up after he just juked the jock of your guy.

 

They were saying on Home Ice this morning that Babcock was full of crap, more or less, though at least he admitted that what his guy did was probably illegal.

 

I only watched the first period -- was very disorganized. I wasn't real impressed with Lepisto, and I know Saad has been the talk of camp, but I didn't see much from him either. But shouldn't be judging from a handful of shifts. Hopefully can watch Friday night's game.

[biittner77]

Looks like you may get a chance- 9 games worth- to see what Saad can do right from the get go.

 

At least the injuries to Smith and Stalberg come from the area where the team has the most depth. So there's that. Maybe this reprieve for Krueger will give him a chance to get his act together.

 

It sounds like the Kane to center experiment went ok. It sounds like Kane was out to proove something, which is a good thing.

 

What does the depth chart look like until Sharp returns?

 

Toews, Brunette, Rust eze

Kane, Hossa ?

Bolland, Bickell, Frolik

Krueger, Mayers, Carcillo

[Pushfrog98]

I just watched the clip of Ben Smith getting hit... not sure how the Red Wings can even remotely claim it was anything but a dirty hit.

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2011/09/brendan_smiths_head_hit_on_ben.html

[Butterscup1679666578]

wow that was such a cheap shot. my god.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Ugh. Stalberg out 2-3 weeks.

 

Sharp may practice tomorrow.

[Prizefight]

Ugh. Stalberg out 2-3 weeks.

 

Sharp may practice tomorrow.

 

 

What has me more nervous is Bolland not skating with an 'upper body injury' that's not related to concussion. Hope it's not his back again