Archive for December, 2009

Lineup Notes vs. Sharks

December 22nd, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The last time the Blackhawks played the San Jose Sharks they beat them big in their own arena 7-2. It was also Marian Hossa’s debut with the ‘Hawks – he started his season off by scoring two goals in the game. There is nothing the Sharks would like to then return the favor by beating the Blackhawks in the United Center. Going into tonight’s match-up, the two teams are tied with forty-nine points atop the Western Conference.

Tonight’s lineup notes – Cristobal Huet will start tonight in net. He is coming off his second consecutive shutout, and will have his work cut out for him as he tries to make it three.

Cam Barker is out again with a lower-body injury, and Jordan Hendry will fill in for him on the defensive pairing. Hendry has seen his playing time increase filling in on defense and on the fourth line as a winger. He’s played well in both roles, and has become a useful player to Coach Quenneville.

Bryan Bickell has been recalled from Rockford, so that means Ben Eager will be out of the lineup for the third consecutive game. Eager is probably suffering from concussion-like symptoms again.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Making A Case For Toews To Make Canada’s Olympic Roster

December 21st, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

It was as though Team Canada’s Olympic general manager, Steve Yzerman, held informal auditions in Chicago this weekend for a spot on the Canadian national team. He was in attendance for the Bruins and Red Wings games. Detroit’s head coach, Mike Babcock, is slated to coach the Canadian Olympic team as well. They were able to get a good look at the Blackhawks’ Canadian born players first hand. Other members of the Canadian brain trust – Kevin Lowe, Doug Armstrong and Ken Holland – were in attendance for Sunday’s match-up.

The four Blackhawks invited to September’s training camp – Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews – were closely scouted in both games. Brian Campbell did his best over the two-game stretch to be noticed. It was the best we’ve seen from him all season.

The only sure thing from the Blackhawks to make the Canadian roster would be Keith. His leadership and on-ice skills speak for themselves. Seabrook’s only chance to make the team is if Yzerman likes the idea keeping the blue-line duo together. Sharp doesn’t have a real shot since there are better forwards being considered. Campbell’s elevated play has come too late to make a real push for a roster spot. Toews’ future with the 2010 Canadian Olympic national team is teetering on the fence.

Toews has stiff competition for a roster spot, as Yzerman has a deep pool of centers to pick from. He already has international competition experience on his resume. Toews played for Team Canada in the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships as well as the 2007 and 2008 World Championships. He is also the third youngest player to be named any team’s captain. At the age of twenty-one he commands respect from his teammates.

One thing that Toews has going for himself is that Yzerman and Babcock have openly stated their admiration for the young captain. I’d like to finish this entry with a quote from Yzerman following Friday’s overtime win over the Bruins. What better way to make the case that Toews deserves a roster spot on the Canadian Olympic team then use the words from general manager himself.

Yzerman said of Toews:

“He’s a great competitor, he’s physically strong, he’s really responsible in all areas of the game – like everything about him. He’s a tremendous young player so I don’t see any shortcomings in his game and he’s just going to get better and better every year.”

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Blackhawks 3, Red Wings 0

December 21st, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Even with seven players on the shelf I thought the Red Wings would show up and make this game difficult for the Blackhawks to win. That was not the case as Cristobal Huet and the Blackhawks’ defense were able to keep the Red Wings scoreless on the nightt. The defense limited Detroit to twenty shots on goal, and clear the zone of any problematic rebounds Huet gave up. This is the ‘Hawks third shutout in four games, sixth of the season and second in a row for the man from France.

The Blackhawks’ defense has been very strong this season, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the play of Huet and Antti Niemi. Shutouts aren’t anything to scoff at. The Blackhawks’ goaltending has been very affective, and so has the penalty kill. In the last ten games the ‘Hawks are 24 of 25 when shorthanded. They rank second in the league behind the Bruins with a percentage of 85.6. Only if this level of success could carry over to the power play, all would be right with the world.

Duncan Keith had another great night scoring a goal and an assist. Dustin Byfuglien scored his tenth goal of the season by just putting the puck on the net to beat Chris Osgood down low. Overall, the whole team played well.

Brian Campbell scored his second goal in as many games, and is finally playing like the seven-million-dollar-man. Something has changed in the last two games for the redhead. Campbell has been carrying the puck deep into the offensive zone, joining the rush and has just been more aggressive. I doubt it is the new batch of sticks, but possibly has something to do with playing in front of brass of Team Canada’s Olympic team. I hope Campbell can keep it up.

It always warms the heart when we beat the Red Wings, but this version of the team was not the real thing. The Blackhawks play the Red Wings in Detroit on Wednesday, and I would expect a tougher game.

A bit of news – Bryan Bickell was reassigned to Rockford. Depending on the health of Ben Eager he could be back with the team tomorrow night with the Blackhawks host San Jose.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Bickell Recalled For Wings

December 20th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

A few lineup notes – Bryan Bickell was recalled from Rockford, again. This likely means Ben Eager will be out of tonight’s game. It’s being reported the he is battling an upper-body injury. I would expect for Niklas Hjalmarsson to be back to man the blue line, and starting in net will be Cristobal Huet.

UPDATE: Cam Barker is not in the lineup. Jordan Hendry will fill his spot on the third pairing.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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David Gilbert Traded By Remparts

December 19th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

David Gilbert, the Blackhawks seventh round (209th overall) pick of the 2009 entry draft was traded to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (accompanied by three future draft picks) from the Quebec Remparts. In thirty-one games with the Remparts, Gilbert tallied eighteen points (six goals, twelve assists). He was one of six centers drafted by the Blackhawks earlier this year.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Bryan Bickell Reassigned To Rockford

December 19th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Bryan Bickell, who was recalled for last night’s game vs. Boston, was reassigned to Rockford this morning. It was Bickell’s fifth stint with in the NHL this season, and will be recalled a few more times throughout the rest of the season. He saw more ice-time then other fourth-liners Colin Fraser and Tomas Kopecky with 8:16.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Niemi In Net vs. Bruins, And Hjalmarsson Out Sick

December 18th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Antti Niemi will start in net for the Blackhawks as they host the Boston Bruins at the United Center tonight. We knew he earned more starts, but I’m a little surprised that Coach Quenneville opted to use Niemi following a Cristobal Huet shutout. Quenneville must want a fresh Huet for Detroit on Sunday.

It’s also been reported that Niklas Hjalmarsson will miss tonight’s game with the flu, but Cam Barker who left in the middle of the Blues’ game with a lower-body injury will be in the lineup. Hjalmarsson’s absence from the lineup will mean Tomas Kopecky return to his spot on the fourth line, and Jordan Hendry will see some playing time on defense

Update: Ben Eager is out, and Bryan Bickell was recalled to fill his spot on the fourth line.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Strong Canadian Dollar Would Benefit The ‘Hawks

December 18th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The other day in his blog, Tim Sassone wrote that there is a chance the salary cap could go up next season due to the current strength of the Canadian dollar. The article states that at this time last year $1 Canadian equaled between 84-85 cents American, but the two currencies are nearing in value. When the day started the Canadian dollar was at 93.6 cents American. So when funds are converted to U.S dollars the return is greater with a strong Canadian dollar.

It’s been rumored the cap number would lower from this season’s $56.8M salary cap ceiling because revenue for most teams around the league. The current state of the U.S. and Canadian economies has nurtured the idea of a lower salary cap for the 2010-11 season.

In Sassone’s piece, he quoted Gary Bettman stating:

“If it’s at 95 cents and stays there for the rest of the year, the cap will go up a million or so. If the Canadian drops under 90, it may be down a half a million or so. All of these prognostications of 10 and 20 percent declines, that’s not going to happen.”

I’ve learned to take whatever Bettman says with a grain of salt, but if the Canadian dollar holds up it would benefit the Blackhawks. The organization has about $60.5M already invested next season in fifteen players, and anything that allows for a higher salary cap ceiling – or curb the drop – would be welcome. It would obviously affect Stan Bowman’s decision making this off-season.

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Blackhawks 3, Blues 0

December 17th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Ho-hum, the Blackhawks earned their second shutout in a row and fifth of the season. It was another night where the Blackhawks were the dominant team for almost the whole game. Controlling the puck for the majority of the game and limiting the time spent in the defensive zone has been important to the team’s success this season, and it was key in last night’s win. Cristobal Huet was barely challenged as a result, but did come up big when the Blues crashed the net.

It was evident that their lack of control over the game got to head coach Andy Murray. Led by Barrett Jackman, the Blues took their frustrations out on the Blackhawks late in the third period amassing thirty-two penalty minutes in that period alone. Still, the fit thrown by St. Louis’ agitators Jackman, B.J. Crombeen and Cam Janssen didn’t make the 3-0 shutout loss any more palpable. The Blackhawks have held their opponents scoreless in the last 141:21 of play.

There isn’t much anyone can complain about when their team wins back-to-back shutouts. It’s even hard to be critical of the usual suspect, Dustin Byfuglien. For his standards he has been playing well ever since Coach Quenneville moved him to the third line. Last night Byfuglien threw his weight around tallying seven hits, and that is one thing you want to see out of any skater his size. We should enjoy this while we can – he’ll regress soon enough.

The Blackhawks were led offensively by the playmaking of Patrick Kane assisting on goals by Troy Brouwer, Brian Campbell – his first goal since the second game of the season – and Marian Hossa. Kane is on his way to super-star status, and nights like that pave the way. Hossa had a great game on both ends of the ice, and he has played a large role in the Blackhawks ability to control the puck for the majority of the game.

Next up the Blackhawks host the Boston Bruins Friday night. We should learn soon if Cam Barker will miss any time with a lower-body that pulled him from last night’s game.

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Kane, Down But Not Out – Blackhawks 4, Lightning 0

December 14th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

It was bound to happen sooner or later. The Blackhawks got out of their offensive funk by netting four goals against Tampa Bay last night. It was sparked by Patrick Kane’s goal in the first frame. Duncan Keith intercepted the puck in the neutral zone to find Kane ahead of him skating toward the net. Just above the circles, Kane let loose a wrist-shot to beat Antero Niittymaki. Kane played well in his six shifts (4:43). Matt Smaby cut Kane’s night short by tripping him up against the boards. Kane feel awkwardly and somehow got cut just above his eye.

Coach Quenneville stated that he doesn’t think Kane will miss the Blackhawks next game vs. St. Louis. We will find out more on the severity of the injury throughout the day, but apparently Kane has quite the shiner near his left eye. Quenneville added:

“He’s not bad. He got cut above his eye there, and they had to stitch it up and his vision was impaired, but I think he’s going to be all right.”

Last night’s game became the Marian Hossa show. He played his best game since his debut as a Blackhawk. Hossa was great on both ends of the ice. Halfway through the second period Hossa drew two defenders away from the net, and found a wide-open Ben Eager in great position to score. Hossa’s perfect pass gave Eager his second goal on the year. Later in the period Hossa scored a highlight goal late in the period to put the Blackhawks up by three. Jonathan Toews finished off the scoring with a goal of his own in the third. ‘Hawks won 4-0.

Antti Niemi earned his third shutout last night, and has sixth wins on the year. I’ve alluded to my affinity for the Finnish goaltender, and Niemi has been nothing short of impressive in his rookie campaign thus far. His value to the Blackhawks is increasing. Quenneville kept his word when he said Niemi has earned more starts, and that makes me happy.

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