Posts Tagged ‘Andrew Ladd’

Free agency begins – Ladd traded to Atlanta, and more

July 2nd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The day started with a pot of coffee eight cups deep, as the Kris Versteeg piece I wrote the night before needed some heavy editing. I dreaded every minute of the process as the caffeine had yet to kick in. It had to be done, or else I wasn’t going to fully enjoy a day of sitting on my ass watching the NHL Network and TSN’s Bob McKenzie duke it out with Twitter.

Stan Bowman wasn’t going to be a major player in the free agent market this summer, but then again everyone thought the same thing about last summer. The story surrounding the Blackhawks was the ‘fire sale’ of the team’s replicable role players, and re-signing restricted free agents (RFAs) Antti Niemi, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Andrew Ladd. It was reported over the course of the past week the Big Three RFAs were tendered qualifying offers (QOs) – other players receiving QOs from the Blackhawks were Bryan Bickell, Evan Brophey, Nathan Davis, Jack Skille and Hannu Toivonen.

The RFAs NOT tendered QOs were Mike Brennan, Joey Crabb (newly acquired from Atlanta in the Byfuglien trade), Kyle Greentree, Adam Hobson, Peter MacArthur, Danny Richmond, J.C. Sawyer and surprisingly defenseman Jordan Hendry. Each of these players is now an unrestricted free agent (UFA), and at the time I wrote this post some have already moved onto other organizations.

For the better part of the afternoon, all was quite on the Blackhawk front. With nothing happening, and almost a full pot of coffee coursing through my veins, it was hard for me to sit still. I figures I might was well tackle the long list of ‘to-dos’ the girlfriend has for me – with the television on in the background. I think I was in the middle of hanging one of 30+ pictures when I heard Ladd’s name become the topic of conversation among the panel of so-called hockey experts.

As Second City Hockey used to describe the trade of Ladd to Atlanta, this one was the first of the off-season moves made this summer that hurt. I convinced myself Ladd was safe when Versteeg and his salary were sent to Toronto the night before. The Blackhawks must have felt his contract would have been too rich for their blood.

In return, the Blackhawks received prospect Ivan Vishnevskiy and Atlanta’s second round selection of the 2011 draft. Vishnevskiy is an NHL-ready defender.

Blackhawks sign free agent John Scott

The Blackhawks lost some grit with Ben Eager, Colin Fraser and Andrew Ladd shipped out, and Adam Burish gone via free agency (signed with two years with Dallas). Guys like Troy Brouwer, Bryan Bickell and Kyle Beach will fill the role nicely. Still, Bowman added a behemoth of a forward/defenseman (6’8” 258lbs) in John Scott to the mix as the Blackhawks’ first free agent signing this off-season. Cam Janssen will think twice about running a star forward in the six regular season games against the Blues.

Scott was signed a two-year deal worth $1.025 million. In 51 games with Minnesota, he had one goal and one assists with 90 penalty-minutes. I doubt the Blackhawks would use him as an enforcer, if at all, as they and the Red Wings have proven the Stanley Cup can be won without one.

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

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Orca! – (2) Blackhawks vs. (3) Canucks preview

April 30th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

This is turning into a nice little rivalry. Ever since that bloody Sunday in March last season – the one where Alex Burrows tugged on Duncan Keith’s hair (not in a good way) – the two teams have played with an edge. Then there is the bad blood between Andrew Ladd and Ryan Kesler that dates back to when the Canucks and Blackhawks met in last year’s semi-final series – a series where the young Blackhawk team upset the Canucks and ousted them from the playoffs. Vancouver would love nothing more than to return the favor this time around. With the introduction out of the way, we move onto breaking down the second round (2) Blackhawks vs. (3) Canucks series.

Offense – The enemy led the West with 272 regular season goals, and the Blackhawks were in second with 271 goals. They also have this season’s Art Ross Trophy winner in Henrik Sedin, but our points leader has a mullet. Advantage: Blackhawks

Defense – Brian Campbell returned to the blue line in the first round series against the Predators, and the Blackhawks were 3-0 since. Coincidence, I think not. The Blackhawks are a complete core. Campbell is the puck-mover, Keith is a good two-way defenseman, Seabrook is the hitter, Hjalmarsson is the smart one and Sopel is great in the defensive zone. The Canucks aren’t as versatile on defense. After facing the Predators defensive core, the Canucks will be a cake walk. Advantage: Blackhawks

Goaltending – Roberto Luongo is viewed as one of the better goalies in the game these days, but has never won any major hardware. Antti Niemi has better numbers this post-season, but Bobby Lou is Bobby Lou. Advantage: Canucks

Special Teams – I assume you already know about how good the Blackhawks penalty kill has been this season and in the first round. Against the Predators the kill was successful twenty-seven of twenty-eight times, and Patrick Kane added the notorious Game #5 shortie. The Canucks power-play unit has been good in the regular and post-season, but can they have to get past Brent Sopel first. Advantage: Blackhawks

Coaching – Let’s make this one short. This is the eleventh post-season appearance for Coach Q, and the Canucks’ Alain Vigneault is a noob in comparison in his fourth. Advantage: Blackhawks

Intangibles – I added this section to the preview in hopes of writing about the Green Men. An homage to one of my favorite television shows. However, Dustin Byfuglien will move back to forward for the semi-finals. There are a few people who think the Blackhawks wouldn’t have won the series last year if Byfuglien didn’t own the space between Roberto Luongo’s ears. They could have used another body in front of the net against Nashville. Advantage: Blackhawks

Prediction – Blackhawks win in seven

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Evil Doers Win – Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 5

March 7th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Make it rain... hats

I don’t think I’ve even witnessed a momentum shift like that (in person) before. That Blackhawks should have been up 3-0 early in the second period – on their way to victory – but the bogus no-goal call gave the Red Wings the break needed to mount a comeback. Cristobal Huet was chased from the game after letting in four of the five goals Detroit scored in the second period. Antti Niemi let in the other in relief. The Red Wings had a 5-2 lead at the end of the period. The United Center was silent.

The Blackhawks attempted a comeback of their own in the third period on the back of Andrew Ladd and the third line. He scored two goals in the period to earn the hat trick. It took a while for those in attendance to realize what just happened since Ladd’s third goal was on a redirect, but eventually baseball caps (and foam head-ware) slowly trickled their way down from the 300-level. The momentum shifted back to the Blackhawks, but they were unable to score another goal to take the game to free hockey (overtime). The Red Wings won 5-4.

This game was full of bad calls – for both sides. Of course, we only care about the calls that didn’t go the way of the Blackhawks. It’s easy to complain about the officiating, but it wouldn’t even be an issue if the defense showed up and the goalies stopped pucks. Detroit will be the measuring stick in the West for the foreseeable future. Give them and inch, they take a mile. Mentally, the ‘Hawks will need to be tougher to avoid another second period like today’s.

Next up, the Blackhawks will have two days off before they face the Kings at the United Center on Wednesday. Word is that Adam Burish will be in the lineup.

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Blackhawks 6, Canucks 3

March 6th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Just the way I like Bobby Lou

Once upon a time, there was a time I liked Ryan Kesler. But that was long ago – well, before he made those remarks about our boy, Andrew Ladd. Earlier today, Mr. Kesler backed off his “Ladd is a coward” comment. Anyway, Ladd took care of business thirty-seven seconds into the game. The two shoved, swapped swings resulting in two minutes in the box each. The early exchange set the tempo for the game – there were four fighting majors.

Seeing Roberto Luongo chased from the game after one period of play was extremely satisfying. The Blackhawks scored five goals on him in the first period, and scored once on his replacement, Andrew Raycroft. Thirteen ‘Hawks tallied at least one point in last night’s 6-3 victory over the Canucks. Even Jordan Hendry took part in the scoring – his first goal of the season – and an assist.

Cristobal Huet was himself in net last night. He made a highlight reel save, then followed that up with a softy he let in to Kesler in the first. He saved twenty of the twenty-three shots the Canucks were limited to.

Next up, the Blackhawks host the Red Wings at the United Center this Sunday. No love will be lost in that one.

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Dave Bolland’s Return To The Lineup

February 2nd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The word is that Dave Bolland will play tomorrow night against the Blues. According to Chris Kuc, Bolland lined up with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa during practice this afternoon. Sharp did a solid job filling in at pivot, but will move over to the wing to make room for a more conventional center in Bolland.

Of course, now that Bolland is back there will be some speculation into who is the odd man out. That’s where I come in – to offer my two cents on the matter as if I actually know what I’m talking about. The Blackhawks haven’t had a healthy-scratch at forward since Jordan Hendry replaced Tomas Kopecky on the fourth line on December 15th. So, whom will Coach Quenneville bestow the honor upon?

Bolland’s return will push Andrew Ladd off the second line, and will likely find a home on the third line with John Madden and either Dustin Byfuglien or Kris Versteeg. Going off style of play and size, Versteeg simply doesn’t fit the mold of a fourth liner, but Byfuglien does.

Ladd did leave practice early with a ‘lower-body’ injury, but should be ready for tomorrow’s game. Should we read more into this? Nope, but my inner conspiracy theorist would like to think otherwise.

Anyway, this is always a good problem to have – too much capable talent. If I had to guess, Coach Quenneville would sit Colin Fraser. Kopecky has energized the fourth line with his play of late and can play center. Ben Eager has some offensive skill, and can be an affective instigator. Fraser is a decent player that sees some time on the penalty kill, but doesn’t provide much of a physical game. When it comes to fisticuffs, he can’t hold his own.

What will be interesting is what will happen to the lineup when Adam Burish returns. He skated at today’s practice as well. Will Stan Bowman opt to move a forward for some depth on defense, or stand pat and send someone to Rockford?

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Ladd Fires Back

January 25th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Andrew Ladd responded to Ryan Kesler’s coward comment:

“It’s pretty to tough to take when we square off and he takes one shot and then decides he wants to bail on the fight and really pretty much just throw me down. I think anyone who has seen both videos can make their own conclusions. […] We squared off, he took a shot and then didn’t really seem to want to fight anymore.

“I’m a pretty honest player and I play the game hard and fair and if he wants to whine about it, go ahead. It seems like he had a lot of stuff bottled up. He was talking lots before but didn’t really say much after the fight. He was pretty quiet. I’ll do the rest of my talking on the ice.”

It sounds like Ladd is satisfied with the beating (well, one good punch) he put on Kesler in Sunday’s game. The next time the Blackhawks face the Canucks it will be at home on March 5th. It should be a blood bath, but knowing the type of player Ladd is he won’t be the one to instigate the melee.

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Coward? Them Fighting Words

January 24th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Ryan Kesler said of Andrew Ladd in a post-game radio interview:

“He’s a coward and that’s the way it is. It started last year in the playoffs. He hit me, cross-checked me in the face when I wasn’t looking. At least he was man enough to hit me when I was looking this time.”

Well Mr. Kesler, I deem you the coward. Ladd and Kesler squared off late in the first after the Canucks had a 3-0 lead. Neither is known to drop the gloves. According hockeyfights.com Ladd had no prior fights this season and Kesler had one (fight below).

Ladd landed a punch early, and Kesler bailed on the fight by lifting Ladd’s leg to bring him to the ground. He knew the refs would break them up once they were on the ice-surface, and that is a cowardly act.

The next time the two teams play on March 5th no one will remember the score, or that Antti Niemi was pulled after one period. The bad blood between the Blackhawks and Canucks is well known to the fans of each team, and goes back to last season. Kesler’s accusation is just another item on the list as to why these teams hate each other.

Ladd will have the March date of their next game circled on his calendar, yet again he might have the ability to let this one go, unlike Mr. Kesler.

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Blackhawks 3, Blue Jackets 0

January 15th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Cristobal Huet rebounded from his performance in Minnesota by shutting out the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0. Per usual, the Blackhawks controlled the puck all night, and made the Huet’s night manageable allowing only twenty-four shots on Huet. He did make some great saves at close range, and played with a determined demeanor that seems to elude the francophone often.

The ‘checking line’ of Kris Versteeg, John Madden, and Dustin Byfuglien line had a great night. They put pressure on the Blue Jackets in their zone, and put two goals on the scoreboard. In the first period Versteeg assisted on Brian Campbell’s snipe past Mathieu Garon just above the hash marks. On a second period rush, Madden saw a ready Byfuglien to his left who fired a one-timer for his twelfth on the year.

There have been a few consistently elements to the Blackhawks this season – puck possession, an effective penalty-kill unit and production from the third line. The constant to the third line has been Madden. No matter who is lined up on either side of the center, the third line continues to be effective on both ends of the ice. Madden deserves all the credit he can get.

Early in the season Madden was paired with Andrew Ladd and my boy Troy Brouwer. It resembled a prototypical ‘checking line’ more so then the current version, but they were productive in the opponent’s zone as well as their own. I didn’t think Coach Quenneville would touch this line due to the on-ice chemistry they had, but Quenneville shuffled the lineup in mid-December to promote scoring. As a result Versteeg and Byfuglien were moved to the third line with Madden. In twenty games after joining the third line (December 5th) Byfuglien has scored four goals and nine assists in twenty games, and Versteeg – who joined a week later (December 13th) – has four goals and ten assists in fifteen games on the Madden line.

Since arriving in Chicago, Quenneville has had a laisser-faire approach to the style of play of the thirty-six year old veteran. In Madden’s career with the Devils, he was restricted to the defensive style of play that has long been associated with New Jersey. In Chicago he has aided in the offensive production of his linemates even if his contribution doesn’t show up on the scoresheet – see Versteeg and Byfuglien stats above.

Anyway, the Blackhawks remained dominant in the third period. Duncan Keith scored his tenth goal of the season – the eighth ‘Hawks to reach double digits in goals. Marian Hossa (and Patrick Sharp) assisted on Keith’s goal, and played like his groin wasn’t an issue.

Next up, the Blackhawks will play in Columbus on Saturday for the second half of the home-and-home series with the Blue Jackets. It also marks the first game of an eight game road trip that will encompass the rest of the month.

Chris Kuc is already reporting that Huet will start in net in Columbus, and Cam Barker is ‘likely’ to return as well. This will serve as my pre-game lineup notes post. I plan to attend happy hour tonight, and will ‘likely’ be nursing a hangover tomorrow.

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Blackhawks 5, Bruins 2

January 8th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

This one looked like it was going to be one of those (rare) nights for the Blackhawks. They were down 2-0 to the Bruins just eight minutes into the game. Boston’s first goal came on the power play, as Blackhawks penalty-kill unit couldn’t get the puck out of their end. Blake Wheeler redirected Derek Morris’ initial shot for the goal. Their second tally came off a Blackhawks’ turnover deep in the defensive zone, and Miroslav Satan waited for Antti Niemi to drop. At point-blank range, he aimed high to score the Bruins second and final goal.

Duncan Keith brought the Blackhawks into the game with a one-timer just shy of the blue line, which snuck past Tim Thomas to his right. Minutes later Ben Eager started the sequence that led to Colin Fraser’s feed to Tomas Kopecky for the Blackhawks’ second goal. After the first period, the Blackhawks and Bruins were tied at 2-2.

In the second frame, the Blackhawks were able to capitalize on the momentum gained in the first period. Andrew Ladd screened Thomas as Brent Seabrook fired the puck on the net. Thomas saved the initial shot, but Ladd poked in the rebound to score. Both he and my boy Troy Brouwer have been productive stationing themselves in front of the opposing team’s net.

Keith was able to extend the Blackhawks’ lead by two when his wrist shot from the point that made it’s way past Thomas. It appeared as though the massive Zdeno Chara screened his own goalie, which made Keith’s goal possible. It was the second goal of the night with the fourth line on the ice. They continue to be very productive for Coach Quenneville. Fraser, Kopecky and Eager had a plus/minus of +2 on the night. Keith had a big night as well, scoring two goals, helping on one and a plus/minus of +4.

Patrick Kane added the Blackhawks’ fifth unanswered goal of the night late in the third frame. Brouwer put pressure on the Bruins defense after a Jonathan Toews face-off loss, and retrieved the puck to set up Kane for his nineteenth on the season. His point streak is now at ten games.

The ability the Blackhawks have to comeback after an early two-goal deficit on the road can be attributed to the team’s tenacity, and the solid goaltending of Niemi. His rebound control wasn’t as good as it has been, but he and the defense shutdown the Bruins for the remainder of the night.

Next up, the Blackhawks will visit the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night, then host the Anaheim Ducks at the United Center the next night. Enjoy the ride ladies and gentlemen.

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Blackhawks 5, Ducks 2

January 4th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Antti Niemi was minutes away from earning his fifth shutout of the season, but he let in two meaningless goals to Petteri Nokelainen in the third period of the 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Niemi was solid for the majority of the game, however. He came up with the saves he needed to make, and sparked the rush leading to the Blackhawks first goal. Niemi was able to recover in time – after being out of position – to his left side to stop a Corey Perry snapshot. Moments later Kris Versteeg deked once to his right and beat J.S. Giguere.

Patrick Kane had a productive night setting up Troy Brouwer and Jonathan Toews for two can’t miss goals. Each time Kane came from behind the net to find both of his line mates in great position to score. He’s done well starting out from behind the opposing team’s net to either make a great pass to an open man, or snipe a shot past the goalie. Kane is also in the middle of an eight-game point streak.

Extending his own point streak to three games, Marian Hossa scored two goals on the evening. Maybe it’s just me, but his play looks effortless. Hossa’s first goal was calmly squeezed one past Giguere with a shot that didn’t leave the ice. His second goal was possible because of the screen of Giguere by Andrew Ladd and Patrick Sharp. Hossa shot at a wide-open left side to score.

Keeping with the theme of streaks, the Blackhawks have scored on the power play for the seventh straight game. During that stretch they have gone eight of twenty-five (32%) with the man-advantage. With the ‘Hawks up 5-0, Coach Quenneville opted to use the fourth line on the power play. It’s not the first time he’s done it this season, but it just shows the level of class Quenneville has.

Next up, the Blackhawks will host Martin Havlat and the Minnesota Wild.

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