Posts Tagged ‘Brian Campbell’

Boynton On Re-Entry Waivers; More On Ovechkin’s Hit

March 15th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Via his twitter account, TSN’s Bob McKenzie is reporting defenseman Nick Boynton is on re-entry waives to replace Brian Campbell. Of the veteran defensemen Stan Bowman has stockpiled in Rockford, Boynton is the guy I would prefer to be recalled by the organization. Before he can join the club, Boynton must clear waivers.

Update (March 16, 2010): Boynton cleared waivers and traveled with the Blackhawks to Anaheim yesterday. He’ll be available for Wednesday’s game against the Ducks.

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

More on the hit -

There are numerous sources confirming that Campbell did indeed have his clavicle and a few ribs broken as a result of Alexander Ovechkin’s hit. If the reports are correct, Campbell could be on the shelf for up to twelve weeks. He would then miss the rest of the regular season and possibly the first two rounds of the playoffs. No official word has come from the Blackhawks, yet.

The league has scheduled a hearing with Ovechkin regarding his questionable hit on the defenseless Campbell. He was ejected from yesterday’s game with a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. In no way should anyone argue that Ovechkin intended to harm Campbell, but it’s clear when watching the video bellow that he shoved the Blackhawk defenseman into the boards. This is his third game misconduct of the season, and is further proof that he plays the game with reckless abandon. Let’s be honest, this style of play is what makes him the most entertaining player to watch in the NHL.

If Kim Johnsson is healthy (held out of Sunday’s game with an injury) he will be moved to the second defensive pairing with Niklas Hjalmarsson. Johnsson is a puck moving defenseman who can step into Campbell’s role on the power play, and he has also showed that he likes to join the play in the offensive zone. Boynton will act as the Blackhawks seventh defenseman.

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Weekend Review; Ovechkin Hit On Campbell Reaction

March 14th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Two afternoon games this weekend, back-to-back with a possible four points to be had, but the Blackhawks came away with just one. The ‘Hawks lost 3-2 to Philadelphia on Saturday, and 4-3 (OT) to Washington on Sunday. Going into the weekend the goaltending and team defense were under a microscope. The combined goaltending efforts from Cristobal Huet (in Philadelphia) and Antti Niemi (vs. Washington) were good. No complaints on that front. However, the defense was suspect giving away both games late.

No one likes playing afternoon games, especially back-to-back like the Blackhawks did, but you can’t let leads slip away in the closing minutes of the games. Fatigue played a part in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Capitals (see the back-check on Nicklas Backstom’s game-winning goal). Mentally, the ‘Hawks need to be tougher then they were this weekend.

Anyway, just as the Blackhawks are able to roll out a healthy lineup Marian Hossa and Kim Johnsson were scratched from Sunday’s game with ‘lower-body’ injuries (both are day-to-day), and now they might be without Brian Campbell’s services for the remainder of the season after Alexander Ovechkin’s dirty hit. It’s being reported that Campbell has a broken collarbone and a few broken ribs. All of a sudden, Johnsson has become a very important piece to the puzzle. He’s a puck moving defenseman, will have a bigger role on the power play and will move to the second pairing with Niklas Hjalmarsson.

Ovechkin has always played with reckless abandon, which is an aspect of his game that makes him one of the most exciting players to watch in the game. Shoving a defenseless Campbell head first into the boards is an example of how his style of play put a player’s health in jeopardy. Ovechkin was booted from the game with a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. He should get at least a one-game suspension for this.

Next up, the Blackhawks go west for back-to-back games in Anaheim on Wednesday and in Los Angeles on Thursday. Expect for a defenseman to be recalled from Rockford before Wednesday. My guess, Nick Boynton.

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Blackhawks 1, Senators 4

January 20th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Another great performance from a goalie impeded the Blackhawks’ progress in the West, and it came at the hands of the little known Brian Elliot of the Ottawa Senators. He didn’t stand on his head like Jonas Hiller, but he came up with some big saves to keep the Senators on top. Elliot stopped twenty-nine of the thirty shots he faced, and was named the first star of the game as the Blackhawks lost 1-4.

The Senators controlled the game in the first period. They came out of the period with a 2-0 lead due to a few key defensive lapses from the Blackhawks. First, Brent Seabrook turned the puck over behind the net that the Senator’s first goal. Cristobal Huet was drawn out of his crease for the wide-open shot on net. Later, Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson were soft on the back check leading to the Sentors’ second goal. Ryan Shannon was able to redirect of Peter Regin’s pass to beat Huet up high.

In the second period the Blackhawks were better in their offensive zone, and the momentum of the game started to shift in their favor. The Blackhawks took a few bad penalties in the game, but the slashing call on Jonathan Toews bogus. At least Marian Hossa was able to capitalize on the situation, and scored the lone Blackhawks’ goal of the night while Toews was in the box. It is the team’s league leading eighth short-handed goal of the season.

Hossa’s goal was the product Duncan Keith’s interception of a pass in front of Huet and quick up-ice pass. The assist was Keith’s forty-fifth point of the season – a career high for the defenseman.

With less then two minutes left in the second any wind the Blackhawks had in their proverbial sails disappeared when Regin scored on a wrap around. Huet was so far out of position on this one, all the way on the other side of the crease. Regin’s goal, and Elliot’s diving save earlier in the period to stop Hossa’s sure goal proved that this wasn’t the Blackhawks’ night.

The rest of the third was just more of the same from the Blackhawks – bad penalties (see Dustin Byfuglien’s roughing call), porous defense and questionable goaltending. All of which attributed to the Senators’ fourth and final goal of the game. The Blackhawks’ penalty kill was perfect up to this point, but the lack of resistance from Keith and Seabrook in their zone allowed Mike Fisher to score with the man-advantage.

Anyway, the season is long, and the Blackhawks are on their way to top billing in the West. So, no worries just yet. Next up, the Blackhawks will look to rebound in Calgary tomorrow night. The ‘Hawks have owned the Flames going back to last season.

AHL All-Star Game

Jack Skille had two assists in the AHL exhibition game, and a plus/minus of +1. Mark Cullen didn’t crack the score sheet. The Canadian team beat PlanetUSA 10-9 in a shootout.

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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 4, Wild 1

January 6th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Thirty wins in forty-three games is impressive. The Blackhawks have won eleven of their last thirteen games, and have extended their lead over the second place team in the Central Division, the Nashville Predators, to ten points. So many good things are happening for the Blackhawks right now. The power play unit – that had been so bad – has scored with the man-advantage in the last eight games. The current streak has improved the ‘Hawks power-play percentage to 20.8 – sixth overall in the league.

Another positive of late has been the play of the fourth line. Their playing time hasn’t increased all that much, but the combination of Ben Eager, Colin Fraser and Tomas Kopecky are no longer invisible on the ice. It pains me to write this, but with the elevated play of Kopecky the line has been more productive.

Marian Hossa scored another two goals last night, and Patrick Kane added another to his team-leading total – now at eighteen goals. Hossa is the seventh Blackhawk to reach double-digits. John Madden is just one away after scoring his ninth goal in the first period. Brian Campbell continues he resurrection as the seven-million-dollar-man last night with his play in the offensive zone, and adding two helpers.

Cristobal Huet’s performance in the first period illustrated a few of the reasons why I’m not a fan. He was out of position, slow, lacked puck control, and the defense had to bail him out to keep the Wild off the scoreboard. Brent Seabrook put himself in front of a sure Andrew Brunette goal, and Duncan Keith back-checked to thwart a good scoring chance by the Wild on a short handed rush. In both cases, Huet was scrambling across the crease to get back in position. Once the Blackhawks defense settled down late in the first period, so did Huet, and that has been the story on him for the majority of the season.

Next up, the Blackhawks will travel to Boston for another Original Six match-up Thursday night.

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Blackhawks Get First Crack At Blues In The Payne Era

January 2nd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The last time the Blackhawks played the Blues head coach Andy Murray let things get a little dirty. St. Louis was on the loosing end of a 3-0 shutout, and Murray unleashed Barrett Jackman and company on the ‘Hawks. Tonight’s game should be different in that the Blues brass canned Murray this morning, and Davis Payne will take over behind the bench as interim head coach.

He is a virtual unknown to the general hockey fan, but Payne has an ECHL Championship (2006) on his resume. He was previously the head coach of their AHL affiliate the Peoria Rivermen (19-13-1-2). The Blackhawks should be licking their lips at the opportunity to face the Blues in the first game of the Payne era.

Coach Quenneville has turned the team’s scoring woes around since the demotion of Kris Versteeg to the third line on December 13th. The ‘Hawks have only scored less then three goals in the ten games after the lines were shuffled only one time – with an 8-2-0 record. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have seen their point production rise significantly since my boy Troy Brouwer joined the two on the first line – replacing Versteeg.

The recent success with the man-advantage can also be attributed to the increase in overall scoring. In the last five games the ‘Hawks have scored with the man-advantage at least once a game, thus bringing the power play unit’s percentage is up to 20.3.

Lineup notes – Niklas Hjalmarsson didn’t make the trip to St. Louis, so Jordan Hendry should be paired with Brian Campbell.

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Nashville Yesterday, Nashville Today And The Swedish Front

December 27th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The Blackhawks put more space between them and Nashville with a 4-1 win over the second-place Predators last night. Six points separate the two Western Conference teams, and the ‘Hawks hope to add to the lead when they host their half of the home-and-home series tonight at the United Center. This match-up will be the last time the Blackhawks will face the Predators this regular season.

An observation from last night’s game was the Blackhawks dominance over their Central Division foe. It appears as though Coach Quenneville has everyone buying into what he is selling. First, Brent Sopel starts the season by not sucking. Then Dustin Byfuglien shows that he has the ability to beat a defender on a breakaway, and has played well since being demoted to the third line. Brian Campbell finally looks like the seven-million-dollar-man by scoring goals and skating all over the ice surface. Now, Tomas Kopecky proves to have some value by tallying two assists last night.

Penalty killing continues to be stellar for the Blackhawks, and the added scoring threat on the kill with Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews will put teams on there heals with the man-advantage. There were a few good rushes and scoring chances while shorthanded last night. The power play has been effective in the last two match-ups – going one of three in each game. Byfuglien scored the lone power play goal on a wrist-shot from the blue line. He’s making me look bad after I suggested removing Byfuglien off the power play the other day.

On the Swedish Front –

Team Sweden neglected to add Hjalmarsson to their Olympic roster. He’s still Chicago’s little secret. The Swedes opted for a veteran squad. Remember Magnus Johansson? He made the team.

Swedish prospect Marcus Kruger had an assist, two penalty minutes and a plus/minus rating of +1 in the 10-1 victory over the Czech Republic at the World Junior Championships.

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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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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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