Posts Tagged ‘Cristobal Huet’

Niemi Has The Opportunity To Take Charge

March 10th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Antti Niemi will get the nod tonight at home against the Los Angeles Kings. There has been a lot written about the Blackhawk goalie situation in- and outside of the realm of Chicago beat writers and bloggers – virtually none of which I wasted my time on. Not going to lie, you probably shouldn’t waste your time reading mine. This post should be titled, “My Goaltending Rant”.  We are at the point in the season where it won’t do any good to whine about it. There is no questioning the fact, however, that goaltending must be better, and that means less Cristobal Huet.

All season long the Blackhawks have played possession hockey, which has led to the slew of lopsided shots-on-goal totals for the ‘Hawks in almost every game. The Blackhawks lead the league in shots-for per game (34.0) and have the fewest shots-against per game (24.2). That is one reason why the Blackhawks have the third highest point total in the league with seventeen games left in the season. Most goalies would thrive seeing that many shots per game, but not Huet.

The team has had its share of defensive lapses since the mid-point of the season – every skater a culprit. The defense really needs to tighten up, but being the last line of defense, the goalie needs to make the stop when there is a defensive breakdown. Huet doesn’t seem to be all that effective when that happens. He panics. I said that at the start of the season about Huet, and the same thing can be said now.

I’ve tried to be a good blogger and remain diplomatic regarding the goalie situation, but man do I ever dislike Huet. My objection to the francophone stems from the very day he joined the Blackhawks as a free agent. Never thought we needed Huet, let alone shell out big money for the guy. There is nothing I would love more than to see Niemi take the reins once and for all from Huet, and he has an opportunity to take charge tonight against the Kings.

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How Hjalmarsson Became A ‘Hawk

March 9th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Niklas Hjalmarsson has been Chicago’s secret since he entrenched himself in the lineup late last season. The Swede was selected in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2005 entry draft out of the SEL (Swedish Elite League), and spent ninety-nine games in Rockford over the course to two seasons prior to last year’s recall. The draft pick used to select Hjalmarsson belonged to the New York Islanders, and this is the story how he became a Blackhawk.

On June 25, 1999 (draft day) the Blackhawks sent their first round (4th overall) draft pick – of that year – to Vancouver for defenseman Bryan McCabe and the Canuck’s first-round pick (Pavel Vorobiev – 11th overall) in the 2000 entry draft. Chicago’s pick was used by the Canucks to select the Sedin twins second and third overall of the 1999 entry draft. It was sent to Tampa Bay, but eventually ended up in the hands of the New York Rangers who selected Pavel Bendl with the fourth overall pick.

McCabe played one season in Chicago before being traded to the Maple Leafs on October 2, 2000. As a Blackhawk, McCabe played seventy-eight games totaling twenty-five points (six goals, nineteen assists), and went on to have seven productive seasons in Toronto – he was selected to the 2003-04 All-Star Team. In return for McCabe, the Blackhawks received defenseman Alexander Karpovtsev and the Maple Leafs’ fourth round pick (Vladimir Gusev – 115th overall) in the 2001 entry draft.

Karpovtsev patrolled the blue line for the Blackhawks in 182 games for more then three years. This was before my time as a die-hard ‘Hawk fan, but from what I’ve gathered during his time in Chicago, the Russian defenseman was known for being soft. That very fact, prompted an on air rant from Pat Foley on the day he was traded to the Islanders for their fourth-round pick in the 2005 draft.

Foley said this:

“It’s a very happy day for this Blackhawks fan because I’m never again going to have to see Alexander Karpovtsev in a Blackhawk uniform. You know, Karpovstev actually is a very good defenseman. Gonna qualify my comments by saying he’s a good defenseman, when he plays, and there’s the rub. Because Alexander Karpovtsev looks for any reason not to play, and in his time in Chicago he is the worst excuse for a teammate I’ve ever seen in two decades doing this job [...] So, kudos to Bob Pulford and Dale Tallon for being able to get anything more then a role of tape for this overpaid underachiever.” [More of the clip here.]

So, as you’ve already figured out the draft pick the Blackhawks acquired in return for Karpovtsev was used to select Hjalmarsson. In ninety-four games played (at the time this was written) in the NHL, Hjalmarsson has developed into more then a role of tape.

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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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Blackhawks 5, Oilers 2

March 4th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Together again

It’s always great when the Blackhawks are able to follow a horrible team performance with a dominating one. The 5-2 victory over the Oilers make it easier to forget last night’s loss to the Islanders. To give you an idea how dominating the ‘Hawks were this game just look at the shot totals. The Blackhawks out shot the Oilers by thirty-three shots on goal (47 to 14). Each period, they were able to hold their opponent to a lower shot total then the period before – six in the first, five in the second and just three in the third.

As the match progressed, the Blackhawks picked up their play. Any sight of rust vanished. Neither team scored in the first period, but Marian Hossa put the ‘Hawks on the scoreboard first just three minutes into the second. The Oilers tied it up with one questionable goal, and took the lead 2-1 with a goal that shouldn’t have happened after the obvious slash of Niklas Hjalmarsson by Gilbert Brule was missed. How the refs didn’t see Hjalmarsson’s stick break in half as a result of the slash is beyond me. The Blackhawks didn’t’ let the man keep them down. They scored four unanswered goals to put this game away for the good guys.

It was an overall dominating team performance, but there are always individuals that stand out above the rest. This isn’t communist Russia. Players get their kudos when they deserve their kudos. Hossa finished with a goal and an assist – so did Jonathan Toews and Dave Bolland. Hopefully tonight’s game is an indication that Bolland is back in game shape. Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane had two helpers each. Hjalmarsson added a rare goal on a heavy slap shot from the point on a four on four.

In net, Cristobal Huet was good enough to get the win. He did have a few tough saves on the night. No matter to the fact that both goals could have been negated with better officiating, but when the team in front of the goalie can limit an opponent to fourteen shots, the chance for a win is great. That is how this team has won many games this season, and their going to get more wins playing that way going forward. That is why the Stan Bowman stood pat at the trade deadline, and opted to go with the tandem of Huet and Antti Niemi.

Next up, the Blackhawks will host the Vancouver Canucks and the lovely Ryan Kesler at the United Center this Friday. Let the blood flow.

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A Return To Normalcy – Blackhawks vs. Islanders

March 2nd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The Blackhawks return to the ice tonight in Long Island. It was announced yesterday that Antti Niemi would get the start vs. the Islanders. Going back before the break this will be Niemi’s fifth consecutive game in net. I’ve never been a big Cristobal Huet fan, but even I’m jonesing for the guy to get some work between the pipes. It would be nice if we heard something from the organization as to why Coach Quenneville keeps trotting Niemi out there, because his absence from the lineup is leading to a lot of speculation – rumors that is. The Blackhawks will be fine going forward with the tandem of Niemi and Huet. It would be nice to get Huet’s contract off the books now, however.

Anyway, John Madden was activated from the injured reserve and will play tonight. It has also been reported that Ben Eager and Brent Sopel will be in the lineup as well – they were scratches going into the Olympic break. The six Olympians skated in practice and should be ready to go. The only player I’m worried about regarding fatigue is Duncan Keith, but hopefully with the acquisition of Kim Johnsson his ice-time per game will be slightly reduced in the last twenty games of the season.

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Squashing Dreams… I Mean Rumors

February 8th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

I don’t normally give unsubstantiated rumors any lip service, but there were a few beauties that surfaced over the weekend. There aren’t many days left for deals to be struck with a roster freeze going into effect from the 12th to the 28th of February. The official trade deadline is March 3rd. Anyway, here they are.

- The Tribune’s Len Ziehm regurgitated (sort of like I’m doing now) a rumor he heard or read on TSN stating that the Blackhawks have interest in Tampa Bay defenseman Andrej (which he spelled Andrei) Meszaros. In the same article he mentioned a few other defensemen the Blackhawks have been linked to – Carolina’s Niclas Wallin, Los Angeles’ Sean O’Donnell and Anaheim’s Scott Niedermayer.

Red Rising’s Take: Well, Ziehm has the right idea. The Blackhawks could use some help on defense, but Meszaros isn’t an option. I don’t think Stan Bowman would create more work for himself in the off-season by trading for a player with a cap hit of $4M with a contract that expires at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Wallin is no longer an option – he was traded to San Jose yesterday. A veteran with an expiring contract like O’Donnell would work. The Kings would likely want some offense in return, and the Blackhawks have forward depth and can spare a player. However, two conference foes bound for the playoffs don’t help each other fill holes often. I’ve already spent enough of my time and your time on Niedermayer.

- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun wrote that the ‘Hawks “are likely to add a goalie by the March 3 trade deadline”. He then suggests that Cristobal Huet can be stashed in Rockford to make the salary-cap numbers work, and the thrity-five year old Tim Thomas could come to Chicago.

Red Rising’s Take: If this sounds like a viable option to you, please go sit in the corner. I will never be Huet’s biggest fan, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize this will never happen. The Blackhawks will go into the playoffs with the current goalie tandem.

- The Daily Herald’s Barry Rozner reported that a “team source” stated the Blackhawks are interested in ex-Blackhawk defenseman James Wisniewski. He suggests Cam Barker could go the other way.

Red Rising’s Take: Barker’s name will come up a lot as the trade deadline nears. He hasn’t been all to effective on the blue line this year, and due to the length of his contract Barker isn’t in Blackhawks’ plans after the season. The Wiz is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and he isn’t all that great in the defensive zone. What the ‘Hawks need is a third pairing defenseman with an expiring contract – who is better then average in his own end.

I usually never waist my time reading anything Rozner writes, but I saw this rumor picked up by a few others. My impression of him is that his hockey IQ is minimal, and he is controversial to remain relevant. Rozner does make some sense when he says Niedermayer is a better option, but then he ruins it hinting Bowman might trade for a goaltender.

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Blackhawks 1, Coyotes 2 (SO); Blues Tonight

February 6th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The only bright spot for the ‘Hawks last night was Colin Fraser’s goal in the first period of a rebound. Cristobal Huet had a good game, and the defense was better then it had been over the last few games. It was a few ex-Blackhawks that spoiled this one in front of the United Center crowd. Radim Vrbata was credited with the Coyotes first goal in the second period to tie it up at 1-1. I was out of my seat on a beer run, so I missed it.

The Coyotes were able to hold the game at one a piece, and take the game to a shootout. Robert Lang scored first, and Jonathan countered with a goal of his own. Defenseman Adrian Aucoin scored the game winning shootout goal in the third round. Phoenix was able to extend their winning streak to six, and the Blackhawks were able to come away with one point. Yay?

Tonight the Blackhawks will travel to St. Louis for the second of back-to-back games. Antti Niemi should get the start tonight. Coach Quenneville will need to figure out some more effective line combinations, and quit juggling them around throughout the game. I give him credit for trying, but there seems to be no chemistry between players when he does that. Anyway, here’s to hoping that tonight ends better then last night.

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Stupid Tkachuk: Blackhawks 2, Blues 3

February 4th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Wide open shot for Hossa after Toews set up.

Everyone expected this game to be physical and get down right dirty – not the kind of dirty Brent Sopel enjoys. Davis Payne had the Blues playing like a real team, and it paid off in a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks. This game reminded me of the Anaheim game on January 10th. Not because a solid goalie performance on the other end, but in the sense that the Blackhawks weren’t the offensive juggernaut were used to seeing. I hate loosing to the stupid Blues, and hate the stupid Keith Tkachuk even more.

Anyway, the Blackhawks were able to take the lead early in the first off a Patrick Kane breakaway. Troy Brouwer blocked a shot from a Blues’ defenseman, and Kane was off. In the second period the Blues scored three consecutive goals to take the lead. All of which were a result of poor decision-making at the hands of the Blackhawks. In the third, the ‘Hawks pressed hard all period, but could only come away with one goal from Marian Hossa – the playmaking ability of Jonathan Toews made it possible. He faked the shot, skated past the net to get Chris Mason to over commit and found Hossa waiting on the open side of the net for an easy goal.

As much as the goaltender tends to get the blame for a loss, Cristobal Huet played well last night. The defense in front of him didn’t over much help at all when need be. The Blackhawks had a few costly turnovers on their end of the ice, and the defense couldn’t bail Huet out of trouble. It’s become apparent in the last few weeks that a little more depth on the blue line is needed. The top pairing of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook didn’t perform well at all last night – in the last few weeks as well.

If there is anything positive that can be taken from last night’s loss it’s that Dave Bolland slowly saw his playing time increase as we moved from the fourth line to the second line. His total time on ice was 13:46.

Next up, the Blackhawks will host the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center on Friday, and on Saturday they travel to St. Louis for a rematch. Hopefully Antti Niemi is feeling better because his services will be needed with the back-to-back games.

OHL All-Star Game –

Shawn Lalonde was the lone Blackhawk representative at the OHL All-Star game. He tallied one assist and had a plus/minus of -1. Lalonde was on the East, and they beat the West 17-10 in the exhibition game. Here is the scoresheet.

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Bolland Off IR, Huet To Start, Fallon Recalled And More

February 3rd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

So it’s official, Dave Bolland was activated from the injured reserve this afternoon. It’s been reported that Quenneville will line put him on the fourth line between Ben Eager and Tomas Kopecky. For at least one more game Andrew Ladd will play on the second line, and Patrick Sharp will lineup at center. Colin Fraser will ride the pine in tonight’s game vs. the Blues.

Quenneville said he will ease Bolland into action:

“He’ll start out with Bennie and Kopecky and we’ll see how it progresses from there. He’s going to have to grow and earn some of that quality ice time as we go along here.”

Starting in net –

Yesterday, Quenneville announced that Antti Niemi would get the start tonight, but he couldn’t practice this morning because he was feeling ill. Cristobal Huet will man the pipes instead. Joe Fallon was called up from Rockford to backup Huet tonight. It’s Fallon’s first trip to the show, but don’t expect him to see any ice-time unless the Blues somehow put six goals on the scoreboard – that will never happen. For the IceHogs, Fallon has a record of 13-9-1, a goals against average of 2.64 and a save percentage .911. Fallon will be reassigned to Rockford tomorrow.

According to Tim Sassone, Fallon was recalled over Corey Crawford because the Blackhawks wanted him to start in tonight’s game at home vs. the Grand Rapids Griffins. It probably has something more to do with contract size. Fallon is cheaper to have sit on the bench then Crawford for one game. Subsequently, the IceHogs recalled goaltender Alec Richards and defenseman Joe Charlebois for tonight’s game.

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

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Brouwer Pouwer: Blackhawks 4, Sharks 3 (OT)

January 29th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

I think my unhealthy infatuation with my boy Troy Brouwer is starting to scare my girlfriend. If you read this blog occasionally you’d be scared too. All kidding aside, the former seventh-round draft pick has been a great fit on the first line. Brouwer is a smart, hard-working, Kokanee-drinking power forward that thrives in front of the net and against the boards. Last night in San Jose, my affection for Brouwer grew stronger when he scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

The way he scored the goal to clinch the 4-3 victory over the Sharks is just another example of the confidence and improved overall play from Brouwer. He went for the slap shot, saw that it wasn’t a good scoring opportunity and skated around the defense to beat Evgeni Nabokov from the slot. No longer can he be criticized for his stone hands or lack of skating ability. Yea, his point total is a result of playing with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, but he has earned every goal and assist.

Anyway, back to last night’s game. The Blackhawks came out strong in the first period scoring three straight goals in the first ten minutes of the game, and that was all the scoring the ‘Hawks could muster in regulation. The Sharks took over the game shortly after when Joe Pavelski scored the first of his two goals just shy of the twelve-minute mark. The next two periods belonged to the Sharks as they controlled the puck and pressured the Blackhawks in their zone the rest of the night.

With San Jose pressing in the final two periods Cristobal Huet and the defense limited the potent Sharks to only two more goals. They were contesting the Sharks every opportunity they had and put their bodies in the line of fire. Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Sopel all took a fair share of abuse from the vulcanized rubber puck.

Huet was solid and came up with some great saves last night. I’m never one to come up with excuses for the francophone, but Sharks second and third shots were a result of too much traffic in front of the net. Huet didn’t have much a chance to stop either shot. Because of his performance, the Blackhawks were able to take this one to overtime, and come away with two points with the win.

This game lived up to the hype. The two best teams in the West put on a show for those who stayed up late to watch the whole game. Next up, the Blackhawks will travel to the East Coast for Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes. It’s the last game on the eight-game road trip. Cam Ward has been hot since he came of the injury reserve, so this won’t be the cakewalk some believe it to be.

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