Posts Tagged ‘Dave Bolland’

Eight fantasy relevant Blackhawks, plus sleepers

October 1st, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Fantasy drafts are well underway, and the Blackhawks have eight players that should find their way on to a team in every possible format. For the purpose of this article we’ll stick with the standard 6 x 4 category league. Goals, assists, plus/minus, penalty-minutes power play points and shots on goal for skaters, and wins, goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts for goalies.

Patrick Kane (RW) – He led the Blackhawks in scoring last year, and is poised to break the century mark in his fourth season. Kane has pin-point accuracy with his wrist shot, and could see 35-plus goals on Chicago’s top line. Not much of a scrapper, but he can produce in each category. Kane has the potential to be the best fantasy right winger this year. (2009-10: 30 G, 58 A, +16, 20 PIM, 29 PPP and 261 SOG)

Marian Hossa (RW) – Despite playing on the second line, Hossa can produce a point-per-game, had the potential to reach the 40-goal plateau again and rack up the shots on goal. He has dropped on many draft boards because he only played about two-thirds of the season (57 games) recovering from shoulder surgery. Hossa would be a steal if he fell to third round. (24 G, 27 A, +24, 18 PIM, 7 PPP and 199 SOG)

Jonathan Toews (C) – Notoriously a slow starter, the fantasy hockey world hopes Toews’ hot stick that propelled Team Canada to a gold medal and Blackhawks to the Stanley cup hasn‘t cooled. Two seasons ago he was snakebit, and last year he suffered from post-concussion symptoms. Despite playing at the deepest position, you’re going to want to grab him early. Expect big things from Captain Serious. (25 G, 43 A, +22, 47 PIM, 22 PPP and 202 SOG).

Duncan Keith (D) – He may not be the fantasy juggernaut that is Mike Green, but the reigning Norris Trophy winner will be a top point producer on defense. There isn’t much selling needed when it comes to Keith. He’s one of the hardest working players out of the ice each night, and he won’t have any trouble living up the lofty expectations. Keith it near or at the top in every category. (14 G, 55 A, +21, 55 PIM and 213 SOG)

Patrick Sharp (C,LW) – Playing on the Blackhawks’ second line with Hossa for a full season will add to this already solid fantasy value. As will the duel position eligibility at center and left wing. Sharp will help owners across the boards, minus the penalty minutes. The pretty boy doesn’t like to get his hands dirty. (25 G, 41 A, +24, 28 PIM, 16 PPP and 266 SOG)

Marty Turco (G) – Turco is no longer the elite fantasy goalie he once was at the ripe age of 35, and is far from worthy of being drafted anywhere in the first five rounds. He’ll be productive for the Blackhawks because of their puck control style of play. Turco will be a great No. 2 goaltender on any fantasy roster, and should start anywhere between 55 to 65 games. (22 W, 2.72 GAA, .913 SV% and 4 SO)

Brian Campbell (D) – 2009-10 was a bit of a down season for the puck moving defenseman. Owners can normally rely on Campbell for 50-plus points this year. He was forced to miss a handful of games down the stretch because of a broken collarbone. Campbell will be the quarterback of the first power-play unit, and see around 20 minutes a night per usual. (7 G, 31 A, +18, 18 PIM, 11 PPP and 131 SOG)

Brent Seabrook (D) – Much of what Seabrook does on the ice doesn’t translate to the fantasy game, and he will never the sexiest fantasy defenseman. He’s still young, but with five full seasons in the league don’t expect a jump in offensive production. Seabrook will have a point total in the 30s, but his stellar plus/minus rating gives him value. He will also rack up a decent amount of penalty minutes and see time on the power-play unit. (6 G, 24 A, +20, 59 PIM, 6 PPP and 129 SOG)

The Sleepers –

Troy Brouwer (RW) – Brouwer will have the role of being the muscle somewhere within the top two lines in Chicago. Coach Quenneville will need him to battle in the corners and in front of the net each night. As a result his penalty minutes and goal totals should be on the rise this year. Brouwer could see time on the power-play as well. (22 G, 18 A, +8, 66 PIM, 13 PPP and 116 SOG)

Dave Bolland (C) – There might not be anyone on this roster with as much to prove as Bolland at 24-years-old. There are lofty expectations for the pivot, who signed a long-term deal with the Blackhawks last summer. Bolland is coming off a season where he missed 43 games due to back surgery, and showed signs of what could be. From all accounts, Bolland is going into the season healthy. Oh, and there is a chance he centers the second line with Hossa and Sharp. (6 G, 10 A, +5, 28 PIM, 2 PPP and 52 SOG)

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Evil Doers Win Battle – Blackhawks 2, Detroit 3 (OT)

April 11th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Post Bolland Goal

So today’s 3-2 overtime loss to the evil doers of Detroit means that the Blackhawks fell short of the first overall seed in the west by one point. By clinching the second seed, they drew the seventh seeded Nashville Predators. In the regular season series, they had a record of 4-2-0 against their central division foe. Yea, it always sucks loosing to the Red Wings, but we can take solace in how well this team played in the last seven games of the season – as well as the kinder path the ‘Hawks could see as the second seed.

I had every intention of writing a game review for Friday game against the Avalanche, and the power play along with Colin Fraser were going to be among the talking points from that game. Well, the girlfriend’s dog chewed through the power cord to my computer making that impossible as my battery died while writing. Dave Bolland scored on the power play for the Blackhawks’ first goal. Prior to the two-game streak, they went seven games without scoring with the man-advantage. Fraser’s second period goal was his fifth in four games, and evened the game up at 2-2 forcing overtime. If the power play and fourth line continue being productive, it can only make the path to the Stanley Cup easier.

When it came to extra hockey in overtime, the Red Wings were the better team. It took them a little over three minutes to beat the Blackhawk defense and make Antti Niemi look silly. Dustin Byfuglien left his post to join the pushing and shoving on the boards, and that left Duncan Keith all alone to defend Dan Cleary and Brad Stuart. Niemi overcommitted to his left, allowing Stuart to score. The evil doers may have won the battle in overtime, but the war has yet to be won.

The Red Wings clinched the fifth spot in the conference with the win, and will play the Phoenix Coyotes in their first-round match-up. The Blackhawks and Red Wings can meet for a rematch of last season’s Coference Finals, but here’s to hoping they don’t make it that far.

Next, the Blackhawks will host the Barry Trotz’s On Ice this Friday at the UC for the first game of the 2010 post-season. Here is a link to the Blackhawks first-round schedule.

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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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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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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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Niedermayer Is All The Rage

January 21st, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

A few weeks ago ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun mentioned Ilya Kovalchuk and the Chicago Blackhawks in the same breath. Like any other good blogger would, I ran with a rumor that had no validity to it whatsoever. Since LeBrun reported that the Blackhawks could make a play for the Russian sniper’s services, every other team in the league has been linked to Kovalchuk.

I bring this up because in my poorly written post regarding the Kovalchuk to Chicago rumor, I named Scott Niedermayer as a possible target for the same reason acquiring Kovalchuk would work. Stan Bowman would be able to shed a few multi-year contracts in order to ease the off-season payroll issue now for a veteran, ‘superstar’ defenseman. His contract expires at the end of this season, and he would bolster the roster for the playoffs.

Sam Fels of Second City Hockey mentioned in a post yesterday that he likes the idea of trading for the Ducks’ defenseman. Niedermayer would provide some depth on the blue line, and could play on the power play. He suggests moving Cam Barker and an expendable forward (Dustin Byfuglien or Kris Versteeg) back to Anaheim. None of which will be back with the Blackhawks next season anyway. The depth at forward wouldn’t be depleted since Dave Bolland and Adam Burish are close to returning.

I like where Fels is going with this, and can easily get behind any idea that would move Byfuglien elsewhere. Barker hasn’t been all that great this season either. He hasn’t even seen a substantial amount of time on the power-play recently. If a draft pick is needed to sweeten the deal, I’m all for it.

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Will Kovalchuk Be A Blackhawk?

January 4th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN cited that an anonymous Western Conference executive said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Blackhawks became serious players for Ilya Kovalchuk’s services. He mentions that Kovalchuk would solely be a rental, and the Blackhawks would be able to alleviate the off-season payroll issues now by moving a few players with multi-year contracts.

Red Rising’s Take: LeBrun mentions Cam Barker and Kris Versteeg in his blog entry as possible pieces going back to Atlanta for Kovalchuk. The Trashers would want more and could get more in return for the Russian sniper via trade. It would be the ultimate wet dream to see Kovalchuk don the Indian Head, but I just don’t see the Blackhawks making a realistic play for him.

The idea of taking care of the off-season payroll problems prior to the end of the season is something that doesn’t need to be done. Right now the Blackhawks are playing their best hockey of the season, so why try to improve/fix something that isn’t broken?

It’s an idea that has surfaced a few times on various intranet rumor mills, but not often is it a player of Kovalchuk’s caliber mentioned. It’s usually someone of the same ilk of Matt Cullen, and Stan Bowman should avoid trades such as Cullen for Barker just to shed money from next year’s payroll. Yet, if it were for a player like Kovalchuk or Scott Niedermayer – both in the last year of their contracts and are ‘superstars’ – it would be hard for Bowman to pass on the opportunity to bolster an already potent lineup.

Kovalchuk (or Niedermayer) as a Blackhawk is an interesting notion. In all likelihood Bowman will go into the playoffs with the roster as is. Remember, Dave Bolland and Adam Burish should be back by the end of February, and those two should be able to provide enough firepower.

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Rangers Visit For Original Six Match-Up

December 9th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The Rangers don’t have much going for then right now outside of Marian Gaborik and Henrik Lundqvist – my favorite goalie in the league. Original Six match-ups are always awesome, but this game doesn’t carry as much weight as it would if the Blackhawks played the Red Wings or Bruins – this season at least – as the Rangers have fallen fast after a quick start to the season.

Coming out of one of the most intense games of the season, everything is not all gravy for the Blackhawks. In their last five games, not one game was won in regulation. The problem is that the Blackhawks aren’t scoring goals at the rate they should be. In those five games, the Blackhawks have only eight goals. During this stretch only five of the possible ten points have been earned.

The absence of Dave Bolland from the lineup has become apparent, and could directly have something to do with offensive regression. Coach Quenneville has been deliberately searching for a replacement as the second-line center since Bolland opted for surgery. Right now that man Patrick Sharp. Kris Versteeg did okay in the role, but is better suited as a playmaking winger.

In Pittsburgh, Quenneville skated Versteeg on the same line as Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. He will flirt tonight with the brilliant idea of demoting the useless Dustin Byfuglien to the checking line, and replacing him with Troy Brouwer on the second line with Sharp and Patrick Kane. Those are two top lines I can get behind.

A couple other lineup notes for tonight’s game is that Cristobal Huet will start in net and Tomas Kopecky will return to the fourth line.

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Rumor Mill: Could The Big Three Sign Extensions Soon?

November 17th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis
Toews and Kane

Toews and Kane

- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reported that Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are close to signing contract extensions. LeBrun is tossing a two-week window for their respective extension to be signed.

- Chris Kuc confirmed the news that the Blackhawks are close to signing Toews and Kane, and that an announcement could come very soon. He also reports that Duncan Keith is close to singing an extension as well.

Red Rising’s Take: We know the potential end of the season situation of Toews, Kane and Keith all too well. It’s hard not to get excited the more press the story receives. Locking up the big three before the end of the season will ease so many minds in the organization and the fan base.

I have no doubt in my mind that Stan Bowman will do whatever it takes to keep Toews, Kane and Keith in the organization. If the news comes today or further down the road, the task of creating salary-cap space for next year is immanent. Kris Versteeg, Patrick Sharp, Dustin Byfuglien and Cam Barker are all candidates to be moved at the end of the season.

- Tim Sassone is on a mission to convince his readers that Stan Bowman is on the verge of trading for a center to replace the injured Dave Bolland. He mentioned the name of Matt Cullen, currently of the Carolina Hurricanes. Sassone believes Cullen is the type of player Bowman would target in a trade – a reliable veteran who a contract that expires at the end of the season.

Red Rising’s Take: It looks like Andrew Ebbett might not be the answer to replace Bolland to center the second line – he was scratched from the lineup Sunday vs. the Sharks. The Blackhawks will look to fill the role internally. Sassone’s right though in one aspect, if the organization were to trade for a replacement it would be veteran center with an expiring contract.

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