Posts Tagged ‘Jordan Hendry’

Warm up to Nick Leddy

January 17th, 2011 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Nick Leddy was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs on Monday. Per usual, the move was made in order to circumvent the cap free up cap space. According to capgeek.com, the Blackhawks will save $6,007 each day the 19-year-old defenseman isn’t on the roster. It’s a given he’ll back with the NHL club before Saturday’s game against the Red Wings.

In eleven games with the Hawks, Leddy has tallied only one goal – a fluky one at that. His defensive positioning is suspect, his back-checking leaves a lot to be desired and he needs to be strong in front of the net. Leddy’s development would benefit from playing games at the AHL level, but the Blackhawks need him rounding out their third defensive pairing. With him in the lineup – since he was re-called earlier this month – the Blackhawks are 4-0-1.

The recent success is less about the addition of Leddy to the blue line, but more so the subtraction of Nick Boynton from it. The Blackhawks are willing to sit through the growing pains with the former. Leddy and Jordan Hendry give them the best chance to win, which is why the organization was willing to burn a year on his entry-level contract to keep him in Chicago.

This won’t be the last time Leddy will be demoted to Rockford, as the Blackhawks are right up against the cap ceiling. Despite how you feel about him or his readiness, he’s going to be part of the defensive corps indefinitely, or as long as Boynton has the ‘flu’.

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Where do the Blackhawks go from here?

November 8th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

It was a big night for Captain Jonathan Toews ended the Hawks’ two game skid Saturday as Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel and Ben Eager hosted their old team in Atlanta. Toews contributed to every goal in his team’s 5-4 (OT) win over the Thrashers. He has two goals, two assists and netted the first shoot-out goal. With all of the issues the Blackhawks had coming into this game, it was nice to see the face of the franchise finally step up. Patrick Kane scored two goals of his own, and added an assist.

Saturday’s game in Atlanta was more than just the Toews and Kane show. The whole team played with an edge they lost when Marian Hossa went down with an upper-body injury at home to Los Angeles five games earlier. In his stead, role players such as Viktor Stalberg, Jack Skille and Jake Dowell stepped up, but due to the lack of effort from star players, the Blackhawks went 1-3 before Saturday’s win over the Thrashers.

Over that span we learned a few things about how this organization will be run with Stan Bowman as general manager. We already knew from last year that he’ll shuffle players back-and-forth from Rockford to save a dime, but to force Coach Quenneville to field a fourth line consisted of two defenseman centered by a winger in New Jersey was a little excessive. He saved a few thousand dollars by demoting forwards Ben Smith and Ryan Potulny before the game, which they lost in impressive fashion.

Anyways, the edge that the Hawks played with on Saturday was gone by Sunday. They gave up a one goal lead in the third period when the Oilers were able to score two goals fourteen seconds apart. The Blackhawks were unable to return the favor, and handed Edmonton a 2-1 victory at the United Center. Any sort of optimism following the narrow defeat over the Thrashers vanished, and not even Marian Hossa‘s return to the lineup yesterday inspires hope. The issues that surfaced in his absence are still in the forefront.

Management appears to be detached, constantly spewing the tired rhetoric that they are pleased with the state of their team. The players have become complacent, losing yet another game they took the lead into the third period. And for some reason Quenneville continues to pencil John Scott into the lineup over more talented players. First it was Jordan Hendry on defense, and now it’s Bryan Bickell on the fourth line.

Quenneville’s reactionary move is to always meddle with line combinations, but it’s going to take more moving Tomas Kopecky from the second line to the third or abruptly ending a practice session to incite change. Getting this team to play better hockey in their own zone is like teaching a man how to fish. They will win more games as a result, and the other issues become trivial.

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With Jordan Hendry signed, blue line filling out

August 5th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

As expected, Jordan Hendry re-signed with the Hawks to a one-year deal worth $600,000, which is a $25,000 pay-cut from his salary last season. Getting Hendry inked to a lower cap-hit was possible because the Blackhawks didn’t tender him to a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, and became an unrestricted free agent as a result. If they didn’t take the roundabout process to re-sign the 26-year-old defenseman, he would have been owed a 10% raise.

The blue line picture is starting to come together. The top-four defensemen were locked up when Stan Bowman opted to match Niklas Hjalmarsson’s offer sheet from San Jose. Hendry will play upward of 60 games on the third pairing. John Scott will be a healthy scratch on most nights, but will intimidate opponents when he is in the lineup.

Seabrook – Keith
Campbell – Hjalmarsson
??? – Hendry
Scott

Bowman will either hit up the free agent market for the final spot on defense, or let a few prospects duke it out at training camp. Jay McKee’s name has been thrown around as a possible target, but I would rather see Ivan Vishnevskiy (acquired in the Ladd trade) get a shot.

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

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Bowman clears more cap space by trading Marty Reasoner

July 22nd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

In an effort to free up enough cap space to re-sign restricted free agent Antti Niemi, Stan Bowman traded Marty Reasoner and his $1,150,000 cap hit to the Panthers. In return, the Hawks received 29-year-old journeyman, Jeff Taffe ($550,000 cap hit). Bowman’s latest move is nothing more than a salary dump. Taffe should play most of the season with Rockford, and he may make a rare appearance with the Blackhawks on a bottom line if needed.

Today’s trade is a tell-tale sign that Bowman is going to re-sign Niemi. Hopefully they can come to terms before the scheduled arbitration hearing on July 29. As it stands right now, the Blackhawks have sixteen players locked-up with $138,410 cap space.

Cristobal Huet’s ($5,625,000) cap hit will come off the books before the season starts, but the organization will have his contract count against them till they can send it to Rockford. The collective bargaining agreement allows any team to go over the cap ceiling by 10%, and the Hawks will use that space to re-sign Jordan Hendry and Bryan Bickell on top of Niemi.

The 2010-11 Blackhawks’ cap ceiling ($59,400,000) plus the 10% summer cushion ($5,940,000) equals to a summer ceiling of $65,340,000. So the Blackhawks have $6,013,410 cap space with the summer cushion. As I mentioned above, Bowman will use this space until he needs to have his roster legal by opening night. When you take out Huet’s cap hit from the equation, the Blackhawks actually have $5,763,410 to work with.

Hawks re-sign Evan Brophey

The Blackhawks re-signed 23-year-old center Evan Brophey to a one-year deal worth $500,000. He played 79 games in Rockford last season with 14 goals and 17 assists. Going into the off-season there is no way I would have thought Brophey would crack the Blackhawks roster out of training camp, but a cap friendly hit might have an effect on where he plays come fall.

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

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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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Jassen Cullimore Signed And Assigned

February 17th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

So here’s the scoop. The Blackhawks signed defenseman Jassen Cullimore to a deal this morning. Remember him? Cullimore was a Blackhawk for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. Over the course of those two seasons, he tallied fourteen points (119 games). The defenseman was playing with Rockford on a professional try-out agreement, and will stay with the IceHogs for the immediate future.

This move will provide the Blackhawks with some more depth at the blue line in Rockford. After Jordan Hendry there isn’t anyone in Rockford ready for the show. Cullimore fill the role, but hopefully we don’t see him suit up for the Blackhawks.

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

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Blackhawks/Wild Trade, And Lineup Notes

February 13th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Stan Bowman made his first major move as general manager of the Blackhawks yesterday before the Olympic trading freeze. The Blackhawks traded defenseman Cam Barker to the Minnesota Wild for veteran defenseman Kim Johnsson and the Wild’s first round pick (16th overall) of the 2009 entry draft, Nick Leddy.

In two hundred games played as a Blackhawk, Barker never really lived up to the hype of being selected third overall in 2004 entry draft. He finished the 2008-09 campaign with forty points in sixty-eight games, and was able to turn that into a three-year contract with a cap hit $3.083M. Barker didn’t get a chance to build off last year playing third pairing minutes.

In Johnsson, the Blackhawks got themselves the veteran defenseman – with a contract that doesn’t extend past the end of this season – they needed. By moving Barker, Bowman made his job easier freeing the organization of a contract with two more years on it. In Leddy, they received a top defensive prospect to go along with Dylan Olsen and Shawn Lalonde.

Anyway you look at this trade, the Blackhawks got what they needed (Johnsson) and more (Leddy) from Minnesota. Barker will have every opportunity to succeed with his new team.

Lineup Moves –

Forward Bryan Bickell was recalled from Rockford this morning. Ben Eager and John Madden were diagnosed with ‘lower-body’ injuries, and both are ruled out for the final two games before the Olympic break.

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

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Blackhawks 1, Ducks 3

January 11th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Coming out of the gate the Blackhawks looked flat and played without energy for most of the game. Maybe it was a hangover from the 6-5 loss in Minnesota the night before, or perhaps fatigue setting in after playing ten games in sixteen days. Either way, nothing can be taken from the fact that Jonas Hiller was solid in net for the Ducks in their 3-1 victory.

Coach Quenneville created the term ‘velcroish’ when describing Hiller’s performance. He stopped forty-two of the forty-three shots faced, and wasn’t giving up any rebounds. Most of the Blackhawks shots ended up in a great glove save, or stuck somewhere in Hiller’s padding. The Blackhawks couldn’t get a shot past the Swiss netminder until five minutes were left in the game. Duncan Keith let one rip from the blue line and beat Hiller up high.

On the other end of the ice, the Blackhawks were horrible in their own zone. Antti Niemi wasn’t that good, and the defense didn’t really offer any help. The Ducks first goal was a result of Niemi’s lack of puck control around the net, and Corey Perry capitalized on it by skating in front of the net unscathed to score. Later, Saku Koivu had all the time in the word to pick his spot on Niemi after Brent Sopel dove way to early hoping to block the shot. Anaheim’s third and final goal came late in the third period with Niemi pulled for the extra attacker. Keith gave up the puck in his own end as the Ducks pressed, and put this one out of reach with seconds left in the game.

Two-game loosing streaks will happen over the course of the season. The ride has been nice so far. There have been bumps along the road, but with this roster the nice ride will continue. Some good did take place in last night’s loss. The Blackhawks did outshoot the Ducks forty-three to twelve, were better in the face-off circle, and the power-play is keeping up with it’s recent success.

Really, the only thing I’m worried about Marian Hossa’s health. He was held out of last night’s game with a ‘lower-body’ injury, and has been deemed day-to-day. Jack Skille did okay in his spot, but anyone could have done just as well skating on the second line. Skille was reassigned to Rockford this morning. Cam Barker’s absence from the lineup in the last four games hasn’t been all to noticeable with Jordan Hendry filling in. From what I’ve read both Barker and Hossa should be ready for the Blackhawk’s next game.

Next up, the Blackhawks will host the Blue Jackets on Thursday.

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

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Blackhawks 6, Blues 3

January 3rd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Last night’s 6-3 victory in St. Louis turned into a melee on the ice because the Blues were reckless, and the officiating was atrocious. Ben Eager won’t miss anytime for fighting with bandages on his hands – apparently that’s frowned upon by the league. Even Jonathan Toews got into the mix. I like his willingness to jump in there, but no one ever wants Toews to drop the gloves and risk injury.

The Blackhawks were a vastly superior team, and the Blues resorted to mass-goonery because they couldn’t keep up. Cristobal Huet had an decent night and come up with a few big saves. If Tomas Kopecky can tally two goals on an opposing team, they aren’t any good.

Anyway, the ‘Hawks will host the Anaheim Ducks at the United Center tonight. Fatigue is always a concern when playing back-to-back games, but starting Antti Niemi in net should alleviate some of that. Niklas Hjalmarsson should won’t be back tonight after missing the trip to St. Louis with a ‘head-injury’. Jordan Hendry will start in his place.

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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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