2011-2012 Chicago Blackhawks Rumors, Ideas & Chatter Thread

icehogfan08

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Apr 23, 2010
Posts:
5,227
Liked Posts:
1,551
Location:
Rockford, IL
Andrew Brunette
is expected to add veteran leadership to Chicago's lineup this season. The soon-to-be 38-year-old winger is projected to skate alongside cornerstone players like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in 2011-12 after signing a one-year deal with the Blackhawks this summer. Brunette has a wealth of experience he can bring to the table and he is no slouch in the scoring department either, which should make him an attractive fantasy option this year.
Click to expand...
 

icehogfan08

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Apr 23, 2010
Posts:
5,227
Liked Posts:
1,551
Location:
Rockford, IL
Alexander Salak
Is readying himself to compete at training camp for Chicago's backup goalie job. He is already working with team trainers at the United Center in preparation for his battle with Ray Emery, who will attend camp on a tryout basis, to play behind Corey Crawford this season. Salak and Michael Frolik were acquired from Florida last year in a trade for Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
TheChicagoFan

TheChicagoFan

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Sep 15, 2010
Posts:
6,122
Liked Posts:
1,642
Location:
Misery
Who do you guys think will win the backup position?
 

icehogfan08

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Apr 23, 2010
Posts:
5,227
Liked Posts:
1,551
Location:
Rockford, IL
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dkNrEvHC2c]Alexander Salak makes 5 saves in a row against Tappara - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52O6v6e-8_I&feature=related]imbossible save by Alexander Salak - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtBvegB9Lew&feature=related]Amazing save by Alexander Salák - YouTube[/ame]
 
HawkWriter

HawkWriter

New member
Joined:
Aug 18, 2011
Posts:
3,491
Liked Posts:
1,341
I actually think the back up goaltender situation is pretty much a 50/50 battle between Salak/Emery right now...and it has very little to do with who is the better goaltender on the ice.

While Ray Emery has signed a pro tryout contract with the Blackhawks...it definitely doesn't guarantee that he is on the Blackhawks. It might in fact work against them because every other team in the league that is in need of a back up goaltender (and there are a few) is going to get a chance to take a look at Emery and make a contract offer to him. Brent Sopel was on a pro tryout with the Red Wings before the Blackhawks signed him away from them in the preseason. Emery's agent has also said that Emery will not play in the AHL - which is where the Blackhawks may want him to start...but it could just be an agent doing his job to get the best contract possible for his client.

Salak bolted the Panthers' AHL team for Sweden because he supposedly only wanted to play in North America if he was in the NHL. At the time he was on a two-way contract though and currently he is signed to a one-way contract...could have just been the guaranteed money in the AHL that he wasn't happy about.

Emery has the NHL experience but also a potentially career ending injury waiting in the wings. Salak has an amazing future but his NHL inexperience could push the Hawks away...even though it seemed to work out well with Niemi/Crawford

I really think it is a toss up and it should be interesting to see how it plays out.
 

tbo41fan

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Apr 26, 2010
Posts:
15,922
Liked Posts:
2,701
Location:
Chicago, IL
My favorite teams
  1. Chicago Cubs
  1. Chicago Fire
  1. Chicago Bulls
  1. Chicago Bears
  1. Chicago Blackhawks
  1. Arizona Wildcats
I would really like Salak to have a season in North America before he plays in the NHL...let him play in Rockford and have emery be the backup...in the event emery is injured...bam, Salak is here
 
TheChicagoFan

TheChicagoFan

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Sep 15, 2010
Posts:
6,122
Liked Posts:
1,642
Location:
Misery
tbo41fan said:
I would really like Salak to have a season in North America before he plays in the NHL...let him play in Rockford and have emery be the backup...in the event emery is injured...bam, Salak is here
Click to expand...

I agree. Use Emery while you have him as long as he can handle it. Let Salak get some more experience. I really like Salak though.
 

tbo41fan

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Apr 26, 2010
Posts:
15,922
Liked Posts:
2,701
Location:
Chicago, IL
My favorite teams
  1. Chicago Cubs
  1. Chicago Fire
  1. Chicago Bulls
  1. Chicago Bears
  1. Chicago Blackhawks
  1. Arizona Wildcats
^ i do as well
 
HawkWriter

HawkWriter

New member
Joined:
Aug 18, 2011
Posts:
3,491
Liked Posts:
1,341
tbo41fan said:
I would really like Salak to have a season in North America before he plays in the NHL...let him play in Rockford and have emery be the backup...in the event emery is injured...bam, Salak is here
Click to expand...

Salak is pretty much in the exact same position that Niemi was in the year that Niemi became the starter - atleast in terms of time in North America. Salak has actually played a year in the AHL, putting up some good, not great, numbers and getting in two games with the Panthers.

I think Emery would be the best choice because it would allow Salak to get that ice time that he really needs to advance his game in the AHL. However, as I said in my above post...I think it is really 50/50 because of the other circumstances.
 
Capt. Serious

Capt. Serious

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Apr 17, 2010
Posts:
19,670
Liked Posts:
6,438
Location:
Chicago
Single game tix go on sale tomorrow morning at 10 am CT.

I have em all, so i'm good. :smug:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

10,935members
95,757threads
4,540,533posts
175online users

Members online NOW

  • Member
  • Admin
  • Mod
  • Donor
  • HOF
Total: 175 (members: 34, guests: 141)

Staff online NOW

Top