2012-2013 Chicago Blackhawks News, Updates, and Rumors Thread

[icehogfan08]

Discuss Blackhawks player news, any rumors, etc. here

 

[Captain Iago]

I'm sooooo excited Rusty will be back!!! uke:

 

[nwfisch]

I'm sooooo excited Stalgod will be back!!! :fap:

Fixed

 

[Capt. Serious]

Get to watch shit like Oduya again. uke:

 

[Jntg4]

Get to watch shit like Oduya again. uke:

 

[icehogfan08]

Marian Hossa

says he is 100 percent recovered after suffering a concussion during the 2012 playoffs. Hossa was concussed on a controversial hit by Raffi Torres in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs, a hit that originally cost Torres a 25 game suspension that was later reduced to 21 games. Hossa thought he would be ready to go at the start of October but he wasn't. "There was a lot of time off," Hossa said. "And I had lots of time to work on my conditioning. When I came back in the beginning, I thought I was ready, but I wasn't. The conditioning coach [Paul Goodman], the skating coach [Kevin Delaney] and the whole training staff did an excellent job with me when I was training here in September for four or five weeks or so. I'm thankful for them." Look for Hossa to have a big year in Chicago with 40-45 points in a 48 game schedule, if he is able to remain healthy.

Dave Bolland

said on Sunday that NHL players will need two or three games to get back in game mode. We are sure Bolland was referring to players who stayed in North America and practiced rather than heading overseas to play. Bolland got himself in hot water in late November when he retweeted a comment about "wanting Bettman dead". He regretted doing so immediately but it became a rather big incident for a couple of days in the hockey world.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Please stick to soccer.

 

[nwfisch]

Please stick to soccer.

:yep:

 

[Capt. Serious]

I know people are excited but this is basically the same team that got bounced in the 1st round by the Yotes.

Sorry, I don't see anything different. After the 1st d-pairing, it's a joke. Goaltending, don't get me started.

Same fucking issues still unsolved by the idiot we have as a GM.

 

[nwfisch]

I know people are excited but this is basically the same team that got bounced in the 1st round by the Yotes.

Sorry, I don't see anything different. After the 1st d-pairing, it's a joke. Goaltending, don't get me started.

Same fucking issues still unsolved by the idiot we have as a GM.

Kind of hard to do that stuff with a lockout :lol:

 

[HawkWriter]

I know people are excited but this is basically the same team that got bounced in the 1st round by the Yotes.

Sorry, I don't see anything different. After the 1st d-pairing, it's a joke. Goaltending, don't get me started.

Same fucking issues still unsolved by the idiot we have as a GM.

Defense should be better and it certainly isn't a joke after the 1st pairing. Will be much deeper. With a full season of Oduya, Brookbank, and Roszival there will be a difference on D.

The biggest "improvement" probably comes from Detroit and Nashville who are looking like much worse teams than last year. With all games being in the conference...it could be interesting.

 

[HawkWriter]

Kind of hard to do that stuff with a lockout :lol:

I didn't like Bowman not using up the potential cap space that the Blackhawks had, but it could turn out to be a very beneficial move down the line. Many teams are going to have big trouble when the salary cap takes a hit after this year. The Blackhawks will be sitting pretty good.

 

[nwfisch]

I didn't like Bowman not using up the potential cap space that the Blackhawks had, but it could turn out to be a very beneficial move down the line. Many teams are going to have big trouble when the salary cap takes a hit after this year. The Blackhawks will be sitting pretty good.

Yeah I was one of those people as well. I mean I'm not opposed to the Blackhawks making changes, but I think their "core" remaining intact sets them up well to get in and hopefully get a deep run in the playoffs.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Lockout or not, they're not a Cup contender.

 

[Captain Iago]

I know people are excited but this is basically the same team that got bounced in the 1st round by the Yotes.

Sorry, I don't see anything different. After the 1st d-pairing, it's a joke. Goaltending, don't get me started.

Same fucking issues still unsolved by the idiot we have as a GM.

Forget about the power struggle between Q and Bowman?

 

[Capt. Serious]

Brookstank, Roszival & bring back Oduya.

uke:

 

[Jntg4]

Brookbank was worth 4.3 PS, Roszival 3.2 PS, Oduya 2.8 PS. Those are MORE than respectable points shares for 3rd D-line or 7th defender (Yes, IK, never use just one stat, but they obviously aren't as terrible as you're making them out to be)

 

[DewsSox79]

whoa whoa whoa. i missed a lot here today.

1) the defense isnt horrible but it isnt great.

2) the bowman power struggle is something to watch (see IAGOS post)

3) some fans spin everything to a positive which is always amusing to watch

4) they arent a cup contender, that is delusional thinking if any hawks fan thinks that, and I really hope there arent any out there

5) comment made about not obtaining players because of a lockout....see minny wild.

 

[HawkWriter]

I know plenty of non-Hawks fans and one former player who think the Blackhawks are a contender. A top 4 team in the Western Conference. A lot of teams in the Western Conference have gotten weaker this offseason and the Blackhawks were 10 points out of first last year. Nashville, Detroit, Vancouver and Phoenix - all teams ahead of the Blackhawks last year in standings - have all on paper (that is all we have to go by at the current time) gotten worse this offseason. Dallas and Minnesota are the teams behind that have gotten noticeably stronger and are within striking distance but I still don't have either as a top 4 team. I have the Blackhawks as a top 4 team in the Western Conference where there isn't an overly dominant team. The favorites would probably be the LA Kings or St. Louis Blues who have changed very, very little. After that I think there is a clump of teams that you have the Sharks, Canucks, and Blackhawks in a group. I believe that these 5 teams will be contending in the West.

The East should have the more dominant teams this year. NY Rangers, Pittsburgh, Boston (goalie change which is important to note), and Philadelphia are probably all up there with the two top teams in the West.

 

[icehogfan08]

Patrick Kane

Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks may be perceived as a superstar by most but Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Rosenbloom suggests the high-profile forward would be good trade bait with the shortened NHL season about to begin. "Condensed seasons create some sloppy play," Rosenbloom writes."Mistakes come from fatigue. Special teams become vital. If (Jonathan) Toews or (Marian) Hossa suffers a concussion again -- and I think it's unavoidable for at least one of them -- then the Hawks' penalty killing could cost them games. The lack of total top-end talent could cost them a playoff spot.That's why you have to think about trading Kane. I know he has wondrous puck skills at times, and I know he is a fan favorite. This has nothing to do with the face of the franchise laying face-down on a bar. This has everything to do with making the team better by getting a quality player at a more important position. The angry post-lockout environment could be a great time to deal him, too."