In peak condition, Bolland primed for 'big year'

[Popinski Soda]

MEDINAH, IL -- Dave Bolland has had enough of this offseason stuff.

“I’ve been in the gym too long,” said Bolland, who played in the Blackhawks alumni golf outing on Monday. “I just want to get back on the ice and get to work now.”

Bolland’s done plenty of gym work already. But for the grinding center who was once again an impact player after missing a month from a concussion, summer’s end can’t come soon enough. Bolland is ready for hockey. Now.

But if nothing else, Bolland is one more Blackhawks player who should return healthier than ever this fall. He missed half of March and April with that concussion, and the Blackhawks missed him right back. Now with that and previous back problems gone, Bolland’s ready to get back at what he does best: centering the checking line and annoying anyone not in a Blackhawks uniform.

“Dave’s very valuable. He’s so crucial allowing other players to do what they do best and it’s hard to find a guy willing to embrace that role,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “Having him ready for a big year, it’s going to be good. He’s had a good summer to get himself in top shape and he looks great.”

Bolland has spent a bulk of his summer in Chicago; he loves the city, especially this time of year. And he’s spent a good chunk of that time in the gym working with strength and conditioning coach Paul Goodman, who’s been running him ragged.

“By the time we get out of there, I’m lying on the couch for a few hours,” he said. “(Jonathan Toews) was in there a week or two, (Patrick Sharp) too. But most of the time it’s just me and Paulie one on one, so it’s even worse.”

So you can understand why he’s ready to take his angst out on the ice. And speaking of angst, Bolland’s happy that Daniel Carcillo is joining the team this year, giving the Blackhawks another guy who loves being a pain in the butt to everyone else.

“I think I like (Carcillo’s signing),” Bolland said. “He’s a great fighter; but with his speed when he gets on the forecheck he’ll help us. When you go against some top players, you want to grind them down. That’s the one thing that’ll help us. A little extra agitation will help.”

Bolland’s done his share of that these past few seasons. He’s ready to do that again – and is welcoming the new help.

Source

Spoiler

Bolland's my boy, yo.

J

 

[nwfisch]

If Bolland has to play 2nd line center more often than not, I don't think that's a bad option.

 

[Popinski Soda]

The article is mostly a puff piece, but it's still good to hear that Davey thinks he's in the best condition of his life. Only good can come from this. :hi5:


J

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I don't want to see him on the 2nd line. He's just such a great checking line center that it would be hard to replace him. I wouldn't mind having a line centered by Sharp with Smith and Hossa on the wings as long as the checking line is Bickell-Bolland-Frolik.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Yeah, not holding my breath on that.

 

[meathead]

I don't want to see him on the 2nd line. He's just such a great checking line center that it would be hard to replace him. I wouldn't mind having a line centered by Sharp with Smith and Hossa on the wings as long as the checking line is Bickell-Bolland-Frolik.

I agree but I like Sharp much better on the wing.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I agree but I like Sharp much better on the wing.

I agree. I like Sharp on the wing too, but right now he is the best option.
Brunette-Toews-Kane, Smith-Sharp-Hossa, and Bickell-Bolland-Frolik are good top three lines. I really love the Sharp-Toews-Kane line though.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

He needs a good, full regular season.

Hope it happens.

 

[icehogfan08]

If Bolland can stay 100% I think this will be his breakout year

 

[DewsSox79]

If Bolland can stay 100% I think this will be his breakout year

based on what? a hunch?

 

[icehogfan08]

based on what? a hunch?

The team depth, He's going to have solid line mates around him. Bolland can put up points, if Frolik stays with him the chemistry those 2 had in the playoffs will help, along with Bickell.

 

[Capt. Serious]

He hasn't produced jack shit since he was with Havvy & Laddy.

Yes, he had his great moments last season but he was still too invisible.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I'm a Bolland fan, so I support him. I don't think he is a good 2nd line center, but as a checking line center he is great. Bickell, Bolland, and Frolik were really good in the playoffs, if they can play like that for most of the season that's a really good third line.

 

[HawkWriter]

He hasn't done produced jack shit since he was with Havvy & Laddy.

I think he showed promise last year, he was on a better PPG pace (.6ppg) to beat his point total that he put up on that "third" line in 08/09 - injuries just got in the way. Also, Bolland saw some time on the power play, which he really hasn't been on in the last few years and he looked good there when he had time and space to be creative.

I think we could see Bolland get to 50 points this year if he plays on the third line and 60+ if Q decides to play Bolland on our second. The best thing about Bolland is that stats don't tell the whole story about him and his value. Not to mention in the last three postseasons Bolland has put up about a .8PPG pace.

 

[Capt. Serious]

He gets rewarded with a huge contract despite only tallying 47 points as his career high.

Bickell had the same amount of points last season as him & he doesn't even make 600,000.

 

[HawkWriter]

He gets rewarded with a huge contract despite only tallying 47 points as his career high..

That was Tallon's fault. Paying for potential and overpaying a RFA.

 

[dabynsky]

Really don't understand the difference between a winger putting up 47 points versus a center? Look Bolland isn't the greatest thing ever, but it is damn good thing we have him. He is probably overpaid for his production thanks to Tallon, but it wasn't to the extreme that Campbell was. And really the playoffs last season really ought to have shown how important Bolland is to this team. This team is completely different with Bolland in the mix. He isn't a core player but he is part of that second tier of role players that are really essential.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

Did you not see the Hawks without Bolland against the Nucks and then with Bolland? I know that he wasn't the only reason they almost pulled off the comeback, but he is one of them. His playoff production is ridiculously good. I don't understand how people can say he should be gone. Just look at the stats without him. Same with Campbell, he was overpaid, but look at the stats without Soupy there. He's gone now and that's probably a good thing. If he wasn't paid so much money, I would've kept him.

 

[icehogfan08]

^ Exactly, Bolland isn't the guy to go out there and score the goals. He's our shut down the oppositions top line guy.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

^ Exactly, Bolland isn't the guy to go out there and score the goals. He's our shut down the oppositions top line guy.

Exactly. Is he overpaid? Maybe, but that's Tallons fault.
Is he important? Yes, he's very important. He is a great checking line center. If he can go injury free this season, that would be awesome.