Kane, Hammer Approve Of Blackhawks Offseason

[tbo41fan]

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said his team got tougher with trades - ESPN Chicago

CHICAGO -- Despite saying good-bye to three teammates who helped them win a Stanley Cup, at least two Chicago Blackhawks understand why Troy Brouwer, Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecky were cut loose in favor of some tougher, older players.

"We've added some things that will help us win again," Patrick Kane said Wednesday. "That's the most important thing.

"You can have those relationships, and it's always nice to have those, but we're here to win hockey games. You see some of the players we added. You get a lot of grit, some experience, some maturity."

Kane and Niklas Hjalmarsson were on hand for the grand opening of Blackhawks/Stanley's Kitchen & Tap restaurant in O'Hare airport.

The Hawks added free-agent veterans Sean O'Donnell, Jamal Mayers, Andrew Brunette along with tough guy Dan Carcillo earlier this month.

"The guys we brought in are a bit tougher," Hjalmarsson said. "Maybe that's what we were missing last year. That toughness I think.

"It's sad to see a guy like Brian go, especially for me. That's a guy that helped me a lot when I came up from the minors. He helped me on the ice and off the ice. Every good thing has an end. That's what you guys say over here. I wish him luck in Florida."

Kane was one player who noted the lack of toughness on the roster at the end of last season. The Blackhawks fell to the Vancouver Canucks in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. The Canucks played a more physical series than Chicago.

"I don't think you can have ever have more than enough [toughness], especially on our team," Kane said. "You look at so many skill players that we have, I think last year -- I don't want to say we got exposed -- but we weren't like as protected enough as years before.

"Sometimes you have to mix and match. You just can't put the best 12 players on the ice at all times because they are the most skilled. You need certain players for certain roles."

Brouwer was an occasional line-mate of Kane and recently intimated his teammates weren't thrilled with the continued roster turnover from the 2009-10 championship team.

"I think the thing with Brouwer, he never really felt like he got a fair shake," Kane said. "A lot of people have heard that. I told him good luck."

Kane and Hjalmarsson along with other present and former Hawks are in town for the fourth annual Blackhawks convention which begins Friday.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Right on.

And hey, someone tell Hjalmarsson he can play with a harder edge too. It's a role not just for the new guys.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Someone remind Kaner to back check then.

Not going to be Datsyuk but damn make an effort to play two way hockey.

 

[DewsSox79]

what are they going to say? i dont like the offseason? i hate threads like these.

 

[tbo41fan]

what are they going to say? i dont like the offseason? i hate threads like these.

u jelly?

 

[derosabomb]

so i guess kaner isnt in rehab then...

jakepeavyfake :smh:

 

[tbo41fan]

no, he was at the ribbon cutting thing today

 

[icehogfan08]

Of course their happy, with Hammer being a physical player and him not doing it he wont be blamed as much if theres no physical play.

And Kane's happy because he has someone to protect him, I expect him to yap a bit more.

 

[tbo41fan]

Kane yapping...LOL

 

[southern_cross_116]

Kane... I've been sick for a couple of days - so took advantage of the time to watch my disk set of 5 games from the 2009-10 playoffs.

After getting some extended time watching Mr Kane in action - he doesn't need to backcheck - him just skating turns opposing defenses into pretzels, if he does- bonus...

 

[Captain Iago]

Surprised this story took so long to appear after Brow took his shot at the organization. :shrug:

 

[Capt. Serious]

Kane... I've been sick for a couple of days - so took advantage of the time to watch my disk set of 5 games from the 2009-10 playoffs.

After getting some extended time watching Mr Kane in action - he doesn't need to backcheck - him just skating turns opposing defenses into pretzels, if he does- bonus...

I'm sorry but he doesn't need to back check?

I've liked Kaner since he was drafted.

But the dude has some serious problems with two way play.

 

[southern_cross_116]

Yeah you got it right -- 88 doesn't need to backcheck. He is not a 2 way forward, and what he does- he does pretty well.

Other teams worry about back checking *him*.

You can't backcheck and cherry-pick at the same time ... if you have a back check fetish -then you should be all over the league to reinstitute the 2 line pass rule.

 

[icehogfan08]

Yeah you got it right -- 88 doesn't need to backcheck. He is not a 2 way forward, and what he does- he does pretty well.

Other teams worry about back checking *him*.

You can't backcheck and cherry-pick at the same time ... if you have a back check fetish -then you should be all over the league to reinstitute the 2 line pass rule.

He wont understand

 

[southern_cross_116]

touche

 

[Capt. Serious]

Yeah you got it right -- 88 doesn't need to backcheck. He is not a 2 way forward, and what he does- he does pretty well.

Other teams worry about back checking *him*.

You can't backcheck and cherry-pick at the same time ... if you have a back check fetish -then you should be all over the league to reinstitute the 2 line pass rule.

Yeah, lets have odd man rushes the other way when Kane coughs up the puck.

 

[jcrab66]

kaner looked like he put on some weight, doesnt look like a little kid anymore, hopefully that translates into a bit more physical toughness...

 

[DewsSox79]

Yeah, lets have odd man rushes the other way when Kane coughs up the puck.

I do know that icehog and tblow dont really go to games, this is where you see the kane issues that are not caught on camera. he will take whatever shot and the minute the puck goes the other way, there is a shot on goal against us and kane is first getting back to center ice. Im not sure how many games people attend, but i see it all the time.

The thing about a lot of chicago fans is the fact that they get very sensitive when their team gets anything negative reported, and or other fans views that are negative.

If you look at the trend here, you will see guys like tbo thank posters here that say something positive. if there is anything negative said, you get the "lulz" and the "you jelly" internet responses of people that have no opinion or rebut on the topic.

I disagree alot with everyday im buff, but we rarely just type "lulz" and "zomg u jelly" responses.

but back on topic, he isnt a 2 way forward, but he does need to stop falling asleep when his shot doesnt go in.

 

[tbo41fan]

I do know that icehog and tblow dont really go to games, this is where you see the kane issues that are not caught on camera. he will take whatever shot and the minute the puck goes the other way, there is a shot on goal against us and kane is first getting back to center ice. Im not sure how many games people attend, but i see it all the time.

The thing about a lot of chicago fans is the fact that they get very sensitive when their team gets anything negative reported, and or other fans views that are negative.

If you look at the trend here, you will see guys like tbo thank posters here that say something positive. if there is anything negative said, you get the "lulz" and the "you jelly" internet responses of people that have no opinion or rebut on the topic.

I disagree alot with everyday im buff, but we rarely just type "lulz" and "zomg u jelly" responses.

but back on topic, he isnt a 2 way forward, but he does need to stop falling asleep when his shot doesnt go in.

And you disagree with anything positive being reported...you just always angry at everything the Hawks do because you have some personal vendetta against the FO for some reason...if they dont do what you like, then they are doing a bad job....

and good job pointing out I dont go to games, since I live in Arizona. LMAO

and yea, yea I know...

 

[DewsSox79]

And you disagree with anything positive being reported...you just always angry at everything the Hawks do because you have some personal vendetta against the FO for some reason...if they dont do what you like, then they are doing a bad job....

and good job pointing out I dont go to games, since I live in Arizona. LMAO

and yea, yea I know...

Really? that is your rebut?

I was happy when we got Frolik.

I was happy when we traded Campbell

I was happy when we re upped Crawford

So come again.

Im sorry im not :fap: to posters of brunette and stalberg.

Im sorry that I want a real 2nd line center.

This is not a vendetta, just real concerns. but keep trying tbo.