Maybe it's too early. The 2 reasons - Stephen Walkom (it was trying to be funny). I see him closer to the war room as a chance for him to dictate the games more, because what is decided in the war room is what stands. There is a chance to override what the on-ice refs are calling.
- powerenforcer

Why would "they" (or "he") have it in for the Hawks - an original-6 team in one of the best markets in the league with a national following - you would think they would want Chicago to be very successful.

Maybe it's too early. The 2 reasons - Stephen Walkom (it was trying to be funny). I see him closer to the war room as a chance for him to dictate the games more, because what is decided in the war room is what stands. There is a chance to override what the on-ice refs are calling.
- powerenforcer

What is Walkom going to override? A goal on the ice?

Give it up. Be thankful that douchebag isn't on the ice to botch a call this coming season.

Also, still waiting on reason #2.

And I just re-watched the Cup game from 2010. Right after Hartnell scored the tying goal with a few minutes to play you can see Q say Bolland. And he put that line out to calm the team down when Philly was all jacked-up. It is nice to have someone so reliable out there. That is why I'm really looking forward to Danault and also Hartman. Just 2 other really smart and mistake-free guys you know will usually do the safe thing: like Bolland
- tomcat24

I understand why it had to happen, I understand he was hurt a lot, and its probably only going to get worse. But I think, when push comes to shove, in the most important games of the playoffs, going to miss Bolland greatly. If I was GM, I would have done the same thing, I just think he is such an important component to a winning team. I think he'll be missed as much or more than anyone lost after the 2010 cup.

I understand why it had to happen, I understand he was hurt a lot, and its probably only going to get worse. But I think, when push comes to shove, in the most important games of the playoffs, going to miss Bolland greatly. If I was GM, I would have done the same thing, I just think he is such an important component to a winning team. I think he'll be missed as much or more than anyone lost after the 2010 cup.
- vabeachbear

I agree. Wish him well back home. I would like to see him come back to the Hawks at some point. He loves it here. Maybe front office job. Hawks have really been drafting some great 2-way players with high hockey IQs. I really like that strategy since we have several high-end forwards for a long time.

John, Don't even waste good logic on an obvious TROLL. If he is not trolling, then he is certainly not much of an hockey observer.

He can SAY the Hawks are NOT stacked....but have him watch the Olympics....

Team Canada will have Toews...voted best forward at the last Olympics and Conn Smythe winner, as one or their top 2-3 forwards...they will have Keith, as their best or 2nd best D-man.

Team USA will have Kane, as one of their top 2-3 forwards...oh, and a Conn Smythe winner as well!

And there is Hossa who will be a star on his Olympic team...also Seabrook who will be an Olympic regular...

Yup...NOT stacked...I get his point....I guess 6-7 NHL teams can point to the same level of talent and skill.....

Gimme a break...let him troll...sad, sad Philly fan....don't know whether to laugh at him, or shed a tear in pity....
- hawk35

Yeah well, he got under my skin and my bad on that.

I agree. Wish him well back home. I would like to see him come back to the Hawks at some point. He loves it here. Maybe front office job. Hawks have really been drafting some great 2-way players with high hockey IQs. I really like that strategy since we have several high-end forwards for a long time.
- tomcat24

Bolland is a UFA next year. If he does not fare well next year in Toronto, could he end up here again on a cap friendly deal?

Bolland is a UFA next year. If he does not fare well next year in Toronto, could he end up here again on a cap friendly deal?
- 67hawks

I'd have no issue paying Bolland $1 million per season to centre the 4th line.

I'd have no issue paying Bolland $1 million per season to centre the 4th line.
- DarthKane

I agree. He does love it here and he would have a great shot at a 3rd Cup. Imagine him with Danault?

Bolland is a UFA next year. If he does not fare well next year in Toronto, could he end up here again on a cap friendly deal?
- 67hawks

He likes it here and seems the type to take less money for a great situation. Would he take a lot less? That's the big question. I think he would be a good mentor for people like Danault and Hartman

i don't know about that.

the hawks style of play killed us. too fast. couple that with the Bergeron and Campbell injuries and we never had a chance in the long run.

but the games were all rather close.
- Fountain-San

You look like a fool using the "injury" excuse.

Hossa couldn't feel one of his legs because of a back injury
Handzus played with a broken arm/wrist (as a center who took faceoffs)
Toews had an injury that we still don't know about
Sharp had a shoulder injury all year
Bickell played with a Grade 2 MCL sprain of his knee

Please. Do not use injuries as any sort of excuse why the Bruins lost. The Hawks were deeper, more talented and clearly the better team - end of story.

The Bruins never had a chance in the long run simply because of the teams on the ice and the talent level - not because of injuries. And when I made that exact statement after Game 3 when everyone thought that the Bruins were clearly the better team I was laughed at.

Bolland is a UFA next year. If he does not fare well next year in Toronto, could he end up here again on a cap friendly deal?
- 67hawks

I'm betting Bolland will be Carlyle's go to guy next season. Unless Bolland's skills go south the Leafs will lock him up and if he loses his game why would the Hawks want him back? The Hawks are moving forward the right way, replacing veterans with youth and adding vets only to plug holes.

And this crap talk about the Hawks not being "stacked".

Of course the Oilers were stacked as were the Islanders in the early 80s. The salary cap didn't force them to trade players. Could you imagine if that first Hawks Cup winner was able to stay together? Seriously. Might be talking about a four-peat of their own.

The Hawks - in today's NHL - ARE stacked.

Horrible to compare Era's when it's completely different circumstances.

I will give you two reasons why the Blackhawks will not repeat as Stanley Cup champs:

Stephen Walkom,

He tried to derail the team last season while on the ice, but couldn't. Now that he will be closer to the war room, he can manipulate the games even more.
- powerenforcer

Wasn't Walkom in the same position in 2010?

Kind of a reach. Rather see him off the ice than on it.

And this crap talk about the Hawks not being "stacked".

Of course the Oilers were stacked as were the Islanders in the early 80s. The salary cap didn't force them to trade players. Could you imagine if that first Hawks Cup winner was able to stay together? Seriously. Might be talking about a four-peat of their own.

The Hawks - in today's NHL - ARE stacked.

Horrible to compare Era's when it's completely different circumstances.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Well said.

I would argue a team with 2010's forwards and 2013's D could be defined as "stacked" in even the non cap era.

Wasn't Walkom in the same position in 2010?

Kind of a reach. Rather see him off the ice than on it.
- tredbrta

Agreed.

Well said.

I would argue a team with 2010's forwards and 2013's D could be defined as "stacked" in even the non cap era.
- tredbrta

If you could construct a dream team consisting of members of the 2010 and 2013 teams what would it look like?

Here's my thoughts (assuming Byfuglien still played forward):

Byfuglien – Toews – Kane
Bickell – Sharp – Hossa
Ladd – Bolland – Versteeg
Brouwer – Madden – Shaw
Kruger, Kopecky

Keith – Seabrook
Campbell – Hjalmarsson
Oduya – Rozsival
Leddy

Niemi
Crawford

Note: Yes, I am bored and going through major hockey withdrawals.

If you could construct a dream team consisting of members of the 2010 and 2013 teams what would it look like?

Here's my thoughts (assuming Byfuglien still played forward):

Byfuglien – Toews – Kane
Bickell – Sharp – Hossa
Ladd – Bolland – Versteeg
Brouwer – Madden – Shaw
Kruger, Kopecky

Keith – Seabrook
Campbell – Hjalmarsson
Oduya – Rozsival
Leddy

Niemi
Crawford

Note: Yes, I am bored and going through major hockey withdrawals.
- DarthKane

I assume you mean 2010 Bolland and not 2013 Bolland on the 3rd line. Also, I would take Brouwer over Versteeg on the 3rd line, drop Madden entirely for Kruger, and Frolik over Brouwer on the 4th line. I'd be really tempted to drop Brouwer from the team period because if we are just talking about the Hawks 2010 and 2013 seasons, then Brouwer in the POs in 2010 really wasn't very good. Sort of the 2010 version of Victor Stalberg.

Well said.

I would argue a team with 2010's forwards and 2013's D could be defined as "stacked" in even the non cap era.
- tredbrta

Those teams would be Deep as hell and I guess you can say stacked as far as talent around the league, but how many future Hall-of-Famers would the Hawks have with that team? I get the previous points about salary cap limitations, but just curious. I know it is still early in a lot of people's careers to even think about it. I think we can agree Toews has a good chance and Hossa. What about Kane and Keith? Maybe even Buff if he could have stayed up front with that 2010 team intact

I assume you mean 2010 Bolland and not 2013 Bolland on the 3rd line. Also, I would take Brouwer over Versteeg on the 3rd line, drop Madden entirely for Kruger, and Frolik over Brouwer on the 4th line. I'd be really tempted to drop Brouwer from the team period because if we are just talking about the Hawks 2010 and 2013 seasons, then Brouwer in the POs in 2010 really wasn't very good. Sort of the 2010 version of Victor Stalberg.
- QStache

Yes, I was thinking of Bolland circa 2010.

I debated the Kruger vs Madden situation but decided to go with Madden's experience. I really wanted to add Frolik, and you're right in that he could be a better option for the 4th line than Brouwer. So many choices....

Yes, I was thinking of Bolland circa 2010.

I debated the Kruger vs Madden situation but decided to go with Madden's experience. I really wanted to add Frolik, and you're right in that he could be a better option for the 4th line than Brouwer. So many choices....
- DarthKane

I think creating a super team between the two Cup champs really requires you to decide whether you want the offensive firepower of the 2010 team or the defensive dominance of the 2013 team. Personally, I'd probably want the offensive output from the 2010 top two lines, but the defense of the 3rd and 4th lines (albeit with 2010 Bolland and not the shell that was the 2013 version).

http://www.chicagonow.com/red-light-district/2013/08/predators-want-to-keep-the-red-out-vs-blackhawks/
- EKolb13

If I owned a bar in Nashville I would be having everyone I know in Nashville buy tickets and market them to the fans who spend the money in the bars before and after the games. Someone will figure something out. Buddy up with someone in Nashville the next time down there. Can't be that tough and might be a lot of fun. Give peace a chance.

Maybe it's too early. The 2 reasons - Stephen Walkom (it was trying to be funny). I see him closer to the war room as a chance for him to dictate the games more, because what is decided in the war room is what stands. There is a chance to override what the on-ice refs are calling.
- powerenforcer

You're not actually serious are you? A referee in the league wants a promotion so he can further screw over a team he has really no particular reason to hold a grudge against by exceeding the bounds of that new position and reversing calls mid-game? I must have forgotten my foil hat.

If you could construct a dream team consisting of members of the 2010 and 2013 teams what would it look like?

Here's my thoughts (assuming Byfuglien still played forward):

Byfuglien – Toews – Kane
Bickell – Sharp – Hossa
Ladd – Bolland – Versteeg
Brouwer – Madden – Shaw
Kruger, Kopecky

Keith – Seabrook
Campbell – Hjalmarsson
Oduya – Rozsival
Leddy

Niemi
Crawford

Note: Yes, I am bored and going through major hockey withdrawals.
- DarthKane

Shocked and amazed that Rusty didn't make it on your dream team.

Shocked and amazed that Rusty didn't make it on your dream team.


- Beaver-Warrior

I wish I could have....I kept my team to guys who actually played in the playoffs.

I get mocked for my Olesz support....but just you wait, he'll turn things around this year with the Devils.

Does anyone know if the Olympic hockey will be played on Olympic size rinks this year?
I know the last Olympics was not played on Olympic size rinks and I think olymic size rinks results in less hitting and therefor less wear on the hawks players participating

JJ this is a really interesting blog nice job

Lastly with the added maturity of Kane I am expecting even more from him this year plus he now finally has someone on his line to protect him and Toews in Bickell