Campbell has broken collarbone
A source confirmed late Sunday night that Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell suffered a broken collarbone when he was shoved into the boards from behind by Alex Ovechkin and likely would miss at least the rest of the regular season.
Ovechkin rammed a vulnerable Campbell into the boards at 12:16 of the first period and received a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.
It was a needless shove by Ovechkin, who then did what he normally does after one of his reckless plays and claimed he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
I’ve watched the replay a dozen times and Ovechkin shoved Campbell hard into the boards from behind when such a play did not need to be made. Campbell was only a few feet from the boards with his back to Ovechkin and the puck was gone.
"I didn't think it had to be five minutes and a misconduct," Ovechkin said. "He just fell like that and it just happened.
"I thought it was going to be two minutes. I think it was a pretty good check. It was contact, but it was not a hard hit and nothing dangerous. I just a little push him, but it was just a moment in the game. He just fell bad. Every shift it happens, little pushes."
It was Ovechkin’s third game misconduct of the season, but there are no guarantees he’ll be suspended since they are in different categories.
I am in a terrible mood. How do you let AO level one of the really good guys on this team not touch him. My gosh, this is a terrible state. I was on the band wagon but does the team hate Campbell?
Anyway, I am sorry Burish is just to small to scare anyone so this will keep happening until we get a "big" nasty player that will lay Backstrom out on the next shift. Give me Kyle Beach.
1. It was not an enjoyable weekend. It's not that they lost. It's how they lost. They embarrassed themselves, the Blackhawks and the fans.
2. The way they lost was not an isolated incident. In fact, it seems more chronic than anyone would have thought. Every team's scouting reports surely includes something to the effect that the Hawks go Mama Cass with a lead. You are never out of it.
3. Speaking of scouting reports. Did anyone notice how many shots the Flyers took from near the goal line or behind? Aberration or scouting a goalie's glaring weakness?
4. Hockey = injuries. Get over it. Move on. Go back and watch the 1985 game between the Hawks and North Stars that Comcast recently aired. Ovechkin's play was the rule and not the exception. Were players safer then because they expected it or didn't play as loosely?
5. A line change with 6 seconds left? SFB! Live by the sword - die by the sword.
The way this team responds and, moreover, the success in the playofs will help determine what direction Bowman goes in structuring next year's team. Team toughness is one thing, but you must have at least a couple of character players who would have gone after Ovechkin immediately, and or laid out one of their top players. Because of this lack of response, you can bet Bufuglien's ready for prime time (playoffs) act will be jettisoned. We are likely to reeive lesser player(s) or draft choices for whomever is launched. Just watch, either an AHL sort or some player received as payment for a player we launch ...wil be the sort to enact payback. But watch also ...i may not be the more skilled player, but no goon, either. Anyone who can stomach watching a team of wuss not exact revenge...it's like cheering for your Blackhawks in a non checking league. It's a tough game and you have to be able to respond..or you will be taken advantage of. I am betting on Vanc to go far this year, not Chicago, even before the Campbell incident..because they keep coming back and winning games, they have balls, even if some guys are dirty like you know whom. That tema has far more character, despite some blemishes, than Chicago.
Your comment, despite the fact that it might be unpopular, is dead on -- and has been since the beginning of the year.
It is just catching up to us now because we're getting close to playoff time, a lot of games have been played, and everyone's got our number.
I am not trying to downplay the serious of Campbell's condition.
For two years we heard the opinions on how he was NOT what we paid for, how the team should find him a new home.
Guess what?
Now we have the Campbell-less Chicago Blackhawks.
We get to see just how right all you guys were.
Or not.
Teams CAN overcome adversity and win.
Now we get to see if this slick passing team can rise past the injury to this "unnecessary" component and win with a one-third Swedish backline.
Anyone who thinks Nick Boynton is successfully log big minutes is "mis-informed."
Just like with the two goalies, I am stoked to see if they can come together as a champion...
Now we have the Campbell-less Chicago Blackhawks.
We get to see just how right all you guys were.
We have been able to win with Campbell and lose with Campbell. He adds something to the team that few players can but when we (as fans who would like to see Campbell traded) say we would like to see him traded it involves getting his salary off the books so we could sign players. If Campbell was making $3 million, I would have no trouble with him on the team. As the highest paid player on the team he has to be accountable to being held to a higher standard even if that is unfair or impossible. Why? Because he signed the contract the Blackhawks offered. He knew what it meant to be the highest paid player on the team and one of the highest paid D-men in the league. If he didn't want that then he shouldn't have signed. Took less money or signed elsewhere. Can't have it both ways where he is being paid the most but not held accountable because his game can't backup his contract.
I do agree with you teams can overcome adversity and win. That is what the good teams do. Hate to say it but look at Detroit. They have had tons of injuries and questionable goaltending and they are still in the fight. I think Boynton can help us overcome this adversity. We aren't asking him to come in and be Chris Pronger or even Duncan Keith. Just play his game and hopefully what he brings to the table that Campbell doesn't can help us.
1. As mentioned Hawks no lower than 3rd seed with the division win. Which means home ice for 1st round
2. Look out here come the Canucks to challenge for that second seed. They finish with 8 of 13 at home. They will play the Sharks in 3 of those....hmmm.....and have one left with the Yotes.
3. I don't think the Yotes can overtake the Sharks for the division. So they look like a 4th seed. A Yotes/Kings 1st round looks very interesting as would a Redwing/Sharks
4. They reseed after each round and assuming the top 3 survive the first round; a second round rematch with Vancouver would be on tap for the Hawks.
I am no expert on NHL waivers but why would the Hawks obtain a vet like Boynton if they could not use him this year? Its him or Cullimore? Who options do they have as 7th D-man?
If Boynton does clear waivers, it would be interesting to pair him with Johnsson (assuming he is healthy) on the 2nd pair. Hjalm has been very solid most of the year but seems like he might be getting worn down by the tough minutes he plays. Maybe easing up on him with third pairing minutes would help a bit.
Does it seem like our puck possession style of play is forcing the D to make bad plays? I know we want the puck and we are great when we have it, but it seems like our D are trying to force things that aren't there because we can't make the simple play and dump it in or chip it out. The Hawks can't be a dump and chase team but they have to realize that sometimes you need to live to fight another day.
and that's why the Hawks give up so many juicy scoring chances on turnovers. The D have to try and pass it from their own end to center or more all too often. The
He isn't the same type of player Campbell is but I hope he clears. I think he would be a real good fit for us.
he's only 31 years old with 547 NHL games on his odometer. He's gritty, possesses a right hand shot, and is a serious character guy. Earlier this year, Derek Boogaard ran someone on the Ducks and Boynton was the first guy to step up. He lost the fight, as most do vs the Boogie Man, but he had the stones to step up. This team sorely needs a player like that.
Having a guy on our team that would *consistently* stand up to the opposition after they run one of our players would be a big improvement for this team. Hopefully Boynton is that guy.
Our skill players have been getting their butts kicked for much of the year for two reasons:
1) most teams cannot deal with our speed and skill, so they try to wear us down physically, and, more significantly,
2) teams recognize that we will not protect our skill guys so why not just take their heads off?
Why didn't anyone go after Ovechkin on Sunday? Even just to skate by and say something. He sat there on one knee for 30 seconds before the refs escorted him to the box. No one from the Hawks even came into the camera shot until he was being escorted off the ice. Did it take that long for the Hawks to realize that one of their star players was run into the boards?
We talk about team toughness here and I have seen enough guys get involved - very sporadically -- to know that there are enough guys here that can keep the other team honest - if they want to. The problem is, it happens so infrequently that it seems the opposition has no respect for us.
The last time or two that someone went after one of our stars (the Mitchell on Toews hit comes to mind), little Kris Versteeg was the one that stepped up. This is a big problem on our team as I see it. If a 175 pound scorer has to stick up for the captain, there are some problems on this team.
Wait till playoff time -- it will only get worse. Hope Keith has a good insurance policy.
I love what these guys have done this year, but they are lacking an element to this team that is going to get more people hurt - maybe permanently.
We're the SOFTEST, make that ULTRA SOFTEST top contending team in the league. Our 'GM' could have and should have addressed the tougnness and goaltending issues at the deadline. He sat on his fat wallet and stood pat. Now our future, aka our skilled superstars, have to have eyes in the back of their heads and NO SERIOUS CUP CONTENDER should have to play that way. Thanks for nothing Blowman.
philco,i have been taken a bare ass whoopin from some of these fellow hawk fans all fricken season! i even suggested that the hawks,because they are talent deep on the first 3 lines ,to aquire a player like derek boogaard,yes 2minutes a game to ride shot gun! i could guarantee you that had derek boogaard been on the hawk bench yesterday,the next time on the ice, someone ,possibly #19 on the capitols would have a bullseye on their back!i'm tired of all that bullschat nicey nicey play crap from some of these guys!the game and penalty crap has to temporarily take a back seat!the principle comes in to play! you are on your home ice,a teammate, a friend,a dam good player just got hammered by a guy who has a history of this stuff,an you do nothing!piss on the goals and the PP.where's your pride?team toughness my behind! this team is about as tough as a wet roll of toilet paper!and gentlemen,i like burrish alot,but in his fight with the LA player,if the refs don't break up that fight, burrish was about 30 seconds away from getting his ass handed to him on a platter!thats the toughest we have to offer!i know we beat a deadhorse with this issue, but until we have a policemen or a good fighter who scares people,this will continue to happen. ..and ovie is no fighter either,someone will call himout and he'll not do anything.someone needs to just start whaling on him the next time,anyone!!
Not sure Boogaard would ever be able to catch Backstrom or Semin if they did have a bullseye on their backs. You are right they should have had a bullseye on their back and guys like Burish, Eager, Brouwer, Byf, and Ladd should have been making it rough on them all day. The issue isn't a team having to fear a Boogaard, King, or Kocci but rather a team fearing that we will run their stars through the glass. To me Cal Clutterback is more fearful then Boogaard. Clutterback will hit and hit again and he can skate well enough to catch the star players.
i've read many of your posts campaigning, practically pleading for the addition of a tough guy for the Hawks and you've been right all along. Eric Godard, when healthy, played 71 games last year for Pitt. And Eags God bless you, i love you...but you haven't been doing your job. I know you've had concussion problems and might not have the required appetite for fighting that you once had, and that is understandable. Still, the Chicago Black Hawks i knew and grew up loving ALWAYS had a physical presence. Not this team. And that is a travesty.
Sthsnc72, your point about Burish is a good one. Other than Eags, our 'tough guys' have been Fraser and now Burish. They are good solid role players but we can't count on them to open a can of whoop ass on anyone. Boogaard would have been a nice addition and tell me he wouldn't have been a fan favorite at the UC? All my life, the Black Hawks and their fans have loved the fights and the fighters.
It's really too late to do anything about it, but next year, we need a legitimate enforcer to at the very least act as a deterrent.
There is a fine line though sthsnc72....after the cheap shot on Campbell, someone might have jumped Ovie and our 5 minute man advantage would have been negated. The Hawks always seem to get screwed that way....they take a cheap shot and then in the act of answering, take a dumb retaliatory penalty......SO...our players have been and need to continue to be careful when playing the role of avenging angel.
'
I have a feeling he's going to be big for us down the stretch. We're going to need a guy like this and what he brings to the table.
Must mean they are putting Campbell on the IR to clear the cap space.
If he doesn't clear we just gave away a second round pick for nothing.
I didn't read we traded a 2nd rounder. That would seem VERY steep for a guy that cleared waivers. It was future considerations so I figured it would be a pretty low pick like a 5th or even just cash.
Some hilarious comments here. Anyone who has ever played - from the most inept rec leaguer to an NHLer - knows how vulnerable you are in that position. Campbell had already played the puck and Ovechkin needlessly sent him careening into the boards. That's how kids end up in wheelchairs. I thought there was respect among NHLers . . . you know with the NHLPA and shared agents. That play was bogus. It served no purpose other than to end a guy's season. Can you imagine if Ovechkin sent Pierre McTool's poster boy Crosby into the boards like that? Would McGuire be lauding his "strength?" PATHETIC.
Because between Colin Campbell and Bettman, they couldn't muster an ovary, let alone something spherical.
If Ovechkin had drilled BC, there would have at least been some possible purpose to the play, other than a hope to injure a guy, while being able to make the sniveling excuse of not hitting him that hard.
Don't watch NBC as long as they employ the Idiot Twins Milbury and McGuire, though I do have to agree with Milbury about Ovie being Eurotrash.
If Dirty Alex goes down tomorrow with a season ending injury, I'll applaud. Karma is hell. The NHL will then suspend Karma for 30 games.
More than I expected, but I don't think it's enough for a repeat cheap-shotter.
Sad ending to an otherwise great season yesterday. The goaltending was already an issue but this was the nail in the coffin. Campbell may not have been a $6 million player but that is going to look like the best money ever spent when we get to see Jordan Hendry and Brent Sopel playing 15 minutes a game.
Vancouver and Phoenix are only 5 points behind the Hawks heading into today. Phoenix is 6-1 after making Bowman look like Bob Pulford at the trade deadline and Vancouver is 6-1-1 with basically all of their games at home the rest of the year. No one can honestly say they think these two teams won't blow past the Hawks the next 4 weeks leaving us with the #4 seed in the west for the first round and a match up with the Kings.
I can't wait to see how they try and justify a 500% increase in tickets this summer after this end of season collapse and then getting bounced in the first round.
. . . is you will regret this post, as in you will have digital egg on your face. But that remains to be seen.
Hendry has been much improved in his limited role this year. Sopel has done most everything you could ask of a 5/6 kinda guy. Blocked a lot of shots.
The sky is not falling, dude.
Dude, is it always raining at your house. Your post are always negative. it's not even worth reading this BS on this blog anymore, because if we don't win every game the cry babies are out in full force... A little adversity never hurts.. Start the crying if were down 4-1 in a playoff series in a 7th game...
This is the same poster who last fall said they would "never make the playoffs this year". Enough of the negatives waves Moriarty!
As for Ovie. Love the player, hate the extra dumb attempts at playing physical. This hit was dumb, late, and dangerous. Still, I could not believe they had the juevos and actually tossed him from the game. Now we see what Colon Dumbbell has to say. Mandatory suspension or disciplinary discretion allowing Ovie to walk? We all know how Dumbbell works. Remember last playoffs? Orr jacks somebody on a faceoff and gets suspended. Almost identical shot happens to Havlat against the Canucks, and nothing. One thing for sure, if a non star did the same thing and had the same "record", they'd be sitting 5-10 games. Gotta love the justice!
Great movie - yes, "enough with the negative waves Moriarity." Indeed, adversity is what produces maturity, growth, and confidence. This is still a good team - let's worry about things if/when they struggle in the playoffs. Now is not the time to panic.
I've thought all season that actually on the ice (as opposed to the ranting at him here and in the 300 level) Campbell was usually one of the Hawks' more effective players. So his loss is a real blow, no question. And meanwhile the team still has mediocre goaltending, probably not quite the weakest among playoff teams but certainly not a strength for the real season starting in April. And yea they probably now will end up heading into the real season seeded 3rd in the West not 1st or 2nd (though not 4th, for the reason noted by others here).
BUT...the fact remains that outside of maybe the Caps (who I now rate as the clear top team heading into the spring), every other top NHL contender has weak spots or issues. The Pens had a couple stretches this season of playing much worse than the Hawks are now; the Sharks can't be feeling any better about their goalie than we are and of course are carrying all sorts of baggage into the playoffs; the Devils, the Canucks, the Sabres, they've all had serious ups and downs. And by the way being seeded 3rd probably means somebody else gets the Dread Wings first which ain't looking like a bad thing frankly.
And we must still remember that this is a young Hawk team at its core. (Younger even, now without Campbell in the lineup.) Which Buff will show up for the playoffs, the vanishing ghost we've seen lately or the beast of last spring? Which Kane, the two-way stud we were getting used to or the softer/gentler kid of the last couple games? Which Versteeg? Which Seabrook? Which Keith? etc. There's a lot of variability here. If their heads are screwed on straight, even without Campbell this team can still win any West playoff series. (Or, if they go into like they've been playing lately, get blown out in any West playoff series.)
This is the sort of situation in which coaches can really make a difference. Hoping Q is that kind of coach -- we'll see.
None of the guys who played good enough to get us to 2nd in the conference, even after this lousy week, suddenly forgot how to play.
Motivation lacking right now? Sure looks like it. Why is a question we don't know the answer to. Could be Olympic hangover, a secure playoff berth, the lack of any real advantage to finishing first, etc.
They need to get the jump back, but there's the talent and grit there to do it.
I totally agree. Well said
As long as the Hawks win the Central, they can finish no lower than 3rd. The division winners get the top 3 spots.
These posts would be hysterical if they weren't so depressing. Two bad losses over the weekend in games we dominated for the most part and we're ready to throw in the towel on the season and declare ourselves swept by the LA Kings in the 1st round.
Are you guys flippin serious?
These are the same dudes that railed on Campbell for years, and now designate his loss as the backbreaking loss which broke the camel's back on our run.
We're what three points behind the Sharks? The boys have the ability to turn this around, as they are very talented. It's gut check time. Let's see how they respond to this major adversity.
Our goalies are starting to get it going to, great signs of life out of them this weekend.
Man...this negativity is ridiculous.
I agree with Aztecs36. It's a little early to throw in the towel. Lots of hockey left and this is still a very good Hawks club. The losses this weekend were caused uncharacteristic mistakes by good defensive players and taking too many penalties at once vs the leagues best PP. These are things that will lose you some games, but won't end your season.
Not trying to be negative about a team that looks like it could care less about the reg. season. Doesn't mean that they won't push come round 1 - just looks like they're phoning it in lately. Not too worried though.
I want nothing more in my lifetime to see this team win come April, but this is deeper than two losses over the weekend. This team that can barely win a regulation game in over a month? Sorry but no matter much ability or talent a team has you still need to win games come April and this team has major flaws right now that will prevent that from happening.
I railed on Campbell last year, but this year is has been one of the major contributors. If you look at CORSI (a more detailed +/- rating) he was one of our best players this year thanks to his world class puck control. You don't just lose a player like that, replace his minutes with Jordan Hendry and expect any shot a playoff success.
You cannot replace Cambell with Jordan Hendry. No question. But they are a team, and although Campbell was a valuable part of this run he's not the end all say all to how this team finishes this season. I'd be far more concerned at this point losing JT, PK, or DK then I am with losing BC. I thought Campbell played like crap last year up until the playoffs because of the tremendous amount of pressure he was under because of the cap. This year he relaxed and although he's not as physical as we would like, his offensive prowess and puck possession is beyond addequate even if it didn't amount to point totals which is what the average fan equates success to.
All I'm saying is take a step back guys and assess the situation. We're 3 lousy points behind San Jose. We hit our first major rut since October! All is not chaos, were not on the brink of losing our season. We'll go in at the least as the third seed, and most likely as the 2nd seed even though the 1st isn't out of question. Heck the last two Sharks games I watched that team was certainly far from perfection as are the Canucks. Everyone has issues at this time, the Caps had looked awful this week and still looked awful until our third period meltdown where we made them look like they're something unreal.
As far as I'm concerned we're sitting pretty right now. The boys need to take a deep breath, practice hard before the trip, and start focusing on the prize ahead. If I was in that locker room the last thing I'd be concerned about is the fans or media's opinion of what's going on. All I've heard is about how phenominal this chemistry is in the lockerroom all season long. If that is indeed true.
Then we have nothing to worry about. All teams hit ruts, we hit ours at the RIGHT TIME, to correct before the real season begins. The postseason. I'm not going to sit here and say it's over for this team, that's just negative whiny bs for human beings that always require instant gratification.
The boys will find their way, I believe in them, and you should to. They've shown us no reason not to.
Is as far as they can drop, regardless of how many points they have. Remember, the Hawks had more points then Vancouver last year, but ended up as the #4 seed.
9 of the last 14 on the road and a lot of tough teams in that stretch. I don't think the Hawks can fall to 5th, but the way they're phoning it in right now, this team is already mentally done with the regular season. I'm sure they'll play tough in the 1st round, but to "turn it on" after taking a mental vacation for this long is no sure thing.
Team? JC, I can't believe what a bunch of one-ways these guys looked like yesterday. I guess it's every man for himself. Why doesn't Q recognize that this team is wiped and sit Seabrook for a few games. The kid is obviously not playing well.
Forgot that they will back in and win the division
Good point.
...and it is US.
IF they will urgently get their act together before the playoffs this slide will be a good thing.
IF NOT, they will be a huge disappointment with expectations so high. They may not make it as far as last year when on paper they are far better.
>What is happening to the game we love?
>A player who makes a good, clean, non-head body check, seen by the "hittee" often has to drop the gloves and defend himself by playing the game right and honorably
>A player who has a history of cowardice (Matt Cooke) can concuss top skill players, possibly ending their careers and continue to collect his paycheck
>The Ovie hit was a "useless" hit and it was from behind -- "useless" in that #51 had already released the puck was "escaping" and the shove came close to 2 full seconds later -- useless in that the only thing that could happen was that Campbell could get hurt -- Ovie had ZERO chance of separating Campbell from the puck
>It's time to flush all the old boy dinosaurs out of NHL leadership and Bettman, too
>Their fear of hockey becoming "soft" is unfounded -- many more players play the game hard, right, and honorably -- than don't
>With the way things are run in the NHL right now, why not take career minor league thugs and let them loose on the other team's top players?
>Analysts like McGuire are a disgrace to the game and only help keep hockey fans divided on what hits are OK and what isn't
>This issue is exactly why the NHL remains a second-tier sport in the United States
Well said, on all points. Couldn't agree more Grinder.
On your second point. I actually got tired of it last year when anyone who would hit Campbell had to deal with Walker. I have no problem with Walker but I do have a problem with players being challenged or needing to defend themselves for making a good strong check.
Matt Cooke is a player I have nothing for. It isn't like I would feel different towards him if he was on the Hawks either. To me he is one of the worst type of players. He is a very dirty player, won't stand up for himself (fight), and is a crier when anything is done towards him.
I was alright with McGuire all game except for the defending Ovie. Milbury is in the same boat there. We all know how the entire NHL would feel if Eager or Burish would have "slightly pushed" Ovie like that into the boards.
In an earlier post, I cited the Minnesota game as having taken place on 12/29/09, when in fact it was 1/9/10. Sorry about that. Best to all and let's hope the boys find a way to pull themselves together for the stretch run. Maybe this would be a nice time to audition Kyle Beach?
If Ovechkin was on the Hawks, how many of you "fans" would be complaining about him or calling him a dirty player? He plays just like Roenick did when he first came into the league. The only difference is Ovechkin is bigger and stronger and NOT on the Hawks.
I've seen the replay many times too. It was definitely more "than a little push" as described by the Caps coach and Ovechkin. Was it dirty? I classify dirty as malicious intent. I don't think Ovechkin had ideas that the hit would put Campbell out of the game or out for the season.
However, I do agree with Toews that there are some guys who simply aren't aware of dangerous situations on the ice and end up hurting someone when the play was really unneccessary. Nothing good was going to come from that hit on Soupy and Ovechkin did it anyway.
He is a sensational player and I love the fact that he's not a goal scorer only who doesn't have an edge to his game. Walking that fine line between physical and stupid can sometimes be a highwire act.
Every single one of us would take Ovechkin on this team in a heartbeat.
If you would say no, you're either lying, or just dumb.
I've watched the hit about 20 times now, it wasn't dirty persay, maybe unecessary I'd agree with. But there certainly were no intentions to maim Campbell. This is Hockey, not figure skating. Stop whining.
If Roenick had ever shoved a fast-skating player from behind into the boards when the puck was already gone, we'd all be saying he should be suspended. (As JR was in fact suspended for some other over-the-line moves during his career.)
Do you remember Derrian Hatcher breaking Roenick's jaw into 3 pieces and knocking him silly behind the net the next time the Stars played the Coyotes after Roenick laid out Modano?
Different game back then.