Time to play some catch up
No, your eyes are not deceiving you. This is an actual Blackhawks blog update.
It's been a while, sorry, but that's what happens when a little vacation time turns into a case of pneumonia and you're knocked flat on your back for two weeks. All is well now and thanks to those of you who sent get-well wishes.
Actually, there hasn't been much going on with the Hawks the last month since Antti Niemi was allowed to walk as a free agent and Marty Turco was signed.
I still don't mind the change one bit. Big Turco fan here, and I like Corey Crawford, but we'll have to see how it all plays out.
We missed the Hawks re-signing veteran defensemen Jordan Hendry and Nick Boynton to one-year, $500,000 contracts. Those were good, low-risk signings that fit into the Hawks' tight budget.
Sure, Willie Mitchell would have been a great fit on the blue line, but not for $3.5 million, which is what the Kings gave him despite those concussion concerns. That's crazy money for a guy with a huge question mark over his future.
We missed the Hawks signing veteran forward Fernando Pisani to a one-year, $500 deal. It told me coach Joel Quenneville felt he needed a veteran penalty killer.
Pisani has been good in the past with Edmonton, but he has health issues. The Edmonton Journal reported just last Friday that Pisani is having back spasms and isn't skating regularly with former teammates in Edmonton.
Assuming Pisani is healthy look for him to play on the third line with Dave Bolland and Viktor Stalberg - at least to start camp.
We missed the NHL announcing the Stanley Cup champs will play at least 11 games on "national" television. Those 11 games are on Versus, which I don't consider national TV. Get back to me when NBC announces its schedule.
And finally, we missed The Hockey News picking the Hawks to finish fourth in the Western Conference behind Vancouver, San Jose and Detroit. Those are my top four as well, although I'm not quite sure of the order yet.
The Hockey News also ranked the NHL's top 50 players and put Jonathan Toews fifth behind Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Miller and Pavel Datsyuk. Now that's good company.
Stephan Waite. Any relation to Jimmy?
Brother. And I don't just say that because you are a blues guy.
...How good Niemi really is. The Sharks D is pretty suspect and without the luxury of some of the best defensive pairings in the NHL in front of him, I don't expect him to put up anywhere near the numbers he did last year. Then everyone will be given a big "I told you so". Tim's final 4 is the same as mine, I put it Chicago, Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose. Signing another goaltender doesn't stop pucks from flying at the net. While Doug Wilson screwed the Hawks with the Hjammer offer, in the end he's screwed because he didn't get the defensemen he wanted, and instead got at best...a back up, unproven goaltender who will most likely be on the first flight out of SJ at the start of free agency next year. I hope for his sake his flight isn't back to Finland. Niemi is a good kid, I'd like him back in Chicago next year to back up Turco and learn the position at an NHL level from the best goaltending coach in the NHL and an excellant veteran goaltender.
Exactly who is the best goaltending coach in the NHL? I missed that part.
Is Stefane Waite. He's gotten some great results out of guys who frankly weren't that great, and one that was pretty damn good (Felix Potvin). All NHL coaches rave about the guy, Hockey Night in Canada did a spot on him during the NHL playoffs last year.
The hawks have a history of ruining goalies. Between Tretiak & Waite, Leighton & Crawford were set back years. They were very good when they arrived, especailly with their feet. But the french goaltending coach style of "fall on your knees no matter what" might as well have just cut their feet off. There are a few dozen reasons why I have said this in the past, so I will spare all the rest of you having to read them again. But one of the reasons that has most recently been on display is the fact that while a goalie is in the process of going down, he opens up. Kane's cup winning goal is the perfect example. Blindfold a monkey and handcuff him to the post, duct tape a stick in his hand, and he makes that save. No way should a goalie go down on that sharp an angle. But one guy up in Quebec coaches that style and got a little attention form the media, so now objectivity goes out the window. Nobody uses logic and thinks for themselves. Crawford, when he first arrived from junior, played very well in the few games he was put in. But then he got "coached". I sure hope he does well, but I am not as optimistic as I was when he first got here. And there is only one reason for that. Coaching. I don't think it is an accident that the Blackhawk stanley cup winning goalie is the one who spent the least amount of time getting coached by the organIzation.
Sounds like he is going to sign with the Sharks. Doug Wilson gets what he wanted all along?
The offer sheet completely messed up Stan's plan. Stan was under the belief that no teams do offer sheets anymore and it bit him. The Hammer deal at 3.5 caused Stan to offer only 1.5 for Niemi. Hammer is overpaid at 3.5 and the offer to Niemi was too low.
This will make for some good theater though with him being in the western conference - game on!
It is about range for Hjammer - this kid was solid all year. One real bad game in the playoffs. Not too flashy. Still young and learning - he is only going to get better. And we really were not looking for tons of offense from him - that was Campbell's department.
Basically, Scuderi got the same amount from the Kings.
Overall, SB was in dreamland if he thought he was going to sign Hjammer for a lot less. Expecially after Hjammer got paid 600,000 last season. I wonder what numbers SB was floating Hjammer's way.
Jeff Schultz is a 24 yr old defensemen for the Caps that lead the league in plus/minus at plus 50. In addition, he is 6'6, 230 lbs. He signed for a 4 yr deal at $2.75 per year. I believe that this is closer to the figure that hammer should've got.
Was Schultz a nice guy and take a discount? Again, what did we offer Hjammer the first time around, i highly doubt it was 2.75 a year. Washington seemed to get a few good deals with signings, but probably hoping their defense gets better defensively and a goalie steps up.
Maybe we did overpay for Hjammer, maybe a better price closer to 3 mil. Still not sure why DW goes for 3.4 and not closer to 3 mil, because the Hawks would have paid 3 mil. would the Hawks have paid 3.8 or 4 mil for him? I am still thinking DW would have paid 3.8 for him.
Also, who would you rather have - Hjammer or Schultz?
I was comparing to Scuderi because Scuderi is more of a stay at home d-man, but maybe a little more physical or stronger around the net.
I did not watch alot of real playing time of Scuderi and Schultz, but more by deduction and news articles, playoff games and versus games. But i did watch many of the Penguins drive to the cup, and Scuderi was solid. Schultz seemed kind of quiet in the playoffs, at least the games i watched.
They are going into vapor lock over this move. Two Finns in goal and NO help for a defense that is terrible. Good luck with that Dougie Wilson.
Does anyone know?
Found it, he is making 2 mill over two years so they have 4 mill invested in the net
Niemi - one year for 2mil - - - - This is not right. DW is a little smarter than SB.
No, he is not.
We will see - DW has his own problems though. But messing up the Hawks plans was an interesting move. I see your point, i think i would rather have Hjammer over Niemi anyways. But if Niemi becomes a monster and Turco fizzles, we will be pissed. Plus, Hjammer has to be somewhat happy that the Hawks wanted him, but hopefully SB didn't disrepect him too much with some low ball numbers.
We will see how good Niemi is - kind of. San Jose is a good team and will do fine this year. SJ will probably make the playoffs. Then that will be the real story - can Niemi bail out a percieved weak or suspect defense?
Get better
Having had a bout with pneumonia several years ago, I feel your pain. It takes a few months to get back (we are not getting any younger). Anyways, excited to see what the new season will bring, but at the end of the day, we got our Cup, so I am just going to continue to enjoy the ride, I think we will be back again within the next three years, but the team is now built to be competitive for at least five years with this young core.
You were sorely missed!
Glad you are feeling better and you're pretty spot on with this column. Finally no cup worries, for me this will be a more relaxed and interesting year to follow.
Eternils let me work at jewel store I put eggs melk pretzilz bannans in bags thin I push kart for udder peoples thin I put there stuff in there car fro them. Sum time I get 1 dooler fro help thim I want to see black hawkes this year but my bruther eternal feelds say benny you not go because your poor and dumb but I show heem I no dumb iget job benny happy now I clap hands clap clap clap
some time boss man get mad whin I make mess in pant or forgit to wash face affer eating oat meel with razen and melk Or I have corn on cob it stick in teeth whin I smile it shows people laugh at binny then throw rocks an hot water at me. It burn benny like eternils do with waffle iron I like waffles too but not burn burn time. Time for benny to werk yaaaaaa
With Hossa and Sharp, unless he plays himself out of it. I think Q is saying he's third line right now to take pressure off him and maybe show respect to Kopecky or whoever he has penciled in on the 2nd line right now. Stalberg's skills (and weaknesses) make him better on the second line than the third, and vice versa with Kopecky.
that Hossa and Sharp will be together on a second line. It's a little early to tell.
Just saw that Aaron Johnson signed a two-way deal with Nashville. Not sure he is going to be able to crack that good young D corps. Maybe it is just me, but I really liked what I saw from Johnson before Grier gave him a cheap shot. In so far as I would rather have him then Hendry. Not that it matters that much for a 6th-7th d-man but Johnson really played well (pre-injury) for the Hawks and that was along side Campbell when Brian was struggling.
I also agree on that cheap shot by Grier. It was a similar shot that Ovechkin put on Campbell. I couldn't believe there was no penalty.
He also played well along side Walker.
Gap, totally agree
The problem with Johnson wasn't his play, it was his agent.
but we should never have turned out backs on Niemi.....NEVER. Tony O won how many cups? Right, zip. And he was an abrasive **ck the whole way. Antti won a Cup in his first year with us and did it with ice in his veins. We paid the Sieve 5+ but can't pay the ONLY goaler in 49 years $2.75 mil? Big, big mistake in my 20/20 view. BIG, BIG fricking error Timmy.
I don't know where Niemi will end up but wherever it is I hope he wins the Cup again in a year he doesn't play the Hawks in the playoffs. How can you root against the goalie that carried this franchise to a title? 49 years is forever. As you mentioned Tony couldn't do it......nor Eddie, at least not here....nor Bannermannnnn!!!....not Gary Smith, Bulin, Chevrier or anyone else.
Besides being tossed out on his ass the year he wins the Cup he also got sort of screwed by the timing of the no win arbitration. Now he has to wait around for someone to clear cap space before signing. Wherever he ends up I hope that team comes to the UC at least once this season so he can get some love from the fans who he helped make so very happy this past spring.
It goes both ways. If Niemi and his agent weren't trying to match Halak or break the bank then he could have returned to the Hawks. They knew the situation the Hawks were in and they decided to stick to what money they wanted to get. Now it looks like he isn't going to get that anyway. It was a tough decision for the Hawks but they aren't the lone reason why Niemi isn't on the Hawks.
I see it essentially the same way you do. If reports that he was offered $1.75 were correct, then he is leaving his former team and a city that he won the Cup for, for $250K, which is a fairly irrelevant difference at those numbers, assuming he signs(ed) for $2MM. I'd love to have him back because, regardless of the strenght of the team and his defense, he's a Stanley Cup Champion goalie and those don't grow on trees. I also think he will only continue to get better. The fact remains, however, that he's not a 22-year-old rookie and goalies are very hard to project in terms of future successes. I don't mind him playing on a team that the Hawks will see multiple times because I suspect our forwards may have an idea or two about how to solve him. Whatever anyway. Wilson needed to add some help on defense and he added another $2MM goalie. If that was the situation here the fans would rightfully be upset as I think a lot of San Jose fans are upset right now. Can't wait until the first puck drop!
Philco, time will tell, but I wouldn't be surprised if you are proven correct. I know Niemi will always be special around these parts, and I know that the business side is ugly. Turco is not a bad goalie, and after having to put up with and play behind Eddie "I'll give you a Billion dollars to let me off" Belfour he should be a better team guy than most. But there is no way he has the same ice in his veins that Niemi does. Love the line about "only goalie in 49 years".
You were sorely missed. Someone should have posted you were out with an 'upper body injury'!
Let me help a little with your prediction: Detroit will not finish ahead of the 'Hawks. The Dead Wings arrow is pointing sideways, if not down. That one was easy,
You should put the Canucks below the 'Hawks too. Fragile goaltending and I see the Sisters still being stifled by our D.
I can see the Sharks finishing a few points ahead of the Blackhawks.
Remember this chant: WE HAVE THE CUP!
Wasn't it a bit tiresome reading the previous comments over and over again during Tim's rather lengthy absence? Now, so far as the team goes. In my estimation, the Hawks are positioned to make a good run at another Cup. Kane may add a few grown-up pounds to his rather sparse frame. Stalberg seems to be a stout individual, and with Bickell and Scott, a couple of big bodies around for a full season, there's reason to believe the team might be difficult to push around. The rest of the core players have always been able to handle themselves in the corners and in front of the net. I think the speed is still there, and has been improved in some areas. Skill hasn't been a problem the past several years, and there's no reason to believe that any of our cup-winning group has lost any of that valuable commodity. After all, the old man is 31. And I'll take the word of Tony Esposito when he says Marty Turco's best days may be ahead of him. I rest my case...
Good to hear from you. As far as the hawks I will wait until Febuary 1 to make a judgement on this team. Injuries, goaltending, new player performance , team chemistry on and off the ice, and just puck luck will play a part. What I really like is that they are under the cap which gives them flexability to bring guys up from Rockford to get a taste and at the trading deadline to make a move to cover for injuries or just improve some unexpected weaknesses.
You've been sorely missed. Take care of your health, it's the most important thing you have.
Tim, do you have any comment on the recent Rosner column?
H.F.66. Do you really think Tim is going to comment on that P.O.S. Roz? Unlike Roz, Tim has been a pro in placing both blame and credit for the past problems, the Cup run and bloodbath afterwards. None of his posts or articles have been dripping with personal vendetta like that little beech. And I doubt anyone could or would ever accuse Tim of being a McDoofus mouthpiece.
Anyone who defends that idiot Rozner should go look at the comments section where somebody posted his 2008 article (thank you) completely contradicting his current crap. Also, Rozner continues to ignore Wirtz's PUBLIC statements about Bowman being the cap guy, so yes there was a plan in place, and yes somebody should have been looking long term. That wasn't soley on Tallon, and McDonough did push for some of the signings. Yet, when you are a puppet of McEgo, like Rozner is, it's all about the spin.......
The amazing thing about that article was that there was no mention of the future hall of fame coach, Trent Yawney, or any updates on Ben Christensen vs Anthony Molina.
Take care of yourself Tim. We do not need you in August we need you for the regular season and the playoffs.
notes -
Watching the Hawks this years should be interesting. A lot of question marks and unfamiliar players.
Watching the Ice Hogs this year should also be good. They should be loaded.
I too think Turco will do just fine. His puck handling will be a plus.
Some concerns about the penalty kill. The loss of Madden and Sopel will be felt big time. I hope we do not add minutes to Hossa and Toews. They will wear down. Bolland and the 3rd and 4th line need to pitch in too.
Ketchup!
Good to have you back, Tim! Hope you're feeling well and ready for a repeat!
Leave the comedy to the professionals Orch. Maybe you were just so excited to see Tim's new post that you were overcome with the exuberance of youth?
How do you know I'm not a professional comic? At forty, I'm thankful that you recognize my youth and exuberance. I hope my sarcastic comic relief was not viewed with the same general disdain as I feel for the individual who continually mentally masturbates on this board by imitating a mentally challenged individual. By the way, you're completely wrong in your dislike of McDonough. He, along with Rocky, Jay and the Bowmans are the best thing to happen to this organization in half a century.
I love Rocky!
On July 1st, Keith Jones said on TSN that Vancouver was already better than the Hawks based on their free agent acquisitions. What he forgot to mention is that Vancouver is still a bunch of Sallys. I'll reserve judgment on this year's Hawks team until the circus trip. I'll say this though...I like the Hawks' chances to forge a strong team with the leadership of Toews, Sharp, and Keith!
Great that you are back in the swing of things.
It should be an interesting training camp to say the least. The player I'll be watching with close eyes is Stalberg. He could be an important wildcard for this team, which is an amazing statement in and of itself.
The one thing that gnaws at me is Sharp playing center on the Hossa line. I which there were another viable center option where Sharp could go back to wing. But there isn't, or at least not from what I can tell.
25 days till the puck drops for the first exhibition game. I have been counting the days since the pre-season schedule was first announced. Looks like all we have to look forward to here in Chicagoland are the Winter sports, so let's get it on! And Tim, I also agree with your top four, but do you think age will end up being an issue for Detroit? Not in the regular season but the playoffs?
We knew something was up, but good to see you back where you belong.
Also just wanted to add something that was floating aroudn ESPN. Apparently Niemi says he is close to signing a deal. About time, if you ask me. I assume none of the offers were attractive enough to jump at, but will be interesting to see.
Good to have you back Tim. I read that Hockey News issue you refer to daily, as I eat breakfast or while having a snack. My favorite article is the one about Toews feelings on the departure of many members of the Hawks. And in it Toews said that Kane is still sporting a mullet this summer as though he's trying to start a trend, but nobody is taking him seriously!
that is pretty cheap!. Perhaps a few more zeros need to be added.
Not national TV. I laughed out loud.