Wing Across The Pond 196 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 In the UK I only get hockey news from NHL.com mainly but from what I hear the Blackhawks wont be the suprise everyone is tipping them to be. Campbell was arguably their biggest signing of the offseason and IMO he's pretty overrated. Toews will be pretty good but it depends on how he handles the "C" (plus I always thought Kane was better but thats just opinion) and their team will be a team of inexperience and naivity (only 4 of their active players are over 30 - Lang, Adams, Huet and Khabibulin). I guess it'll just be up to them to prove me wrong but I think they'll miss out on playoffs again this year. Anyone with me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordie Howe hat trick 110 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 I think they make the playoffs for sure. I think it will be a rebirth of the rivalry that we have with em' too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namingway 146 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) Although we're all entitled to our own opinions, the truth of the matter is they did beat us more than we beat them last season and they've been getting better as of the past few years. I think they have a chance of getting a playoff spot if they can play as well against other teams as they've been playing against us. They've been playing like there's no tomorrow whenever it was against us. Kane is good and perhaps better than Toews in some ways but I think Toews has better leadership skill and potential. Also, I think that they gave him the "C" because all hawk fans cream themselves over the thought of Toews becoming the next Yzerman so they gave him the captain's role at an early age as well. The one downside I see in them as of now is the amount they're spending on their goalies. They could've spent some of that money to buff up the roster some more in other parts that are needed. I still think their chances are 50/50 if they can stay healthy and play at their best. Edited September 3, 2008 by Namingway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 The one downside I see in them as of now is the amount they're spending on their goalies. They could've spent some of that money to buff up the roster some more in other parts that are needed. I'd be pretty surprised if Khabibulin wasn't an Ottawa Senator or L.A. King by the start of the regular season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Idoit40fans 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 I'd be pretty surprised if Khabibulin wasn't an Ottawa Senator or L.A. King by the start of the regular season. I'm surprised more and more every day that he isn't gone. I expecthim to end up in L.A. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 It's pretty obvious Chicago needs to dump salary so they are probably getting low-balled. I would laugh if they lose a Lang or Khabibulin to waivers or had to buy them out. Why should LA offer anything for Bulin when they would have close to first dibs on him through waivers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chunkylover 26 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Last season Chicago came together as a team against us then promptly fell apart against everyone else. Very little has changed since then. They have a lot of young talent being foisted into leadership positions whose only credentials are years of losing. Huet will be in the same position as Khabibulin; he'll have to stand on his head and hope his offense can score in the shootout. Campbell won't make them better defensively. Their offense will be better, though, because of Campbell and the maturation of Toews and Kane with a healthy Havlat. The question is can they play as a team for 4,920 minutes or at least two-thirds of that? When I think of the 'Hawks I think of a bunch of checkers running around chaotically and getting goals off of quick transitions. And let's be honest, they got some help from uncharacteristic mistakes by Future Hall of Famers and a little help from the refs. They beat us, to be sure, but not resoundingly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Chicago will be ok, probaly 6th-8th seed. I expect them to be better, But nothing ground breaking. And i 100% agree with Campbell being over rated.. He's massively over-rated. Watching him playing for the Sharks made me not like him that much more, You could tell he was just trying to stay healthy to make it to FA without anything hurting his stock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soultrain 43 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) Ineedtogrowup. Edited September 3, 2008 by CopenhagenWing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 I'm surprised more and more every day that he isn't gone. I expecthim to end up in L.A. Bingo. It's pretty obvious Chicago needs to dump salary so they are probably getting low-balled. I would laugh if they lose a Lang or Khabibulin to waivers or had to buy them out. Why should LA offer anything for Bulin when they would have close to first dibs on him through waivers? Wow, didn't think of this! Great point! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Last season Chicago came together as a team against us then promptly fell apart against everyone else. Very little has changed since then. They have a lot of young talent being foisted into leadership positions whose only credentials are years of losing. This. They may be better this season, but they haven't made the playoffs in ages and they're certainly not a lock for it this season -- let alone a serious postseason threat like Dallas and SJ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Chicago will be ok, probaly 6th-8th seed. I expect them to be better, But nothing ground breaking. And i 100% agree with Campbell being over rated.. He's massively over-rated. Watching him playing for the Sharks made me not like him that much more, You could tell he was just trying to stay healthy to make it to FA without anything hurting his stock. If I had to come up with different words for my opinion I would be hard pressed. They will toil in that group at the bottom of the playoff push that is separated by about 4 points from 7-10 in the conference. They will be like the Avs last season, I don't expect much from them, but anything will really be a positive growth for them. Campbell on D for them is like what Toronto has for D, a whole lotta offense, he can hit (doesn't hit too often though), but his defensive game is strides behind his offensive game. He is an over hyped Bryan McCabe in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Campbell on D for them is like what Toronto has for D, a whole lotta offense, he can hit (doesn't hit too often though), but his defensive game is strides behind his offensive game. He is an over hyped Bryan McCabe in my opinion. That and they think Sopel is one of the best bottom pairing defenceman in the NHL. I kinda like Chicago's team but I really can not stand their fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soultrain 43 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Ineedtogrowup. quick! ha! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 They are definitely in improvement mode, improved their roster in the offseason, and took the Wings to task more often than not last season, so it'd be pretty foolish for Wings fans to completely dismiss the Blackhawks from being a playoff contender. Will they be world beaters? That's probably a stretch, but it is not a stretch to think they'll make a serious push for the playoffs this upcoming season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted September 4, 2008 They are definitely in improvement mode, improved their roster in the offseason, and took the Wings to task more often than not last season, so it'd be pretty foolish for Wings fans to completely dismiss the Blackhawks from being a playoff contender. Will they be world beaters? That's probably a stretch, but it is not a stretch to think they'll make a serious push for the playoffs this upcoming season. The great thing about it, is that , They are'nt only improving via FA, they had some great luck with the Draft also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted September 4, 2008 It'll be interesting to see what happens with Chicago, but I do expect them to be on par with the Nashville team we've seen in the past few years, hovering around a 6-9 seed. To me, whats going to make to make or break them is neither Huet or Campbell, but the development of Seabrook, Keith, Fugli, Kane, and Toews. The leadership is also quite suspect. As we know, Denis Savard is a fire-breather, and I question how the young guys are going to respond without a few hardened vets on the roster to give them some feedback in dealing with demanding and critical coaches with huge tempers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted September 13, 2008 (edited) Look what I found in Chicago. Take notice of the upstairs. I have millions and millions of Red Wings shirts and the one day I decide to be in Chicago, I am not wearing one. Would have loved to walk in there with a Wings shirt on. hehe. Anyways to keep this on topic, the Hawks need to stay in sync all season. As shown from last year this did not happen and they fell apart. Edited September 13, 2008 by Jwo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim3033 1 Report post Posted September 13, 2008 I'm excited for all the hate I will have for the Blackhawks this season. They got rid of Lang though. He was their best player against us whenever we played them last season. Bummer. They have Scotty Bowman now though. Wonder what that will do. Our D can keep Toews and Kane at bay, no doubt. Khabibulin's play will be important. He was getting pretty good again last season. Campbell is an exciting addition. They remind me of Pittsburgh, only in the Western conference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
