Chicago Blackhawks will go broke!

[19Wingsfan4ever 0]

Here is a interesting article written by Christopher Botta. A hockey writer on fanhouse.com. Any thought or opinions on this article would be appreciated.

Vultures waiting for the Chicago Blackhawks to address their looming salary cap trouble before the March 3 trade deadline are going to be disappointed. The Blackhawks are in position to win a championship. Like the brilliant college kid procrastinating until the eve of the final exam, Chicago won't make a cap-relief deal until they have to. They do not have to until after the Stanley Cup is handed over.

In fact, there's a better chance they'll make a deal to improve their chances. The Blackhawks are approximately $1 million under the salary cap today. In the hours leading up to the deadline, they'll have plenty of retroactive cap space to acquire an impact player.

In a phone conversation with FanHouse, Blackhawks assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would not reveal his team's specific plans. However, he did shed some light on the state of the Blackhawks.

"When your team has developed the high level of chemistry our club has, you want to keep it together," said Cheveldayoff, who joined the Blackhawks this season after 13 years as GM of AHL's Chicago Wolves, including four league titles. "If anything, you hope to add – not subtract.

"Of course, we're going to look at everything. One thing we know for certain is that you put your team in the best position to succeed in April, May and June by having depth. And in Stan Bowman, we have a GM who has already proven he is not afraid to make the bold move to make our team better."

Even if the Blackhawks decide to not make a move in the next five weeks, they still could be one of the most improved teams around the trade deadline. Dave Bolland, the two-way center who had 46 points last season, is expected to return this week after recovering from back surgery on Nov. 10. Gritty fourth-line right wing Adam Burish, the kind of fierce forechecker who can be invaluable in the playoffs, should return soon after the Olympic break after preseason knee surgery.

Those are pretty good additions for a team that's 38-14-4. With a forward depth chart bursting with high-end talent and effective grinders, Chicago could use their cap space on a veteran defenseman or a goaltender -- if Cristobal Huet or Anti Niemi are injured.

In discussing the impact of second-year coach Joel Quennville, Cheveldayoff said, "We love his ability to mesh all the different kinds of personalities that are on our roster. Joel's Xs and Os and his dilligence in preparation are as strong as any coach's in the game, but it's passion for seeing everyone blend together into a winning team that really makes him stand out. No one likes winning more than Joel."

With the addition of Burish and Boland, and perhaps an acquisition for depth, Chicago will see plenty of winning this spring.

Edited February 4, 2010 by 19Wingsfan4ever

[RedWingAbner 13]

Out in round 1.

Hossa is the eternal playoff curse-- look it up. The Portland Winterhawks only won their championship (the only one he's been a part of) when he was injured during the deciding game and couldn't finish-- thus, the team avoided the curse.

[e_prime 1,936]

This article does not address their cap woes for next year at all, so the topic title is a little misleading.

They are in no way claiming that they are planning on keeping all of their pieces after the playoffs and for next year.

It's an impossibility due to the salary cap.

It only states what we already know, Chicago thinks they are a contender with the pieces that have.

Great, Swell, Good luck to them.

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

any team that gives up 5 goals to Columbus has issues defensively that will be exploited in the playoffs.

If they get through the first round, which I doubt, they won't get through the 2nd.

[Echolalia 2,961]

any team that gives up 5 goals to Columbus has issues defensively that will be exploited in the playoffs.

If they get through the first round, which I doubt, they won't get through the 2nd.

Didn't we give up 9 to them last year?

Edited February 5, 2010 by Echolalia

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Didn't we give up 9 to them last year?

Close. It was 8. So that point is just ridiculous.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Howard He Do It?!

[Swayze 81]

Close. It was 8. So that point is just ridiculous.

I was thinking the same thing, but it really isn't. Columbus made the playoffs last year, so it wasn't that horrible that we gave up 8 to them. This year though....2nd last in the West.

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Didn't we give up 9 to them last year?

Close. It was 8. So that point is just ridiculous.

The point stands and it's not ridiculous - or at least anymore than your idolization of Jimmy Howard

Yeah, Detroit gave up 8 to Columbus - LAST YEAR.

Columbus is a completely different team this year.

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

I was thinking the same thing, but it really isn't. Columbus made the playoffs last year, so it wasn't that horrible that we gave up 8 to them. This year though....2nd last in the West.

Thank you

[Rivalred 630]

any team that gives up 5 goals to Columbus has issues defensively that will be exploited in the playoffs.

If they get through the first round, which I doubt, they won't get through the 2nd.

Hawks will have a long playoff run

Didn't we give up 9 to them last year?

Why yes, yes we did

Close. It was 8. So that point is just ridiculous.

Agreed. Made no sense

The point stands and it's not ridiculous - or at least anymore than your idolization of Jimmy Howard

Yeah, Detroit gave up 8 to Columbus - LAST YEAR.

Columbus is a completely different team this year.

List the differences please

[Echolalia 2,961]

The point stands and it's not ridiculous - or at least anymore than your idolization of Jimmy Howard

Yeah, Detroit gave up 8 to Columbus - LAST YEAR.

Columbus is a completely different team this year.

Well then I'll shift the comparison to Nashville, who we also gave up 8 goals to. They were also last in the Central and ended up in 10th place in the Western Conference.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Echolalia

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Hawks will have a long playoff run

horses***. Chicago has some serious defensive issues they need to address going into the playoffs. They aren't going to score 4 goals a game in the playoffs. They also have goaltender issues, which Columbus and other teams have shown.

Why yes, yes we did

And LGW was hilarious for days afterward

Agreed. Made no sense

It makes perfect sense if you ever watch Columbus games, which you may not. Unfortunately that's the only hockey that's on TV for me since I don't get Versus anymore.

List the differences please

They didn't forecheck under Hitchcock for some reason. Last year guys like Malhotra and Peca were very aggressive on the forecheck as well as Umberger and Nash.

They don't have any effective playmakers - Vorachek is as inconsistent as Filipula. Huselius disappears for long stretches of the game if the other team is physical with him. Brassard is a whiny ***** who didn't get enough ice time to learn the game at the NHL level under Hitchcock. Last year they seemed to both make the plays they had to make AND they received just about every break possible down the stretch in their playoff run. This year, not only are they NOT making plays they aren't getting any breaks either, much like Detroit actually.

At the time of that game, Nash would take the puck and try to go 1 on 4 against the other team. He very clearly doesn't trust his team mates to put him in a position to score. Last year, since it was considered in Columbus a contract year for him even though he had a year left, they were feeding him the puck instead of him going out and trying to take it.

Another glaring difference is the puck control game Columbus doesn't have this year. While they were never on Detroit's level in terms of puck control, they are not even in the same ballpark as their team last year.

And lastly, this is a team this year that has QUIT. Last year's team had something to play for. I think this may be the BIGGEST difference.

If you still don't see it, you're blind. I don't really care. Columbus sucks - they shouldn't be scoring 5 goals as a supposedly "Stanley Cup ready" Blackhawks team.

[Rivalred 630]

horses***. Chicago has some serious defensive issues they need to address going into the playoffs. They aren't going to score 4 goals a game in the playoffs. They also have goaltender issues, which Columbus and other teams have shown.

And LGW was hilarious for days afterward

It makes perfect sense if you ever watch Columbus games, which you may not. Unfortunately that's the only hockey that's on TV for me since I don't get Versus anymore.

They didn't forecheck under Hitchcock for some reason. Last year guys like Malhotra and Peca were very aggressive on the forecheck as well as Umberger and Nash.

They don't have any effective playmakers - Vorachek is as inconsistent as Filipula. Huselius disappears for long stretches of the game if the other team is physical with him. Brassard is a whiny ***** who didn't get enough ice time to learn the game at the NHL level under Hitchcock. Last year they seemed to both make the plays they had to make AND they received just about every break possible down the stretch in their playoff run. This year, not only are they NOT making plays they aren't getting any breaks either, much like Detroit actually.

At the time of that game, Nash would take the puck and try to go 1 on 4 against the other team. He very clearly doesn't trust his team mates to put him in a position to score. Last year, since it was considered in Columbus a contract year for him even though he had a year left, they were feeding him the puck instead of him going out and trying to take it.

Another glaring difference is the puck control game Columbus doesn't have this year. While they were never on Detroit's level in terms of puck control, they are not even in the same ballpark as their team last year.

And lastly, this is a team this year that has QUIT. Last year's team had something to play for. I think this may be the BIGGEST difference.

If you still don't see it, you're blind. I don't really care. Columbus sucks - they shouldn't be scoring 5 goals as a supposedly "Stanley Cup ready" Blackhawks team.

And the Wings should be doing the same...

Whats your point?

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

And the Wings should be doing the same...

Whats your point?

Read my first post in this thread. chicago has too many defensive issues at present to be considered a Stanley Cup favorite.

[Rivalred 630]

Read my first post in this thread. chicago has too many defensive issues at present to be considered a Stanley Cup favorite.

I think the Hawks will make it to the Western and or SCF; do not count them out. Apparently their defensive issues are not that bad considering they current standing.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Rivalred

[chrisdetroit 189]

Here is a interesting article written by Christopher Botta. A hockey writer on fanhouse.com. Any thought or opinions on this article would be appreciated.

Vultures waiting for the Chicago Blackhawks to address their looming salary cap trouble before the March 3 trade deadline are going to be disappointed. The Blackhawks are in position to win a championship. Like the brilliant college kid procrastinating until the eve of the final exam, Chicago won't make a cap-relief deal until they have to. They do not have to until after the Stanley Cup is handed over.

In fact, there's a better chance they'll make a deal to improve their chances. The Blackhawks are approximately $1 million under the salary cap today. In the hours leading up to the deadline, they'll have plenty of retroactive cap space to acquire an impact player.

In a phone conversation with FanHouse, Blackhawks assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would not reveal his team's specific plans. However, he did shed some light on the state of the Blackhawks.

"When your team has developed the high level of chemistry our club has, you want to keep it together," said Cheveldayoff, who joined the Blackhawks this season after 13 years as GM of AHL's Chicago Wolves, including four league titles. "If anything, you hope to add �€“ not subtract.

"Of course, we're going to look at everything. One thing we know for certain is that you put your team in the best position to succeed in April, May and June by having depth. And in Stan Bowman, we have a GM who has already proven he is not afraid to make the bold move to make our team better."

Even if the Blackhawks decide to not make a move in the next five weeks, they still could be one of the most improved teams around the trade deadline. Dave Bolland, the two-way center who had 46 points last season, is expected to return this week after recovering from back surgery on Nov. 10. Gritty fourth-line right wing Adam Burish, the kind of fierce forechecker who can be invaluable in the playoffs, should return soon after the Olympic break after preseason knee surgery.

Those are pretty good additions for a team that's 38-14-4. With a forward depth chart bursting with high-end talent and effective grinders, Chicago could use their cap space on a veteran defenseman or a goaltender -- if Cristobal Huet or Anti Niemi are injured.

In discussing the impact of second-year coach Joel Quennville, Cheveldayoff said, "We love his ability to mesh all the different kinds of personalities that are on our roster. Joel's Xs and Os and his dilligence in preparation are as strong as any coach's in the game, but it's passion for seeing everyone blend together into a winning team that really makes him stand out. No one likes winning more than Joel."

With the addition of Burish and Boland, and perhaps an acquisition for depth, Chicago will see plenty of winning this spring.

Hahahahaha

Good luck with that one.

Chicago has a starting goalie who is 35th in the league in save percentage and a back-up goalie who is 14th

They are the youngest team in the league 30th out of 30.

They have a 19 year old captain

and a coach that after 12 years in the league has never even been to a Cup Finals despite having coached teams with guys like Brett Hull and Wayne Gresky.

Sounds like they should win the cup

hahahahah

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Read my first post in this thread. chicago has too many defensive issues at present to be considered a Stanley Cup favorite.

I hate the Blackhawks as much as anyone, but that statement is just flat-out false.

Chicago has given up the fewest goals in the Western Conference.

[chrisdetroit 189]

This article does not address their cap woes for next year at all, so the topic title is a little misleading.

They are in no way claiming that they are planning on keeping all of their pieces after the playoffs and for next year.

It's an impossibility due to the salary cap.

It only states what we already know, Chicago thinks they are a contender with the pieces that have.

Great, Swell, Good luck to them.

nuff said

[Echolalia 2,961]

Hahahahaha

Good luck with that one.

Chicago has a starting goalie who is 35th in the league in save percentage and a back-up goalie who is 14th

They are the youngest team in the league 30th out of 30.

They have a 19 year old captain

and a coach that after 12 years in the league has never even been to a Cup Finals despite having coached teams with guys like Brett Hull and Wayne Gresky.

Sounds like they should win the cup

hahahahah

You do realize that the only team to let in fewer goals this season is the New Jersey Devils, right? That doesn't exactly scream " too many defensive issues".

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

I hate the Blackhawks as much as anyone, but that statement is just flat-out false.

Chicago has given up the fewest goals in the Western Conference.

Chicago is 2nd in the NHL in goals against per game (2.29). Serious defensive issues.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

You do realize that the only team to let in fewer goals this season is the New Jersey Devils, right? That doesn't exactly scream " too many defensive issues".

2.24 GA/G for the Devils.

[Rivalred 630]

You do realize that the only team to let in fewer goals this season is the New Jersey Devils, right? That doesn't exactly scream " too many defensive issues".

You are wrong!

[Echolalia 2,961]

You are wrong!

sarcasm?

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

The point stands and it's not ridiculous - or at least anymore than your idolization of Jimmy Howard

Yeah, Detroit gave up 8 to Columbus - LAST YEAR.

Columbus is a completely different team this year.

Way to throw something out that has nothing to do with the current discussion. People tend to do that when they are wrong.

The point is ridiculous. The Hawks have the second best defense in the league by GA/G.

And for the record, I only idolize one player, Steve Yzerman. So you are wrong again.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Howard He Do It?!

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Chicago is 2nd in the NHL in goals against per game (2.29). Serious defensive issues.

No kidding.

Some people here just can't give credit where it's due. That's one reason I absolutely cannot stand most Blackhawks fans because they never acknowledge the Red Wings run of success either. The Blackhawks are the best team in the Western Conference and possibly the NHL. I hate that, but the Red Wings couldn't beat them in a playoff series right now.