Who knew he'd be the one ex-Blackhawk left in the Stanley Cup Finals?

Before Colin Fraser was in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Los Angeles Kings, writing blogs and scoring goals — he was on the Blackhawks, mostly warming the bench. However, he did get a lot more time in front of the camera during Blackhawks TV, and his BHTV shining moment was probably this interview with some of the other Blackhawks on the subject of Mario Kart.

» Continue reading “From The Vault: Colin Fraser And Mario Kart”

SO bad, you guys. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

A spot on the top lines, that is. What did you think I mean?

“There are some spots in the top six and there are some spots in the bottom six,” said Stalberg, who along with teammates Marcus Kruger and Niklas Hjalmarsson helped paint the Indian head logo on the United Center ice Wednesday. “I’m going to do everything I can to take one of those (top spots). If I don’t, I know I can go back and play that more physical game too. It’s good for our team and good for my career that I can play a couple of different roles.”

Speaking of ice painting, the Blackhawks website posted three videos about this momentous occasion:

• Swedes Help Paint The Ice
• So Does A Marine
• And Two WGN Radio Winners

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: Stalberg Wants It. He Wants It So Bad.”

We have some catching up to do when it comes to Blackhawks news (thanks to my little detour to the NHL Draft). So what better time to do so than tonight, on Free Agent Frenzy Eve?

The Dearly Departed

See ya later, guys. (Photos: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Blackhawks have said goodbye to three players — Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky, and Troy Brouwer.

Campbell has ended up in Florida with Dale Tallon and the Panthers. According to the Sun-Sentinel:

“I’ve had guys call me, guys I’ve played with before, saying, ‘Dude, you’re lucky, get me down there,”’ Campbell said on WQAM radio. “Dale said to me, ‘I’d like to bring you in to be the [pioneer], making this the place to be where everyone wants to play.’

“Obviously, with Dale there, I’ve had guys under contract and free agents say that to me … If it’s going to be a good situation guys want to be involved in it.”

Campbell played a similar role in the Blackhawks’ rebuilding — also thanks to Tallon. Let’s hope that it works out for the Panthers, as well. I always thought that Campbell never got a fair shake here in Chicago because of his inflated contract, but maybe his skills will be more appreciated down in South Beach since his contract is helping the Panthers make the cap floor.

Kopecky, too, has ended up on the Panthers. According to the Chicago Tribune, he was signed to a four-year contract worth $12 million. Wow, really? The Panthers really do need to make the floor, don’t they? (As of right now, they’re about $23 million below the floor, according to CapGeek. Jesus.)

Troy Brouwer, however, was dealt to the Washington Capitals in exchange for their first-round pick in this year’s draft. Though there was some controversy earlier this week when he claimed that Blackhawks players were “frustrated” by the recent moves, we still wish him the best of luck in Washington. He hopes to bring some leadership to the Caps, according to USA Today:

“Sometimes you need a little bit of outside views, just to come in and make sure that guys are doing what they need to do in important games,” Brouwer said. “There’s no boundary on leadership age. Whether you’re wearing a letter on a team, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not a leader. I want to come in and help out with all the experience that I’ve had.”

The Capitals made him a qualifying offer on Monday.

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: The Free Agent Frenzy News Round Up”

April 8, 2011

7:30 PM EST/6:30 PM CST

Versus, CSN Chicago, WGN 720

Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 43-28-9
Points: 95
Western Conference Standing: 8th
Central Division Standing: 3rd

@

Detroit Red Wings
Record: 46-24-10
Points: 102
Western Conference Standing: 3rd
Central Division Standing: 1st

The enemy’s Aerys Sports site: Hockeytown Beat

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AAAAHHHHH! PLAY LIKE YOU CARE FOR ALL 60 MINUTES, BLACKHAWKS! YOU NEED TO WIN THIS TONIGHT, FOR GOD’S SAKE!

Okay, I’ve got that out of my system now. Thank you.

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Previous Game

Chicago won against St. Louis 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday

Detroit lost against Carolina 3-0 on Wednesday

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Injury Report

CHI: Forward Troy Brouwer is now day-to-day after injuring his shoulder. Forward Dave Bolland (concussion) is also considered day-to-day, though progress is said to be slow. Defenseman Jordan Hendry (knee surgery) is out for the season. (nhl.com)

DET: Forward Henrik Zetterberg (upper body) is sitting out the rest of the regular season. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall (upper body) is considered questionable. Goaltender Chris Osgood (groin) has not returned since January. (nhl.com)

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Quoted

Duncan Keith, CHI: “If anything, we know we can keep playing harder and better. We know we’re going to have to [keep] playing against ­Detroit and beyond.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

Mike Babcock, DET: “The bottom line is we play a team the next two games that is doing everything they can to be in the playoffs and move up. They’re going to be tough games for us. . . . [but] I’d like to finish ahead of San Jose.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

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Stats

Via NHL.com

April 6, 2010

8:00 PM EST/7:00 PM CST

Versus, CSN Chicago, WGN 720

Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 42-28-9
Points: 93
Western Conference Standing: 8th
Central Division Standing: 3rd

vs.

St. Louis Blues
Record: 37-33-10
Points: 84
Western Conference Standing: 11th
Central Division Standing: 4nd

The enemy’s Aerys Sports site: You’re My Boys, Blues!

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I’m too nervous about tonight to write a real preview.

Just…

Play like you have some good goddamn sense — okay, Blackhawks? Play like you CARE.

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Previous Game

Chicago lost against Montreal 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday

St. Louis won against Colorado 3-1 on Tuesday

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Injury Report

CHI: Forward Patrick Sharp might be in the lineup tonight — the first game since he injured his knee. He’ll see how it feels after warmups tonight. (via @TramyersCSN) Forward Troy Brouwer is now day-to-day after injuring his shoulder in last night’s game against Montreal. Forward Dave Bolland (concussion) is considered day-to-day, though progress is said to be slow. Defenseman Jordan Hendry (knee surgery) is out for the season. (nhl.com)

STL: Forward David Perron (concussion) is out. (nhl.com)

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Quoted

Duncan Keith, CHI: ‘‘It’s not good enough to get the one point. We’ll take it, but we know we can start better. Whether it was nerves or I don’t know what, the start wasn’t good enough.’’ (Chicago Sun-Times)

David Backes, STL: “There’s plenty to play for, and whenever you get a rival team like Chicago, if you can spoil their postseason hopes, there’s plenty more to play for. In their building, they get a lot of support. We expect them to have a good game, and we need to match their intensity.” (STLtoday.com)

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Stats

Via NHL.com

April 5, 2010

7:30 PM EST/6:30 PM CST

CSN Chicago, RDS, TSN-HABS, WGN 720

Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 42-28-8
Points: 92
Western Conference Standing: 8th
Central Division Standing: 3rd

@

Montreal Canadiens
Record: 42-30-7
Points: 91
Eastern Conference Standing: 6th
Northeast Division Standing: 2nd

The enemy’s Aerys Sports site: None

__

Hello, Blackhawks.

I’m back to yell at you all.

First of all, good job at getting shut out two of your last three games. You guys are only hanging onto 8th place by a thread, with Calgary and (especially) Dallas breathing down your necks. Of course, if you would have won back in October and November, you wouldn’t have to worry about this — but I digress.

Now is not the time to fail. Now is not the time to fall apart.

You need to skate hard and skate smart. You do not want to put the Canadiens on the power play because PK Subban will kill you, so stop making a limbo line to the penalty box. Carey Price is going to stop anything he sees, so you need to crash the net. And if you see James Wisniewski skating toward Seabrook, flatten his punk ass for me, would ya?

As a wise person once said — nut up or shut up, boys. Get it done.

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Previous Game

Chicago lost against Tampa Bay 2-0 on Sunday

Montreal won against New Jersey 3-1 on Saturday

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Injury Report

CHI: Chicago is hoping forward Patrick Sharp (left knee) will be skating in the next day or two. Forward Dave Bolland (concussion) is considered day-to-day, though progress is said to be slow. Defenseman Jordan Hendry (knee surgery) is out for the season. (nhl.com)

MTL: Defenseman Alexandre Picard (foot) and forward Jeff Halpern (lower-body injury) are listed as questionable. (nhl.com)

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Quoted

Jonathan Toews, CHI: “It’s time to pull together and get down to business. We have four games left, and we want to take advantage of this opportunity to get a couple of points and work towards securing that playoff spot.” (ESPN Chicago)

Jacques Martin, MTL: “Chicago will be tough because they’re fighting for a playoff spot just like we are and they’re coming off a hard loss (Sunday) night in Tampa.” (Montreal Gazette)

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Stats

Via NHL.com

This guy. (Image: NHL)

Chris Campoli of the Ottawa Senators was traded to the Blackhawks for Ryan Potulny (who has been toiling in Rockford this year) and a conditional second-round draft pick. The Blackhawks also get a conditional seventh-round draft pick in return.

This trade probably would have not gone down if not for the news about Jordan Hendry today. According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, it looks like Hendry is done for the time being with a serious knee injury, which he incurred in last night’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes. He was checked into the boards by Shane Doan less than three minutes into the third period and was helped off the ice.

My initial thoughts? Since Campoli is a replacement for Hendry, expectations are low. He’ll be the 6th defenseman, so as long as he can kind of skate and kind of keep the puck away from the net, we’ll be fine.

EDIT: It’s just as we feared — Hendry is out for the rest of the season. Here’s the official word from the Blackhawks’ head team physician, Dr. Michael Terry:

“Jordan injured his left knee last night during a collision into the boards and has sustained an ACL tear. He will undergo reconstructive surgery shortly and we anticipate a full recovery in approximately six months.”

The news breaks my heart a little — especially since he’s up for free agency in the summer. Who’s going to take a chance on a 6th d-man with a busted knee? Poor guy.