Actually, let’s be honest. This was the last time Lebda was ever relevant. (Photo: Michael Righi/flickr)

On The Farm provides news from the Chicago Blackhawks‘ farm teams: the Rockford IceHogs and Toledo Walleye.

The Rockford IceHogs signed Brett Lebda to a Professional Try Out contract today to round out their training camp roster.

While Lebda, a native of Buffalo Grove, would probably like you to remember him as a former Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings, it’s more likely that you remember his disastrous stint as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. My favorite “Lebda being Lebda” moment was when the Maple Leafs beat the holy hell out of the Atlanta Thrashers 9-3 — but he somehow managed to still be a minus-3 on the night.

He then signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this year — mostly because the Blue Jackets had, like, two healthy defensemen left at that point.

It’s safe to say that Lebda won’t make it anywhere near the Blackhawks even after the lockout, but if he can crack the IceHogs’ roster and provide some veteran leadership, more power to him.

» Continue reading “On The Farm: Lebda Still Relevant, Kind Of”

Saad is among the 26 prospects assigned to the IceHogs.(Photo: Mel/flickr)

Ahead of the lockout, the Blackhawks have assigned 26 players to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. The list follows after the jump.

» Continue reading “Blackhawks Send 26 To Rockford”

Spoiler Alert: Red gets the big, shiny trophy. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Blackhawks prospect camp finished with a thriller of a scrimmage on Friday. The goals came early and fairly often in this one.

» Continue reading “Campin’ With The Hawks — Day 5″

Kent Simpson during the scrimmage. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Thursday’s scrimmage at Blackhawks prospect camp featured some big prospect names that were absent from Wednesday’s game–and a skills competition.

» Continue reading “Campin’ With The Hawks — Day 4″

Teuvo’s in the middle of it all. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Blackhawks prospect camp on Wednesday featured the first scrimmage of the week after Team A/the Red Team practiced for about an hour beforehand.

» Continue reading “Campin’ With The Hawks — Day 3″

Three more years. (Photo: the_mel/flickr)

Along with formally announcing the signings of Jamal Mayers, Mac Carruth, Joakim Nordstrom, Klas Dahlbeck, and Kent Simpson that occurred over the holiday weekend,  the Blackhawks also announced the re-signing of defenseman Johnny Oduya for three years at $3.375 million/year, according to CSN Chicago. This is slightly less than his last contract, which had a cap hit of $3.5 million/year.

According to Stan Bowman, the signing was all about Oduya’s “fit” within the Blackhawks:

“We brought Johnny in to solidify things down the stretch, and I think he played a big role in the turnaround of our team. It was pretty evident that his style of hockey complemented our style, and it made our players better,” Bowman said. “I had a good meeting with Johnny at the end of the year and he made it clear that he wanted to be in Chicago. He could have gone anywhere; the fact that he wanted to be back and he helped us made it a simple decision for us.”

I know a lot of people are bothered by the price. The Blackhawks certainly overpaid… a little. But, honestly, when you look at other defensemen in the league that are in the same skill set at Oduya, they’re all making about the same amount (which means, yes, a lot of teams are overpaying for defense).

And please don’t give me the whole “Oduya cost us the Coyotes series,” because I went over that when the Blackhawks were bounced. By that line of logic, the Blackhawks should get rid of half the team. (If you really think the Blackhawks should get rid of half the team — wow, thanks for stumbling across my site, Steve Rosenbloom.)

More goalies! (Photo Credit: the_mel/flickr)

The Blackhawks announced today that goaltender Kent Simpson signed a three year entry level contract with the club. They also made the signings of prospects Mac Carruth, Joakim Nordstrom, and Klas Dahlbeck official.

» Continue reading “Simpson Added Into The Fold”

Photo Credit: the_mel/flickr

According to NHLwiki on Twitter, the Blackhawks signed yet another youngster to a three year entry level contract. This time, it was Swedish prospect Joakim Nordstrom.

» Continue reading “Blackhawks Sign Nordstrom”