What the Blackhawks want Kane to do. I guess.

A team source told the Chicago-Sun Times yesterday that the Blackhawks were concerned by Patrick Kane‘s partying ways and have suggested he seek help:

“He’s obviously got some issues,” the source said. “How many more times can these things happen? It’s a much bigger thing than some photographs in a 48-hour window.”

Stan Bowman also commented on Kane’s partying for the first time on Tuesday:

“We are aware of that situation,” Bowman said when asked by the Sun-Times about Kane. “We followed it closely. It was one of those things where we’ve discussed it with Patrick. We’ve handled that internally.

“We’re obviously disappointed with how it played it out, and Patrick is aware of that fact. But at this point, it’s a private matter. I think, out of respect for Patrick, we’re not going to comment further. We’re going to look forward and try to focus on things in improving our team leading into the summer.”

Does this mean that Kane is most definitely going to rehab? I don’t know. And, really, is it any of our business? Let’s just hope he gets it together and comes back next season ready to win.

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: The Blackhawks Want Kane To Seek Help. Maybe. Kinda. I Don’t Know.”

And so, the Blackhawks begin their summer vacation early again this year.

But not before facing the media.

(The links will lead to videos on the Blackhawks website.)

Joel Quenneville on…

Assessing all areas: “The one thing is you got a nice core here — you got a nice group of guys here, and that gives you a chance every year — a chance to win a championship.”
Competitive playoffs: “Everyone wants to find a way to get done.”
Complementing the core: “I think team chemistry is something, going forward, should be a concern.”
Goaltending: “In Corey’s case, we expect him to get on that track where’s he’s going to get better.”
Need for size and toughness: “Our D — they move the puck well.”
Areas of need (such as a second-line center): “Strength in the middle is important.”
The power play: “This year from the outset, it struggled all year.”

» Continue reading “It’s Blackhawks Locker Clean-out Day”

Your bum shoulder was your ticket out... (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Blackhawks take on the Washington Capitals tonight at 6pm. Previews: NHL, Chicago Tribune, CSN Chicago, CSN Washington, Second City Hockey

Corey Crawford will be in net for the Blackhawks. (@ESPNChiHawks) Michal Neuvirth will be between the pipes for the Caps. (Washington Post)

Jonathan Toews will miss his 13th straight game. (CSN Chicago) Dave Bolland knows what he’s going through. (NHL)

» Continue reading “Warmups: Welcome Back, Brouwer”

It was the first day of camp for the Blackhawks, and, as I understand it, it really is a lot like the first day of school — you’ve got your returning students, some new faces, everyone’s trying to figure out where they fit in… and you already have your first test, the VO2.

Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man.

First off, let’s hear from Patrick Kane on…

His wrist: “Really happy with where everything’s at.”
His aspirations for the season: “I think it’s about that time that I take that next step to the elite level.”

After the jump, hear from a bunch of other guys you may know.

» Continue reading “Training Camp – Day 1: First Day Of School”

Don't act like you don't know the song.

Let’s just read it from the Blackhawks themselves, shall we?

On Thu., Sept. 15, Chicago’s Very Own WGN-TV will celebrate “Blackhawks Day” throughout the day, with Blackhawks-themed features and interviews with players, personalities and front office personnel on all of their broadcasts.

The Blackhawks will be on WGN-TV’s four newscasts — Morning, Midday, Evening, and the News at Nine. Which Blackhawks will be on at what times? Well, you could visit the site to find out — or you can just check out the schedule here after the jump.

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: It’s Blackhawks Day On WGN-TV!”

Here’s all the news I’ve been meaning to update you on — but instead, I’ve been mostly curled up in the fetal position, praying that hockey season would just start already:

Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr

The Ongoing Saga of Patrick Kane’s Wrist:

So Stan Bowman was all “Psh, Kaner is totally on schedule to start training camp,” but then Kaner talked to some dudes in Toronto and was all “Uh, I don’t know if I’ll be ready for training camp.” But then his doctor was all “Eh, maybe you’ll be ready for training camp?”

Will Kaner be ready for training camp? Guess we’ll find out in a couple weeks. The important thing is that he’s ready for the start of the season.

Meanwhile, as always, Hockey Syrup has the best take on this situation.

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: Hockey Withdrawal”

Hello again.

The Blackhawks Convention recap will be coming soon. I just had to recover from the Convention hangover, and then recover from the sickness that followed the hangover.

Here’s what we’ve missed.

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome baaaaack. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Michael Frolik finally re-signed! On July 15, Frolik signed to a three-year, $7 million contract, according to ESPN Chicago. This works out to $2.33 million per year, which seems a little on the high side. However, since the Blackhawks managed to sign Stalberg to a bargain contract, it all balances out in the end.

Here’s what Stan Bowman had to say about Frolik:

“Like I said when we started this whole process, Michael’s an important part of the team. He’s the guy that we expect to be part of our group for a while. He played some of his best hockey in pressure situations down the stretch, in particular in the playoffs, and I think there’s a lot more to his game. We’re excited to have him here for three more years.”

Who else signed? Who’s leaving the team? You probably already know, but click on the jump, anyway.

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: All The News I Missed”

White And Nerdy himself welcomes you.

The 4th Annual Blackhawks Convention starts tomorrow at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan)! Hope you’ve already got your ticket, because it’s been sold out for months. While this year will probably not be as crazy as last year (how could anything compete with the allure of the Stanley Cup?), the convention is still always full of good times, embarrassing stories, and other things that appeal to the hardcore Blackhawks fan.

And, like I’ve been for the past two years, I will be there, reporting on all of it. I hope. If I can fight with the hotel’s crummy wi-fi. God, I hate their wi-fi.

Anyway! After the jump is the schedule that has been released so far, as well as the list of Blackhawks attendees, along with a couple of surprises…

All times listed are CT. The schedule is put together using the following links:

• http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569201
• http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569254
• http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569359
• http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569405
• http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569142

» Continue reading “The 4th Annual Blackhawks Convention Preview”

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”

Has it really been a year? (Photo: Pete/flickr)

It was a year ago today that the Blackhawks finally won the Stanley Cup. 49 years of waiting, wishing, and hoping went out the window at 4:02 in overtime in game six against the Flyers.

It ranks up there as one of the greatest moments of my life.

Where were you on June 9, 2010? Drop your reply here, or send me an email at runsonduncan@gmail.com if you feel like getting wordy about it. I’ll publish the best stories over the weekend.

By the way — the game-winning puck still hasn’t been found, but the Chicago Tribune is on the case. I don’t think there’s a need to get the FBI on the case again, but it would be nice to know to where the puck has disappeared. It is a historical item, after all.

Patrick Kane did eventually receive a game-winning puck… from a ten-year-old. That article might as well be subtitled “Patrick Kane is for the children!” However, it is nice to see Kaner make the news for something sweet — and not something like this.

After the jump, find out why the Blackhawks have a new job opening.

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: Happy Stanley-versary!”