With an average age of 25.548 years (according to http://www.nhlnumbers.com/), the Chicago Blackhawks are the youngest team in the NHL.
Even with the abundance of youth, they are competitive and primed to make a run in the playoffs.
Many followers of hockey and even most casual fans have at least heard the names "Patrick Kane" and "Jonathan Toews." As rookies last year, 19-year-old Kane won the Calder Trophy with Toews (same age) finishing second in the voting. Thus far, Kane leads the team in points with 42. Toews, who was named team captain before the season began, has 36. Together, they provide almost all of the team's offensive output. (Needless to say, an injury to either one at this point could be devastating, as was the case last year when Toews was injured.)
Another youngin' has emerged and his impact has been unexpectedly immediate. In his first NHL season, 22-year-old left-winger Kris Versteeg has tallied 13 goals and 23 assists, totalling 36 points in 44 games. He was recently named to the NHL's Young Stars Game. His name was even being mentioned in the running for the Calder Trophy earlier in the season, but that has somewhat subsided.
22-year-old center Dave Bolland has also contributed highly in the resurgance of the Blackhawks this season. Playing in a new career high 45 games (last year he set a career high, appearing in 39 games for the Blackhawks), he has 25 points with 8 goals and 17 assists. He has also had six multi-point games this season.
With such a young and talented team, it will be interesting to see what, if any, moves are made as the March 4 trade deadline approaches. Hawks GM Dale Tallon recently discussed this issue, saying that he will evalutate how the team plays during the upcoming 8-game road trip and decide wether or not to make a roster move. It sounded as if he was leaning towards keeping the team as is for the playoffs. But that's for another blog entry.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Highlights from the first half of the season
Recently, ESPN hockey columnist Scott Burnside gave out his mid-season team-by-team grades. The Chicago Blackhawks received a B+, a fair grade in my opinion. At the moment they own a 25-12-8 record with 58 points, are second in the Central Division, and fourth in the Western Conference.
It has been an exciting season for Blackhawk fans, especially compared to years past. Hockey fever has struck the windy city once more, and fans have sold out the United Center for 22 consecutive games.
One thing is for sure; this Blackhawks team is much improved and fun to watch. Besides the San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings, no team in the Western Conference has put more pucks in the net than the Blackhawks. Along with capactiy crowds and the ability to score, what else has been going on during this season that has fans thinking positive?
When I thought back over the season, these are the moments (in chronological order) that come to mind.
1. The season began with high expectations, and after only four games (two regulation losses, an overtime shoot-out loss, and one win) Head Coach Dennis Savard was fired. Proven winner Joel Quenneville was named a replacement.
2. Sunday, Nov.16. The Blackhawks played host to (at the time, and still) arguably the best team in hockey, the San Jose Sharks. The Hawks fell behind 1-0 within the first minute. In years past, this usually meant the game was over, and not just against decent teams. But this was a new season and a new talent-latened team. At the end of the first period it was tied 2-2.
The Hawks played feisty, aggressive hockey and hung with the Sharks the entire game, even coming back from a 4-2 deficit to take the lead. But four power-play goals by the Sharks proved to be too much. The Sharks won 6-5. Even so, it had been a long time since I've seen a Blackhawks team play with that kind of effort, skill, and heart. Not to mention it was the first time all season the Blackhawks had lost at home in regulation.
3. Just two days after an inspiring loss to the Sharks, the Blackhawks began what is referred to as "the circus trip." It's a west coast road trip the Blackhawks take while Barnums & Bailey's set up shop in the United Center. Historically, the west coast swing has been horrendous for the Hawks. Since 1996, when Barnum and Bailey's have been in the United Center the Hawks have played 55 games; posting 15 wins, 35 losses, three ties, and seven overtime losses.
Up to this point it was clear this team could play well, but the looming circus trip was going to be a tough test as well as a good guage to see how far along this team had come relatively early in the season.
The trip began with an exciting 3-2 shootout win over the Phoenix Coyotes. Two days later they manhandled the Dallas Stars, winning 6-3. Two days after that they played the Toronto Maple Leafs. After falling behind 3-0 to the Leafs and halfway through the game, the Hawks looked like they were well on their way to the familiar losses that come with the the dreaded circus trip. But alas! They fought back and won 5-4 in overtime. A week into the road trip and the Hawks were 3-0. Four days later, they lost another one goal, overtime decision to the Sharks. It seemed the travel along with the overtime and intensity of the earlier games had caught up to them. They dropped the next and last two games of the road trip. But this circus trip was night and day when compared to seasons prior, and the feeling had began to set in...this team is actually good.
4. The next moment (or moments) not only set this year apart from earlier seasons, it set it apart from every other season. Beginning with a win over the Coyotes on Sunday Dec. 7 and continuing through Sunday Dec. 28th with a win over the Minnesota Wild, the Blackhawks won a franchise record nine straight wins (four at home, five away). Not much else need be said here.
5. "The Winter Classic." It brings to mind images of a hockey rink in Wrigley Field. The Hawks and hated rival Red Wings sporting throwback uniforms. The players walking out of the dugout through a wall of fireworks and the sellout crowd and rooftops rocking. A great event pulled off beautifully (even though the Hawks gave up a lead and lost). This New Year's Day event seemed to cement the idea that hockey was offically back in Chicago.
6. The goalies. The play of the goaltenders has been superb. When the season began, netminding was a big question-mark. Nikolai Khabibulin had been dealing with injuries, and last season "the Bulin Wall" (as he is known) had its fair share of cracks, and in some cases, gaping holes that were the perfect size for a puck to get through. It was frustrating to say the least. The team signed the accredited frenchmen Cristobal Huet before the season began.
So here they were; a goalie who had won a Stanley Cup but maybe lost his touch, and one who knew how to win, but could he be consistent enough to be named the starter? Surprisingly, it has worked out fine. More than fine actually. The two goalies have split time and their stats speak volumes about their play. Huet is 12-8-3 in 23 appearences with a 2.33 GAA (goals against average) and has a .919 save percentage. Khabibulin is 13-4-5 in 24 apperances, with 2.37 GAA and a .923 save percentage. Just the kind of netminding the Hawks will need to make a deep run in the playoffs.
There it is. Half of the season is in the books. In my esitmation...so far, so good. Hopefully, the second half will be packed with even better moments than these, and I for one can't wait to see the Blackhawks back in the playoffs.
It has been an exciting season for Blackhawk fans, especially compared to years past. Hockey fever has struck the windy city once more, and fans have sold out the United Center for 22 consecutive games.
One thing is for sure; this Blackhawks team is much improved and fun to watch. Besides the San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings, no team in the Western Conference has put more pucks in the net than the Blackhawks. Along with capactiy crowds and the ability to score, what else has been going on during this season that has fans thinking positive?
When I thought back over the season, these are the moments (in chronological order) that come to mind.
1. The season began with high expectations, and after only four games (two regulation losses, an overtime shoot-out loss, and one win) Head Coach Dennis Savard was fired. Proven winner Joel Quenneville was named a replacement.
2. Sunday, Nov.16. The Blackhawks played host to (at the time, and still) arguably the best team in hockey, the San Jose Sharks. The Hawks fell behind 1-0 within the first minute. In years past, this usually meant the game was over, and not just against decent teams. But this was a new season and a new talent-latened team. At the end of the first period it was tied 2-2.
The Hawks played feisty, aggressive hockey and hung with the Sharks the entire game, even coming back from a 4-2 deficit to take the lead. But four power-play goals by the Sharks proved to be too much. The Sharks won 6-5. Even so, it had been a long time since I've seen a Blackhawks team play with that kind of effort, skill, and heart. Not to mention it was the first time all season the Blackhawks had lost at home in regulation.
3. Just two days after an inspiring loss to the Sharks, the Blackhawks began what is referred to as "the circus trip." It's a west coast road trip the Blackhawks take while Barnums & Bailey's set up shop in the United Center. Historically, the west coast swing has been horrendous for the Hawks. Since 1996, when Barnum and Bailey's have been in the United Center the Hawks have played 55 games; posting 15 wins, 35 losses, three ties, and seven overtime losses.
Up to this point it was clear this team could play well, but the looming circus trip was going to be a tough test as well as a good guage to see how far along this team had come relatively early in the season.
The trip began with an exciting 3-2 shootout win over the Phoenix Coyotes. Two days later they manhandled the Dallas Stars, winning 6-3. Two days after that they played the Toronto Maple Leafs. After falling behind 3-0 to the Leafs and halfway through the game, the Hawks looked like they were well on their way to the familiar losses that come with the the dreaded circus trip. But alas! They fought back and won 5-4 in overtime. A week into the road trip and the Hawks were 3-0. Four days later, they lost another one goal, overtime decision to the Sharks. It seemed the travel along with the overtime and intensity of the earlier games had caught up to them. They dropped the next and last two games of the road trip. But this circus trip was night and day when compared to seasons prior, and the feeling had began to set in...this team is actually good.
4. The next moment (or moments) not only set this year apart from earlier seasons, it set it apart from every other season. Beginning with a win over the Coyotes on Sunday Dec. 7 and continuing through Sunday Dec. 28th with a win over the Minnesota Wild, the Blackhawks won a franchise record nine straight wins (four at home, five away). Not much else need be said here.
5. "The Winter Classic." It brings to mind images of a hockey rink in Wrigley Field. The Hawks and hated rival Red Wings sporting throwback uniforms. The players walking out of the dugout through a wall of fireworks and the sellout crowd and rooftops rocking. A great event pulled off beautifully (even though the Hawks gave up a lead and lost). This New Year's Day event seemed to cement the idea that hockey was offically back in Chicago.
6. The goalies. The play of the goaltenders has been superb. When the season began, netminding was a big question-mark. Nikolai Khabibulin had been dealing with injuries, and last season "the Bulin Wall" (as he is known) had its fair share of cracks, and in some cases, gaping holes that were the perfect size for a puck to get through. It was frustrating to say the least. The team signed the accredited frenchmen Cristobal Huet before the season began.
So here they were; a goalie who had won a Stanley Cup but maybe lost his touch, and one who knew how to win, but could he be consistent enough to be named the starter? Surprisingly, it has worked out fine. More than fine actually. The two goalies have split time and their stats speak volumes about their play. Huet is 12-8-3 in 23 appearences with a 2.33 GAA (goals against average) and has a .919 save percentage. Khabibulin is 13-4-5 in 24 apperances, with 2.37 GAA and a .923 save percentage. Just the kind of netminding the Hawks will need to make a deep run in the playoffs.
There it is. Half of the season is in the books. In my esitmation...so far, so good. Hopefully, the second half will be packed with even better moments than these, and I for one can't wait to see the Blackhawks back in the playoffs.
Introduction
Hey, I'm Sean Patchett. I'm a senior majoring in Journalism and Health and Sports Studies. I was born in Elmhurst, Ill. and moved to Madison, WI. when I was 10. Sports have always been a part of my life.
My dad has had season tickets for Iowa football since I was born, so I've been going to games for as long as I can remember. If I had to pick one sport as a favorite, it would have to be college football. I've also been going to Cubs game since I was little, so I'd have to say baseball is a close second.
I've always liked the Blackhawks, but it was harder paying attention to them seeing as they were rarely on television. Once I moved to Madison though, where hockey is fairly popular, is when I really started getting into hockey. I never played on a team, but every winter the ponds and parks all around Madison are dotted with rinks, so I played a lot of pond hockey. Since then, I can't get enough of the sport.
I've decided to do this blog on the Blackhawks and other important notes and happenings from around the NHL. This season has been exciting and the Blackhawks are finally competitive again. Before I used to watch the team and try and convince myself, "at least it will be fun to watch them develop," with no hopes of postseason play. This year though, it seems almost certain they will make the playoffs (knock on wood). Behind young stars Towes and Kane, and with the goalies who split time have career years, chances are good they'll get out of the first round and have a chance at a decent run.
My dad has had season tickets for Iowa football since I was born, so I've been going to games for as long as I can remember. If I had to pick one sport as a favorite, it would have to be college football. I've also been going to Cubs game since I was little, so I'd have to say baseball is a close second.
I've always liked the Blackhawks, but it was harder paying attention to them seeing as they were rarely on television. Once I moved to Madison though, where hockey is fairly popular, is when I really started getting into hockey. I never played on a team, but every winter the ponds and parks all around Madison are dotted with rinks, so I played a lot of pond hockey. Since then, I can't get enough of the sport.
I've decided to do this blog on the Blackhawks and other important notes and happenings from around the NHL. This season has been exciting and the Blackhawks are finally competitive again. Before I used to watch the team and try and convince myself, "at least it will be fun to watch them develop," with no hopes of postseason play. This year though, it seems almost certain they will make the playoffs (knock on wood). Behind young stars Towes and Kane, and with the goalies who split time have career years, chances are good they'll get out of the first round and have a chance at a decent run.
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