Blackhawks: Joel Quenneville

Hawks move on after banner ceremony

October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
11:54
PM CT
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks officially turned the page on their 2013 Stanley Cup championship season on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks soaked in every second of the nearly 30-minute banner-raising ceremony before Tuesday's game against the Washington Capitals, but then quickly got down to the business of the new season.

Chicago Blackhawks
AP Photo/Charles Rex ArbogastThe Blackhawks certainly enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance of their banner-raising ceremony, but they're also ready to move on.
As special as winning the Stanley Cup was and all of the celebration that followed, Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa was happy for the team's concentration to be on something else finally.

"We had so many things around the Stanley Cup, so many presentations with the Cup, the rings, raising the banner," Hossa said after the Blackhawks' 6-4 win. "Now it's over. Now we can focus about a new beginning. Everything was great, but now we can just focus on game, which is great, too."

Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya had a similar feeling.

"I think it's been a tremendous summer where you have some memories that you'll never forget," Oduya said. "It's a good way to kind of finish it off and start the new year."

Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig held onto the 2013 season until the banner reached its destination.

"You kind of watch it go up the entire time," Bollig said. "You don’t take your eyes off it. That was an unbelievable feeling knowing [what we did]. The type of year we had last season was a storybook year.

"With seeing the Cup and then seeing your name engraved on the Cup for the first time in person and then getting the rings and then finally seeing the banner going up in the rafters and knowing it'll be up there forever and you're a part of it, it was an amazing feeling. A lot of emotions run through your head. Obviously we had to switch the emotions off and get ready for the first period. Luckily, we came out hot."

(Read full post)

Hawks guarding against letdown in opener

October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
2:52
PM CT
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks have recently been on both sides of a Stanley Cup banner-raising ceremony and know quite well how difficult it can be for the home team to win on that day.

The Blackhawks had their 2010 banner-raising ceremony at the United Center ruined with a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Last season, the Blackhawks were behind the ruining as they spoiled the Los Angeles Kings’ ceremony with a 5-2 win.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been trying to guard his players against having a similar emotional letdown Tuesday as they hoist their 2013 banner and then play the Washington Capitals. His goal is for the Blackhawks to come bursting out of the gate this season as they did in the 2013 season, which began with a 24-game points streak.

“I thought the start of our season last year put us in a perfect spot for the entire season,” Quenneville said. “Whether it’s the first period or that first win, it seemed to start us on the right foot. It’s something we’re trying to prioritize this season.

(Read full post)

Blackhawks' season primer: 10 to know

October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
10:05
AM CT
Joel QuennevilleRob Grabowski/USA TODAY SportsJoel Quenneville and the Blackhawks will try to become the first team to win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles since the Red Wings (1996-97 and 1997-98).
Here are 10 things to know about the Chicago Blackhawks before they raise the banner Tuesday night and begin the 2013-14 NHL season:

1. The Blackhawks won't discuss a Stanley Cup repeat, but they have constantly emphasized getting off to a positive start to the season. The previous time the Blackhawks tried to defend the Cup, their season was derailed by some early woes. They aren't likely to match last season's 24-game points streak to begin the season, but they would like to do better than the 9-9-2 record they had after 20 games in the 2010-11 season. The Blackhawks do have the advantage this time around of returning nearly everyone from last season's team.

2. The Blackhawks found magic in a top line of Bryan Bickell-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane in the playoffs last season, and Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville will be rolling that out again to start this season. The major change that occurred since the trio last played in a real game together is that Bickell is now making about $3.4 million more than he was last season. With that money comes higher expectations, and Bickell understands that. The line only played together once in the preseason, but it looked dangerous.

3. The other Blackhawks' lines likely will be Patrick Sharp-Michal Handzus-Marian Hossa; Brandon Saad-Andrew Shaw-Jimmy Hayes; and Brandon Bollig-Marcus Kruger-Joakim Nordstrom. Ben Smith likely will rotate in on the third and fourth lines.

Just some quick notes on the lines: Sharp stood out in the preseason. Playing on the third line should take some pressure off Saad. Hayes was impressive offensively with his size and quickness at times. Bollig had a solid preseason, but he needs to be more than an enforcer to keep his spot.

4. The defensive pairings likely will be Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook; Johnny Oduya-Niklas Hjalmarsson; and Nick Leddy-Michal Rozsival. Michael Kostka and Sheldon Brookbank likely will rotate with Rozsival throughout the season. Having an eighth defenseman will allow Quenneville to sit players when they need some time off or are consistently struggling.

5. You can always hold a special place in your heart for Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik and Viktor Stalberg because they helped win last season's Stanley Cup, but they were role players and replaceable. Hayes, Nordstrom and Smith should have no trouble filling in those spots. Nordstrom is expected to replace Frolik on the penalty kill.

6. The Blackhawks didn't really answer the second-line center issue in the preseason. The plan to use Saad barely got off the ground. Brandon Pirri was the second option, but an injury set him back, and he never got a chance to show off his game. That brought Quenneville to his backup option, Handzus. Handzus was recovering from his offseason surgeries during training camp and was held out of all six preseason games. It will be interesting to see how his body holds up over 82 games, especially in such a vital role. As a side note, the Blackhawks' power play didn't look any better in the preseason, either.

7. Hossa also didn't play in any preseason games, and there has to be some concern about his health. Hossa looked great while at Notre Dame to start training camp, but he apparently aggravated his back injury sometime in that first week and has been dealing with some issues again. Hossa missed a Stanley Cup finals game due a back problem and wasn't the same player in the last three games of the season. If he's affected again by it early, it might be in the Blackhawks' best interests to sit him for an extended period to get him healthy. As of now, he said he's fine and will play in the season opener.

8. The NHL has re-aligned its conferences and is back to two divisions per conference. That means the Blackhawks are now joined in the Central Division by the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets. The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets are now in the Eastern Conference. The new playoff format will include the top three teams from each division receiving spots and then two wild cards. The first two rounds will be within the division, but with the possibility of the final wild-card team having to cross over divisions to play.

9. Nikolai Khabibulin is back with the Blackhawks and has looked reliable enough in the preseason. If Khabibulin's age (40) catches up to him, the Blackhawks will probably turn to Antti Raanta to be Corey Crawford's backup. Raanta, who is from Finland, is getting accustomed to the smaller North American rink in AHL Rockford to start the season. Either way, Crawford will see a bulk of the workload.

10. Oddsmakers have made the Blackhawks the favorites to win the 2014 Stanley Cup. Most have them at 5-1 or 6-1. They're followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Blues, Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks. The Penguins were favored by most to win the Cup last season.

Kostka finds unlikely home with Hawks

September, 30, 2013
Sep 30
5:55
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Mike Kostka wasn’t so sure when his agent offered the Chicago Blackhawks as a possible destination for the free-agent defenseman in the summer.

“Initially, I was thinking no way,” Kostka said. “It just doesn’t seem to add up.”

What Kostka didn’t get was where he fit in the Blackhawks’ equation. The Blackhawks were already returning all seven of their defensemen from last season’s Stanley Cup championship team, and they also had a couple prospects on the verge of the NHL.

Yet, Kostka signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks in July because his agent, Justin Duberman, and Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman convinced him that he had a legitimate shot of making the team.

Duberman and Bowman can now tell Kostka, “We told you so.” Kostka beat out defenseman Ryan Stanton for the Blackhawks’ eighth and final defenseman roster spot over the weekend.

“It means a ton,” Kostka said of making the team. “It was a stressful few weeks, that’s for sure, with my goal coming here and stick out of camp and give myself an opportunity to play for this team. They were coming off a pretty good year last year, so coming into it I was hoping to put my best foot forward, and I feel like I did.

“Chicago was the one team I felt I was going to get my best opportunity despite how deep they already were. I was kind of chuckling to myself after I signed. Of all of the places, I didn’t think this would be one of them. But I was thrilled to get the opportunity and thrilled to move forward.”

Kostka had a few interested teams in the offseason because of his play with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. He played 35 regular-season games and one playoff game with the Maple Leafs.

As much as Kostka appreciated his opportunity with the Maple Leafs, he didn’t feel like his entire skill set was being utilized. He wasn’t given much offensive freedom in Toronto, and that was something he thought he could get more of in Chicago.

“I take pride in playing an all-around game,” Kostka said. “I think the one thing that was really attractive here is it’s a puck-moving team. We got awesome forwards and just basically get them the puck and get into the play. That’s a style of game I Iike to play. I think it’ll mesh with the team.

“It was a bit of an adjustment to how things were in Toronto, a more defensive-minded team. And so, it’s a breath of fresh air coming in. I think I gel a little bit more with this style of play than maybe in a more shutdown role I had in Toronto.”

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville began mentioning Kostka early in training camp as someone who caught his eye. As the camp progressed, Quenneville became more impressed and eventually decided to choose Kostka over Stanton, which also meant putting Stanton on waivers and losing him to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

“Kostka’s one of those defenseman who is useful as far as both sides of the puck,” Quenneville said. “I think he gives us nice offense from the back end. He’s versatile. He can defend well. He’s got quickness. He’s very handy with the puck.

“He just adds more depth to our team. Losing Stanton says something. It’s something we didn’t envision. But at the same time, getting [Kostka] regularly in there at some point you get a better assessment of what he’s capable of. Offensively, he really complements our style of play.”

Just as his agent thought he would.

Six Hawks training camp observations

September, 29, 2013
Sep 29
5:10
PM CT
Here are six observations from the Chicago Blackhawks' training camp and preseason games:

1. The durability of the Blackhawks’ older players has to be a concern. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been very cautious with players’ injuries in the preseason. There is no reason to risk anything. Yet, the fact 34-year-old Marian Hossa and 36-year-old Michal Handzus didn’t play in a single preseason game and haven’t been 100 percent healthy in the preseason has to be somewhat alarming. Both players are getting up in age, and both are coming off a season where they suffered severe injuries. With Hossa, there’s a lot at stake for the present, but even more so for the future. Back injuries aren’t anything to mess with, and the Blackhawks are depending on Hossa for years to come. As for Handzus, his injury wouldn’t be as much of an immediate concern if Brandon Saad or Brandon Pirri had worked out at the second-line center. But with Handzus being that option now, the Blackhawks are looking for him to duplicate what he did in the playoffs.

(Read full post)

Notebook: Leddy shoots first and scores

September, 28, 2013
Sep 28
11:57
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy’s thought process begins with passing.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been working to change it to shooting first.

On Saturday, Leddy listened to Quenneville ... and it paid off with two goals in the Blackhawks’ 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals in the Blackhawks’ final preseason game.

“I think just growing up and playing that way your whole life,” Leddy said of his tendency to pass. “I think that’s the way my mind kind of goes. That’s the first instinct. I have to get over that. That will be nice.

“I think there are opportunities in the past where I’ve passed up on shots. Now I’m trying to get the shooter’s mentality and try to shoot the more.”

Leddy’s first goal was set up when Patrick Sharp skated around two defenders on the right side, Leddy skated up into the slot and Sharp found him. Leddy beat Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby with a shot into the top right corner of the net in the first period.

On the second goal, Sharp again delivered the pass and Leddy fired a shot from near the blue line that found its way into the bottom right corner in the second period.

Quenneville was hopeful Leddy would remember Saturday’s results going forward.

“You got a night like tonight where they start going in and maybe tells you more, ‘Let’s think shot, shot, shot,’” Quenneville said.

Capitals again: The Blackhawks and Capitals will meet again on Tuesday in the season opener, but with different lineups.

The Capitals were without Alex Ovechkin on Saturday, and the Blackhawks also sat a number of their key players, including Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford.

“They had some guys out of their lineup and so did we,” Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw said. “I think it’s going to be a different game come Tuesday.”

Hawks trim roster to 24 players

September, 28, 2013
Sep 28
11:15
PM CT
The Chicago Blackhawks reduced their roster to 24 players on Saturday by assigning goaltender Antti Raanta and forwards Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.

The Blackhawks are expected to make one more roster cut in the next few days. They currently have 13 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville recently said he planned to keep eight defensemen. The final spot is likely between Michael Kostka and Ryan Stanton.

The Blackhawks open their season against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

Nordstrom no longer a long shot

September, 27, 2013
Sep 27
4:39
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Joakim Nordstrom was realistic about his odds of making the Chicago Blackhawks’ roster out of training camp.

The 21-year-old understood there were a couple of roster spots open and that a number of established prospects were likely going to land them. What Nordstrom promised himself was he wasn’t going to leave camp with any regrets whether or not he made the team.

“I might have been a long shot, but I worked hard all this summer and came here prepared,” Nordstrom said Friday. “My mindset was to work as hard as I could and give myself the chance.”

With just a few days of camp remaining, Nordstrom’s confident he has lived up to his own promise. And in doing so, it appears as if he might have defied the odds and earned one of the remaining roster spots.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville must make three roster cuts prior to Tuesday’s season opener, and he said Friday that Nordstrom was in a good spot compared to the other players on the bubble.

“The way he’s played, he’s enhanced his position, but I think it’s close in all the other positions,” Quenneville said after Friday’s practice.

Nordstrom separated himself from the other prospects by proving to be a suitable penalty kill partner for Marcus Kruger. Michael Frolik and Kruger were key to the Blackhawks’ penalty kill success last season and Quenneville was in search of someone to replace Frolik, who is now with the Winnipeg Jets.

“I think we were looking for the guy maybe more so for that role,” Quenneville said. “That [Frolik] niche that they had, him and [Kruger] really stabilized a need for us. If we can get that guy right out of the gate, that would be ideal for us. I think [Nordstrom’s] been pretty efficient in that role so far. I think it’s helped him along this camp.”

Nordstrom had played some penalty kill for the Swedish junior national team and didn’t feel out of sorts when given that opportunity by Quenneville. Kruger, who is also from Sweden, has also assisted Nordstrom.

“I think that’s one of my biggest strengths,” Nordstrom said of the penalty kill. “I look at myself as a hockey player. That’s one spot that’s open. I think it makes sense that I’m looking to take that spot.

“[Kruger’s] been helping me a lot. Obviously it’s a new language. Some of the words I’m still trying to figure out. The new system and all that kind of stuff he’s been helping me out. He’s been great for me.”

As happy as Nordstrom is to make it this far in camp, he isn’t about to relax until the final cuts are made. The Blackhawks will play one final preseason game Saturday before the final roster is established.

Nordstrom is hopeful he’ll make the team, but he’s prepared to head back to the Rockford IceHogs and keep pushing for his dream.

“My dream ever since I found out about the NHL when I was small and skating, I always wanted to play here,” Nordstrom said. “So I’m not going to give up that dream until I stop playing. I’ll just work harder.”

Handzus getting another shot at center

September, 25, 2013
Sep 25
3:53
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has known throughout training camp what he has in Michal Handzus as a second-line center.

Handzus showed during the team’s Stanley Cup run last season he could be reliable and produce in that role. He had three goals, eight assists and a plus-7 rating in 23 playoff games.

But heading into this season, Quenneville was open to experimenting with Brandon Saad in that spot to keep him a top-6 forward, and also to giving Brandon Pirri, who led the AHL in scoring last season, a shot there. After two weeks of training camp, the Saad experiment failed and Pirri missed four preseason games due to injury.

And now, Quenneville is again turning to Handzus to be the Blackhawks’ second-line center.

(Read full post)

Hossa still out; expected back Thursday

September, 25, 2013
Sep 25
1:18
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa is expected to return to the ice Thursday after sitting out practice Wednesday because of an upper-body injury, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said.

Hossa has not played in any of the Blackhawks’ five preseason games. Quenneville said on Sept. 19 that Hossa had aggravated an injury and would miss the team’s last four preseason games. Hossa could still play in the team’s final preseason game Saturday. The Blackhawks’ season opener is on Oct. 1.

“He’s likely to get on the ice [Thursday],” Quenneville said after practice at Johnny’s IceHouse West on Wednesday. “He’s feeling better every day, so we like the progress. He’s excited about getting on the ice.”

Blackhawks forwards Andrew Shaw and Michal Handzus participated in Wednesday's practice. Neither has played in the preseason.

Hossa suffered a back injury during the Stanley Cup finals last season. He said one of the discs in his back was shooting into his nerves and he couldn't feel his right foot. He was scratched from Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals and returned for the remainder of the series, but he wasn’t as effective in the final three games. Hossa said surgery was a possibility after the season, but he was able to avoid it.

Hossa said on Sept. 12 that his back was feeling better. He played in three days of scrimmages at Notre Dame but hasn’t played since Sept. 15.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said last week he wasn’t concerned that Hossa’s injury would be a lingering problem.

“I think injuries are part of the game,” Bowman said. “Marian’s been a very durable player over the years. Things come up now and then, but I’m not worried long term for that.”

Hossa has dealt with a variety of injuries since joining the Blackhawks in 2009. He had lower-body injuries in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, suffered a severe head injury during the 2012 playoffs and missed time with upper- and lower-body injuries last season.

Hossa had 17 goals and 14 assists in 40 regular-season games and seven goals and nine assists in 22 playoff games last season.

Teravainen leaves Hawks wanting more

September, 20, 2013
Sep 20
11:52
AM CT
CHICAGO -- Sick, filthy, great and fantastic were among the words used on Twitter to describe a certain Chicago Blackhawks player’s stick-handling skills on Thursday.

Can you guess who?

The answer isn’t Patrick Kane. Teuvo Teravainen was the one lighting up Twitter with a handful of moves normally only seen from Kane.

But just as the Blackhawks and their fans were getting excited by a taste of the 19-year-old Teravainen’s skills, he’s leaving them.

Teravainen is scheduled to board a plane on Friday and head home to Finland. His stay with the Blackhawks was always planned to last just the start of training camp and two preseason games. He’ll spend this season with Jokerit in Finland’s SM-liiga and could be back to Chicago as early as April. If not this season, Teravainen is expected to be a full-time Blackhawk next season.

Whenever Teravainen does return, he’ll have plenty of people happy to greet him again.

“The exciting thing is just seeing what the potential for him is,” Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said on Thursday. “He just turned 19 a week or so ago. He’s got a bright future, so we’re excited.”

(Read full post)

Ben Smith shines again for Blackhawks

September, 20, 2013
Sep 20
12:18
AM CT
video


CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Ben Smith left the University of Notre Dame after four days of training camp disappointed in his play.

Smith understood he was being considered for one of just a few open roster spots, and he felt he hadn't done anything to impress Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.

But Smith didn't dwell on that. He returned to Chicago and looked at the team's preseason games as another opportunity to show he's worthy of a spot.

Smith hasn't failed to capitalize on that second chance.

After scoring in the first preseason game Tuesday, Smith followed that up with a goal, an assist, a plus-2 rating, three takeaways and two blocked shots in the Blackhawks' 4-3 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

Quenneville took notice.

"I thought Benny had his best game of the camp," Quenneville said. "Obviously, he scored a goal to get us back into the game -- huge short-handed goal. I thought the puck was more friendly with him tonight. I thought he had a real direct game and a real purpose to his game."

Smith was happy with how he played on Thursday, but he wasn't allowing himself to be too joyful now, just as he didn't allow himself to be too down after his poor showing at Notre Dame.

"It feels good," Smith said. "It's one game. You know one game isn't going to make this team. As I said Tuesday, it's a step forward."

(Read full post)

Notebook: Ryan Stanton contributes in win

September, 18, 2013
Sep 18
1:26
AM CT
video

CHICAGO -- Ryan Stanton may already be an NHL defenseman if he was playing for another organization.

Stanton plays for the Chicago Blackhawks, though, and that means trying to break into what may be the league’s hardest defensive group to crack.

The Blackhawks have returned all seven defensemen from last season’s Stanley Cup team. In returnees Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Nick Leddy, Michal Rozsival and Sheldon Brookbank, the Blackhawks possess skill and experience. None of the defensemen have played fewer than 176 career NHL games. The 24-year-old Stanton has played one NHL game.

Stanton received an opportunity to play with some of the returnees in the Blackhawks’ preseason opener on Tuesday evening, and he took advantage of it. He had a plus-2 rating in 20:09 of ice time in the Blackhawks’ 2-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center.

“I’m just trying to play a solid game each night,” Stanton said. “Just trying to get better day by day here. Just go out, play my game, work as hard as I can and make their decisions hard by my play.”

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville certainly noticed Stanton’s effort on Tuesday.

“We’ve always liked him,” Quenneville said. “I thought he had a real strong [game] as the whole group of [defensemen] did tonight.”

Stanton also showed a willingness to defend his teammates. After Blackhawks defenseman Mike Kostka was checked illegally into the boards by Red Wings forward Teemu Pulkkinen in the first period, Stanton skated in and shoved Pulkkinen as the officials quickly broke them up. Pulkkinen received a game misconduct for boarding, and Stanton was given a two-minute penalty for roughing.

“That was definitely a dirty hit that [Pulkkinen] wants back,” Stanton said. “I tried to get in there. He was on there, and I just gave him a shove. 'Let him know I was there' type of thing.”

Teravainen’s first game: Blackhawks prospect Teuvo Teravainen played in his first NHL game on Tuesday. He started at center alongside wings Patrick Kane and Bryan Bickell. Teravainen had zero points and a plus-1 rating.

“Of course, it was a nice game and good win for us,” Teravainen said. “I think the game is a little bit faster than Finland. You need to be smart and ready on the ice.

“It’s awesome [at the United Center]. The fans are crazy.”

Faceoff struggles: The Blackhawks won 19 faceoffs and lost 30 against the Red Wings. None of the Blackhawks’ centers had a winning faceoff percentage. Brandon Saad, who is learning to play center, was 4-of-14 from the dot.

“[The Red Wings have] always been one of the top teams in the league,” Quenneville said of the faceoffs. “They have some guys who are very efficient at it. It definitely wasn’t one of our strong points today. We got to learn from it.”

Penalty kill contributor: Blackhawks forward Joakim Nordstrom was paired up with penalty-kill star Marcus Kruger on the team’s penalty kill, and Nordstrom drew a positive review from Quenneville.

“That line was very effective,” Quenneville said. “I thought they had a good night. [Kruger], I thought was very good out there. I think he’s one of those guys who is easy to play with. I think [Kruger and Nordstrom] have a little relationship and rapport together those two guys being from Sweden. There’s a little chemistry on the PK. I think they will be more in tune as we go along.”

Blackhawks, Red Wings renew rivalry

September, 17, 2013
Sep 17
12:37
PM CT
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks completed a 3-1 series comeback and eliminated the Detroit Red Wings on an overtime game-winner in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup conference semifinals when the teams last met at the United Center.

Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane expected that to be on players’ minds when the two teams face each other again in a preseason game at the United Center on Tuesday.

“I haven’t seen their lineup, but I’m sure they have some players who were here last year that aren’t too happy with the way things went down, so they’ll probably be trying to get a little revenge,” Kane said. “I’m sure memories will fly if they have the same lineup as last year. …. I’m sure they’ll be thinking about the last time they were here and what happened in that Game 7.”

Last season’s playoffs and the fact it’s the Red Wings may add some flare to the Blackhawks’ preseason opener, but Chicago coach Joel Quenneville was more concerned about his players getting off to a good start and continuing to evaluate players.

“Guys like playing,” Quenneville said. “Whether it’s the first exhibition game, first regular-season game, I think there’s always that excitement in the air. I think the guys get a little nervous going into these type of games. I look forward to it. Detroit, I’m sure they’re excited about playing in it as well. It’ll be a good measuring stick for some guys as well. It’ll be a good part of our evaluation process watching a number of guys tonight.”

After four days of scrimmages, Kane was looking forward to playing against someone who wasn’t wearing a Blackhawks jersey, too.

“Just play the right way to start,” Kane said. “The big thing is you want to get used back to that game pace, especially you play some scrimmages and get used to it a little bit. Now you play some preseason games, so it’ll be ramped up a little bit more. You know you’re playing different players than on your own team. It’ll be fun.

"I think it’s always a fun game when you’re playing against Detroit, no matter the time of year. It’ll be nice to get back out in front of the ice in front of the United Center, get the season under way.”

(Read full post)

Bollig looks to add scoring punch

September, 16, 2013
Sep 16
10:59
PM CT
video

CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau would like Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig.

Bollig knows his job.

While Bollig likes the idea of having an expanded offensive role this season and was happy to discuss the goal he scored in the Blackhawks’ scrimmage Monday at the United Center, he understands he’s on the ice mainly for one reason -- to be an enforcer.

“It’s no secret I’m not necessarily here to do that,” Bollig said of scoring. “It’s an added bonus if you score goals here and there, which I definitely like to do.

“I don’t think fighting will ever go away from the game completely. I’m more than willing to do that part of it.”

(Read full post)

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