My every intention was to do a massive single-day Blackhawks season preview to be uploaded on the site today, however this weekend TheThirdManIn put his invincibility to the test and took the loss.  The combination of much travel, long sleep-deprived nights, and copious amounts of adult beverage consumption eventually caught up with me in the form of a week long flu that finally kept me bed and couch-ridden much of the weekend.  Luckily this caused me to witness much of the Bears game through siesta-drawn eye lids.

 

Therefore I’ve decided to split this preview up into parts instead of rushing through a preseason breakdown.  Today, we’ll concentrate with a brief look at veteran skaters most-likely to be a part of the team which opens the regular season in Minnesota at Excel Energy Center on Thursday October 4.  Part two of our preview will be posted tomorrow evening.  Tomorrow we’ll focus on the goaltenders, rookies and the off-season moves that have been made in assembling this year’s edition of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Veterans (in alphabetical order): Last season’s stats in parenthesis

 

Forwards:

 

Kevyn Adams (C/LW) – (68gp, 3g, 9a, 12pts, -20, 25pim) I find immense humor in anyone who questions the trading of Radim Vrbata.  While Adams may not bring a scoring touch or playmaking skills to the Windy City, he brings a few elements this team was sorely lacking during the 2006-07 campaign; grit, passion, and two-way ability at the forward position.  Other notable acquisitions made Vrabata’s listless demeanor expendable.  Adams will bring everything he has to give to the rink with him each night.  A trait both Dale Tallon and Denis Savard hope is contagious.  Played most of last season with an injured wrist.  Won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006, the season he scored his career best-15 goals.

 

Rene Bourque (LW) –  (44gp, 7g, 10a, 17pts, -4, 38pim) Are 121 NHL games enough to determine whether or not a player will ultimately ‘make it’ in the NHL?  Absolutely, in this observer’s eyes.  Simply stated, Rene Bourque stinks.  A lack of intensity, physical consistency given his power forward frame, and one dimensional offensive skills have all resulted in this pundit throwing in the towel on Bourque’s career as a Blackhawk.  His job is likely up for grabs should he have an unimpressive camp with the potential arrivals of Patrick Kane, Troy Brouwer, Jack Skille, Michael Blunden.  Don’t forget Pierre Parenteau, Kris Versteeg, Adam Burish, Jake Dowell, and Bryan Bickell will all be given an opportunity to impress in camp and be first on the list of call-ups this season.

 

Martin Havlat (RW) – (56gp, 25g, 32a, 57pts, +15, 28pim)  He’d probably be a recognizable figure with his good looks and fantastic hockey skills if the Blackhawks televised a few more home games and sported a marketing staff with an above fifth-grade level education.  As it is, he should get the hell out of this town when his contract expires after next season.  What Hawks fans learned a year ago was Havlat’s a dynamic forward when he has someone to get him the puck while his moving into open space with speed.  He never clicked with Patrick Sharp or Jason Williams when paired with them because he turned into a different player when Denis Savard gave him the green light to create chances on his own.  There are only a few players in this league who can go end to end with the puck and create scoring chances and no one can do that consistently at this level anymore.  With the arrival of Lang and Toews, Havlat will be able to settle down and get back to the player he was when paired with Michal Handzus.  Will he stay healthy?  Not likely.  Havlat has a bad habit of skating with his head down and/or anticipating what a defender’s next move will be and not leaving any room for adjustment.  He’s coming off shoulder surgery for the second straight season and is hoping to avoid a continuation of the problem.  Counting on Havlat to be healthy the entire year is foolish, but the Hawks need him to play in at least 70 games to have a better chance at contending for a playoff spot. 

 

Robert Lang ( C ) – (81gp, 19g, 33a, 52pts, +12, 66pim)  Suffered from a demotion from the top two lines in Detroit to mostly playing with players who were not naturally-gifted offensively.  That will change in Chicago.  Lang is being fitted with a Blackhawks jersey for the next two seasons to bridge a gap until Jonathan Toews is ready to assume number one centreman duties.  The pairing with fellow Czech and friend Martin Havlat should boost Lang’s point totals.  His left wing will likely be rotated between former Red Wing teammate Jason Williams, Sergei Samsonov, Tuomo Ruutu, and possibly even rookie Jonathan Toews.  He’s bigger (6’3”–220lbs) than you’d think and uses that size well when positioning himself in the slot.  Not the greatest puck handler, but a slick passer with a deceptively strong shot.  It’s been eight seasons since he’s totaled less than 50 points.  Detroit’s cast-off, garbage is the Blackhawks recycled number one center.  Is it not great to call yourself a Blackhawk’s fan?  Lang’s first game of the season will mark his 800^th played.  He’s nineteen points away from 600.  Lang’s participated in playoff hockey four straight seasons and eight of the last nine.

 

Martin Lapointe (RW) – (82gp, 13g, 11a, 24pts, -14, 98pim)  Last season’s unofficial team captain, Lapointe has dressed in all 164 games since becoming a Blackhawk.  If he plays in 79 games this season, he’ll reach 1,000 career games played in the National Hockey League (if he keeps the Hawks consecutive streak alive that would mean he’d play game 1,000 March 30 at home against Columbus or one game before the Hawks host Detroit on April 2).  Will he last that long in a Hawks uniform is the question?  If both Toews and Patrick Kane stick with this team, the Hawks cap number will be up around 45-46 million and its unlikely to stay there if this team doesn’t show improvement on the ice and in the attendance column.  Lapointe’s $2.4M contract would be one GM Dale Tallon would be most-likely to move should he hunt down a dance partner.  As it stands, he’s the unquestionable leader in this locker room and his on-ice play is underestimated by most fans.  Unless he sees time on the power play, it’s unlikely he’ll eclipse last year’s goal total.  Won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1997 and 1998 and had never missed out on the NHL playoffs until joining the Blackhawks.

 

Yanic Perreault ( C ) –  (66gp, 21g, 17a, 38pts, -1, 34pim) The undisputed king of the face-off wars was the Hawks first pickup in free agency this past July 1^st.   He’ll likely be used as the fourth forward on the power play.  His presence on the penalty kill is a must due to his face-off prowess; however his defensive skills are at times questionable.  Passing through Chicago on a one-year deal, the Hawks hope he’ll continue to be the 20 goal scorer skating mostly with the third line, getting additional shifts due to his key face-off responsibilities.  This may surprise you, but Perreault’s played in 806 NHL games to Robert Lang’s 799 and Perreault has 238 goals compared to Lang’s 213.

 

Tuomo Ruutu (W/C) – (71gp, 17g, 21a, 38pts, +4, 95pim)  Missed the first ten games of last season after being on the wrong end of a Rostislav Klesla cheap-shot kneeing incident in preseason.  Probably better suited to play his off wing on the right side to free up some of his slick puck-handling skills with a left-handed centerman (Toews, Perreault) and give himself better shooting lanes.  He’ll be a restricted free agent next summer and is expected to have a breakout season this year after finally playing nearly a full season last year.  That being said, his consistency stands at a Nik Antropov-like level and is susceptible to taking foolish, selfish penalties.  Down the stretch, he played more like a checking winger than the first or second line scorer his skills allege him to be.  Has reportedly bulked up this summer.

 

Sergei Samsonov (LW/RW) – (63gp, 9g, 17a, 26pts, -4, 10pim)  Another player with a questionable recent history coming into this season with much to prove.  Samsonov will be given every opportunity to use his skills on the top two lines before any demotion to a third or fourth line could insight any childlike outbursts such as the ones he thrust upon the Montreal organization a season ago.  Simply put, the Blackhawks need help scoring goals and Sergei Samsonov is one player they’re looking to for help.  He’s being given an excellent opportunity to revive his career in Chicago.  His reputation took a serious blow in Montreal.  The Habs were offering him up for next to nothing down the stretch and no team would touch him and his $3.525M salary.  We’ll see if he is mentally capable of handling the responsibility.   Slick stick-handler who’s often guilty of holding on to the puck one second too long, and selfishly looking for his own play instead of setting up a teammate.  Actually a good defensive player when he’s interested in contributing.  He’s never been a 30-goal scorer (twice [’00-01, ’01-02] he had 29 with the Bruins but not more than 23 since).  Should return to the 25-goal mark if healthy and playing on the top two lines this season.  He’s four games shy of 600 for his career and 22 goals shy of 200.

 

Patrick Sharp (W/C) – (80gp, 20g, 15a, 35pts, -15, 74pim)  The forgotten entity coming into camp, Sharp is coming off his first 20-goal season.  Due to the complete overhaul at the center position, Sharp will now move to the wing, likely flanking Yanic Perreault.  Undoubtedly the most improved Blackhawk in the second half of last season, Sharp now enters the final year of his contract.  He does throw his weight around at times, but is mostly hesitant to play a physical style.  His defensive zone coverage has improved but he has a tendency to work hard in the neutral zone and then stop moving his feet upon crossing his own blue line.  Boasts a really strong wrist shot but erratic slapper.  Deceptively fast skater who will blow by defenseman who underestimate his speed.  Because of his improvement last year, it would be a shame if he came into camp deterred by his drop on the initial depth chart due to off season movements.  The 25-year old stands at 196 NHL games played with 39 goals and a minus-13 plus/minus rating.

 

Jason Williams (W/C) – (78gp, 15g, 17a, 32pts, +1, 20pim)  An unrestricted free agent at this coming season’s end, Williams perhaps stands to gain the most with a strong offensive campaign.  With the escalation of the salary structure again, a 30 goal season could take Williams’ earnings from his current $1.6 million a season bankroll to a 3-4 million dollar earner.  Williams scored 21 with Detroit in 2005-06.  He was a minus-6 in 20 games with the Hawks after being acquired prior to the trade deadline.  In a two-week span he went from being praised by coach Denis Savard for both his leadership and two-way playing abilities to occupying the center of the bench for most of the second and third periods.  After scoring two goals against his former team in his third game with the Hawks, Williams managed only 3 points in his next 16 games, including five and ten game goalless streaks before scoring in the season finale at Dallas.  He’s got the speed, skating, and above average skill, but something seems to be missing here.  Had one goal and two points in twenty playoff games while with Detroit.

 

Defenseman:

 

Cam Barker – (35gp, 1g, 7a, 8pts, -12, 44pim)  Oh boy, what a player this guy could be.  The size, the skating ability, the shot; if he could just put it all together?  Problem is; the former Canadian Junior captain has yet to show any urgency let alone consistency in the NHL.  A minus-12 in 35 games played in Chicago last season put his plus/minus number on par with Adrian Aucoin’s -22 in 59 games played.  Can’t ignore the fact he’s only 21 and still fitting into his NHL frame.  Undoubtedly the most important season of his career in terms of needing to make significant forward progress in all areas of his play, but specifically in his own zone.  Didn’t look good in the AHL playoffs after being sent down at the conclusion of the Blackhawks miserable crusade.

 

Duncan Keith – (82gp, 2g, 29a, 31pts, even, 76pim)  Speed and skating ability are his key assets, hockey awareness is not thus far.  Watching Duncan Keith compete in his own zone can be like watching a Chinese fire drill at times.  On the ice he resembles the bastard-child of one of the Hanson brothers.  He’s not a bad passer in the offensive zone and makes a strong first pass exiting his own, but does cough up the puck a lot when he tries to do the little extra.  His shot is not his greatest attribute and he usually concentrates on just getting the puck on net as he should.  He’s another young, fierce competitor who should be a fan-favorite in this city for years to come.

 

Danny Richmond – (22gp, 0g, 2a, 2pts, -1, 48pim)  About the only entertaining phase of Richmond’s game is watching him get the hell beat out of himself every time he drops the mitts.  #44’s tactic of lunging into his opponent, grabbing a fistful of jersey while implementing the duck and cover technique, occasionally coming up with a wild-swinging left, more often times than not lands Richmond in the box for five minutes with a knot upside his head.  Well, at least then we don’t have to watch him try to play defense for a few shifts.  The only way the Chicagoan makes this team is if the team bus crashes and he happens to sleep in.  Look for Swedish-prospect Niklas Hjalmarsson to leap-frog Richmond from day one of training camp.  His overall game is similar to Keith’s, but not nearly as gifted in any given phase of play.  Has yet to score his first NHL goal (42gp).

 

Brent Seabrook – (81gp, 4g, 20a, 24pts, -6, 104pim)  “Mr. Lead with the Right” seems to be on the cusp of a breakthrough season on the blue line.  It could be this season or next, or it may take another three seasons for the Richmond, B.C. native to begin to reach his full potential.  His competitive spirit has been the 22-year old blueliner’s most obvious jewel, but it’s his defensive awareness and positioning which continue to improve with each passing game.  Seabrook will be a restricted free agent at season’s end and his agent and the Hawks will be working on a new contract during the season.  Hopefully, for all parties concerned, the negotiations will not be of distraction to Seabrook nor affect his on-ice performance.  How he gets away with punching nearly every opponent he checks with his right glove I’ll never know?  Big kid who boasts a heavy shot from the point and could contribute as many as ten goals this season.  Future captain material.  Considering the teams he’s played on in his first two NHL seasons this is pretty darn impressive; Seabrook is just a minus-1 in 150 games played with the Hawks.

 

Jim Vandermeer – (46gp, 1g, 6a, 7pts, -3, 53pim) This time last year, Vandermeer was put in the position of possibly playing his way off the team in camp.  This season he’s expected to provide veteran leadership and some much-needed muscle on the blueline.  The presence of Jassen Cullimore was the only thing that stood between Vandy and the United Center’s few faithful’s wrath in the first half of last season.  Eight games away from 200 in his career, he will be pushed for his spot again in camp, but his size should save him as long as he plays well in his own end.  Not particularly good at anything, but that’ll be good enough to make this team.

 

James Wisniewski –  (50gp, 2g, 8a, 10pts, +3, 39pim)  For the money, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better sixth or seventh defenseman in the league.  Though grossly overrated by some fans, Wisniewski is an impressive battler with a priceless passion for the game.  However, he’ll be vastly-fortunate to start in the top-six without an injury or a dog of a camp by Jim Vandermeer, Magnus Johansson, or Andrei Zyuzin.  Though you have to admire the fervor, he’s got decent skill and shouldn’t be fighting as much as he’s been in recent years especially at the AHL level.  The time spent in the box would be better served tallying experience in playing a regular shift.  I don’t see him making the team unless it’s as a seventh defenseman or unless Johansson doesn’t acclimate himself to the NHL game in training camp.  Signed only a one-year deal this off season, which was peculiar in that there’ll likely not be a permanent spot for him until next season.  He’ll be restricted again next summer though.

 

Andrei Zyuzin – (49gp, 1g, 5a, 6pts, -2, 30pim) This season can only go one of two directions for Zyuzin;  he can enter his 10^th season with an enthusiasm knowing he has something to prove, that he has the ability, at age 29, to be much more of a factor on his team than he ever has been in this league.  Or he can show up at the United Center, punch the time clock and collect his paycheck on his way home to the Russian league for 2008-09.  Remember this was the 2^nd overall pick in the 1996 entry draft, a weak draft but nonetheless drafted one spot behind Ottawa’s Chris Phillips and just before the Islanders selected J.P. Dumont.  Dainius Zubrus, Marco Sturm, Daniel Briere, Zdeno Chara, and Tomas Kaberle all were drafted that year.  He learned to become more defensively responsible under Jacques Lemaire in Minnesota, and his puck-moving skills are still an asset.  It’s his day-to-day commitment and preparation that have been called into question.

 

We’ll return with part two of our Season Preview late Tuesday evening…..

The Goaltenders…….

 

Nikolai Khabibulin – (60gp, 2.86gaa, .902sv%, 25-26-5, 1so)

Recorded the 8^th 20+ win-season of his career in 2006-07.  2007-08 is the season Nikolai Khabibulin can earn the bulk of the fat $27M contract he signed after the work stoppage.  While held back by nagging injuries and inconsistent play, it would be unfair to blame Khabibulin for the Hawks poor showings the past two seasons.  The group dressing in front of him this season is by far the best in three seasons and most offensively wealthy.  Still, the collection of blueliners before him is suspect ‘till proven better and he’ll need to be on top of his game to keep his team in or ahead this season.  In the 2006-07 Home finale against Detroit, Khabibulin faced a career high 58 shots and stopped a career high 56 in the Hawks 3-2 shoot-out victory.  Without the Khabibulin of old, the “Bulin-Wall” per say, the Hawks are doomed.

 

Patrick Lalime – (12gp, 3.07gaa, .896sv%, 4-6-1, 1so)

While a rookie with Pittsburgh in the 1996-97 season, he set the NHL record for longest unbeaten streak by a rookie goaltender in going 14-0-2 over a 16-game stretch.  In 41 NHL playoff games (all with Ottawa 2000-04), Lalime holds a 1.77 GAA and a 21-20 record with 5 shutouts.  A herniated disk suffered in training camp delayed Lalime’s Blackhawk debut until February 7, 2007 at Vancouver.  In that game he stopped 34 shots and recorded his only shut-out of the season in a 3-0 Hawks victory.  Surrendered 11 goals against and was pulled in 2 starts against Detroit last season.  Eight of those goals were scored at even strength.  A lover of the popular meal replacement; lightly-buttered popcorn, Lalime hopes to spend a lot less time inhaling Orville Redenbacher’s finest in the press box this season.

 

The Rookies……

 

Michael Blunden (RW) – [6’3”-210, Dec. 15, 1986, Toronto, ON] [Norfolk(AHL) 17gp, 4g, 5a, 9pts, 15pim]  Blunden was the Blackhawks 2^nd round draft choice (43^rd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.  In nine games with the Hawks last fall Blunden showed he was more than willing to throw his body around, however he exhibited terrible aim.  Coming off a shoulder surgery in December its unknown how much the Hawks are expecting from him.  Seems destined to be a mucker-and-grinder.  He hasn’t shown much of an ability to handle the puck nor does he possess a great shot.  Decent up-and-down speed and works hard at getting through to the net.  If he makes the team it’ll be as the fourth line right winger. 

 

Dave Bolland ( C ) – [6’0”-175, June 5. 1986, Toronto, ON] [Norfolk(AHL) 65gp, 17g, 32a, 49pts, 53pim]  The Hawks made Bolland their 2^nd round pick in the 2004 Entry Draft.  Amassed 367 points in 320 games during his career with the London Knights of the OHL.  Bolland’s projected as a high-tempo, high-energy two-way forward with a finisher’s touch.  A good skater but with still some room for improvement, Bolland’s main obstacle in getting to the United Center remains adding muscle to his skinny frame.  Not afraid to get his nose dirty, in fact he relishes in the Land of Aggression so much he has a tendency to get chippy.  Probably no better than a third-line center at the NHL level.

 

Troy Brouwer (RW) – [6’3”-220, Aug. 17, 1985, Vancouver, BC] [Norfolk(AHL) 66gp, 41g, 38a, 79pts, 70pim]  Drafted by Chicago in the 7^th round of the 2004 Entry Draft.  Did not impress in 10 games with the Hawks a season ago.  To this point has shown to be a step slow for this level and not extremely agile.  Led Norfolk in goals and was second on the team in scoring to linemate Martin St. Pierre but struggled in the Admirals six-game opening round ouster at the hands of Wilkes-Barre, scoring just one goal.  Has worked on his foot speed with Hawks skating coach and former U.S. Olympian Dan Jansen this summer and is said to be much improved.  Will soon see.

 

Dustin Byfuglien (D) – {Pronounced ‘Buff-lynn’}[6’3”-245, March 27, 1985, Minneapolis, MN] [Norfolk(AHL) 63gp, 16g, 28a, 44pts, 146pim]  Slipped to the 8^th round of the 2003 NHL draft due to a reputation for poor conditioning and lack of discipline, Byfuglien is still battling those demons today.  Erratic and undisciplined at Norfolk, the Minnesota native kept his temper in check for the most part with the big club.  At Norfolk he played with a chip on his shoulder and careless, sometimes evil intentions.  Scored his first NHL goal against Nashville on March 1, 2006.  Stand-out player for the Chicago Mission (MAHL) in 2001-02.  Here’s one for the coincidental humor files; Byfuglien was named the “Husky Player of the Month” while playing for Prince George (WHL) in 2004.  Has remarkable skill for a man of his size and with his willingness to use that mass, the Hawks are hoping he can retire the Jeckyl and Hyde persona and become a full-time contributor with the big club.

 

Corey Crawford (G) – [6’2”-190, Dec. 31, 1984, Montreal, Quebec] [Norfolk(AHL) 60gp, 2.84gaa, .909sv%, 38-20-2]  Rebounds, rebounds, rebounds.  You’ll see a lot of those when Corey Crawford is in charge of stopping the puck, which should be of concern since he saw a lot of shots in Norfolk and played in the offensive-styled Quebec Major Junior League.  At some point, you’d think he would’ve worked to correct this flaw.  A big, butterfly-type netminder who will need another year in the minors before he can be expected to see consistent time with the big club.  Not at all proficient at handling the puck.  Crawford was the Hawks other 2^nd round pick (52^nd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

 

Niklas Hjalmarsson (D) – [6’3”-196, June 6, 1987, Eksjo, Sweden]  Was expected to play one more season in Europe before making the transition to North America until he impressed the Hawks, and himself, in the prospect camp in June.  Hjalmarsson is a smooth-skating, offensive minded defenseman who loves to play physical.  Still filling into his body frame, the 20-year old will be a hoss in a couple of years.  Talented enough to play the role of spoiler in taking a veteran d-man’s spot right away but likely to be spending the year in Rockford.

 

Magnus Johansson (D) – [5’11”-180, Sept. 4, 1973, Linkoping, Sweden] [Linkoping HC(SEL) 52gp, 8g, 28a, 36pts, 46pim]  Signed out of the Swedish Elite League as a free agent on June 4, 2007.  At the age of 34 he’s not relocating to North America because he’s heard Rockford, IL is a great place to live.  GM Dale Tallon is hoping Johansson will be a cost-effective answer to the Hawks’ power play woes.  Should he struggle or not make the team coming out of camp, it’s very possible he’ll return to Sweden.  Facially he resembles 80’s hair band, Poison guitar player C.C. Deville.

 

Patrick Kane (RW) – [5’9”-168, Nov. 19, 1988, Buffalo, NY]  The only number-one amateur draft pick in Blackhawks history.  Expect to see number 88 in the opening night lineup in Minnesota and then again two nights later against Detroit for the United Center regular season opener.  Both Kane and GM Dale Tallon have indicated Kane will at least be around for the ten-game tryout.  Anything beyond that will be determined by his play during the first three weeks of the season.  Strong on the puck, he skates with a wide-base and was very difficult to knock off the biscuit at the junior level.  Kane’s 62 goals and 145 points in 58 games for the London Knights in the Ontario league should attest to that.  During the Knights’ playoff run, Kane tallied 10 goals and 21 assists in 16 games.

 

David Koci (LW/D) – [6’6”-240, May 12, 1981, Prague, Czech.Rep.] 

Koci made his NHL debut with the Hawks on March 10, 2007 at Phoenix, a game in which he was assessed 42 penalty minutes.  A 5^th round selection in the 2000 Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Koci appears to have his sights set on modeling when his career reaches its’ end.  This guy has no skill and isn’t much of a fighter despite his over-anxiousness to tussle.  Careless with his chin and susceptible to the straight-right, Koci will lose many more fights than he wins.  Despite that, the Hawks are counting on him to be just serviceable enough to carry on the traveling roster in case there’s need for an enforcer-type.

 

Jack Skille (RW) – {pronounced ‘Skill-ee’} [6’1”-198, May 19, 1987, Madison, WI] [Wisconsin(WCHA) 26gp, 8g, 10a, 18pts, 12pim – Norfolk(AHL) 9gp, 4g, 4a, 8pts, 0pim]  A product of the U.S. developmental organization, the 20-year-old Madison native scored 21 goals in 65 games over two seasons for his hometown Badgers.  Skille displayed an explosive second gear and quick wrist-shot in nine games with Norfolk after signing his professional contract, but disappeared in the playoffs and was a healthy scratch after Game 3 against Wilkes-Barre.  Needs to play with a competitive edge to be successful and usually does play with a chip on his shoulder.  May not be ready just yet and a start on the top lines in Rockford may be best for his development.  Style resembles that of the younger Bill Guerin and its Guerin whom he’s compared to in terms of long-term potential.  He also worked on his skating with Dan Jansen this summer.

 

Jonathan Toews (C/LW) – {pronounced ‘Tayvz’}[6’2”-202, April 29, 1988, Winnipeg, MB] [North Dakota(WCHA) 34gp, 18g, 28a, 46pts, 10pim]  His posture and playing style will immediately remind fans of a young Joe Sakic, which is very well because he idolized Sakic growing up.  Toews is the real deal, though he’s just a notch below the phenom bar players like Crosby, Ovechkin, and Malkin sit.  Exhibited great poise and fit in remarkably well alongside veterans at the World Championships this past spring.  Toews will stand up for himself, but he’s more of the Lady Byng type.  He’s good enough to dangle in traffic but prefers to draw defenders, opening up space for his linemates.  Expect to see him all over the ice, in every type of situation, including penalty-killing, for Denis Savard.  He may only be nineteen, but he’s been groomed for this arrival at the big stage for several years.  Toews has won a Gold Medal with the Men’s Canadian World Championship team, the World Juniors, and World U-17 squads.  10 years later, the Blackhawks have finally found someone to replace Jeremy Roenick.  Let’s just hope there’s a happier ending.

Recapping the Summer Movements and Notes…….

 

April 10 – Blackhawks win 2007 Draft Lottery, pick 1^st overall

 

April 18 – Patrick Lalime signs 1-year deal worth $950,000

 

April 25 – Jonathan Toews earns spot on Team Canada Worlds squad

 

April 29 – Norfolk eliminated in 6 games of AHL opening round playoff series by Wilkes-Barre

 

May 8 – C- Evan Brophey (Plymouth-OHL) signs entry-level deal

 

May 13 – Toews, Canada win Gold at IIHF Worlds, defeating Ruutu, Kontiola, Finland

 

May 16 – Jonathan Toews signs his 3-year entry-level contract

 

May 29 – Bill Wirtz makes appearance, says something embarrassingly stupid

 

May 31 – D- Niklas Hjalmarsson agrees to entry-level contract

 

June 4 – Hawks announce signing of Swedish Elite League defenseman Magnus Johansson ($700,000), C/W- Petri Kontiola (entry level), and C- Adam Hobson (entry level)

 

June 16 – Blackhawks trade Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen to Montreal in exchange for Sergei Samsonov

 

June 22 – Blackhawks trade Adrian Aucoin to Calgary in exchange for Andrei Zyuzin and D- Steve Maar

 

June 22 – Blackhawks select RW- Patrick Kane 1^st overall in 2007 Entry Draft

 

June 28 – David Koci is re-signed.

 

July 1 – Yanic Perreault signs one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

 

July 2 – GM Dale Tallon gets a 2-year extension.

 

July 2 – Robert Lang signs 2-year, $8M deal, after Michal Handzus agrees to 4-year, $16M contract with Los Angeles.

 

July 11 – NHL/Blackhawks release 2007-08 Schedule

 

July 19 – Jim Vandermeer and Danny Richmond each agree to new, one-year deals worth $1.225M and $602,000 respectively.

 

July 20 – Hawks announce new affiliation with Penacola Ice Pilots of the ECHL

 

July 25 – Patrick Kane signs his 3-year, entry-level contract.

 

July 27 – G-Wade Flaherty, D- Jim Fahey, D- Prestin Ryan all sign 1-year deals with the Blackhawks.

 

August 9 – Coach Denis Savard gets an additional year added to his contract which will now expire following the 2008-09 season.

 

August 10 – Hawks re-sign RFA- James Wisniewski to a 1-year deal at $650,000.

 

August 11 – Hawks trade Radim Vrbata to Phoenix for C- Kevyn Adams.

 

August 13 – Minor leaguer Pierre Parenteau re-signs for one year.

 

Briefly…..

Winger- Jeff Hamilton signed with Carolina on July 2….. C- Craig MacDonald signed a two-way deal with Tampa Bay(Norfolk-AHL) July 2…... Michael Holmqvist was not re-signed (UFA)….. C- Martin St. Pierre remains with the organization but will play with Khimik in Russia this year….. Jonas Nordqvist will play for Lulea (SEL) but remains property of Chicago….. Nikita Alexeev was not given a qualifying offer and became of UFA July 1…. Denis Arkhipov was not re-signed and will play this season for AK Bars in Russia…. RW- Carl Corazzini signed a two-way deal with Detroit(Grand Rapids) on July 6…. Peter Bondra was not offered a contract and became a UFA July 1….. Collegiate prospects C/W- Chris Porter (North Dakota) and D- Michael Grenzy (Clarkson) did not come to terms with Chicago by the August 15 deadline and became UFA’s.  Porter signed with St. Louis and Grenzy is in Ottawa camp on an amateur tryout….. Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen both had their contracts ‘bought out’ by Montreal and thus became free agents.  Cullimore is in Red Wings camp vying for a job while Salmelainen agreed to a two-way deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs (Marlies)….