Blackhawks Trade Rumors

Toews back on ice for Chicago Blackhawks
Comment
November 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"It has been a frustrating couple of weeks for Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks' captain has had to sit and wait rather impatiently while he recovers from a concussion that caused him to miss four games. The wait could be at an end as the center returned to the ice Wednesday for the first time since theCanucks' Willie Mitchell crunched him at center ice on Oct. 21. Toews joined his Hawks teammates as they practiced at Jobing.com Arena in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Coyotes. "It was frustrating to be out as long as I was," Toews said. "I feel good and I feel confident out there. I don't feel like I'm missing a step yet. The legs are little heavy (Wednesday) but it only ..."
Eager-ly awaited news: 'Close to 100 percent'
Comment
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Concussion is a word rarely uttered in the hockey world, but Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville used it without reservation in describing the problems that kept Ben Eager on the sideline the last four weeks. Eager went through his first full practice with the Hawks on Sunday and still was reluctant to use the ''C'' word. ''It wasn't so much a concussion as it was leftover effects from last year's long playoff run and not having that long a summer,'' Eager said. ''I didn't feel right when I came back, and I felt I needed some time off.'' Eager played in the first two regular-season games in Europe but said that had no bearing on his health problems. ''I tried to play through it, but I didn't ..."
Brent Seabrook should be ready Thursday night for Chicago Blackhawks
Comment
October 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"For the first time in a week, the news of who was on the ice for the Blackhawks outweighed the news of who wasn't. Defenseman Brent Seabrook returned to action Wednesday after missing two games with a concussion and winger Marian Hossa practiced with his teammates for the first time since signing as a free agent July 1. The news wasn't all good as captain Jonathan Toews still is sidelined with a concussion and didn't make the trip to Nashville for Thursday's game against the Predators. "I enjoyed being back out there with the fellas," said Seabrook, who left the ice late in the Hawks' game Oct. 21 against the Canucks. "I got hit in the neck and it sort of rattled my brain a little bit. I ..."
Slow going for Toews, Seabrook
Comment
October 27
Daily Herald
 
"Concussions are tricky things as the Blackhawks are finding out with Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook. Toews and Seabrook missed their second straight game Monday as a result of the concussion-like symptoms they suffered from hits last week against Vancouver. While coach Joel Quenneville is hopeful one or both of his stars can return later this week, it sounded as if Toews and Seabrook weren't progressing as well Monday as the team said they were over the weekend. "Right now they're not doing much," Quenneville said. Toews and Seabrook must pass physical tests mandated by the NHL for concussions before they can play again. "Both days (Saturday and Monday) we came in here game day with a ..."
If Toews can't go, Ebbett in line to take his spot
Comment
October 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks acquired Andrew Ebbett at just the right time. He'd be an able fill-in for Jonathan Toews if the team captain can't play tonight against the Nashville Predators at the United Center. Toews and Brent Seabrook missed practice again Friday, but coach Joel Quenneville wouldn't rule either out for the game. Both are nursing concussion-like symptoms suffered in the 3-2 loss Wednesday to the Vancouver Canucks. Though neither player was seen by the media, Quenneville said both ''presented themselves well'' again and said their absence from the lineup ''is definitely looking very short term'' based on the progress they made in the last two days. That still leaves the Hawks in limbo ..."
Big hit forces Jonathan Toews from game in Blackhawks 3-2 loss
Comment
October 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"Consider the rivalry between the Blackhawks and Canucks turned up a notch. In their first meeting after the Hawks eliminated the Canucks last season in a hard-fought playoff series, the teams met Wednesday night and the result was ugly for the Hawks on the scoreboard and injury-wise. Hawks captain Jonathan Toews was crunched with an open-ice hit from Willie Mitchell in the third period and didn't return. Defenseman Brent Seabrook also left the game with an injury as the Canucks won 3-2 at the United Center. Coach Joel Quenneville said after the game both players would be evaluated Thursday. The defeat stung the Hawks, but the loss of Toews for a significant period of time would be a bigger ..."
Step ahead for Hossa
Comment
October 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Marian Hossa got back on the ice Friday for the first time since his shoulder surgery. The star winger who signed a 12-year, $62.8 million contract with the Blackhawks on July 1 skated about 30 minutes by himself. ''I did a lot of biking, but on the ice is a little different,'' Hossa said. ''I'll just be skating one or two more times, then start handling the puck. It's healing well so far. I can't wait to practice with the guys.''"
Fast start could help Blackhawks Patrick Sharp make Canadian Olympic team
Comment
October 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Patrick Sharp realizes there are eyes north of the border following his every move. As one of four Blackhawks invited to participate in Team Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp during the summer, Sharp knows a fast start will benefit him when the 2010 Canadian Olympic team that will play in Vancouver in February is selected. The Winnipeg native entered Thursday night's game against the Nashville Predators tied for eighth in the NHL in scoring with five goals and four assists. "I'd love to be a part of that team whatever way possible," said Sharp, who was joined by teammates Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews at the camp. "I think if you ask all the other Canadians and Americans ..."
Concussion keeping Chicago Blackhawks' Ben Eager off ice
Comment
October 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Coach Joel Quenneville didn't sound optimistic about a quick return for winger Ben Eager, who has missed the Blackhawks' last three games with a concussion. Eager is not skating, and Quenneville said Monday there is "no timeline" to get the veteran back on the ice. Eager has a history with concussions, having missed 27 games during the 2007-08 season with one. "We're still going through some testing, so it's tough to say (when he'll return)," Quenneville said. Eager was held scoreless during the Hawks' two games in Helsinki to open the season and didn't practice when the team returned from Europe. Quenneville said there wasn't a particular moment in a game or practice when Eager suffered ..."
Former Blackhawk Chris Chelios will skate with Chicago Wolves
Comment
October 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"The news that former Blackhawks defenseman Chris Chelios may be continuing his hockey career as a member of the Wolves didn't come as a shock to his most recent teammates. Chelios, who played 28 games with the Red Wings last season but wasn't offered a new contract for 2009-10, will skate with the Wolves on Monday and could sign with the American Hockey League team next week when it returns from a Canadian road trip, a team spokesman said Thursday. The 47-year-old Chicago native, who played nine seasons with the Hawks during the 1990s, has expressed a desire to keep playing in the NHL. "I've talked to Cheli about it," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I think that's a good move for him. If ..."
Blackhawks forward Burish out 4-6 months with ACL tear
Comment
September 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Adam Burish had no trouble walking through the United Center corridors Tuesday, but he won't be on skates for quite a while. The Blackhawks said the energetic fourth-line winger needs reconstructive surgery on his right knee and will be sidelined six months. Burish was shoved into the boards during Sunday's 3-0 preseason loss to the Wild in Minnesota. He was told Monday he has a torn anterior cruciate ligament; he hopes the surgery can be done Friday. ''The hit was goofy,'' said Burish, who believes it was also clean. ''I could have broken my neck or my leg. It could have been a number of things. I reached for the puck and was in a vulnerable position.'' Dr. Michael Terry, the Hawks' head ..."
Blackhawk Adam Burish needs surgery, will miss 6 months
Comment
September 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"Adam Burish is a tough, high-spirited hockey player, not one to be slowed or in any way fazed by the bumps, bruises and bone-rattling collisions that are so common in his line of work. But Burish sensed something was wrong as he crumpled to the ice after being checked into the boards in the first period of the Blackhawks' Sunday-night exhibition loss to the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul. And when he was slow getting up, so did his teammates. "Adam Burish is a warrior -- we all know that," fellow winger Jack Skille said. Their fears were realized with Tuesday's disclosure that Burish suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo reconstructive surgery later this ..."
Report: NHL investigating Chicago Blackhawks' contract with Marian Hossa
Comment
July 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"The NHL is investigating the contract between the Blackhawks and free agent Marian Hossa, according to a published report. The Ottawa Sun reported Thursday night that the league is trying to determine if the 12-year, $62.8 million deal Hossa signed July 1 circumvents the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap. Hossa's contract results in a $5.23 million cap hit each year over the length of the deal, but much of the money is to be paid up front, with $7.9 million annually for the first seven years and tapering down to $750,000 the final two years. The NHL is investigating whether the Hawks discussed with Hossa the possibility the 30-year-old winger would retire before the contract ..."
Hawks' Hossa will have surgery
Comment
July 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that right wing Marian Hossa will undergo surgery Friday on his right shoulder to repair a small tear in his rotator cuff. "Marian's injury did not respond sufficiently to our non-operative treatment over the last three weeks so we have collectively decided today to go ahead with the surgery," Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman said. "Marian is a franchise player and we want what is best for him and the Blackhawks long-term. This was a mutual decision and one we feel very confident is the right one. "Marian has a small right rotator cuff tear that he has been battling for a while and because he is not at 100 percent with non-operative treatment he ..."
Marian Hossa has shoulder injury
Comment
July 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks' roller-coaster off-season has taken another downhill turn. Winger Marian Hossa, who signed a 12-year, $62.8 million free-agent contract July 1 -- the richest in team history -- is rehabilitating an injured rotator cuff, general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday. Bowman called Hossa's injury "relatively minor" but did not rule out surgery that could sideline the five-time All-Star for the start of the 2009-10 season. "At this point we're watching him and monitoring how he progresses," said Bowman, who took over the GM job after Dale Tallon was reassigned July 14. "We're hoping that like a lot of other guys, they rehab it and are good to go." The left-handed shooter is in ..."
Ex-Wing Marian Hossa might need surgery
Comment
July 23
Detroit News
 
"Marian Hossa's debut with the Chicago Blackhawks could be delayed. The Daily Herald in suburban Chicago reported Wednesday that Hossa has a rotator cuff injury and might need surgery. If he does have the procedure, it could force him out of the lineup until December. Hossa signed a 12-year contract worth $62.8 million with the Blackhawks on July 1, declining an opportunity to re-sign with the Red Wings. Wings general manager Ken Holland said the organization was aware of Hossa'a injury, but wasn't scared off by it. The Wings, in fact, offered Hossa a long-term deal worth $50 million. Holland said team doctors advised Hossa to take care of the injury this summer. "He was able to play ..."
Blackhawks were aware of Hossa's shoulder injury
Comment
July 22
Daily Herald
 
"When the Blackhawks signed Marian Hossa to a franchise-record, 12-year, $62.8 million contract July 1, former general manager Dale Tallon mentioned numerous times Hossa's durability. Now apparently there is a chance Hossa won't be ready to start the season Oct. 2 in Finland against the Florida Panthers because of what is believed to be a shoulder or rotator-cuff injury suffered during the playoffs while with Detroit. A source close to the situation confirmed Tuesday night that Hossa has a shoulder or rotator-cuff problem that might require surgery. A Hawks spokesman said the club was aware of Hossa's injury on July 1 when they signed him, and the team will continue to monitor Hossa's ..."
Blackhawks president John McDonough admits recent contract bungle provided catalyst for firing Dale Tallon
Comment
July 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"There might have been other factors involved, but it was clear Tuesday that the recent snafu involving contract procedures with eight unrestricted free agents cost Dale Tallon his job as general manager of the Blackhawks. In introducing Stan Bowman as the Hawks' new GM, team president John McDonough was asked if the change in leadership would have been made had it not been for the fiasco last week. ''Probably not,'' McDonough said. ''We should be better at doing our business. Ultimately, that's on me. It's my mistake. The time frame [for getting qualifying offers to the free agents] was June 15. We could have done a better job. ... We've got to make sure it doesn't happen again.'' The ..."
Report: Hawks GM Dale Tallon fired
Comment
July 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks fired general manager Dale Tallon late Monday and replaced him with assistant GM Stan Bowman, according to Comcast SportsNet. An official announcement is expected today. Blackhawks spokespeople couldn't be reached for comment. Tallon last week took the blame for the Hawks' failure to tender qualifying offers to eight restricted free agents on time. He was able to re-sign all of them, including forward Kris Versteeg and defenseman Cam Barker, but the mistake was a major embarrassment for the team. ''We were late filing, something we haven't done in the past,'' Tallon said. ''For a couple of reasons, we were a little late. We should have filed earlier. It'll never happen ..."
Report: Chicago Blackhawks fire GM Dale Tallon
Comment
July 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks have fired general manager Dale Tallon and Stan Bowman will be named his replacement, according to a report. Comcast SportsNet reported late Monday that Tallon, who had been GM of the Hawks since June 21, 2005, and had built the Hawks into a Stanley Cup contender, was out and that an official announcement would be made Tuesday. Tallon put together a team that reached the playoffs for the first time in seven years and advanced to the Western Conference finals during the 2008-09 season. But he came under fire last week for sending qualifying offers to restricted free agents late, causing them to be delivered after the deadline set by the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement. ..."
Blackhawks, Kris Versteeg have deal
Comment
July 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks' front office apparently has cleaned up the mess it made last week. Sources say the Hawks will announce the signing of winger Kris Versteeg to a three-year contract valued at slightly more than $9 million today. If they do, an embarrassing episode for the franchise will be over. The Hawks apparently violated the collective-bargaining agreement by improperly sending qualifying offers to some of their key restricted free agents, and the NHL Players Association filed a grievance. General manager Dale Tallon promptly signed six of the eight players affected, leaving Versteeg and minor-leaguer Bryan Bickell in limbo. Now it appears Bickell might be the only one still affected. On ..."
Grievance could lead to loss of Versteeg
Comment
July 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After finishing their best marketing year in team history and their best season on ice in 12 years, the Blackhawks might end it all by losing one of their most talented young stars, winger Kris Versteeg -- all because they missed the June 29 deadline to offer contracts to the team's seven restricted free agents. Versteeg, the Hawks' fourth-leading scorer and a rookie of the year finalist, could be declared an unrestricted free agent if the National Hockey League Players' Association wins a grievance it filed Monday. 'I am aware of the grievance,'' Hawks general manager Dale Tallon said. ''And we are respectfully working with the NHLPA, our players and their representatives so that we can ..."
Marian Hossa leaves Wings for Blackhawks
Comment
July 1
Detroit News
 
"Marian Hossa just added more fire to the Red Wings' rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks. Hossa, who became a free agent after one year in Detroit, signed with the Blackhawks on Wednesday. The deal is for 12 years at an average of about $5.2 million a season, Canadian sports network TSN reported. The total value of the contract is $62.8 million, with the majority of it -- $59.3 million -- paid out over the first eight years, according to the report. The Wings were offering a package of roughly $35 to $40 million. The Blackhawks doubled-up on Detroit free agents Wednesday, signing winger Tomas Kopecky to a two-year deal. Kopecky played in 79 games in 2008-09, with six goals and 13 ..."
Havlat, Khabibulin headed to free agency unless 11th-hour deals can be struck
Comment
July 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks could lose forward Martin Havlat and No. 1 goalie Nikolai Khabibulin today. The NHL's free-agent signing period begins at 11 a.m., and Hawks general manager Dale Tallon spent Tuesday negotiating with the agents of both players via phone. According to various sources, Havlat wants a long-term contract -- even if it means taking a pay cut. His three-year, $18 million deal expires when the free-agent signing period begins. Khabibulin's four-year, $27 million contract expires at the same time. He figures to move on because the Hawks have Cristobal Huet under contract for three more seasons and Corey Crawford and/or Antti Niemi ready to back him up. The only signings the Hawks ..."
Hawks offering Havlat one-year deal?
Comment
June 26
Daily Herald
 
"Apparently one of the reasons why the Blackhawks and Martin Havlat haven't yet agreed on a new contract is the length of the deal. According to a source, the Hawks' initial offer to Havlat was for a one-year contract. It's not known if the team has moved off that negotiating position. Havlat likely would receive a multiyear deal should he reach unrestricted free agency on July 1. Signing Havlat for just one year would assure the Hawks of having more money to spend next summer when Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane are up for new contracts. Meanwhile, there was plenty of trade buzz in Montreal on Thursday ahead of today's NHL entry draft. There was a rumor claiming the Hawks as ..."
Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon: We'll get good player with 28th pick
Comment
June 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks' much-improved season has one drawback: General manager Dale Tallon won't have the high draft picks he has been used to getting when the NHL entry draft is held today and Saturday in Montreal. Thanks to finishing in the Western Conference finals, the Hawks are relegated to the 28th selection in the first round. They've had just one first-round pick lower than that since the NHL began drafting players in 1963. In 1996, the Hawks' first pick was No. 31. They used it on Remi Royer, a defenseman who played in 18 games for the team, all in the 1998-99 season. That draft class was the worst in franchise history. They picked six other players, none of whom ever played a game for ..."
The pick is ...?
Comment
June 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"Among players who could interest Tallon & Co. with the 28th overall selection in Friday's NHL draft: FORWARDS Drew Shore and Kyle Palmieri, United States' developmental program; Landon Ferraro and Cody Eakin, Western Hockey League; Peter Holland, Ontario Hockey League; Louis LeBlanc, U.S. Hockey League; Jordan Caron, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League; Marcus Johansson, Sweden DEFENSEMEN Ryan Button and Stefan Elliott, WHL; Nick Leddy, Eden Prairie High School, Minn.; Dylan Olsen, Alberta Junior Hockey League; David Rundblad, Sweden; Dmitri Orlov, Russia"
Heatley gives Sens wishlist
Comment
June 24
Ottawa Sun
 
"Dany Heatley has told the Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million (all terms US) bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators GM Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wishlist of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents J.P. Barry and Stacey ..."
Heatley gives Senators wish list of destinations
Comment
June 23
Toronto Sun
 
"Dany Heatley has told the Ottawa Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million US bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators general manager Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wish list of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents, J.P. Barry ..."
Blackhawks, Oilers seem to be possible destinations for Heatley
Comment
June 14
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray has already received calls and everyone seems to be speculating about where Dany Heatley might land. The possibilities seem endless, but some appear to be more plausible than others. Among Western Conference teams, the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks were the most mentioned by agents and league sources on Friday, with the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks also mentioned. The Oilers have a glut of defencemen and could put together a package from a group that includes defencemen Tom Gilbert, Sheldon Souray and Lubomir Visnovsky, and centre Patrick O'Sullivan. From the Blackhawks, defenceman Brian Campbell's $7.14-million U.S. salary ..."
Salary cap issues could drag Blackhawks down
Comment
May 31
Buffalo News
 columnist Bucky Gleason
"Two years ago, the Buffalo Sabres became a cautionary tale, a reminder of how it takes a long time for an organization to build a contender but only a few seconds for a team to fall apart. They were in the conference finals two straight seasons before a few missteps led to a nasty spill. Buffalo is still trying to regain its feet and brush off its knees, a fact the Chicago Blackhawks need to remember as they proceed through the offseason. The Blackhawks reached the conference finals with a young team. With that success come the same decisions that led to the Sabres' downfall. And it gets very tricky. The Blackhawks have 11 regulars who were 23 years or younger, giving them a strong core ..."
Demand and supply: Tallon can't rest easy
Comment
May 31
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Dale Tallon is the man behind the best-selling story in hockey, architect of the most exciting young roster in the NHL. The group of players he has assembled not only revived a long-dormant franchise, but should keep an Original Six city hosting an elite team for years to come. Then there's an alternative view of the Blackhawks' success, as voiced by Calgary Flames general manager and ex-Blackhawk captain Darryl Sutter, among others. ''If you don't make the playoffs for that long, then you better have a good, young team,'' Sutter said while his Flames were ousted by the Hawks in the first round. That's the thing about Tallon. As familiar a face as his has been during his three-decades-plus ..."
Chicago Blackhawks look to fine-tune in the off-season
Comment
May 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"Thanks to their deep postseason run, the Blackhawks have less time before the start of the 2009-10 season to improve their team than previous years. But it was that magnificent ride into the Western Conference finals that helped show they have fewer moves to make in order to reach the next level. Before the halt to their season at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 on Wednesday night, the Hawks proved to themselves and the rest of the NHL that the off-season will be spent fine tuning more than overhauling. "Why do we need to be drastic?" general manager Dale Tallon said. "We just have to keep adding our own. We look forward to having some of our young guys come and compete for ..."
Havlat's a wanted man
Comment
May 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Look for the Blackhawks to solve one offseason problem in a hurry. On Thursday -- a day after they were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs -- general manager Dale Tallon resumed contract talks with Allan Walsh, the agent for winger Martin Havlat. Then on Friday, as the Hawks began scattering for summer vacation, Havlat declared, ''I'd love to stay here.'' ''[Walsh] is a pleasant fellow, and we'll continue to talk,'' Tallon said. ''We want Marty back. We'll keep working to get it done.'' The Hawks have 30 days to get Havlat signed before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. ''We'll see how it goes,'' said Havlat, who led the Hawks in scoring in the regular season and postseason. ..."
Blackhawks are looking ahead
Comment
May 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"As the Blackhawks packed up their belongings at the United Center on Friday, goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin saw the teammates leaving the building as potential Stanley Cup champions in 2010. The question for Khabibulin and Martin Havlat -- both unrestricted free agents -- is whether they'll be part of making that happen. The Blackhawks expect to welcome back the core of the team that advanced to the Western Conference finals before bowing out on Wednesday with a 4-1 series loss to the Red Wings. But that doesn't mean a few locker room name plates won't change. "The key for us is to keep the nucleus of this team together for the longest possible time," general manager Dale Tallon said. ..."
Goalie Cristobal Huet likely key, though Khabibulin not officially out
Comment
May 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's not a given that Cristobal Huet will be in goal for the Blackhawks tonight in what could be their final game of the season, but it certainly appeared that way when Nikolai Khabibulin didn't take the ice for practice Tuesday at the United Center. Coach Joel Quenneville said Khabibulin, nursing an apparent groin injury that has sidelined him since the third period of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, would make the Tuesday afternoon flight to Detroit and wouldn't rule him out of playing tonight. ''We'll have a better assessment after the morning skate [today],'' Quenneville said. Huet, though, has prepared himself to play again with the ..."
Havlat, Khabibulin miss Blackhawks' practice
Comment
May 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks took to the United Center ice for practice Tuesday morning before boarding their charter and heading to Detroit to face the Red Wings in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals Wednesday night. The Hawks are on the brink of elimination, trailing in the best-of-seven series 3-1. Neither star winger Martin Havlat or goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin skated and their availability for Game 5 is in doubt. Havlat left both Games 3 and 4 after taking hard hits and Khabibulin left after the second period of Game 3 on Friday night with a lower-body injury. "They're both coming on the trip," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday. "We'll get a better assessment at tomorrow's [morning] ..."
Alive for Game 5? It's day-to-day for Blackhawks Nikolai Khabibulin, Martin
Comment
May 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks didn't do so well in their last game with Martin Havlat as a part-time player and Nikolai Khabibulin not playing at all. And their status might not change Wednesday, when the Hawks face an elimination game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. The Wings' 6-1 victory Sunday at the United Center gave them a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals, and it couldn't have been more humiliating for the Hawks. The Wings didn't have their top regular-season scorer, Pavel Datsyuk, or their top defenseman, Nicklas Lidstrom, but the young Hawks still lost their composure and couldn't compete against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Coach Joel Quenneville called Havlat ..."
Lidstrom, Datsyuk could return, but Draper's out for Game 5
Comment
May 25
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said today that Kris Draper won't play Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Wings have a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals. Meanwhile, forward Pavel Datsyuk (foot) and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom (lower body) are "day-to-day," said Babcock."
Salo could be back in lineup for Game 4
Comment
May 6
Vancouver Sun
 
"Sami Salo was literally a flyin' Finn Tuesday, which is good news for the Vancouver Canucks, who could have their key defenceman back in their lineup for Game 4. Salo, injured while scoring a first-period goal during Saturday's 6-3 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks, flew to Chicago on Tuesday after a MRI exam in Vancouver was favourable. And Salo didn't travel for the air miles. "We left him back to have a MRI," Canuck assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said as the Canucks beat the Blackhawks 3-1 in Game 3. "The results of the MRI are such, in combinations with how he's feeling, that there's a possibility he could play Thursday." There was a report Tuesday that Salo has a sore ..."
Hawks' Jonathan Toews denies claims he has shoulder injury
Comment
May 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Jonathan Toews provided the strangest sight in the Blackhawks' dressing room Monday when the man teammates have nicknamed "Mr. Serious" flapped his arms like a chicken. It wasn't the 21-year-old center's goofy side finally surfacing, it was Toews proving a point: He's not injured. There are several reports in the Canadian media that Toews has an injured shoulder and that it's so severe, he can't raise one of his arms. "No, not even close," Toews said while flapping. "I showed them." The speculation began when Toews missed a practice before Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals series against the Vancouver Canucks and then played just 13 minutes 46 seconds in the Hawks' 5-3 loss. ..."
Campbell denies issuing memo
Comment
April 23
Calgary Sun
 
"The war of words between the Calgary Flames and the Chicago Blackhawks has caught plenty of attention around the NHL. But not to the point the league has fired off a memo to all parties involved to cease and desist. A published report stated the NHL's senior executive vice-president of hockey operations, Colin Campbell, sent a letter to both teams to curb the on-ice chirping and post-whistle scrums. Only problem, it didn't happen. "I did NOT send one," Campbell replied yesterday in an e-mail. Maybe that's why news of a memo caught Flames head coach Mike Keenan off guard after yesterday's morning skate. "If he has, I haven't seen it," Keenan said when asked to comment on the news Campbell ..."
Sharp likely -- but where?
Comment
April 16
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The likelihood of Patrick Sharp rejoining the Blackhawks' lineup tonight appeared good after Sharp went through a second team workout without problems. There's some doubt, however, as to where Sharp will fit in. Normally on the first or second lines, he instead alternated with fourth-liners Adam Burish, Colin Fraser and Ben Eager at practice Wednesday. Coach Joel Quenneville -- never shy about mixing up his lines -- wouldn't say where Sharp will play. Sharp missed the last five regular-season games and 21 of the last 30 with knee problems. ''Sharpie gives us a lot of flexibility and options,'' Quenneville said. ''The lines at the end of the year were in place, but we can use him in a ..."
Sharp still undecided for Blackhawks
Comment
April 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"The team practiced Wednesday morning in Chicago and winger Patrick Sharp was on the ice with his teammates for the second day in a row. The veteran said he's still unsure whether he'll play Thursday night after missing the final five regular-season games with a left knee injury. "It feels good," Sharp said afterward in a media-filled Hawks dressing room at the United Center. "I think I'm skating very well out there. There's no pain. It's still a day-to-day thing. There's no commitment either way. I can't say whether I'm playing or not playing. We'll have to re-evaluate [Thursday] morning but I'm doing everything I can to get into the lineup. "Even if it's not 100 percent, I'd still like to ..."
Hawks talking to Havlat
Comment
April 6
Chicago Tribune
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"Tallon said he's still talking with the agent for free-agent-to-be Martin Havlat, who leads the Hawks in scoring with 27 goals and 44 assists. "We're optimistic we're going to get something done," Tallon said. The GM also plans to contact Sammy Pahlsson's agent about a possible return next season. "He's getting better and better, and I think he's starting to like the situation he's in," Tallon said. "We'd like to take care of those guys.""
Sammy Pahlsson ponders sticking around Chicago Blackhawks
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March 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"In the three weeks Sammy Pahlsson has been with the Blackhawks, the veteran center has liked what he's seen. Enough, in fact, that the pending unrestricted free agent wouldn't mind sticking around awhile. "Absolutely," Pahlsson said. "I would be interested. I like everything, the guys and all the people around the team. I'm starting to like the city too. There are a lot of good things." Pahlsson, who played in his fourth game as a Hawk in Wednesday night's game against the San Jose Sharks, was acquired from Anaheim at the March 4 trade deadline. But he didn't make his debut until March 18 as he recovered from mononucleosis. He said he hadn't given next season much specific thought yet. "I ..."
Hawks Looking For A Faceoff Boost
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March 4
Chicago Sun-Times
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"Faceoffs have been the Hawks' glaring weakness through 62 games. Entering Tuesday's game, the Hawks had used 13 players on faceoffs, and only captain Jonathan Toews had won more draws than he lost (508-443). Dave Bolland (393-496) and Colin Fraser (300-334) weren't close to a break-even success rate. So Tallon figures to have some likely targets in trade talks -- one of them on the Ducks' roster. Sami Pahlsson, a center with experience in the 2007 Stanley Cup finals, has won 53 percent of his draws, but he's sidelined with mononucleosis. Other possibilities include Toronto's Dominic Moore, who has won 55 percent of his draws. The Maple Leafs have been unable to re-sign him and might have ..."
Deadline sellers unlikely to see big returns
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March 4
Toronto Star
 
"More and more, today's trade deadline appears to be a prelude to that which lies ahead. To a significant degree, much of what we'll see today – or don't see today – is the direct result of 30 clubs trying to forecast the future in terms of where the industry is heading and, in particular, where the salary cap may be headed. In fact, there were moves yesterday that were indicators of what teams are thinking. Nicklas Backstrom signed a new contract to be the starting goaltender with the Minnesota Wild, and the salary was significant, an average of $6 million per season."