Inside the Blackhawks

Injuries wreak havoc on Blackhawks' blue line; Hjalmarsson and Montador sent back to Chicago

2012-02-10T18:22:31Z

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Injured Blackhawks defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Steve Montador went back to Chicago, while rookie Dylan Olsen joined the team in San Jose for their game Friday against the Sharks.

In other words, the Hawks' blue line will look very different.

]]> Hjalmarsson missed their past two practices with what the Hawks thought was the flu, which had been going around the locker room. But as others like Bryan Bickell, Nick Leddy and Viktor Stalberg recovered quickly, Hjalmarsson did not. It now looks like Hjalmarsson is battling a concussion.

"Things changed," coach Joel Quenneville said more than once when pressed about Hjalmarsson's status after the Hawks' morning skate on Friday.

Sami Lepisto, who last played 5:22 on Jan. 2 against the Edmonton Oilers, and Olsen, a rookie, will both be in the lineup as the Hawks look to end their six-game skid against goalie Antti Niemi and the rival Sharks. Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Sean O'Donnell and Leddy make up the rest of the defensive corps.

"It does feel like [forever]," said Lepisto, who has played just three times since Nov. 18. "It's been a while."

Montador was injured Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche and placed on injured reserve Friday. He left in the second period of the loss and underwent x-rays. Quenneville said he was day-to-day, but after being placed on IR, he will miss at least the Hawks' next two games against the Sharks and Saturday against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Montador, 32, has spent most of the season as the Hawks' fifth defenseman. He has 14 points (five goals), 45 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating in 51 games. He's missed every practice since his injury.

Olsen, 21, is considered the Hawks' best blue-line prospect. He made his NHL debut earlier this season. In two games with the Hawks, he's recorded four shots on goal, five hits and one block.

Olsen was traveling to San Jose Friday morning and didn't arrive in time for the Hawks' morning skate.

"In those two games he played, I thought he was real solid for us," Quenneville said. "He gives us some size. He had a real good presence and played the right side for us and did some good things."

Hjalmarsson is a big loss at a time when the Hawks' defensive play has faltered in numerous ways. The 24-year-old is their leading shot-blocker and a top penalty killer. It very unlikely he rejoins the team Saturday for their game against the Coyotes.

(Image source: Getty Images)

Corey Crawford to start in goal against the San Jose Sharks

2012-02-09T22:21:02Z

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- It's Corey Crawford's turn again.

]]> The Blackhawks' carousel in goal continues to turn as coach Joel Quenneville will give the nod to Crawford for Friday's game against the San Jose Sharks. Ray Emery started the last two games.

"He played great in here last game (a 1-0 loss on Nov. 23)," Quenneville said after practice Thursday at HP Pavilion. "I thought he had a real strong game. Ray was in there the last two games. We're going to need both guys so he gets back into the net."

Crawford's last victory came Jan. 18 against the Buffalo Sabres. Since then, he's lost twice to the Nashville Predators, played well against the Vancouver Canucks and gotten pulled against the Edmonton Oilers.

As a result, Emery was given a chance to seize the No. 1 spot, but he lost the Hawks' last two games against the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche. He was critical of himself after allowing to shots from considerable distances that he had clear looks at.

"I think they're both capable of getting the ball here, so that's where we're at," Quenneville said.

Defenseman Steve Montador is doubtful for the game Friday against the Sharks with an upper-body injury suffered against the Colorado Avalanche. He's day-to-day.

Niklas Hjalmarsson missed his second practice in a row with the flu, but is expected to play against the Sharks.

Flu bug takes hold in Blackhawks locker room

2012-02-08T20:08:28Z

DENVER -- Things have already already gotten bad for the Blackhawks. To make matters worse, the flu is now going around their locker room.

]]> Forwards Bryan Bickell and Viktor Stalberg and defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Nick Leddy all missed practice Wednesday at the University of Denver's Magness Arena with the flu.

"The group that was out is under the weather," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Hopefully, they all get better over the next day or so."

Defenseman Steve Montador also didn't practice. Montador left Tuesday's loss against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period and didn't return because of an upper-body injury. He underwent x-rays for his injury before the Hawks left the Pepsi Center. His injury isn't thought to be serious.

"He's doing OK today," Quenneville said. "We'll see how he is [Thursday]."

Is Joel Quenneville too impatient with his goalies?

2012-02-08T17:55:07Z

DENVER -- It's the fourth time in Joel Quenneville's four seasons behind the Blackhawks bench that there's a focus on who starts in net down the stretch and backstops the team into the playoffs, maintaining the notion that he's impatient with what happens in goal.

He was asked before Tuesday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche if he thinks he's too impatient with his goalies. Here's his answer:

]]> "I don't know if I'm impatient with goalies.The last few years have been kind of different here, but at the same time, [Corey Crawford] played the majority of the stretch last year. I don't know if that's being impatient or not and this year he has had the bulk of the games.

"Ray [Emery] has come here and he's played pretty well when he's gotten in net. He had one stretch where he got to sustain it. For the most part, he's been very good.

"I accept criticism in that regard. I thought [there's been] tough stretches in that area, but goaltending here for the most part has been pretty good."

Blackhawks forward Andrew Brunette a game-time decision against the Avalanche

2012-02-07T19:30:54Z

DENVER -- Veteran winger Andrew Brunette made a surprise appearance on the ice for the Blackhawks morning skate Tuesday at the Pepsi Center. And, there's a chance he'll play against the Colorado Avalanche.

]]> Brunette, one of the most durable players in the NHL, left last Thursday's loss against the Edmonton Oilers with an upper-body injury and missed his first game this season a day later against the Calgary Flames.

Officially, he's a game-time decision for the game Tuesday against the Avalanche. He and coach Joel Quenneville will decide after pre-game warmups.

"It was just some bumps and bruises you go through the whole season, some wear and tear that kept me out," Brunette said. "It was a little frustrating, but I'm starting to feel better every day here."

There were concerns that Brunette may miss multiple games with his injury. But it turned out it wasn't serious after getting closely examined by team doctors in Chicago after the first leg of the Hawks' nine-game road trip.

"Yeah," Brunette said. "Again, it's something we all go through. It's getting better and that's the important thing. It got better real quick. I'm hoping to play either [Tuesday night] or further down the stretch here."

Brunette, 38, has only missed four games since the 2001-02 season. He has nine goals, 19 points and a minus-8 rating in 52 games this season.

Ray Emery gets his chance to take the Blackhawks' No. 1 spot in goal

2012-02-06T18:40:37Z

Coach Joel Quenneville made his sales pitch to the media Sunday after practice at Johnny's IceHouse West.

]]> "[Ray Emery] has played very well basically every time he's been in the net for us this year," Quenneville said. "He's been consistent; he's been solid, predictable, dependable. The guys play well in front of him."

As expected, Emery will start in goal Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche and will have a chance to claim the No. 1 job for the final stretch into the playoffs.

Quenneville said it's different than the last three seasons when the Hawks looked for one goalie to take over, saying he thinks Emery and Crawford both have played well.

But it's really the same. They are looking for consistency and the more confident goalie.

Emery (11-4-2, .904 save percentage, 2.73 goals-against average) started six straight games in December, but since then Crawford has carried the load in goal. By this time last season, Crawford (18-13-5, .900, 2.94) had already secured the No. 1 job over veteran Marty Turco.

"In Ray's situation, he hasn't had a great chance to run with it," Quenneville said. "Corey's had a lot of key games here recently."

The Hawks are the only team without a shutout this season and they're allowing nearly three goals a game. Quenneville said he's looking for consistent play in net to benefit those in front him.

"A lot of the times the team in front of him responds to the way the goaltenders are playing," Quenneville said. "They are comfortable and they trust each other. I think both guys are strong mentally. Everybody has some stretches where you've got some confidence and your game is at a different level.

"Particularly when you're in net, the puck is bigger to you and you seem to be finding it. And sometimes it bounces and it plays tricks with you. I think working with [goalie coach Stephane Waite] and trying to recapture that confidence that we've seen so many nights in the net for us is something we're going to try to recapture here [with Crawford]."

Andrew Brunette will travel with Blackhawks

2012-02-05T18:53:12Z

Andrew Brunette's injury situation was disconcerting at one point. But after returning to Chicago and getting examined by the Blackhawks doctors, things apparently looked better than they seemed.

]]> Brunette, who left in the first period in the Hawks' ugly loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, will travel with the Hawks for the next three-game swing of their season-long nine-game road trip.

There is a possibility he will play later in the trip in San Jose or Phoenix, while the first game against the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday is unlikely.

"[Brunette] is feeling much better today than he did when we saw him last," coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday after practice. "He's going to come on the trip. I don't know about Colorado, but likely toward the weekend.

"He was really uncomfortable there for a few days, but he's feeling much better."

With Brunette out, the Hawks are expected to stick with Bryan Bickell and Michael Frolik in the lineup.

Jonathan Toews was sick Sunday and didn't participate in practice.

Joel Quenneville wants Blackhawks looking for win, not revenge against Oilers

2012-02-02T20:06:07Z

By Ben Meyer-Abbott
bmeyer-abbott@suntimes.com
Twitter: @BMACST

The Blackhawks have doled out a number of different descriptions in the past few days of the team's shellacking at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers on their last visit to Rexall Place.

]]> Patrick Sharp called the 9-2 beat down Nov. 19 "the low point of the season." Jonathan Toews talked about it as an embarrassment.

But leave it to Joel Quenneville to put the loss into clear and concise terms.

"We got our teeth kicked in here last time," Quenneville said Thursday after the team's morning skate.

But Quenneville doesn't want his players wrapped up in looking for revenge when the Hawks take on the Oilers at 8:30 p.m. central time. Taking two points off a team the Hawks have lost to twice in three meetings this season will be revenge enough, he said.

"Let's make sure we remember that and be smart about it," Quenneville said. We need a win in a bad way. We've got respect for how they play, but let's make sure we take care of our own business and not necessarily about getting even or redemption. It's basically, play a strong game and win and that's how you get even."

The Hawks will also be looking to avoid their second four-game losing streak in a month. The team began their four-game slide to start January with a 4-3 loss to the Oilers at the United Center after which Daniel Carcillo was suspended for his hit on Tom Gilbert.

"We haven't played at all the way we've wanted to in two of the games against these guys this year," winger Viktor Stalberg said. "We need to come out strong. We're in desperate need of points."

The Oilers will be without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (left shoulder). The star rookie has missed 12 games since he fell against the boards Jan. 2 against the Hawks at the United Center.

"He wants to play on Thursday. I don't think that's realistic," Oilers coach Tom Renney said.

Bryan Bickell is expected to play for just the second time in the last six games for the Hawks.

Blackhawks look to be at full strength against Canucks

2012-01-31T21:08:21Z

By Ben Meyer-Abbott
bmeyer-abbott@suntimes.com
Twitter: @BMACST

The Blackhawks should have both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp in the lineup Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.

]]> Joel Quenneville described Sharp's return to the lineup as "likely" for the game at Rogers Arena. It comes less than four weeks since he reportedly broke a bone in his left wrist against the Detroit Red Wings when he was slashed while scoring his 20th goal of the season.

"In my mind I'm ready to go, I'm 100 percent," Sharp said. "I feel great and I'm excited to play in this building. I can't wait to be back and I'm ready to get going."

Sharp didn't go into whether or not he had any hesitations about returning to the lineup on the shorter end of his projected recovery time or if he would be see fewer shifts or less minutes, but did reiterate he was ready to handle whatever the minutes that do come his way.

"We'll see. That's Joel's department," Sharp said about his playing time. "I'm 100 percent healthy, ready to play. He'll use me the way he wants."

Toews, who placed on Injured Reserve, but missed just one game along with the All-Star festivities, also returned from a hand injury.

The two rivals split their two previous games this season, with the road team registering a four-goal win both times.

Hawks newcomer Brendan Morrison will be paired on the second line with Sharp and Marian Hossa. Morrison, who spent eight seasons with the Canucks and lives in Vancouver area, said he hasn't gotten a sense of the rivalry between these two teams yet, but is eager to get off to good start with his new team.

"It just goes to show you when you're on the outside looking in, it's a bigger deal," Morrison said. "Not that it's not important to these guys, it is. It is a big deal. ... Some games are bigger than others and this is one of those games."

Corey Crawford gets the start in goal for the Hawks, but he won't be facing his Game 7 adversary from last season's divisional playoff series against the Canucks. Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault has opted to start Cory Schneider rather than Roberto Luongo.

It's the second high-profile matchup Luongo has missed this month. Vignuealt also sat him against the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins. But Schneider said he isn't reading too much into the decision.

"I just read into it coach trusts both of us," Schneider said. "I think it says he has faith in me to play these games and confidence I can win them. To me, it helps a lot and it shows that it doesn't matter whether Lu or I are in the net."

Blackhawks ready for Central Division battle to the end

2012-01-30T16:47:21Z

OTTAWA - For the top four teams in the Central Division - the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and the Blackhawks -- the All-Star break had to be a welcome vacation from the all-out fight they're in.

But their stars couldn't escape talk of it over the All-Star game weekend. The most dominant division in hockey was a hot topic as some of the most dominating players in the game gathered in Ottawa.

]]> "You've got four teams who are right there at the top in the West," Hawks forward Patrick Kane said. "Everyone knows how tough the West is. You could be up 90-plus points and still be competing for a playoff spot.

"Every game is important, especially down the stretch [and] especially when you're playing division teams. They are more like four-point games."

Making things more interesting is that the Hawks, Red Wings, Blues and Predators are active to some extent in the trade market, searching for players to propel them past one other. The Central is the only division with four teams over 60 points at the break. Not only are they competing for the division title, but also for the fourth seed and the home ice that comes with it for the playoffs.

Predators defenseman Ryan Suter also caused a stir at media day when he said he doesn't believe he'll re-sign by the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Suter, a top-2 defenseman on any team, is a hot name in trade rumors since some believe Nashville won't be able to retain the looming unrestricted free agent. Suter and defense partner Shea Weber represented the Predators in the All-Star game.

For the Hawks, who fell to fourth in the division and sixth in the conference after back-to-back losses to the Predators before the break, the search for a top-4 defenseman is ongoing. But general manager Stan Bowman was able to add depth at center Friday by acquiring 36-year-old veteran Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defense prospect Brian Connelly, 25, who had fallen down the depth chart.

"He's a great team guy," Flames All-Star Jarome Iginla, a former linemate of Morrison's, said. "He's still a good player. He's come back and he's been fighting a few injuries, but he's a very smart player.

"He'll find ways to be effective. He can still have big nights. He came back from his [torn anterior cruciate ligament] and had a four-point night. He's still a crafty guy."

Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, whom Kane considers one of the top two players in the league with Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, said it's fun to have the standings so close.

"This year and last year, every team is close," said Datsyuk, who represented Detroit with goalie Jimmy Howard. "One, two missed games and you're behind everybody. Every year it gets tougher and tougher. [But] I like it where it's closer and the more you need to work. It makes you better everyday."

The turnaround of the Blues under new coach Ken Hitchcock has only made the Central race more compelling. The Blues only sent goalie Brian Elliott to the All-Star game.

"What a turnaround in the season. They switch the coach and all of a sudden they're such a tougher team to play against," Hossa said. "Their goalies play unbelievable.

"They are playing more like a team. They are playing as a five-guy unit in the [defensive] zone and they are coming back hard. They've really improved in every direction."

Video: Blackhawks All-Star Patrick Kane becomes "Superman" for breakaway challenge

2012-01-29T01:09:46Z

OTTAWA, Ontario -- Patrick Kane transformed into Superman Saturday night.

]]> And because of it, Kane won the popular breakaway challenge during the All-Star game's skills competition at Scotiabank Place.

After Kane failed on his first of three attempts, All-Star teammate Marian Hossa got involved. Hossa placed a Superman cape and Clark Kent-like glasses on Kane for his second attempt.

Kane then slid on the ice as if he was flying and beat St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott. On his third attempt, Kane attempted a slap shot and the puck (a glued-together fractured puck) exploded.

Here's the video:

Anaheim Ducks star Corey Perry brought out a mini-stick for his third attempt and scored, but Kane's Superman routine won over the fans, who voted him the winner.

"I think it's kind of cool when guys throw in some different props and kind of use it to their advantage," Kane said. "I didn't really care about scoring. It was about the whole presentation."

Kane said he was inspired by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard's cape-wearing dunk in the 2008 slum dunk competition at the NBA All-Star game.

"I used to love watching the slam dunk competition growing up," Kane said. "I thought it'd be cool to wear it and kind of slide down the ice like I was flying."

Kane said his parents and Hawks media relations director Brandon Faber bought his props at a costume shop in Ottawa on Saturday.

"They had some other ideas like sparklers on my skates," Kane said.

Of course, Hossa was a key part of the equation.

"I thought he was great," Kane said. "I think he was a little nervous. He didn't want to put anything on me wrong."

As far as the exploding puck for this third attempt, Kane said he cut one up into four pieces and glued it back together.

"I was a little disappointed none of [the pieces] went into the net," Kane said. "That's what I was hoping for. When I did it this morning, there were three in the net sometimes."

Kane didn't hide his desire to win the breakaway challenge. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin had won it every time since it began in 2008, but he pulled out of the All-Star festivities this year.

"It was fun and a cool experience and cool when you think about some ideas that can actually work," Kane said.

Blackhawks trade for Brendan Morrison

2012-01-28T01:47:14Z

OTTAWA, Ontario -- General manager Stan Bowman said he was in the market for a center, and on Friday during the All-Star break, he got one in Brendan Morrison.

The Blackhawks traded defenseman Brian Connelly, who was having a standout season with the Rockford IceHogs, to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Morrison.

]]> The move finally gives the Hawks some depth at center, which was needed. But Morrison is 36 years old and has only four goals and 11 points in 28 games this season.

Morrison spent time on injured reserve this season to further rehabilitate a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which he suffered last season against the Hawks. Despite coming off surgery, the Flames signed him to a one-year, $1.25 million deal this past summer.

"I know it's fine. It's solid. It's strong," Morrison said about his knee. "Skating is getting back to where it's always been."

Morrison has 200 goals and 601 points in 923 regular-season games in his career. In 66 games last season, he had nine goals and 43 points.

"I'm thrilled," Morrison said. "This is a tremendous opportunity to come to a team that I feel has good a chance as anybody to compete for the Stanley Cup. I'm going to come in and be myself. I'm going to try to be a leader wherever I can and be helpful wherever they want to play me."

Stan Bowman said he's been speaking to Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster for a while about possibly acquiring Morrison.

"We like what he can bring to the table and it finally came to be today," Bowman said. "Basically, there are a lot of attributes that Brendan brings to the table that we've been looking for. He's obviously a centerman and he's got a long pedigree of being an offensive performer. I still think he's got a lot left to add to our group."

Blackhawks stars Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane excited to show off skills in challenges

2012-01-27T23:50:52Z

OTTAWA, Ontario -- Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane can't wait to show off to the rest of the NHL what Blackhawks fan have come to love from them. Both are looking forward to competing in the All-Star game's skills competition at Scotiabank Place on Saturday.

]]> Kane will compete in three events: the popular breakaway challenge, the skills challenge relay (passing accuracy) and the elimination shootout. Hossa will take part in the fastest skater challenge and accuracy shooting.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin won the past three breakaway challenges, but after pulling out of the All-Star game, a new winner has to be crowned. Kane hopes it's him.

"It's definitely a chance for me to put on a show for the fans and do some things," Kane said Friday at media day. "I'm excited about doing it. It's something that I wanted to do. I'm going to put some good things together and hopefully make the fans like what I do. It's definitely a nerve-wracking event, probably one of the most, but I'm excited that I'm in it. I'd love to win it."

Hossa doesn't think he's the fastest skater on the Hawks -- "[Viktor] Stalberg] would be," he said -- but he thinks he can hold his own. The race format also is new this year.

"It's going to be fun," Hossa said. "I'll try to do my best and hopefully don't pull anything. I'll try to warm up pretty good."

For a full list of the those in the events, click here.

Jonathan Toews placed on IR, will sit out All-Star game

2012-01-24T16:50:31Z

The Blackhawks are down to two All-Stars.

Hawks captain Jonathan Toews was placed on injured reserve Tuesday and was replaced on the All-Star roster by Philadelphia Flyers winger Scott Hartnell.

]]> With Toews out, the Hawks needed a center and recalled Brandon Pirri from Rockford for Tuesday's game against the Nashville Predators. Pirri will center the third line while Dave Bolland takes over Toews' spot on the first.

Coach Joel Quenneville reaffirmed that Toews' left wrist/hand injury isn't serious.

"The injury we said is not serious -- because it's not, " Quenneville said.

Toews is eligible to return to the Hawks' lineup next Tuesday against the rival Canucks in Vancouver. Quenneville said Toews and Patrick Sharp (wrist) will both travel with the team to Vancouver on Monday.

"[Toews] saw the doctors [Monday] and it seems like he's progressing and kind of on course," Quenneville said. "They'll both be on the plane. If they're both playing, we'll see."

Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa will represent the Hawks at the All-Star game this weekend.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews out with arm injury

2012-01-23T17:20:02Z

The good news is that Jonathan Toews' suspected left arm injury is not serious. The bad news is that he will miss the Blackhawks' game Tuesday against the Nashville Predators and is unlikely to participate in the All-Star game festivities this weekend in Ottawa.

]]> Coach Joel Quenneville said Monday after practice that Toews is "not likely" to participate in the All-Star game Sunday or the skills competition on Saturday.

Toews didn't participate in practice Monday. He left Saturday's game against the Predators in the second period. Toews was slashed over his left wrist and hand by Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson on Friday. He finished that game, but he held his wrist on the ice and on the bench in noticeable pain.

"We'll get a better assessment after [the All-Star break]," Quenneville said. "When you look at the injury, there is no defining blow."

The Hawks have been without Toews before. Last year, he missed two games with a shoulder injury and he's battled various ailments throughout his career, including a concussion and a sprained knee.

Toews, one of the best two-way players in the league, is on track for his best season in terms of statistics. He is second in the NHL with 27 goals and has 50 points in 49 games.

(Image source: Associated Press)