Shanahammer Video, Weekend Street Hockey Club - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

Wings Brendan Smith Suspended for Illegal Hit On Ben Smith - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

VIDEO: One-on-one with Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (via The Hockey News) - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

Get Shanahan on the blower! (photo: Tom Cruze/Sun-Times)

Earlier this week, the IceHogs travelled to Detroit to play the Red Wings to a 3-3 tie, and last night the Wings returned the favor, sending their Grand Rapids affiliate against the Hawks NHL roster.

These games always present an interesting contrast of styles: on one side, veterans honing their game in preparation for opening night; on the other, eager kids angling to make an impression and maybe land a spot with the Big Club.

… [visit site to read more]

Hawks 4, Grand Rapids 3 - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

Who does number 2C work for??

Just a quick couple of blurbs here before tonight’s game…

On Monday, I wrote that I was opposed to the idea of Kane at center for a number of reasons. After taking a couple of days to let the idea sink in, I’m no longer opposed to it, I just don’t think it’ll work.

Fact: Hossa needs a playmaking center who can get him the puck.
Fact: Kane and Hossa can’t both play RW on a line with Toews, and neither of them is flipping to the left side.
Fact: Sharp isn’t a playmaking center.
Fact: Bolland is more valuable on the 3rd line.

Question: So how do you get your best playmaker on the 2nd line with Hossa?

Answer: You move Kane to “center.”

If your definition of center is “the guy who takes draws” then maybe Kane’s a center tonight. Other than that, I don’t believe we’ll see too much difference in his game. … [visit site to read more]

Preseason Prior to the Puck Drop Prognostications - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

Kruger follows the action from the bench. Yup. (photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

As many of you know, I’ve already stated that Marcus Kruger probably won’t make this year’s team to start the season. Possibly he’ll be up for a couple of games if Patrick Sharp isn’t ready on day one, but in my opinion, even that is unlikely.

After last night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, Kruger’s chances of making the team now “officially” look doubtful. Per Adam Jahns, here’s what the Blackhawks had to say in regards to Kruger.

From Stan Bowman:

“Letting him see a full training camp [and] getting used to the players, the coaches can see what he can do when he’s had time a whole training camp,’’ general manager Stan Bowman said. ‘‘We’ll see how it goes. I don’t look at it as, ‘Can he do this one specific skill?’ As a centerman, Marcus is going to have to be reliable at both ends of the rink.’’

And from coach Quenneville:

“I thought he played better as the game went on, and I think he’s been OK this camp,’’ Quenneville said. ‘‘He can make plays and sees plays. But I think the quickness thing and the strength thing is something he’s going to have to improve on.”

Not quite the ringing endorsements. Make no doubt about it, the Blackhawks’ spin machine is running full tilt, and their objective here is to make you believe that desperate times require desperate measures. … [visit site to read more]

Blackhawks Prepare Kruger’s I-Pass, Patrick Kane At The Center Of It All - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

See? no meshing.

As I watched the Hawks game against Washington last night, something clicked in my head, and I decided Marty Turco can be partly exonerated for his performance last year.

Let’s jump back to the practice game against the Penguins Thursday. Here’s what struck me most forcefully about the Hawks’ style in that game. The defensemen were not collecting pucks behind the net. Rather, the goalie was collecting the puck and distributing it to one corner or the other, where the defensemen took up station.

… [visit site to read more]

September Hockey: Thoughts about Turco, Keith, and the Hawks - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

We’re back on the 30 in 30 beat again and I’ll be bringing you two previews per day so we can wrap things up just in time for the real season to begin. First up to bat, the Colorado Avalanche, brought to you by Fansided’s Mile High Sticks blog. On deck, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After a surprising start last season, the Avs had one of the worst collapses since Galloping Gertie, going 10-31-3 after January 1st. They made quite a few changes this summer, including the acquisitions of  Shane O’Brien, Giguere, and Hejda, but I doubt they were enough to get Colorado back in the playoff hunt. Besides, does a top line of Landeskog-Duchene-Mueller really strike fear in anyone, even the Oilers? … [visit site to read more]

Around the NHL in 30 Days: Colorado Avalanche - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

To be honest, the only chemistry I have ever seen between Kane and Sharp involved the chemistry of playing with that Toews fellow.  So I decided to take a look at last year’s production from various duos to see if there really was any of this supposed chemistry.  And if so with which pairs of Chicago Blackhawks.

… [visit site to read more]

Can’t we just Clone Toews? - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

On Saturday, thanks to tickets from my co-writer Brian Donohue, I attended the Blackhawks Training Camp Festival with my wife and youngest son. I’m typically not into “fluff” events, but the Blackhawks organization did a top notch job. Events like these are a great opportunity to expand the NHL fan base, something that is definitely needed, and the Hawks made the most of that chance.

We arrived early to ensure getting our Patrick Sharp bobbleheads (which of course don’t stand up – solution: glue a puck to the bottom). The 100 level was only about 1/3 full, but the other 2/3rds were being “saved.” I have no problem with people saving a seat or two, but when two people are saving ten or more seats that’s a bit over the top. Get there on time people! The 300 section, where I feel most at home, was desolate so we wandered upstairs and made ourselves comfortable in the front row at center ice. Not bad.

A meeting of the (net)minds

Although it was nice to see the team on the ice and Kane unloading shots without any apparent discomfort to his wrist, not much real skating happens on the first day of camp. Actually the best part was watching the “scary-good for their age” peewees skate prior to the Hawks taking the ice. By the end of the first Hawks scrimmage we were able to sneak down behind the CBOE seats for a close-up look at the players. … [visit site to read more]

Photos From Saturday’s Training Camp Festival - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog