I have enjoyed reading Blackhawk Up and am excited to join the site now as a contributor. I look forward to some give and take in the coming months. I’m not big on introductions so without further ado, pass the potatoes and let’s get started.

There were not a lot of positives to take from Tuesday’s game at the Wigwam. The offense was too cute, the defensive zone coverage too skimpy and for a minute, I thought I was watching the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

… [visit site to read more]

Coyote Ugly - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

(Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

I’m going to say what a lot of Hawks fans are afraid to say: this year’s team is not nearly as good as everyone thought it would be at the start of the season. And they have a long, long way to go if they want to win anything this year.

Maybe I’m wrong to go setting off alarms, but personally I’m sick of making excuses for this team. I did it all year last season and I’ve done it so far this year when they’ve had bad stretches. I’m sick of making them and I’m sick of hearing them and you should be too.

Yes it was one loss, but the problems with this year’s team run much deeper than how many losses they’ve had so far and threaten to put the Hawks’ playoff position in jeopardy.

… [visit site to read more]

Coyotes 4 Hawks 0: Something Must Be Done - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

(Photo: Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

I was going to use today’s “Hawk Thought” to discuss Jonathan Toews and how his recent play confirms the notion that he is not human and is, in fact, something out of a Greek myth, but I simply have to address this.

I’m sure by now most of you have heard the rumors that Anaheim forward Bobby Ryan is on the market. While the validity of these rumors is widely contested, fans from all over have been pitching their trade proposals to get the young forward on their team. And some Hawks fans have been following suit.

For the most part, I agree that the Hawks should have some interest in Ryan. He’s one of the best natural scorers in the game and could really compliment the group of players the Hawks currently have and would probably give them two of the best lines in the NHL.

However, I would argue that the chances of the Hawks actually trading for Ryan are very, very slim.

… [visit site to read more]

Hawk Thought: Could Bobby Ryan be a Blackhawk? - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

The Hawks wrapped up their annual 6-game Circus Trip with much needed victories over the Anaheim and LA on Friday and Saturday, giving the Hawks a .500 record for the trip. Not bad, not great.

But despite going 3-3, it feels like there was a lot more bad on this trip than good. That just might be the case.

Before we delve into our analysis of the trip and what we can learn from it, lets do a quick recap.

… [visit site to read more]

Thoughts on the Chicago Blackhawks’ Annual Circus Trip - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

"Don't mind if I do" (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)

I apologize for not having this up yesterday. I was feeling under the weather and was not in a good state of mind for writing. This just means you guys get two posts today.

The Hawks played an excellent road game on Saturday night against the Kings. The offensive firepower may not have been there (they probably used a little too much of it the night before against the Ducks) but it didn’t need to be because the defense and the goaltending were.

… [visit site to read more]

Hawks 2 Kings 1: Blackhawks Dethrone Kings - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

"What are you on Sharpie?" (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

I’m sure like most of you, I was very, very close to shutting this game off after the first 2 minutes. In what is becoming a dangerous habit with this team, the Hawks came out totally flat, without any sense of urgency or intensity. This look destined to be the Edmonton disaster all over again. But slowly the Hawks began to show signs of life and there was a feeling that this game was never quite out of reach.

They carried the play throughout most of the first period. They had some quality offensive zone time and a great, second-effort goal from Patrick Sharp, as well as a power-tally from Dave Bolland.

In the second period, defensive breakdowns led to some high quality Anaheim scoring chances and a Bobby Ryan goal which restored the Ducks’ 2-goal lead. The Hawks had some really good chances but Jonas Hiller managed to shut the door. At that point it was questionable whether or not the Hawks would be able to get enough pucks past Hiller to win this hockey game.

And then the third period happened.

… [visit site to read more]

Hawks 6 Ducks 5: Hatrick Sharp and the Captain Lead Third Period Comeback - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

"Go easy on me, I'm havin' a hard time right now" (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Before I get to my first “Hawk Thought”, I just want to say that I hope everyone had a very pleasant Thanksgiving. Let’s hope that the Hawks make us all thankful with a decisive victory tonight.

Now to business.

Expectations were very high for Dave Bolland entering the season. Many of us thought that with a full offseason to rest and train he would come into this season not only fully healthy, but ready to take his game to the next level.

And for the few weeks of the season he made us believe it.

But since then Bolland has come crashing back to Earth.

… [visit site to read more]

Hawk Thought: Who Posioned the Rat? Discussing the Recent Disappearance of Dave Bolland - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

"Can't I have one for old time's sake?" (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Hello everyone.  First off, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Cody Pugh and I’ll be the new lead writer here at BlackhawkUp. I’m a passionate and opinionated Hawks fan and a university student with way too much time on his hands (I’m just that smart) so I expect I’ll be posting quite a bit, so make sure you check in everyday, two or three times a day. Seriously.

As I said I’m a pretty opinionated guy, so I’m sure that some of you will disagree with what I say in my posts. But just remember that no matter what: I’m right and you’re wrong.

Just kidding. Actually I really encourage discussion and debate and I welcome criticism, so if any of you disagree with me, please don’t be afraid to comment and tell me how stupid and wrong I really am. It makes things interesting.

Just to give you a heads up on what I plan to cover here in my tenure at  Blackhawk Up. I’m not a big fan of game previews (you can get everywhere else) so I won’t be doing those but I will give you guys thoughts and comments after every game. Also I will be posting “Hawk Thoughts” (lame I know) in which I will discuss my thoughts about the state of the team, certain players etc. Finally, I’ll occasionally give updates on what’s going on around the league, Hawk prospects, trade rumors etc. So there will lots of good stuff coming so make sure you check in everyday, two or three times a day. Did I mention that already?

A few quick thoughts about last night’s game.

… [visit site to read more]

Introductions/Shark Bitten: Hawks 0 Sharks 1 - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

visit site to read more]

Writers Wanted For Blackhawk Up! - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog

Guess who's Backes? Backes again... Shady? Yes. Annoying? Yes. But I highly doubt that's the Real Slim he's speaking to. (Photo by Mark Buckner/NHLI via Getty Images)

Nothing much to say about last night’s loss, but I’ll give my two cents on the 3 goals against and then some thoughts on the state of the Hawks.

Although I question John Scott’s role on this team, the first goal was not on him even though he got turnstiled. Nor was it on Montador. Or Kruger. The Hawks executed a full 5-man line change with the puck still in the neutral zone. The Blues took advantage. Monty wasn’t coasting there. He was lending secondary support to Scott (surprise!). The Blues were in the Hawks zone before a number of them had a chance to leave the bench.

On the Blues 2nd goal which came on the PP, aside from Hjalmarsson making it too easy for Colaiacovo to park in the crease, the Hawks actually had good defensive positioning, including Crawford. The goal was a deflection high in the slot that most times Corey stops, but it snuck through 5-hole. It happens. Most likely he was screened by Colaiacovo who wasn’t the actual goal scorer (TJ Oshie to Chris Stewart). Having a guy park his ass in front of the net on the PP in order to screen the goalie and clean up any loose change isn’t a new concept. Wow, it worked.

… [visit site to read more]

Blues 3, Lost Sheep 0: Should Have Tried the Veal - Blackhawk Up - Blackhawk Up - A Chicago Blackhawks Blog