Everything Else

Less Than Optimal

By 1275

Going into the season, the one thing most Hawks fans and analysts said the Hawks couldn’t have was an injury to Duncan Keith. Time to break the glass on that case, then.

It came out today that Duncan Keith had surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. He will be out 4-6 weeks. And this is clearly the one injury the Hawks couldn’t cope with. Even if Toews had to miss a month, there are enough competent centers that they could stay afloat. An injury to Hossa or Kane, the Hawks have enough depth with their wings that they probably could have made it work. But this…, like with Miranda Priestly, there is no Plan B.

Everything Else

Grinds My Gears

By 1591

taft

Hello and welcome to my first crack at the soon to be renamed Grinds My Gears. I don’t care much for Family Guy plus if this is going to be my defacto spot, I might as well make it my own.

We’re very, very early into the hockey season and I’m not used to having the Cubs play baseball during this time of year. But here we are. Even with divided attention we hold a few truths to be self-evident:

  1. Artemi Panarin is pretty goddamn good
  2. Teuvo is still my special boy but now he’s getting jerked around by Joel “3 Cupz” Quenneville
  3. Everything in the NHL is completely predictable
Everything Else

High On The Hog: Stars Struck

By 1828

The Rockford IceHogs, AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, didn’t lose a game to the Texas Stars in the entirety of last season. This weekend, the Hogs dropped a pair to that squad on consecutive days.

IceHogs fans got a real good look at this team. Rockford’s shortcomings were on full display as the Stars, now undefeated in four games, filled up the net.

Oh, and Rockford named a captain this week. And nearly introduced him Saturday night.

Everything Else

Let the Children Use It: Blackhawks 4, Blue Jackets 1

By 1293

Box Score

Event Summary

War on Ice

Natural Stat Trick

Through the years doing this, there have been more than a few times where we’ve witnessed teams that have given up on the coaching staff. Buffalo tuning out Lindy Ruff sticks out as probably the most depressing. San Jose mailing it in last year with Todd McClellan is another one that jumps immediately to mind.

Tonight’s performance put on by the Blue Jackets will stick out as the most obvious. From the drop of the puck, a team that has gone winless and pointless in 5 games never looked like they gave one iota whether they drew a positive result out of this game. I can’t think of one example during tonight’s tilt where it seemed like the Blue Jackets were remotely interested in competing against the Hawks.

Everything Else

Never Had It So Bad, The Morning Saad: Jackets at Hawks Preview/Beef Stock Prep

By 1101

Chief_Blue_Meanie vs. 250px-Ozymandias

FACEOFF: 7:30pm

TV/RADIO For Sox Fans: WGN for both

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK: Jackets Cannon

Blue Jackets Stats Page

Blue Jackets War On Ice

Ah yes, the return of General Saad to the United Center after a distinguished three year… well, two and a half year stay in Chicago. No one does pomp like the Hawks. Even Dan Fucking Carcillo got one, so Saad can expect an over the top scoreboard treatment and ovation at the first TV timeout, while somewhere Brian Campbell, who was a Hawk just as long and his salute consisted of Pat Foley scoffing at him on air, wonders why he never got the same treatment. While there will be stories about what a shame it is that Saad is no longer a Hawk, essentially in the end everyone won in the summer. The Hawks made what very well might turn out to be a good hockey trade, getting two useful pieces for one, while Saad got very very rich. But never let that get in the way of emotions. The juxtaposition of a team hailing a player they were never quite sold on is certainly delicious.

Everything Else

I Don’t Have A Cap: Hawks 1 – Capitals 4

By 1183

Boxscore

Event Summary

War On Ice

Natural Stat Trick

Hey at least they scored this time.

The Hawks have gotten their first losing streak of the new season out of the way tonight, dropping their second straight. This time it was to the Caps, and other than a brief spasm of give-a-shit in the 2nd period the Hawks looked about as craptacular as they did last night up the Acela in Philly. While I could dig for numbers to prove this or point out that or find some underlying cause, the reality of it is the Hawks have simply played like shit the past two nights. Sometimes it’s just that simple.