Blackhawks 2014-15 Season Preview

[PsychoticPondGoons]

Chicago Blackhawks 

After spending most of the 2013-14 season leading the Western Conference, the Blackhawks eventually lost some steam when star goalie Carey Price got hit with the injury bug and went down for the count the rest of the season.

Chicago's backup goaltenders could only hold off opponents some nights and the Blackhawks crawled into the post-season with an All-star lineup but no real goalie. Chicago would bow out to in Round 1 of the FNHL Playoffs.

Looking ahead to 2014-15, the Hawks were eager to plug glaring holes in the roster.

Adding A Goalie
The game plan during the Hawks offseason has been to ensure there's no collapse in net again. Josh Harding, $5.5m (2014-2018) was brought in to provide some insurance in the event Price misses time again at a critical moment in the season. Harding is high risk and high reward player but the price wasn't too high with a 37yo Iginla being dealt the other way. By trading for Harding, Chicago avoids having to deal with the uncertainty of available Free Agent goalies that meet the team's budget.

Free Agent Signings
Other key moves so far have seen the Hawks sign 3 Free agent Defensemen to replace the departures of Brewer, Gryba, Irwin, and Hannan. The arrivals of
  >> Mike Weber, $0.6m (2014-2016)
  >> Ryan Wilson, $0.6m (2014-2016)
  >> Sergei Gonchar, $1.6m (2014-2017)
These 3 will hopefully replace the production lost by the departed quartet.

Recently signed Raffi Torres, $1.5m (2014-2017) and young hopeful Mike Halmo, $0.2m (2014-2016) are going to provide some depth on LW for the team.

Down on the Farm
Several MiLR players look to break camp with the parent club. The top Hawks prospects most likely to get promoted this yr include:
C - Scott Laughton (2012: 1/20 - 5 Games)
RW - Kevin Hayes (2010: 1/24 - 0 Games)
D - Joe Morrow (2011: 1/23 - 0 Games)
G - Alexander Salák (2009 FA signing - 2 Games) KHL's SKA St. Petersburg

All 4 are seen as in-season call ups to boost the team's already impressive lineup (like I would say anything less than that LOL).

2014-15 Outlook
Look for the Chicago Blackhawks to finish Top 3 in the Western Conference and have a long playoff run after addressing several of the team's key needs this off-season.

[PigsRule]

Chicago Blackhawks 

After spending most of the 2013-14 season leading the Western Conference, the Blackhawks eventually lost some steam when star goalie Carey Price got hit with the injury bug and went down for the count the rest of the season.

Chicago's backup goaltenders could only hold off opponents some nights and the Blackhawks crawled into the post-season with an All-star lineup but no real goalie. Chicago would bow out to in Round 1 of the FNHL Playoffs.

Looking ahead to 2014-15, the Hawks were eager to plug glaring holes in the roster.

Adding A Goalie
The game plan during the Hawks offseason has been to ensure there's no collapse in net again. Josh Harding, $5.5m (2014-2018) was brought in to provide some insurance in the event Price misses time again at a critical moment in the season. Harding is high risk and high reward player but the price wasn't too high with a 37yo Iginla being dealt the other way. By trading for Harding, Chicago avoids having to deal with the uncertainty of available Free Agent goalies that meet the team's budget.

Free Agent Signings
Other key moves so far have seen the Hawks sign 3 Free agent Defensemen to replace the departures of Brewer, Gryba, Irwin, and Hannan. The arrivals of
  >> Mike Weber, $0.6m (2014-2016)
  >> Ryan Wilson, $0.6m (2014-2016)
  >> Sergei Gonchar, $1.6m (2014-2017)
These 3 will hopefully replace the production lost by the departed quartet.

Recently signed Raffi Torres, $1.5m (2014-2017) and young hopeful Mike Halmo, $0.2m (2014-2016) are going to provide some depth on LW for the team.

Down on the Farm
Several MiLR players look to break camp with the parent club. The top Hawks prospects most likely to get promoted this yr include:
C - Scott Laughton (2012: 1/20 - 5 Games)
RW - Kevin Hayes (2010: 1/24 - 0 Games)
D - Joe Morrow (2011: 1/23 - 0 Games)
G - Alexander Salák (2009 FA signing - 2 Games) KHL's SKA St. Petersburg

All 4 are seen as in-season call ups to boost the team's already impressive lineup (like I would say anything less than that LOL).

2014-15 Outlook
Look for the Chicago Blackhawks to finish Top 3 in the Western Conference and have a long playoff run after addressing several of the team's key needs this off-season.

Good writeup PPG! invoking the spirit of Snugerud I see.

[JohnnyWeissflog]

 

Nicely done!
It will be an absolute honour to win you again this year! 

[PsychoticPondGoons]

Nicely done!
It will be an absolute honour to win you again this year! 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr   

Hey look out Johnny. Watch out


Jets crash and burn. So sad. We're ready for your Jet planes.