2011-12 Chicago Blackhawks

AZBearsFan · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 8901

Starting a new thread for the new season that begins TONIGHT!

I am really optimistic heading into this season. I think that seeing the consequences last year of sleepwalking through much of the regular season will really serve to light the fire under our guys again. Listening to the big voices in that locker room this offseason and preseason talking about last year saying things like "unacceptable" and "won't happen again" makes me feel like the team will be coming into this season focused right out of the gate, and there is still a TON of talent there.

Time to start the quest to bring the Cup back home boys!

If you want to look back to last year's thread, click here.
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GOGRIESE · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:19 pm Post subject:

Really excited for this new team. I have big expectations for them.
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^^ props to Ty on the sig Smile

War room link
http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=512157

wiscsports1234 · Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Posts: 7475 Location: Milwaukee, WI

I have a good feeling about this team. They are definitely a top 3 talented team in the West along with San Jose and Los Angeles. They'll still finish behind the Canucks since they should be able to rack up the points in the Northwest, while the Central could produce four playoff teams (CHI, DET, STL, and I'm leaning CLB)

#1 SJ
#2 VAN
#3 CHI
#4 LA
#5 DET
#6 ANA
#7 STL
#8 CLB

In the end I see the Sharks over Hawks in 7 to win the West. (They have to get through at some point right?)
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ConVict90 · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 1888 Location: San Diego

Barry has them winning it all!
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Adopt a Pro Bowl Bear ~ Timayy Jennings

jspiel24 · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 6744

Very excited for the new faces, especially Saad and whether he'll be able to stick with the squad or get sent down. I think we'll finish 3rd in the West and call me a homer, but I think we'll be carrying the cup home.
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Adopt A Bear 2012: Major Wright

CBears019 · Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 14765 Location: Iowa City, IA

Can't watch tonight, my house doesn't get CSN. Regardless, I'm excited for the season to begin. They should have a helluva team with a lot more grit than last year.
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Martellus Bennet highlight video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lP8fHN53t0

wiscsports1234 · Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Posts: 7475 Location: Milwaukee, WI

Hawks win 3-1 tonight. If this game was last season they would have lost this in regulation with the way they were playing. They scored in the first period with a Toews goal and then it was all Avs for most of the rest of the game. Crawford was making saves and the defense was deflecting shots. They fought through it and added a Sharp goal and a Hossa empty netter to put it away when the Avs were on the power play late in the game.

Six games into the season and you can see how different this team is from last season. Outside of the home Stars game and the Coyotes game, the Hawks haven't looked the greatest. They went down 2-0 against the Jets, coughed up a 3rd period lead and lost in a shootout against the Bruins, and played an even game against the Avs tonight. They're still winning and picking up points though.

Hossa is beasting to start the season. And Kane looks good as a second line center. It's a huge advantage that what started out as an experiment is working so well. Opposing teams have to deal with Toews on the first line and then boom, they have Kane on the second line.
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wiscsports1234 · Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Posts: 7475 Location: Milwaukee, WI

With a 5-1-2 record (12 pts), the Hawks are off to their best start since 1971-72. In their first 8 games, that team started 7-1-0 (14 pts).
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IronMike84 · Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 5910

Pwnage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6n4MBzIB-g

AZBearsFan · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 8901

Yeah that game last night was great. Stars on both sides making big plays. Loving the way this team is playing right now.

To me so far, the biggest surprise has been Nick Leddy. I don't know if it's because he's playing with Dunc or because he had a solid showing in the playoffs last year but he is playing FAST and with a ton of confidence.

Also it's great to see Toews start fast since he has struggled to put the puck in the net the past few Octobers.
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wiscsports1234 · Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Posts: 7475 Location: Milwaukee, WI

The 2012-13 NHL realignment has been finalized. Here are the details.

NHL Realignment:
--- Conference A: Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver
--- Conference B: Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg
--- Conference C: Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Toronto
--- Conference D: Carolina, New Jersey, N.Y. Islanders, N.Y. Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington

Schedule Breakdown:
--- Each team will have home and home series against non-conference opponents.
--- Teams in 7 team conferences play each opponent 6 times each.
--- Teams in 8 team conferences play each opponent either 5 or 6 times on a yearly rotation.

Playoffs:
--- The first two rounds will be in-conference. #1 vs #4, #2 vs #3
--- After conference champions have been determined, the remaining four teams are re-seeded by standing points. #1 vs #4, #2 vs #3.
--- Conference opponents won't be able to play for the Stanley Cup, but this does set up for the possibility of a Blackhawks vs Canucks or a Bruins vs Rangers Stanley Cup final.
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AZBearsFan · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 8901

wiscsports1234 · Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Posts: 7475 Location: Milwaukee, WI

This brings a spark back to the Red Wings rivalry. These teams will likely see each other quite a bit in the Conference Semi-Finals or Conference Finals.

I love the schedule breakdown. I hate those west coast games. Glad to see many more Central time zone games and games in the Eastern Conference.

There won't be a lot of parity, but when you're placed in a conference where you are one of two (Detroit) teams that are able to spend to the cap, there's not a lot to complain about with the playoff format. This sets up to where the Hawks should be annual playoff participants for a very long time to come.

From what I understand the playoff format past round two isn't finalized. The board of governors want input from GM's around the league whether re-seeding is the best option. If it were up to me I would keep the East and West Conferences in tact and have the winners of the two Western-most divisions meet and the two Eastern-most divisions meet after the divisional playoffs in the Conference Finals. Just like the old days.

Overall, I like the changes.
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Coinflip · Joined: 03 Dec 2011 Posts: 41

Hockey rocks!
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AZBearsFan · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 8901

Two months into the season with the Hawks doing very well and this thread has been dead. Has the hockey buzz passed the city by already?
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