#1 Prospect signs on with Blackhawks

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, Minnesota Duluth's defender Dylan Olsen signs a 3 year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Olsen is expected to be sent to the AHL Affiliate Rockford Icehogs. Olsen the Hawks 1st round pick(28th overall)in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft has put 11 points (1 goal, 10 assists) in 36 games. Olsen is currently playing in the WJC for team Canada.

What does this do for the Icehogs? It gives them another young player who is going to develop into a solid player. Olsen the #1 ranked prospect in the Hawks organization brings the Icehogs average age down to 23.2. This move also gives the Icehogs their 4th 19 year-old player.

In the end the move is good for both the Hawks, and Olsen. Olsen gets to develop into the professional game sooner than expected, and the Hawks may get him developed a bit sooner.

Recap 12/30: Penalties, Mental Errors Haunt Hawks in Loss to Sharks

The Blackhawks knew it was going to be a tough road without their captain Jonathan Toews, but if the next 7 games are anything like Thursdays loss to the Sharks, Hawks fans better get ready for a tough stretch.

Early on in the game, it seemed like the Hawks were ready to prove they could fight on without Toews.  Chicago dominated in the first 7-8 minutes of the game putting multiple shots on Antti Niemi and pressuring the former Hawks goalie often.  Play evened out the rest of the period until a beautiful pass from behind the net by Tomas Kopecky set up Patrick Sharp's powerplay goal at around the 16:00 mark.  Just as the Hawks were ready to return to the locker room between periods, a bad line change set up Scott Nichol to skate in and squeak a puck through Turco.

The second period started out as bad as it finished with a Sharks goal on a 5 on 3 Powerplay.  The Sharks continued to dominate the period as Dany Heatley also tallied a goal at about the 14:00 mark.  However, a similar situation to the 1st period (with opposite roles) occurred when both Troy Brouwer and Brian Campbell scored with under 2 minutes left in the period.  Campbell's goal which tied the game came with only .5 seconds left on the clock, and it seemed as if the Hawks had all the momentum and were going to triumph over their Western Conference foes in the 3rd period...the Sharks had other plans.

The 3rd and final period started out pretty equal with both teams getting opportunities, and then the Sharks dealt the back-breaker with Joe Thornton's tip in goal at the 7:00 mark.  While the Hawks had a few scoring chances after Thornton's goal, they couldn't convert on any of them, and Ryan Clowe's empty net goal sealed the victory for San Jose, and Antti Niemi.

To most Blackhawk fans, myself included, this tendency to implode in the third period is getting old fast.  The Sharks were the ones on their heals after the 2nd period, and the Hawks couldn't capitalize.  The penalty kill also had a terrible night (again), however one bright spot was Ryan Johnson who had at least 3 blocked shots on the PK.

Notable Bullet Points:

• The Blackhawks announced that the broadcast team of Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk both received 3 year contract extensions.
• With Jonathan Toews sidelined with a shoulder injury, Brent Seabrook was given the honor of wearing the third "A"
• This was Niemi's first game back in Chicago since he left in the summer after the Finnish goaltender and the Hawks failed to come to terms on a contract.
• At the World Junior Championships on Thursday night, 3 Blackhawks prospects were showcased in the Germany vs. USA match.  Mirko Hoefflin (Germany), Nick Leddy (USA), and Jeremy Morin (USA) all played in the game.
• Bears CB Charles "Peanut" Tillman was a contestant in the Shoot The Puck contest at the 2nd intermission.

Tbo's Blackhawk Corner Has A New Writer!

I would like to welcome David Andrews as our new writer!

David will focus mainly on the AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks, The Rockford Icehogs, and will also contribute with Blackhawks articles!

If you would like to follow him, his twitter can be found here: David Andrew's Twitter
He is also a frequent poster in the CCS Forum (Link on the Right).  His name on the forum is: icehogfan08

Toews Out for 2 Weeks, Time For the Stars to Step Up

During his press conference today at the United Center, coach Joel Quenneville announced that captain Jonathan Toews would be sidelined 2 weeks with a shoulder injury which he suffered in last night’s loss to St. Louis.

In the 1^st period, Toews was checked and lost his balance as he went flying into the boards.  Video showed him grabbing his shoulder soon after crashing into the wall, and he gingerly exited the ice.  Toews never returned to the game, creating speculation that the injury was more than minor.

This two week stretch will have Toews missing approximately 7 games.  With games against the Sharks, Kings, and Avalanche in that stretch, it is critical that the other stars on the team pick up the slack.  Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, and Seabrook all need good stretches while the Captain is out because this stretch could very well make or break this season.

With the first game in weeks where the whole team was together and healthy, the Hawks offense looked sloppy and dis-interested against St. Louis.  The defense was careless with the puck, and turnovers killed them.  Perhaps the only bright spot was Marty Turco who turned in a 40 save performance and really kept the Hawks in the game. 

Toews is the heart and soul of this team and his absence will definitely be felt.  With their #1 leader out, it’s time for players like Hossa and Sharp to use their veteran experience to really grab hold of this young team, and continue this hot streak they are on.

Other Bullet Points:

• ·         Marty Turco will get his 3^rd straight start Thursday vs. San Jose

• ·         Niklas Hjalmarsson and Troy Brouwer did not practice today after both acquired injuries in the St. Louis game.  Both returned to the game, so it’s believed they will be ok.