2011 Off Season Review

Welcome back to "From the Cheap Seats". It's been quite some time since I last blogged for IHN, but I don't think I've lost too much of my touch (just brain cells). Normally I would be writing one of my world famous opinion pieces, but since there isn't too much to report on, I figured I would look back on this past off season and write my own 2011 Off Season Review...

Nice Job Kid...
Goaltender Corey Crawford, who has been the Hawks goaltender for the future for quite a while, finally gets the recognition he deserves and gets named to the NHL's All Rookie Team.

O Captain, My Captain!
Hawks Captain Jonathan Toews is one of 3 finalists for the Selke Trophy (Top defensive forward, incase you've been living under a rock for a while). Ultimately loses out in the ballot voting to Canuck forward Ryan Kesler. Jonny ask him about his experience winning the Stanley Cup! Oh...wait...

Stan The Man! Part 1
Draft night 2011, a night many Hawk fans were not expecting too much excitement out of, ended up being what some would consider the best night of Stan Bowmans career. Knowing the Hawks needed to sign some key RFA's while not having much cap room to work, Bowman showed the entire Hawks fan base why he was put in control over the team as general manager. While losing a great offensive defensmen in Brian Campbell, the Hawks were able to unload his heavy contract (7 million+) onto the Florida Blackhawks Panthers for Forward Rostislav Olesz. Campbell will be joining a familiar bunch of skaters with past Blackhawks Kris Versteeg and Jack Skille and Tomas Kopecky, who was also traded in a seperate deal for a 7th round pick. Also gone was Troy Brouwer who was sent to the Washington Capitals for their 1st round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Dale just won't ever let you go! Be warned!

Drafting Never Looked So Good!
After some exciting trades, the Hawks took the excitement level even further by selecting 4 of the top 50 NA prospects with their first 4 picks of the draft (according to NHL.com rankings). Leading the way is future power forward Mark McNeill who the Hawks snagged 18th overall out of Prince Albert of the WHL while also getting Brandon Saad of the Sagnaw Spirt (OHL) who many had pegged to go in the first round(taken 43rd overall).

Stan the Man! Part 2
With all the new found cap space, Bowman was able to bring in some much needed grit for the Indian Head. FA's such as Steve Montador, Sean O'Donnell,and Sami Lepisto were brought in to add depth to our defense while Jamal Mayers, Andrew Brunette and the most exciting signing, Daniel "Carbomb" Carcillo where brought in for their depth and grit at the Forward positions. Are John Scotts days numbered?

Returning for another season ('s)
Also signed to come back for another season is RFA's Michael Frolik, Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell. Also getting some more time in Chicago is Forward Patrick Sharp, who many consider to be the last "core player" to need a long term deal on the Hawks. With said deal, the Hawks were able to keep 100% of their female fans.

-Trev

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