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Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.28.2013

682689 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks fight through injuries on the way to the Cup

June 27, 2013, 5:15 pm

Staff

The injury roundup read like a list from a hospital: a broken rib or wrist here, a sprained knee there, a disc pinching a nerve to such an extent that it caused a right foot to go completely numb.

“Advil. Lots of Advil,” said Andrew Shaw, the guy who played with a broken rib since Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings two series ago. He also had a black eye and a very swollen right side of his face, thanks to a shot he took off it. “You do what you’ve got to do, I guess. The adrenaline helps take the edge off. But the mornings after games is when you really feel it.”

Such is the life of a postseason hockey player: you gotta play hurt, or at least that’s the expectation. Perhaps it’s a badge of honor to say you went through an injury that would normally sideline you in the regular season. It’s likely more because it’s the Stanley Cup, and the desire to win it blocks out the pain you go through to do so. Whatever it is, the Chicago Blackhawks had several guys dealing with some serious injuries, but most should be able to avoid postseason surgery.

[LIVE STREAM ON CSN: Blackhawks parade Friday morning]

For Marian Hossa, surgery is a possibility. The right wing suffered a disc injury in his back in Game 2 of the Cup final against the Boston Bruins. Hossa said a nerve was pressing to the point that his right foot was numb. That explained why he couldn’t play in Game 3, and why he was functioning at a pretty low percentage when he returned for Game 4.

“I may need surgery or another shot. I’ll talk to (team physician) Dr. Michal Terry and try to make the best decision,” said Hossa, who knows he was nowhere near his usual form in Games 4, 5 and 6. “I don’t know if I was too effective; I was just limping on the ice. I didn’t have as much confidence because everyone was so much faster. I wasn’t confident in doing the things I usually do. But the coaches told me to play my game defensively, so I just tried to stick with it.”

Meanwhile, Bryan Bickell suffered a right knee sprain in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Kings that was so bad, coach Joel Quenneville was uncertain the forward could even play any games in the Final.

“It’s just something you have to battle through,” he said. A lot of guys were fighting injuries, and it was the Final. You do whatever it takes.”

Everyone did, basically, on both teams. The Blackhawks came through the first three rounds relatively unscathed but the injuries cropped up in a physical final against the Bruins. Dave Bolland said he had groin and wrist issues. Michal Handzus had “one, two or three issues,” according to coach Joel Quenneville, which reportedly included a broken wrist; Handzus didn’t want to talk about his injuries. Quenneville said Johnny Oduya was also “more banged up than others, too.” Brent Seabrook said he played hurt, but wouldn’t specify what was hurt.

Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron’s injury count was massive and included a hole in his lung that team officials believe happened after Game 6. Still, his slew of pains – a broken rib, torn cartilage and a separated shoulder – could make even the most stoic player wince.

“I saw him give the interview listing all the injuries. I was waiting for him to stop and he kept going,” said Patrick Sharp, who still had that nagging shoulder injury that cost him so many games this regular season, but that didn’t affect him a ton in the postseason. “He played at a high level with all those injuries, too. That was pretty impressive. Hopefully he recovers and is ready to go next season.”

Another guy who most thought was going through a decent injury, actually wasn’t. Jonathan Toews “got his bell rung” in Game 5, Quenneville said. But the coach said today that Toews was fine immediately after Game 5, felt much better heading into Game 6 and was “ready to go,” for that Cup-clinching game. Quenneville said there were “no concerns” when Toews suited up for Game 6.

It’s part of the NHL postseason, really: playing hurt, even almost playing maimed. It’s not easy, but for these guys, to have a chance at that silver, shiny Cup, it’s worth it.

“Yeah, it is,” Hossa said. “I know the health is so important; even when you retire you want to live a healthy life. But in these four years we have two Cups, which is amazing. I believe with the group we had here, it’s well worth it right now.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.28.2013

682690 Chicago Blackhawks

Bickell: Blackhawks 'No. 1 on my list'

June 27, 2013, 5:00 pm

Staff

Bryan Bickell has heard all the furor around him this postseason. He knows he could probably pick and choose wherever he wants to go this summer, his unrestricted free agency coming on the heels of a tremendous individual performance and a Stanley Cup.

Bickell, who earned $600,000 in 2012-13, could be looking at a big payday this summer when free agency opens on July 5. And while testing the waters is likely, Bickell sounded like the current team has the edge right now.

“They’re No. 1 on my list,” he said on Thursday, when the Blackhawks had their wrap-up meetings and met the media. “Chicago’s a second home to me. There are other things my agent and I have to work on, and hopefully we can make that happen. There are a lot of different things. You want to be happy, and I’m happy here. It’s a great team and a great city. But we’re going to work on something. Hopefully it’ll make us both happy.”

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has stated previously that he wants to keep Bickell, and he reiterated that on Thursday.

“I’m happy for him,” Bowman said. “We spent a lot of time over the years encouraging him. He spent some time in the minors, and sometimes those guys get disgruntled. If anything, we’re excited for him. We want to keep him here. It’s a puzzle to put together. He wants to be here; he’s said that publicly. And we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.”

Bickell said there have already been talks between his representative and the Blackhawks, who have some salary-cap paring to do first. Part of that will happen immediately, as the Blackhawks will use compliance buyouts for Steve Montador and Rostislav Olesz. That will get them closer to the cap, which lowers to $64.3 million in 2013-14. But the Blackhawks may have to move others, not re-sign others, to free up cash for Bickell. Bowman said the Blackhawks are determined to re-sign defenseman Nick Leddy, their biggest restricted free agent this offseason. Dave Bolland is one name that’s been bandied about in trade talk.

One way or another, Bickell will get paid this year thanks to his postseason. The guy who struggled through the 2011-12 regular season was a force in the spring/summer of 2013, recording nine goals and eight assists in the postseason. His biggest goal was his last one, an up-close shot off a Jonathan Toews feed in Game 6 that tied it 2-2 with 1:16 remaining in regulation. You all know the rest. Bickell will also get marks for gutting out an injury, as many do in the postseason. He suffered a knee sprain in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final, so bad that coach Joel Quenneville was uncertain he would play in any Cup games. But Bickell “looked like he was coming around in Game 3,” and was stellar through the end.

“Bicks was a big factor when he played heavier minutes vs. their top lines or defensive pairs. He had some big blows that made the difference in some of the games,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I just thought Bicks came on in his overall game. The physicality part is what helped us in heavy minutes the last three rounds.”

So will the Blackhawks be able to re-sign Bickell? If the buyouts go through – no reason to think they won’t – and they’re able to work a few things, including possibly saying goodbye to another player, they can. Don’t be surprised if Bickell applies a little hometown discount, either. He’s made it clear he’s happy here. The Blackhawks have made it clear they’re just as happy with him.

“I knew coming into the season I had to have a big season. I was ready. Playoff hockey’s my game and I feel that brings the best out of me. It was a great run and a great feeling to finish off the way it did,” Bickell said. “It is flattering (the offseason attention), but it’s what’s in the best interest for me and my family. The ball is in my (court). We’re going to work out something that hopefully makes us both happy.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.28.2013

682691 Chicago Blackhawks

Joel Quenneville hoisted his third Stanley Cup on Monday night

Staff

The Blackhawks will probably start working on another extension for Quenneville, who signed his last one just after winning the 2010 Cup. His current contract runs out after the 2013-14 season, and general manager Stan Bowman made it clear that Quenneville is the Blackhawks’ guy.

“He’s done a tremendous job leading the team and there’s no one else I’d rather have coaching this group,” Bowman said on Thursday. “He’s demonstrated a great ability to understand what it takes to win. He’s got a proven track record and players respond to him. We’re excited about that, and hope to continue it.”

That’s fine with Quenneville, who loves living in the Chicago area – even if fans toilet paper his yard to celebrate a Cup.

“We love it here,” he said. “This is a special place to be from all perspectives. Being in this environment, coaching the players we have, I was fortunate to walk into the door five years ago with a team that was sitting on, ‘Go.’ I’ve had a lot of fun over those five years. There aren’t too many opportunities to work with a group like this. It’s very special, and I’m very fortunate to be here.”

MAYERS’ MOMENT

Jamal Mayers was overcome when captain Jonathan Toews told him at Game 6’s morning skate that, if the Blackhawks won, he’d be one of the first to hoist the Cup.

“I got pretty choked up just thinking about it; I had to skate away,” said Mayers, who will be contemplating his hockey future this offseason. And now that he’s lifted that Cup, Mayers is wondering if he still has some hockey left in him.

Mayers didn’t get much playing time this season and got none in the postseason. But he said he’s uncertain if he’s done or not.

“I feel like I can still skate, and in today’s game you have to be able to skate to keep up with those young kids,” the 38-year-old Mayers said. “I feel like I can still skate, can still play. But there’s a lot of consideration with family and it’s not just about me. We’ll have to make that decision in the net little while.”

If this is it, though, Mayers will have options. He’s a well-spoken player who was a big part of the new collective bargaining agreement talks during the lockout. He’s thought a career in the media. Mayers says he still has something left in the tank. If he does walk away, however, that Cup lift will make it an easier decision.

“I realize where I’m at in my career and I reached the ultimate: climbing the mountain and seeing over the top,” he said. “That’ll play itself out in the next couple of weeks. But if I do walk away, I can do it as a champion.”

LEDDY DEAL COMING?

The Blackhawks have an offseason signing or two they’ll try to make, and one is defenseman Nick Leddy. The 21-year-old had a strong regular season but struggled in the playoffs. But Bowman is looking at the whole body of work, and wants to get a contract ironed out with the defenseman.

He’s also not worried about an offer sheet, something that the San Jose Sharks offered to Niklas Hjalmarsson following the 2010 Cup run.

“We want to bring Nick back,” Bowman said. “I’ve talked to his agent (Neil Sheehy) and I expect to get a contract done with him. That’s one of the things on the list we have to get accomplished here. We’re not letting Nick go. We’re going to keep him here. I’m not concerned about offer sheets.”

Leddy is a restricted free agent; his current deal, which just finished, was for three years with a cap hit of just over $1.1 per season. Leddy’s hopeful of a deal to keep him here.

“It’s very exciting,” he said. “The city’s unbelievable, the fan base is, bar none, the best. Hopefully I’ll stay here. I’m just going to see what happens.”

STALBERG’S STATUS

Viktor Stalberg went through his ups and downs this postseason with the Blackhawks, the downs being the four playoff games (two against Detroit, two against Boston) he was benched. Stalberg’s situation with the Blackhawks looks pretty clear: it seems unlikely they re-sign him. But whatever his course may be, Stalberg’s not sweating it.

“It’s part of the business. But it’s one of those things that I’m in the driver’s seat,” said Stalberg, who is a restricted free agent. “I have options; I can pick and choose where I want to go. If they want to keep me, they want to keep me. I’m not saying I want to stay; I haven’t made that decision. We’ll figure out in the next day or two what their plans are and what mine are and go from there.”

Stalberg played fewer minutes through a lot of postseason games, and he said he struggled to find his game in that lesser time on ice. Whatever the future holds, he’s hoping he can get back to playing his game, and playing more minutes.

“It happened for whatever reason; things took a little turn there. That’s how it goes sometimes,” he said. “at the end of the day, we won and I’m happy with how I contributed with the minutes I played. It’s not easy doing that and I’m not looking to keep playing a role like that. That’s what it is, and we’ll see what happens.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.28.2013

682692 Chicago Blackhawks

Bolland taking trade rumors in stride

June 27, 2013, 5:45 pm

Staff

But the rumors, the potential trade-bait names, are out there nonetheless. And one out there is the guy who scored the Cup-clinching goal.

Dave Bolland’s name has been bandied about as potential trade-bait, as the 2013 NHL Entry Draft looms Sunday and free agency begins July 5. The Blackhawks are in a bit of a money crunch – nothing like 2010, mind you – as teams try to whittle down to the $64.3 million cap that begins with the 2013-14 season. They also have a key guy or two to sign – or try to, anyway – in Nick Leddy and Bryan Bickell. Those guys are going to take some cash, and the Blackhawks, outside of compliance buyouts toward Steve Montador and Rostislav Olesz, need to free up some.

So Bolland possibilities are out there. It’s tough news for any player to hear, especially one like Bolland, who’s been with this organization his entire career. But he’s taking it for what it is.

“I’d love to be back here next year, but whatever happens, happens,” he said at Thursday’s media availability. “It’s the NHL. Trades happen. I’d love to be back here, I love Chicago. But it’s a game and this is what can happen.”

Bolland had a pretty tough season, and he was once again dogged by injuries. He had back issues at one point; then a groin injury cost him the end of the regular season and first round against the Minnesota Wild. His numbers weren’t there, either, with just seven goals and seven assists in 35 regular-season games. A proven checking-line center, Bolland was moved to the second-line role this season. It didn’t go so well.

For Bolland, the good times, individually, didn’t strike until the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup Final series against the Boston Bruins. Playing both third- and fourth-line roles, Bolland looked like the Bolland of old and recorded three goals and two assists over those six Final games. His last goal was the biggest of his career to date, a rebound off a Michael Frolik deflection to give the Blackhawks their second Cup in the past four seasons.

“I don’t think it has (sunk in yet). It’s still just roaming around in the air that I scored that,” Bolland said. “I still look back at it and I still can’t believe it. It’s every kid’s dream to score that goal, and I did it. It’s big, and I’ll ride it right now.”

How long Bolland remains in a Blackhawks uniform remains to be seen. There’s always some name thrown out in trade talks every season; last year for the Blackhawks, Niklas Hjalmarsson was the talk of potential trade rumors. Yet here he remains. But the Blackhawks weren’t in the same situation last season. The cap wasn’t an issue whatsoever and the Blackhawks didn’t have any players due a raise. That’s changed now, especially regarding Bickell, who the Blackhawks want to try and re-sign.

Bolland knows what the business is like. He’ll just watch it play out. Whatever happens, that last goal erased some frustration of what’s been a very tough individual season.

“To bounce back like that is big. It was a fun season for the team, but it was disappointing for me as a player, but that’s how you bounce back,” he said. “I still have many years to play, and that’s how you bounce back.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.28.2013

682693 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks use team buyouts on Montador, Olesz

June 27, 2013, 2:15 pm

Staff

The Blackhawks will use their compliance buyouts on defenseman Steve Montador and forward Rostislav Olesz, Bowman said at today’s media availability. Each team, per the new collective bargaining agreement, is allowed two compliance buyouts in the next two seasons.

Montador has two years left on his deal that averages a $2.75 million cap hit. Olesz has one year remaining on his contract that he signed while with the Florida Panthers; that carries a $3.125 cap hit.

With the buyout, a player’s cap hit is completely wiped clean. The team will have to pay two thirds of the remaining contract across twice the remaining term of the deal. Both Montador and Olesz will be placed on waivers immediately. If a player is claimed, then the Blackhawks would save a compliance buyout. If they clear, then the above buyout pay goes into effect.

Bought-out players become free agents on July 5 and can sign with any team other than the one that bought them out.

The Blackhawks’ landscape has changed plenty since Olesz came to the team in the Brian Campbell trade in June of 2011 and Montador signed a four-year deal later that summer. Younger Blackhawks are developing, either at this level or in Rockford, and Bowman said he wants to give Olesz and Montador a chance to continue elsewhere.

“Certainly both players we’re going to be buying out, we’ve had young players emerge over the last couple of years. When you look where we were when we brought them in, we didn’t have (Brandon) Saad or (Andrew) Shaw. We didn’t have (Adam) Clendening,” Bowman said. “Players have taken the next step and shown they’re ready to be here. We wish those two players well. They certainly played well for us, and they’ll have a chance to move on to continue their career somewhere else.”

The Blackhawks, like many other teams, are trying to get down to the $64.3 million cap that goes into effect in the 2013-14 season. That’s where those buyouts come in. The Blackhawks are also trying to re-sign a player or two, including unrestricted free agent Bryan Bickell and restricted free agent Nick Leddy. Bowman said he’d love to keep both; regarding Leddy, he said, “we want to bring Nick back. I’ve talked to his agent, and I expect to get a contract done with him.” It’ll be tougher getting Bickell, who gained much attention with his postseason and could draw several suitors this summer. Bowman’s determined to keep the big forward.

“We want to keep him here,” Bowman said of Bickell. “It’s a puzzle to put together. He wants to be here; he’s said that publicly. We’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.28.2013

682694 Colorado Avalanche

Alex Tanguay traded to Avalanche from Calgary Flames

The Denver Post

Posted: 06/27/2013 05:11:59 PM MDT

Updated: 06/27/2013 07:17:01 PM MDT

NEW YORK — The Avalanche continued to get the old band back together Thursday, with a surprise trade that brought Alex Tanguay back to a burgundy-and-blue sweater.

Colorado re-acquired Tanguay, along with veteran defenseman Corey Sarich, from the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward David Jones and defenseman Shane O'Brien. The trade was the first in the new regime of Avs executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic.

While it seems like Tanguay has been around forever, the left winger from St. Justine, Quebec, is just 33 and has put up points consistently in recent years — and believes that will continue.

"I haven't had my best year yet in the NHL, I really feel that," Tanguay said in a phone

interview. "I have a big chip on my shoulder about that, I realize. I feel I can still perform, and I'm so happy to be back in Denver where I have so many great memories."

Tanguay has three years left on a contract that pays $3.5 million per year, while Sarich has one year left at $2 million. But the Avs saved on current and future payroll by unloading Jones and O'Brien. Jones had three years left on a contract paying $4 million per, and O'Brien two years at $2 million each.

Tanguay, the star of Colorado's Game 7 victory over New Jersey in the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals with two goals in a 3-1 win, has 145 points in his past 183 NHL games, an average that compares favorably to even more heralded forwards. But since being traded by the Avs to Calgary in 2006, Tanguay has played on mostly losing squads with the Flames (twice), Montreal and Tampa Bay.

He remains a creative, dangerous playmaker who doesn't shoot a lot but when he does, he often finds the net. He carries an 18.8 percent career shooting percentage, and he led the NHL in shootout goals (10) in 2010-11.

"I think I can really help some of the young guys the Avalanche have up front, and maybe who they are going to get in the draft Sunday," Tanguay said. "I'm really excited to have the chance to play for (coach) Patrick (Roy) and Joe. Those guys only care about winning, and I really want to win again. I'd really like to do that one more time (winning a Cup)."

Sarich, 34, was a regular with the Tampa Bay team that won the 2004 Cup and figures to be a depth defenseman.

In dealing Jones, 28, the Avs part with a two-time 20-goal scorer but who had a terrible most recent season, with three goals and nine points in 33 games.

"Thanks to the Avalanche for six great years," Jones tweeted on Twitter.

Denver Post: LOADED: 06.28.2013

682695 Colorado Avalanche

Look for the Colorado Avalanche to keep the first pick in NHL draft

By Adrian Dater

Posted: 06/28/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT

NEW YORK — Looking relaxed, Joe Sakic walked out of a conference room at the Westin Times Square on Thursday. None of his fellow NHL executives were trailing Sakic, and there were no hushed corner conversations indicating draft-related trade talks were underway.