I thought the Vancouver Canucks would take home the Stanley Cup, come away virtually unscathed and I would be taunting my friends on how my knowledge of hockey and the NHL is vastly superior to theirs. Come to find out, I came close, but I was incorrect.

The Chicago Blackhawks and their young studs came away with Lord Stanley’s hardware and not the Sedin bros and their teammates who fell to the eventual Stanley Cup Champs. This year, though, things will be different.

Last season the Canucks were hit with injuries yearlong. Daniel Sedin missed 19 games with a foot injury, defenseman Sami Salo missed 14 games with a torn achilles tendon and blue liner Kevin Bieksa only played 55 games. Those are just some of the more important ones in a long list.

Despite the absence of forward Alexander Burrows, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, the Cancuks seem to be in tip-top shape coming into the start of the season.

Despite Luongo not playing with the "C" on his sweater anymore, he will still be looked to for leadership on and off the ice. (Courtesy Rick_Andrews)

With net minder and former team captain, Roberto Luongo relinquishing the “C”, the team will now have a legit leader on the ice. No offense to Luongo or any other goaltender, but captains should be position players who are allowed to argue calls and show their leadership more often on the ice. Right now the front-runner to have to “C” on his sweater is Henrik Sedin, but it’s not a guarantee according to team GM, Mike Gillis.

“No one is a shoo-in,” Gillis said to the Associated Press. “We’re going to take our time.”

The Canucks also added winger Manny Malhotra. At first look it doesn’t seem that significant of a move. But bringing Malhotra in, a player who has never eclipsed the 14-goal mark, will surely get the best chance of his career to do so. With playmakers all around him such as Mason Raymond, Mikael Samuelsson, the Sedin bros. and others, Malhotra may be one of the best signings of the summer.

With camp underway, veteran center Brendan Morrison is hopeful that he makes a spot in the team’s roster.

“You can look tremendous in practice, look like you are head and shoulders above everyone else,” he said to The Canadian Press. “But when the puck drops, and you have to think a little, it’s a whole different scenario.”

If Morrison makes the team, he has the ability, like many other veterans around the league, to provide priceless info to the youngsters that are just breaking out in the game.

If all goes to plan, if Luongo stays consistent, injuries stay away from the team, Vancouver will be making other teams think about how they can be stopped, instead of looking like runners-up.

Ryan Fleming can be reached at fleming.ryanr@gmail.com. He also writes for The Soccer Guys at www.thesoccerguysonline.com.

Now that points are at a premium and rookie net minder, Tuukka Rask, is playing superbly between the pipes, Boston coach, Claude Julien, is going to stick with the youngster and force Thomas to watch from his stool behind the bench. At first, the Bruins were reluctant to move so fast with Rask, an experiment that went oh so wrong for them in the 2005-2006 season with fellow Fin, Hannu Toivonen.

Toivonen, who was called up early in the ’05-’06 season because Andrew Raycroft was in the midst of a contract dispute. Toivonen played well, but suffered from a high ankle sprain. For the rest of the season, and some of the next, Toivonen was constantly sent down to Providence and faced tough competition at the NHL level, where Thomas was just staking his claim at the B’s top spot in net.

Tuukka Rask is now hailed as the Bruins's No. 1 net minder heading into the Olympic break. (Courtesy NBC Sports)

Now, it appears Thomas is the one fighting for his job. The Flint, M.I. native has had a season so far that can be directly compared to a roller coaster – his numbers are still up there, his wins are down, but there’s that severe lack of offense in Boston that sort of evens it all out. After the Bruins shut out Montreal 3-0 at the Bell Centre yesterday afternoon in Montreal, Julien hinted that the Bruins are going to stick with the hot hand, Rask – a move that can’t be blamed

The question for Timmy is if he’s to spend more time on the bench for the rest of the season, would he be willing to sit and play now-and-again or waive his no-trade clause much like J.S. Giguere did in his recent move to Toronto. Thomas, who turns 36 in April, has played his best years – it’s only going to get tougher on him. Whenever Thomas gets another chance in net, unlikely until after the Winter Olympic break, he’ll have to make the most of his opportunity – Rask will be waiting for him to falter.

For, Thomas, it’s now or never.

Ryan Fleming can be reached at ryanrfleming@gmail.com. He also write for The Soccer Guys at http://thesoccerguysonline.com

I remember going to a Toronto game last year right around Christmas. It was a home game, at the TD BankNorth (I think it was BankNorth, the Garden has changed sponsors so many times I usually negate them) Garden and the Bruins were in first. The final was 8-5 – just an overall wacky game with both starting net minders getting pulled, then re-entering the game later on. I mention this specific game is because it best relates to the state of the Bruins now – inconsistent and up-and-down.

I became accustomed to the Bruins scoring with ease and usually, quite frequently. But, now, it seems that I’ll have to change this mentality and simply pray for a goal or two. Throughout the 2009/2010 season, the Black and Gold have failed to put up a goal and have been held scoreless in the first period more than 14 times. There have been times when the Bruins could only muster a goal one night then come out and score five the next. As of late, the Bruins have a tough time even scoring once. In their last five games the B’s have notched 11 goals while their opponents scored 13. Pretty close comparatively, but over the long haul a defensive-minded club will start to fatigue.

Reigning Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara’s numbers are down, but his solid and overwhelming defensive play is still there. One thing that Chara is known for, however, is his emotional and physical play – a part of the Bruins’ game that has been absent for almost the entire season.

Much like the way they scored with ease last season, the Bruins also brought the hard hits and if it came to it, fights, to each game. This year, though, neither has been evident in game time. A large part of their lackluster play has been due to the absence of Milan Lucic. Lucic has played in only 12 games this season due to injuries and has just recently returned to play earlier last week. Still, Lucic is skating the rest off, but continues throwing hits and using his physical play to his advantage. For the rest of the team, though, it’s as if they left their emotions in the locker room or back in the hotel.

Game-in and game-out you could tell that the Bruins played with emotion. They were sticking up for one another, throwing their bodies around as if they were just plush dummies. A good example of all of this was their game against the Dallas Stars back on Nov. 1 of 2008, which you can see below.

Chara, though, isn’t the only defenseman worth mentioning. Dennis Wideman is having his worst year since he started wearing the Spoked B. He currently sports a plus/minus -5, second worst on the team and if that wasn’t bad enough, the Kitchener, Ontario native can’t seem to handle the puck when forced to keep it in the offensive zone, nevermind play sound defensively.

The Bruins have also been hit hard by injuries. The Causeway Boys have four starters currently on injured reserve. Mark Stuart is out with a broken sternum that he suffered on Dec. 14, Bergeron, the Bruins’ MVP this season, is out for at least two weeks after fracturing his thumb on Jan. 4th against the Rangers, defenseman Andrew Ference will miss six weeks after injuring his groin and most recently, Marc Savard, is out for the next two-three weeks with a knee strain.

When you add the skill and value of all the absent players the Bruins become a team that has to play at a near-perfect level. But even when the healing is done the question remains: are they good enough?

Ryan Fleming can be reached at ryanrfleming@gmail.com.

I’ve watched many hockey games in my life, from Midget and Squirt levels to the Pro’s and not until recently, Legends (I went to the Legends Classic at Fenway Park on Jan. 2). What I saw last night topped, even doubled the excitement to any game I’ve ever seen on t.v. The players seemed to move almost effortlessly, their shots pierced the air, but surprisingly not the webbing in each net minder’s glove. Their emotion was unrivaled and the skill on the ice was emphatically present.

It seems almost ironic that this doozy of a contest ended when John Carlson, a defenseman whose rights belong to the Washington Capitals, wasn’t even look at his opponent that his whole team was trying to beat for the last 64 minutes, Canadian goalie Martin Jones, but at the ice – at the puck that he later wristed by the net minder. Yes, the U.S. won the gold, the first time since 2004 and only the second time ever since the tournament began in 1977, but for the U.S. as a country it means much more.

John Carlson was picked 27th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. (Courtesy The Hockey News

Every day thousands of kids in the States wake up, go to school, carry out a multitude of different activities then go to practice or play a game. They might wake up feeling as if they’re playing a secondary sport compared to the big three – baseball, football and basketball. They know that their country as a whole isn’t the best – Canada and other european countries have dominated the predominately winter sport for years. But after hearing of or watching the game last night they can raise their head a bit higher, for they know that there’s a chance for them to be the best.

Walking the outside today I was talking about last night’s game with a friend. A man walking by overheard our conversation and stopped to inquire about the final score cause apparently his wife kept him up all night. After I told him the U.S. won he gave me a look of disbelief and said, “wait, we beat Canada in hockey? I guess our coaches are doing something right.”

I guess he’s right – perhaps now we’ve figured it out.

The U.S Olympic team hasn’t claimed the gold medal since the storied, mythical Miracle on Ice team of 1980 and has only placed among the top 3 once since then. But now there’s hope, now we know we’re headed in the right direction – we know the we can beat the best. Our players are just as fast, just as strong, just as athletic and now it looks like we can be just a little better. We’ll wait till Vancouver to see.

Ryan Fleming can be reached at ryanrfleming@gmail.com.

So, perhaps the Phil Kessel deal wasn’t a good idea after all.

I’ll admit, I was on the get-rid-of-him bandwagon. For all I know I might have been the President.

But now, I’m regretting Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli’s decision to trade Kessel for three draft picks. I’ll go as far as to say I think it was an awful trade … for now.

So far this season the Bruins struggle to score goals. They’ve only scored more than four goals twice, have been shutout three times, and have managed only one goal five times – all leading to a mediocre 8-8-4 record, good for 10th in the Eastern Conference. Yes, the Bruins will eventually get players from those picks or they might even trade some of those for a star, but the help needs to arrive and fast.

Lucic isn’t known for his goal scoring, he’s known for his physical presence and at times his play making skills. Either way, when Lucic steps on the ice he creates chances.

Marc Savard is a natural play maker– a player that creates goals and goal-scoring chances. The previous three seasons Savard led the Bruins in assists (63, 63 and 74) and points (88, 78 and 96).

This might seem all well and optimistic but here’s where I’ll tell you it still isn’t enough.

In only six games played Kessel has notched seven points (three goals, four assists); bringing and immediate impact to his new team.

The absence of Kessel, his play making and goal-scoring ability are qualities that Chiarelli and everyone else who owns a nice comfy office in The Garden overlooked. Kessel scored 36 goals last season, leading the Bruins to the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs before being ousted by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7. Many, though, including myself, didn’t think Kessel fit the Black and Gold “mold”.

To be a Bruin you have to be tough, physical and gritty player who is willing to block shots, play tough along the boards and stick up for your teammates. Kessel hardly took the body, never blocked shots and shied away from any board play like a Freshman at a High School dance. Still, though, he scored 36 goals, nine more than the next Bruin (Michael Ryder, 27). His snap shot is nearly unstoppable and his wrist shot is unbelievably accurate. He’s the sort of player that team’s have to adjust their game plan to.

But with Kessel now gone, Chiarelli looked to some Bruins of last season and some new additions to fill the skates of the speedy winger. Marco Sturm, who was out most of last season recovering from surgery that repaired his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament, was counted on to step up and provide some of the offensive firepower. He hasn’t delivered. Blake Wheeler and David Krejci, expected to mature into more all-around players while still keeping their point totals up, are struggling to find the net like their German teammate.

Marco Sturm and the Bruins haven't done a lot of cheering lately. Sturm has only nine points (four goals, five assists) in 20 games played.

To give you some prospective, Patrice Bergeron leads the Bruins with 13 points, while the NHL leader, Anze Kopitar of Los Angeles, owns 32 points. The Bruins’ power play is defunct, their overall play is emotional and energy-packed on some night’s while others, like last night’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders, failed to convince me and the 14,000  or so fans in attendance last night that they were playing with a purpose.

Things need to change and quick for the B’s who are in 10th place and looking in at teams like Tampa Bay, Atlanta and even the Islanders –who have missed the playoffs the last couple years. But even with Savard and Lucic healthy and providing for the team, the B’s need them badly right now, I still think the Bruins will be looking for more.

So long in fact that I’m going to act like the season hasn’t even started.

Anyway, the new season brings hope and thoughts of pure optimism for fans and their team’s chances to bring home the Stanley Cup. Yes, there are questions about every team, some have more than others.

But it’s the certain sense of renewal or pure freshness that has NHL’s fans beaming. Their team isn’t 30-10 or 12-36, they’re 0-0 — completely level with every other team for at least that one day.  Things will happen in the season that will shock you, disappoint you and simply cause you to doubt your loyalty to your club. But in the end you always go back cause they’re one of those things you can always depend on.

Sure, they might not play as well as you like and last night’s game should have ended a wee bit different but they always show up to play their game when they’re supposed to– no questions asked. So, here’s to the new NHL season and all the goals, checks, fights, concussions and most of all the breathtaking moments that make us realize time and time again why we, the outnumbered in the world of professional sports, stay by our favorite past time.

Since he won the Vezina, we might as well start with him.

Tim Thomas led the NHL with a .933 save percentage and a 2.10 goals-against average. Leading the Boston Bruins to the second round of the playoffs last year, the unorthodox goaltender, who can be seen flopping from post-to-post in every game looks to lead the Bruins into the playoffs again, but certainly deeper. If not, B’s star prospect Tukka Rask will be yearning at the chance to play.

Miikka Kiprusoff not only owns a very cool name, one of my favorites, but he’s also a star for the Calgary Flames. One of the Vezina finalists last year, the Finland native is one of the most consistent net minders in the NHL. The 34-year-old led the NHL in wins (45), goals against (209) and saves (1,946).  The only downside of Miikka besides his age, is his performance in the playoffs. Kiprusoff has yet to lead the Flames out of the first round in the last four years. With an unproven back-up in Curtis McElhinney, look for Kiprusoff to again lead the NHL in games played and other categories.

The Sharks have been one of the best teams in the NHL thanks to their powerful, consistent offense and their goaltending. Evengi Nabakov, the long-time face of the Sharks in net, has continuously helped his team to the playoffs. Much like Kiprusoff, has failed to go deep into the playoffs. In the regular season Nabakov was second in the NHL in wins (41) and fourth with seven shutouts. Backing up Nabakov will be Thomas Greiss, a Germany native. After playing for the Sharks AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, Greiss is now on the starting roster for the parent club.

The workhorse of the New York Rangers in net, Henrik Lundqvist, continues to be a stalwart of New York. Lundqvist has played in 70, 72 and 70 games in the last three season with the Rangers. Last season the Swede was fourth in the NHL with 38 wins, fourth in goals allowed (168) and posted a respectable .916 GAA. With a bevy of capable, young goaltenders in line for the starting job in New York Lundqvist will have pressure on him all season long to keep his numbers up.

Roberto Luongo might be the best, that simple. His numbers might not compare, but neither does the skill of his defense. Last year Luongo was fifth in the NHL with a .920 save percentage and second in the league with nine shutouts. The Canadian seems to make the postseason interesting as well. After making it to the second round in the last two years look for an improved, energetic Canucks squad to go further; not to mention some of the best fans in the NHL. As of today Luongo signed a 12-year extension with the Canucks. Hmm… hasn’t anyone learned from the Rick DiPietro experiment?

Martin Brodeur. Ah, yes, who could forget? The four-time Vezina winner, that’s right, four-time winner, is back again for his 16th year. The sure Hall of Famer looks to get more games under his belt this year. Due to injury Brodeur only played in 31 games, therefore, not giving his numbers the attention they deserve. With the veteran in net the Devils will always be a playoff contender.

The fixture in the Finnish league for years, Niklas Backstrom has already made his name worth remembering in only three short years in the NHL. In his first season with the Minnesota Wild, the ’06/’07 season, Backstrom split time with former Bruins net minder Manny Fernandez. The two had a successful season sharing time in net but the Wild thought better if Backstrom stayed and Fernandez went. Backstrom was in the top-10 in all categories last year. Despite not making the postseason, Backstrom remains the Wild’s best player and MVP.

When he’s healthy, he’s hard to beat — that’s the story of Marc-Andrew Fleury. For the former first overall pick a full, healthy season is unheard of. Last year Fleury posted top-1o numbers in almost every category while leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup. Of course, Fleury has help up front – oh, he also has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on his team. The three years Fleury has led the Penguins to the post season, he’s led them deep — to the Stanley Cup finals twice.

Much like Fleury, Ryan Miller is in the same boat. Because the  Buffalo Sabres depend on the East Lansing, MI native so much, they fell apart when he suffered a high-ankle sprain in late February. A certain US Olympian next year, Miller was eighth in the NHL with 34 wins and a .918 save percentage. If Miller didn’t get injured last season the Sabres were a definite for the postseason.

Honorable Mention: Steve Mason – The first-year led the up-and-coming Columbus Blue Jackets to the playoffs albeit being swept in the first round. The rookie led the league in shutouts (10) and ended second with GAA sporting an impressive 2.29. With Mason in the net, anything is possible for Columbus.

Ryan Fleming writes for Rinkside View. He also writes for The Soccer Guys. He can be reached at ryanrfleming@gmail.com

In 2010 the Winter Olympics take place in Vancouver, British Columbia between February 12-28. It’s a time when you can watch speed skaters, skiers and hockey players compete to be the best in the world.

But every four years, in which the colder Olympics happen, means something a bit different for those playing in the NHL and other European leagues: a time of utter confusion and frustration.

The dates in which the Olympics begin is smack dab in the middle of the regular season for most leagues. This can cause some interesting scenarios to play out.

Like I mentioned in a previous post, there was a new rule that was implemented by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. If a player gets hurt either training for the games or participating in them then the NHL has the right to basically void the contract and all money going to him would then cease.

That, too, is interesting.

Since I’m a Bruins fan, I’ll use them as an example. Tim Thomas, the B’s starting net minder is trying out (almost a definite) for the USA national team. Say if Thomas became injured a week or two ago when the US was having their player camp. The NHL would then immediately void Thomas’ contract, declining him to get paid for the allotted time he was out.

Now, is that fair? Why should someone get penalized for trying to play for one’s country? Is it Thomas’ fault that the Games take place when they do? Obviously not. So, why penalize the player or the dozens of others who also belong in the NHL? To, me this just seems ridiculous.

Another issue that arises with the position of the Games is the situation of playing time. When the NHL season nears closer to its unwanted two-week break, how many coaches are going to either sit their star players or play them significantly less so they’ll be in top shape for their country? Whatever decisions these coaches make could have significant impact on teams who are trying to make the postseason or enhance their playoff spot. Now this is putting unnecessary pressure on coaches who have to deal with enough.

Now, one way to slove this problem, brought out by numerous NHL GM’s, would be to stop using professional players all together and again use amateur, college players. Since 1920 and up until 1995, amateur players were used in Olympic ice hockey competition and until 1998, when the games were almost totally played by NHL players, there wasn’t a problem of this nature.

The tournament has been adjusted in numerous ways to try and cope with the NHL schedule. First, some of the “powerhouses” (Finland, Canada, USA, Russia, Czech Republic and Sweden) of hockey were allowed to skip the qualifying games until the final round — letting all the members of those teams that played in the NHL to continue playing until they were forced to join their country.

Sure, that was an alright idea, but still — players had to take the two-week absence in the middle of the season, not only fatiguing them to a point where it would hurt their play, but their team’s as well.

The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City used the same format as the ’98 games. But, only now, since the games were in the US, where most of the NHL teams were located, players who wanted to play for their country had to get permission from their club in order to participate.

You can read more about this here.

The involvement of the NHL in the Winter Olympics is certainly a problem. I’m for using amateur players, it brings a certain sense of innocence back into games — a certain trait that many sports are lacking or have lost.

If you agree or disagree with me I’d appreciate it if you could lend me your thoughts on the topic.

That’s probably what Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was thinking to himself after watching his team get ousted by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the second round last year.

The Bruins, who haven’t won the Stanley Cup since the ’71-’72 season, were set to make a run deep into the playoffs maybe even bring home what hasn’t been since the days of Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson.

But then something happened.

The Bruins, who wiped the floor (or ice) with their fierce, bitter and French rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, in four-straight games, all of a sudden forgot to how to score, how to play physical and how to play as a cohesive unit in the next round against the Hurricanes. They managed to come back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the series 3-3.

That wasn’t enough.

So now, Chiarelli has had some time to think on how he could improve certain aspects to the team.

First, the GM decided not to resign Manny Fernandez, P.J. Axelsson, Stephane Yelle, Shane Hnidy, Steve Montador and Jeremy Reich. Fernandez, who was making 4.75 million a year wasn’t probably given a second thought to when his name came up in meetings. The injury-plagued net minder only played four games in his first season with the club and split time with reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas last year.

Michigan native Tim Thomas has been the backbone of the Bruins the last few years. The 35-year-old won the Vezina last season -- the last Bruins to win the trophy since Pete Peeters in 82/83

With Tukka Rask, the Bruins Finnish prospect and supposed phenom, getting the call up to the NHL from Providence, Fernandez will have to do what all of the other UFA’s (unrestricted free agents) will have to do – find another team.

Amongst all the players to leave the Bruins Chiarelli and Co. made some interesting additions.

First, the Bruins locked up David Krecji and Byron Bitz, both to two-year deals. Krecji and Bitz are in their own respects, totally opposites when comparing playing styles. Krecji is a smooth skating center who has a dependable scoring touch and a knack for playmaking. Bitz, on the other hand, is a lumbering 6-foot-3 right winger who doesn’t back down from a challenge and might surprise you with his quick shot. The two were good additions to the club -one (Bitz) they got for hardly anything and Krecji for three years at $11.25 million.

Anyway you look at it, it’s a step in the right direction. Keeping players that have grown up with the club and have proven what they can do. Bitz, though, is still trying to find his stride, just don’t look for him to produce offensively often.

Then comes the intriguing case of Phil Kessel (who I don’t really consider a Bruin). I’ll explain that later. Coming into this season Kessel is a RFA (restricted free agent), which basically means he can’t play for another team until the Bruins decide if they want to extend a qualifying offer to him. If the Bruins don’t shoot him and offer before Dec. 1 then Kessel can’t play in the NHL for the entire season.

Kessel will certainly do some more celebrating but the questions remain: when and with who?

One has to wondering if Chiarelli is going to wait until Nov. 30 to give him an offer to perhaps pressure Kessel into taking less money that he would naturally desire.

But in signing Kessel the question arises: how much is he really worth?

During the 07/08 campaign , Claude Julien, the new coach at year, benched the lackluster winger/center numerous times throughout the season and went as far as doing it in the postseason while the Bruins face the Canadiens. Yes, he can score. Yes, he can make defensemen look like their standing in cement, but he can also play like me (for those of you who don’t know, I can’t even skate). Kessel’s been known to play a sort of effortless (excuse my forwardness) half-assed type of game. He doesn’t fight against the boards or play much defense. Julien, looking to make a good impression on the upper management in his first year, decided to bench the youngster. It always seemed to work, too. Usually the game after the sit down he would score or at least play how fans expected him to. So, the actual value of Kessel has been estimated around $4 million a year – which to me, is still up for debate.

On July 24 Chiarelli made a questionable move — releasing one of the Bruins’ most experienced players and hard-nosed defensemen, Aaron Ward. Ward was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Patrick Eaves (who was immediately put on waivers and eventually claimed by the Red Wings) and their 2010 fourth-round pick. One of the biggest question marks last season was the strength of the Bruins’ blue line. So, after the prior losses of Hnidy and Montador, the blue line was seemingly in shambles. The only reasonable explanation I could find for this trade was to make cap room for the resigning of Kessel.

But, I guess not.

Derek Morris will be looked to supply some offense along Zdeno Chara on the B's first defensive pairing.

The next day the Bruins signed former first-round pick Derek Morris to a one-year $3.3 million contract. The PMD (puck moving defenseman) has been a bit of a let down throughout his career. The day of his signing some anonymous GM labeled Morris as a overrated, slow defenseman. Now, looking at that, I wonder why the heck Ward was traded. But, still, Julien has been known to enable players to perform.

Morris will almost certainly be paired with reigning Norris Trophy winner, Zdeno Chara, on the B’s first power play line in an attempt to boost Morris’ offensive numbers, which have always been lower than he was capable of.

The B’s also added net minder Dany Sabourin and defenseman Drew Fata, both of which will start in Providence but will fight for playing time with the big club.

Expecting to get the No. 1 seed in the East might be a little bit much, but with younger players having gained more experience and a Vezina-winner in net anything can happen.

After narrowly missing the playoffs in the 07/08 season, the Blackhawks, perhaps after gaining a year of valuable experience with their young stars, went as far as the Western Conference Finals before being ousted by the Detriot Red Wings.

Now, perhaps its all unraveling again.

Toews and Kane are two of the Blackhawks best players, but chances are one will be leaving after this season. Will the Kane incident cost him his place on Blackhawks roster in the future?

Just yesterday it was reported that the face of the Blackhawks, Patrick Kane was arrested. After reading the story I was left speechless. As reported by ESPN, Kane and his 21-year-old cousin picked up a cab at about 4 a.m. Sunday morning in a downtown night club district. So, right now I’m assuming Kane was drunk. Yes, he was only 20, but he’s also Patrick Kane, he can do what he wants.

And that he did.

After giving the cabbie 15$ for the cab fare, the cabbie told his two passengers that he didn’t have the 20 cents in change that was owed back to them. Kane and his cousin, James, punched the cabbie, breaking his glasses, ripping his shirt and took their 15$ back.

Honestly?

First off: I’m going to go ahead and say Kane was drunk. There’s no way someone does that with a sober mind, though, I have a hard time imagining someone would do that while under the influence.

Second: He’s rich! The former first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft isn’t hurting for money, nor is any professional athlete (albeit the MLS). Don’t you also tip cabbies after they bring you to your destination? At least I do.

Forget the Kane incident for a second.

Hossa has made an impact for every team he's played for but analyists are already questions Hossa's value in Chicago

In the offseason the Blackhawks aquired superstar Marian Hossa from the Red Wings. Hossa is one of those players that can immediately impact a team’s play on the ice. But wait a second, Hossa has a shoulder injury and his postseason performance last year wasn’t up to par with the normal Hossa scoring routine.

In 23 games last postseason the 3o-year-old tallied only six goals and nine assists as the Red Wings lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Finals. It can be said that a falling in postseason numbers is foreshadowing a future drop in totals for the next season. Only time will tell.

The Blackhawks have an interesting scenario coming after the upcoming 09/10 season. Kane, Toews and Keith are all free agents after the season and obviously they all cannot be resigned. If this incident holds true then Kane could be the odd man out when it comes time to sign.

The young Blackhawks have more problems than we think.