Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview, Part II: More "Big Trouble" for the NHL

The Chicago Blackhawks will begin their 2011-12 NHL schedule in Dallas Friday night as they get things underway with a home-and-home with the Stars.

Combining two favorite pastimes (hockey and tossing out quotes from 80's cult movies) seemed to be an interesting way of presenting an overview to the 'Hawks prospects this upcoming season.

Part one of the season preview is here in case you missed it. The movie is Big Trouble In Little China. The quotes and the preview continues below.

"Feel pretty good. I'm not, uh, I'm not scared at all. I just feel kind of... feel kind of invincible."
"Me, too. I got a very positive attitude about this."
"Good, me too."
"Yeah!"
 "...Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?"

Nick Leddy and the rest of the Chicago defense have to know that it all starts with them in 2011-12. Flying without Brian Campbell requires the crew on the back end to fill that void as well as take care of the front of the net.

I feel a lot better looking at Steve Montador, Sean O'Donnell and Sami Lepisto at the bottom of the lineup than I did in Jassen Cullimore, Nick Boynton and John Scott a year ago.

The 'Hawks are deeper than they were on the blue line. The question to be answered is whether or not the remaining defensemen can each pick up the slack left by Campbell's departure. Leddy, who looks like he will again be paired with Duncan Keith, is going to have to handle the heat.

"Okay. You people sit tight, hold the fort and keep the home fires burning. And if we're not back by dawn... call the president."

Chicago has two major road trips this season. In addition to the six-game circus trip, the 'Hawks will venture on a mammoth nine-game, three-week road trip immediately following the All-Star break. That excursion starts January 31 in Vancouver.

The 'Hawks will have to take advantage of a home-date heavy schedule in December and January. This means that they will have to be far superior to last year's 24-17 home record.

"Let's talk about my condition...just what's wrong with it?"

Jeremy Morin is likely watching Brandon Saad's camp unfold with a trace of bitterness. After all, he was in a similar position just a year ago.

Saad will probably be up for just a short time before returning to junior hockey, but he's definitely this year's Morin. A second-round pick who surprised everyone at camp and is going to earn a taste of the big time much earlier than many anticipated.

Morin will be starting the season in the press box in Rockford, unless there is a change in his condition which has kept him out of game action for nearly nine months with concussion symptoms.

Also nursing recent head injuries are prospect Philippe Paradis, who sustained the injury during the rookie tournament, and Ben Smith, who was the recipient of an illegal hit last Wednesday.

"Tall guy, weird clothes. First you see him, then you don't."

Scott was seen on the ice way too much last season. Additional grit at forward and a deeper defensive unit should keep him in the press box more often than not. If he isn't plying his trade in Rockford, that is.

"Here you go Jack, nothing or triple."

"Nothing or double."

"No. Triple, you earned it."

"Yeah, I did earn it. Thanks Wang."

Corey Crawford's salary took a big jump following an impressive rookie season and a solid playoff series against the Canucks. He was a man in the net for the Blackhawks in winning the starter's job. Now comes a season where he is THE man.

Crawford should have a more focused defense in front of him as he enters his first full season as the starter. Chicago is a tough town in which to patrol the pipes, but Crawford looks as if he is ready and willing to take on the responsibility.

"Hey, I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things."

Ray Emery has overcome quite a lot of medical problems to suit up for the Blackhawks Friday night. Radical hip surgery and a grueling rehabilitation period culminated in a job backing up Corey Crawford in goal.

All the feel-good gets sucked out of the story if the games start and he can't stop a puck. Inspiration or not, Chicago needs 20 solid starts out of Emery.

"When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: 'Have ya paid your dues, Jack?' Yessir, the check is in the mail."

I thought Scott was only 6'8". Have you paid you dues, Kevin Westgarth?

(By the way, do you know that Westgarth went to Princeton? He went to Princeton! Wouldn't an Ivy-Leaguer be smart enough not to get in a fight with the Murdersaurus?)

"Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, 'Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.' "

Brent Seabrook and Bolland are joined by Smith as guys I'd be least inclined to see take a big hit over the course of the season. All three have been susceptible to concussions and have missed time because of head shots in the last eight months.

I'm not sure they can take another shot and not miss a significant portion of the season.

"God, aren't you even gonna kiss her goodbye?" 
"Nope."

Bowman dismissed Chris Campoli, Brian Campbell, Troy Brouwer, Fernando Pisani, Jake Dowell, Ryan Johnson and Tomas Kopecky among others with few tears shed.

Expect him to retain that willingness to part with players when the trade deadline approaches, and he has the chance to push the 'Hawks over the top.

The organization is loaded with prospects as well as movable NHL contracts to obtain a real difference-maker at the trade deadline.

"Well, ya see, I'm not saying that I've been everywhere and I've done everything, but I do know it's a pretty amazing planet we live on here, and a man would have to be some kind of FOOL to think we're alone in THIS universe."

Where do the 'Hawks fit in the scope of the Western Conference?

Well, Vancouver is going to pile up a lot of points in their own division. The Kings made some real big moves this summer. The West was a real meat grinder last season and there might not be a lot of difference point-wise between several playoff-bound teams.

I think the Blackhawks take an improved Central Division and wind up behind the Canucks in the conference standings. That's assuming Chicago takes advantage of a kind early-season schedule and get off to a solid start.

"We made it. Holy s***, we made it!"

We survived the waiting. Now we can sit back and take in another exciting season of Blackhawks hockey. Will it end with disappointment, or with another Stanley Cup?

Stay tuned...

Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview, Part I