Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Wagner

Havlat Who? Marian Hossa Scary Good In Blackhawks' Debut

Michael Wagner — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:21:05 -0500

Chicago Blackhawks fans have been waiting since July 1st for the debut of Marian Hossa. He did not disappoint the fan base, scoring two goals and leading the 'Hawks to a 7-2 rout of the San Jose Sharks.

Hossa looked great in his first game doing all the little things—back checking, killing penalties and of course chipping in the two goals to boot.

However, what was most impressive about Hossa's debut, in my opinion, was Hossa's ability with his stick.

It was quite amazing.

I can think of several instances where Hossa used his stick to make wonderful plays.

The play I think sticks out in everyone's mind is when Hossa scored his shorthanded goal, in which Hossa would poke check the San Jose point man right to linemate Jonathan Toews, who would then spring Hossa to a breakaway goal.

This is the player that many 'Hawks fans envisioned they were getting when he was signed to his 12 year, $62.8 million deal this summer. At the time though, many didn't think he would have to miss the first two months of season.

It seems as though the wait was well worth it. Hossa looks like he is returning to the superstar he was before last season's playoffs.

After Wednesday night's game, Hossa is now tied with Martin Havlat, the player he replaced, in goals and has only played one game. But we're not here to dwell on the past.

What does matter is that Hossa is now healthy and looks like he fits in perfectly into this group of young players.

Now many may mention that Hossa has his best stuff in the regular season and fizzles in the playoffs, or will say the 'Hawks are destined to lose in the Stanley Cup finals but really as a 'Hawks fan making it to the Cup finals would show their continuous improvement.

And if tonight was any indication of what's to come from the Slovakian sniper, it will be quite a fun rest of the season and hopefully an extended playoff run once again.

Trade Talks Between the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs Dead?

Michael Wagner — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:31:12 -0500

Much of the last few days have been dominated with talk of the Chicago Blackhawks looking to move salary to make way for the signing of Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane.

The biggest of the rumors had been that the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs had been discussing a trade which would involve Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel and a draft pick for a player/prospect in the Leafs system.

Yesterday there were whispers from some rumor sites that the player the Leafs would part with in a trade would be former first round pick Jiri Tlusty.

Today however, according to the Toronto Sun , talks between to two teams have stalled and that a trade is likely dead.

This is not surprising to me as I really never saw why the Leafs would want Sopel as he would join an already crowded blue line (albeit an injured one) and why the Blackhawks would be willing to give up a high pick just to move Sopel now.

Now that's not saying that I don't think Sopel could eventually be moved this season but I would imagine that the 'Hawks could make a deal without having to give up high draft picks or prospects.

Even though this deal has been deemed dead, don't expect the trade rumors surrounding the Blackhawks to end anytime soon.

You should actually expect more and more to mount as we inch closer and closer to an announcement of the Blackhawks signing of the big three.

Is Jack Skille Finally Going To Have a Chance with Chicago Blackhawks in 2010?

Michael Wagner — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:26:42 -0500

The Chicago Blackhawks have been in the news frequently this season with the impending contract extensions of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith and the likely dealing of of a few expensive players.

But one player whose name has not been mention around the Blackhawks is former first-round pick Jack Skille.

At the start of the season, Skille was once again expected to compete for a roster spot but once again was unable to stick with the NHL club and has found himself back with the Rockford Ice Hogs.

Skille has struggled in Rockford this season, scoring only six points and posting a minus-two rating in 13 games.

So why would he be a good fit for the Blackhawks in 2010?

Simple, it's economics.

While Skille does have a sizable cap hit this season at $1.275 million, that will be much reduced next season unless he gets called up to the NHL and goes on a massive scoring tear.

With Skille's cap hit coming down to let's say $700,000 next season, he could be a very valuable asset to the Blackhawks, as he could be a cheaper option over the likes of Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, or Tomas Kopecky.

Now, I agree that Skille really hasn't done anything at the NHL level or even the AHL level to guarantee him a roster spot next season, but he is an interesting option.

Skille is pegged as a power forward who can play amongst the top nine forwards and would probably fit on a third line with Troy Brouwer and whoever the third-line center will be next season.

Next season could be a make-or-break season for Skille, as it will be his fourth season as a pro, and he could show the Blackhawks if his is a true NHL talent or purely another draft bust.

I know I have been a big supporter of Skille's since he was drafted in 2005, but my confidence in him been slipping as the depth up front in the Blackhawks organization has grown.

If Skille plans on being a part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization past 2010, he will need to make his up his play this season and in 2010 or could turn into an ex-Blackhawk after next season.

Bryan Bickell Impressive in His Short Time with the Chicago Blackhawks

Michael Wagner — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:56:41 -0500

When Bryan Bickell was called up on Nov. 15 against the San Jose Sharks, it came off as not a big deal and it was thought that he would likely be shuttled right back to Rockford after the game.

Well, that would be partially right.

Bickell would take Kris Versteeg's lineup spot, as he was missing time with an upper body injury, and give the Blackhawks more size against a very physical Sharks team.

Bickell would end up heading back to Rockford, but would find his way onto a plane bound for Calgary and in the lineup once again over forward Andrew Ebbett.

Now, we find out today that forward Andrew Ebbett has been placed on waivers and is likely done as a Chicago Blackhawk. This move speaks volumes about how impressed they have been with Bickell.

In Bickell's two most recent games with the Blackhawks, he has found himself on the top line with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, running protection and not looking out of place.

In those games, Bickell had four shots and was a plus two also recording about 12 minutes of total ice time and 17 shifts per game.

It is good to see Bickell finally getting a chance to prove his talents at the NHL level and prove why he was a second round pick all the way back in 2004.

Bickell has a good combination of skill, size, speed, and hands for a guy that stands 6'4".

Many had believed that Bickell was likely stuck in the AHL with the plethora of talent ahead of him like Troy Brouwer, Dustin Byfuglien, and Andrew Ladd, but with the likely departure of several key forwards, guys like Bickell will be counted on next season.

The play of Bickell, I believe, has comforted many Blackhawks fans because they now see that the transition might not be so bad, as the 'Hawks still have tons of talent in the pipeline waiting for their chance to contribute at the NHL level.

Although Bryan Bickell will likely see his ice time diminish, if not disappear, when Marian Hossa returns during the circus trip, it has been good to see him prove his worth at the NHL level and in a major role with the 'Hawks.

In 2010 there should be wholesale changes on the front line, as well as on the back end, but it is comforting to see that the Blackhawks do have players waiting in the wings who can come in and likely fill the void of those player losses.

Would the Blackhawks Consider Trading Marian Hossa for Cap Relief?

Michael Wagner — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:20:45 -0500

According to the likes of ESPN and TSN, the Chicago Blackhawks are nearing extensions with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith but today on ESPN I read something that I couldn't believe.

Since I am an ESPN Insider I am able to browse all the ESPN rumors and Insider articles, but in the rumor section this morning I read that Blackhawks should consider moving Marian Hossa.

Here is a section from that article:

"The salary cap is at $56.8 million this season but it's projected to dip a little next season. So even with just 15 players, the Hawks will be over the salary cap. That means they'll likely try to part ways with their biggest earners—Hossa, Campbell and Huet, as well as some of their role players. How will they do it? Like we said earlier, Bowman has quite the task ahead of him."

Now I agree the Blackhawks need to move a big salary and two likely candidates would be Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet but I have never heard Hossa's name brought up among those who should be shopped.

In the article, the ESPN Insider says that Hossa's contract is worth $7.9 million per season which is somewhat correct but due to the length of his contract and it being front loaded, Hossa's cap hit (which is the number everyone should care about) is only $5.233 million.

Hossa hasn't even played a single game with the Blackhawks and has a lower cap hit than both Campbell and Huet?

That really doesn't make sense to me but I guess he would be an easier asset to move than Campbell or Huet.

Really Hossa, when healthy, is a 70-80 point player and 40-goal scorer and at $5.233 million, he is a bargain.

We need to see what Hossa can do on the ice this season and see if he is the same player he was before surgery (which I bet he is) and make a determination from there on if he is a trade-able asset.

There have to be other avenues explored to relieve the cap crunch than trading away Marian Hossa.

Even possibly taking Tab Bamford's advice of buyout Brian Campbell's contract, although I think it is a little far-fetched and could lead to trouble down the road, I think I would rather see that happen than Hossa be traded.

To me, by signing that 12-year deal with the Blackhawks, Hossa has become a part of the Chicago Blackhawks core along with Keith, Kane, Toews, and Brent Seabrook and I don't see him going anywhere.

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane Close To Signing New Extension?

Michael Wagner — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:00:03 -0500

According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com, the Chicago Blackhawks and young star forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews may be closing in on a mutli-year deal to keep them in Chicago.

Although there were few details that LeBrun would divulge he did say that a deal could be done within the next two weeks.

If this is more than just a rumor it is great news for Blackhawks fans as they can breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Contract status' of Kane and Toews have hung over the start of the season and has left many wonder what they are both worth and if the entire team needs to be blown up to keep the two of them.

If the Blackhawks do happen to get a contract done with both Toews and Kane we the fans should have a clearer view of what the 2010 off-season holds and who actually might be on the roster bubble.

But as of right now it is all speculation and I know I like many of Blackhawks fans hope that a deal can be done sooner rather than later

Troy Brouwer Finally Finding His Niche in the Blackhawks Lineup

Michael Wagner — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:45:38 -0500

Throughout last season I was a strong believer that Troy Brouwer had no business being with the Chicago Blackhakws. Moreover, he had no business playing on the top line, with the likes of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

But what is his actual role with the Blackhawks?

Although Brouwer had always been a dominate force in the AHL, he was never able to bring those "AHL hands" to the NHL and before this season really never knew who he was with the Blackhawks.

Is he a top six forward?

If you looked at his AHL numbers you would probably think so. In Brouwer's two seasons with the Norfolk Admirals and the Rockford Ice Hogs he scored 71 goals and 57 assists.

In his first NHL season, Brouwer was far from his AHL numbers, only recording 10 goals and 16 assists. He was getting time on the top two lines with the likes of Toews, Kane and Patrick Sharp.

So is he a fourth line checker/tough guy?

Well no. He may be a big body that likes to bang and get physical, but he also has above average hands for his size and probably wouldn't flourish in that role.

So what is he?

He's this year's Andrew Ladd. What do I mean by that?

Well, Brouwer is what I like to call a flex forward; he is that physical third line forward that can also jump into the offensive zone and score a few goals.

On Friday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs Brouwer played very well, converting on a nice tip in power play goal and a fight against the Leafs' Luke Schenn.

But really, the entire season has shown that Brouwer has what the Blackhawks need. He has fit very nicely on the third line with John Madden as well as on the power play with Patrick Sharp.

Brouwer currently tops the Blackhawks in hits with 58, an average of 3.2 hits per game, and is averaging nearly 15 minutes in ice time per game. All of which are impressive numbers.

So what does this mean for the Blackhawks?

Well, it means that the likes of Andrew Ladd and possibly Dustin Byfuglien are expendable in the offseason.

Now I don't mean that you could go and get rid of Ladd and Byfuglien, because you do need a number of big physical forwards in your lineup. But essentially, Byfuglien, Ladd and Brouwer are the same players.

So who ends up being the odd man out?

I'm not sure, but Byfuglien makes the most money and Andrew Ladd is due for a raise after the season so the likely departure is one of those two.

But that is a debate of another day.

However, if the early start to the season for Brouwer is any indication then you can expect quite a breakout for him; it could keep him in Chicago for years to come.

Curtis Granderson an Interesting Option for the Chicago Cubs

Michael Wagner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:11:04 -0500

It has been reported most of the week that Detroit Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson could be had if the right offer were to cross general manger Dave Dombrowski's desk.

It has also been mentioned that two teams that would be interested in the services of Granderson would be the New York Yankees (of course) and the Chicago Cubs.

It is not surprising that the Yankees would be interested in Granderson because of the turnover in their outfield with the likely departures of Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon, but also because they are the Yankees, and who aren't they interested in bringing in?

But as a Cub fan, the first time I heard Granderson might be on the trade market, I thought that Jim Hendry needed to be on the phone right away asking Dombrowski what he wanted for the All-Star center fielder.

Granderson would fit multiple needs that the Cubs have in that he is a left-handed-hitting center fielder who has speed and could lead off for the Cubs.

But what would you give up for Granderson if you were the Cubs?

Carlos Marmol? Jake Fox? Josh Vitters? Starlin Castro?

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune suggests that the Cubs should be willing to part with the live arm of Marmol and hot prospect Castro, who is likely on a year or two away from being a major leaguer.

Now I want Granderson as much as the next Cubs fan, but if the Cubs trade Marmol, who is going to close games?

Jeff Samardzija? Jeff Stevens? Aaron Heilman? Sorry, didn't mean to scare you with that one—but you get my point, right?

Even though Marmol went through his struggles, maybe he can reclaim the command he once had in 2008 and be the pitcher that Lou Piniella expected him to be.

I also think that Castro is an untouchable prospect who I believe will be the starting shortstop heading into the 2011 season, but I believe that former first round pick Josh Vitters could be had if Granderson is in fact on the trade market.

Vitters is still a promising prospect at third base but has not made it past High-A Daytona and hasn't yet shown his power or production at that level, so he could still be several seasons off.

Some names that I would also keep my eyes on as possible trade chips are pitchers Andrew Cashner, Esmailin Caridad, and possibly lefty specialist Sean Marshall.

Now I love the idea of acquiring Granderson and plugging him in at the top of the lineup, but we must realize that Granderson is really a glorified platoon player.

In 2009 Granderson hit .249 with 30 home runs, 71 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.

But against left-handed pitching last season, Granderson hit a measly .183 with two home runs and nine RBI in 180 at-bats.

If Granderson were acquired by the Cubs, they would likely need to keep Reed Johnson, a right-handed batter, or add another right-handed-hitting center fielder to spell Granderson against lefties.

So do the Cubs really want to give up a couple of good prospects or young major leaguers for a platoon center fielder?

Yes, because when Granderson is in the lineup against right-handed pitching, he is one of the best offensive center fielders, hitting at a .275 clip with 28 home runs and 68 RBI.

Even though Granderson might be a glorified platoon center fielder, he would fit a need that the Cubs need in their lineup. If I were Jim Hendry, I would go out and acquire him as soon as possible.

With Dave Bolland Out, Other Blackhawks Will Need To Step Up

Michael Wagner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:42:16 -0500

The Chicago Blackhawks were hit with another bit of bad news as their second line center Dave Bolland will require back surgery and will be out for an undetermined amount of time.

It has been reported for a considerable amount of time that Bolland has been battling a back injury since last season but it was considered to be something he could play with.

With Bolland likely out for a while, several Blackhawks forwards will need to step up to fill the void.

We expect players like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Kris Versteeg, and Patrick Sharp to produce offensively but it is players like Troy Brouwer, Andrew Ebbett, and Tomas Kopecky that will really need to step up their game in Bolland's absence.

Brouwer is coming off of a strong game Monday where he had three points including a goal on the power play goal and a power play assist.

Coming off of that game against the Los Angeles Kings, we see why the Blackhawks have been so patient in his development, he hits well and has good hands for a guy of his size.

Moving forward without Bolland, coach Quenneville will be leaning on Brouwer more and more on the power play and hopes he can make more plays like he did on Monday.

In my mind the heir apparent for Dave Bolland on the second line was Andrew Ebbett and last night against the Kings, Ebbett got some opportunities on the second line with Kris Versteeg and Patrick Kane.

Although I like the idea of Ebbett centering a second line flanked by either Kane or Versteeg, I do not like the idea of replicating the Montreal Canadiens "smurf line" with three players under six feet tall making up one line.

Ebbett has struggled to find chemistry with any linemates since being acquired by the Anaheim Ducks but did score his first goal last night on a lucky bounce and really has done nothing to detract from his ice time with the Blackhawks.

Hopefully, the goal off of Ebbett's arm will open the flood gates for him as he will need to play like he did last season with the Ducks to justify him getting top nine minutes with the Blackhawks and staying with the team when Bolland returns.

The final player who must continue his strong play, if not take it to another level, is utility forward Tomas Kopecky.

Kopecky has played everywhere in the Blackhawks from the second line center to the fourth line right wing to power play screen specialist and has played admirably.

Although Kopecky is not a strong scoring threat on the ice but his defensive awareness and ability to be a agitator makes him valuable in the absence of Bolland who is a good two way centerman.

If the likes of Brouwer and Ebbett can step up on the offensive side of the ice and Kopecky can step up on the defensive side of the ice, the Blackhawks can likely hedge the loss of Bolland.

But a player like Bolland is hard to come by and maybe the only way to replace him is to possibly bring in another center.

Who knows, but I hope Bolland has a speedy recovery and can return to the Blackhawks healthy later in the season.

Andrew Ebbett on the Hot Seat with Injured Players Returning

Michael Wagner — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:34:39 -0500

Great news after the Chicago Blackhawks practice on Wednesday as Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Ben Eager all practiced.

Coach Joel Quenneville stated after practice that Eager and Toews are close to returning, if not days away from returning to the Blackhawks lineup and that we will know more after the morning skate tomorrow.

Hossa, on the other hand is not poised for a return to the lineup soon but many have hinted that he has been targeting Nov. 25th’s game against the San Jose Sharks, still a few weeks away.

But one player who was probably not as enthusiastic about the eminent return of Eager and Toews is recently acquired forward Andrew Ebbett.

Ebbett has played decently in his first seven games with the ‘Hawks and have been good if not great in the faceoff dot with a 56.7 faceoff percentage, second on the team behind the injured Toews.

But the problem for Ebbett is that he has not recorded a point in his time with the Blackhawks and is a player that thrives playing amongst the top nine forwards.

What could really save Ebbett is his versatility and ability to fill in on the top scoring lines which players like Tomas Kopecky and Colin Fraser cannot provide.

Fraser is less effective in the faceoff circle than Ebbett and does not possess the playmaking/passing ability that Ebbett can bring but Fraser does have the ability to play on the penalty kill effectively, something Ebbett does not do as we.

Kopecky on the other hand has struggled since returning from Helsinki and has a team low plus/minus at -5 but might have found a new role as the screen player on the power play.

One interesting scenario for Ebbett could be that he might figure into next season's Blackhawk lineup, even though he is an unrestricted free agent. Even with his unrestricted free agency one would expect Ebbett would not demand a major pay raise and could fit onto the ‘Hawks third line nicely.

But Ebbett will need to prove his worth in the next few games, if he can put up a good showing against the likes of the Phoenix Coyotes and the Colorado Avalanche, he might be able to salvage some ice time and not be placed back on waivers.

I know I like many ‘Hawks fans are excited for the return of captain Jonathan Toews, tough guy Ben Eager and Marian Hossa, but I think that if I was Andrew Ebbett I would be feeling a little uneasy in the desert.

Chicago Blackhawks Claim Forward Andrew Ebbett From Anaheim

Michael Wagner — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:12:42 -0400

Today it was announced that the Chicago Blackhawks have claimed forward Andrew Ebbett from the Anaheim Ducks.

Ebbett played on the Ducks second line last season and was impressive in his 48 games with the Ducks scoring 8 goals and 32 assists.

The problem for Ebbett this season was finding time in the Ducks top six forwards with the likes of Ryan Getzlaf, Saku Koivu, Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne and Joffery Lupul all sitting in front of him on the depth chart.

The move is an interesting one as it adds another smaller stature forward that should play on any teams top nine, but the Blackhawks already have plenty of top nine forwards, maybe too many.

Ebbett will likely be challenging Tomas Kopecky, Colin Fraser, Troy Brouwer, and Jack Skille for playing time. He will need to make an impression on Joel Quenneville early if he hopes to get ice time.

What this move does is allow the Blackhawks to return forward Jack Skille to the AHL for good, as his cap hit is far too high. Ebbett’s cap hit on the other hand is rather low at $487,000, $788,000 lower than Skille’s cap hit of $1,250,000.

I believe that Ebbett could fit on a line with the likes of John Madden and Andrew Ladd creating a well rounded third line. This would allow Kris Versteeg to move back up to the “1A” line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.

If Ebbett can find regular playing time with the Blackhawks in their top nine then I think that this could be a very wise pick up for the Blackhawks. If Ebbett plays his cards right could find his way onto the team in 2010 with the massive turnover that is expected to happen.

Chicago Blackhawks Pursuing Los Angeles Kings' Alexander Frolov?

Michael Wagner — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:12:57 -0400

According to Matthew Barry, Los Angeles Kings blogger for Hockey Buzz, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings are discussing a trade that would send Kings' forward Alexander Frolov to the Blackhawks.

Going to the Kings would be forward Kris Versteeg and defenseman Cam Barker.

The "hang up" in the deal, according to Barry, is that the Blackhawks want a young defenseman from the Kings along with Frolov.

I would have to say that if the Blackhawks were to trade Versteeg and Barker to the Kings just for Frolov there would be an immediate uproar from Chicago Blackhawks fans.

Yes Frolov is a very talented forward and probably more talented than Kris Versteeg, but if the Blackhawks cannot get a defenseman in return for the likes of Barker and Versteeg then you cannot do this deal.

The Blackhawks are already very thin on the defensive front and with the subtraction of Barker the Blackhawks would signal a glaring hole in the team.

If the Blackhawks can indeed get a young defenseman back from the Kings in a deal then the trade does seem to make a lot of sense for them.

Frolov will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and would clear much needed room to sign the likes of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith.

Yes this is merely a rumor, but if the parts are right then this could be one of those rumors that could make sense for all parties involved.

Tomas Kopecky's Versatility: Provides The Chicago Blackhawks With Another Weapon

Michael Wagner — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:55:03 -0400

When Tomas Kopecky signed with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1st many fans wrote it off as a depth signing and the Blackhawks only gaining another fourth line forward.

However as training camp unfolds, Kopecky seems to be moving his way up the Blackhawks depth chart. As we sit here today Kopecky sits on the Blackhawks second line along with Dustin Byfuglien and Patrick Sharp.

Reports out of camp are that Coach Joel Quenneville loves the way Kopecky plays; extremely gritty but also has good skills with the puck and can put up goals when he needs to.

Although he is having a great camp, the main reason that he is slotted on the Hawks' second line is that regular Dave Bolland has an undisclosed back injury. Even though the injury is said to be minor, if Bolland is unable to go Quenneville seems to be content with Kopecky.

But can Kopecky really be a guy that can carry the offensive load that is needed from a second line center?

In Kopecky's NHL career he has played 183 games and in those games he has scored 12 goals and 20 assists. At first glance Kopecky's numbers are far from sensational but you must look deeper.

In Kopecky's career he has been a fourth line forward on an extremely deep Detroit Red Wings team. Something that might point to Kopecky's ability to be an effective top nine player is his final year in the AHL.

In Kopecky's final year in the AHL, before making the jump to the NHL he was able to record 72 points (32 goals, 40 assists) and 123 penalty minutes in 77 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

So yes it might be possible for Kopecky to actually be able to make the jump from Detroit's fourth line to the Blackhawks' second or third line. Although the AHL may not be on the same level as the NHL it shows that when Kopecky is asked to fill a role he can do so very effectively.

When Bolland returns to the ice (and it sounds like it will be soon) Kopecky will likely be bumped down to the third line along with Andrew Ladd and John Madden, which could be a good offensive line in its own right.

Since Bolland will likely be able to make a full recovery and return to the ice before the home opener, Tomas Kopecky still will figure to be a big part of the Chicago Blackhawks season.

Whether he is a second line scoring center, a third line two-way wing, or a fourth line checking center, Tomas Kopecky can do it all and that is why he will play such a large role for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Brian Urlacher Dislocates Wrist In Chicago Bears Loss

Michael Wagner — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:19:05 -0400

It has been reported by ESPN and the Chicago Tribune that Chicago Bears All-pro linebacker and defensive captain Brian Urlacher suffered a dislocated wrist in the Bears loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Urlacher underwent an X-Ray at halftime and determined that the wrist was indeed dislocated and no MRI was required.

The Chicago Tribune has also reported that Urlacher will undergo surgery when the team returns to Chicago tomorrow, although no sources were cited.

Although the Bears defense played well in the absence of Urlacher, he is a presence that is difficult to replace and is an integral part of the Bears run stopping capabilities.

The Packers were able to exploit Urlacher's absence as the game went on and this could present a problem if Urlacher misses a considerable amount of time.

Along with the injury of Urlacher the Bears also lost outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, cornerback Trumane McBride, and tight end Desmond Clark.

It has been reported that Tinoisamoa sustained a sprained posterior cruciate ligament and there was no timetable for his return.

There was no further news on the status' of Clark (back injury) or McBride (knee).

If the likes of Tinoisamoa, McBride, and Urlacher on the defensive side of the ball the Bears could be in for a difficult season.

Update:

According to ESPN, Brian Urlacher's season is done.

Chicago Blackhawks Open Training Camp: Let the Battles Begin

Michael Wagner — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:50:31 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks made huge inroads this offseason with the acquisitions of Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky, and John Madden, but entering camp there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered.

One of the most immediate questions is who will replace the point production lost while Marian Hossa recovers from shoulder surgery.

There are several players who figure to attempt to replace Hossa's lost production, including Kris Versteeg, Andrew Ladd, and Dustin Byfuglien.

The most likely of the three players to continue where Hossa left off is Kris Versteeg. Versteeg had a strong rookie season in which he scored 53 points and was nominated for the Calder Trophy.

However this season Versteeg will be leaned on heavily because of the loss of Hossa. If he struggles in the preseason, look for Joel Quenneville to give Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien more ice time and as Versteeg falters.

Although you might not consider this a position battle, it is a battle of ice time on the top two lines, something far more significant that a battle on the third or fourth line.

The most significant battle entering the 2009-2010 preseason will be to decide the goal tender behind starter Cristobal Huet.

The two competitors for the back up goal tending position are 25-year-old Corey Crawford and 26-year-old Antti Niemi.

Crawford was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2003; 52nd overall. He has been playing for the Blackhawks AHL affiliates since 2005, starting 203 games and compiling a record of 111-80-12.

Crawford has paid his dues within the Blackhawks organization and many believe that it is time for him to get some semi-regular time at the NHL level.

On the other side of the competition is Antti Niemi, a Finnish net minder who was signed as a free agent last season. In Niemi's only season with the Blackhawks he spent most of his season in the AHL splitting time with Corey Crawford.

Niemi was fairly impressive in his first season in North America with a record of 18-14-3 with a save percentage of 91% and a goals allowed average of 2.43. Niemi's first season with the Blackhawks included a three game stint at the NHL level.

In those three games Niemi had a record of 1-1-1 with a save percentage of 86 percent and a goals allowed average of 3.40, not overly impressive numbers but they were his first three games at the NHL level.

It is anyone's game, but with Crawford's experience in the AHL and familiarity with North American style hockey you have to believe his has the inside track

These are just a couple of examples of the difficult decisions that coach Quenneville and GM Stan Bowman face entering this season. In a few weeks the season will begin and we should have a better understanding of where the Blackhawks stand in these very exciting position battles.

Dany Heatley and The Windy City: A Match Not Made In Heaven

Michael Wagner — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:16:17 -0400

As the Dany Heatley saga continues his list of suitors is ever fluctuating from the Edmonton Oilers to the New York Rangers and now the Chicago Blackhawks.

Multiple sources including the Daily Herald's Tim Sassone have reported that the Chicago Blackhawks have interest in the Ottawa Senators disgruntled sniper.

The two teams have found "common ground" but there is little less than that coming out of either camp.

But why would the Blackhawks be interested in bringing Dany Heatley into the fold?

Well Heatley is a world class hockey player that has the ability to put up 100 point seasons and can make the Blackhawks an even more potent offense but could a marriage of Heatley and the 'Hawks work?

It's doubtful.

Now if the Blackhawks had not signed Marian Hossa to a 12 year deal I could see them having an interest in Heatley but that is not the case.

The biggest reason the Blackhawks likely have no interest in Heatley is because of the money. Heatley has a cap hit of 7.5 million and the Blackhawks currently have 2.9 million in cap room (according to NHL Numbers).

With the money the Blackhawks have remaining they would much rather add a good depth defenseman than another star sniper.

For a Heatley to be traded to the Blackhawks from the Senators the 'Hawks would need to move a couple salaries along with high level prospects or picks.

Another possible sticking point of a Heatley to the 'Hawks deal would be the possible clash in the locker room. The 'Hawks currently have the likes of Hossa, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg.

Now add Heatley to that line up and you add another player who needs the puck to be effective. So can Heatley, who has had a problem with his diminished role in Ottawa deal with not being the number one scoring option in Chicago?

I'm not sure but from his action is Ottawa I would image he still might not be happy.

Only time will tell if Dany Heatley will get his way and leave Ottawa but in my opinion a trade to Chicago might not be his or the Chicago Blackhawks best option.

Chicago Bears Hungry for a Receiver, Philadelphia Has Two Birds Ready To Serve

Michael Wagner — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:47:24 -0400

We are nearing that time in the NFL preseason where difficult roster decisions must be made. The Philadelphia Eagles are a team that will need to make one of the more difficult choices regarding their receivers.

Entering the final game of the preseason, the Eagles have a logjam of receivers with Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett, and Jason Avant.

The two players who might find themselves on the chopping block are Brown and Baskett. Both have quite a bit of trade value and could draw some interest from around the league, especially the Chicago Bears.

The Bears are desperate to add a quality NFL receiver to their roster. Currently, they have seven receivers, and only one with more than 600 receiving yards in a season (converted returner/cornerback Devin Hester).

And he's only had one full season at receiver.

The player the Bears would seem to have the most interest in would be Brown, because in the past, Brown has been a solid number two receiver, recording three seasons with over 500 yards receiving.

Last season was a down year for Brown, as he only played in 11 games for the Eagles, recording 18 catches and 252 receiving yards. Brown has had a better preseason than any Chicago Bear receiver with five receptions, 76 yards, and a touchdown catch.

Brown would provide the Bears wide receiving corps with a veteran pass-catcher and a safety net for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

The other Eagles receiver the Bears could be interested in is Hank Baskett. Baskett has been a third/fourth receiver with the Eagles over the past three seasons.

Over his three-year career, Baskett has made 71 catches for 1046 yards and six touchdowns.

As much as the Bears would love to add Brandon Marshall and re-ignite the connection he had in Denver with Jay Cutler, the asking price for the disgruntled Bronco is far too high for the Bears, as they do not have a first round pick until 2011.

I believe Baskett or Brown would be quality additions to the Chicago Bears' roster. Brown could make a major impact for the Bears at wideout.

Although Reggie Brown might not be the number one receiver the Bears want, he would provide them with more reliability at the wide receiver position.

Chicago Cubs Pitchers Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman Claimed off Waivers

Michael Wagner — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:10:07 -0400

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that Chicago Cubs pitchers Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman have been claim off of waivers by a National League team.

Placing players on waivers is not a strange occurrence in baseball, but it is interesting that both players might have been claimed by the same team.

Rich Harden has pitched very well as of late and would seemingly have very high value. Heilman, on the other hand, would seem to have little if any value to a contending team as he has been a blown save machine with the Cubs.

Teams who might have put in the claim for the pitchers are the San Francisco Giants, Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves or the Colorado Rockies.

Chicago Blackhawks Cannot Afford Sophmore Slump From Kris Versteeg

Michael Wagner — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:23:32 -0400

As we inch ever so closely to the return of Chicago Blackhawks hockey, it is about time to start analyzing the players who will be key to the Blackhawks success in 2010.

We will kick off our look around the Chicago Blackhawks roster with Kris Versteeg.

Versteeg is coming of a terrific rookie season in which he recorded 22 goals, 31 assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-15. These impressive statistics gained Versteeg a Calder Trophy nomination and a hefty raise in the off-season.

However, after an impressive season for Kris Versteeg means that in 2010 expectations will be high for the young winger.

You would have to expect that Versteeg will only grow as a player in his second season but as we saw with Jonathan Toews last season, even the greatest offensive talents can struggle.

With the Marian Hossa's injury, the necessity of Versteeg to start out strong is amplified. Hossa was penciled into the top two lines and it was likely that Versteeg would drop to the third pairing however, Hossa's injury changes that.

At first look this is the likely pairings come training camp:

Patrick Sharp-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane

Kris Versteeg-Dave Bolland-Andrew Ladd

Tomas Kopecky-John Madden-Dustin Byfuglien

Ben Eager-Adam Burish-Troy Brouwer

When you look at these possible line combination you realize that with Hossa out Versteeg takes on the role that Martin Havlat had in 2009.

If Versteeg struggles then it is likely that the 'Hawks will struggle but if he is able to embrace his new role then he could become another young shining stars on the 'Hawks.

That is a lot of pressure to place on a second year guy.

But I believe Versteeg will be able to handle it. Much like Toews, Versteeg is someone who prides himself on his penalty killing abilities and has plenty of confidence.

Now that Versteeg has a full NHL season under his belt expect big things from the skilled wing.

Yes, he will now face stronger competition as he receives more playing time on the top lines but this elevation to the top six allows Versteeg to grow as a player and get more scoring opportunities in 2010.

News: San Diego Padres To Extend David Eckstein Through 2010

Michael Wagner — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:54:35 -0400

According to the San Diego Padres Twitter feed, the team is close to extending veteran second baseman David Eckstein through the 2010 season, worth $1 million.

In Eckstein's first season with the Padres he has batted .255 with an on-base percentage of .317 and 38 RBI.

The Padres have been impressed with Eckstein's play with the Padres this season and his ability to mentor the Padres youngsters such as Tony Gwynn Jr., Will Venable, and Everth Cabrera.

The move to extend Eckstein makes perfect sense because the Padres do not have a second baseman that is prepared to play at the major league level yet.

Although Eckstein's bat is not the same he still brings a good glove and more importantly a great veteran presence to this young Padres locker room.

The Old Adage Applies Once Again: Wait 'Til Next Year Chicago Cubs Fans

Michael Wagner — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:07:46 -0400

As most of my friends and family will tell you, I am one of the most optimistic Chicago Cubs fans around. After these last two games against the San Diego Padres, I realize that the Chicago Cubs are going nowhere in 2009.

I am sure many Cubs fans had drawn those conclusions after the sweep by the Phillies, but I thought it might be the Cubs struggling without the likes of Aramis Ramirez.

Now, I realize that the Cubs are dead. They're only 5.5 games out of the Wild Card and six games out of the division, but they're just not a good team—plain and simple.

Actually, let me rephrase that, they are an inconsistent team in that they can never seem to be in sync in all facets of the game at the same time.

If they are hitting, their starting pitching is terrible. If their starting pitching is great, they can't get a hit. If they get good starting pitching and hitting, then their bullpen blows it.

They are just a team riddled with inconsistencies.

So how do you make this team better for 2010?

It's difficult to pinpoint a single must-do come the offseason, but you would have to imagine that Jim Hendry, or whoever is making player personnel decisions, would like to rid themselves of Alfonso Soriano's gigantic contract.

Soriano has not come close to living up to his contract since joining the Cubs in 2007.

Although Soriano was good in his first two seasons with the Cubs, compiling 62 home runs, 145 RBI, and a batting average over .280, these are not the type of numbers you expect from a guy making $17 million per season.

This season, Soriano has played terribly, with a batting average of .243, 19 home runs, and 51 RBI.

At $17 million per season, it seems unlikely the Cubs could find a taker for Soriano, unless they were willing to take on a salary like a Barry Zito's.

Soriano has had a bad season but it's possible that he still has something left in the tank. I would have to imagine that he will still be in a Cubs uniform come April 2010.

The other problem that the Cubs have faced this season is the poor performance by their bullpen. Names like Kevin Gregg, Aaron Heilman, and Carlos Marmol have all disappointed in 2009, but in 2010 expect two-thirds of those names to be gone.

Gregg, the Cubs' closer until yesterday, has been shelled since joining the Cubs, allowing 13 home runs and blowing seven saves. Gregg is also a free agent come the offseason, so expect him to be gone then, if not earlier.

Heilman was another offseason addition for the Chicago Cubs, coming via a trade in which the Cubs gave up pitcher Garrett Olson (who was acquired in the Felix Pie deal) and shortstop Ronny Cedeno.

"Disappointing" would be an understatement regarding Heilman's season, recording an ERA of 4.64, six blown saves, and 31 walks in 54 innings pitched.

Heilman is still under contract through next season, but will either be dealt or released during the offseason.

As for Marmol, his inability to get the ball over the plate has been a problem. Even though Marmol has 67 strikeouts in 56.1 innings and an opponents batting average of .167, he has also given up 52 walks.

Marmol is only in his third major league season and possesses electric stuff, so he will be given another chance to compete for the Cubs' closer role. Look for him to also spend most of his offseason improving his strike-throwing.

The final problem with the Cubs this season has been their inconsistent offense.

Aramis Ramirez has been in and out of the lineup all season. Soriano hasn't been able to find his swing. Geovany Soto hasn't played like the 2008 ROY.

Mike Fontenot hasn't been as good as he was in 2008. Aaron Miles has been awful. Micah Hoffpauir seemed to loose all his confidence.

No one has been able to come up with clutch hits.

The driving factor in the lineups inconsistency could be the amount of injuries it has faced with Ramirez's shoulder issues, Soto's oblique strain, and Derrek Lee's back issues.

Even though the injuries are a factor, the biggest issue is that players like Milton Bradley, Soriano, and Soto haven't hit the way many of us expected.

The biggest bright spot of the Cubs' lineup has been minor league call-up Jake Fox, but with no place for him to play, he has been unable to get consistent playing time. Next season, however, Fox could see some time at second base as he will be sent to the instructional league this fall to get time there.

Another piece of the Cubs that deserves mentioning is the starting rotation, probably the brightest spot for the Cubs all season, until recently.

Ted Lilly, Randy Wells, and Carlos Zambrano have all pitched well, but Zambrano and Lilly have had to deal with injuries as of late, which probably contributed to the Cubs' most recent downfall.

Dempster and Harden have been average, but have given the Cubs a number of quality starts.

Harden has been very good in his last six starts. He's a free agent at the end of the season but could return if the Cubs feel pitchers like Jeff Samardzija, Tom Gorzelanny, and Sean Marshall are not good enough to capture the fifth spot in the rotation.

Even though the Cubs are coming into a stretch of games against teams below .500, it seems unlikely that the Cubs will be able to overcome the giant deficit that they have created.

After a season where nothing has gone right for the Chicago Cubs, many of us Cubs fans must turn our attention to next season and what steps must be taken for the Chicago Cubs to once again make the playoffs.

News: Kevin Gregg Out As Chicago Cubs Closer

Michael Wagner — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:23:27 -0400

It has finally happened, Lou Piniella has come to his senses on Kevin Gregg as the Chicago Cubs closer.

After last nights game against the San Diego Padres, in which Kevin Gregg gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth for his sixth blown save, Lou Piniella stated that, "I think we're going to make some changes as far as what we're going to do late innings."

Piniella also said of Gregg's performance that, "[The tough losses] all end the same way—with a home run ball. We'll see what we'll do. I'm going to think about it tonight."

Cub fans have been calling for Gregg's head for weeks and the reason that Gregg is such a poor closer is because he has such hittable stuff.

Piniella will consider Carlos Marmol and Angel Guzman for the closer position.

Marmol has the electric stuff that you would like to see at the closer position, but he has had a difficult time throwing strikes.

Guzman, on the other hand, has been far more consistent out of the bullpen but has never really gotten a chance to close games in his career.

Even though Marmol is inconsistent and Guzman has never been a closer in his career the two of them seem to be better options than Kevin Gregg.

San Diego Padres Trade Chad Gaudin To The New York Yankees, Finally

Michael Wagner — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:56:07 -0400

It was announced today that the San Diego Padres have traded starting pitcher Chad Gaudin to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later.

Gaudin has had a sub-par season with the Padres with a record of 4-10 and an ERA of 5.13. Gaudin's final two starts with the Padres really seemed to spell his demise as he gave up nine earned runs in just five innings of work.

The Yankees have been laking a fifth starter for most of the season with the injury of Chen Ming Wanga and are hoping that Gaudin can come in and pitch as the fifth starter and do so effectively.

As someone who has watched Gaudin since his days with the Chicago Cubs, I am unsure that he will be much of an improvement for current fifth starter Sergio Mitre.

This was a wise move by the Padres front office to gain some value from a very ineffective starter that did not fit into the thier long term plans. The move also allows the Padres to see how some of their younger pitchers do on the major league stage.

For Kevin Towers and the Padres organization, this was a major win and thankfully they got some value out of Gaudin

News: NHL All-Pro Jeremy Roenick Retires After 20 Seasons

Michael Wagner — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:58:44 -0400

Today it has been reported that center Jeremy Roenick will retire from the National Hockey League after 20 seasons.

Roenick ends his career with 513 goals and 1216 points which places him 39th all-time in NHL scoring.

Roenick was the eighth pick overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1988 and was one of the most prolific scorers of the early 90's, leading the Chicago Blackhawks to their last Stanley Cup appearance in 1992.

In eight seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks Roenick scored 596 points and was a fan favorite with his mix of grit and finesse.

After eight amazing seasons with the Blackhawks, he was surprisingly traded in August of 1996 to the Phoenix Coyotes, in which is career would never be the same, only scoring more than 75 points once in the final 12 seasons in which he played for the Coyotes, Flyers, Kings, and Sharks.

Since the NHL lockout, Roenick was seen as more of a bottom six guy that brought a veteran presence to the lineup with only 96 points in 239 games.

But let us not dwell on the final season of Roenick's career, Roenick was a prolific scorer in his prime recording three 100 point seasons and two 50 goal seasons.

Even though his career is over, I know I will always remember him as one of the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all-time and one of the greatest American forwards of all-time.

We Have a Confession To Make: The San Diego Padres Rotation Will Be Competitive in 2010

Michael Wagner — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:01:23 -0400

With the trade of Jake Peavy many believed that the San Diego Padres were going to be thin in their rotation for a few years until the prospects they recieve are able to mature. What many don't realize is that two to three of the pitchers that they received will likely be in the rotation come 2010. It could possibly be a very young one but from what I have seen thus far it could also be a very good one. In this slide show I will introduce you to several players who will compete for a spot in the San Diego Padres 2010 pitching rotation. Enjoy.

Begin Slideshow

San Diego Padres: Smoke, But No Fire, On Trade Front

Michael Wagner — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:38:16 -0400

For the San Diego Padres, there has been a lot of trade talk, but no moves have been made. It doesn't look like any trade is eminent at the moment, but here are some rumblings from today.

Adrian Gonzalez

The biggest talk of the day was involving Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. ESPN's Buster Olney said that the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres had talks into last night and were expected to have more today.

Olney speculated that the Padres would likely ask for four prospects from the Red Sox, headlined by Clay Buchholz but could also include Junichi Tazawa, Daniel Bard, Lars Anderson, and Casey Kelly.

There really hasn't been any new rumors or details on a possible Red Sox/Padres trade, but it will be something that Padres fans should keep their eyes on.

Heath Bell

Moving on to the other face of the San Diego Padres, Heath Bell. There really hasn't been a ton of talk about Bell, but there have been a lot of teams saying they were interested in the Padres closer, including the Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The biggest rumor about Bell concerned the Florida Marlins. The Marlins are looking for a closer, but the Padres have asked the Marlins for one of their top pitching prospects, and another couple of mid-level prospects.

It is a big asking price for a closer, but Bell is currently one of the best in the game and would solidify the Marlins closer position for the next several seasons.

Right now it seems as though discussions are at a standstill.

Kevin Correia

There are quite a few teams looking for a back of the rotation starter, but not a lot of teams have been banging down the Padres' door for Kevin Correia.

There was finally a rumor today that involved Correia and the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers are looking for a back of the rotation pitcher and Correia could fit the bill.

Word out of the Brewers camp is that there is nothing going on this time.

We sit 16 hours away from the Major League Baseball trade deadline. For the Padres there is a lot of smoke, but no fire.

Chicago Cubs Add Left Handed Reliever John Grabow to Bullpen

Michael Wagner — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:33:41 -0400

The Chicago Cubs have traded pitcher Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio, and third baseman Josh Harrison to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left handed reliever John Grabow and left handed AAA starter Tom Gorzelanny.

By completing this deal with the Pirates the Cubs add a much needed left handed reliever to their bullpen that only features lefty Sean Marshall. Grabow has pitched well for the Pirates this season with an ERA of 3.42 and 41 strikeouts in 47.2 innings pitched.

In Gorzelanny the Chicago Cubs recieve a depth starter for the minor leagues and has had success in the major leagues. In 2006 and 2007 Gorzelanny was good for the Pirates with an ERA of around 3.84 and a record of 16-15 for a bad Pirates team.

Today the Cubs have addressed their biggest need for depth in the bullpen and could now shift their focus to adding a depth bat or possibly another arm to their bullpen.

Time for Jim Hendry To Give Aaron Heilman His Walking Papers

Michael Wagner — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:44:35 -0400

After tonight's disappointing loss to the Houston Astros, general manager Jim Hendry should consider designating pitcher Aaron Heilman for assignment.

In the game against the Astros, Heilman allowed his 14th and 15thinherited runners (of the 30 he has inherited) to score and gave up an earned run himself to boot. The timing of this flap was rather terrible, as the Cubs were only down one run at the time with two outs in the eighth inning.

I have not been as outspoken as some Cubs writers about Heilman and his inability to pitch, but tonight was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Yes, I do realize that if Heilman were to be designated for assignment, the Cubs would be shorthanded in the bullpen. But couldn't a player like Jeff Stevens fill Heilman's spot in the bullpen?

Stevens has been solid since being recalled, allowing zero runs in the first 5.2 innings of his MLB career.

Tonight, against the Astros, Stevens was charged with his first two runs when Heilman relieved him and gave up a two-out triple.

Granted, it is still early in Stevens' career, but he has pitched well against stiff competition including scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals

Yes, Heilman is a veteran pitcher who should be an asset to the Cubs' bullpen, but his inability to pitch in pressure situations makes him a dispensable player.

Although releasing Heilman may leave the Cubs bullpen short for the time being, with B.J. Ryan making his first Triple-A appearance and the trade deadline just two days away, higher-quality pitching solutions might be on the way.

Is Trading Adrian Gonzalez in the Best Interest of the San Diego Padres?

Michael Wagner — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:30:20 -0400

If you were to ask me last week if the San Diego Padres would trade first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, my answer would have been a resounding no. But as we near closer to the trade deadline I continue to become less confident.

Yes, Adrian is the face of the Padres franchise and a fan favorite, but of all the players in the San Diego lineup he holds the most value and could get the Padres minor league system back on track.

For a team that is now trying to rebuild their minor league system, they are in quite a bit of disarray with little pitching prospects to speak of besides Matt Latos and most position players already with the major league club.

Let's face it. The San Diego Padres are not going to be contenders next year and likely won't be for the next couple, so maybe the time is right to move Gonzalez when his stock is so high.

There have been recent reports that the Boston Red Sox are interested in Adrian Gonzalez and would be willing to give up top pitching prospect Clay Buchholz along with other high ranking prospects in their system.

If Buchholz is indeed being offered by the Red Sox in a deal for Adrian, then GM Kevin Towers must listen.

Prospects that the San Diego Padres are also extremely interested in are pitcher Daniel Bard and first baseman Lars Anderson. The Padres would also like the Red Sox to add another player they can place in their minor league system.

If the Padres can get the likes of Bard, Buchholz, Anderson and another prospect for Adrian, I don't know how you don't consider it.

As hard as it might be for Padres fans to let go of fan favorite Adrian Gonzalez, a trade along these lines could be best for all parties involved.

It has been made clear by Gonzalez that he wants to win and win soon, but he also loves to play for his hometown team of San Diego.

If he were to be traded he would be given that chance to win immediately as his presence in the Boston offense would likely make them the favorite in the American League, if not all of Major League Baseball.

For the Padres it is simple—they add a pitcher in Clay Buchholz who could be a top of the rotation guy in their organization for the next 10 years, and the other prospects would help replenish their minor league system.

With or without Adrian Gonzalez, the San Diego Padres are a last place team. Why not cash in on his high stock to help make the team better in the long run?

It may be an unpopular idea among Padres followers, but it might be the type of trade that helps bring the Padres back from obscurity in just a few years.

Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa To Undergo Shoulder Surgery

Michael Wagner — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:09:40 -0400

It was made official today by the Chicago Blackhawks that forward Marian Hossa will undergo surgery tomorrow, June 24, to repair a small tear in his rotator cuff.

The timetable for Hossa's recovery will be about four months, which should put Hossa back in the Chicago lineup around the end of November or the begining of December.

Both Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman and team doctor Michael Terry believed this was the best route to take for Hossa's longevity.

Although this is devastating news for Chicago Blackhawks fans they must realize this is the best thing for Hossa's career and for the Blackhawks in general.

Hossa made a statement on deciding to have the surgery now rather than waiting to see how the shoulder responded.

“After consulting with my family and the Blackhawks, I have no doubt that this is the correct decision," Hossa said. "I plan on being a member of the Blackhawks for a very long time, which is why I want to get this done and begin my career in Chicago at 100 percent.”

Yes it is tough news to swallow since he just signed a long term deal with the 'Hawks, but for the sake of getting the best value out of Hossa and his contract this was something that needed to be done.