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

Chicago Blackhawks fans are coming down to the end of a long countdown to the start of the 2011-12 NHL season. Time to put together a preview of the upcoming season. With a twist.

One rainy afternoon in that chasm of time between the end of last season and the start of training camp, I was mindlessly flipping through the channels. It was then that I came across the "classic" John Carpenter martial arts comedy Big Trouble In Little China for what must have been the thousandth time.

Kurt Russell as Jack Burton, driver of the Porkchop Express, taking on ancient sorcerers in an underground world below San Fransisco's Chinatown? What's not to like? 

Plus, Russell's son was a goalie, wasn't he?

Enjoy some movie quotes and some thoughts about the 'Hawks as we prepare to lift the lid on the season.

"Everybody relax, I'm here."

Any time Jonathan Toews is in the lineup, the Blackhawks will have a fighting chance. The early playoff exit didn't sit too well with him. I'm glad to hear it.

Tazer and the rest of the high-profile core players are going have to lead this team on the ice in a way that didn't happen in 2010-11 until it was far too late. It's nice to have veteran additions like Jamal Mayers, Andrew Brunette, and Sean O'Donnell, but this is the Captain's team. It can go as far as he can take it.

"See? That was nothing. But that's how it always begins. Very small."

This Blackhawks squad has to get off to a better start to the season than last year's 9-9-2 record in their first 20 games. The rest of the Western Conference didn't wait for the 'Hawks to gel last season and they won't wait this season.

Sweeping the Stars on the opening weekend would send a nice message. To really make a statement that they're back in the thick of things, however, Chicago needs to have collected 13 or 14 wins by the time they embark on their annual circus trip.

"Would you stop rubbing your body up against mine, because I can't concentrate when you do that."

Is Patrick Kane ready to scale back the...um..."distractions" and put together the huge season he seems more than capable of delivering? And where will he line up opening night?

"This is gonna take crackerjack timing, Wang."

The "Kaner at Center" project is going as expected. Marian Hossa is the primary beneficiary and offensively things are clicking. The defense is lacking and someone on his line is going to have to pick up the slack. The potential of two elite scoring lines will keep the team trying to make this work.

"I'm gonna tell you about an accident, and I don't wanna hear 'act of God!' "

Injuries over the summer as well as in camp figure heavily in how the 'Hawks come out of the gate.

Kane and Bryan Bickell seem fully recovered from offseason surgery, and after spending most of the summer rehabbing from knee surgery, Rostislav Olesz seems to have proven himself to be a serviceable piece.

Viktor Stalberg and Ben Smith going down the same night didn't help matters, nor did Patrick Sharp undergoing an emergency appendectomy days before the start of camp. Hopefully Chicago got most of their injury issues out of the way before the first puck drops.

"How do you do, Ma'am? Henry Swanson's my name, and excitement's my game."

Sharp will have to play his way into game shape during actual games, but all signs point to a return for the season opener in Dallas.

Sharp will put that excitement on display on the wing with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad if recent statements are taken seriously.

"Which Lo Pan? Little old basket case on wheels or the ten foot tall roadblock?"

Dave Bolland is hoping he'll be the latter, a defensive shutdown center who can lead linemates Bryan Bickell and Michael Frolik in being a dangerous threat in the opponent's zone as well.

If he's the injury-plauged Bolland of the last two years, it won't be good for him or the 'Hawks. The fact he is likely out for Friday's opener is not a good omen for the likelihood of a healthy Rat.

"Like I told my last wife, I says, 'Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes.' "

Stalberg has all the skating ability in the world. A left knee injury suffered Wednesday in the same game that left Smith day to day is going to sideline the speedy Swede. The three weeks or so will be unfortunate, as he was beginning to carve out a spot in the top six with his play at camp.

It's a big season for Stalberg in terms of his future with the organization. If he can't prove he can fit in somewhere, he may be trade bait in February or sooner.

"I was born ready."

Saad, 18, has impressed from the first day's at prospect camp. He has parlayed an impressive camp into opening the season with Chicago. His stay may not be long this season, but it's now readily apparent that Stan Bowman plucked a jewel from the second round this summer.

"You can go off and rule the universe from beyond the grave." 
"Indeed!" 
"Or check into a psycho ward, which ever comes first, huh?"

Disciplined ferocity is what we need from Daniel Carcillo. He'll either be a great fit for the club or play his way out of town with senseless penalties. Don't look for middle ground with this guy.

If Carcillo can keep his emotions in check and get under the skin of opponents, he could help return an edge to the fourth line along with Mayers.

"Stop! Red light!"

My season preview takes a breather for now. Check out Part II with more quotes and observations.

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