Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview: 15 "Out on a Limb" Predictions

The Chicago Blackhawks are a little over a week away from the start of training camp as the 2011-12 NHL season looms. In less than a month the 'Hawks are set to open the regular season in Dallas.

Just a bit more waiting, and the season will be upon us.

None of us really know what the upcoming 10 months of hockey hold for us. We can speculate all we want, but the season will unfold as the universe dictates.

That said, there's nothing wrong with playing Nostradamus and making some predictions on how the 2011-12 campaign will take shape. Forget playing close to the vest—part of the fun comes in swinging for the fences and seeing how close some of these bold predictions come to the actual mark.

Fasten your fight straps, come out on a limb with me and let's see what the season holds for the Blackhawks.

1. Ray Emery Will Sign with the Team

The 'Hawks will like what they see in the comeback kid, realize that a second experienced goaltender is the way to go in net and get Emery's name on a one-year contract.

Emery gets a chance to prove his health problems are fully behind him and can be a team guy, while Alexander Salak gets valuable experience in Rockford, away from the grinder Blackhawks' fans put goalies through.

2. John Scott Will Be Waived at the End of Camp

The number of qualified players on both sides of the puck, in addition to players like Jamal Mayers and Daniel Carcillo who can skate as well as scrap, will mean there is no place in Chicago for the Murdersaurus.

Scott will clear waivers and be assigned to Rockford, where he will be a fan favorite. When he plays, that is.

3. Marcus Kruger Starts the Season in Rockford

The Blackhawks will like what they see from the young Swede in camp, but realize that he needs some time to adjust to the North American game.

Kruger will spend at least the first three months of the season in Rockford, working on adding the ability to score goals as well as handling larger opponents.

It shouldn't take Kruger, who supposedly has put on some muscle since the playoffs, long to make the adjustment. Expect to see him with the team later in the season.

4. Rob Klinkhammer Wins a Spot on the Team

See what I mean about swinging for the fences?

Despite the addition of veteran grinders, Klinkhammer displays an improved shooting touch, gets himself into all the right places and impresses Joel Quenneville with his hustle. He wins a spot on the fourth line when a vet gets dinged up in an early exhibition game.

5. The 'Hawks Will See an Old Rival Move East

The Blackhawks will see an era end when Detroit is sent to the Eastern Conference in 2012-13, with Winnipeg moving into the West. Minnesota joins Chicago in the Central Division and the 'Hawks are forced to look elsewhere for a chief rival.

St. Louis could be the team, or perhaps Chicago will look a little farther to the west...

6. Jonathan Toews and Dave Bolland Will Both Earn Selke Nominations

It's not a stretch to pencil in Tazer in as a front-runner for the Selke Trophy. Bolland, on the other hand...

Having changed his moniker to the Gym Rat, Bolland picks up from where he left off in the playoffs with line mates Bryan Bickell and Michael Frolik. Bickell scores 18 goals, taking advantage of loose pucks supplied by Frolik, who rebounds with a 22-goal effort.

In the middle is Bolland, who plays a full season for the first time in three years and sees time on both the second and third lines. His 57 points is not among the NHL elite, but the effectiveness of his two-way play serves as a reminder that the award is a defensive honor.

If that prediction is a little too spicy for you, just pencil in Tazer for another nomination.

7. Marian Hossa Tops the 80-Point Mark

A longer summer following three straight runs to the finals will be just what the doctor ordered for Hossa.

Taking advantage of a shakeup that pairs him with Toews, Hossa will come out like a house afire in October. As opposed to last season, he'll remain in dominant form for most of the way.

Fans will get nightly performances of the Marian Hossa Puck Control Show as he is on the ice for 78 games. A 45-goal, 37-assist season is the ultimate result.

8. Brent Seabrook Will Play in His First All-Star Game

The Blackhawks top defensive pairing will return with much vigor in the coming season.

A refocused Duncan Keith will get this duo off to the right start. In addition, Seabrook's stature as an elite defensemen will be recognized with a trip to the NHL All-Star Game along with his partner.

Seabrook won't lead the defensemen in scoring as he did last season, but his offensive numbers will be solid, especially on the power play.

9. Jeremy Morin Makes a Difference in the Second Half

Once again, 'Hawks brass will be impressed with the play of Morin, who will show no lingering effects from an injury that kept him in the press box down in Rockford for most of the second half a season ago.

He'll look like a keeper, but Bowman will elect to season the young forward for just a bit longer.

Morin will start the season in Rockford, put up a dozen goals in the first two months, and be ready if injuries hamper a top-six wing.

10. Chicago Will Cut Bait with Kyle Beach

This will happen according to one of the following scenarios:

A. Beach will continue to struggle with playing disciplined hockey and will be a healthy scratch several nights in Rockford. As a result, Bowman deals him for a third or fourth round pick and another organization take a shot at harnessing his talents.

B. Beach comes to camp in good shape, works hard, and shows improvement in his second full pro season in Rockford. As a result, Bowman, feeling good about the prospects of several other talented players in the system, deals Beach for immediate help at the trade deadline.

11. The 'Hawks Trade Viktor Stalberg by the Deadline

Stalberg will frustrate throughout his second season.

He won't produce offensively enough to stick with the top two lines.

He won't provide enough defense or toughness to fit in the bottom six.

As a result, Bowman will use the Swedish Flash to pick up a key piece of the puzzle at or near the trade deadline.

12. The 'Hawks Obtain Stephen Weiss from the Florida Panthers

Armed with ample cap space, Bowman swings a deadline deal designed to put Chicago over the top.

Dale Tallon sends the 'Hawks Stephen Weiss in exchange for Stalberg, Beach, a fourth-round pick and the promise from Bowman that he will own up to failing to send those qualifying offers out two years ago.

Weiss in the lineup allows Sharp and Bolland to focus on what they do best, and the Blackhawks begin to roll toward the end of the regular season.

13. The Hawks Will Win the Central Division and Earn the Second Seed

The 'Hawks pick up their play at home and bring a workmanlike attitude every night regardless of the opponent.

Chicago will come out on top of a competitive division race, finishing ahead of Detroit, Nashville and the surprising Blues, all of whom will make the playoffs.

The 106 points earned by the Blackhawks will also be good enough to secure the second playoff seed behind Vancouver.

14. The 'Hawks Will Get Alain Vineault Fired

After handling St. Louis and Detroit in the first two rounds, Chicago with stun the Canucks in Game 1 of the conference finals. The 'Hawks will go on to win the series in six games.

Vancouver coach Alain Vineault will be fired 20 minutes after his team loses 5-2 in Game 6.

The news pacifies Canucks fans who have gathered to watch the contest at the Rogers Center, and they will quietly and expeditiously walk back to their homes.

15. The Cup Returns to Chicago (of Course)

Energized by exacting vengeance on the Canucks, the Blackhawks will face Washington in the finals, prevailing in five games.

The Capitals' lone win comes when Troy Brouwer finds the net in overtime in Game 3. The goal will be Brouwer's first of the postseason.

Will the 2011-12 season follow my grand designs? I'd be surprised if I make good on more than a few of my prognostications.

How the coming season unfolds is really anyone's guess. That's why they go to the trouble of playing the games.

It's also why we love hockey.