Early days yet...

Powderhornhockey
It seemed things would never start today at Blackhawk rookie camp, the team was late, very late. None of the "suits" seemed to be there only a pair of ticket reps doing their level best to keep the 100 or so fans happy and questions answered. The concession stand kept the eager crowd sated with cups of Cheli's Chili, which is not a bad lunch in a cold arena. The vets were off ice and the prospects hit the rink for drills at 2:30. Better late than never.

Standouts in today's events were Evan Brophy, Simon Danis-Papin, and Richard Greenup. The goalies today Corey Crawford and Sebastian Dahm did not dazzle, Dahm looked pressured during the drills, Crawford looked tired. Currently the Blackhawks have a full stable of goalies, first there is Nikolai Khabibulin, Cristobal Huet, signed, sealed and delivered as the NHL team according to management. OK, that leaves Cory Crawford, who backed up the NHL team last year from Rockford. The "new guys" a Fin 24 year old Aitti Niemi, Mike Brodeur, who backed up Corey Crawford last year in Rockford and the other invitees, Joseph Fallon, Joseph Palmer and last but not least Josh Unice. That makes six juggling for the positions in Rockford and two signed for Chicago. That's too many goalies IMHO, look to see changes at the top to move Crawford up or four young goalies are going to be looking to impress scouts elsewhere this summer.

Tomorrows schedule is for the Blackhawks to hit the ice 10:00-11:00, rookies 11:00-12:15 with a group A scrimmage at 12:30-2:00 PM. Hockey in July, sweet, be there or be square.