Chicago Blackhawks

The NHL released the 2010-2011 schedule shortly after the completion of the Stanley Cup Finals, making it a short wait for hockey fans.

The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup this past season and are poised to make another run at the Cup providing that they can overcome their schedule next season.

The crowd roared in excitement after Kris Versteeg scored the opening goal of the 2009 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.  Now, visualize the fans of Chicago if another Winter Classic was held in the town where the Stanley Cup was finally brought home after 49 years.

Of the four major North American sports, the captain is most noted and recognized in professional hockey. It is an honor bestowed to the player on each team that exemplifies himself as a leader that the other players on the team can skate behind.

Over the years the Chicago Blackhawks have had many different captains that have emerged from within the organization to become outstanding representatives of Blackhawk Hockey.

I'll admit it—when the Blackhawks fired Dennis Savard two years ago, my first reaction was one of astonishment. 

My question was: "How can you fire a coach who, while it wasn't a great year, brought the 'Hawks oh-so-very close to the playoffs last season, and, not to mention, is a Blackhawks great?" 

The Hawks seemed to be on the rise when the 2008-2009 season began, but only after four games they had a new head coach. 

His name was Joel Quenneville.

As a Blackhawks fan, July 29th has been noted in my Android since we learned of the arbitration date.

As many know, an arbitrator will decide on a ruling regarding the showdown between the two parties.

Many have been waiting in hopes to see the situation being resolved beforehand, but unfortunately those hopes have been extinguished...well to a mere flicker.

Thanks to a flurry of fantastic under the radar moves over the past couple weeks, the Blackhawks might now be able to afford having Antti Niemi back on their roster for the 2010-11 season.

According to sources in Minnesota, the Blackhawks will soon announce that they have agreed to an entry-level deal with defenseman Nick Leddy.

Leddy was one of the most impressive players at the prospect camp earlier this summer, and will reportedly begin the year in Rockford, leaving the University of Minnesota.

Although Blake Wheeler's arbitration hearing today will set the standard for arbitration in the NHL, most NHL GMs probably have July 29 circled on their calenders. This is because that is the day of Antti Niemi's arbitration hearing.

During the regular season Niemi played 39 games with a save percentage of .912 and a GAA of 2.25 with seven shutouts. He had a record of 26-7-4. Pretty good, but not brilliant as he played in less than half of Chicago's regular season games, though the record was phenomenal.

For those unwilling to wait for the regular season puck to drop, the young prospects will be headed to Toronto for a rookie-only tournament.

The tournament will include the host, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Players officially announced on the Blackhawks' roster are Kyle Beach, Shawn LaLonde, Jeremy Morin, Chris DiDomenico, and Phillipe Paradis.

All players announced will be possibly competing for a spot on the Blackhawks' opening day roster.

Coming out of the Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp, many have been talking about how strong the Blackhawks defensive prospect depth is and that the likes of Shawn Lalonde, Ryan Stanton, and Nick Leddy might have a shot at making the 'Hawks out of training camp.

However, there is one player who is not getting a lot of attention and might have the best shot of making the 'Hawks out of camp; his name is Ivan Vishnevskiy.