Dave Bolland

The Chicago Blackhawks have been in a funk recently, and if that doesn't change, GM Stan Bowman could be making some permanent changes to the team's roster.

Inconsistent play, bad defense and all-around bad hockey from a number of individuals wearing a Blackhawks jersey explains the team's lack of success recently.

Although the Hawks have been struggling, there have been some players—such as Marcus Kruger and Nick Leddy—who have made significant improvements to their game since the start of the season.

The Chicago Blackhawks will be coming home for two games on a higher note than when they left. They just might not have Dave Bolland in the lineup for those games.

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a great spot when it comes to the center position.

Stan Bowman says so.

The fact that the 'Hawks skated with 11 forwards in their season opener, a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, suggests that Bowman's confidence may be a bit misguided. Tell me again why John Madden isn't worth a phone call, Stan?

The playoffs tend to bring out the best in players, separating those who deserve to be called champions and those who aren't quite ready to hold that title.  Champions never show signs of giving up regardless of the given circumstances, and this very fact was on display in Chicago on Sunday night.  The last time the Blackhawks were in their home area, the United Center, they saw themselves down three games to zero.

It took longer than fans and players had hoped, but the Chicago Blackhawks won their first game of the series Tuesday night with a 7-2 blowout.

It was very reminiscent of the 7-1 victory over Vancouver all the way back on November 20 and of the offense strength of last season. 

But is it too early to talk about or consider a comeback? 

It probably is.

When the Chicago Blackhawks announced that injured center David Bolland was going to make his first appearance for the 'Hawks in over five weeks, in an elimination game no less, I suggested that we not expect Bolland to come out wearing a cape.

Turned out he had the cape, the tights and, most importantly, the key to the Vancouver Canucks goal.

Hockey days are numbered for the Blackhawks in Chicago, and if something isn't done quickly, their right to call themselves the "Defending Champions" will be convincingly revoked.  

The Chicago Blackhawks got some encouraging news Friday after the team's morning skate in Detroit concerning injured center Dave Bolland, who has missed a month of action due to a concussion suffered March 9th in Tampa.

Marcus Kruger is now two games into his NHL career, having played in the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 loss to Anaheim Saturday night. This 20-year-old rookie's arrival with the team has coincided with the potential loss of Dave Bolland in the latter stages of a fierce playoff fight.

Not exactly the best of circumstances for the new guy to get his feet wet.

Thanks to a cheap shot by Pavel Kubina, the Chicago Blackhawks could suddenly be doing their best impersonation of a Tim Horton's doughnut.

Namely, the 'Hawks will have a big hole in the middle.

The Tampa Bay defenseman will be taking a three-day vacation from work after the league rightfully handed down a suspension for his head shot on Bolland.

We know Kubina will be back in three games. Can we say the same about Bolland?