Troy Brouwer

This year's class of unrestricted free agents was weak. This summer's class of restricted rree agents was a bumper crop that featured the likes of Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Keith Yandle and Zach Parise, among others.

Does it strike anyone else as odd that not a single offer sheet has been extended this summer?

In my opinion, it's not only odd, it seems just downright moronic.

During free agencies and trade deadlines of the past, Washington Capitals' General Manager George McPhee has often earned himself the name, Sleepy McPhee. 

Not this year. McPhee just got serious.

After three consecutive years of postseason failure and disappointment, McPhee has finally realized what the flaws in his organization are, and he is now doing whatever it takes to fix them.

In my last post, I laid out five reasons why the Chicago Blackhawks would repeat. It might have come off as a little far-fetched, but that's how it was supposed to be. I was only laying out ideal situations of everything. 

That doesn't mean those five points weren't true. I believe everything I wrote, but that doesn't mean I can't see reality. I am a huge fan, and I love and want to see my favorite team achieve. 

There is nothing quite as painful as watching the team you love mired in a slump.  This is made even worse when you are a Chicago sports fan.

Championships have been few and far between in the Windy City. 

After a shaky first twenty games, the Chicago Blackhawks appears to have started to find their groove.  Coming off a 4-2 swing out west, ESPN.com has them fourth in the league in their latest power rankings.

Now it's time to justify that ranking on the ice.

The flight from Los Angeles should be upbeat for the Chicago Blackhawks as they capped off the annual Circus Trip with a pair of impressive victories.

If the Blackhawks remember to pack the team defense they showed in Southern California, they may be capable of making headway in the Western Conference standings.

As the Chicago Blackhawks depart Western Canada after the first week of a two week road trip, there continues to be a maddening lack of consistency that has plagued the club.

This past week saw the Hawks at their high flying best and at their passionless worst.  Which Blackhawks team is going to emerge?  Or will one emerge?

Has Chicago shown it's true colors as a squad with a split personality this season?

The Chicago Blackhawks have two days to search for the motivation to rebound from a recent run of inconsistent and uninspired play.

This weekend might be a good place to start.

It seems like yesterday the Chicago Blackhawks were under pressure to figure out a way to settle under the NHL’s salary cap.

In spite of everything this past off-season, fans are more in tune on what is to come this summer.

The Chicago Blackhawks closed out October with a Jekyll and Hyde weekend, raising questions that will likely be answered in the next 30 days.