Guess who's back!

The Blackhawks are the defending Stanley Cup Champions and they sure do show it. Whether it's the line changes, different players, or if they decide to really bring their game face, you never know what's going to happen. The Hawks' stars, such as Toews, Kane, and Seabrook have been taking a back seat and letting the rookies shine throughout the past couple games. Head coach, Joel Quinneville, began to bring up players from our farm team, the Rockford Icehogs. Brad Mills, Jeremy Morin, Brandon Pirri, and Joakim Nordstrom are the rookies who are beginning to become known around the Chicagoland area. With a combined plus/minus rating of +11, as of November 15th, the rookies are starting to command their presence. The veterans have been helping the young ones through, teaching them tips and tricks. Brandon Saad, for example, was a rookie last year. It's starting to be more evident that he's beginning to emulate Jonathan Toews' style of play. He still has many years to come but if he keeps this up, they could have a real star on their hands. The Hawks record so far through the 2013-2014 season is 13-4-2. Although they did not start the season undefeated like last year, this doesn't mean that they're not capable of reaching new heights. The heads of the organization are putting together their ideas and wishes for the team, making anything seem possible…like acquiring old teammates. Goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin is one example. Many fans were questioning whether this was a good move. The heads of the organization were optimistic and believed the move was good for the team. An experienced veteran, 40 years old to be exact, who has had plenty of opportunities to play, was assumed to be a valuable element for the team . He's  only started in two games throughout the season so far, and has been replaced both times. Coach Q claims that he "will not start Khabibulin on home ice until he boosts his confidence".  Quinneville's reasoning is, when he starts Khabi at home and he lets up goals, Khabi will get booed, which will snuff his self esteem. It's a very good coaching decision.  According to 13-time Stanley Cup Winner, Scotty Bowman, a high confidence level is the ultimate key factor in separating average goaltenders from the elite in the NHL. One very recent, exciting trade that the Blackhawks agreed to on Thursday, November 14th was, acquiring  two players from the Florida Panthers for two players from the Hawks. The Hawks traded right winger Jimmy Hayes and D-man Dylan Olsen to the Panthers, while acquiring left winger Phillipe Lefebvre and right winger Kris Versteeg. For those of you who jumped on the band wagon in 2010, after their first cup win, you should be thinking, I've heard of that name before. For those of us who have been watching the Hawks from since we could open our eyes, you should be jumping for joy right now. Kris Versteeg was a solid player who played for the Hawks from 2007-2010, gave his memorable speech/rap at the Hawks rally, then was traded within a few weeks, due to the salary cap. Versteeg is ecstatic that he has returned to Chicago. "It's where my heart is," Versteeg explained, "there were a lot of emotions when I was told by Dale (Tallon) that I have been traded back to Chicago." Well, we are excited to have you back, Steeger, and wish you well in your days as a Hawk. Go Blackhawks!