cmk418 | Yeah, it's a hockey post, whatcha gonna do?

I've decided to name the 2008-2009 Blackhawks season "Embrace the Greatness" - yeah, I think the official slogan is "The Pride is Back" or something like that which is kinda sick in a way. But they've just gone out and re-signed Byfuglien, Wisniewski, and Burish (and can I just say, thank God for Burish because it's a name I don't have to double check) which is great because the team dynamic can stay as it is. Personally, and I really can't say this more emphatically, I'm quite happy with the team we have now (altho if Corey Perry wanted to come over from the Ducks, I might consider it, but I have no idea who we'd part with).

I think 2007-08 was definitely the most fun I've had watching/listening to hockey in a long time. The Kings tickets were a worthwhile investment (even tho the Kings, for the most part, weren't) and the games I saw in St. Louis were a lot of fun. I saw 14 games this year which was more than the total number of games I've seen since I've moved to L.A. in 2001. I listened to part of most every Blackhawks game on the radio (some more than once) - the audio highlight of the year had to be the Hawks-Dallas game when they scored with 1.5 seconds left in the game. I can still replay some of that audio in my head even now. It was beyond fantastic. The winning record against the hated Wings was another high point. Toews' Colorado goal (link here)is a thing of beauty. It was a season that was incredibly fun to watch and listen to.

On the Kings front, I cannot say enough good things about Anze Kopitar. He's just great. I really developed a liking for the hometown guys this year - I wasn't sure I would, but sticking with them for the season, I really have found them alternately entertaining and utterly painful to watch.

And, is there any team in the league who has a power play that doesn't drive their fans to drink? The Kings are okay, the Hawks are frustrating, but they manage from time to time, but the Blues make me want to put my fist through the wall (and we sit in the very literal back row at the Blues games, folks, so that is indeed possible). I think it's because all that freedom of movement gives them too much time to think and set up and they aren't just reacting and throwing the puck out in front and crashing the net.

So yeah, I know there's still 4-7 games left before the wee little man comes out and draws the curtain on the season, but I'm looking forward to 2008-09 already.