Home Opener Notes: See Ya Smolenak and Welcome Back Skille

Jim Neveau, PIB Co-conspirator

With the Blackhawks getting the red carpet treatment again tonight at the United Center for their home opener against Colorado, it seems an appropriate time to get everyone up to speed on what is going on in Hawkdom.

-After just one game for the Blackhawks, Radek Smolenak has been re-claimed off of waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He managed to get into a fight in his only game, against Detroit, and the Hawks will replace him on the roster with Jack Skille, whom they recalled from Rockford today.

-Ben Eager was placed on IR with concussion-like symptoms, according to reports. [Chicago Tribune]

-According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, Dave Bolland is expected to play tonight against Colorado.

-Steve Rosenbloom wrote a blog about Cristobal Huet’s struggles in recent days, and some of the comments made by some of the readers border on idiotic. [Rosenblog]

-The self-promotion part of the program: your humble correspondent wrote an article for The Hockey Writers about what qualities the Red Wings possess that the Blackhawks should emulate, or outright steal, in their quest for a championship. [The Hockey Writers]

-Tonight’s projected line-up, courtesy of the Blackhawks’ website. [Chicago Blackhawks] PS: If you want to watch the pre-game warm-ups, you can check them out on the website as well.

United Center

-Sean Leahy’s preview of the night in the NHL over on Yahoo!. [Puck Daddy]

-It’s not Hawks-related, but it is Chicago based: Chris Chelios will suit up for the Chicago Wolves, AHL affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers. [ESPNChicago]

-Finally, a shout-out to the Phoenix Coyotes, who sold out their home opener tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Speaking only for myself, I want to see hockey succeed in the desert, simply because it’s good for the game as a whole to have healthy franchises. Off my soapbox, it can also be noted that Shane Doan and Kristian Huselius are both celebrating birthdays in that game. [NHLReference.com]

Enjoy the games everyone, and check back here later for more coverage of the Blackhawks home opener. Friend of Paint it Blackhawks Pam Rodriguez will be at the game, and we’ll be sure to pass along some of her photos and observations from the United Center.

Tags: Ben Eager, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Tribune, Chris Chelios, Chris Kuc, Cristobal Huet, Dave Bolland, Jack Skille, Kristian Huselius, Phoenix Coyotes, Puck Daddy, Radek Smolenak, Shane Doan, Steven Rosenbloom, The Hockey Writers