When the Detroit Red Wings announced they would not invite 47-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios back for another season, speculation began about a potential return to the Blackhawks.
Hawks GM Dale Tallon didn't rule out the possibility in an interview with the Tribune's Chris Kuc yesterday. Chelios addressed media today in Detroit and made it clear that he would like to play next season.
The 25-year veteran and Chicago native has won three Stanley Cups and three Norris trophies in his slam-dunk Hall of Fame career. No doubt, he could bring a lot of experience and knowledge to a very young group of Blackhawk defensemen. That said, I don't know if Chelios can play anymore.
This past year, Chelios saw the ice in only 34 games (regular season and playoffs combined) due to injuries and the simple fact that all the other Detroit defensemen are better than he is at this stage of his career. In addition, Chelios has stated a preference for playing in the Eastern Conference, where the travel demands of the NHL schedule are a little less rigorous. The Blackhawks, of course, play in the Western Conference.
Chelios had nine terrific seasons for the Hawks from 1990-99, but those days are gone. I'm not real big on nostalgia. While I would like to see the Hawks add a veteran defenseman this offseason, I prefer they add one that can give the team 12-15 minutes a night on a third defense pairing. Chelios, for all his experience, is not that guy.
Once Chelios is done playing, the Hawks will probably invite him back to be a part of their organization. I have no problem with that. But as long as Chelios still wants to play, let him play somewhere other than Chicago.
It's remarkable Chelios has done well at an old age, but sometimes things come to an end for the best of athletes. When a player is at to late 30s to 40s, his skill level is naturally diminished with the legs getting old. I know the Red Wings are deep on defense, but if Chelios had any sort of magic left in him, he would have played in the Stanley Cup Finals, and maybe he would have been the difference maker in the Finals.
Rumor has it he wants to play in the eastern conference. I could see him lacing up the skates with the Rangers next year, keeping with his tradition of playing for Original Six franchises.
HEATHERINCHICAGO IS BACK!
I miss talking to you, Heather.
How are you? I hope all is well. You should hang out here more often. I love arguing with you. I don't hang out much at Motown Sports anymore since I am busy writing for Internet sites.
Why would Chelios want to play with the Rangers? That does not make sense. Chelios wants to win another Cup so why would he want to waste his career in playing for a team that is so irrelevant in this market not to mention the Rangers are no good.
Um why would Chelios want to play with the Rangers? That does not make sense. Chelios wants to win another Cup so why would he want to waste his career in playing for a team that is so irrelevant in this market not to mention the Rangers are no good.
Personally, I am rooting for him to play for the Hawks. I like to see your reaction when Chelios comes back as the prodigal son. I like how you call out Chelios for playing for the best team in professional sports. Since you are out of touch, let me explain to you something, HEATHERINCHICAGO. It wasn't Chelios' fault that he was traded to Detroit so your irrational anger towards Chelios is misguided and ridiculous, but then again, it's hard for me or anyone to understand what you are talking about.
First off, Chelios already has his name on the cup a few times, so one more isn't as meaningful to him. He's kept with the Original Six clubs so far, and the Bruins don't need defense, so they wouldn't ink Chelios, leading me to use my deductive reasoning skills to suppose he would sign with the Rangers.
It was Chelios' fault he was traded to Detroit. He basically demanded it.
You are the one who has been "out of touch," Timberwolf. It's quite apparent since Jason Bauman continuously picks you apart here.
When and where did Chelios said he wants to be traded? Huh? Is this one of your delusional theories or is this serious? I am thinking it's a former. If it's really true, why don't you go give me a source that told you and reveal that person's name? I don't ever recall Chelios demanding a trade to anywhere. In fact, the man cried when he was traded. He wanted to stay in Chicago to make it work, and he mentioned how he wish he was not traded when he talked to Chicago Tribune's David Haugh during the Western Conference Finals.
You mentioned deductive reasoning to where Chelios is going. This shows you how clueless you are. You really think Chelios is goign to make a decision on deductive reasoning. Odds are he will play for a West Coast team that can help him win the Cup. He is not going to play for a loser. He already tried that with the Blackhawks so why would he want to witness that again.
I think I will take his word over your word anyday. You have showed you have zero credibility to begin with so why should I trust you on this one? You are the same fool that complained about the Gophers basketball team making the tournament when you did not even know the Gophers beat Louisville, Northwester, and the I-L-L-I-N-I.
BTW, you keep telling me Chicago is a sophiscated sports town. If that was the case, how come Twins fans outnumbered Cubs fans 70-30 at Wrigley Field couple of weekends ago? That's embarrassing. This shows me either Cubs fans are apathetic or they are not exactly smart. You can make a case for both. I took great satisfaction not only seeing the Twins win the series against the Cubs, but I liked how Twins fans were able to enjoy Wrigley Field by getting two wins.
The Cubs and the city of Chicago are made for each other. Here's hoping for another 100 years of misery.
Reading is a skill. I'd suggest you use it every once in a while! When did I ever say CHELIOS was using deductive reasoning skills? *I* am using them due to patterns. As a mathematics teacher, I am one to always look for patterns in things. It's called LOGIC!
I could care less about the Cubs. I am a White Sox fan, and I have seen my team win a recent championship.
You constantly display how clueless you are by being picked apart by both Jason and myself.
That's the problem with you, HEATHERINCHICAGO! It's bad enough you are ignorant and clueless in sports, but whenever you write, it's hard for me to read. It's bad enough my IQ goes down 25 points just reading your stuff. I only read your posts just for an opportunity to expose for what you are, which is a fool. I am really glad you showed up here. You should come here often so I can argue with you often, which I enjoy doing.
So basically you really have nothing about Chelios demanding trade. You made stuff up. Typical you, HEATHERINCHICAGO! You ought to quit your job and go write fiction books. With you being chums with Mary Swistra, who does publications, she can give you pointers on how to write books.
Also was it necessary to go self-promote yourself of what you do for a living? Just one last thing. I know you teach at a high school, but it does not mean you should go act like a high schooler when you start bragging about how you saw a championship. It gets old and childish.
Look at your incoherent babblings and you will see exactly whose posts will drop one's IQ. I do not expect you to understand logic, though.
Chelios did in fact demand a trade. That's one of the main reasons Hawks fans boo him every time he comes back to the United Center.
What you are saying is just words and heresay, HEATHERINCHICAGO!
When you show me proof whether it's a link or an email from a Chicago sportswriter, then I will take you seriously.
I recalled reading the day Chelios was traded. I never recalled him asking for a trade. The story came down to this. Chelios wanted a new contract, but the old man did not want to pay him so he decided to trade Chelios and get something for him. That's the story. It never had anything to do with Chelios wanting out.
Every Hawks fan knows what happened, so whatever you say holds no water, Timberwolf.
Funny stuff since I read that thread by WSI on Chelios the other day. You were the only person that I know who was outspoken about Chelios while the rest were indifferent. I know MUSoxfan was not happy about Chelios waving the Cup in Chicago last year, but since Chelios was born and bred in Chicago, I have no issue with what he did when he was showing it for friends and family.
So this is what you come up with? Hawks fans know what happened. Trusting what a fan said is like me trusting a blogger for a source. Anyone can go make up a story. Being in the newspaper business, I understand a journalist has to work his or her tail off to get what's going on so I will take a writer's word before I am going by what a fan thinks.
Tell you what. I am going to email Dan McGrath, and get his take on what happened. If McGrath agree with what you say, I will apologize publically to you at this board.
You're going to e-mail McGrath?
While you're at it, tell him Sosa is a roider who has no business in the Hall of Fame.
I'm sick and tired of McGrath sticking up for Sammy all the time.
While I sure wasn't a hockey fan back in the Chelios era, If I had to go between HEATHERFROMCHICAGO or Timberwolf, Am I going to go with the person with the most logic, someone who knows the franchise more than some dorky librarian who talks out of his/her ass half the time?
I think I'll take HEATHERFROMCHICAGO's word over Timberwolf's