The last few days have been brutal for Chicago Blackhawks fans, as “so where’s the Cup going to be tonight?” quickly deteriorated into “which one of our beloved players is leaving town today?” as the premier hockey related question on their minds.
But hey, at least the “big four” in the Chicago core, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are still here. And at least their enforcer and most captivating personality Adam Burish is….oh, wait never mind.
But we still got the cup! And like the Joker told Vicki Vale in the original Batman movie: “In order to make an omelet, you gotta break a few eggs.” And those eggshells accomplished something- freeing up cap space. But you also need to re-stock the carton; with something other than draft picks. Here is such an acquisition, although not exactly a headline grabbing one. Although this transaction should easily fill the newly found void at “enforcer.”
By Paul M. Banks
Today, the Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman John Scott to a two-year contract.
Scott, 27, has appeared in 71 games with the Minnesota Wild over parts of the last two seasons, recording 111 penalty minutes and three points (G, 2A). The 6-foot-8, 258 pound, blueliner appeared in a career-high 51 contests with the Wild last season, tallying two points (G, A) while ranking second on the club with 90 penalty minutes. The St. Catherine’s, Ontario native made his National Hockey League debut with Minnesota in 2008-09 posting one assist and 21 penalty minutes in 20 tilts. He’s even bigger than the now departed Big Buff, and should be the guy to mix it up this winter for the Hawks.
He did get into six fights last season, so you know he’s not shy about throwing down.
Scott, who was signed by the Wild as a free agent on Dec. 31, 2006, has also appeared in 173 American Hockey League regular-season games with the Houston Aeros over parts of three seasons from 2006 to 2009, racking up 402 penalty minutes and 13 points (6G, 7A). He also appeared in five Calder Cup Playoff tilts with Houston in 2008.
Prior to turning pro, Scott spent four seasons at Michigan Tech (NCAA) from 2002 to 2006 and one season with the North American Hockey League’s Chicago Freeze (2001-02).
Written by Paul M. Banks, President and CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest focused webzine. He is also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Chicago Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football.com, the Washington Times Communities, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru