Marty Schottenheimer, as a regular season head coach in the NFL, had his teams dominate. Maybe one of the best regular season coaches of all-time. Schottenheimer is in the top ten in regular seasons with wins as a head coach. Number 8 all-time with very highly respectable names in front of him. In post season it was the tales of two cities. Schottenheimer was haunted by some of the most epic playoff games in the history of the NFL coming out on the wrong side every time. People still talk about those games today. His football philosophy was simple: “One play at a time.” His teams ran smash mouth football, what they called Marty Ball. The recipe for Marty Ball was simple: a strong running game and a tough as nails defense. In 2014, Marty Schottenheimer had a new battle to deal with instead of the gridiron. Schottenheimer was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Marty lost his battle recently and passed away at the age of 77.

Marty Schottenheimer was born in a small town in Pennsylvania, and as you might guess, he played the linebacker position. Schottenheimer was good enough to play college ball going against other tough as nails Pennsylvania warriors that ended up in the steel mill or the coal mine. Schottenheimer would attend the University of Pittsburgh. His play in college professional teams took notice as he was drafted twice in the NFL and the AFL. Schottenheimer would play six seasons in the AFL with the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots. In 1966 he played for the Bills in the AFL Championship versus the Chiefs and came out on the losers side of that contest. The Chiefs was Marty’s future at the time that he did not know until decades later. The Chiefs would go on the next season and play the Packers in the very first Superbowl when both leagues merged. After Marty Schottenheimer hung up the spikes, he took up coaching the game he’d loved since he came out of the womb. First job he got was in the World Football League in 1974. Schottenheimer was on his first rung of the ladder as an assistant with a team called the Portland Storm.

Eventually Marty Schottenheimer climbed the ladder in coaching and landed his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1984. Schottenheimer’s first coaching job had Cleveland rocking to two AFC championship games with a regular season record of 44-27 from 1984-1988. When you lose big championship games that are coined “THE DRIVE” and “THE FUMBLE,” either you or the town is jinxed. Both losses occurring from horse teeth of John Elway and his Denver Broncos. In 1986, during “THE DRIVE” John Elway and the Broncos went 98 yards down the field on 15 plays to tie the game with 37 seconds left. Then the Browns fell in Overtime. The following year the Browns are driving down the field on the Broncos. With 1:12 left, the Browns were down 38-31 on the 3 yard line to tie the game. They call it the FUMBLE. Running back Earnest Byner coughed up the football as the Broncos would prevail again.

Marty Schottenheimer’s teams won 10 or more games 11 times as a head coach. In 1989, Marty Schottenheimer was head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs where he had a record 101-58-1 from 1989-1998. Schottenheimer clinched home field advantage twice with the first round bye to fizzle out in the second round in the very first game as a number 1 seed. In 1993, Schottenheimer had Joe Montana at the end of his career and he had the Chiefs on the door step to the Superbowl in the AFC Championship versus the Bills in Buffalo. But the Bills will prevail knocking the Chiefs out and pretty much ending Montana’s career in the process. Marty Schottenheimer left the game after the 1998 season and would resurface in 2001 with Washington. Marty Ball lasted one season in DC. Schottenheimer had the Redskins in the lone season at 8-8 which was not good enough for the owner.

Marty Schottenheimer then worked his magic in San Diego and with a young Drew Brees, the team broke an 8 year playoff drought. Once again the Chargers and another Marty team fell in the divisional round to the New York Jets in overtime. In 2006, the Chargers were the number one seed with Phillip Rivers in the driver’s seat this time. With a 14-2 record the Chargers earned a bye. Then what Tom Brady did to so many teams came into San Diego with his Patriots and beat the Chargers in a another close game on Marty’s record a 24-21 loss. Marty Schottenheimer on one play went for it on 4th down and 11 on the 30 yard line which resulted in a strip sack by Mike Vrabel off Rivers. Patriots recovered it. Then late in that game with six minutes left, Chargers leading 21-13 Marlon McCree intercepts Tom Brady. If McCree would have just went down to the ground, the Chargers would have probably moved on. The Patriots forced a fumble and like that, Patriots step on the throat of the Chargers and put them away. Schottenheimer’s playoff record would be disastrous at 5-13 all-time. Schottenheimer would end his coaching career at the end of that 2006 season. From 2002-2006 Schottenheimer went 47-33 with the Chargers. Marty ball would never be tested in the Superbowl. The closest Marty Schottenheimer came to being part of a championship team was that AFL Championship he was on as a player for the Bills in 1966.

You could say Marty Schottenheimer played for a Buffalo team and coached the Browns and the Chargers – all teams with no Superbowl wins. You could say about the Redskins job that Dan Snyder was a bad owner as you can say the same thing about the Chargers ownership. Throw them under the bus, roll over them again, and then back over them again. Schottenheimer had some great quarterbacks like Joe Montana, Drew Brees, Bernie Kosar and Phillip Rivers. Remember the Nigerian Nightmare?

The running backs like Christian Okoye and Marcus Allen, whose mission as Chief was to be the Raiders worst nightmare. By the way Marty, Schottenheimer hated the Raiders. Marty Ball in San Diego featured Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. Marty ball defense had the late Derrick Thomas during his Chiefs days.

Then Marty Ball had Junior Seau during his Chargers days. Both Seau and Thomas passed away too young. Both players were guys you build your defense around. At the time when Marty Schottenheimer was hired by the Chiefs, it was kind of the same story as when Andy Reid arrived from the Philadelphia Eagles. Schottenheimer and Reid had problems in those championships. Reid did get the Eagles to the Superbowl to end up losing. Plus it took him awhile but Reid cemented one Superbowl with the Chiefs in multiple playoff appearances. Andy Reid just lost last weekend once again to Tom Brady. Reid is now 1-2 in the big game as a head coach. A few key plays and Schottenheimer could have gotten a team to the Superbowl. I respected Marty Ball because you knew they were getting off the bus running. No one uses that old school recipe anymore. Football has changed with the way the game is played nowadays. The passing attack and lack of the running game are the way most offenses roll. The defenses are handcuffed with one hand behind their backs. The running game is starting to come back. It would be good to see teams start going back to the tomato soup and grilled cheese combo called Marty Ball and win games like that. Schottenheimer right now has drafted Derrick Thomas and Junior Seau for his defense as he looks for a bad ass running back to get his Marty Ball to prevail in the heavens. Marty Schottenheimer’s son Brian is still coaching in the NFL today. Football runs in the Schottenheimer family as Kurt Marty’s brother was coaching at the same time as his brother. Not too shabby for a coaching tree. That’s a family coaching tree that is still growing and the rooting is all Marty Ball.

Every week, like Clockwork Orange, the words “Rex Grossman is our quarterback” echo through Halas Hall and onto the radio waves to Bears fans across Chicagoland. It was 2006 and, like always, the Bears were having quarterback problems as nothing has changed there since. Those words Lovie Smith uttered every week , “Rex Grossman is our quarterback.” With Grossman you never knew what you would get. Good Rex and three touchdown passes or Bad Rex with three interceptions. Sure the Bears went to the Superbowl. It was a loss by Peyton Manning and the Colts. Lovie Smith as a head coach his defense was awesome. The quarterback position was a episode of Unsolved Mysteries. Lovie’s play calling as a head coach leaves scratches on your head from ripping your hair out on just simple X’S and O’s during the game. Lovie Smith you loved, but also loved to hate him. Smith is back in the NFL as he was hired by the Houston Texans as defensive coordinator. The Texans had a very bad defense unit so Smith’s first job back will be difficult one. Somehow, Lovie will have to flip the script in Houston so they don’t have a bigger problem.

The pandemic year was not very kind to many. The Big Ten originally cancelled their football season and rescheduled it for Spring of 2021. Here’s where Lovie Smith comes in as the head coach of the University of Illinois. Then the Big Ten changes their mind and they actually have a fall season. As a coach prepping a team for a season here’s what happens. There’s a sudden stoppage and then suddenly you’re a go once again. The Fighting Illini put up another clunker for a season which resulted in Lovie Smith getting the ax. Santa Slayed by the Illini.

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Looks like a nice Christmas family film. Not sure Santa Lovie Smith would go on a deadly rampage for the Holidays. Perhaps Lovie would do in a Rex Grossman. If Spring football went as scheduled, maybe Lovie is still working the college scene. Lovie Smith was hired by the University of Illinois in 2016, a university in desperate need of someone turning this terrible football program around. Smith had a six year deal with the University of Illinois. People I know were originally excited with this move of Lovie coming to town. I know some people in Champaign, Illinois who purchased season tickets. My thought was Lovie Smith might get some good recruits because he was a NFL football coach. High school athletes seeing Lovie Smith as their ticket to the NFL. It did not work out that way after almost five seasons and 17-39 record Lovie was fired. Smith had one good season where the team made the Red Box Bowl which would probably be compared to the Beta or the VHS bowls of the past if they had such a thing. Before that Red Box Bowl game, Illinois upset Wisconsin that year which was Lovie Smith’s biggest win during his tenure. What haunted Smith was not getting the top of the line recruits. Smith’s teams did play hard which was never in doubt in his entire coaching career. Its his scheme that he stubborns on and will run it if they do not even have the personnel for it. Plus just the head coaching duties like clock management, when to go for it on 4th down or kick the field goal. Lovie Smith has always done badly matching wits versus the head coach across from him.

In the Superbowl in 2006 Devin Hester ran that opening kick off to put the Bears up first versus the Colts So many Bears fans were ecstatic for a brief moment. Many believing the team had a chance to win the Superbowl then quarterback Rex Grossman and the offense fumbling it away. Lovie Smith was coach of the year in 2005 for the Bears. Smith lead the Bears to three playoff appearances and since they fired him the Bears have not found anybody better than him which is sad. Smith had an 81-63 record for the Bears as head coach. It came down to personal decisions with Smith. Rex Grossman should have been replaced by Kyle Orton. The Bears should have ridden out Josh McCown over Jay Cutler one year who was red hot late in the year. Lovie decided to bring back Jay Cutler who came off an injury late in that season resulting Bears missed the playoffs. Bears should have made the post season a few more times under Smith. Great starts bad endings did it to the Bears all the time during the Lovie years. Plus the Tampa two defense ran out and it’s welcome for Lovie who did not have the personnel to perfect that like he did. Once again matching wits versus other head coaches costs the Bears many wins. Smith was fired by the Bears. Then he came back as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where in two season he was unsuccessful with an 8-24 record and was once again fired.

The new head coach of the Texans David Culley an offensive mind from Baltimore sees what I see. Lovie Smith can be very good at being the defensive Coordinator. It was Lovie Smith’s work in St. Louis and Tampa Bay as a coordinator which got him his first head coaching gig. In 2001 Lovie Smith was hired by the Rams who were in St. Louis at the time. Lovie took that unit from the bottom of the scrap pile to the top in one season. Taking out head coach duties and anything that has to deal with the offense Lovie Smith will thrive in Houston. Houston has Deshaun Watson so the quarterback position is set unless the Texans trade him. Which it would be the Luck of Lovie to suddenly see Watson traded as dark clouds follow him at the quarterback position. Then what is funny is Josh McCown was interviewed for the head coaching job in Houston. David Culley got the nod. Josh McCown may be the quarterback’s coach for the Texans and reunite with his former head coach Lovie Smith and they can talk about those great Cutler moments in Chicago they had. If the game of football did not have the quarterback position, Lovie would love that and be happy to get off the bus running.

How many times do the Chicago Bears have to go down this road in search for a quarterback? Reports had the Bears in discussions with the Detroit Lions for a trade for Matthew Stafford. Stafford was dealt to the LA Rams for Jared Goff and draft picks. Some reports had the Bears and the Broncos had better offers than the Rams. Maybe the Lions wanted a quarterback in the deal. Jared Goff is better than anything the Bears have to offer. Goff is probably a better choice than a Drew Lock for the Broncos as well. Why would the Lions even think about trading Matthew Stafford to the Bears? A division rival to see their X quarterback twice a year for multiple years. Then I’m still pulling my hair out as General Manager Ryan Pace and Head Coach Matt Nagy are still Charles in Charge and are once again part of this quarterback search. History shows that it’s not on their side.

Here we ago again with the Bears throwing draft capital away once again like it’s monopoly money. GM Ryan Pace should go straight to jail once again, as an educated guess the team offered their number one draft pick for this season for Matthew Stafford. Probably offered future number one draft picks as well to pry Stafford from the Lions. The Bears finally have a number one pick as the Khalil Mack Trade finally concludes. Then we all remember the wasted draft pick just to move up one spot to get Mitch Trubisky in the 2017 draft as the 49ers fleeced Ryan Pace. Plus, then use the number one pick on Trubisky on a hunch. They passed up the guaranteed quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Why didn’t they have a hunch on Patrick Mahomes? Would Matthew Stafford have been worth giving away two number one picks like the Rams did? The Bears need more on their roster then a Matthew Stafford. This team needs draft picks. The Bears need to start hitting home runs on their top picks instead of the busts like Leonard Floyd, Adam Shaheen and Kevin White. High picks that did not work for the Bears but worked for other teams.

With head coach Matt Nagy having two years left on his contract. GM Ryan Pace has a year left on his contract but some reports state the Bears quietly extended their GM another year so he is even with the head coach. Now that the Bears are bringing these two clowns back, they are going to try once again and go for it with the roster they have in place. The Bears will make some moves. The idea that this team could win now even with some moves is hard to believe because they need so much. They have a lot of money invested in that defense. They have a lot of money invested in a back quarterback, Nick Foles. They still have not given their only play maker they have, Allen Robinson, an extension. Robinson may want out. The offensive line needs a major overhaul. How does a 32 year old quarterback help a team like this? Stafford is a pretty good quarterback but not the top tier type who could make everyone around him better like Aaron Rodgers who can have the beer guy lined up on the outside a threat.

If the Bears want to get an established quarterback, it should be the guy they should have had. Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston and for some odd reason, he has the Bears as one of the teams on his wish list. Watson is only 25 years old and would be a better road to take than that aging quarterback like Stafford. Watson is a guy they could build around even if it cost them some of those superstars on their defense. Trading for Watson would be the quickest way for the Bears to get back to the Superbowl. Bears have some nice young pieces in place like tight end Cole Kmet, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and running back David Montgomery. On defense, Jaylon Johnson and Roquan Smith. I would trade Khalil Mack to get picks and clear salary cap space.

The Bears could also use Nick Foles as the bridge type quarterback. Then find a quarterback in the draft. Bears should draft a quarterback somewhere in the draft no matter what. Foles would need to restructure his contract so maybe you could add some more pieces like offensive lineman to keep him standing. I don’t see this happening because the Bears brass are drinking the Kool Aid. The spiked Kool Aid because they will get rid of Nick Foles and replace him with another veteran and put him in the same situation. Matt Ryan, Andy Dalton will not work. If this team wants to give it the one last effort to win, now they need to keep all their draft picks. They need to draft well. They should gut some of their roster to clear some salary space. Then find cheaper replacements in free agency on smaller deals in years and salary. I would give Robinson a long term deal and then trade him. Guys like Akiem Hicks, Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller may land you some nice draft capital and free up space.

Would Ryan Pace swallow his pride and come up with a trade package to Houston and land Deshaun Watson? I don’t like these clowns back running the show with Pace and Nagy because they are just trying to save their own jobs and get another contract in two years. They are thinking short term instead of long term for the Chicago Bears. Making the playoffs this season probably cost the Bears a chance at a nice young quarterback in the first round. This off season already making a run for Matthew Stafford tells me this team will mortgage the future off once again. They will find a temporary band aid to patch up the hole for the time being. These moves will not get this team past the first round of the playoffs and beyond. The hole of the ship is too big and we need another boat. In two years we will be talking about the same problems we have now. The defense will be ready for the old folks home. While the clown car will be awaiting another new driver.

The Chicago Blackhawks have started this NHL season with some very bad goal tending. Colin Delia in 2 games so far has a 0-2-0 record with 5.00 Goals allowed average with .863 save percentage. The veteran Malcolm Subban, who was a part of that Robin Lehner trade to the Golden Knights, has not fared well either. Subban in 2 games is 0-1-1 with 3.95 GAA and .889 Save%. If it was not for the emergence of Kevin Lankinen, the Blackhawks season would have been like the French waving the white flag, season over. Lankinen in 4 games has a record of 2-0-2 with a 2.18 GAA and a stunning .931 save percentage. Lankinen looks like the guy for now. Lankinen is younger and really has no track record in the NHL. The other two guys are hot garbage. Is help on the way? Could the Blackhawks use somebody else backing up Lankinen if he is the guy instead of Delia and Subban? Could that guy be Scott Darling? Darling inked a Professional try out with the Rockford Ice Hogs, the Blackhawks affiliate of the AHL.

Scott Darling is a local yokel from the Chicagoland area, a suburb called Lemont. People remember Scott Darling saved the Blackhawks season in 2014-15 for its third cup of that dynasty. Darling came off the bench and replaced a struggling Corey Crawford in the first round of the playoffs. Darling went 3-1 with a 2.28 GAA with a .936 in 5 appearances in that series versus the Nashville Predators. Crawford got his act together after that and the Blackhawks won the third cup of that dynasty. Darling played his best hockey in three seasons with the Blackhawks. In 75 games Darling was 39-17-9 record with 2.28 GAA and .923 Save %. The Blackhawks could not offer Scott Darling the money the Carolina Hurricanes were offering so Darling and the Blackhawks parted ways. As a Hurricane, Darling was not Scorpion-like. Two seasons his record and stats were not very good. Darling had 15-25-9 record as his goal against average went up to 3.20 with a 8.84 save % in 51 games for the Hurricanes. Darling ended up in Charlotte playing for the Checkers in the AHL at the end of his Hurricane tour. Darling then went over the pond and played in Austria in Europe in 2019-20. For HC Innsbruck, his play did not get better as Covid invaded over there.

Could the 32 year old Darling use the Ice Hogs as his path back to the NHL? If Darling has some gas left in the tank to play at the NHL level, he could be a nice back up to a Kevin Lankien. Subban is only 27 years old and has been mostly a back up in his entire NHL career, still trying to improve his own craft. I watched Subban a few times and I don’t think he is any good. I know the Blackhawks have young goalies at the AHL level that they want to be in the net, and get the experience and playing time to see what they got. Plus to have them ready whenever they need to make the jump from the AHL to the NHL. Darling could be that mentor for Lankien. Darling’s NHL career numbers are actually pretty good overall with 54-42 record with 2.72 GAA and a .908 Save %. Obviously Darling’s better numbers came wearing the Indian head. By wearing the Indian head, Darling’s hometown team could bring his play a level up. Even playing in Rockford, which is in Illinois, Darling still wants to play well in front of his family and friends. Some people don’t succeed playing on their hometown team. Darling has thrived. It would be a nice story if Darling does get back in the net for the Blackhawks at some point this season. The Ice Hogs start their season February 5th so we will wait and see if Darling makes the squad there. If Darling does make the team and suits up for the Blackhawks later this season, the song Oh my Darling will be sung from Lemont to the United Center.

(NFC/AFC CHAMPIONSHIPS) ROUND THREE PLAYOFFS STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Last week Divisional round (round two record): 3-1

REGULAR SEASON RECORD OVERALL:174-82

POST SEASON RECORD OVERALL: 7-3

Saturday post season record:4-1

Sunday post season record:3-2

THE SUNDAY SLATE

NOTES

Both number one seeds are still alive being the Packers for the NFC and the Chiefs of the AFC.

Both Championship games are rematches from the regular season.

Chiefs won in Buffalo.

Buccaneers took care of the Packers at home.

The rematch takes place at the opposite stadium they played at before. This time Chiefs and Packers will be the home teams.

WINNERS TODAY ADVANCE TO THE SUPERBOWL

GAME ONE:

#5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (13-5) AT #1.GREEN BAY PACKER (14-3)

History:

Tom Brady has a 9-4 record in Championship games. All with the Patriots.

Last time Buccaneers were in the Superbowl, was 2003. They demolished the Raiders.

Buccaneers are trying to be the first team to get in the Superbowl and host that game.

Last time a non-division team made it to the Superbowl was 2010 Packers

Aaron Rodgers is 1-3 in Conference Championship game. With a loss, Rodgers would join Donovan McNamara and Kenny Stabler with 1-4 records

Tom Brady versus Aaron Rodgers head to head. Brady leads that battle 2-1

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It’s asking a lot for the Buccaneers to go on the road in the playoffs and win three road games to host a home game in the Superbowl. Aaron Rodgers is having his best season overall, perhaps because he got a new girlfriend.

I would not kick her out of the bed for eating crackers. Perhaps it is because the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers’ future in the off-season. The future is not known for Aaron Rodgers and to go out on top and winning the whole thing, will make leaving Green Bay much more fun. Can the Buccaneers play in the cold? We know Tom Brady and the Meathead, Rob Gronkowski, have played in the cold many times in New England.

What about the rest of the Buccaneers? Will missing Antonio Brown weaken the Buccaneer attack? Can Aaron Rodgers wheel and deal to the others, instead of just Devante Adams?

OUR PICK:PACKERS

I like the weather in Green Bay’s favor. With some fans, even though it will not be full to capacity, it could get under the skin of opposing teams. It’s hard to win three games on the road in the playoffs, and winning the last one in Lambeau Field, I can’t see it happening.

GAME TWO:

#2.BUFFALO BILLS (15-3) AT #1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-2)

History:

Chiefs are trying to be the first team to repeat winning back to back Superbowls since the Patriots of 2003 and 2004.

Chiefs will be the 12th defending Superbowl champion to host the Championship. Previous 11 have gone to the home team with a record of 10-1.

The 49ers were the one team to lose.

The Bills’ last time to the Superbowl was in 1993, where they lost their 4th straight from 1990-1993. Bills and the Vikings have that 0-4 matching record of losing the big game.

A Patrick Mahomes versus Josh Allen match up has only happened once. Mahomes has the 1-0 record versus Allen.

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Patrick Mahomes should be undefeated in the playoffs. The off-sides call versus the Patriots years ago is the young quarterback’s only post season loss. Josh Allen, I think, is due for a huge game. Allen was nervous in that first win over the Colts in the wild card round. Versus the Ravens some dropped balls by receivers did not give Allen those off the chart numbers he got during the regular season. Will the foot injury to Patrick Mahomes slow him down, making those unbelievable throws downfield on broken plays? Chiefs seem like they are due for a big offensive game as well. Two keys for each defense. Chiefs have to stop the Bills passing attack. The Bills have to stop the Chiefs running game.

How will Patrick Mahomes deal with coming off the concussion protocol? Can the Bills defense contain Patrick Mahomes’ big play ability? Interesting tidbit: Andy Reid go up against one of his disciples in Sean McDermott.

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Andy Reid is 2-5 in Championship games which goes back to his Eagles days.

OUR PICK:BILLS

The regular season match up between the Chiefs and Bills was rescheduled a few times due to Covid protocols. Bills were missing some pieces on defense. Defense is what will win this game for the Bills. The Bills will do better versus the run, which was key for the Chiefs last time. The way the Bills stopped Lamar Jackson, a running quarterback, they should be able to get to Patrick Mahomes. Bills are very good versus the pass. That first match up, Bills did not give up those huge plays the Chiefs like to get. I think Allen and the offense play their best game of the playoffs.

It will be the 30th year anniversary of the San Jose Sharks, who arrived in 1990. Last season was un-Shark like, as things started very badly and escalated to a nightmare season. This after the season before, when the Sharks made the conference finals. Then fall to 29th in the league last season. A Sharks franchise who has made it to the playoffs 21 times in 28 seasons played. The 2019-20 season started off badly, but the team changed coaches. Head coach Pete DeBoer was out. DeBoer would resurface in Vegas. Bob Boughner was awarded with the Interim coach tag and he dealt with multiple injuries. The Sharks did not have replacements for free agents that left in the off-season after getting to the finals. Then Covid invaded and that officially ended the Sharks year. When Hockey returned into the bubble, 8 teams were not invited. The worst 8 teams in the league would battle it out for the number one draft pick in a lottery. Sharks were not the team in the bubble, or the team that was trying to secure the first overall pick in the draft. They traded that pick away. Finishing 29th should get you a top player but it did not. The Humanity!!!

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Joe Thornton was kind of mad at the Sharks front office. They were unable to trade him to a contending playoff team by the deadline last season. Thornton finished the nightmare season in San Jose, took his Beard to Canada, and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in the off-season. Thornton will always be remembered wearing the Shark head on the teal uniform.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

With the Covid virus still showing off its strength in parts of California, the Sharks have no guarantee they will play at their own stadium for home games this season. The Sharks’ first home game is scheduled in February, as they will go on the road for the first 8 games of their schedule. Due to the Virus, the NHL realigned all the divisions to have less traveling, like what the MLB did this past season. If Sharks can not play in San Jose, Arizona might be where they play their home games this season. Even though right now no fans are in the seats, it would kill a team with no comforts of home. Sharks could be like the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, making the cactus tree a regular sight in their lives.

San Jose Sharks welcome back some old friends by bringing back Matt Nieto, who had a stint with the Avalanche. Then back from only playing in 12 games with the Penguins, a fan favorite and one of the Sharks’ all-time greats, Patrick Marleau.

THE NEW GUYS

Forward Ryan Donato and goaltender Devan Dubnyk.

GOALIE SITUATION

Bringing Devan Dubnyk, a 12 year veteran with 247 wins under his belt, who the Sharks are hoping will improve their goalie situation from last season. Sharks still have Martin Jones who had the second worst save percentage last season in the entire NHL. Sharks hope bringing in Dubnyk will push Jones to be better or make him the permanent back up.

DEFENSE

Jacob Middleton, Mario Ferraro, Marc-Edouard Vlastic, Radim-Simek. Nikolai Knyzhov, Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson

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Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson are two of the top scoring defensemen in the league. Brent Burns’ numbers did dip last season. Burns has led all defensemen in scoring since the 2014-15 season. Erik Karlsson, when healthy, can score and play great defense when he’s on the ice. Karlsson has a big contract and the Sharks need him on ice to make plays to help this team win games, especially with bad goal tending.

REST OF THE ROSTER

Dylan Gambrell, Evander Kane, Stefan Noesen, Patrick Marleau, Ryan Donato, Marcus Sorensen, Timo Meier, Logan Couture, Joel Kellman, Thomas Hertl, Kevin Labanc, and Matt Nieto

Timo Meier led the Sharks in scoring last season. Can Meier be the top scorer on this Shark team with everyone staying healthy?

Off the ice, problems have Evander Kane filing for bankruptcy. The 29 year old Kane, lost 1.5 Million to gambling. This is the same guy who signed a 7 year at 49 Million dollar extension in 2018.

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Can Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture stay on the ice this season? Injuries were part of the story of the bad year the Sharks had as a team. Sharks need Hertl and Couture to light the lamp and stay healthy. If these two can stay on the ice, Sharks could find themselves back in the playoffs. Makes the offense overall better and each line stronger.

CONCLUSION

Staying healthy, better goal tending and having home ice, will be three keys of the San Jose Sharks rebounding from last season. The less Martin Jones, the better this team will be. If Devan Dubnyk could solidify the net, the defense of the Sharks could make more plays on offense. Which could lead to more goals. I like Patrick Marleau returning. It can get you some big goals in critical points of the games that were missing last season. Can Evander Kane fight for racial justice, deal with his money problems, and be productive on the ice? I think the Sharks need to get off to a strong start as they lost a bunch of close games early on in that first month of the season and could not recover.

(DIVISIONAL) ROUND 2 PLAYOFFS STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Wild Card Weekend round one record: 4-2

REGULAR SEASON RECORD: 174-82

Saturday post season record:2-1

Sunday post season record:2-1

SATURDAY GAMES ROUND TWO NFL PLAYOFFS

#6. LA RAMS (11-6) AT #1.GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-3)

OUR PICK:PACKERS

Rams coming from warm weather and the west coast to play in the cold of Lambeau field, and perhaps with some snow in the forecast. Rams’ Aaron Donald might be slowed down with a rib injury from last week’s game versus Seattle. Jared Goff is still dealing with the sore thumb on his throwing hand. Packers are well rested with the first round bye. Aaron Rodgers’ MVP season will continue and find some unsung heroes in this one with Devante Adams being draped all over by Jalen Ramsey. Packers defense can keep the Rams offense from not doing much damage in this one.

#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5) AT #2. BUFFALO BILLS(14-3)

OUR PICK:BILLS

If it snows in Buffalo, will it affect the performance of Lamar Jackson who has never played in snow? The Ravens and the Bills, the two hottest teams in the entire league, are squaring up in this AFC match up. Ravens have won sixth straight while the Bills have won seventh straight, going back to the regular season. The Colts exploited the Bills defense with chunks of running plays. Look for Buffalo to counter-react this week with a better day stopping the run. If Bills can force Jackson to throw the ball and make him one dimensional, they will win this game. The Ravens need to stop the Bills passing attack to win this game. Both Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson can run the ball, and throw it while running. Accuracy goes to Josh Allen. Both Allen and Jackson won their first playoff game of their careers, last weekend. I think the Bills defense is underrated in this one, and they come up with the plays of the day to help Bills prevail and get to the next round.

THE SUNDAY GAMES ROUND TWO PLAYOFFS

#6.CLEVELAND BROWNS(12-5) AT #1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(14-2)

OUR PICK:CHIEFS

I think this game is going to be closer than most think. Cleveland will use it’s running game to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field. Curious to see if Kareem Hunt has a monster day for the Browns in their back field facing his old team, who cut him because he beat up on a girl. SCUM BAG!!! I think the Chiefs are prepared better this go around not to fall behind like they did to Houston last year. The Chiefs obviously came back and won the game. Chiefs defense will play well. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the post-season. He will be well rested and is just due for a big game. The playoff experience is the key for Kansas City as they pull out a close one and move on to the Championship round.

#5.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (12-5) AT #2.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-4)

OUR PICK:SAINTS

Tom Brady versus Drew Brees is a match up for the ages. It’s like a monster movie clash of the titans. This is where all the big egos Tampa Bay has collected, will haunt them in a big playoff game versus a team that beat them already twice. I know it will be very hard for the Saints to beat the Buccaneers for the third time in one season. Tom Brady thrives in these situations as he won six Superbowl titles with the Patriots. We are waiting for the one big post-season moment that ends the Saints for good. Can they overcome that history? Tom Brady in the spotlight games, has not worked out well this season, especially being Sunday night. Tom Brady on the road with the Patriots in the playoffs, the results were not that good. Patriots and Brady used the cold of Foxboro as their homefield, playing outside with your fans and made that like a Lambeau field which is hard to beat in January. Saints defense can pressure Tom Brady. The Saints will bring everything including the kitchen sink at Tampa Tom. Eventually it will lead to Tom Brady cracking. Drew Brees’ last ride this post season takes the Buccaneer defense and moves on to the NFC Championship round.

ROUND TWO PLAYOFFS (DIVISIONAL)

Who will be shuffling their way out of the elite 8 to the championship round this weekend? I know I ain’t no dumb cookie, but the Bears were one and done and not going to be in the Superbowl shuffle yet again. Brees versus Brady part three. Browns, Bills and Buccaneers… Oh my! Break their post-season droughts with wins. Then we have Allen versus Jackson.

Mask up, pass the spray and le’ts get down with our second round of playoff power rankings.

#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (14-2) SAME The Chiefs have their first opponent, and it is the Cleveland Browns in what many could call the Insurance bowl. State Farm versus Progressive!!! Which carrier would win?

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To me, the best carrier and athlete in the insurance game is Pedro Cerrano.

You’re in good hands with Pedro. Chiefs come off the bye week and will be without wide receiver Sammy Watkins who did well last post season for the Chiefs. Clyde Edwards-Soliare has practiced, but missed a few practices. Leading up to this weekend, he will be a game-time decision. The Chiefs won down the stretch but the offense was not being run like a well-oiled machine, only scoring 17 off Atlanta defense when we last seen Patrick Mahomes behind center. Can we get the Chiefs defense to repeat their performance last post-season? Can the Chiefs win back to back titles? AFC looks stacked this post season compared to last season.

#2. GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-3) SAME Packers will have their first opponent of the post season, the surprising Rams. Can Aaron Rodgers pick apart that Rams defense? Can Devante Adams create enough space being covered by Jalen Ramsey? Is the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, minus the fans, still a tough place to win? Can LA come in from the sunshine and win in snowy conditions? Number one seeds in the NFC, since 1975, have gone on to win 16 Superbowls. They most recently beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Aaron Rodgers versus Jared Goff is a match up between two alums from the University of California.

Maybe Chicago fans can be hopeful, as Aaron Rodgers does have a little Bear inside him. When Jordan Love takes over Rodgers can be a Bear again.

No talented quarterback in the entire NFL would Grin and Bare It for the Chicago Bears.

#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-4) SAME

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Will Drew Brees ride of into the sunset after this post-season? Will it be Superbowl or bust? The Saints and Drew Brees had a tune up versus a very easy Bears squad. Seems like CJ Gardner-Johnson will not be on any of the Bears Receivers’ X-mas Card lists.

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In two games with the Saints and the Bears, both times a Chicago Receiver got ejected for punching Saints defender, CJ Gardner-Johnson. First time in regular season, Javon Wims, and last Sunday Anthony Miller. Gardner-Johnson must be like a Dennis Rodman and getting inside their heads. Can the Saints beat the Buccaneers for the third time in one season? Will Tom Brady get the last laugh. Saints defense has put a lot of pressure on Brady in both those regular season games, and Tampa Tom’s performance was not good.

#4.BUFFALO BILLS (14-3) SAME The Buffalo Bills won their first post-season in 25 years. Head Coach Sean McDermott got his first win in the playoffs in his third game. Most importantly, quarterback Josh Allen got his first win in post-season behind center.

It’s huge that the Bills won and held off the Colts to avoid the bad sack Josh Allen took towards the end of that game. The one that could have cost the team the win. Allen’s first post-season, he tried too hard to make a play versus Houston in the second half. Texans forced a turnover and went on to win a comeback from behind victory, in that first round. The Bills had for the first time all season, some fans in the stands. What I do not understand is some of them being kicked out for not wearing a mask. SERIOUSLY!!! You paid big money for a ticket, you get kicked out and are unable to see history in the making with your young QB breaking a 25 year drought. You’d think a mask would keep their face warm in Buffalo weather.

Wear your mask and drink your beer at the same time.

Just don’t act like the Philadelphia Eagles fans with your mask on.

#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5) SAME Ravens are one of the hottest teams in the league right now as they have won 6th straight, including finally winning versus the Titans. Thought it was Groundhog’s Day again for Lamar Jackson and company getting behind quickly 10-0 to the Titans.

The Ravens punched back and Lamar Jackson gets his first ever playoff victory in his third try. Will Lamar Jackson be making snow angels in Buffalo? The Ravens go back on the road to try to beat another very hot team coming into the post-season. Last time the Bills and Ravens squared off it was late regular season in 2019. It was Lamar Jackson versus Josh Allen in a close one. Josh Allen has improved since and has a better cast surrounding him. It is an interesting match up because both quarterbacks can use their feet and arm to beat you. Lamar Jackson was MVP last season. Could Josh Allen be the MVP this season?

#6.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(12-5) SAME Tom Brady wins his first playoff game in another uniform, besides the Evil Empire gear of the Patriots.

Last weekend’s win over the Washington Football team was the Buccaneers’ first playoff victory since winning the Superbowl versus the Raiders.

Long John Silver and Black Beard were stars of that pirate bowl.

Above is the Buccaneers plan for Drew Brees. Can the Buccaneers led by Tom Brady avoid a 3 game sweep by the Saints this weekend? Can the Buccaneer offensive line protect Tampa Tom long enough to get good passes off? Brees versus Brady head to head Drew has won 5 out 7 of those contests. Tom Brady still has six Superbowls to only 1 for Drew Brees.

#7.CLEVELAND BROWNS (12-5) UP 4 SPOTS The Cleveland Browns won their first playoff game in 26 seasons of taking it to their archrival Steelers early in that game. I think the Browns hurt Chase Claypool’s feelings last Sunday night

Chase also said the Browns were harassing his teammate, Ju Ju Smith-Schuster, during the win and had no class. Is this the same Ju Ju who dances on other team’s logo’s?

Kareem Hunt will be saying hello to his former teammates of Kansas City this weekend.

Hunt was cut by the Chiefs from his situation in a hotel hallway where he beat the shit out of a female. Will this give Hunt a chip on his shoulder to have a big game versus his former team and perhaps prevent them winning two Superbowls in back to back years? Head coach Kevin Stefanski will return to the sideline for this weekend match up with Kansas City. Stefanski was out with Covid versus the Steelers. Stefanski is one of the biggest reason why the Browns have found their way into the playoffs.

#8.LA RAMS (11-6) UP 4 SPOTS Sean McVay will be facing his old colleague, Mike LaFleur, who is head coach of the Packers. Both McVay and LaFleur were on Mike Shanahan’s staff when he coached for the Washington Redskins. Meanwhile McVay, to get to this point, found a way to beat Pete Carol and the Seahawks once again. McVay did this even with losing their starting quarterback, John Wolford, very early in this game versus the Seattle Seahawks. Wolford was in for Jared Goff who had surgery on his thumb weeks prior. Goff had to come into the game not at 100 percent, especially because the thumb injured is on his throwing hand. The Rams defense helped out big time in this one keeping Russell Wilson in check.

Aaron Donald will play versus Green Bay despite a rib injury he suffered in the Seahawks game. Rams will need Donald to come up big if they have plans to knock off the number one seed in the NFC and beat a guy named Aaron Rodgers who is having an MVP season.

Right now the NFL has seven vacant head coaching jobs open since the regular season ended two weeks ago. I still do not see the Bears as the eighth team on this list. That’s right, they made the playoffs and are keeping their band of jokers together.

I will rank each NFL team’s opening that is vacant, from worst to first. I judge by the city, the team history, and what they have in place roster-wise. Plus, what their salary cap structure has and where they are drafting at.

#7.DETROIT LIONS (5-11) The Lions’ head coaching job, to me, is the worst job out there. First thing, the city of Detroit looks like something out of an apocalyptic world. Michigan is a beautiful state, model-like, but you always notice the wart on the nose of this beauty.

BAD HISTORY: Superstars left the game early, just because they had enough with the Lions’ ways.

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Barry Sanders and Megatron, aka Calvin Johnson, got fed up with the organization

Lions have Matthew Stafford at quarterback, a guy who is 33 years of age and has not won a playoff game in 12 seasons. Stafford is not in the top tier quarterbacks of the league. Stafford is definitely in the second tier in the fraternity of quarterbacks throughout the league. Can a new coach work with Matthew Stafford and create a cast around him to be a post-season team? Stafford has 2 years left on his contract and could be a trading chip.

PIECES IN PLACE: Tight End T.J Hockenson, CB Jeff Okudah

Matt Patricia, former head coach of the Lions, made a mess with this franchise. Lions defense, which Patricia I think should know something about, served up the most points in the entire league. The Lions do not have much salary cap space available as well. Lions do have pick 7 in the draft, which could get them a new quarterback if they decide to trade off pieces.

#6.HOUSTON TEXANS (4-12) Texas is an entire new country. At least that is what they say on their brochure. The old Astrodome is where they filmed one of the Bad News Bears movies.

Hot weather, if you like sweating, could be a draw. Do you like cowboy hats?

Country girls are an entire different species in a good way. Texans though, you feel like you would always be the second fiddle to the Cowboys, so cowboy hats could lose their luster.

PIECES IN PLACE: Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he is young. Watson showed he still had a great year even with the team trading away his top receiver DeAndre Hopkins, to Arizona before the season started. Can Watson repeat next year without his top target this past season, Will Fuller? The salary cap is on the brink right now in Houston, so the Watson cover is not the full story of what you will get if you take this job.

Texans have already hired a new GM, Nick Caserio, of whom Watson is not a fan. Watson wants the team to bring in Chiefs’ offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who will be heavily sought out by many teams to be the their next head coach. Watson has griped about how the team is not doing enough for social justice. Watson might be demanding a trade, so the cover of this story will be gone.

Then the defense of the Texans, was horrible last season. A grandmother in a wheelchair could rush for a 100 yards on this defense. JJ Watt ranted and raved about the way this unit played and called most of them unprofessional. JJ Watt, a Houston icon, is coming off a just below average type of year performance-wise. Watt has one left in his deal. Will you be forced to keep Watt since he is fan favorite?

A KICK IN THE HEAD: Dolphins’ own Houston’s first and second picks with that trade, sending Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil to Houston.

#5.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-12) Hotlanta, although I heard they don’t call it that anymore. Another Southern hospitality town, which if you have not been to one these towns it’s quite of an experience. Plus, great Southern food and Walking Dead tours.

PIECES IN PLACE:Calvin Ridley

What would be a great plan in Atlanta? Calvin Ridley, with Julio Jones and Matt Ryan, you know this team can sling the football all over the field. Ridley is a young and still rising superstar receiver. Julio Jones’ injury bug has been biting, stinging, as he fights through it. Jones still has missed some games and is getting older. Is Matt Ryan, at 36 years, the answer at quarterback? If Phillip Rivers retires, trading Matt Ryan to the Colts would be an upgrade there. If you bring everyone back, the defense is horrible. The salary cap is oozing over.

Falcons have the 4th pick in the draft that could get you a new quarterback. If you traded away some of your yesterday’s staples, you could create a slew of more picks and do a quick rebuild to be back in the playoffs. Plus, the NFC South has many older quarterbacks. Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Teddy Bridgewater hitting his prime. If this team can find a young future quarterback from the 4th pick ,they could be ahead of the entire division in the long run. The owner of the Falcons, Arthur Blank, to me is hands off and gives you many opportunities to steer this Atlanta ship.

#4.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-11-1) Philadelphia… you could run the stairs to see the Rocky statue.

Power down a few cheese steaks to replace the missing calories you burned doing the stairs to Rocky statue.

PIECES IN PLACE: The quarterback situation minus the third stringer from the Arena Football league. RB Miles Sanders

The quarterback situation is pretty good in Philadelphia with Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts. My only problem both Hurts and Wentz act like Kindergarten babies, wash yourself in gravy, about making faces pouting and who knows tearing up being taken out? One of these talents you could trade and clear up space for other needs. The other great thing you would take this job it’s a team that plays in the worst division in football. The NFC East.

The Eagles are still living with that Superbowl team years ago and now have aged and run up against the salary cap. The Eagles had to be one of the teams with the most injuries this season, due to being an aging team. Eagles had injuries to their Offensive line all year/ The team had many of the playmakers sidelined in 2020. The Eagles would need to do a makeover, but have some nice pieces to work with.

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Eagle fans are absolutely crazy. Sure they are passionate. Ask Santa Clause what he thinks. You take a head coaching job in Philadelphia, you need a thick skin.

#3.NEW YORK JETS (2-14) The Big Apple could be exciting being the city that never sleeps.

Meet interesting ladies that have that awesome New York accent. Downfall is you play your games in New Jersey. New York has plenty of things you can do for fun. New York… you either make it and love the town, or the Big Apple bites you on the ass and you walk away with sour grapes.

PIECES IN PLACE: LT Mekhi Becton, WR Denzel Mims,

Taking the Jets job is interesting and discouraging at the same time. Sam Darnold is still a young quarterback. Can he be salvageable? Can he get you a draft pick? The Jets won two games in December, both against playoff teams. Bad thing is you lose out in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. The good thing is you might have some other pieces in place on your roster that have helped win those games. The Jets still have the number two pick so they could get a quarterback. The Jets have lots of salary cap available so it would be taking a job working with a blank canvas. You could build something nice and quick if all the moves pan out. Plus, you can take your time and build a young team.

My problem is the Jets have not done well since Rex Ryan was the head coach.

Rex Ryan did a decent job, but he was nothing special when he left and coached other places.

#2.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-15) Jacksonville brings you hot weather and hot beaches.

Definitely nice umbrella drinks with the Ocean air.

PIECES IN PLACE: LB Joe Schobert, LB Myles Jack, DE Josh Allen, WR DJ Chalk, RB James Robinson

Jaguars’ first thing is they have the number one draft pick. Which means the future will be Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence might be the best thing behind center for this Jaguar team, since Mark Brunell. Jaguars have a lot of cash to spend. They have some pieces in place.

The owner of Jaguars, besides his mustache, could bother you. Shad Khan likes those annual London trips. A trip to London, every decade, would be enough to not play there every year. Jacksonville is a small market. Can they get big names or keep them if they get drafted? Some players like to thrive in the big city with more attention. Small market teams, you probably would not get those vulture reporters like you do in the big markets.

#1.LA CHARGERS (7-9) LA does not have the appeal to me, like the Chargers’ other home would in San Diego. LA is all about Hollywood if you like the lights, camera, and action this is the place to coach.

LA has a lot of fake people.

Like the movie Mannequin, am I riding around with too much plastic or do I have enough plastic to cover the plastic I’m riding around with in my wallet.

PIECES IN PLACE:QB Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, DE Joey Bosa

Chargers had the best record out of all these teams with coach vacancies. Chargers rookie Justin Herbert is now the future quarterback. Herbert could the Chargers quarterback for decades to come as he looked like the real deal. The Chargers have a number one receiver for Justin Herbert. Plus, the Chargers have a stud at the defensive line, Joey Bosa. If they can just keep him healthy. Chargers have a new stadium. Chargers have money to spend, of which they can bring back some of their own and make moves. The Chargers should still be able to get a good player in the first round as well, with their record and not making the playoffs.

The downside to the Chargers is Patrick Mahomes in the same division as your team. Plus, Chargers do not have a good fan base. The Chargers are second fiddle to the Rams in LA. The Chargers I’m not a big fan of their ownership either. Too many shady things. The Chargers left San Diego; they could not get a stadium deal there so they bolted to LA. Seems like the ownership has had this team close but no cigar, too many times over the last two decades. They chose Phillip Rivers over keeping Drew Brees. Too many dark clouds in my opinion.

A brand new season of the NHL will start this week. Last time we saw the Blackhawks, they were in the bubble losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs. Before that series, the technically first round of the playoffs in the bubble to finish the 2019-20 season, was the play-in round where the Blackhawks took the best out of five series versus the Edmonton Oilers to make it to the next round versus the Golden Knights. We know the Covid virus helped the Blackhawks make any kind of post-season appearance last season. Before they shut things down due to Covid, the Blackhawks were running out of time to even sniff post season play. They had too many teams to jump over. The time off, and then the bubble playoffs in the hub cities, we got to see Corey Crawford one last time in the net.

This off-season, the Blackhawks were not bringing Corey Crawford back unless it was a cheap deal. Crawford signed a two year deal with the New Jersey Devils. Then less than a week ago, Corey Crawford called it quits on a wonderful NHL career with all the years with the Blackhawks and two Stanley cups.

In 2020, we saw the Blackhawks fire the President of their team, John McDonough. McDonough was a big part of helping the Blackhawks get out of that Flintstone era of outdated times. They had been one of the worst franchises in sports the way they ran things into the ground.

2020 was a very bad year with the pandemic, protests, and rioting. The Blackhawks dealt with race tensions at an all-time high. They saw their Indian head statue monument outside the United Center, their hockey home defaced and vandalized with paint.

I think the Blackhawks have a good relationship with the Native Americans. They may have improved this relationship after this weak attempt by stupid people who sabotage something they do not understand. In my opinion, the Blackhawk logo is one of the best in the game and most respective out of any other Indian-related logo in sports today or the past. Who knows if the Blackhawks will eventually give their logo up like the Redskins of Washington, and the Cleveland Indians will be heading down the same road.

No exhibition games to start the NHL season. The Blackhawks will be looking a tad different than last year’s team. This team has gotten rid of a lot of pieces. Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman is back, which is a downside and his off-season moves continue to be head-scratchers. As evidence, this season is a rebuild type of year for the Blackhawks.

WHO’S OUT:

Brandon Sadd (Avalanche), Drake Caggiula (Coyotes) Slater Koekkoek (Oilers) Olli Maatta (Kings)

Waivers: Zack Smith last off-season move really worked out. Can even get a bag of pucks for him.

Not resigned:Alexandra Fortin and Anton Wedin

RETIRED:Corey Crawford

Blackhawks off-season plan was trying to shed salary off the cap. It will be the second time Stan Bowman has traded away Brandon Sadd.

NOT AVAILABLE FOR OPENING NIGHT:

THE CAPTAIN Jonathan Toews out with an illness. Return time unknown.

INJURIES:

Alex Nylander knee: out for season

Kirby Dach’s Broken Wrist: Probably out for the season

MIA:Brent Seabrook has not played since December of 2019 and was not at training camp. Seabrook has been dealing with multiple injuries since he last play. Seabrook came to camp to tweak his back in day one back on the ice.

GOALIE

Malcolm Subban: Will be the starting goalie for game one. Subban came over in the Robin Lehner trade. Subban is 27 years of age and has a record of 30-23-7 in 66 games in the net for his career.

Collin Delia: A young back up 26 years of age. Delia played in 18 games in his early NHL career and has a 7-5-3 record.

The Blackhawks’ goalie situation is unproven. Not much of a track record. Blackhawks go from a top league tandem in the net last season to start the year with Crawford and Lehner. Now to a career back up goalie and guy trying to cling to a NHL roster.

DEFENSE

The defense was the team’s weakness last season. What does Duncan Keith have left in the tank?

Duncan Keith has the Jesus look going on for this new season. Duncan Keith says the new off-season workout has gotten him in the best shape of his career.

Duncan Keith and Connor Murphy are your top defensive line

PLAYER TO WATCH ON DEFENSE

Nickita Zadorov is a defenseman the Blackhawks got from the Avalanche in the Brandon Sadd deal.

Zadorav likes to hit people. Last year was tops in the league in giving hits on the ice.

OFFENSE

TOP LINE

Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome

Kane is still one of the top Super Stars of the league. Alex DeBrincat had his lowest numbers in his career last season. Can DeBrincat get back to what he did in the 2018-19 season tallying 41 goals with 76 points?

REST OF THE LINES

LINE 2 Dominick Kubalik, Brandon Pirri, Pius Suter

Suter is a player of Interest. Suter was MVP of the Swiss league

LINE 3 Lucas Wallmark, Mattias Janmark, Andrew Shaw

Can Andrew Shaw rebound from last season’s injuries? Some experts said Shaw would retire.

LINE 4 Matthew Highmore, David Kampf, Ryan Carpenter

Blackhawks this season are going in with too many question marks. The goalie situation worries me. The defense to me is still going to be hot garbage. Kirby Dach’s injury is a big blow. Not having the captain, Jonathan Toews, on the ice with his illness and no return date is worrisome. The extension given to head coach Jeremy Colliton should raise red flags to me. Colliton has not shown me anything yet to prove he should be the guy to lead this team for additional years. Blackhawks clearly are in a rebuild. Which young guys will stick around and be the future? Some of these guys on this team might be dealt at the trade deadline if they can play. Can Stan Bowman, the GM who should have been shit canned, be the guy to fix this situation? It’s great that hockey is back. It’s better watching the NBA. It will be a long season in Chicago. Better that fans can not attend these games.