Congratulations Chicago. Best team during the season and a deserved Stanley Cup win. Shame Boston couldn't get it done but a better end than last season.

Looks like that word was had as Kane picks up the Conn Smyth trophy.

I didn't think the Hawks could do better than winning the cup in overtime like they did in '10 but getting 2 goals in the last 2 minutes of the game top that for me and with no cap hell like last time they look like they could repeat next year.

It was a great series and I thought it would go all the way to 7 games. Hawks eventually ramped up the performances and got the speed going which was always going to prove a big problem for the Bruins.
Great to see Kane at last get into the series as he seemed to out of it for a few of the games.

Future looking good without the need to dump players this off season like before. Questions over the future of Bickell though as to whether they will not resign him and promote from within the organisation
Coach Q done a great job since he joined the organisation.
Have to say there where many question marks over whether Bowman Jnr could cut it as GM but think he had proved to be a great GM returning 2 cups in 4 yrs especially after having to lose so many after we won in 2010. We have a great chance of repeating the success next season to.

Same time next year then Blackhawks fans ?

Hakws have already started rebuilding and improving for next season tarding Bolland to the Leafs and Frolik to the Jets both for picks in the Draft.
Think this was always inevitable to be honest as thought Bolland was going to go in 2010 with Troy Brouwer.
Both have been good servants especially Bolland, but Hawks needed to make some Cap free to be able to resign Bickell plus don't think either offer value on the cap hit so good business for me.
We already have some players at Rockport who are worth a shot Hayes & Pirri plus I'd like to see Ben Smith get more ice time for the Hawks as when he stepped in before he's shown up very well along with Hayes.

Boston send Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverely and Ryan Button to Dallas for Loui Eriksson, Matt Fraser, Joseph Morrow and Reilly Smith.

Some big moves on the 1st day of free agency

Alfredsson leaves Ottawa after 17 years to join the Wings who also add Weiss
Toronto add Clarkson and Columbus add Horton,i'm glad the they've moved to the east as the Blue Jackets look to have a strong young up and coming team.
As for the blackhawks they've lost Stalberg and Emery but they've resigned Handzus and Rosival.

One big trade today sees the Sens trade for Bobby Ryan to replace Alfie

The 'Builn Wall' is back in Chicago after signing a 1 yr deal. Emery would have been my prefered choice but guess he wanted to moveon and chose Philly due to Crawford claiming the No.1 spot. Wonder if Khabibulin has been brought in to also help Annti Raanta who the Hawks organisation have high hopes for?

I see the Bruins have now signed Igilna who he chose to snub for the Pens, think the Bruins will miss the Horton & Peverley though.

Big blow for New Jersey as Kovalchuck has retired from the NHL and moved back to Russia to be with his family.

I can see more and more Russians doing the same in years to come as they can make the same money in the KHL as they make in the NHL without the problems of moving to a strange country and learning a new language.

For me it's another black mark against Bettman as the lockout gave the Russians a chance to play in the KHL and they now know what it's like.

Hawks trade Carcillo to the Kings for a 6th round draft pick. Probably best they could do with his injury record.

Hawks are on the look out for a 2nd line centre according to coach Q in an interview.

Chicago have been spending some money in the last few days locking up Crawford and Hjalmarsson to long term deals that come to 10 mill a year for them both.Hopefully the cap will be going up a lot in the next few years or the Hawks could be in trouble down the line

Pre season games started this weekend.At least this season we won't have to wait until January to see some hockey