Finally: Bolland Having Back Surgery Today

by SamFels on Nov 10, 2009 2:13 PM CST

As most of you know, I have an unhealthy and disproportionate love of Fabulous Weapon, and maybe I've overstated his value on this team. It was unclear before the season that Bolland could be the #2 center on a Cup-winning team, or it was a flatly stated "no". In my mind, Bolland is a lightning-fast, high hockey IQ, two-way puck distributor. Remember, Havlat's season last year didn't take off until landing on Bolland's wing, a center who knew how to get him the puck. I'm sure Bolly could have done the same for Hossa, and he still may get the chance. Either way, it was obvious that Weapon was hurting, and now that's going to be corrected.

I've seen some vitriol directed at Andrew Ebbett, but let's be honest here, Ebbett is just "a guy". "A guy" who was picked off waivers, so what are the expectations here? Sadly, the Hawks don't have a center down at Rockford who can come fill in for a long stretch, unless you really want to see Jake Dowell as your #2 center. Bumping up John Madden isn't a solution either, as he's best suited to be your checking center (notice having Kopitar in his pocket all night last night).

Is Ebbett a solution for the time-being? I don't know. If surrounded with talent on both wings I doubt he hurts you too much. Versteeg at center isn't an answer, and Q figured that out one period in last night. I'm still not sure why Sharp hasn't been suggested as a name who can fill in there. We know he hates it, but he was the Hawks #2 center when they rolled 9 straight last December, and put up 20 goals from there before getting hurt and the acquisition of Sammi Pahlsson.

If Bolland is out three months, and that would be the longest estimate, he's still back in February, where'd he get another two weeks to rest up due to the Olympics. The Hawks will need Bolland to blossom into a + NHL center, and now they've given him every opportunity to do that, by giving him every opportunity to get healhty.

Rest up, Fabulous Weapon, we'll need you.

UPDATE: The Hawks announced it will be 12-16 weeks, so three to four months. Should be back before the playoffs, though.

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for every time martin havlat supposedly inflated bolland's point production...

at the very least, Bolland helped inflate Havlat’s +/-. The dude is -12 in 14 games right now, isn’t he?

Sigh of relief that this is finally happening. I hope it’s only for two months, because I really want to see how Hossa and Bolland look together— or actually, what this team can look like with everyone healthy.

The good news is we’re still early in the season, and everyone (even Burish) could very well be back down the stretch, post-season included, and to say “I can’t wait” is an understatement.

by chiblackhawks on Nov 10, 2009 2:25 PM CST reply actions

speaking of one Mr. Havlat

Guess that line worked out sell for both of them. From PuckDaddy today: Puck Headlines: Disappearing Havlat; Nylander-to-Russia close?

The Minnesota Wild have their share of problems, and surprisingly one of them is named Martin Havlat(notes). From Hockey Wilderness: “Factored over an 80 game schedule (since that’s the maximum number of games Havlat can play this year) Havlat is set to score almost six goals this year (5.71 and change). Points-wise, he’s due to score 40 points. How does 5 goals and 35 assists sit with you when you’re paying $5 million dollars for it?” Be sure to check a certain Twitter account for potential rebuttal. [Hockey Wilderness]

by runningquicklynowhere on Nov 10, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

Get that Back to where it once was.

There was no sense in having Bolland continue to play in pain the way he was as it’s really early in the season. Any Hawks fan could tell that Bolland was playing in some discomfort and that’s why this decision makes all the sense in the world. It’s the playoffs where the Hawks will need Bolland the most and now that’s what is going to happen and if he comes back in February it will give him all the time in the world to heal properly and more than enough time to gel with Hossa (if that is where Q slots Hossa to be).
Rest up Dave, rest up.

It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!

by hawks61 on Nov 10, 2009 2:26 PM CST reply actions

Good.

We need Bolland more in March and April than we do in November and December.

It’s nice to be able to make statements like that about this team. Seems like it’s been a while.

by Dr. Ice on Nov 10, 2009 2:32 PM CST reply actions

Were there any specifics

On the exact extent of the back injury? Is it a herniated disc? Torn muscle?

by AirTrafficAJ on Nov 10, 2009 2:41 PM CST reply actions

the description

sounds like a disc issue to me. A torn muscle isn’t something you play through for most of last year. A hearniated disc that is possible. If the issue was there for most of last season like Q says one has to ask why the hell didn’t they get him fixed up over the summer?

by runningquicklynowhere on Nov 10, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

Hoping that

When he returns, he’s not gun shy.

by AirTrafficAJ on Nov 10, 2009 9:43 PM CST up reply actions

centers

One of our wingers is going to have to play center when Hossa comes back in a couple of weeks. It seems like the most likely candidates would be Sharp and Kopecky.

Weird idea…….Does anyone think Brouwer could move to center for awhile? I don’t think he has much (if any) experience there, I’m just thinking aloud. For some reason, I could see him, with some coaching, being a nice physical makeshift second line center. Thoughts?

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by Hack on Nov 10, 2009 2:52 PM CST reply actions

T-Brouw at center might be interesting

although I currently really like him on Madden’s line. My guess would be Sharp (followed by the dreaded neverending is-he-or-is-he-not-a-natural-center debate).

by gmh on Nov 10, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions

What about Ladd?

I don’t know what he can do on face offs, but he seems to have a similar style with Bolland.

by Scott13 on Nov 10, 2009 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

Two months?

Where exactly has the two month number come from? I don’t really see someone coming back from surgery like that after two months. I feel like the hawks will play his injury extremely safe and conservative just like they are with Hossa and did with our captain because they know the Bolland is a big part of our future. I see him returning more around the time Burish probably will after the olympics. Does this remind anyone else of Eric Daze at all? A once dominating forward that never could fully recover from a nagging back injury…

by moons97 on Nov 10, 2009 2:59 PM CST reply actions

Two things to note...

1. Depending on what kind of back issue it is, there are now newer methods of surgery that allow for quicker recovery time than traditional back surgery. Something about how much muscle needs to get cut into (less with the innovations), which factor into healing and recovery time. A friend of mine believes Bolland has a bulging/herniated disc— if this is the case, hopefully the reason they’re doing surgery today is not because the herniated disc didn’t escalate into a ruptured disc. (Disclaimer: Not a doctor, not even a med student. If anyone who is can give more info, please do.)

2. Eric Daze is a warning. Hopefully this surgery comes at a time when the back injury can be resolved and Bolland can heal completely.

by chiblackhawks on Nov 10, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions

Good enough

Speculation will abound about return time. I like the idea of the brass playing it cool until he’s ready, which they’ve shown is kinda the m.o. around here. Backs are strange things. From what I understand each injury is very specific and there is a lot of individual characteristics involved. I’m pretty sure Dave’s back is stronger than mine but that my shit-locker would far outweigh his… I’d even go so far as to suggest I’d take him; mono et mono – one bottle of tequila straight up. But I digress. As to why nothing was done over the summer, I suspect it simply didn’t warrant it, and that the issue has been further agitated since riding the ‘weapon’ like a cheap mule – when we all know he’s a Percheron stud!

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Nov 10, 2009 3:13 PM CST reply actions

:(

Just hearing the name Eric Daze makes me sad. Such a good player and such a bad back.

by HawksFTW on Nov 10, 2009 3:15 PM CST reply actions

What about...

Jordan Hendry at center?
I keed, I keed.

I had read a suggestion of Mark Cullen from the Rock be brought up in Bolland’s stead.

by Let'sGoHawks on Nov 10, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions

May the surgeon's hands be steady

and the nurse’s busts be busty.

I be on my green like Irish Spring.

by chrome on Nov 10, 2009 3:59 PM CST reply actions

random thing i didn't know

i knew cam barker was 3rd overall but i didn’t know that ladd was 4th overall and bolland 31st overall in that same draft.

by SLoop on Nov 10, 2009 4:02 PM CST reply actions

Good call on the player of the game: Brouw

I have not checked how many minutes the Brouw/Mayor Madden line got last night. It looked like L.A. was double shifting Smyth/Kopitar and therefore our checking line stepped it up BIGtime. Also I noticed that it was a somewhat somber and quiet crowd last. Maybe it was just the 332-331 section. Everyone I saw was watching closely just a little quieter… maybe because it was a Monday game and not too many people want to drink Jager shots (i’m talking to you, Tom the Jager shot vendor!)

Victim was found murdered by a Chelsea Dagger.

by pucknut on Nov 10, 2009 4:59 PM CST reply actions

Subdued crowd...

…I agree. The Hawks came out strong in the first five minutes, but the remainder of the first period was sleep-inducing, perhaps accounting for the mood.

On the last couple games (Col. and LA): just when you set your sights on the elite teams, you’re reminded about the up and comers nipping at your heels. Both of these teams remind me a bit of the Hawks a year ago. Lots of hustle and forechecking.

by cliffkoroll on Nov 10, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

Wow

Hope his surgery goes well and his recovery is fast.

And FINE, if we have to have Ebbett, I’ll just close my eyes when he’s on the ice.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Nov 10, 2009 5:07 PM CST reply actions

Bleh...

Ebbett is 2010-speak for Sami Pahlsson. People keep telling you they have upside and can do things, but you never actually see them do said things.

“He’s got intangibles”

Huh? Madden’s got intangibles and I see can them those…Ebbett, not so much.

by hoorock89 on Nov 10, 2009 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

Pahlsson would have an important starting role on any team in the NHL, no matter the current strength of its roster. Ebbett, at this point in his career anyway, and though talented, is a filler-inner. Huge difference between the two in my mind, huge. Not knocking Ebbett, he’ll do fine in an offensive role with some minutes. But ya.

by ChicoMaki on Nov 10, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

Right on Chico

I love how players with a track record of low point totals are expected to become something they’re not. These are the same people telling everyone that Tomas Kopecky is doing fine.

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Nov 10, 2009 7:40 PM CST up reply actions

Wasn't Pahlsson

The kick into Buff’s ass last year? I thought either on here or somewhere I remember seeing that he came in and pretty much told Buff that it was ok to try every game, and then that’s when he started to play better at the end of the year.

wait what?

by pepe126 on Nov 10, 2009 10:12 PM CST up reply actions

i see can them those too

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Nov 10, 2009 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

Stupid spell check

Nah…still dislike Pahlsson. We totally traded up with the Madden signing. But I agree that he at least could make a contribution on a 3rd or 4th line on most teams. Ebbett (or Pahlsson for that matter) centering the 2nd line? Woof.

by hoorock89 on Nov 10, 2009 9:50 PM CST up reply actions

Then who else would you rather have?

I’m all for getting Jeff Carter to center the Hawks second line, I just don’t think he’s available.

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Nov 10, 2009 10:32 PM CST up reply actions

how about...

that Crosby kid? Hasn’t been offensive lately but I hear he’s okay.

by chiblackhawks on Nov 10, 2009 11:25 PM CST up reply actions

5 games without a point?

He’s a bum. Gretzky never had that kinda drought. Maybe we should sign that guy.

twitter.com/BlackhawksDL

by Original Six on Nov 10, 2009 11:38 PM CST up reply actions

I dunno

Ebbett at least had a goal in his last game

wait what?

by pepe126 on Nov 10, 2009 11:42 PM CST up reply actions

If you count that

then Hammer’s had 2 goals against the Hawks. ;)

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Nov 11, 2009 6:00 AM CST up reply actions

Actually...

Probably rather see Sharp shift to Center on the second line. Maybe Ebbett turns it up and plays OK as the 2nd center once he gets adjusted to his linemates, but I’ve yet to see it. At least we get a lot deeper at forward in a few weeks when Hossa laces up. The Q can do his favorite thing and juggle the shit out of all the lines.

by hoorock89 on Nov 12, 2009 1:29 AM CST up reply actions

Better now than later

Lets Go Hawks!

by CubsBall2202 on Nov 10, 2009 5:09 PM CST reply actions

Accdg to the Blackhawks site, the operation went well

and we’ll have him back in 12 to 16 weeks.

Longer than anticipated, but I’m still glad it happened.

by chiblackhawks on Nov 10, 2009 6:01 PM CST reply actions

yeah...

Good to hear. I’m glad it happened as well – the earlier the better.

by GirlHawk on Nov 10, 2009 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

Looks like Q misheard us: we wanted a shutdown defenseman, not a shutdown center.

har har har.

by josh s on Nov 10, 2009 6:58 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I'll Miss Him...

I could never decide if he was scary or attractive. Or both. He’s quite an enigma, and fun as hell to watch on the ice. I’ll miss his hits – hope the operation went well.

by GirlHawk on Nov 10, 2009 7:36 PM CST reply actions