Are The Blackhawks About To Matter Again?

I have to make a bit of a confession. I've been keeping a secret from all of you, and I just can't do it anymore.

I've been watching the Blackhawks this season and, this is hard to admit, I'm enjoying it. Whether it's the fact I've only just recently entered the world of hi-def television, or whether it's because they're actually playing well, I'm watching hockey again.

I'm not back in full blown hockey fan mode like I used to be or anything, but I'm at least paying attention.

I wasn't going to say anything about it this early though. I talked to Panger about writing about the Blackhawks over the weekend, but I decided to hold off on it originally. Yes, they're playing well but it's still way too early in the season to get excited.

Though the two rookies, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, are two very good reasons to be excited about the Blackhawks future. Kane is leading the team in points, and Toews has scored a point in every game he's played, including insane goals like this one.

See what I mean? There's actually talent on the team now.

Still, I'm not ready to write the "Blackhawks are for real" post just yet. The only reason I even bring them up today is because it looks like the team has finally decided to join us in the 1980's, and televise home games.

In his first major move with the Blackhawks, Rocky Wirtz is trying to do what fans long have asked for: televise the team's home games.

In a Monday memo, Wirtz told employees that Blackhawks representatives met with Comcast SportsNet executives last week about getting some home games on the air during the current season.

"It's important to understand that CSN's current schedule was developed well over a year ago, so fitting the Hawks into that schedule can't be done overnight," wrote Wirtz, who succeeded his late father, William Wirtz, as head of the family's $1.3 billion business empire earlier this month. "But it can be done and ... we are convinced it is the appropriate next step to re-energizing Chicago hockey fans and creating new fans."

A source within Wirtz Corp. says up to a half-dozen home games may be broadcast this season, the majority of them coming by the end of this year. The first game most likely will be Nov. 11 against the Detroit Red Wings.

It's happening! Dear God, it's actually happening!

This is the best thing to happen to the Hawks since Bill Wirtz died! And it's only happening because he died! Bill Wirtz is a hero.

Obviously the most important thing about all of this is that right now is the perfect time for the Blackhawks to finally grab this city's attention again. Putting the home games on television will help the team pick up more support, but it wouldn't work on it's own.

Whether they're on television or not, if the Blackhawks suck, nobody's going to watch. Believe me though when I tell you that this Blackhawks team doesn't suck.

I can't remember the last time I saw a Blackhawks team with so much talent. Keep in mind, they've gotten off to their current start without their leading scorer from last season, Martin Havlat.

I'm not asking all of you to get on the Blackhawks bandwagon just yet, or to start embracing hockey and filling the United Center, I'm just giving you a fair warning. You may want to start paying attention to this team again, I don't think you'll be sorry if you do.