Remember when we were wondering what the hell the Hawks were going to do with all these damn forwards?

Those were awesome times.

Blackhawks' coach Joel Quenneville announced today that forwards Dave Bolland and Ben Eager were out for tomorrow night's game with Detroit with upper body injuries, and Troy Brouwer would be a game-time decision with a lower body injury.

Combine this with the long-term injuries to both Marian Hossa and Adam Burish (neither of whom, curiously, have officially been placed on Long Term Injured Reserve), and the Hawks are suddenly whisker thin at forward.

Eager being out doesn't hurt as much as Bolland does, especially considering the last time the Hawks saw the Wings Eager was an absolute Flintstone, taking dumbassed penalties and playing shitty hockey. Bolland, however, has really gelled with Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien so far, and chemistry like that this early in the season isn't easily replicated.

They'll need to call up a forward or two while everyone recuperates. The Hawks added some depth to the system, sending Aaron Johnson to Calgary for minor league winger Kyle Greentree. Greentree is being assigned to Rockford, while a forward or two will probably schlep from Hamilton to Detroit. The guess here is maybe Bryan Bickell and/or Jake Dowell. Jack Skille doesn't seem to be in the mix, since he didn't skate for Rockford in their opener.

ALSO...

Kudos to John McDonough for his inspired revisitation of the Blackhawks' red carpet entrance to the United Center before Saturday night's home opener against Colorado. This shows true vision and courage, especially in light of the fact that they pulled this same asinine stunt prior to last season's opener, and came out for the game flatter than stale beer.

Nice going, Nipplehead.