Soupy's out. Who's gonna take his place?

Is the answer Jesus?

No, actually it's Kim Johnsson.

Johnsson will move up to second pair, skating alongside fellow Swede Niklas Hjalmarsson. Jordan Hendry will become a regular, skating alongside Brent Sopel on the third pair. Journeyman knuckledragger Nick Boynton will be holding down the press box.

Hopefully, we don't get a Matt Walker scenario again, where QStache suddenly pops a boner for a veteran defenseman whose gloves occasionally hit the ice. Boynton is nothing more than a #7 on a contending team, which the Blackhawks still are.

Campbell had been the Hawks' second-best defenseman this season prior to his injury. Ironic, since Brent Seabrook was on Team Canada, and Campbell wasn't even in camp. While Seabrook hasn't played up to his usual standard as of late, Campbell had played well enough this season for the meatballs to move onto goaltending.

We all know Alexander Ovechkin got two games for his hit on Campbell. This is Ovechkin's second two-gamer this season. Here is one of the NHL's defects - there's nothing in place for repeat offenders. Maybe first suspension should be 2 games, second suspension is 5 games, third costs you the rest of the season. But that's for another day.

Now, let's be honest here. His hit was horseshit. But you know what? Take a look in the rafters of the Original 6 buildings, and see some of the guys who have their numbers retired...Shore, Messier, Richard, Hull, Howe...not exactly a bunch of pussies. In fact, the only mystery greater than Stonehenge is how the hell Bobby Hull ever won a Lady Byng Trophy.

Of course, the key here is the hit from behind. Ovechkin's offense was the push. If he had just coasted into Campbell, it would have been finishing a check, and he would have gotten two minutes, deservedly so.

With the push, and subsequent injury, the match was the right call. Pierre McGuire once again proved himself to be the Douche Canoe, squealing like a prom queen with an egg vibrator over a "double minor", which doesn't exist for boarding.

As for the suspension, I'm sure Colin Campbell didn't want to give him anything. However, between the exposure of the hit being on NBC, combined with what can only be imagined to be phone whispering and delivery of a dead fish from Scotty Bowman, Campbell gave Ovechkin 2 games. Which Caps fans are howling over, as is Caps management. Reaping the benefits of playing in a shit division, the Caps have a 14 point lead in the Eastern Conference. They have a 5 point edge over San Jose for best overall record. So even is they lose the two games Ovechkin sits out (road games against powerhouses Florida and Carolina), they'll still be atop the NHL. So shut the fuck up already.

In the meantime, Campbell will miss the remaining 14 regular season games with a broken clavicle and broken rib. Most likely, he'll also miss the first two rounds of the playoffs. This is a goddamn shame. Forget about the cheap shot, this was a guy who took a beating all over Chicago, including right here. Rather than get down on himself, or pop off about the fans, or just loafing through because he was getting paid regardless, he picked up his game this season. He looked like the player that was the prize free agent in the summer of 2008. He'll be missed.

In the meantime, Johnsson will become the lynchpin. Whatever success the Hawks have this spring will depend on how well he plays. You already know what you're getting out of Keith, and it's reasonable to expect Seabrook's game to get back on track. Again, hopefully QStache keeps Boynton in street clothes as much as possible. Also, here's hoping he keeps Dustin Byfuglien up front - he's brutal on the point during power plays. Do we really want him back there at even strength?

In the meantime, you can catch a glimpse of the future of the Hawks' blueline, as Shawn Lalonde will be a Rockford Icehog for the remainder of the season.

Finally, with the Hawks on the West Coast, they're attending a taping of "The Tonight Show". Haven't they suffered enough?