Tomas Kopecky Unlikely To Return To Blackhawks In 2011

Flickr Photo via BridgetDS As fans and players brace themselves for yet another nerve-racking summer, it appears that at least one notable forward will not be with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011-12 season: Tomas Kopecky. Kopecky has been noted in Chicago for his close relationship with former Detroit Red Wings teammate, and fellow countryman, Marian Hossa, and appeared to play his best hockey when the two were on a line together in the ’10-’11 season. Kopy wasn’t a major factor on Chicago’s postseason run to the Stanley Cup in the 2009-10 season, but with the major turnover on the roster last summer, he was asked to play an increased role with the Blackhawks this season, and he certainly did see a healthy increase in playing time. With the lack of personnel at center for the Blackhawks, outside of Jonathan Toews and Dave Bolland, Kopecky saw a great deal of time holding down the faceoff circle, and while he wasn’t anything particularly special, it c...