The Chicago Wind: Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Sale, Brian Urlacher, Derrick Rose

One Chicago sports team remains in the national spotlight, and that team is the Chicago Blackhawks. Everyone from their grandparents on down are talking about the incredible 24-game point streak that the Blackhawks have going for them since the start of the season. The Blackhawks take the lead in this edition of The Chicago Wind, which also includes pieces on Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale, Chicago Bears free agent middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, and Chicago Bulls’ point guard Derrick Rose.

• We’re Going Streaking 

While too much consumption of ESPN may be hazardous to your health, the Blackhawks are providing a reason to watch the four-letter sports network. That is because every night on Sportscenter, the Blackhawks are the leading story. That is correct, the Blackhawks. Because of the Blackhawks flawless start to the season, they have become the media darlings of not only the city of Chicago but the entire nation. Because of their current status, the Blackhawks are being compared to another sports team. That team is the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat have won 16 straight basketball games and that has led to a debate between which streak is better. The debate started when ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith downgraded the Hawk’s streak in comparison to the Heat’s streak. The main reasoning to Smith’s logic was that the Blackhawks still have three losses despite those losses not being in regulation. What Smith failed to recognize is that on top of the 24-game point streak, the Blackhawks are currently riding a 11 game winning streak. Smith, who is notable for being a basketball analyst, simply voided the Blackhawk’s streak because of his lack of intelligence when it comes to hockey.

There is no question that Blackhawks’ streak is superior to the Heat’s streak. After all, the Blackhawk’s streak comes after the team started the season with essentially no training camp.

• Chicago White Sox Found a Sale 

The Chicago White Sox on Thursday signed starting pitcher Chris Sale to a five year, $32.5 million contract extension. The extension comes after Sale was a Cy-Young candidate for the White Sox during the 2012 season. In 30 (29 starts) appearances for the White Sox during the 2012 season, Sale posted a record of 17-8 to go along with 192 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.05. This was a team-friendly contract for the White Sox as the team now voids out Sale’s arbitration eligible seasons. Sale also figures to benefit from this contract. There are two options in this contract for Sale: a team option for the 2018 season that is worth $12.5 million and a team option for the 2019 season that is worth $13.5 million. If either of those options are voided, Sale would receive $1 million. On the other hand, if Sale continues to excel with the White Sox, those team options figure to be a win-win for both sides.

• Brian’s Song 

Negotiations between the Chicago Bears and free agent middle linebacker Brian Urlacher are in a holding pattern. A report on Thursday night from Fox News Chicago indicated that the ball was in the Bears’ court to respond to an offer proposed by Urlacher’s agents on Thursday. The Marc Trestman-led coaching staff of Bears have indicated that they would like to bring Urlacher back to the Bears for the 2013 season though they were aware that it may not be financially possible for that to happen. The expectation is that Urlacher will indeed return to the Bears, though that may not be made official until after the linebacker tests the free agent market.

• A Faded Rose 

Derrick Rose issued the following social media update on Thursday.

It is clear that Rose is struggling with the fact that he is not playing basketball for the Chicago Bulls at this point in the season. While Rose appears to be close to physically being ready to return and make his season debut, there are some that believe the point guard isn’t mentally ready to return. Regardless, this is Rose’s decision. Rose should not be criticized if he decides that he is not ready to return this season. Nonetheless, the Bulls are going to need a decision soon from their franchise player. With the playoffs looming, it may be in the team’s best interest to play Rose before the end of the regular season if the point guard decides he is going to play this season.