Stoke head into this clash with some confidence after last weeks 1-0 win over Watford

You know what they say about best-laid plans. But, all things being equal, this could be a different kind of season for the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks when it comes to the trade deadline.Stan Bowman has been among the more creative and aggressive GMs during his time in Chicago. He always is looking to plug holes in his contending squad, spending a first-round pick last season to get rental Andrew Ladd, or a first-round pick the year before that for Antoine Vermette and a second-rounder for Kimmo Timonen.But Chicago will host the draft in June, and this time around Bowman is very reluctant to move his top draft picks.Were trying to make it a big event, and everyone [here] is excited about hosting it, Bowman told ESPN.com on Friday. So from that perspective, were probably going to try to hang on to those picks. Now, anything is possible. But its unlikely that I would be moving the early picks in the draft.The Blackhawks have 10 picks for the 2017 draft, including three in the fifth round and two in the sixth -- plus all of their normal slots.We did that on purpose. We do have a lot; we want to make a splash out of it, said Bowman. Hopefully it will work out well. I dont know if its a great draft; early returns are mixed on it. But there are always players in the draft.All of which means that Bowman doesnt plan on his normal trade-deadline plan of action.As far as the deadline goes, well still be creative and look at things, but the other side of it is, we just dont have any cap space, said Bowman. I dont envision us having any [cap space], like Im not planning on us shedding any players. If theres injuries, I suppose ...Theres also this: For the first time in a while, the current Blackhawks have a real injection of youth. Perhaps Chicagos late-season boost will come from within that group.We have six first-year players on our team, said Bowman. Im looking more at those players being better players in the spring than they are now, just through playing 60-70 games in the league. I think were going to be improving from within more so than we are adding from outside. I like that part of it. I like the excitement of having Nick Schmaltz or Ryan Hartman?or Tyler Motte or [Vincent] Hinostroza; those guys are doing pretty well right now. We havent given them big responsibility yet, but I think as we go along were looking at that sort of as our internal improvement, so to speak.First-year defensemen?Michal Kempny and Gustav Forsling have also helped shore up Chicagos blue line. I would argue that this is Chicagos deepest defensive corps in years.But question marks remain up front, where the Blackhawks hope some of the kids will make their mark before the end of the season to help complement their talented, veteran core. Its not that they are struggling to score; the Blackhawks are fifth in goals per game. Still, if the kids can step their game up another level in the second half, that will be a boost.I asked a veteran front office executive from a rival Western Conference team to give a scouting report on the Blackhawks four rookie forwards:Schmaltz, 20: Really talented kid, will need time to adjust, like most kids. But the beauty is the protection of?Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews?and those great veterans. Schmaltz has always been a top player, a real offensive guy. He has the potential to be a 25-goal scorer in the NHL. Hes in the ideal situation to develop there, with the veterans around him.Motte, 21: He is a legit bottom-six guy, has speed, works hard, smart. Hes a good fit for them there.Hinostroza, 22: A talented kid, good stick, good head. Hes not big, though. In my view, hes behind Schmaltz in terms of talent and growth potential, but hes intriguing.Hartman, 22: Hes always been a gritty kid, and this is a great opportunity for him. This kid will fill that gritty, energy role and hes got a decent nose for the net too. Probably a bottom-six guy, but I think hes a pretty good one.The regular season is an audition for those four rookies to grab a role.Its a matter up front of seeing if some of those guys emerge as bigger pieces, said Bowman. Right now, theyre not really carrying the load, its our main guys doing that. But as we go along, I expect them to improve. I look forward to seeing those guys grow their games. We havent had a lot of players who were going to get better during the year. Thats probably why, in the past, we went external to find ways to improve our team. But thats not really my game plan this year. Things can change, but Im looking for some growth from these guys. Hopefully one or two or three of them are going to emerge as being able to take on a bigger load as we go.A major injury or a prolonged slump certainly could change everything, and the Blackhawks do have their 2018 first-rounder to dangle if need be. But the plan in Chicago sure looks different on the trade front than most years. And thats OK. Nike Vapormax Herr . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Nike Air Vapormax Sverige . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. http://www.airvapormaxsverige.com/air-max-plus-tn-rea.html . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. Nike Air Vapormax Plus Rea . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Nike Zoom Fly Rea . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. Its hard to know what to make of Stoke City to this point.Are they the club that went winless through their opening seven Premier League fixtures and spent a considerable amount of time at the foot of the table? Or the one that recently enjoyed a six-match unbeaten stretch over all competitions?Its uncertain which team will show up Saturday against Burnley at bet365 Stadium.Stoke (4-4-5) have largely been seen as one of the most unflashy clubs in the Premier League, known for their direct style of play with bruising target forwards like Peter Crouch. Manager Mark Hughes has done an admirable job over the past few seasons in an effort to bring some style to the pitch by signing highly-skilled players like Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri, Wilfried Bony, Bojan Krkic and Mame Diouf.With that level of talent in the squad, its hard to fathom the idea that the Potters have struggled in the final third, but the numbers dont lie. They have scored just 14 goals in 13 matches while allowing 19.However, Stoke head into this clash with some confidence after last weeks 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road. A 29th-minute own goal by Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes stood up.We played well considering we had a few key players out, but the guys who came in were brilliant and have certainly given the manager a headache for the next game, midfielder Charlie Adam told the clubs official website..dddddddddddd.Burnley (4-5-2), meanwhile, have put in some good performances and done well enough to avoid the relegation zone to this point while sitting in 13th place.Each of their wins have come at Turf Moor, however. Sean Dyches squad is also hoping to get back to get back on track after consecutive defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City.After being completely dismantled by West Brom, Burnley responded nicely against City, taking the lead through a 14th-minute goal from Dean Marney before Sergio Aguero hit for a brace in the 2-1 defeat.Despite the loss, Dyche liked his clubs resolve.I was really pleased with the performance, other than the result, and that was a great marker, he said. We know we have to take that on the road, but today I was delighted and equally so with the crowds reaction.They know its not easy playing this type of club, but they stuck with the lads throughout with no disappointments. They were right behind us and thats an important factor going forwards.Since beating Burnley 2-0 in their first ever Premier League meeting in 2009, Stoke are winless in the last three (two draws, one loss).The Clarets have won just one of their last seven league games against Stoke City, though this was away at Stoke in November 2014. ' ' '