The Blackhawks stumbled to the All Star break and there are a few opinions I would like to share.
In the last few games Hawk players appeared tired, maybe not only physically but mentally too.
This season is not quite four months old, but in some ways it seems like even longer to me. Time does fly but this season started out with a lot of hoopla back in mid summer. I am sure there are players who feel the same and for many this is all about learning how to survive in a very competitive environment over a long grueling campaign.
The Hawks played poorly in their last home game against St. Louis. Give the Blues all the credit but the Hawks really didn’t show up for that one.
Besides Marty Havlat there were only a handful of players who appeared ready to compete. The young Hawks got a small taste of the emotions disappointed fans can display.
The capacity United Center crowd was not calling for an encore appearance from Moose Vasko. Unfortunately Elmer has passed on …but rather the crowd was voicing its displeasure with boos.
The bar has been raised in Chicago and now fans always expect a good show.
Last Wednesday night’s game featured the Hawks getting a whopping 4 shots on goal in the first 30 minutes of action. Fans had reason to be upset and their emotional display of dissatisfaction was not pleasant for the players but they shouldn’t have been shocked.
In their last four games the Hawks have won only once and they were fortunate to come away with two points that night.
As for their current state of affairs the Hawks have hit a rough patch and need to play through the hard times. Losing Duncan Keith does matter a lot, he really can’t be replaced. To a lesser extent the same could be said about an injury to Havlat, Sharp, Kane or Toews.
The Hawks have been extremely fortunate so far as the injury bug has not bitten very often.
In the previous two seasons Chicago has been near the top of the NHL concerning total man games lost due to injury. So far this season they have been one of the least injured Clubs in the entire League.
When evaluating the Hawks don’t discount the fact that so far they have been lucky to not lose many key players over long stretches. If that trend continues they should make the Playoffs somewhat in comfortable fashion. If their injury luck turns from good to bad they will have a much more difficult time of gaining a Playoff birth.
To think the Hawk fortunes for this season may ride on luck is not too far fetched.
There is a lot of talent in Chicago but the Western Conference is full of teams which can say the same. There is a fine line between the 3rd best team in the Conference and the team slotted 12th, in many cases serious injuries are the reason for different point totals.
Right now one big benefit for the Hawks is they have played fewer games than most other teams. Although games in hand are only an advantage if they are won or at least used to pick up points, right now Chicago does control its own destiny.
So far the Hawks have dominated only one other team this season, the Coyotes.
Chicago has won all four meetings but will not be playing the young group from Phoenix again in the regular season. If the Hawks had instead split with Phoenix they would be only 1 point up on them in the Standings rather than 5. In that case the Hawks would be a mere 3 points in front of the 8th place team in the West rather than 7…big difference.
The Hawks do have three games in hand on the 7th place Canucks and have played four games fewer than the 8th place Ducks. The Hawks can achieve a bigger cushion over the 7th and 8th place teams if they seize the opportunity games in hand provide.
Another prime point to realize is the Hawks are one of the youngest teams in the NHL and there still is no substitute for experience.
During periods when Kane, Toews and Sharp are in scoring slumps there isn’t a skillful 10 year veteran in the Dressing Room to help them fight through the difficult times. Havlat is a bit older but he is not far enough removed from the youngsters to be a strong loud veteran voice of confidence. Sharp also has more experience but until last season he wasn’t even considered to be a true goal scorer.
Dale Tallon wanted to assemble a group of young talented players who would battle and grow together. He has succeeded in his mission in part but the growing element for this group will require time.
When the Hawks are on a roll it is easy for players to come to the rink, give interviews and have fun. Playing doesn’t seem like work then but when losing happens more frequently than winning…
The Hawks will now learn how to deal with boos as well as the same frequent questions about whether they are pressing because they are in a scoring slump etc. This young group will also realize hard work and consistent habits have to be put forth day in and day out.
Experience comes in time and can not be rushed.
Are there any trades or acquisitions that could help solidify the Hawks Playoff chances for this season?
I believe Dale Tallon will not do anything unless he is absolutely sure the new addition will fit in with this team’s chemistry. One of the biggest strengths for this group is that they enjoy playing together and get along well.
Factor the above comment together with the reality it is difficult to find an available big talented 2nd line center. Additionally there is also a lack of available Cap space which will complicate the challenge for Tallon.
Tallon and others decided where to allocate the Salary spending and there are consequences to deal with because of the big money which was shelled out.
Before anyone believes the Hawks GM has created the Cap space problem and was completely wrong to do so… consider a couple of questions.
Would the Hawks have the same record as today if not for the play of both Huet and Khabibulin?
Would the Hawks have the same record without Brian Campbell?
Would the Hawks have the same record without Marty Havlat?
Those four players alone account for 25 million dollar in Cap space.
In reality the Hawks are fortunate they have received such strong contributions from a lot of ‘cheap’ help.
Would the Hawks currently have 58 points without Versteeg, Bolland, Eager, Walker and Johnson on the Roster? All of those players together account for only slightly more than 3 million dollars in salary.
Managing an NHL payroll is a balancing act and I am not defending the decisions of the Hawks GM but it is certainly hard for me to criticize them.
Most of the very good teams spend right up to Salary Cap limit. The other common thread which runs through many top Franchises is they benefit from strong contributions coming from quality ‘cheap’ personnel. Welcome to the new NHL.
Dale Tallon will look to add a piece or two to his Hawk puzzle at some point but additional Cap space will have to be created first. If Tallon makes a big transaction it will not be for a rent a player situation. He may go out and acquire a veteran near the Deadline but will not dare disrupt the chemistry of his young group.
Next year the Cap Space landscape for the Blackhawks will be much different as the Bonus Cushion provision will be back in place. Although upcoming big money contract concerns such as Keith as well as Toews and Kane will have to be allowed for, the Hawks will be in much better shape next season than now in regards to Salary Cap space.
Veteran skill players are not easy to come by.
If Tallon is going to get involved in a significant trade it will most likely be for a player in his mid to late twenty’s which could be considered part of the core in Chicago for years to come. That type of opportunity will most likely happen due to the suspect financial condition of another team. Although acquiring a top end player could help improve the skill level for the Hawks it may not provide for additional veteran leadership.
Some trades which will soon take place throughout the NHL will occur out of the need for some Franchises to save money. The real reason will be couched, but make no mistake red ink is flowing all around the League.
As far as trading Khabibulin before the Deadline there are a few teams which have a solid chance at winning the Cup this season which could benefit from the addition of Nik. Under the assumption that Marty Brodeur comes back healthy before the Playoffs, my short list of teams would be the Capitals, Flyers, Penguins and the Red Wings.
I am sure the Wings would have players available that could entice Tallon, but trading Khabibulin to your biggest rival is tough to do. The only likely way for that to have a chance of happening would be if the Hawks were out of the Playoff chase.
Concerning the Capitals, Flyers and Penguins I am certain they have prospects which could interest the Hawks. The problem is I can’t find a big 2nd line center on those Rosters which could be available and help here now.
There are other Clubs Tallon could trade with which are not going to the Playoffs. Although acquiring a top six forward or a physical presence with skill from any of those teams won’t be easy.
The Hawks have 37 games left to play and their biggest challenge could start right after the All Star Break. During their next 15 games all will be played away from the United Center except 3, after that 15 of 22 will be home contests.
The Hawks have accumulated 58 points in their first 45 games, not too shabby at all.
Even if the Hawks fall off of the point pace set so far they can still make it to the Post Season. An average of one point achieved per game for the rest of the season puts the Hawks at 95 points, which will be good enough to keep playing in April.
So far the Hawks have put themselves in good shape but there are still a lot of battles to come. One thing for certain is they will have to do better against teams in their own Division and not take anyone for granted. Unless they sustain a lot of key injuries they will be playing Playoff hockey this season.
As one veteran Hawk fan told me recently…All the Hawks have to do is make sure they are at least 5 points in front of the 8th place team before they play Detroit in the last two regular season games.
What the Hawks may need most can’t be bought or acquired by trade and in many ways can’t be rushed.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said… “The years teach much which the days never know.”
Al’s Shots
Duncan Keith will be ready to face the Ducks on Wednesday night.
Kris Versteeg appears to be out for Wednesday’s contest. The youngster hurt a finger against St. Louis and could not perform in the Young Stars game over the weekend.
Pascal Pelletier was called up from the IceHogs.
Brent Sopel underwent elbow surgery about a week ago. I have no idea when he will be ready to return.
This season has featured some oddities and another one occurred in the last Hawks-Blues game.
I have never seen a 5 minute Interference penalty called before.
I will concede it was technically an Interference infraction when Cam Barker made contact with David Backes. Although players are often hit while the puck is at their feet and not actually touched yet…. But it is by right Interference.
Fortunately Backes wasn’t hurt as he was back in action later. It was an awkward hit and no one retaliated from St. Louis as it was obvious the contact by Barker was not intended to cause injury.
I think the referee over reacted.
If a Major penalty was going to be issued it certainly shouldn’t have been for Interference and if so….Why wasn’t Barker thrown out?
Regardless, the Hawks lost because they got outplayed, the officials were not to blame.
Hjalmarsson looked fine against the Blues but with the pending return of Keith he has been re-assigned to Rockford.
For now his call-up was probably a wake up notice for Aaron Johnson more than anything else.
Just wondering…..Does the same company responsible for the time clocks used for the speed skating contest also manufacture the microphones the referee’s use?
Versus struck out with the coverage of the Skills and Young Stars game and unfortunately the NHL still hasn’t gotten it right either.
Fortunately the actual All Star game turned out to be competitive. Toews and Kane started out slowly but like the game got better as time went on.
Toews had 5 shots for the night and Kane was skating better than I have seen in quite awhile.
Fortunately for everyone associated with the Blackhawks Kane scored on his break away. It would have been another downer for the young guy if he missed on that chance.
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