I mentioned in my last blog that my personal belief is if the Hawks didn't win at least 5 or their next 6 games (including Saturday's game vs. Flames), that they will move whatever players have interest immediately following their 3-game road trip that concludes in Vegas on Feb 13th.
I still believe that, so after the Hawks OT loss in Calgary, they would need to win the next 5.
Now, this is just my own opinion, however, I'm making that conclusion based on a couple things I've heard.
1) If Stan and the Hawks are going to be sellers, then they want to take full advantage of it. They haven't been in this position in the last decade, so now is the time that the shoe is on the other foot and they can look to gouge teams in an overpriced trade deadline deal. The only problem is the Hawks don't have much in the form of high-end players with expiring deals like an Evander Kane.
I've heard the Blackhawks management team is very, very frustrated by this 1 step forward, 2 step back type of season. As you all know by now, there are marketing powers that live behind the scenes, so if the Hawks were already out of the picture they would be able to carve out a PR spin and sell off assets no problem. However, with this team technically still in a playoff spot, it's a bad look to begin packaging off multiple players.
2) The Sikura factor that we've all been following – will he sign or will he be shunned by Blackhawks fans like Kevin Hayes?
From what I've heard is that the Hawks really see him as a part of this youth and speed movement. Stan is hell-bent on making this happen and wants to prove to Dylan that not only will he have a spot this year, but there will be room next year.
So that means Stan will be looking to move 2-3 expiring UFAs/RFAs (that don't fit into this team anyway) to make it a little less crowded up front. Who are those players?
UFA: Wingels, Bouma, Sharp
RFA: Hartman, Hinostroza, Jurco, Duclair, Hayden
Out of the players above, I see Wingels and Bouma the easiest to move. They are cheap and can provide some grit, PK ability and playoff experience for a team heading into the post-season.
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So will the Hawks finally fall out of the playoff picture enough to warrant some more changes? They take on the Flames again tomorrow and look for redemption after they blew a 3rd-period lead and lost in OT on Saturday night.
I’m not looking for this blog to come off negative at all, I’m just a realist and would love nothing more than the Hawks to win 70% of their games moving forward and make the playoffs. I’ve just watched a lot of hockey and I don’t see it with this Blackhawks team this year – something is “off”.
From my eye, the problem with the Hawks is that it's not that they are not "trying" or putting in a solid effort, it's a lack of skill/finishing on most nights, as well as a lack of confidence in their system.
Outside of Kane, the other big guys (Toews, Saad, Seabrook, Keith) are not doing enough to help win games. The younger players are giving it their all and I really have not had a problem with a lot of them. Keep in mind they are all playing for a spot next year, some are playing for a new contract.
However, there have just been too many new faces implemented and like I sad, the skill to execute in the current system doesn't seem to line up.
This is why I think the Hawks need to hit the reset button on a lot of things. This would start with Stan and Quenneville. If they are both still here, they really need to re-evaluate what "Blackhawks Hockey" is; because I can tell you whatever this is right now… it ain't it.
See ya out there!
JL
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ICYMI:
* Rockford 411: The IceHogs have been reeling out of control a bit of late losing their last 3 games. They had a stinker of a loss to Chicago 7-4 on Saturday. They look to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday vs. San Antonio. After that, take on Milwaukee (Friday) and Iowa (Saturday).
The ‘Hogs have fallen from 2nd in the Central Division to 5th with this losing stretch, that's why those Milwaukee and Iowa games (both in the Central) are so important for them to jump back up the ranks as it's a very tight race.
JF Berube is close to returning and should play an important role for the IceHogs as they look to ramp up the next couple of months as they hope for a solid playoff run. This is exactly what the Blackhawks organization is hoping for out of their AHL affiliate as they want to create winning environments at every level within the organization.
This IceHogs team could look a little different however if the Blackhawks deal some of their regulars leading up to the NHL trade deadline. They may lose a combination of some key pieces like Hayden, Kero, Highmore, Franson, Dahlstrom etc.
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