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Are You Sure You Want the Blackhawks to Make the Playoffs? |
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Across social media and the message boards, it sounds like during this 7-game winning streak, there was an even split of those who wanted the Hawks to sell, sell, sell and those who wanted to keep on pushing their way into the playoffs.
I will continue to say that I will never cheer for the Hawks to lose, but like a proud parent, I also don't want them to be flat-out embarrassed again in the post-season.
As we witnessed last night, a team like the Boston Bruins would have their way with Chicago in the playoffs. A 6-3 thumping and they did so without their top scorer David Pastrnak who needs to invest in some better shoes – out 3-4 weeks after slipping on some ice on Sunday and messing up his thumb.
Yes, I understand that the Bruins are in the Eastern Conference and wouldn't be a 1st round opponent, but this is the type of quality of competition that we're talking about – Winnipeg, Nashville, Calgary, etc.
While we're on the subject, I want to quickly touch on the Boston Bruins. This is a team that closely reasonable the Blackhawks of recent years.
The main difference is that I feel like the Bruins have done a better job at reloading than the Hawks, plus they're not as top heavy with 2x $10.5M contracts up top. They actually have very solid deals in place for their superstars with Krejci ($7.25M), Bergeron ($6.75M), Pastrnak ($6.66M), Marchand ($6.12M), Krug ($5.25M) and Chara on a team friendly, short-term deal ($5M).
When I say that they've done a great job at reloading, let me peel back what I mean with that; they were able to move top players at the right time for key picks/assets (ie. Lucic, Hamilton, Boychuk, Soderberg) and when they didn't make the playoffs in consecutive years - 2014-15 and 2015-16 – they were able to take a step back and reshape their team for success. The Bruins even switched from an icon of a coach in Claude Julien to a "young guy" in Bruce Cassidy. Sound familiar?
Well, if Boston can be a bit of a crystal ball for the Hawks let's hope they can use their mistakes as lessons.
The Bruins were still in the hunt for the playoffs in February of 2016 to GM Don Sweeney went out and acquired Lee Stempniak and J.M. Liles in two separate deals with the return being: Anthony Camara, 3rd round pick (2016), 4th round pick (2016), 2nd round pick (2017) and a 5th round pick (2017).
Then they fell short by finishing 9th in the Eastern Conference. This was the first time in a decade where the Bruins failed to make the postseason in back-to-back years.
Hmmm… gets you thinking, doesn't it?
For those who are prepared to "go for it" and take a run at the playoffs, would you be ok with Bowman making moves like this just to fall short? Or if they do sneak in, having those assets acquired for 4-7 games in the 1st round? Because unless the Hawks hit a homerun or magically change the way they play, this team isn't getting out of the first round.
OR… would you like to be on the other end of those deals where Bowman can recoup multiple picks and assets and charge high(er) prices for guys like Kruger, Hayden, Anisimov, Forsling, etc.?
I know there's not much for him to move but if you were just to move the 4 players above and get yourself a couple serviceable assets back (maybe to help re-shape your bottom 6) and/or multiple draft picks then I'm on board.
I know some will point to the Hawks (and specifically the younger players) getting valuable playoff experience as a positive, and I think to a certain degree, that would be great. However, is it still a positive experience to get bounced in 4 or 5 games and maybe in embarrassing fashion? All while watching future HHOFers get frustrated and defeated physically/mentally in the process?
What are your thoughts?
I'm curious with the mood out there today.
See ya out there,
JL
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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