|
Thoughts on Playoffs + Happenings Around the NHL |
|
|
|
|
|
The Blackhawks picked a bad year to miss the playoffs (again). Evidentially, this is the year of the underdog.
While the Hawks defensive issues would have resulted in an early exit had they made the post-season, the happenings of this year is a sign for all those bubble teams around the league that with a few smart moves, maybe… just maybe… they can be the Hurricanes of 2018-19.
Here are a few playoff thoughts, as well as a sprinkle of NHL headlines:
* Carolina Hurricanes – this has been quite a run for the ‘Canes. I've been so impressed with their resilience; a player goes down and they plug in the next guy and don't miss a beat.
I am also really impressed with Rod Brind'Amour. I liked this tweet by Comedian Gerry Dee on the weekend:
Whether you like the "Storm Surge" celebrations or not, you cannot deny that those guys were having fun at hockey this year. That momentum has carried over to the playoffs.
I wrote about it a couple of times that I felt like the Hawks were finally starting to look like they were having fun again as the season went on. It definitely helps reunited best friends Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. I don't anticipate any wacky centre ice celebrations at the UC, but let's see what a full training camp with their 34-year old coach can do and if Stan Bowman can bring in some nice pieces to add another level of excitement to Chicago.
* Playoff Style – Elliotte Friedman had a comment on his last podcast that he was adamant about, "You need your regular season team and you need your playoff team."
What he meant by that is that the playoffs are a different animal and you need players that not only can play the style but be game changers. He cited Patrick Maroon as an example. No one wanted the guy in the offseason and his hometown St. Louis signed him for much lower than he expected. Then there was a memo that went out mid-season that he was available and there were no takers. Now, he's a beast in the playoffs and no one can handle the guy down low and along the boards.
Look at the remaining teams left in the playoffs and tell me what you're seeing. What pops out to me?
1) Overall Depth
2) Physicality and Pushback
3) Great Goaltending
Bringing this back to the Haws, I think Stan should be able to use his cap space to help with #1. I'm not sure how much appetite he has for #2, but I wouldn't be upset if the Hawks land a big, physical forward that will play more than John Hayden.
In regards to #3, if Corey Crawford stays healthy, they could be covered there. I'm curious whether they bring in a veteran to help push Delia though.
* Ken Holland – it looks like Holland will be signing the blank cheque that the Oilers offered him to become their next GM. He will surely look to make some changes, so keep an eye on that situation.
The coaching rumours have linked Dave Tippett to Edmonton. I also heard this morning if the Leafs wants to part ways with Mike Babcock, his relationship with Holland is obviously strong, so he would be hired immediately. I'm not so sure the Leafs are willing to do that, however, Kyle Dubas has not given Babs the vote of confidence that he's staying yet.
Moving on to a rumour and a thought.
First, Eklund has reported the Blackhawks and Rangers being interested in Cody Ceci. He's the type of defenceman that the Hawks would definitely welcome. He's 6'2 / 200 lbs, blocks a lot of shots, hits people and starts 55% of the time in the defensive zone.
His reported departure from Ottawa isn't surprising as his last negotiation with them didn't go smoothly. He's an RFA this summer, coming off a $4.3M AAV.
He is a legitimate top 4 defender, so you're looking at a guy like Brandon Saad going back the other way. I could see a larger package with a defencemen from Chicago heading to Ottawa as well.
Ceci is a RHD, so maybe it's a move that would see Connor Murphy head the other way as well. The Hawks have Seabrook, Murphy, Jokiharju – as well as Boqvist and Mitchell, coming that are all righties. If you acquire Ceci, one would think somebody has to go out of that group.
This is NOT a rumour but a thought I had regarding the vacant Blackhawks Assistant Coaching job. I'm not suggesting this name because I want to "get the band back together" but doing so based on merit.
I would love to see the Hawks hire an experienced coach who can handle the forwards and/or PK. How about a coach who's been an assistant in the NHL (2013-2016) and a guy who's been successfully holding a head coach job in the AHL (2016-present)?
I'm talking about John Madden.
He's currently coaching the Cleveland Monsters. They are down 3-0 to the Toronto Marlies in the Calder Cup playoffs right now, but he's done a heck of a job with that team since taking over for Jared Bednar in 2016.
If there is a guy to help fix the PK… it's Madden.
Just wanted to leave you with that on this fine Monday morning.
See ya out there,
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»