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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Did the Blackhawks Win? Yes.
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Dec 13 @ 10:35 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Did the Blackhawks Win? Yes.
It was November 24th since the last time the Hawks tasted victory. Last night, they got 40 saves from Corey Crawford and a better all-around effort with a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Selfishly, I am sooooo happy this team won a game of hockey. It's been a difficult team to cover lately and there's been a lot of grumpy cats around here; with good reason too, losing is no fun.
theneek
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: United States, CA
Joined: 07.02.2008

Dec 13 @ 10:36 AM ET
First!
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Dec 13 @ 10:36 AM ET
Dang... you quick! ha.
gnosox1986
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: FL
Joined: 01.25.2012

Dec 13 @ 10:41 AM ET
That's what she said.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Dec 13 @ 10:41 AM ET
Nice write up. It was great to see them get something positive. I'm sure it was great for the players to get a W.

The effort was decent and I hope we can see all 4 lines engaged for a while.
nickmo2699
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 01.06.2012

Dec 13 @ 10:42 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Did the Blackhawks Win? Yes.

It was November 24th since the last time the Hawks tasted victory. Last night, they got 40 saves from Corey Crawford and a better all-around effort with a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Selfishly, I am sooooo happy this team won a game of hockey. It's been a difficult team to cover lately and there's been a lot of grumpy cats around here; with good reason too, losing is no fun.

- Justin Lowe


Great write up JL!

Tough sledding as of late, but great to see the team play a good 60. Interested to hear what you think will happen here in the next couple months. I can see the Hawks playing .500 hockey and bein towards the bottom of the league. Any specific things you are hearing as far as player movement at this point?
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Dec 13 @ 10:53 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Did the Blackhawks Win? Yes.

It was November 24th since the last time the Hawks tasted victory. Last night, they got 40 saves from Corey Crawford and a better all-around effort with a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Selfishly, I am sooooo happy this team won a game of hockey. It's been a difficult team to cover lately and there's been a lot of grumpy cats around here; with good reason too, losing is no fun.

- Justin Lowe


Great piece, JL. It is a lot more fun to talk about winning.

I've been saying the same thing with 40-16-29 too. Dahlstrom had a great game, and Sikura was quiet but still noticeable. Crow, one of his great nights in the pipes.

I would add a pp goal and pk's.
Hawkytalk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Frankfort, IL
Joined: 06.26.2012

Dec 13 @ 10:58 AM ET
Dang... you quick! ha.
- Justin Lowe


Nice write-up JL.

I am not a Marcus Kruger fan by no means, but you are exactly right about last night. If JC will continue to play that 4th line that works so hard at creating space, then this team can start to change its perception as a bunch of softies. Kruger is tough in his own way and never fails to go to the net and get in the goalie's face, along with his usual taking a beating from Dmen. He does stick his nose in there OFTEN. Playing with Martinsen and Hayden will give him security to continue his hard-nosed play.

As for Martinsen........ again I will suggest that he continue in his 4L role and have at least one clean hit on every shift. That would be my direction to him. The Blackhawks have been the softest team to play against in physicality for years, however, we all understand that it worked for all those years. Now that this team can no longer dominate on puck possession, they must change their approach to a tougher physical team, and that 4th line is a start. I'm hoping that Colliton will increase their ice time as long as the puck stays out of our net on their shifts.

True also is the need for additional forward help. With the excess of dmen, I'm hoping that another trade is coming to bring more forwards back. My question to you is WHERE ? I know Detroit is loaded up front with youth and need Dmen.
I surely would have liked to get Athanasiou last year during his holdout. SIZE AND SPEED is what is needed to build for the future. Any other teams that have forwards available that you are aware of ? Thanks JL.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Dec 13 @ 11:02 AM ET
Even with his so-called short-comings I would have Gustafsson in the lineup over Seabrook right now. He could take on an offensive role on the 3rd pairing and take over Seabrook's role on the PP which is about the only semi-useful purpose Seabrook has now. And what's with all these whiffs with the puck this year with Seabrook -stick problem, arm weakness problem?
theneek
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: United States, CA
Joined: 07.02.2008

Dec 13 @ 11:07 AM ET
So I’m waiting for the big Vancouver trade as reported various sources for a while. I think it’s the only team that will take Seabrook’s terrible deal since they need solid vets and he’s a hometown boy. I’m sure we will take Gagner as a favor to Kane but we may have to take Erickson’s terrible contract back. That’s probably the holdup.

JL no new rumors after SB and all the scouts were seems at games recently?
nickmo2699
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 01.06.2012

Dec 13 @ 11:07 AM ET
Even with his so-called short-comings I would have Gustafsson in the lineup over Seabrook right now. He could take on an offensive role on the 3rd pairing and take over Seabrook's role on the PP which is about the only semi-useful purpose Seabrook has now. And what's with all these whiffs with the puck this year with Seabrook -stick problem, arm weakness problem?
- 67hawks


I'm a big hockey gear guy, he has switched from Bauer to CCM and back and forth all year. Just something I noticed in the last 8-10 games.
theneek
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: United States, CA
Joined: 07.02.2008

Dec 13 @ 11:08 AM ET
Even with his so-called short-comings I would have Gustafsson in the lineup over Seabrook right now. He could take on an offensive role on the 3rd pairing and take over Seabrook's role on the PP which is about the only semi-useful purpose Seabrook has now. And what's with all these whiffs with the puck this year with Seabrook -stick problem, arm weakness problem?
- 67hawks


Hang on cause JC LOVES Seabrook. I don’t think I’ve ever seem him okay this much.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:10 AM ET
It was good to see the Hawks put up a solid effort all around last night. My biggest takeaway from last night was wondering: can the Hawks be slightly better than we thought with consistent play and more time under JC's system (still a lottery team though)? Or are the Pens that bad? Kinda feel like it's a combo of both...

If they team can play as well as they did last night and stay in most games BUT still lose the majority of them I think that would be the best case scenario for this team going forward. If they don't get blown out constantly, guys give a good effort, the kids develop, guys build chemistry together, you sell off Kruger, Rutta, Ward, Gus, etc. (and possibly one of AA, Keith, or Crow if you wanna get a good return and clear cap) to recoup some draft picks, prospects, etc. to clear room for a few guys to get a chance to show what they can do as well, and end up with a Top 3 pick in the Draft it could be possible to see this team turn it around next year or at least start to.

Dahlstrom played a very solid game last night. Wasn't too flashy and made a lot of smart quick plays with the puck (like the shot that led to the Martinsen goal). That's what we need from our defense. Solid smart play. The flashy stuff will come once Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin get their shot. For now we need solid smart defensive guys who can make quick plays to clear the puck from the net and D-Zone. I liked him and Murphy together. I would be on board to see them together as our 3rd pairing D for the majority of the rest of the year.

Sikura had a solid game as well. Again, nothing really flashy, but a few nice plays here and there. That's good to see and hopefully he can build off of that going forward as I'd be shocked if he end up back in Rockford (unless he plays THAT bad; then we're in even more trouble). It's harder for teams to zero in on our top 2 lines when our bottom six actually have some skill and a shot to do some damage when they hit the ice. Sikura definitely could help the team there and be able to build off of that going forward.

I'd like see what this team can do as guys learn JC's system more and feel more comfortable in it. One thing you'll notice is that most of the guys that are standing out the most thus far (Kampf, Martinsen, Forsling, Dahlstrom) are guys who've played in his system before and know what to do and what is expected of them.

scottak
Location: I am serious. And don't call me Shirley!
Joined: 08.06.2010

Dec 13 @ 11:20 AM ET
I hope people quit questioning the commitment of 2, 7, 19 & 88. For a meaningless win in a lost season, Kane risked serious injury trying to get to a rolling puck for a clinching empty netter, JT was solid in both ends, Keith looked like vintage Duncs, even Saad looked like the mini-Hoss we hoped for.

Stan just needs to surround them with NHL level talent.
nickmo2699
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 01.06.2012

Dec 13 @ 11:22 AM ET
I hope people quit questioning the commitment of 2, 7, 19 & 88. For a meaningless win in a lost season, Kane risked serious injury trying to get to a rolling puck for a clinching empty netter, JT was solid in both ends, Keith looked like vintage Duncs, even Saad looked like the mini-Hoss we hoped for.

Stan just needs to surround them with NHL level talent.

- scottak


I think the opposite. He was floating without the puck, minimal effort the first two periods. Other than hitting the post he was a non-factor.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Dec 13 @ 11:22 AM ET
Kelfbom out for "months".
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:25 AM ET
So I’m waiting for the big Vancouver trade as reported various sources for a while. I think it’s the only team that will take Seabrook’s terrible deal since they need solid vets and he’s a hometown boy. I’m sure we will take Gagner as a favor to Kane but we may have to take Erickson’s terrible contract back. That’s probably the holdup.

JL no new rumors after SB and all the scouts were seems at games recently?

- theneek


One or the other not both. I'd rather have Seabrook play half of what he can than have to pay Gagner AND Eriksson MORE money than him to play bottom six roles or worse on this team. Unless they were willing to take a contract like Manning's back but even then idk if I'd wanna do that.

IF we are going to trade him in some bad contract swap kinda deal IMO with Vancouver the best bets would be...

Seabrook for Eriksson

Hope that Eriksson maybe playing with Toews and Saad could reignite his career. At worst you can have him play in the bottom six (which is most likely), waive him to Rockford or buy him out. He's got three years after this one at 6M per so we might have to eat some of Seabrook's salary to balance it out.

Seabrook for Gagner and Brandon Sutter

This one we end up taking on MORE salary BUT Gagner's deal is up after next year and Sutter's the year after that so we take one bad long term deal and turn it into two shorter ones. I'd have a harder time seeing happen since both of those contracts are set to expire sooner than Seabrook, but ya never know. I think for as bad as we think Seabrook has played this year, he hasn't been THAT bad (still a Top 6 starting D-Man, just not the Elite Top 2 we're paying him for) and there are teams that will value his veteran leadership, knowledge, and experience in a trade.

It's hard to see trading Seabrook being beneficial to this team in any way though short or long term. Short term, it crushes the locker room for what he brings to the table as a leader. In the long term, you're just swapping out a bad contract for another one who isn't respected and beloved by your fans the way Brooksie has been.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:25 AM ET
Kelfbom out for "months".
- fattybeef


I heard it was only gonna be a few weeks (likely 4-6) with a broken finger. If he's out for months then he broke his hand
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:27 AM ET
I hope people quit questioning the commitment of 2, 7, 19 & 88. For a meaningless win in a lost season, Kane risked serious injury trying to get to a rolling puck for a clinching empty netter, JT was solid in both ends, Keith looked like vintage Duncs, even Saad looked like the mini-Hoss we hoped for.

Stan just needs to surround them with NHL level talent.

- scottak


Stan or whoever is in charge but yes I would agree. If they had better talent around the core players this team would look a lot better than they do and people wouldn't bash them nearly as much as they do now. Unfortunately I think at some point one of these guys is gonna have to go if we wanna get better depth to this team overall
Lido_Shuffle
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.10.2012

Dec 13 @ 11:28 AM ET
Nice to see the 4th line get into the scoring column and get some recognition but I thought Crawford was the first star of the game. CC is really playing well.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:34 AM ET
Great write up JL!

Tough sledding as of late, but great to see the team play a good 60. Interested to hear what you think will happen here in the next couple months. I can see the Hawks playing .500 hockey and bein towards the bottom of the league. Any specific things you are hearing as far as player movement at this point?

- nickmo2699


Thanks Nick.

I have heard a few whispers about the potential of core pieces moving (or at least they will attempt to).

I personally think you will see another move in December to send a defenceman packing to free up room.

Then in the new year, you will see the Hawks evaluate Rockford players by giving them some time in the NHL. They need to see what they have with some of these guys to determine their longer term plan.

Then (if Bowman is smart) he waits right to the deadline to move as much as he can.
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Dec 13 @ 11:39 AM ET
Justin fantastic write up. Glad to see the hawks win finally.

Just some observations, they looked great to start the game, but I did notice some regression after the Penn's scored.

The window to make a move is closing due to the Christmas holiday cut off. Any positive word out their on a trade ?


I'd have to imagine , looking at what players are a true liability whom do you see in your crystal ball as the favorite to get moved?
Rota's Rooter
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:42 AM ET
One or the other not both. I'd rather have Seabrook play half of what he can than have to pay Gagner AND Eriksson MORE money than him to play bottom six roles or worse on this team. Unless they were willing to take a contract like Manning's back but even then idk if I'd wanna do that.

IF we are going to trade him in some bad contract swap kinda deal IMO with Vancouver the best bets would be...

Seabrook for Eriksson

Hope that Eriksson maybe playing with Toews and Saad could reignite his career. At worst you can have him play in the bottom six (which is most likely), waive him to Rockford or buy him out. He's got three years after this one at 6M per so we might have to eat some of Seabrook's salary to balance it out.

Seabrook for Gagner and Brandon Sutter

This one we end up taking on MORE salary BUT Gagner's deal is up after next year and Sutter's the year after that so we take one bad long term deal and turn it into two shorter ones. I'd have a harder time seeing happen since both of those contracts are set to expire sooner than Seabrook, but ya never know. I think for as bad as we think Seabrook has played this year, he hasn't been THAT bad (still a Top 6 starting D-Man, just not the Elite Top 2 we're paying him for) and there are teams that will value his veteran leadership, knowledge, and experience in a trade.

It's hard to see trading Seabrook being beneficial to this team in any way though short or long term. Short term, it crushes the locker room for what he brings to the table as a leader. In the long term, you're just swapping out a bad contract for another one who isn't respected and beloved by your fans the way Brooksie has been.

- Savetheembers33

A Sutter back in town. Think of the marketing possibilities! Where is McD?
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:47 AM ET
A Sutter back in town. Think of the marketing possibilities! Where is McD?
- Rota's Rooter


HAHA right? You can just see McD drooling at the spin he could put on trading one of the all time Hawks players and fan favorite by saying "but look! His dad played for the Hawks during the 90s! How cool is that!" lol
Rota's Rooter
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2017

Dec 13 @ 11:57 AM ET
HAHA right? You can just see McD drooling at the spin he could put on trading one of the all time Hawks players and fan favorite by saying "but look! His dad played for the Hawks during the 90s! How cool is that!" lol
- Savetheembers33

They could bring back Darryl, Brent and Rich for "one last shift" collectively or individually. "That's gold Jerry, gold"!
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