Ah-Ha Moment = Realization and Transformation
Al Cimaglia | Dec 20, 2010 | Comments 23
Throughout this season Joel Quenneville has mentioned the Blackhawks haven’t played with good pace. Jonathan Toews has also commented the team wasn’t playing fast enough.
Generally speaking, to play any sport at a fast and effective pace requires two elements. A high level of skill and great deal of know how. This would be especially true in a team game like hockey. See last year’s Cup winning team for an example of a group which had the skill level and experience to play at a fast pace.
Most who watch closely realize the 2010-2011 Blackhawks have many players who are still trying to find their place in the NHL. So the “know how” level is not as high. Certainly without the injured Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane the Hawks aren’t as skillful. Even with those two players in the lineup one could argue the finesse level of this squad is not as high as last season.
Some will say the wins versus the Red Wings and Kings are a turning point for the Hawks. I think it is more accurate to say this group hit a point of realization and transformation.
After watching this weekend’s games if you came away feeling like the Hawks play wasn’t as ‘pretty’ to watch….You would be correct, and that is great news.
Collectively the players and the coaching staff are on the same page. There are still flashes of speed and some pretty plays but the ‘Ah-Ha moment’ may have taken place. This team isn’t what they were but they still can be damn good.
The Blackhawks are now playing more of a north and south game. The pretty high cycles have been put in the closet. Goals have been scored through screens and the Hawks are actually crowding opposing goalies. One on one battles are being won and the Hawks defensive structure has been as tight as a drum.
Brian Campbell can still put on a skating exhibition from time to time. The Red Wings were mesmerized by Campbell, so much so Tomas Kopecky was given a layup.
Jack Skille looked like a goal scorer against the Wings. Although Skille didn’t dent the twine he did put himself in position to score. Skille wasn’t frantic and treating the puck like a hand grenade, he played with a purpose. Skille showed patience with the puck, looked to make plays and still was credited with nine shots.
Against the Kings Duncan Keith looked revitalized, his fast feet were moving and he was confident with the puck. Keith looked more like his old self.
Bryan Bickell knows his strength and it isn’t skating circles around anyone. Bickell has a great wrist shot and he uses it well. There is something to be said for finding open ice and releasing the puck quickly….See Brett Hull for an example. Bickell won’t be confused with the “Golden Brett” but he is on his way to having a nice NHL career.
Over the weekend Corey Crawford showed us the advantage of being a big goal keeper who is strong fundamentally. Nothing flashy from Crawford, just solid performances and that is all the Hawks need to be successful.
When it comes to hard work look no further than Toews. The captain is a treat to watch and leads by example. He has put this team on his back since the injuries to Hossa and Kane.
Queeneville is spreading out the minutes of his top four defensemen. He even trusted Nick Boynton and Jassen Cullimore a few times to play while the fourth line was on the ice against the Red Wings. It was scary to watch but Quenneville has everyone believing they have a job to do and that wins will come with a strong group effort.
I look forward to the return of Hossa and Kane. When they get back Quenneville will be able to distribute ice time more equally among his third and fourth line. There shouldn’t be as big of a drop off in play between the third and fourth line which will bode well for the Hawks.
Jordan Hendry has done his job and maybe he will get a chance at forward as well as on defense. John Scott has played more than he would have because of the injuries. Scott can win fights but doesn’t offer much else. The word has to be getting around the NHL, the longer a fight goes the worse for Scott. The trick for opponents is not to get destroyed in the first 15 seconds. With the addition of Ryan Johnson, the strong play from Fenando Pisani, Jake Dowell and others will mean Scott will soon be watching more than playing.
The key for the Hawks moving forward is if they can avoid trying to be something they are no longer capable of being. This group has to play an uglier game, or as Q. says, a harder game. The Hawks can be a versatile group. They should be able to win 2-1 as well as 6-5, but they can’t fall into their old ways when Hossa and Kane return.
Pretty plays are nice to watch but for the most part teams are successful because they crash the net and win one on one battles. See the Philadelphia Flyers for an example. The Hawks have to stay with their current brand of hockey. There is no need to change very much once Hossa and Kane return.
Let’s see if this weekend can be looked back upon as the time when the Hawks recognized what they aren’t and realized what they need to be.
Al’s Shots
The Hawks picked up two wins over the weekend versus difficult opponents and stayed out of the penalty box. The Hawks used their sticks correctly…They kept them down and weren’t guilty of clutching and grabbing.
As much as everything else not taking careless penalties illustrates the Hawks were focused and worked hard for sixty minutes each game. Their effort should be applauded.
Jeremy Morin
If I was a season ticket holder my preference would be to watch Morin play instead of Kopecky. But In the situation the Hawks are currently in Morin will probably have to wait until injuries or a trade happens to have a real opportunity of staying in Chicago.
His time to be a regular might not come this season. But the Hawks should allow Morin to play as needed and not worry about burning a year off his rookie contract. I don’t think the organization will keep Morin out of Chicago for that reason….But finances do matter.
The biggest issue for Morin, from a hockey standpoint, is the Hawks are somewhat of an inexperienced club. There are too many players like Morin, making similar errors.
From a financial standpoint, other players are on one-way contracts and must be paid the same salary even in Rockford. So money, in that regard does come into play.
Morin is young and talented, but there is only room for so many works in progress if the Hawks hope to qualify for post season play.
Ryan Johnson
The addition of Johnson probably also means Morin’s NHL future is on hold. With Johnson in the lineup the Hawks have filled a couple of needs.
Johnson is an experienced player and a good defensive center. He can block shots, win faceoffs and the penalty killing unit should be better with Johnson.
The only reason Johnson wasn’t signed with another NHL team this summer is because he broke both feet last season. If he can stay healthy the Hawks have found a very good value.
Everything I have heard points to Johnson being part of the club when Hossa and Kane are healthy. He signed here to be a Blackhawk and there is little chance he won’t be staying in Chicago for the rest of the season.
Filed Under: Al Cimaglia • Chicago Blackhawks • Featured • NHL
Bryan Bickell is an absolute steal at $542K/year for three years. His 9 goals this season (so far) is about what you’d expect from that type of contract for a full season.
The other player who has been reaping benefits from the Hawks’ changes is Troy Brouwer. He’s taking the body a lot more, and he has simplified his offensive game, which has resulted in more scoring (garbage goals vs. Calgary and Colorado notwithstanding).
I’m pretty sure the general idea with Scott all along was to have him handy for games when another team would dress a heavyweight. Injuries have forced QStache’s hand. Once Kane and/or Hossa return, I think you’ll see Scott back in the press box.
Agree on Bickell for sure.. Bowman has a bunch of players he was able to sign for near the minimum and have been very good…
Pisani and Dowell too…plus I think Johnson will be a good value also.
All succesful teams need to find cheap surprises in the salary cap era.
Al, as always, an insightful view.
To underline your point about efficiency over flashiness…the Blackhawks have been constructed in the past few years to be an ‘entertaining’ team to watch. One might even say that ‘Blackhawks Hockey’ has promoted a flashy style since the early 60s (even if some fans only remember the recent difficult years).
Making the transition from flashiness to efficiency is difficult. We have seen teams try to change their styles, and come up short.
It’s to the credit of Chicago’s coaching staff and players that they have finally understood exactly what they need to do to remain competitive in a year which is, in itself, a transition.
The talent level being less than it was, the outcome of contests hinges on execution and the ability to adjust game-to-game, even shift-to-shift.
Looking around the NHL, one can see why. Not only can a team get the jump on an opponent early, but leads aren’t safe, depending on the quality of execution and in-game adjustment. Teams can go on win streaks and losing streaks one right after the other. There seems to be no reliable way of predicting a game’s outcome.
Those who insist on a bleak forecast for the Hawks, are forgetting anything is possible. Those who expect dominant performances from this year’s team will be disappointed.
As you say, reality. and the challenge, for the Hawks, is finding the balance.
Every player has a role and they need to play it to the maximum, within their ability, and within the structure defined by the coaching staff.
The Blackhawks have just shown themselves they can beat two of the NHL’s top teams by playing within that structure, with purpose and focus.
The trick will be to maintain that level.
So good to see Keith rebounding – hopefully we won’t see a regression.
Not only will it be interesting to see if the Hawks continue with their transformed selves when Kane and Hossa return but also where everyone will play when they’re back.
If Johnson plays centre that leaves either Bolland or Dowell to centre Hossa (and Sharp?) and the other to centre Bickell and Pisani.
The 4th line could be Kopecky Johnson and Skille/Stalberg.
Not bad, particularly if they continue to play like they have the last two.
I noticed Q had the Scott line out there with Culli/Boynton in the 3rd in a 1 goal game – that’s playing with fire and it looked like a fire drill in the D zone.
I don’t think I would show that much confidence in them – Q would have looked pretty silly if the Kings had tied it there.
I caught the Hogs game in Rockford Saturday. While it was a bad game overall (looking fatigued playing their third game in four days), there’s really no one there that really stood out as game changers.
My quick impressions:
Morin is clearly a step above other offensive forwards.
Makarov (and to a lesser extend Brophy) are the onely ones who seemed to be finishing checks and hitting people. (Seemingly plenty of people ready throw punches though).
Vishnevskiy was the only defenseman really generating any offense. Defensively, none of the defensemen stood out any better than Cullimore/Boynton would be…
Beach – the reports are true. Stupid penalty city. Throwing an opposing player during an Ice Hog power play? Stupid.
Good report and no surprises.
Beach is still very young but one has to wonder how long they will show patience with him…
Al, to add to your comment about the return of Hossa, Kane and Stalberg allowing Q to roll four lines…
It may be too early to make a conclusive statement, but adding Ryan Johnson could be one of the ‘missing pieces’ the Hawks needed. A veteran guy, faceoff man and defensive specialist (and apparently expert at shot blocking), and at a bargain price.
It also doesn’t hurt that Johnson knows the Canucks extremely well…especially if these two meet again in the playoffs.
With two BIG Divisional games on tap, the Hawks have a major opportunity. Having veteran presence and sound defensive play up front, could be the difference as each upcoming game matters more and more.
I also agree with you re: Skille. He’s starting to look like he knows what he should do and when to do it. Some people forget this is his first full NHL season; being a first round pick isn’t a guarantee of instant success…just ask Dan Cleary.
I agree on Johnson…Also the Canucks, Wings and SJ are all good at the dot.
PS Sassone reports Morin to WJC Dec 26-Jan 5:
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101220/sports/712219825/
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by NHL Toronto War Room, Red Wings News Feed. Red Wings News Feed said: #RedWings Ah-Ha Moment = Realization and Transformation: Throughout this season Joel… http://19FTW.in/BnM30 via @HockeyIndie Red Wings [...]
Hey Al,
Nice work on the Blog, although once I read the phrase “Ah-hah moment.” I had 80′s flashbacks and my world became pencil scribblings and bad synthesizer music…
I know it’s two games and small sample size but in addition to Ryan Johnson, doesn’t the switch of Sharp back to wing have something to do with this turn in play? We now have 4 strong defensive centers on the roster. And while Sharp kills penalties quite well, there’s a reason he’s on the donkey side of the +/- battle despite leading the league in goals. I think it will be interesting to see who Q sits if/when the Hawks return to full strength. Might be Stalberg. Personally I’d like to see Hendry moved back to D and have Nick Boynton sit. But we all now how that Stones classic goes…
Hey..
I think Stalberg was close to finding a seat before he got hurt.
Playing center is much different than wing…Sharp deosn’t complain but he prefers being a winger.
With Johnson being a good defensive center…Q. has more options.
Bowman said in an interview last week…They want to move Sharp back to wing.
I believe that one.
As far as Hendry…we will see…The first addition by trade would likely be a dman.
If they are going to move Sharp back to wing permanently, they really need a second line center. I just don’t see it from Bolland and I don’t think Kopy is that guy either. As much as they’d like to move Sharp from center, they’re best bet really is to pair Sharp with Kane because Kane will take a lot of that centering responsibility off Sharp. The only question is who is paired with Toews then, because that Brouwer, Sharp, Toews line has looked awfully good the last week.
Qstache – I’d try this
Brouwer – Toews – Kane
Sharp – Bolland – Hossa
I think you gotta try Bolland there first, if it doesn’t work try Dowell, if that fails, Kopecky. If that’s 3 strikes then either move Sharp back to centre or make a trade.
What would be best is if Bolland can be effective between Sharpie and Hossa (I mean can it really be that hard?!) and Dowell takes up as the checking centre.
I put the odds of both of those happening at 40/60 against but it’s worth a try – it’s not that much of a longshot IMO and if it works that would be a team to reckon with, particularly with an upgrade on the 3rd D pair closer to the deadline.
I like Sharp with Kane too.
Hossa and Kane still out for the Preds game.
Whether it’s Sharp and Kane or Sharp and Hossa if as Bowman said they want to move Sharp back to wing who will centre Sharp and Kane/Hossa?
Maybe they simply wait and make a trade when the time is right but I think they’ll try someone else, Bolland, Dowell etc. first.
Per Jahns, other CHI beat writers, Stalberg still out, lineup vs Preds s/a Sunday; Kane, Hossa indefinite:
*adamjahns Adam JahnNo
Same lineup for #Blackhawks tonight: 22-19-10, 29-36-15, 82-28-20, 32-17-6 …
1 hour ago*
There is absolutely no reason to play anyone in this game if they aren’t close to 100%…
The extra four days off can’t hurt.
Al, your line about John Scott is an instant classic:
“The trick for opponents is not to get destroyed in the first 15 seconds.”
That’s a tall order ;-)
If the Hawks win tonight in regulation they will leapfrog over the Preds in the standings but it is never easy against Nsh.
It looks at this point Q prefers Scott’s 5 min. and Hendry’s 8 min. to whatever Stalberg can bring.
That should be a wake up call to Stalberg!
It is also difficulf for Q. to change the lineup after two very good efforts. When Kane and Hossa get back there will be a new 4th line.
Stalberg wasn’t playing great before he got hurt….
Watching tonight and resting for another 4 days won’t hurt him.
Al, three good efforts and a real sense of progress…a great Christmas present for the Hawks and their fans.
Thanks for your quality work, and all the best to you and our fellow readers for the Holidays.
Thanks Dave…
I wll have a blog out later this afternoon.