A Must Win and The Need For Change
Al Cimaglia | Feb 09, 2011 | Comments 42
The Blackhawks should forget about trying to muster up any more desperation, if it isn’t there already it’s not coming. With a loss tonight in Edmonton the Hawks will put themselves into a cavern.
Readers are probably are getting tired of the same points rehashed, but there isn’t a reason to deviate. My thoughts have been consistent and unfortunately remain the same.
Non playoff teams get outplayed in the third period.
Non playoff teams can not play three consistent periods.
Non playoff teams have trouble scoring at even strength.
Non playoff teams always seem to be burdened by poor officiating.
Non playoff teams are divided and not united in one cause.
Non playoff teams often have players which are miscast, seemingly trying to be something they are not.
Non playoff teams don’t receive top performance often enough from their best players.
Non playoff teams have head coaches which constantly scramble for options.
As much as it is painful to admit the Blackhawks have gone through much of this season as if they are not going to be a playoff participant. As of now, the Hawks would have to play at about a .600 pace to reach 94 points. That’s the average amount of points which should be needed to qualify for a post season berth.
I took part in a podcast last night with the boys from Third Man In.com. Chris Block stated he thought the Hawks realistically could go 16-9-4 to reach 89 points, which probably wouldn’t be good enough to obtain a playoff slot. I said they probably won’t reach 94 points without the addition of a new player or two. The Hawks’ schedule is loaded with Western Conference foes and a few tough clubs from the East which are battling for playoff position as well.
If the Hawks were firing on all cylinders they could play at the required pace to get to around 94 points. Objectively speaking the Blackhawks have not shown the ability to play at a consistently high level.
There are many reasons, but now it is a question of…….What can be done? (See Al’s Shots)
Yesterday, Joel Quenneville thought it best to put his troops through an exhausting practice in the middle of a long road trip in the latter stages of the season. Quenneville’s action fall under the heading of scrambling for options, the grueling practice might make a difference. Regardless it is a desperate move.
I don’t have stats to support my next statement so you will have to take my word on it.
For every bag skate or long intense puck drill practice which takes place, at least half the time they don’t matter in the long haul. They do often provide a jolt for a really good team that has been dogging it. But it wouldn’t be silly to say the last time we saw a really good Hawks’ team they were in Philadelphia skating with the Stanley Cup.
The Hawk should come out and pour it on in Edmonton. They have dominated the Oilers on the stat sheet but not always on the scoreboard. If the Hawks run into a hot goal keeper or fail to stick with the correct game plan for sixty minutes the Oilers could succeed. If that were to happen the chances of winning the following two games in Dallas and Phoenix wouldn’t be good.
The Hawks have the talent but they need a spark. Tonight, maybe for the last time I will give Quenneville’s crew the benefit of the doubt. The Hawks should head to Dallas with a win under their belt, but Stan Bowman still needs to shuffle the deck soon.
Al’s Shots
This is not a rumor but my speculation.
My feeling is GM Bowman can’t wait too much longer to make a meaningful acquisition. So the Hawks need to find a team willing to sell now, not in 19 days.
As much as Kris Versteeg was criticized for careless play when he was in Chicago, overall he was still an effective third line player. That is the key, Versteeg doesn’t need to be a top six forward here to help the cause.
As I try to figure out a meaningful player which is in reach for Bowman, Versteeg entered my mind. I do believe the trade rumblings, Versteeg is probably available.
Bowman helped Brian Burke out when he needed a second round draft pick awhile ago to acquire Phil Kessel.
Maybe Burke would like to have the same second round draft pick back.
The Hawks could send the second round pick and Jack Skille to Toronto for Versteeg. Maybe Burke would also take another player to open up some additional cap space for Bowman and the Hawks could throw in a mid round draft pick.
Before anyone dismisses the possibility….Versteeg could play on the third line with Bolland and Pisani, while Bickell drops to the fourth line where he probably belongs. Burke would save a lot of cap space for next season and would be back in action for this summer’s draft.
The Hawks offense should get better. Plus Versteeg proved he could play on a checking line in last year’s playoffs. He also could help out on the Hawks’ penalty killing unit.
Versteeg was one of a few in Kane’s posse that were traded over the summer.
Maybe it makes sense to try to recapture some of the chemistry and bring back one of the old gang.
Possibly Burke will accommodate Bowman this time around and allow the Hawks to make a meaningful deal.
Versteeg would be a $3 million cap hit for next season. But let’s worry about today, October is a long way off. If the playoffs are a must the Hawks are in a desperate state.
Now that the Zach Bogosian trade rumors have made the rounds around the internet, I have a couple of more.
The Blue Jackets are only one point behind the Hawks in standings but I hear they are willing to part with RJ Umberger.
Also I’m hearing Ottawa’s Chris Phillips would ok a deal to join the Boston Bruins.
Another factor in the trade log jam is that many players have no movement or no trade clauses.
Today the job for GM’s is more difficult. But in many ways they only have themselves to blame.
Versteeg doesn’t have a no movement clause as is also the case with Steve Montador and Brent Sopel.
Filed Under: Al Cimaglia • Chicago Blackhawks • Featured • Featured Rumors • NHL
Steeger wouldnt be a bad choice to come back. But, the Hawks would have to clear more payroll than just Skille to fit him in this season I believe.
Versteeg would cost aproximately $1 mill in cap space …they have close to that on a pro rated basis….if cap geek is correct.
You might be conflating two columns on capgeek. On a pro-rated basis they only have $350K. The $1mil on Max Cap Hit column is the full year’s salary the Hawks could absorb now.
If that is the case Bowman would have to to trade two more players… Myabe its; 2 or 3 for 1 and some picks….
That is basically the spot Bowman is in because they are at the 50 man limit also…So he can’t trade only draft picks.
If Leddy was sent down… he is about $1.1 in cap space…
The money would work though if you did Skille and Kopecky for Versteeg. That works for me!
As far as getting the band back together goes, could the Hawks acquire both Versteeg and Sopel? My thinking is that they have to move a few people (Skille, Scott, Johnson and maybe Hendry) and cut a few others (Boynton – send Leddy down), but that it could be done. Unlikely though…
Think you were right when you said this team has a good chance not to make the playoffs several weeks ago.
I feel like a bigger piece needs to go if they want to win now.
That not looking like it’s the case it appears the Hawks will dance with who they brung and look to address roster concerns in the off season. Which in terms of guys they need to negotiate new deals with may be best.
Hockey Buzz / Cap Geek have roughly 15mil available for next fall. Meaning 15 million do dish out to 12 players…
If you want to get liberal and assume it is closer to 20 and Seabs is resigned for 5. That leaves 11 players, 15 million, 0 Goal tenders and a real big headache.
Also, I think they may have issues getting enough value for whatever they are trying to move. That may be a huge issue especially regarding RFA’s. They may be content with hording draft picks again…
Don’t forget the cap is going up by maybe $3 mill…and much of the $4 mill in bonuses paid out yr. won’t be an issue next season.
The Hawks started out in a $4 million hole this year.
They aren’t in great shape but they will be better off than this season.
Also …What bigger piece can be traded now?
That is kind of my point. Moving a 4th liner who isn’t killing the team anyways doesn’t send much of a message.
The team as a whole looks pretty abysmal aside from 3 or 4 guys night in and out.
Only one they could move now is Sharp or Seabrook, neither would be a good option.
There has been talk of moving Kane but that is kind of silly.
Hossa and Campbell are immovable because of years/dollars/age.
Bolland only makes 3.37/per so its not as grotesque. He also has had back issues and cant win a face off.
I just see them re-evaluating when the year ends because there are few viable options now.
Al, excellent article as always.
We have talked about what Bowman might need to do if the Hawks go into a skid…well, the Hawks ARE in a skid. Losing four of five games, and looking lousy winning in Columbus and losing in Calgary, and frankly, not that great in Vancouver despite the talk about ‘better effort’.
The Oilers, young and hungry, can eat the Hawks for dinner tonight if CHI doesn’t get Q’s wake up call.
As far as I am concerned, Quenneville’s move is not one of desperation…it’s basic hockey coaching 101. Play like stiffs, bag skate like stiffs. And he should keep doing it until the message gets through.
I am not in favor of bringing back either Versteeg or Sopel for two reasons.
One, neither of these players will fix what ails the Blackhawks this year. Two, trading away future assets for them as a short term solution is IMHO a waste.
Bowman may not find an impact player, or even a utility player, worth the price before the Trade Deadline, but that doesn’t stop him from shipping someone out to send another message: no job is safe.
Send someone packing, and bring up a hungry Hog. Or two. Or three.
Get some kids who will be proud to wear the Indian Head and play like it.
Because right now, there isn’t enough hunger and pride in the team called the Chicago Blackhawks.
I get your point…
But if they don’t add a significant player….they probably won’t play .600 hockey…
Maybe thoughts and plans will focus on 2011-2012…But I think Bowman will do something…IF HE CAN.
Dave, I agree about not sending picks/prospects out at this point for something that probably isn’t going to make a difference this season.
As a fan, (some may look down on me for this) I’ve packed it in this season and now thinking about the summer and next season. I probably did that a few weeks ago.
Again, this is probably me not thinking about the business side of the NHL and the importance of making the playoffs (business wise) but I’m not a business guy, I’m just a fan
I dunno guys, I like Al’s idea myself. It will serve two purposes IMO. Restore some of of the missing grit, and arguably leadership to the room. Sopel will immediately improve the PK and Versteeg will help there too. It may also bring back some of the binding twine that kept these guys so tight last year, namely add some chemistry. Is it likely to make a difference, who can say. It will shake things up though, and these somnambulists certainly need that.
With he addition of Lupul today—a right hand shot and winger—it is now almost a certainty that Versteeg will be on the move. Versteeg for Skille is a no-brainer and the ‘hawks have three second round picks this year so no big deal to give up one of them.
Leafs trade with Ducks.Check it out,trade francois Beau. for Jeffery Lopel Jake Gardiner and 4th round pick in 2013.
Thanks Don…
I don’t think the Leafs are done and they picked up another forward….
Al,
Spot on as usual. We either win tonight or the party would appear to be over.
I beleive the marketing department is currently missing a golden oportunity with the way the team is currently playing. They need to partner up with the dairy association and put the missing Hawk players on a milk carton after each game. And I am not talking about our 3rd/4th line player. They have not been put in a position to succeed this season and can be excused to an extent for a lack of production. Our CORE PLAYERS need to start showing up every night.
Al, with the trade turnstile starting, a few things to ponder:
>Beauchemin to ANA solidifies their playoff aspirations.
>SJS is playing better hockey since Doug Wilson sent the wake-up call and brought in Bulldozer Benny Eager.
>Both those teams getting better is not good news for CHI.
>Re: trade possibilities, Buffalo is still in the playoff mix so don’t expect that a guy like Steve Montador will be available.
>Those team who have players to sell, are reportedly asking ‘through the roof’ prices.
I have my doubts Stan can find that player or players the Hawks need, but one never knows.
Maybe the Isles send Konopka to CHI for Hannu Toivonen and some prospects, as the Isles literally have no goalies left due to injury.
Apart from that, and the now infamous Bogosian rumor, not much is coming up on the radar screen…
Hannu has 0 trade value. He’s not a present stop gap NHL goal tender and no spring chicken to be a goalie of the future. Then again, still more valuable than DiPietro…
Shreuw, right now the Isles apparently don’t even have a cardboard cutout to put between the pipes.
…and a deal for Konopka, if there is one, is worth a prospect or two at most. Toivonen is BTW, an experienced NHL netminder in his past stints with STL and BOS, so he could, in principle, fill the gap in NYI as a backup and occasional starter. And not saying this deal is even possible.
As a footnote, CSN’s Tracey Myers among other Hawk reporters noted both Toews and Hossa were absent from the morning skate. These two are playing injured, but forget about finding out what the injuries are…
Yeah, I’m with the sentiment. Just that, if they Hawks move Hannu, they would have to find another journeymen goaltender to back up in the AHL. Something the Islanders can just do for themselves. Hannu does have experience (61 games), but it’s shown what he can do (3.37 GAA and .890)…
Very interesting read Al.
I’d love to have Versteeg back for all the reasons you mentioned plus he WANTS to have an impact on the game.
Guys like Skille, Stalberg, Bickell seem too happy just to be in the NHL. Maybe it’s too much to expect them to be anything more but I don’t think so. These guys don’t seem to have a sense for the dramatic moment – a big play at a crucial time.
Versteeg despite his faults has that in spades.
It’d be tricky but do-able to fit his cap hit in. His cap hit is $3M. As per capgeek the Hawks have $1M banked. Even if you send the Leafs Skille and Hendry say that’s still only $2M in cap space roughly opened up.
You’d also need to either send Leddy down or dispose of Scott (yeah!!) and Johnson from the roster.
Bringing back one of the old gang could be just the spark and help the chemistry which clearly is not there. It’s shocking that the CORE doesn’t seem to have any chemistry as a group. Were Buff, Steeger, Ladd, Sopel, Burish, Eager and Madden the only guys who provided that?
I like that Keith is FINALLY showing some leadership and put his ass on the line by calling out teammates publicly. Of course if he doesn’t show up to play tonight then it’s not leadership it’s just bitching. We’ll see how he plays tonight.
If Hossa is so injured either take him out to heal or put him on the checking line because that’s all he’s doing right now. If he’s not that injured someone needs to call him out immediately.
Win or lose tonight they need a change very soon – as you say before the deadline. With this group waiting to the end of Feb. will be too late IMO.
LTC,
+1 … couldn’t agree more. See my post above.
Something will be done, just not sure when. I don’t believe management will stand by and watch the season get flushed. There’s too much at stake here. Whether or not it is sooner rather than later will depend on the next four days and three games I think.
LTC, DJD> Versteeg is still the player you knew in CHI…and if Burke is trading him to CHI, he probably wants a high round pick.
Are you (as virtual GMs) ready to give that up?
Even assuming Bowman could find a way to clear sufficient space, Versteeg probably won’t turn this season around for the team…the problems start with poor defensive support by the forwards, ie forecheck, backcheck and gap control…not something KV is famous for.
So even if KV comes in, how does that make everybody else suddenly more defensively responsible?
I would make the trade…
The Hawks would still be left with 2 second rounders and 2 third rounders. The way the Hawks are going their own 2nd round pick will be better than the one they are trading.(Calgary’s)
Plus… if and only if I could get Burke to help open up another roster spot or two.
Exactly Al, take Skille off our hands and toss in the 2nd rounder. The time is now. Management has to show the faithful they’re making an attempt at the very least. Clearly this team isn’t good enough.
On a side note, Dave, Burke has a propensity for bringing players back into his fold. He tried with the Sedins and has Giguere, had Beauchemin and Brad May. So Francois didn’t pan out, what does he do, gets Joffrey Lupul whom he had in Anaheim.
IMO, Versteeg has more character and grit than Skille, Stalberg and Bickell combined and a return would be seamless. (BTW, Dave, I see Versteeg play as much as you, and he’s not happy in TO, I agree. But his play has been less spectacular and less error prone this year, IMO.)
Ken, when the season is “flushed” I think that’s exactly what they’ll do. Right now though there’s still a good chance to make the dance. I’m a fighter, so I’d do what I could to realize that.
Just don’t see “getting the gang back together” or pieces therof. Never relly works out (except for maybe the Blues Brothers). If you think the season is flushed, let those you project as “future” top players gain the experience in a playoff type atmosphere (every game counts) and then evaluate for the offseason. Again, this is dependent on the outcome of tonigts game. If we lose – bye-bye playoffs/
Hi Al.
You look fabulous today. ( Just trying a different compliment as ” Great post as usual” seems to have been taken.)
I think the bigger question that needs to be answered is how are the Seabrook extension talks going. I don’t think anyone wants to let this get to the Summer where the Defense needy Sharks or the Hometown Canucks can throw an offer sheet at #7. Because those first round picks compensations will be late 20′s or 30′s – basically high second round picks. And that would be much worse than if Stan were to trade him for whatever the Oiler rumor is…..Brayden Schenn from L.A…..or whatever you can get for him at the deadline now. Right? Right?
As Always I light a candle and wait for AL-ah to provide the answers…
Adam
Hey Adam…
My short answer for Seabrook is the Hawks can’t replace him…
If an offer sheet come at them for over 6 mill this summer… they can take the 2 first rounders…a second and a third round drfat pick as compensation.
If Vancouver can piece together the compensation they could come at their hoemtown boy..
The Nucks have 2 or three dmen that have expiring contracts and could have the cap space.
In my view there is only one dman out there about the same age and size as Seabrook who is better…Shea Weber.
Seabrook could be a solid top pair dman for the next 10 yrs….Probably should find a way to keep him.
The reason the talks are taking a long time is probably cuz Weber hasn’t signed and the issue is also term. I believe Seabrook would be eligible for free agency the year following next.
Al, agree with you 110% re Seabrook…including the comparison to Shea Weber.
If the Hawks could get a big young guy for the 3rd pair (ie Olsen), bring him along (as teams like PIT, NSH and WSH do) the Hawks’ D will just get stronger.
I also agree with your earlier thought that Hjammer will be used this summer to acquire the big centerman the Hawks need.
Agreed Al, you keep him unless the return in a trade significantly improves other areas of the club that need to be shored up.
But it also has so much to do with money going forward. They just can’t afford to add another $5.0M to the salaries of their defence corps.
Heard Scotty interviewed today and he spoke of how the $ total remuneration to Kane, Keith and Toews this year vs last year had made it so much more difficult. Without specifically mentioning the Blackhawks, he predicted there would be a lot of trading activity in the NHL before the deadline.
Maybe I am missing something but 5m for Seabrook is not out of line and according to capgeek the Hawks have 8m+ of cap space for next season pending other moves of course.
Additionally, one has to assume that the cap will continue to go up providing additional relief to all teams including the Hawks
Just heard the Blackhawks are involved in a trade with Panthers on the Bluejackets broadcast. Waiting for the commercial to end so they can fill in the blanks. Frolik and a goaltender for Skille and two AHlers. I can’t type fast enough to get their names.
added 8:47pm, via Pierre LeBrun tweet,
Hawks trade Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan to Panthers for Michal Frolik and Alexander Fralak
IMO the goalie is Alexander SALAK…if that’s who it is, this kid is good, at least was in the games I watched. Tallon had a logjam with goalie prospects because he has Markstrom behind Vokoun and Clemmensen.
Good move by Stan. What’s up with acquiring another goalie?
Frolik is the centre in the equation, now what about some help with the D.
Salak’s scouting report here:
http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?4453
Currently playing in Europe.
Stats playing in two games in FLA not stellar, but I remember he was better than team in front of him. Numbers in Rochester in ’09-10:
Rochester AHL 48 29 14 – 0 2557 1 123 1368 2.89 .910
Al,
I agree with Keith that the biggest problem the Hawks’ have is lack of net presence, forechecking, traffic, intelligent physical play by the forwards in the offensive zone.
Please note I said biggest problem not the only one.
Here are the changes/improvements we would see if they could get the offensive zone figured out.
1) More time/space for three of the best puck possesion forwards in the NHL today (Toews, Kane and Hossa). Too often this year, Hawks offensive zone hockey has 4 guys waiting for a pass instead of getting open or getting to the net to create space or lanes.
2) Hawks opponents leave the zone very easily this year compared to last. My opinion is that they seem to understand the forecheck well enough although the constant line juggling can’t help the cohesiveness of the effort. What does lack is the ferocity necessary to force turnovers.
3) More time in the offensive zone equals less time in the defensive zone or defending the attack through the neutral. A better forecheck/offensive zone game plan would have a downsteam positive effect on third period performance. Less stress on the dmen/backckecking/goaltenders etc. would leave a little more in the tank when you need a little more to hold off a desperate team.
So, why don’t the “role playing” forwards get it or do it consistently. Well perhaps they just have the wrong guys or they don’t have a veteran, grindy and skilled winger to show the young guys the way. When I say show the way, I mean show the guys that the willingness to work hard, forecheck relentlessly, create space, draw penalties instead of take them is a SKILL. A valuable one.
A couple of weeks ago I began to wonder why the Coaching Staff can’t get through to the Winger Corp.
Here is where specualtion begins. Q, Haviland, Kitch all former defensemen. Q runs the show and Havi runs the D and the PK, again, apparently. What does Kitch do? Most staffs try to cobble together some different areas of expertise.
Last year, Torch handled the PP and I assumed at the time a lot of the in game forward “structure”. Torch seemed to be communicating with the top 12 quite frequently based on what I saw last year. I see much less communication from the staff to the forwards in-game this year.
I don’t think the staff is getting what they can out of forwards 5-12.
Agree with most of what you stated.
The Hawks will have cap room to pay Seabrook up to 6 mill….My guess is Hammer will be traded in summer.
I think as much as anything else it is a question of young guys trying to be 4th liners when they weren’t in the past.
Torch did the PP for the past two years which wasn’t as good as this season..
Assistant coaches don’t speak to the media except on TV between periods….Hard to know exact responsibilities.
FYI,
TSN reporting Skille for Panthers’ Frolik. Other players involved but those are the major parties.
late to DM. my bad