It’s Not Cute To Be A Loser Anymore

Maybe their fans will take offense but the Maple Leafs could be the NHL’s version of the Chicago Cubs. The Leafs have been far more successful in winning championships as they have captured 13 Stanley Cups since 1917. The Cubs haven’t won a World Series in over 100 years, so there are differences. But the Leaf fans remind me of the die hard Cub followers who continue to support their club no matter what. 

Supporters of the loveable losers on the north side of Chicago have changed somewhat in the last decade or so. Fans still fill Wrigley Field to capacity but now the losing is not as acceptable. Booing and obvious displays of fan displeasure are routine at the “friendly confines”, some players say it is a tough place to play because of the added pressure. 

As I watch on TV as the Leafs play at home, their fans are quick to show their unhappiness as well. The bar has been set higher in both places and losing is not as readily accepted and ignored….it isn’t cute any more to be the lovable losers. 

The Leafs have hired the person they feel can change their losing culture back to a winning tradition. General Manager Brian Burke will have a chance to be hero, but it remains to be seen how much time he will have to turn the Leafs into a Stanley Cup contender. 

Right now it appears he may have over estimated their talent. Burke considered his team a bona fide playoff contender before the season began, for now that opinion appears to be unrealistic. Time will tell if Burke is just a very good hockey administrator or if he can actually judge talent and build a winning franchise. 

The Maple Leafs will skate at the United Center without the services of defenseman Mike Komisarek who has a slight tear in a quadriceps muscle. Tonight will be the time for the Leafs original number one goal keeper Vesa Toskala to try to regain the net. He has had a tough season thus far and now finds himself only the starting goal keeper in theory as he has been out played by rookie Jonas Gustavsson. 

After a very bad start the Leafs are only treading water in their last ten games (3-3-4). It is not yet time for Toronto fans to abandon all hope  for a playoff birth.  But they are in need of an immediate turn around or otherwise the Leafs will be playing golf in April once again. 

The Hawks had their hands full again with the Colorado Avalanche. The Av’s and the Kings are both interesting young teams which can skate with the Hawks for much of the time. The Av’s like the Kings succumbed to the Hawks in the third period and were dominated in the last frame and in OT. Fortunately the post was Cristobal Huet’s friend and then the Hawks were able to win in a shootout. 

Huet played a very solid game for the most part but he still flirts with being the goat. The Colorado first goal was a bad one and if the Hawks would have lost Huet would have caught some sharp criticism once again. 

Cam Barker has appeared to be almost invisible on the ice in the last week or so, that is until he scored the game tying goal on Wednesday. It was a great effort by Barker and his top shelf shot was fantastic. Most defensemen don’ have that type of ability.  Barker needs to build off his sparkling effort and be more assertive. 

When the really good Hawks show up they are difficult to beat. Unfortunately 60 minute top efforts haven’t happened in every game. The Hawks are battling and dealing with key injuries so the results have been impressive. 

Tonight they need to be as desperate as the Leafs from the beginning of the game. With a win the Hawks will have to take their momentum into Sunday night. The Sharks could be the best team in hockey… but first things first. 

The season is still young but the Leafs are in survival mode. The Hawks must match Toronto’s intensity from the opening puck drop. 

Al’s Shots 

I have been writing Blackhawk blogs for a few years and although it is nice when readers agree with my opinions it isn’t most important. As long as I can express my views in a fashion which readers understand…mission accomplished. If readers see a different angle or are stimulated to think about a topic in another way then great, but I don’t really try to change anyone’s mind. 

That said, anyone who feels the Hawks should sacrifice Patrick Kane and try to trade him or not re-sign him is watching a different sport than I am. 

Kane is just starting to get really good. Only a lack of desire on his part or injuries can hold him back from being an elite talent. In the next couple of years Kane will get stronger and add another gear which will make him an even more potent scoring force. 

In the past Phil Kessel has played well against his old college adversary Jonathan Toews.

I want to see an up close view of the Leafs center Matt Stajan and defenseman Garnet Exelby.

Kris Versteeg is a very creative player with a lot of ability. He is still young but he doesn’t appear to be an NHL center. Too many plays stop with Versteeg and he often makes ill advised passes. It would be best for the Hawks to put him at wing with some skillful mates. 

Many fans want Marian Hossa to skate along side Kane. If I were coach Q. my choice would be to have Versteeg play with Hossa and Byfuglien. 

In my view Kane and Sharp should always be together and pairing them with Toews would work well…it has in the past. 

It appears Hossa should be back to face the Canucks on the November 22^nd or the Sharks on the 25^th.

Center Andrew Ebbett needs to step up and seize a great opportunity. 

Ebbett could center for Hossa and Versteeg while John Madden, Troy Brouwer and Andrew Ladd could be a potent checking line which can also score.

blackhawkswin@comcast.net