Comments on: Hawktoberfest: Chicago defends the Cup, Month One

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:56:24 +0000

Thanks Al…as a footnote, John Scott had some pertinent and funny comments in his intermission interview on Comcast. “I’m not going to be going around anybody soon, but hopefully I can be a physical presence around the net and help create some chances.” Scott has it right in that respect…ugly goals are beautiful.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:49:28 +0000

Vito, thanks…IMHO it’s not easy for a team coming out of a summer of celebrations and public appearances and then have a packed schedule for their first month (with little time to practice) after a short training camp and huge roster turnover. But that’s how it is.

Hawks are Champions, and it’s a new challenge for all of them. November is a month where they must play disciplined, team hockey in order to keep pace in the Central.

The Blues seem to have a lot of momentum with Halak in goal and their kids emerging…the players seem to have confidence in Payne’s coaching and their own skill. They may be the toughest rival in the Hawks’ own Division right now, though as we have seen, no one in the Central can be taken lightly.

The four games through next weekend are all winnable. The Rangers are missing some key guys (Gaborik, Drury); the Devils (Volchenkov, Parise) as well; you know the Thrashers are going to be tough; and the Hawks must erase the embarassment next time the Oilers are in town Sunday.

Six out of eight points (2-0-2)would be a good result, and what they probably need to stay with/ahead of the pack.

Toews and Kane have looked better in the last few games, and hopefully they can continue that trend. Campbell coming back at some point would be a big plus.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:35:07 +0000

Thanks Fro…would be great to meet up in Toronto for that game.

By: vito

vito — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 03:20:04 +0000

DAVE, great post. I hope they can have that hunger again because they have not shown it yet. Even Toews has not and he has played really good but, Not the usual relentless style that he has always been.

By: Fro Dog

Fro Dog — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 01:19:29 +0000

Dave Morris, you are my hero.

About time I see a new article from you! Lady Fro and I still plan on to see the Blackhawks take on the Maple Leafs in March in Toronto. We have been wanting to go there for a few years now.

By: David Morris

David Morris — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 23:36:31 +0000

@LTC>you could be right about the additional pressure of the new contracts.

My sense is that Hjalmarsson’s difficulties might also have been due to him being separated from Campbell. They compliment each other perfectly. In any case Nik had a much better game against the Wild.

As Al has said in his previous column, the upcoming set of games starting in New York Monday night will show us if the Hawks are truly starting to pull things together team-wise.

They also have to start winning against Division rivals. Dropping one-goal games to DET, NSH, CLB, STL as they did, makes a major difference; and with the Central being even tighter, those contests are mission-critical.

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:50:49 +0000

Dave,

Very good summary…

As you pointed out it is easier for this young group to play a ‘simple’ game away from home.

Hopefully before too long they can play a solid brand of hockey in all three zones on home ice too.

By: Living the Cup

Living the Cup — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:32:37 +0000

Thanks Dave for the excellent re-cap thus far.

One factor that doesn’t get mentioned is how the big new contracts for Toews, Kane, Keith and Hammer may be hindering their early play as they trty too hard perhaps to live up to all that money coming their way.

We saqw Campbell struggle early on with his big contract, again trying to do too much. It’s a pattern that’s been played by many players.

As the young Hawk stars get used to their changed lives and expectations from all that cash I think they’ll be better than ever.