You Go To Your Room & Think About What You’ve Done Blackhawks
Tyler J. Cameron | Mar 11, 2013 | Comments 13
Bring you’re green hat, we’re going streaking! We all know the Blackhawks are on a whopping 2 game losing streak. The media and mostly my friends whom I haven’t heard from in 2 months make sure I’m aware of this fact. To the hockey fan that’s been popping in visiting like they’re an out of town relative, they might not see what the avid fan sees during and post-winning streak.
The weaknesses are frightening because they’re so reminiscent of the past two years; awful special teams, a what-not-to-do-in-your-own-end training DVD and *curse word* Goalie A and/or B.
It would have been remarkable to see that these bad habits disappeared like Tyler Arnason’s career. It was however, pretty incredible that they were able to put it together for a 24 game span.
It was inevitable that teams were going to get better as they found their legs. Sure, people will be talking about that streak for years and don’t get me wrong the Hawks looked really… really good at times. BUT, schtuff just got real and this will be the test that defines their season.
There is pressure on the players to continue to show the hockey world that they are that good. I think the real pressure is going to be on Coach Q and his sidekicks though. The PP is looking mediocre to bad. The PK is still 6th in the league, but continues to slide and 24th at home. Gross.
Quenneville has impressed me with this slightly changed way in terms of ice time distribution and preparation of his troops. Now, one would think that the messaging on a game-by-game basis should vary but I fail to see this logic with this team at times. The community of Hawks message-boarders have criticized Assistant Coaches Mike Kitchen and Jamie Kompon and these special teams slumps aren’t doing them any favours. It would be nice to see these special units adapt to specific opponents. It appears (…from my couch) that over the last couple of years banging your head against a wall would have been a more productive activity than watch the Hawks try to figure it out.
Going into the last game vs. a skilled Edmonton team, my common sense would have told me that the penalty kill would have been relentless in their efforts. This was not the case. They were slow to pucks and looked about as tentative as the Grade 9 version of myself in English class.
The Powerplay looked really sharp early on in the season. It was evident that there was a commitment to improving this area. There was a ton of movement with both units and they were giving teams fits. Now, we’re back to watching a struggling entry into the zone and a mitt-full of shots into shin pads.
The goaltending has been scary in the last couple of games. I still wasn’t buying into the Crawford/Emery love. The problem is, Bowman isn’t in a position to be bold leading into this trade deadline. In all honesty, it would have been better to be worse. Then Bowman could swing the deal for that goalie that doesn’t exist and set this team up for the future. Instead, you can expect a trade for a role player for a prospect/pick type deal in a few weeks. Then next year, “Hello Corey Crawford/Henrik Karlsson” combo.
We’ll see if Bowman can surprise and improve this team and set them up for a long playoff run. However, keep an eye out for a move sooner than later. I can see him acting before the deadline on April 3rd as I feel he may sweat more than Patrick Ewing under pressure.
Ty’s Tidbits
~ Bowman has put Steve Montador on waivers. His concussion struggles have been well documented and I don’t think any team takes a chance on him. So, when he arrives in Rockford that is another addition to the list of questionable Bowman moves. He may be under the gun to prove his worth this deadline!
~ Speaking of trades… just for fun:
My surprise Stan Bowman trade: CHI trades Nick Leddy, Victor Stalberg & Brandon Pirri for BUF Steve Ott, Robin Regehr & Luke Adam
Buffalo needs a shakeup in the worst way and although Ott might not be available, Regehr is in his last year and Adam may have fallen out of favour with management. The loss of Leddy and Stalberg would be big but both are RFAs and will be looking for raises. The Hawks would get a world of grit with this trade but sacrificing speed and offence.
My “yep, that’s what I expected” Stan Bowman trade: CHI trades 3rd round draft pick & Kyle Beach for FLA Jared Smithson.
The Bowman special would be going back to who he knows best; Tallon would be one of those guys. While Smithson would be a nice add, I’m not sure it’ll be enough to make that push for the Cup. Note, Tallon takes a flyer on Beach who’s a RFA after this season.
~ Finally, yours truly has been struggling not being able to play hockey due to a knee injury. However, I channeled my inner-Q and coached my rec team to our first win in years. Congrats you beauties! This picture is why I love this crazy game:
Ty Cam out!
(@tycam)
Filed Under: Chicago Blackhawks
Love the Tyler Arnason reference. Just what did happen that faithful night in Columbus?
Sweet team picture there, Coach T.
I remember reading Theo Fluery’s book and there was a story about him, Arnason and another player at a strip club.
Is that the “night in Columbus” you’re talking about?
Phil Housley if I recall. He got in the most trouble because he was supposed to be the responsible veteran.
That was the night of his downfall. Theo Fleury was a bad idea from the start in Chicago.
Thank bud – I really REALLY wanted to be on the ice but was the win was still satisfying being the builder/coach of the team.
Good write up Ty.
As for the Bowman/Montador thing – I don’t think this situation puts Bowman under the gun. If anything, Montador being able to come back healthy gives Bowman an 8th defenseman with NHL experience, and thus gives Bowman a surplus. In short, Bowman doesn’t have to trade for more defensive depth. I think Montador finishes out the season in Rockford and ends up being a “Black Ace” come playoff time. That’s if he can remain healthy.
However, Bowman may be under the gun as to deadline deals.
I believe that the teams two biggest needs are a center that can win faceoffs who can play on the lower lines, and another winger with size and truculence. Preferably with the latter of the two, it would be someone who can skate with Hossa & Toews, thus relegating Saad to a 4th line/bench role.
Nothing against Saad, but when it comes playoff time, the Hawks need experience. If you look at the role Seguin played in Boston during their cup win, that’s where Saad needs to be. Or what the Devils did with Larsson last year in the playoffs.
Also, I don’t advocate in trading anyone on the roster at this point. I’d rather give up picks and/or prospects for upgrades at the deadline. With the cap reduction this summer, this may be the only legitimate shot the Hawks have for a Cup in the next year or two. I have a feeling next season will be a “re-tooling” season.
I hear you with Montador but the length, term and NTC Bowman gave him… no traded a pick for his rights because he was so anxious leaves him with a little bit of egg on his face. I don’t mind him and could become valuable like you said during playoff time. He would have to enter waivers again to come back up so hopefully he doesn’t light it up in Rockford. ha.
Also, agree with you on Saad. I have been impressed happy he hasn’t been too much of a liability defensively but the wear and tear of the season + playoffs might be a little much for him. Heck, he looked pretty gassed vs. Edmonton and was making some real bad decisions from what I watched.
I don’t feel like trading off the roster is the most ideal, I just don’t see the space to improve unless someone is shipped out. I truly believe Stalberg could get decent bucks as a top 6 somewhere and is as good as gone after the season.
Montador isn’t really a concern after this season. He’s prime for one of them nifty buyouts that doesn’t impact the cap.
As for trading Stalberg before June, I think that would be a mistake. Replacing his mix of size and speed would take away another facet of the Hawks game. He isn’t going to be easy to replace.
I’d sooner trade McNeill (as much as I would hate to do so) before I dealt Stalberg.
Congrats on the win there Coach! Nice shot…was that taken by a professional?
Keep the faith, the boys’ll clean it back up – they just miss Sharpie.
Great read as always!
I’ve just heard that Ryan Miller might be available…STAN – DO IT FOR DADDY!!! I think it would be worth one of their top prospects (Piiri??) Thoughts?
Haven’t heard those Miller for Kane rumours like we did last year. However like I mentioned Buffalo needs a serious change.
I think money comes more into play than anything if that was EVER on the table and Crawford would have to go back the other way.
Crawford, Hammer, Pirri for Miller and Regehr? Crow and Hammer almost add up to Miller’s 6.25 mil for next year. I’m just spitballin’ because you brought it up.
The only thing is… Miller’s really weird, but I guess all goalies are eh?
Congrats on your big coaching victory. You were able to coax career years out of your veterans..or that’s what I heard.
Thanks Doug – it’ll be a busy off-season trying to fit those champions under the cap.
Jimmy Hayes called up and skating with the 2nd line in practice today.
Montador clears waivers… no surprise.
Olesz is on waivers today (I’m assuming to rejoin the troops in Rockford as he was initially on the IR to start the season.
Finally, Ben Eager is on waivers. He has one more year @ $1.1 mil after this year. I loved him when he was here but that’s pricey for a 4th liner. However, I know for a fact that Toews n’ Co were very unhappy when he was traded… he was very well liked in the dressing room and for what he brought on the ice.