Mr. Bowman, Your Delorean Sir!

The Blackhawks are coming off an impressive 8-1 win against the Dallas Stars. This game followed a squeaker of a win vs. Columbus, which ended a two game losing steak.

To those who watched this pure domination by the Hawks in Texas it must have put your minds at ease. I mean, those fears of a panic room defence, soft play and shaky goaltending crept up in the ol’ noggin myself of late, I must admit.

To be able to turn it around like that is mighty impressive. However, the skeptic in me still sees this team as a potential playoff bust, a la San Jose Sharks teams of the past.

The April 3^rd trade deadline is quickly sneaking up and believe it or not Stan Bowman is A-OK if he has to stick with his current roster heading into post-season. That was sarcasm by the way.

Hey, maybe Bowman stands pat and the Blackhawks go on and win the Stanley Cup. To that, I would still say he was just scared to pull the trigger. However, he did put this 23-2-3 team together and he could still bask in the glory of the win if no moves were made from here on out.

I would like to hop in the Delorean with Doc for the purpose of this blog and share some perspective from both potential outcomes. Those outcomes being, the Blackhawks win their 2^nd Stanley Cup within a 4 year span OR the Blackhawks post one of the best regular season records and flame out in the 1^st round of the playoffs… AGAIN. Now, please note that I’m not advocating either as my own personal opinion, like boldly predicting the Hawks to win the 2013 Stanley Cup. The options laid out above are the most common themes to this season in Chicago.

So, here we go. The 1^st headline reads:

Blackhawks Impressive Season Ends in Impressive Fashion!

The reality is Stan Bowman either has his blackberry on silent or vibrate to his friends only come deadline day. Let’s say he makes a solid, yet minor move at the deadline and he is heralded as one of the best GMs in the league. His ability to dismantle the 2010 Championship team garnering vital pieces to this 2013 win would be quite the storyline.

Patrick Kane going on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy over his playful, locker room nemesis Jonathan Toews, who wouldn’t be able to find one bad word to say about Buffalo’s Bad Boy. It’s evident that “Kaner” has taken the next step and that’s nothing but gravy for a team already littered with talent.

The cohesion of Rockford regulars to the lineup proves to be all the chemistry Bowman needed to rely on during the strenuous playoff grind. All while his steady rocks on the blueline along with the useful additions of Rozsival and Brookbank turn in a performance for the ages.

Dooo… do do doooo!!! Start the parade!
Uh oh, but on the other side… the 2^nd headline sadly reads:

Blackhawks Pique to Early and Run Out of Gas in Playoffs

Stan Bowman claims he tried to find a dance partner. Unfortunately, no other GM knows how to line dance. If Bowman were to stick with the group he has, people from an outside view would concur with this decision. Why would Stan need to improve on a team so successful? Well, Stan might hear it from his minions from his ivory tower.

For the 3^rd time in as many seasons, the Hawks are 1 and done! Despite the heroic efforts of Kane, Toews, Hossa and Co. goaltending was still an issue and the book is out to play the Hawks physical. The Hawks crumble to a lesser team on paper who simply outplayed them as a team.

The special teams came up short and Coach Q is in hot water, just like Jamie Kompon with his bookies (did you see that black eye the other night? Wowza!).

Serious off-season decisions coming RIGHT UP! The one directing these moves should be the one and only Rocky Wirtz, from the top down a re-evaluation of the organization is a must.

So there you have it… how do you think it’s going to play out? Will Bowman play it cool as a cucumber and hope the stars align for a championship-ish run? Or will he surprise most and pull off a deal that helps the Hawks make a deep run while improving this team for the future?

… Oh those were rhetorical, I don’t actually have a Delorean, you’re just going to have to wait like Doc and I over here.

Ty Cam out!
(@tycam)