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Chicago Blackhawks Blogger •
Joel Quenneville has spoken frequently about the harm in taking bad penalties and Tuesday night he made sure his message got across.
Patrick Kane hasn’t taken frequent bad penalties this season but he took one too many against the Coyotes and it was not the time to make that mistake.
It is amazing how Kane uses his body to gain an advantage or shield the pick. Patrick has elite skill but he has to be called out like everyone else when he makes repeated errors as was the case Tuesday night.
Kane celebrated his 20th birthday yesterday as he continues to progress and impress. He still has lessons to learn and Joel Q. will be there to make sure he stays on course so that he can be a NHL star for years to come.
This season Patrick Sharp has taken far too many penalties.
He has been in the penalty box for a total of 26 minutes so far in 17 games played. The only Hawk forwards with more time in the sin bin are those who have accumulated quite a few fighting majors, something Sharp hasn’t done. Sharp faces a big challenge every night playing center against some big talented opponnets.
Tuesday night after taking bad penalties in the 2nd period both Kane and Sharp were benched.
Sometimes words can only go so far as Quenneville used the ultimate deterrent for poor performance as a special way to get his point across.
A NHL head coach best leverage over his players is the fact that he alone can control the amount of time they are on the ice. Cutting playing time almost always works…when it doesn’t that means someone has to go. Last week it was Barry Melrose who went…
The danger in benching a top player during games is it may lead to a loss. To prove a point a coach may have to sacrifice a game. Fortunately for all involved, Kane and Sharp playing five or six minutes less than usual didn’t cost the Hawks any points in Phoenix.
Tuesday night the Hawks started their six game road trip with an OT win against the Coyotes. It wasn’t a well played game and if it wasn’t for Khabibulin the Hawks would have lost.
In fact I will go so far as to say the Hawks were very fortunate to win. The Hawks took an early lead but could not hold on for the outright win.
Once again it was a game on paper which the Hawks held some distinct advantages.
The Coyotes were ranked near the bottom of the NHL in penalty killing, power play and faceoff win percentage. As has been the case of late, the apparent advantages didn’t mean very much for the Hawks.
Chicago held a slight 51%-49% edge in faceoffs but was 0-4 on the powerplay while the Coyotes were 1-5 with a man advantage. Chicago was whistled for nine penalties which is too many again, especially on the road.
Taking bad penalties and not getting enough shots on goal when on the power play is costing the Hawks. At times they have been lucky enough to still win but it is best not to tempt fate.
The first two Hawk goals were gifts. Khabibulin got them to the OT session where they were outplayed once again.
In the Shootout, Toews scored on a five hole shot that should have been saved. Bryzgalov was also helpless on Sharp's Shootout strike although that was a nice shot. When the night ended the Hawks escaped with the extra point…But will they stay lucky?
The Hawks have developed a few bad habits.
They can’t expand a lead or hold an advantage lately. They don’t get enough shots on the power play and lack the urgency to clear pucks in their own zone at times.
Those Hawk short comings are correctable.
Now for some tougher to correct situations….
I often wonder if the Avs, Caps and Blackhawks wish they could turn back the clock to prior to July 1st. I know every situation is somewhat different but the UFA goalie movement involving those three Clubs has not worked out very well for anyone.
The Capitals either chose not to pursue Huet or didn’t want to pay his price which created an opening for Dale Tallon. The Hawk’s GM didn’t hesitate and made Cristobal Huet a rich man. The Hawks are now obligated to pay 22.5 million dollars to Huet over the next four seasons.
The Caps chose to go in another direction or were outbid for Huet's services by the Hawks. Regardless whatever version is correct the Caps then signed the former Av’s goalie Jose Theodore. He didn’t come cheap but was not as expensive as Huet. Theodore inked only a two year deal for 4.5 million dollars per season.
The Av’s seemed to be content not to pursue Theodore and now have two goal keepers under contract only through this season. Andrew Raycroft and Peter Budaj together will only earn 1.5 million dollars for this year. So far Raycroft has played poorly and Budaj has been average at best. The Av's saved a lot of money but their goal tending duo is suspect.
Theodore is 5-3 with a .890 S% and has been splitting time in goal with Brent Johnson. He has not played as well as he did last season in Colorado.
Cristobal Huet has struggled and he too hasn’t performed nearly as well as he did last year with Washington.
It appears Colorado will struggle to make the Playoffs if their goal keeping doesn’t improve.
Can Colorado, Washington, or Chicago undo what they chose to do last summer?
The Av’s have the most flexibility Cap flexibility although not as much as before Paul Stastny was extended. They currently have roughly 5 million in Cap space which will be used next season by Stastny. The Av's are only committed to their two goalies for this year and do have some wiggle room with the Salary Cap.
The Capitols have very little Cap space but only have a two year commitment to their big money goalie, Theodore. The difference in a two year deal for Theodore and a 4 year contract for Huet could have been the deal breaker with the Caps.
The Hawks are over committed in capital for the goalie position…with slightly over 12 million dollars allotted for Khabibulin and Huet. Khabibulin is in the last year of his mega deal while Huet is signed through the 2011-2012 season.
Why would Colorado or Washington want to trade for goalies they just chose to not re-sign?
Is it possible the Hawks could trade Huet to Washington and acquire another high paid player like Michael Nylander. The money for each is almost close enough to actually have a chance of working out.
Could Washington trade Theodore back to Colorado?
The only real hook in this odd trifecta is that Washington is an Eastern Conference team which could facilitate a trade with Western Conference counterparts.
If would take a lot for a GM to trade a starting goalie within his own Conference. If I were the Hawks GM I would definitely answer my phone if Colorado were to call. If I could trade Huet I would deal within my own Conference. I guess the big question is whether Huet is considered now or will be in the future a definite number one goalie in Chicago.
If I were the Capitals GM the biggest reservation I would have concerning my team would be the goal keeping. Washington is an offensive juggernaut but if the Nylander to the Hawk rumors are true they realize also they are vulnerable between the pipes.
Colorado may not feel the need to do anything as they may not press for the Playoffs this season and retool for next year.
The Wilds talented keeper Niklas Backstrom will become a UFA this summer.
The Hawks are in an interesting spot and are on the fence concerning their Playoff chances. Their progress is ahead of schedule but another playmaking center and solidifying the goalie position are prime needs.
Nylander when healthy can be a point per game player but he is coming off shoulder surgery. He also has a contract the Capitals would like to lose. Nylander is in the midst of a 19.5 million dollar contract which runs through 2011. It is not only the cost per year but the term which is a problem for me.
If Hawks deal Khabibulin for Nylander the Caps would get out from under a huge long term contract and improve their weak spot. The Caps would love that deal I believe, as Nylander is playing 3rd line minutes these days.
I may take a chance on Nylander but not for Khabibulin straight up.
The Caps would have to sweeten the pot or I would just sit and wait. Nylander is a 35 year old center which is much different than being a 35 year old goalie. Most likely Nylander's best days are in the past.
So far Khabibulin has been the best goalie in Chicago. The Hawks have the luxury of a couple of young net minders in Rockford who could be the future but for right now Khabby is the starter for the Hawks.
The trade that makes the most sense for the Hawks is Huet back to Washington for Nylander. Possibly the Hawks would have to include a prospect or a pick but I would make that trade in an instant.
Washington gets out from under a large Cap hit for a player who can’t get enough ice time. The Hawks get their second line center and also shed a large long term contract for a goalie that appears to be #2 here now.
As I stated earlier, maybe Colorado just waits or does nothing at all, but if the above scenario plays out Theodore could become available.
Dale Tallon has admitted his past UFA blunders and has corrected most of the mistakes. I don’t know if George McPhee in Washington or Pierre Lacroix and Francois Giguere in Colorado are in a contrite mood these days.
First they have to realize they made mistakes this past summer and then they have to be willing to correct them. I do have a feeling Tallon is in the fixing mood once again.
Al’s Shots
The Hawks face the Stars tonight and will have to be better than they were in Phoenix.
The Hawks got outhit in the Coyote game and that will have to change tonight.
Patrick Kane hasn’t taken frequent bad penalties this season but he took one too many against the Coyotes and it was not the time to make that mistake.
It is amazing how Kane uses his body to gain an advantage or shield the pick. Patrick has elite skill but he has to be called out like everyone else when he makes repeated errors as was the case Tuesday night.
Kane celebrated his 20th birthday yesterday as he continues to progress and impress. He still has lessons to learn and Joel Q. will be there to make sure he stays on course so that he can be a NHL star for years to come.
This season Patrick Sharp has taken far too many penalties.
He has been in the penalty box for a total of 26 minutes so far in 17 games played. The only Hawk forwards with more time in the sin bin are those who have accumulated quite a few fighting majors, something Sharp hasn’t done. Sharp faces a big challenge every night playing center against some big talented opponnets.
Tuesday night after taking bad penalties in the 2nd period both Kane and Sharp were benched.
Sometimes words can only go so far as Quenneville used the ultimate deterrent for poor performance as a special way to get his point across.
A NHL head coach best leverage over his players is the fact that he alone can control the amount of time they are on the ice. Cutting playing time almost always works…when it doesn’t that means someone has to go. Last week it was Barry Melrose who went…
The danger in benching a top player during games is it may lead to a loss. To prove a point a coach may have to sacrifice a game. Fortunately for all involved, Kane and Sharp playing five or six minutes less than usual didn’t cost the Hawks any points in Phoenix.
Tuesday night the Hawks started their six game road trip with an OT win against the Coyotes. It wasn’t a well played game and if it wasn’t for Khabibulin the Hawks would have lost.
In fact I will go so far as to say the Hawks were very fortunate to win. The Hawks took an early lead but could not hold on for the outright win.
Once again it was a game on paper which the Hawks held some distinct advantages.
The Coyotes were ranked near the bottom of the NHL in penalty killing, power play and faceoff win percentage. As has been the case of late, the apparent advantages didn’t mean very much for the Hawks.
Chicago held a slight 51%-49% edge in faceoffs but was 0-4 on the powerplay while the Coyotes were 1-5 with a man advantage. Chicago was whistled for nine penalties which is too many again, especially on the road.
Taking bad penalties and not getting enough shots on goal when on the power play is costing the Hawks. At times they have been lucky enough to still win but it is best not to tempt fate.
The first two Hawk goals were gifts. Khabibulin got them to the OT session where they were outplayed once again.
In the Shootout, Toews scored on a five hole shot that should have been saved. Bryzgalov was also helpless on Sharp's Shootout strike although that was a nice shot. When the night ended the Hawks escaped with the extra point…But will they stay lucky?
The Hawks have developed a few bad habits.
They can’t expand a lead or hold an advantage lately. They don’t get enough shots on the power play and lack the urgency to clear pucks in their own zone at times.
Those Hawk short comings are correctable.
Now for some tougher to correct situations….
I often wonder if the Avs, Caps and Blackhawks wish they could turn back the clock to prior to July 1st. I know every situation is somewhat different but the UFA goalie movement involving those three Clubs has not worked out very well for anyone.
The Capitals either chose not to pursue Huet or didn’t want to pay his price which created an opening for Dale Tallon. The Hawk’s GM didn’t hesitate and made Cristobal Huet a rich man. The Hawks are now obligated to pay 22.5 million dollars to Huet over the next four seasons.
The Caps chose to go in another direction or were outbid for Huet's services by the Hawks. Regardless whatever version is correct the Caps then signed the former Av’s goalie Jose Theodore. He didn’t come cheap but was not as expensive as Huet. Theodore inked only a two year deal for 4.5 million dollars per season.
The Av’s seemed to be content not to pursue Theodore and now have two goal keepers under contract only through this season. Andrew Raycroft and Peter Budaj together will only earn 1.5 million dollars for this year. So far Raycroft has played poorly and Budaj has been average at best. The Av's saved a lot of money but their goal tending duo is suspect.
Theodore is 5-3 with a .890 S% and has been splitting time in goal with Brent Johnson. He has not played as well as he did last season in Colorado.
Cristobal Huet has struggled and he too hasn’t performed nearly as well as he did last year with Washington.
It appears Colorado will struggle to make the Playoffs if their goal keeping doesn’t improve.
Can Colorado, Washington, or Chicago undo what they chose to do last summer?
The Av’s have the most flexibility Cap flexibility although not as much as before Paul Stastny was extended. They currently have roughly 5 million in Cap space which will be used next season by Stastny. The Av's are only committed to their two goalies for this year and do have some wiggle room with the Salary Cap.
The Capitols have very little Cap space but only have a two year commitment to their big money goalie, Theodore. The difference in a two year deal for Theodore and a 4 year contract for Huet could have been the deal breaker with the Caps.
The Hawks are over committed in capital for the goalie position…with slightly over 12 million dollars allotted for Khabibulin and Huet. Khabibulin is in the last year of his mega deal while Huet is signed through the 2011-2012 season.
Why would Colorado or Washington want to trade for goalies they just chose to not re-sign?
Is it possible the Hawks could trade Huet to Washington and acquire another high paid player like Michael Nylander. The money for each is almost close enough to actually have a chance of working out.
Could Washington trade Theodore back to Colorado?
The only real hook in this odd trifecta is that Washington is an Eastern Conference team which could facilitate a trade with Western Conference counterparts.
If would take a lot for a GM to trade a starting goalie within his own Conference. If I were the Hawks GM I would definitely answer my phone if Colorado were to call. If I could trade Huet I would deal within my own Conference. I guess the big question is whether Huet is considered now or will be in the future a definite number one goalie in Chicago.
If I were the Capitals GM the biggest reservation I would have concerning my team would be the goal keeping. Washington is an offensive juggernaut but if the Nylander to the Hawk rumors are true they realize also they are vulnerable between the pipes.
Colorado may not feel the need to do anything as they may not press for the Playoffs this season and retool for next year.
The Wilds talented keeper Niklas Backstrom will become a UFA this summer.
The Hawks are in an interesting spot and are on the fence concerning their Playoff chances. Their progress is ahead of schedule but another playmaking center and solidifying the goalie position are prime needs.
Nylander when healthy can be a point per game player but he is coming off shoulder surgery. He also has a contract the Capitals would like to lose. Nylander is in the midst of a 19.5 million dollar contract which runs through 2011. It is not only the cost per year but the term which is a problem for me.
If Hawks deal Khabibulin for Nylander the Caps would get out from under a huge long term contract and improve their weak spot. The Caps would love that deal I believe, as Nylander is playing 3rd line minutes these days.
I may take a chance on Nylander but not for Khabibulin straight up.
The Caps would have to sweeten the pot or I would just sit and wait. Nylander is a 35 year old center which is much different than being a 35 year old goalie. Most likely Nylander's best days are in the past.
So far Khabibulin has been the best goalie in Chicago. The Hawks have the luxury of a couple of young net minders in Rockford who could be the future but for right now Khabby is the starter for the Hawks.
The trade that makes the most sense for the Hawks is Huet back to Washington for Nylander. Possibly the Hawks would have to include a prospect or a pick but I would make that trade in an instant.
Washington gets out from under a large Cap hit for a player who can’t get enough ice time. The Hawks get their second line center and also shed a large long term contract for a goalie that appears to be #2 here now.
As I stated earlier, maybe Colorado just waits or does nothing at all, but if the above scenario plays out Theodore could become available.
Dale Tallon has admitted his past UFA blunders and has corrected most of the mistakes. I don’t know if George McPhee in Washington or Pierre Lacroix and Francois Giguere in Colorado are in a contrite mood these days.
First they have to realize they made mistakes this past summer and then they have to be willing to correct them. I do have a feeling Tallon is in the fixing mood once again.
Al’s Shots
The Hawks face the Stars tonight and will have to be better than they were in Phoenix.
The Hawks got outhit in the Coyote game and that will have to change tonight.
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