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I heard late yesterday that Shane Doan made a quiet visit to Chicago recently, taking a tour of the city and surroundings with Jonathan Toews. This news, coupled with what I have heard sporadically over the last few weeks about the Hawks' interest in him would indicate they have some semblance of a shot at the veteran power forward.
Specifically, I've heard the Hawks are willing to chump up some big bucks on average annual value and extend term out to four or possibly five years. Are they the only club courting Doan that is willing to do so? Probably not.
If the Hawks have any advantage in this it's the relationship/respect Doan has with former fellow Team Canada players Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Personally, I believe, should Doan decide to leave the desert, team leadership—whether Doan can respect and get behind it—could have a lot to do with his decision as to where to spend the last 3-4 years of his career. That would be right up there with the team's chances to compete for a Cup, followed by geography.
Other than that, there's not much news to report.
Occasionally I have to put a Twitter block on people who might be 25 or 35 years old in chronological terms, but who are emotionally 15 years old—and can't handle any criticism or negativity directed at their heroes headquartered on Madison Street.
If you're one of those individuals, stop reading and save you and I the keystrokes.
Actually, I'm not going to be scathingly critical.
It just seems to me, from everything I've heard and observed this summer, that the Hawks have taken their big swing or two at a splashy free agent or two and are now content to do nothing while awaiting the disposition of the CBA—which I am hearing will push the start of any NHL season out to at earliest December 1.
So when I hear the likely nonsense about Brandon Saad playing a role in the Hawks' top 6 this season, I take it with a gigantic block of salt. All that is just more red meat for the starving masses of Johnny Come Lately Hawk fans, the same ones who go on the attack at the mere hint of criticism.
For them, the few that remain, the One Goal party has not ended. All is well. Laissez les bontemps rouler toujours.
They can't seem to see that results—like two consecutive first round losses—matter.
But let's face it, the perceptions of simpleton wannabes or the hardened, cynical old-timers don't really matter as long as the turnstiles turn and merchandise is purchased.
Sure, that seems to still be happening, but as the history of this franchise tells us, that is also far from guaranteed. Here on this board, and elsewhere, you are already hearing things like, "yeah, I paid for my season tickets, now I don't want them. Anyone want to buy them at face value?"
The other thing that matters is the players. Not the bright shiny penny prospects that Stan Bowman always seems to be fawning over. But NHL players—signed and unsigned by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Winning is what resurrected the Blackhawks, not marketing. All marketing did was put a little more spin on the top. And players win hockey games.
Those who actually assume that current Hawk players buy in to the prospect hype put out by the organization are being incredibly naive. These players, many of whom have their names on a Stanley Cup, know the difference between the men they face in NHL games and the fresh-faced boys that show up for training camp and get promoted in media sound bytes.
They know it better than anyone.
Is there specific information that Hawk players are dissatisfied? I have heard whispers, going back a year or two, that is the case. The good news is, I also hear, for the most part, the players back Joel Quenneville.
But for all the dissection of the Hawk roster, lines and pairings that goes on on this and other boards like it, believe me, the Hawk players know where their holes are and where they could use some help.
And while bringing up (literally or figuratively) this prospect or that is a convenient way for the front office to generate some Fan Convention buzz, I doubt the players are buying it for a second.
Sure, if a prospect comes into camp and proves—to the players—he belongs and can fill a hole, they would welcome the help. If said player is on the roster, or getting significant PT in important situations merely at the behest of the front office, I'm not sure that's going to go over as well. And I'm told it hasn't in the past.
All too often, in second guessing and handicapping the coaching staff/front office drama, we forget the players. We view them merely as chess pieces who go in certain slots on our capgeek-generated lineups.
We forget that they bleed for the logo and lay themselves, their health and yes their careers on the line—or not—depending on how much they believe in the cause. Again, anyone assuming 110% commitment in spite of the messages sent by the front office is probably being naive. Winning is contagious, and it is spiritual as much as it is physical.
What is the morale? What is the attitude?
Getting back to Doan, it's not a coincidence that Toews is outfront for the organization in recruiting him. Will it work? I don't know.
But it does prove that players—and their skins on the wall— matter to the players. And maybe it also proves that the Hawks are starting (at least) to get it.
Thanks for reading,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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