There are a lot of unhappy fans in Blackhawk Nation this afternoon.
Like a number of teams who had been rumored to be preparing for a major move at the deadline, the Blackhawks remained quiet.
The big rumor surrounding the Blackhawks was the much discussed possible deal with Florida, bringing Czech national team netminder Tomas Vokoun to Chicago and possibly seeing Cristobal Huet shipped to Florida.
Didn't happen.
How close was it ever to happening? We may never know, though I suspect within a few months, some of the detaisl will leak out as they often do.
My take? A certain amount of guesswork here, but I did hear from a good source that the Hawks were trying unsuccessfully to make something happen this afternoon "possibly" involving a goaltender.
I'm not letting the Blackhawks off the hook here. At the same time, a little perspective is perhaps a good thing. Before the "Huet being traded" rumor first broke on ESPN Radio 1000, the prevailing wisdom was that the Hawks' best hope for their current goaltending situation was to improve their defense.
Last night's giveaway by Kim Johnsson notwithstanding, I think it can be argued that they accomplished that. Johnsson is a guy who can play on any pairing, chew up minutes and contribute at both ends. Nick Boynton brings a lot of the characteristics Hawk fans have been yearning for: a tough guy who will fight, a righty shot, most likely a third pairing guy but also a "+" player for his career. Boynton never has been, nor will he ever be the Ken Daneyko type player he was projected to be as a first round draft pick a decade ago. But he is also not a bad player to have as a 7th defenseman going in to the playoffs.
The larger concern for the Hawks and Hawk fans should be regaining the offensive edge and defensive stability the team possessed earlier in the year. Granted, the Hawks have won 4 of their last 5 games, but they've also given up 4 goals or more in all those games.
And not all those goals were the goalies' fault. In truth, the Hawks have shown that they can win big games and good teams on the road with either goalie in net. But the entire team must play well for this to happen.
Cristobal Huet has shown that he is maddeningly inconsistent— but hand in glove with that is he can be very strong for fairly long stretches. Antti Niemi can steal a huge game for you, and blow you away with highlight reel saves, but he can also lose technique and be beaten high (just like Huet— and 90% of the other goalies in the league).
Can the Hawks win the Cup with these goalies? Sure they can. If they play well and at least one of these guys steps up and plays their best. Because either of these guys, at their best, can be pretty good.
Would the task of winning it all be easier with Marty Brodeur or Ryan Miller? Absolutely. But 28 other teams have the task of winning without those guys as well, including many legitimate Cup contenders, including the Capitals who, it can be argued, are as weak or weaker in net than the Hawks.
Less margin for error, however, and very high fan expectations, for which the Hawks themselves ("One Goal") are responsible.
Whew. I need a break.
Maybe the depleted Oilers are just what Hawk fans need to start feeling a bit better tonight about their club.
Listen for me on TheProgram on blogtalkradio tonight at 8PM Eastern/7 Central.
And thanks for hanging here through the trade deadline frenzy. You guys are awesome!
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»