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Not too long after the final echo of Chelsea Dagger in the UC rafters, following Richard Panik's first period goal last night, it became fairly evident that the Blackhawks were overmatched, yet again, by the St. Louis Blues.

Last Spring, when the Hawks lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Blues, it was to a bigger, every bit as fast and as skilled, deeper and more aggressive team.

That has not changed. Some might argue the game was close until two St. Louis empty net goals. But it wasn't. The Hawks were outshot 34-19. They were mostly overwhelmed after the first period.

This is not a premature post-mortem for the Hawk' 2016-17 seasons. The good news is, there's nowhere to go but up with 81 games left, after last night's dismal home opener, with lots of rookies in the lineup.

But the "delusion" that this team as currently composed merits consideration as a Cup contender should be over this morning.

Clearly, the chemistry is not there—yet—and that is not at all surprising due to the number of rookies on the ice, and injury and a suspension to two key veterans, and numerous players still getting back into the swing of things after the World Cup.

So let's look at things on a more granular level.

Panik, we saw last night, is still what he was last Spring—willing, fast, noticeable (but sometimes for the wrong reasons). He was in the right place in order to ram home a rebound for his goal, but otherwise, he was pretty much the same train wreck with the puck on his blade that he was last Spring.

The PAK line was OK—against a very good St. Louis defense. No worries there. assuming Joel Quenneville can keep that line together, they will score. A lot.

The new third line of Marcus Kruger, Tyler Motte and Ryan Hartman was mostly good—with the three forwards combining on a hard work goal down low. Motte and Kruger, however, were part of a terrible penalty kill last night, though it was hard to find specific flaws with them.

The fourth line, albeit in limited minutes, stunk. Period.

And while Nick Schmaltz' speed and offensive instincts jumped out at times when he had a couple of shifts in the third period with Kane and Panarin, he was otherwise a rumor—and 20% in the dot.

Trevor van Riemsdyk had a horrible game, repeatedly turnstiled by Blues forwards, seemingly overwhelmed. Certainly, he can play better. But the notion that he is anything but a decent depth defenseman was exposed (again) as a sham last night.

Brent Seabrook had a pretty good game, Duncan Keith was OK, and you have to wonder if he is physically 100% yet (I don't think so). Brian Campbell was OK—he still has something to offer.

Gustav Forsling had an up and down night. And like Schmaltz, if you just listened to the color analysis, you'd think he was the second coming of Bobby Orr. In fact, he did some nice things that showed his skill, and on other occasions, he struggled in his end.

The defenseman who really jumped out at me in a positive way last night was Michal Kempny. He wasn't obviously bad or out of position at any point—and he is a really dynamic, über-athletic player, whose mobility and skill are really promising.

Listen, getting Niklas Hjalmarsson tomorrow night back will help this team. And Andrew Desjardins return will help stabilize the fourth line.

If I were Joel Quenneville, I would start to get a lot more serious—and soon—about putting the right players (such as he has available) in the right positions.

Specifically, the tv color guys and some fans can ooh and ahh at Schmaltz' skating and a nifty move here or there in open ice when he has the sea parted, because he's playing with Kane and Panarin. But he is a complete non-factor in traffic and not a better answer in the top 6 right now than anyone, even Panik.

So if his job on the team today is 4th line center, you have a better candidate for that kind of role named Dennis Rasmussen. Play him.

Same with TVR. Evidently, the plan is to roll Hjalmarsson with Keith, and TVR was just filling in. Great. Now bump him down to flanking Kempny, play Seabrook with Campbell, and let Forsling watch a game. or if you're really encouraged that much by Forsling—and that would not be unreasonable—then TVR has to sit.

This, fans, is going to be a process. It is going to be ugly (like last night) and painful at times. But it is necessary and through it all, there will also be some encouraging notes and things to build on.

That's the coaching staff's job. I believe, this morning, Stan Bowman's job just got a little harder. His hand, as far as working a deal to improve this roster, a bit tougher to play. But let's revisit that in a few games, when we have seen more.

I'll preview game 2 tomorrow.



JJ

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