Last year, the Blackhawks looked tired and slow by the time they hit the playoffs. That series vs. the Predators was tough to watch and had many fans wondering if this was the beginning of the downfall of their beloved Hawks.
Stan Bowman recognized change need to happen as well. He was visibly upset and promised changes were coming. He followed through with this promise that secured some financial stability for the future, while getting younger and (hopefully) “tougher to play against.”
When trying to solve life’s most difficult questions, like “what’s going on with the Hawks?” we need to look back to see how we got here.
Today, I’m evaluating the defence over the years. Have they really regressed that much and are they the route of the problem of these 2017-18 Chicago Blackhawks.
The Hawks last really successful season in terms of playoff success was the 2014-15 obvisouly with their Cup win vs. TB; the regular defenders were:
* Keith-Seabrook
* Oduya-Hjalmarsson
* Rundblad-Rozsival
Extra/Spot Duty: TVR, Kyle Cumiskey, Tim Erixon, Adam Clendenning and then Kimmo Timonen (acquired at the trade deadline)
Obviously, Coach Q was able to rely on those top 4 who were in their prime.
So... Yay! The Hawks win the cup with riding those guys to the bone. Now, we move on to 2015-16:
* Keith-Seabrook
* Hjalmarsson-TVR
* Gustafsson-Rozsival
Extra/Spot Duty: Trevor “We Hardly Knew Ya” Daley, Svedberg, Ehrhoff, Rundblad, Scuderi
The emergence of TVR, probably playing above his potential helped, but the loss of Oduya was felt and, what appeared to be a tired top 3 was operating on borrowed time.
Last year, the 2016-17 opening night defence pairings were:
* Keith-Hjalmarsson
* Kempny-Seabrook
* TVR-Campbell
Extra/Spot Duty: Kempny, Forsling, Rozsival, Oduya (re-acquired at the trade deadline)
It was with this defence that lost in spectacular fashion in the playoffs to the Predators. They did have a successful regular season but lost a lot of steam as the season went on.
Now, back to Stan wanting to make those changes. He did, and they weren’t very popular to some.
He recognized that they needed to get back to being a mobile defence, which has always been where the offence starts with this team. The Hawks have had elite talent up front for years, but that transition game that buried so many teams in the past was due to these quick-thinking, sharp-passing defenceman.
So what does he do? He trades Niklas Hjalmarsson for Connor Murphy and Lauren Dauphin.
This angered a lot of people. I was upset to see such a warrior head out of town but I understood the move. He was selling high on “Hammer” as he is probably on his way back down the mountain at this point (his current injury in Arizona might be a result of all of those hard miles).
His next contract, with Coyotes or other, will probably end up being an overpayment. So, Stan gets a young dman who is cost controlled for the next 5 years.
The interesting part to evaluate in years to come is whether Stan sold “high” enough with Hammer.
The confusing part being, if Stan was looking to improve overall team speed, a defender like Murphy doesn’t appear to be the best fit. He’s a bigger, defence-first type player with very limited offensive skill.
It would be good to see Ulf and Coach Q work with young #5 and here’s hoping he turns out to be a good one soon. He scored his first goal as a Blackhawk last game, so let’s hope he builds from that.
Stan has also structured this defence with an import signing in Rutta, an aging vet in Franson and an unknown player in Oesterle.
We sit today looking like this:
Keith-Rutta
Forsling-Seabrook
Murphy-Franson
Extra/Spot Duty: Kempny, Oesterle, Rozsival
Sure, there is some inexperience back there and none of us are pleased with the Hawks current record, but overall this doesn’t look as bad as the last 2-years, does it?
To my eye, they look really out of sync, but I think it has to as much with unfamiliarity as with the drop in talent and chemistry with the forwards as well.
The chemistry hopefully comes in short order, and Coach Q sticks with these pairings for a while. I’m not the biggest fan of the 8-man rotation, but the Hawks need wins, so when they get hot, he needs to stick with them.
Do you think the defence is the problem? Do you think Ulfie is helping? Who would be your everyday pairings?
So many questions that won’t be able to go unanswered much longer if the Hawks continue to lose.
Now, on to the preview for tonight’s game vs. Carolina, where they hope to get a big “W”.
People had higher hopes for the Hurricanes but they haven’t quite hit their stride yet.
They have great young D (who can really skate and move the puck... think Stan can steal one?) and some blooming talent up front. Just when people thought Jeff Skinner was done, he once again is leading the way with 7 goals.
Lots of ex-Hawks to watch tonight, so it's always fun to check in on old friends.
Scott Darling will get the start tonight so look for him to come out with a purpose tonight. Let’s see if the Hawks do the same because if they have another poor performance, Stan Bowman might get his trigger finger ready to shake up this team.
See ya out there!
JL
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ICYMI:
* This Rockford IceHogs team has caught the Blackhawks losing ways with dropping to Iowa (5-3) and San Antonio (6-0) in the last 2 days. They have now fallen to 7-6. Vinnie Hinostroza still leads the team with 13 pts in 13 games.
* As reported by JJ, it looks like there were a few scouts at the IceHogs game last night. The most notable name was Kevin Maxwell, NYR Director of Pro Scouting. Scouts attend games all the time obviously as it’s a part of their job, but this smells like something could be up. I’m looking into it.
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Who we got tonight: Carolina Hurricanes
Season Matchup: 1st game of the season
6-5-3 = 15 pts
8th (last) in Metropolitan
Last game: WON vs. Blue Jackets (3-1) last night
GF: 38 / GA: 39
PP% = 13% (28th in NHL)
PK% = 78.6% (22nd in NHL)
Sniper: Jeff Skinner – 7 goals
Producer: Just Williams – 12 points
Tough Guys: Justin Faulk – 10 PIMs / Jordan Staal – 33 hits
Ex-Hawks to Watch: Scott Darling, Teravainen, Kruger, Nordstrom, TVR, Dalhbeck
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