Just when you thought the Hawks were closing in on a playoff spot, they lose to the lowly Detroit Red Wings.
The Wings are terrible but the Hawks are very inconsistent.
Chicago doesn't have the depth to survive this season and that was evident when they were without Adam Boqvist (wrist) and Lucas Carlsson (concussion) on Friday night in Detroit.
Dennis Gilbert was recalled and put into the lineup. I know it was last minute but wow he looked awful.
Nick Seeler is what he is – a 7th defenceman on an average team – and he did what he could but the Hawks couldn't get it together to beat the worst team in the league.
I know it doesn't seem like playing without two very young and inexperienced defenders would be the difference, however, the Hawks main struggle all night was getting the puck out of their zone and making a first pass, two aspects when both Boqvist and Carlsson were doing a great job with the last few games.
Next up on the weekend docket was the St. Louis Blues.
A 2-0 loss just further cements the fact that these Blackhawks are just pure heartbreakers this season.
The Hawks played very uninspired, well that was until the 2nd period when all hell broke out after Adam Boqvist was hit. Both Boqvist and Caggiula left the game (Caggiula hurt his hand in a fight) and did not return.
I really worry that the Blackhawks are slowly killing Adam Boqvist.
I've been impressed at how far along he's come this year with this play, however, he often has seemed physically overmatched.
He was just coming off a right wrist injury and might be out again. I guess it's been helpful for him to get some NHL action this year but hoping the Blackhawks rushing the young defender doesn't hurt them long-term.
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A couple more notes to bring your attention, the first being the PTO signing of Russian netminder Ivan Nalimov.
Of course, I wrote this well-thought-out article on the Future of Goaltending in Chicago and didn't mention his name once.
Last I heard, Nalimov was not in the long-term picture for Chicago. I think a couple of things have changed in the last 6 months or so.
First off, the Hawks looked like they had a long(ish)-term solution when they signed Robin Lehner, however, the pending UFA was moved at the deadline with very slim chances he returns.
This showed that the Hawks are not willing to spend the long-term money on a starting goalie and/or they didn't see Lehner as the right fit.
The Hawks have also changed their tune on the language coming from the executive team, which sounds more like a rebuild versus a retool might be in order the next couple of years.
Therefore, the Hawks might go down the path of Corey Crawford + backup goalie X.
The Blackhawks would highly benefit if that unknown goalie behind Crawford possessed starting goalie skills.
No, the Hawks are unlikely to land a guy like Ilya Sorokin (as was pre-maturely reported by TSN's Darren Dreger) but they are searching at length in their own backyard.
With Delia and Tomkins signed into next year, the Blackhawks were already faced with decisions on Malcolm Subban, Kevin Lankinen and Alexis Gravel.
Now, you can toss Nalimov in the mix.
Here's a snapshot (courtesy of Elite Prospects) of the 25 year old Russian goalie:
As you can see, he's played really well at times in the KHL.
It was very odd though to see him bounce through 6 teams in process. Is he a bad teammate? Is he a weirdo? I have no idea and can't comment on his personality.
With Lankinen being shut down for the remainder of the season in Rockford, there's no harm in bringing Nalimov over to see what he has.
I suspect he will practice with the team and goaltending coach, Peter Aubry for a couple of weeks and then, depending on where the 'Hogs are in their race for the playoffs, see some game action.
I will keep an eye on the situation.
Lastly, it was great to see the NHL initiative to have all-female broadcast and production crews for Sunday's game in celebration of International Women's Day!
The Hawks vs. Blues game was very difficult to watch because the Hawks were awful for most of the game, but the coverage by Kate Scott, AJ Mleczko, and Kendall Coyne-Schofield was great.
I'd like to see more of this moving forward.
The Hawks don't play until Wednesday when the Sharks come to town. I'll have more throughout the week.
See ya out there!
TC