The Blackhawks end 2016 about the same way they started it: a team in transition (of sorts), with as many open questions as solid answers.
Are the Hawks still a very good, top tier team? When relatively healthy, absolutely. But when not completely healthy in their core, they can look pretty "middle of the pack" to my eye. Case in point, last night's loss to an improved, but not top-tier Carolina Hurricanes team.
Yes, I was (and am) impressed with the Canes' speed and infusion of young talent. Bill Peters is a great coach, and like John Tortorella in Columbus, has a fairly talented young roster listening and executing the right way.
A few Hawks had decent games last night: Toews, Michal Kempny (who had a goal and an assist to go with a shaky moment here and there—likely due to rust), and Vince Hinostroza. More on that in a second.
More did not, most notably the entirety of the AK72 line, who, aside from a few episodes of AK72-like offensive zone possession, all looked like they were skating in halfway-set QuikCrete. And then there was the ugly (and really ill-advised) turnover Patrick Kane made that led to Carolina's third—and game winning—goal.
Best to just put that one behind you. Those guys know better. Learn from it and move on.
There was a point last night where it was just embarrassingly clear that the Blackhawks had almost become the 2015-16 Rockford Ice Hogs, with Pat Foley barking out names like Tanner Kero, Ryan Hartman, Tyler Motte and Hinostroza all night long—a situation exacerbated by a second period injury (upper body, week to week—ugh) to Marcus Kruger.
Again, not to condemn the kids, but at some point, you have to wonder if you haven't reached the point of "maximum rookie absorption," with so many guys (chewing up so many minutes) who were playing in the AHL (or college) at this time last year. And with the exception of Hartman maybe, we aren't talking about blue-chip type prospects here either.
Remains to be seen, but I also really missed Marian Hossa last night (a little more than usual). And the fact is, the Hawks seem to be settling in right now—with the recent injuries to Toews, Hossa, and Artem Anisimov—as a 2-goal a night club. Good enough to win if you hold the other team to that or less. Not enough if the other team gets three goals.
To contend in the late spring/early summer, they need to be better than that. And so, they really need to get and remain very healthy—barring Stan Bowman pulling a minor rabbit (at least) out of his hat before March 1.
But as time goes by, you learn a lot about a transitioning team like the Hawks. A couple of bright spots last night—pieces I think the Hawks can build around—were Kempny and Hinostroza. If Kempny's had a problem in Chicago, it's been between his ears. The guy can skate, plays a heavy game and he can really blast the puck, as evidenced by his first period marker last night. He just needs to play more.
I never bought in to the "Kempny's in the doghouse—that's why he's not playing" narrative. My sense was the coaching staff wanted him up in the press box with countryman Michal Rozsival, getting tutored from a birdseye perspective on positionally where to be and when—things that Kempny has struggled with in North America, going back to the World Cup.
And, I'm also still not buying the Hinostroza as "the next Theo Fleury or Marty St. Louis" narrative that's taken hold in a few corners of the Hawk blogosphere. He just doesn't have that kind of vision or skill in his hands.
But—BUT— he certainly has the legs and willingness to be a disruptive and potent engine for opportunities—like a young Kris Draper or Darren Helm circa 2009. So I like Vince Hinostroza. A lot. As a player who in a variety of roles can help you, and sure, as long as you're missing a couple of pieces in the top 6, he's fine enough there for now. He's a useful guy who can help you win—now and in the playoffs. Which the Hawks, if they really want to contend, need as much of as possible.
Same with Kempny. Both of these guys have something you can't coach. Athleticism that potentially impacts games.
Not a bad game last night for Trevor van Riemsdyk either. You just wish you could say the same for Brian Campbell, who was caught completely flat-footed on one of the Canes' first period goals. Which leads to a question (and nothing more—at this point): could Campbell be wearing down a bit as the season progresses?
Watch that closely. And if so, start lighting candles for Kempny's swift development.
In the course of a hockey season, New Year's Day is just another sheet peeling off the calendar (unless you're playing in an outdoor game—the subject of my next blog). There are no big pronouncements or resolutions for the Hawks—unless it's to just get and stay heathy and/or figure out some way to tweak the roster around the salary cap in the next 60 days.
All I have for now. Blues preview tomorrow or Monday.
JJ