|
The "What Ifs" from your 2019-20 Blackhawks |
|
|
|
|
|
At the beginning of this season, I was more optimistic than most.
I liked the additions of Andrew Shaw, Calvin de Haan, Olli Maatta, Ryan Carpenter, and Robin Lehner.
I did think though, that there were still a lot of "ifs" that needed to happen for this 2019-20 Blackhawks team to get into the playoffs.
Even though the season has been cut short, even if it is/was to play out the remaining games, I don't believe the Hawks would make the playoffs.
They essentially would have to win out every game (or close to) and that's not very realistic.
Let's put on our "What If" hats and breakdown what could have gone better for Chicago this season, as well as, what could have gone worse:
What if the Hawks didn't have outstanding goaltending for most of the year?
The Hawks knew there was a great chance that they would have a legitimate starting goalie every night between Crawford and Lehner.
Through 70 games, the goalie tandem had a .917 SV%.
If the season ends today, Lehner finishes 11th in the NHL with a .920 SV % (includes 3 games with Vegas) and Crawford 17th with a .917.
Anyone who followed the Hawks knows it was their goaltending that kept them in almost every game. CHI led the league in shots against per game with a 35.1 average.
Crawford was 4th in the league in high danger saves with 285, while Lehner was 18th (210). That's a lot of high danger rubber.
Next year, I'm all for Crawford coming back, however, the backup better be ready to face a lot of these high danger shots as well.
What if the Hawks figured out their powerplay?
The Hawks' powerplay was good, not great last year. Everyone thought it was so amazing because they had a 6-8 week stretch where it was absolutely on fire.
Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Strome, and Gustafsson played a majority of the time during that scorching hot streak last year.
Well, those players were all still here, so why didn't it click this year?
I don't have an answer for you but the Hawks really need to figure it out for the 2020-21 season. Their 15.2% this season was good for 28th was terrible and that stat doesn't account for the number of times that CHI's PP was a momentum killer instead of providing a spark.
The first step, keep Kubalik on PP1.
What if Dominik Kubalik played top 6 and PP1 all year?
Great segue, Tyler.
Why was Dominik Kubalik a healthy scratch earlier in the season in 2019-20?
Why – when everyone else could see it – wasn't he elevated to the top line or to ANY powerplay unit?
Great question! I know Jeremy Colliton admitted in the final month of play, that he wished he had moved him up sooner.
The guy is a pure shooter and with him on the right-side with Kane patrolling the left / rovering all over the ice, the Hawks have a more unpredictable formula which is more difficult for opponents to defend against.
I know there will be changes this offseason but the Hawks have the weapons to make two effective powerplay units.
[EDITED 10:33 - forgot Dach on here] Give me:
Dach – Toews – Kubalik
Kane – Boqvist
DeBrincat – Strome – Saad
Keith – Mitchell
What if the Hawks had the Andrew Shaw from 2018-19?
I wasn't thrilled with what the Hawks gave up for Andrew Shaw (2nd rounder and 3rd rounder) but liked the move overall.
The Hawks seemed lifeless in 2018-19 and they needed some personality. Well, Shaw is a big personality and the players who knew him were very, very excited to have him back.
The Hawks were hoping they were getting the character, plus a player who put up 19 goals and 28 assists in 63 games.
The gamble? Shaw has a long history of injuries, specifically concussions.
After putting up 3.26 GF / games – good for 8th in the NHL in 2018-19 – nobody thought the Hawks would have trouble scoring this year. It was keeping the puck out that the Hawks were trying to shore up.
Well, the Hawks did have trouble scoring this year – dropping to 2.97 GF/game, which was 18th in the NHL – and getting more production from their middle 6 would have been the solution.
Andrew Shaw could have been that solution but he was limited to just 26 games due to injuries (concussion) posting just 3 goals and 7 assists.
Even when Shaw was healthy, he didn't look like himself.
Shaw's future is now in questions and whatever he chooses, I hope he selects his health over hockey. If he is deemed good to go for 2020-21, he could have a solid rebound season.
What if Alex DeBrincat scored more?
The biggest "why can't he score more" candidate is DeBrincat.
His stats aren't terrible: 70 games, 18 goals, 27 assists, 45 points.
Am I worried that this soon-to-be $6.4M man can't put it in the net anymore?
No, I'm not.
DeBrincat's shooting % in his rookie season was 15.5%. He was 18.6% last year when he netted 41 goals. This year? He was at 8.6%, so puck luck was a thing for Alex.
Try again next year, Alex. Just be better.
What if Calvin de Haan stayed healthy all year?
Another risky move was to bring in Calvin de Haan this past offseason by Stan Bowman.
I was all for it though as I wanted the Hawks to sign him in the summer of 2018.
He played 74 games in 2018-19 for Carolina, so it looked like his healthy issues (mostly his shoulder) were behind him.
Guess not, as de Haan re-injured that pesky shoulder 29 games into this year.
The thing was, de Haan was a legitimate top 4 defence in the weeks leading up to his injury. Heck, he was possibly a top pairing guy or at least a guy who was going to anchor your shutdown pairing.
He can still be that guy next year but I move forward with a lot of cautious with de Haan.
The good news? Here are his last four seasons in terms of games played: 82, 33, 74, 29.
Looks like the Hawks could get 70+ games if this is a pattern.
--
Those are my "What Ifs" for now. I may have a part 2 if you guys and gals have any more you want me to include.
What are you "What Ifs" from this past season that could have helped or hindered the Hawks even more?
Stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»