Ironically enough, as I head back to work tomorrow (from paternity leave), so do the Blackhawks.
I will be going through mountains of emails to catch up, while the Hawks have their own mountain to take on as they look to make ground in the standings towards a playoff spot.
Patrick Kane will be on his way back from Tampa to meet his teammates in Nashville for Tuesday's matchup.
What exactly does get back to work mean for these Blackhawks? Let's recap thoughts and musing in-and-around All-Star Weekend:
* Being the top dog is hard: "Obviously, with the talent they have with Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook — you don't want to waste those years," Kris Letang said of the Blackhawks season and current situation. "But sometimes you have to take a step back to see what the problem is, then try to surround those guys with the right players. They've got to find a way to be a great team again, because they have too much talent, and that great leadership."
Thoughts – You tell ‘em, Kris. It was an interesting piece by Mark Lazerus, interviewing players from Boston, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, asking them about the rise and fall of an annual contender.
Letang is not wrong, the Hawks do need to step back and make sure they have the right supporting pieces, however, the Hawks are in a tough spot; they have 33M+ tied up in those 4 players and 50% (at least) are not playing up to there salary cap $s. That makes it very difficult to surround those core players with a contending team in today's NHL. You need to get really lucky with younger (see: cheaper) help to round out your team.
* Kane's not content: "I don't think anyone's necessarily happy with what's gone on this year and where we're at right now," said Kane, who estimated the Hawks have to go 23-10 down the stretch just to make the playoffs.
Thoughts – 23-10 is doable… but wow, it's not going to be easy. This feat will be even harder without Corey Crawford.
* Deadline to what?: are the Hawks sellers or buyers? These next 2 weeks will determine that. Although, I have heard unless a can't miss opportunity comes up to not expect too much either way. That makes sense as the Hawks aren't good enough to buy or waste picks/prospects on a rental and on the other side, they don't have a lot to "sell".
Thoughts – there have been rumours that the Hawks are looking to move Gustafsson and/or Kempny. I have been mentioning Kempny as the odd man out for a while now.
My sources are telling me that the Hawks would love to recoup draft picks this year, especially in the 2nd round as that Danault trade continues to haunt the Hawks as this year's 2nd pick sits with Montreal due to that move.
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The Hawks will look to even the series with Nashville at 2 games apiece on Tuesday, as they reach for even ground against the team that embarrassed them last April.
The Preds will be a very difficult opponent either way, as they play the Hawks very tough plus are coming off 6 wins in their last 7 games.
Listen, if it were me and I worked for the Blackhawks I would be quietly rooting for a flame out of a finish to their season because the Hawks are in desperate need of a top 10 pick. But, I do not work for the team, so me being me, I am rooting for this weird strong finish to the year but only if it ends in a playoff performance. A playoff performance that ends in a long run, for if this team finishes any other way (ie,. missing the playoffs or 1st round again exit again), heads (relax, I mean jobs) will roll.
Excited to see how this Jekyll and Hyde Blackhawks team hits the ice on Tuesday.
See ya out there!
JL
Who we got next: Nashville Predators
Season Matchup:
Chicago ✓
Nashville ✓✓
29-11-7 = 65 points
2nd in Central Division
Last game: WON vs. New Jersey (3-0) on January 25th
GF: 141 / GA: 119
PP% = 24.0% (3rd in NHL)
PK% = 82.7% (8th in NHL)
Sniper: Craig Smith – 15 goals
Producer: PK Subban – 37 points
Tough Guys: – Austin Watson - 82 PIMs & Alexei Emelin - 123 hits
Expected Starter: Pekka Rinne
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