Taking a look at this years, we see the stars like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp, Marion Hossa, Brad Richards, Brent Seabrook, and (I guess) Corey Crawford getting primed for another run at making the playoffs and getting to the finals. Out of all those listed for this season, six of them have one it twice with the Hawks, Crawford was the winning goalie in 2013, and although Brad Richards has not won a Cup it with the Blackhawks, he did win one in '04 with the Tampa Bay Lightening so he knows what it takes to get to the top of the mountain. Basically, they have everything in place this year to have made themselves an automatic favorite to take back the crown that they almost were able to recapture last season. And while I do cheer and hope that the Blackhawks can win the Stanley Cup this season, I feel this sense of uncertainty looming over the team right now as the season begins to get underway where feelings will sway between fans between feeling that they must watch and it is not even worth troubling themselves over it.
The feeling started awhile back when the Blackhawks made the announcement of signing star forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to their new contracts. How much for how long? Both players got contracts worth $84 million over eight years! I say again: BOTH players got that contract! What?! These two guys are worth a total of $168 million?! I couldn't believe it at first, but thinking on it made me realize that these were two keys components for us to have if we wanted to stay competitive like we have been since they both hit the ice in the '07-'08 season. But still, the money just seemed like way too much for one guy. And then to go and double that to the other guy also seems like a really bold move. I did not want to say it, but in my mind, all I could think about was how that decision to sign them both to such huge deals would spell "problems" for the team and the franchise.
The team looked solid in it's first five games with a 4-1 start. but then my thinking of "something is coming" grew more when I saw the team play against the Anaheim Ducks. in the game, Chicago fired the puck 38 times at the net with three power play opportunities and won 34 of 56 faceoffs. So while the stats say one thing, the play on the ice said a whole other thing. Basically, the Hawks had that look of a competitive team, but something seemed to be missing. It was like there was a lack of chemistry on the ice with some bad passes, poor shot choices, and showed very little aggression on defense. Of course, we have to give some credit to Anaheim goaltender John Gibson as he blanketed the net for the shutout along with a strong showing from the Anaheim defense after outhitting the Blackhawks 37 to 16 all over the ring. But the bad passing in breakaway moments and poor shot choices in one-on-one situations combined with the Ducks ability to skate with speed and strength is what led to the Hawks' loss.
It grew even worse when they were visited by the Winnipeg Jets. Now this team is not anywhere near the talent that the Anaheim Ducks are at (in my opinion), but somehow Chicago was not able to make it happen and lost to the Jets 1-0. Once again, the Blackhawks showed off their stuff with 33 shots on goal, two power play chances, and won 33 out of 57 faceoffs. And once again, the Blackhawks made the same mistakes as they did against Anaheim, including getting outhit 26 to 16 against the Jets. They also aloud former teammate winger and current Jets' captain to assist on the only goal scored by Michael Frolik to add some lemon juice to the cut. So yes, Winnipeg's goalie Michael Hutchinson gets props for shutting out the Hawks with the combo of hardened defensive play, but if more solid plays would have been better executed by Chicago, then maybe we wouldn't have had to endure a second shutout.
There are others that are also associated with the teams semi-pro teams that will be free agents as well, but these names are the ones on the main roster that have shown to have an impact on the team and may not want to take a less because the Hawks can't afford it. Now it is worth mentioning, Oduya, Roszival, and Richards are over 30 years old and could be on there way out of the NHL. Along side them might possibly be winger Marion Hossa, who at 35 years old is still able to look like the hard-nosed scorer we got back in '09. I'm not saying he can't play anymore, but once any athlete is over 30, the thoughts of retirement begin to float around in the air. But the point here is that with Kane and Toews about to receive some serious coin for the next couple of years, it'll be really hard to keep this team all together that has done some incredible things together.
Also, I believe the contracts/salary cap issue I have can be connected to the lack of play in those two games along with some of the other games that they have played and not looked their best. Why is that? Simply because some players are probably worried if they will be with the team next year or possibly the end of this season. This worrying about whether or not they will be in Chicago causes cracks in the chemistry cement that cause the team to begin to stumble and look out of sync. And can you blame them? I mean I understand that Patrick Sharp is a loyal guy and he is no young pup, but he is not stupid and knows that if the Hawks can't afford him along side Toews, Kane, and also Duncan Keith's $72 million deal, then he'll probably get traded away to like the Rangers or Montreal (just spitballing names). And speaking of Keith, he too may find himself on the market for those teams looking to take the 31 year old defenseman and his large contract. However, Keith is a long shot. But his partner in crime on defense, Brent Seabrook, may not be as he is starting to look like he's struggling every now-and-then yet continues to play quick on defense and show a knack for scoring from long range. Although I would hate to see any of these four players go and may not considering what happens with the free agents, these four are the ones that make the most sense I feel because one or two of those contracts would clear up a lot of cap space and they are all still at a point where they are considered highly valuable, meaning the trades would bring Chicago a bundle of talent. But the concern is about getting team chemistry back together (if it is lost) in order to have much better production on the ice and start getting back to 10 or 20 game winning streaks.
Like I said, the Chicago Blackhawks have all the pieces and talent on the team to make it back the Stanley Cup Finals and bring home number three. There is no "definitive" problem that we can see out in the open or are hearing whispers about from those in the organization. I just can not help but feel that seeing this team starting out strong and end up 6 losses and an overtime loss at this point is not how championship team should be starting out. But we are only scratching the surface of the season, so perhaps I will be proven wrong. I really hope I am, but all I can say right is: hang onto your hats ladies and gents cause we are in for a heck of a ride.
It grew even worse when they were visited by the Winnipeg Jets. Now this team is not anywhere near the talent that the Anaheim Ducks are at (in my opinion), but somehow Chicago was not able to make it happen and lost to the Jets 1-0. Once again, the Blackhawks showed off their stuff with 33 shots on goal, two power play chances, and won 33 out of 57 faceoffs. And once again, the Blackhawks made the same mistakes as they did against Anaheim, including getting outhit 26 to 16 against the Jets. They also aloud former teammate winger and current Jets' captain to assist on the only goal scored by Michael Frolik to add some lemon juice to the cut. So yes, Winnipeg's goalie Michael Hutchinson gets props for shutting out the Hawks with the combo of hardened defensive play, but if more solid plays would have been better executed by Chicago, then maybe we wouldn't have had to endure a second shutout.
So here's the deal: giving Toews and Kane that money was an unnecessary burden to the organization. It's not that they don't deserve it. After all, these two did get Chicago to the playoffs six out of the last seasons since they arrived in 2007. The issue is that their are others that helped them get there six out of seven times. After last year's negotiations, the NHL salary cap is at $69 million this season. The Blackhawks are sitting on a payroll that has them about $100,000 under the cap, including $60,000 penalty for going over the limit last season. They also have to consider that next season, seven players from the main roster will become free agents.
The Seven: Centers- Brad Richards, Marc Kruger, Peter Regin
Wings- Brandon Saad, Daniel Carcillo
Defensemen- Mike Roszival, John Oduya
The Seven: Centers- Brad Richards, Marc Kruger, Peter Regin
Wings- Brandon Saad, Daniel Carcillo
Defensemen- Mike Roszival, John Oduya
There are others that are also associated with the teams semi-pro teams that will be free agents as well, but these names are the ones on the main roster that have shown to have an impact on the team and may not want to take a less because the Hawks can't afford it. Now it is worth mentioning, Oduya, Roszival, and Richards are over 30 years old and could be on there way out of the NHL. Along side them might possibly be winger Marion Hossa, who at 35 years old is still able to look like the hard-nosed scorer we got back in '09. I'm not saying he can't play anymore, but once any athlete is over 30, the thoughts of retirement begin to float around in the air. But the point here is that with Kane and Toews about to receive some serious coin for the next couple of years, it'll be really hard to keep this team all together that has done some incredible things together.
Also, I believe the contracts/salary cap issue I have can be connected to the lack of play in those two games along with some of the other games that they have played and not looked their best. Why is that? Simply because some players are probably worried if they will be with the team next year or possibly the end of this season. This worrying about whether or not they will be in Chicago causes cracks in the chemistry cement that cause the team to begin to stumble and look out of sync. And can you blame them? I mean I understand that Patrick Sharp is a loyal guy and he is no young pup, but he is not stupid and knows that if the Hawks can't afford him along side Toews, Kane, and also Duncan Keith's $72 million deal, then he'll probably get traded away to like the Rangers or Montreal (just spitballing names). And speaking of Keith, he too may find himself on the market for those teams looking to take the 31 year old defenseman and his large contract. However, Keith is a long shot. But his partner in crime on defense, Brent Seabrook, may not be as he is starting to look like he's struggling every now-and-then yet continues to play quick on defense and show a knack for scoring from long range. Although I would hate to see any of these four players go and may not considering what happens with the free agents, these four are the ones that make the most sense I feel because one or two of those contracts would clear up a lot of cap space and they are all still at a point where they are considered highly valuable, meaning the trades would bring Chicago a bundle of talent. But the concern is about getting team chemistry back together (if it is lost) in order to have much better production on the ice and start getting back to 10 or 20 game winning streaks.
Like I said, the Chicago Blackhawks have all the pieces and talent on the team to make it back the Stanley Cup Finals and bring home number three. There is no "definitive" problem that we can see out in the open or are hearing whispers about from those in the organization. I just can not help but feel that seeing this team starting out strong and end up 6 losses and an overtime loss at this point is not how championship team should be starting out. But we are only scratching the surface of the season, so perhaps I will be proven wrong. I really hope I am, but all I can say right is: hang onto your hats ladies and gents cause we are in for a heck of a ride.
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