As good as it gets
I have just one thing to say about this marvelous run by the Blackhawks: Too bad it's not April.
The playoffs are still more than three months away and a lot can happen in the second half of the season. Things like injuries. So far the Hawks have been lucky in that department, but the good thing is this looks to be a team that could overcome an injury or two thanks to its depth.
But let's not even worry about that until it happens.
Let's enjoy the ride, as Patrick Sharp said the other day, especially these games with the Red Wings. A split would do just fine, but this is a Hawks team that doesn't get satisfied.
The Winter Classic is going to be great. Wrigley Field looks spectacular and most sightlines are better than I thought. Nobody is going to have a perfect view, however.
Nikolai Khabibulin starts Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena and I would be surprised if Q doesn't come right back with him on Thursday. These are huge games and Khabibulin is still your guy, so he plays.
1 goal and 1 assist last night!!!
looks like possibly a sprained right ankle as his skate appeared to get caught in a rut in the ice as cleary hit him - he went down awkwardly, and appeared to twist his right ankle.
the hawks sagged noticeably after he went down - hopefully they are just being cautious with him and he'll be back, but if he is out for any extended period, that will hurt.
sigh of relief as kane back out there to start the 2nd, but gets hit awkwardly again right off the bat...
As far as trades go, don't touch Spezza. He is a problem and would take up way too much salary.(8 million per season with 4 years remaining after this) Gotta lock up the talent they have now. Sopel is definitly expendable at this point, but you gotta think that the Hawks won't get anything for him right now. Trading away Barker would be a mistake unless you get a lot in return. He isn't done developing and really rounds out the top 4 Dmen. The D is the strength of the team and the offense really starts from the great puck moving D and their ability to blast shots from the point. No point in ruining the strength of the team to get a couple wins now and ruin their future.
Huet has been solid lately, but I think Q will give Khabby the nod for both games against Detroit here with the importance in the standings. If the playoffs started today the Hawks would be going in with Khabby as #1. Red Wings have cooled off slightly so now is the chance the Hawks have been waiting for, especially given that they have neatly handed Detroit two shootout wins after clearly outplaying the Wings for most of both games. I don't think the third period will come back to haunt them this time, the boys are playing with confidence now. Come on Hawks! Show the Wings how old and slow they really are. Show em just how terrible their goaltending really is.
The Hawks would do well to wait until the trade deadline before making any moves, which I think they will. Who knows what injuries or needs will arise in the next month.
I have not seen enough of Spezza. Hope the Hawk scouts give Dale an accurate evaluation of this player.
the Hawks have a surplus of young guys...if they can do this, they should. the Hawks have a strong locker room and Q can get the best out of Spezza. I agree...small window, jump at the chance.
No team in the NHL is perfect. You can take a look at any NHL team and point out flaws or would be trades, but this Hawks team right now is unreal. I'm trying to hold back my excitement as the season is only 33 games in, and there is still a brutal stretch of 10 of 11 games on the road, but give credit to this team. They are dominating teams left and right, and not patsies, or home games. They are winning in tough buildings (edmonton, colorado, vancouver, calgary, and minnesota).
The past two games they have been dominated in the faceoff department, yet still managed to dominate each game. At some point they will need to get a Yanic Perrault type player to win that crucial defensive faceoff late in a game. They may need another large forward, but right now they are getting everything they can out of each player.
I know this Winter Classic is a regular season game, but I personally think it will be a huge test for the Hawks. The Redwings have been awakened by this team breathing down their back. They have some injuries, and until now no 2 games have been more important in the standings. The Redwings will bring their "A" game. The Hawks will be the focus of the whole NHL in a marque game, and this will be as CLOSE to a playoff game they will have. Lets see how this young team responds. This could pay huge dividends for the Hawks come April.
No doubt in my mind they come out firing. They aren't getting caught up in there hype, they seem like a very tight team, and the support they are getting from role players is what marks a true contender. Cam Barker is pulled out. They dominate Philly. Aaron Johnson is pulled out. They dominate Minnesota. They have some HUGE depth on the blueline, and maybe the pieces to add that veteran center or large forward comes from a Brent Sopel, or Cam Barker.
Very exciting times.
Tim, I know you've really fallen for this team, and I can see why. My son and I went to Saturday's practice at the Edge, and we had a blast. There was something about seeing this team up close in an intimate environment that made me realize how much talent they have. Keith. Toews. Campbell. Havlat. Khabibulin. Kane. Big Buff. Versteeg. Huet. Sharpie. Seabrook. Etc. I don't know how they did it, but they've done it. The Hawks assembled a team of hockey rock stars.
What made it fun was how hard they were working. After spanking the Flyers 5-1 the night before, they were absolutely flying around the ice. Every player had a big smile on their face. You could hear chatter from all over the ice. The big crowd was into it. And it was free!!! It really was cool to see.
Junior and I went to a Hawks game in the spring of 07, and it was one of the most depressing nights of my life. I've been a Hawks fan since 1966, and here I was in a stadium with about 4,000 fans watching a dreadful, lifeless, skill-less squad playing in a morgue. Less than two years later, these guys are like the Beatles!!!
Sharpie's right . . . let's enjoy the ride and see where it takes us. And Tim, thanks for your great coverage of the squad. Even in the down years (decade?), you were still a must read.
The Ottawa press is all over this guy because he plays soft and has problems with his teammates in the locker room.
Brian Englom and Keith Jones from the Versus Network talk about how small he plays for a big man.
Why in the world would the Hawks trade good, young talent for a guy like this?
I'll keep this one short.
People who want Spezza in a hawk uniform are on drugs. sorry.
To a certain extent, I agree. You would rather be making deals from a position of strength. Ottawa is going to have to deal because they're playing terribly and no sense of direction. If that means giving up a Barker who has some upside than so be it. The only thing you have to be careful of is team chemistry. Right now, the Hawks chemistry is as good as it gets. Bringing in a different personality that might not mesh may not be a smart thing to do.
Let's hope they do the right thing and keep this solid play going!!!
If you are looking for a player from Ottawa, Spezza is the way to go. It would cost the Hawks Bolland and Barker, but Spezza is a true #1 center.
Injuries are inevitable. Who in Rockford can really be counted on? Windows like this don't come around Chicago often. The offense is spectacular no doubt but small and young. Tallon needs to go for it big time. Ottawa is in free fall. Go get Alfredson. Even if it means Barker has to go back to the minors to clear salary. Keep the pressure on them Tim.