Recap: The Nightmare Season Ends, Jets Down Blackhawks 4-1

  

It’s finally over—the most painful season of Blackhawk hockey in a decade. Last night in Winnipeg, the Hawks played game 82 versus the playoff-bound Jets.

Opting to dress 7 defensemen due to injuries/illness at forward, the Hawks’ lines and pairings were:

Patrick Sharp – Nick Schmaltz – Patrick Kane
Dylan Sikura – Victor Ejdsell – Alex DeBrincat
Brandon Saad – Artem Anisimov – Andreas Martinsen
David Kampf – Vinnie Hinostroza

Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Erik Gustafsson – Connor Murphy
Jordan Oesterle – Jan Rutta/Blake Hillman

Midseason legend Jeff Glass returned to the Chicago net, facing off against Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck.

First period.

The first 15 minutes of the period were scoreless, although the Jets built a margin in shots on net. After a nice kill of a Jan Rutta holding penalty, featuring two gutsy shot blocks by Brent Seabrook on Patrik Laine, the Hawks number finally came up. With Nick Schmaltz and Andreas Martinsen in the box, you knew the Hawks’ early luck was running out. Sure enough, at 4:46, former Hawk Dustin Byfuglien blasted one past Glass. 1-0 Jets at the end of 1. Shots in the period were 10-6 Winnipeg.

Second period.

Uh, yeah, the second period.

The Jets scored three goals in the first seven minutes. On the first, not long after the puck dropped, Brent Seabrook caught an edge on the new ice while taking a shot from the point. Kyle Connor gathered it up, swooped in on Glass and—bang—2-0 Jets.

But the fun was just getting started. With most of the Hawks overcommitted in the Jets’ zone (a common theme last night), Andrew Copp broke free and blasted a puck past Glass to make it 3-0.

But then things started to go the Hawks way—the Jets took a penalty and on the ensuing power play . . . the Jets scored! As the Hawks struggled to make a clean entry to the offensive zone, Copp again corralled a loose puck, turned on the speed to beat Duncan Keith, and beat Glass again. 4-0 Jets.

Finally, at 9:08, Seabrook beat a screened Hellebuyck from the point, to make the score 4-1.Shots in the period were 15-11 Winnipeg.

Third period.

Neither team hit the twine, although this was the one period where the Hawks had a small edge in shots, 14-13.

The good.

Kudos to Jeff Glass. In his first game back in the NHL (and likely his last), he faced 39 shots and made some outstanding saves. He also didn’t have much chance on the goals he allowed.

Aside from his second period stumble, I thought Seabrook had a decent game—and overall, he has been pretty solid down the stretch this year, which portends well for next year.

The bad.

If you dispassionately watched Dylan Sikura and Viktor Ejdsell last night, you’d see proof of what I aways say about the value of gaining pro experience in North America before playing regularly in the NHL.

Yes, Alex Debrincat, like Patrick Kane 11 years ago, has been an exception to that rule. But for most players, even the likes of Brandon Saad, time in the AHL is incredibly worthwhile. Sikura has skill and awareness. He also tried several cross ice passes last night that weren’t timed properly and lacked the necessary zip to make it to the intended target—instead, they got picked off and allowed the Jets odd-man rushes. You can get away with that in college, where players are slower and less gifted. Sikura will need to adjust to the pro game.

Similarly Ejdsell—unlike his stellar Swedish League “youtubes”—he doesn’t get wide, stinking open in the slot and the time to target his shot in the NHL. He doesn’t look egregiously bad in the NHL. He just looks like another guy. And the Hawks need way more than that right now at the center position. Ejdsell was 25% in the dot last night. But, then again, Artem Anisimov was 22%. Mitigating that, Nick Schmaltz was—hey!—58%. But Schmaltz was 40.1% for the year, which is unacceptable for a full time center.

The ugly.

Defense, defense, defense. Yet again. Horrible structure. Clown car positioning in the defensive zone. Not nearly physical enough around their own net.

In addition to the shortcomings of the Erik Gustafssons, Jan Ruttas, Connor Murphys and  Jordan Oesterles, the Hawks need to take a hard look at where the 2-time Norris Trophy winning Duncan Keith is at this point of his career. How much of this year’s underachievement was mental/emotional (which is easily correctable) and how much can be traced to a dropoff in physical ability.

For all the grief Seabrook took early in the season, as of last night and the previous several games, he was easily the team’s most reliable defender.

Summary.

In a lot of ways, this season has been like getting hit by a bus. It hurts real bad and you never saw it coming.

Put another way, when you step back and look at the “narrative” of the last couple of years and where the team stands today, does anyone doubt at this point that the Hawks are in rebuilding mode—or should be?

The argument that “this is a playoff team with Crow” is pretty much laughable. And “Crow” will turn 34 next season, coming off (hopefully) some kind of fairly serious medical issue.

The truth is, although GM Stan Bowman and Head Coach Joel Quenneville will be back next season—last week, and you heard it here first, I heard specifically that John McDonough has begun quietly exploring alternatives to at least one of them. I’ll have some details on this week’s RinkCast.

This team is not a healthy Corey Crawford or Jonathan Toews away from contention. It has gigantic holes on defense, where it’s two remaining proven veterans are both getting long in the tooth. It needs another center, possibly a second line center, since the obviously talented Schmaltz nevertheless can’t win faceoffs and gets marginalized in physical games. And Artem Anisimov never does quite enough to hold down that job either. This team could also use one, maybe two goalies.

Instead of doubling down on his own mistakes as Bowman has been prone to do in the past, this is the summer, possibly with some significant cap space, to prove he can be a builder as a GM, not just a tinkerer and trimmer. And make some hard decisions, think creatively, and see if he can turn this ship around next year.

Or else.

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Check it out: https://twitter.com/TheRinkOfficial/status/982381116362559488. Items will be available for order soon.

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Center Ice Forums Recap: The Nightmare Season Ends, Jets Down Blackhawks 4-1

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • #6470
    John Jaeckel
    Participant

    It’s finally over—the most painful season of Blackhawk hockey in a decade. Last night in Winnipeg, the Hawks played game 82 versus the playoff-bound J
    [To continue reading full article, click here: Recap: The Nightmare Season Ends, Jets Down Blackhawks 4-1]

    #6472
    Bob Rose Jr
    Participant

    >Well said, JJ

    >Hard to fathom that the Hawks really believe that somehow, magically, this D corp will learn to play hockey over the summer

    >Soupy Campbell, right now, could return to the lineup and be, at least, the Hawks #3 Dman

    >This team is in serious trouble — and only every move made hitting the “jackpot” will save them

    >What will happen with the center position?  1-4 no one is a “complete” center at this time — Toews hopefully again — Schmaltz can be

    >Goalie: Crow is one shot/one getting run hit from possibly being done and everyone behind him stinks. Period.

    >How many impact players, players that can dominate a shift, are on the Hawks roster right now?

    >What IS Blackhawk hockey these days?

    >Are the Hawks the most innovative and best developers of players’ skill?

    >Why will the Hawks get different results next year with the same people in the most influential and important positions?

    >If the Hawks are to reach elite status again, seeing the current, true reality of the players’ ability, all coaches throughout the org, and the GM is a must

     

     

    #6473
    Under Qs moustache
    Participant

    The dumpster fire is put out for this year. JJ and crew thanks for making this year’s version of the Hawks entertaining after game 2.  I would not expect next year’s team to be much better right now, unless big changes in personell occur in all areas. Even then it would take a lot of luck for the Hawks to be a contender in the West. Enjoy the playoffs and see how far the Hawks as currently comprised are away from contention.

    #6474
    Tim M.
    Participant

    I loved it when Connor’s got the breakaway and Konroyd said that he even beat Keith, who Konroyd said was one of the fastest players in the NHL.  I know the announcers are homers, but Konroyd reminds me of Kup when he was doing the Bears radio with Brickhouse. Dat’s right, Jack.

    #6475
    35Tony0
    Participant

    Your last paragraph says a lot. The ‘Hawks are in a much different position than they have been since the 2010 Cup. They’re builders and buyers. Happy hunting Stan!

    #6476
    Alan Parsons
    Participant

    Way too many players under contract.  Need to deal 2-3 defensemen.  Maybe get a few crappy draft picks back.  Way too many of the same quality of player under contract now.  Plenty of cap space, but no where to put anyone.  Will be a very interesting off season.

    #6485
    fattybeef
    Participant

    Hopefully they get some love from the NHL and win the lottery. Then give Tavares some monies. And maybe JVR. And then trade everyone in 3 years.

    They’ll have the money and they do have some younger assets thats are borderline NHL ready that would be attractive to some teams. Like Debrincat or Schmaltz or Sikura for some kind of defender that doesn’t suck. Only so many of those guys can play LW at one time and Saad owns one of those spots.

    What does Schmaltz get you? Maybe package with AA and move to Philly for one of those big +defenders and some futures? Maybe a more polished NHL defender from another team?

    Bottom line is they have cap space and if this is the “group” and they’re not going to do an actual “rebuild” then they should be ruthless in moving some young players to fill some of those massive gaps.

    If Crow isn’t back next year, more so then defend they will need to score like the 2010 team did, and there are players available that can help them out there. AND they have assets to make some moves as well. It will be most frustrating if they do literally nothing.

    #6487
    Riozzo
    Participant

    Great perspective as usual JJ.

     

    rich

    #6490
    Hank_Greenberg
    Participant

    [quote quote=6472]>Well said, JJ >Hard to fathom that the Hawks really believe that somehow, magically, this D corp will learn to play hockey over the summer >Soupy Campbell, right now, could return to the lineup and be, at least, the Hawks #3 Dman >This team is in serious trouble — and only every move made hitting the “jackpot” will save them >What will happen with the center position? 1-4 no one is a “complete” center at this time — Toews hopefully again — Schmaltz can be >Goalie: Crow is one shot/one getting run hit from possibly being done and everyone behind him stinks. Period. >How many impact players, players that can dominate a shift, are on the Hawks roster right now? >What IS Blackhawk hockey these days? >Are the Hawks the most innovative and best developers of players’ skill? >Why will the Hawks get different results next year with the same people in the most influential and important positions? >If the Hawks are to reach elite status again, seeing the current, true reality of the players’ ability, all coaches throughout the org, and the GM is a must

    [/quote]

    A dark take for sure, Snap, but hard to argue with. The problems on this team seem systemic (unmovable contracts, lack of depth, failure to develop young players, etc.), so it’s tough to envision a rapid turn-around next season.

     

    #6495
    Breadbag
    Participant

    Thanks for the recap JJ.

    For me the Nightmare was more last year when they got hit that speeding bus of a playoff series against the 8th seed and barely scored anything in getting swept.  My expectations were much higher at the time.

    I think they do need to improve the defensive core, but admittedly I find it bit hard to pass much judgement on the last 20 games or so when they didn’t have much to play for anymore.

    1) I think this was well documented this year but the Hawks are giving up their blueline way too easily.  Some of the better games to me (like vs Detroit Jan 25th) the Dmen were standing guys up at the blue line more and getting support from the forwards in the process.  I don’t know what it is, but to me they are worried about getting beat with speed (maybe because they are over-matched by speedy forwards) but the D seem to back off and give up ground too much.  Maybe it is confidence for some guys too.  I know the forwards have been caught deep a lot and the team gives up a lot of odd man breaks, but maybe they have to be less aggressive at forward because their D aren’t built to handle that style of play.  I just hope they can kill more plays and generate more turnovers because it would probably give them those counter attacks where a stretch pass can turn defense into offense.

    2)   The Hawks need some stability in net and someone who plays with confidence.  I was wary about the backup situation since Darling left.  Forsberg to me, needs to find some confidence if he will be the guy.  He seems to be more talented than Glass or Berube overall, but just seems to get rattled and let in a bad one too often.  I do think some of the bad goals given up by the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string guys was deflating to the whole team.  Not saying they always played great in front of them, but I think guys play better when they believe in their goalie.

    3) I think they will keep Toews/Schmaltz as the top 2 C.  Schmaltz might still be weak on the draw, but he did improved 10% from 30 % to 40% year over year.  Maybe he will flirt with 50% next season?  Kampf wasn’t bad at the dot at least, nearly as good as Toews in the Dzone.  What I find curious is that AA and Schmaltz each had a lower FO% in the offensive zone where they should have a slight edge (maybe they are facing better FO winning C in those situations?)

    #6499
    DK002
    Participant

    John great read as always.  I think you’ve summed it up nicely here.  There are those that think this team is a healthy 19 and 50 away…no way.  This team is in deep crap.  The defense in particular is a mess and of course Stan’s bringing everyone back.

    I’m praying that your McD update will be that he’s exploring getting rid of the Caretaker and get a GM in here that actually knows WTF he’s doing.  Honestly Bowman should already be gone but they’re using Crawford for cover and we know how McD feels about daddy.  But we also know Stan’s not a builder – just take a good look at this last offseason’s handiwork and its all you need to know.

    You could certainly look back at the full body of work…Leddy and Sharp deals which you’ve mentioned Stan was fleeced both times which started the train moving the wrong direction.  We’ve also seen Jeff O’s articles on his drafting…yikes.  Going to be a long summer.

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