Blog Playoff Edition #2: Black Hawk Down

As many people might know, I am an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan. I think what the Hawks have done in the past 7 years, winning 3 Stanley Cup's, is nothing short of amazing. Given today's NHL, that is a feat that will not soon be repeated.

However with their 1st Round sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators, the Hawks glory days might be behind them. It's the first time since 1993 that Chicago has been swept, and their 50 win season now becomes a distant memory. The Hawks top players where shutdown, and the team only managed to score 3 goals in 4 games. Ouch!! That leaves Bowman and Quenneville left for some BIG decisions to be made.

The Hawks have all their big players under contract for a few years, so unlike last season, they won't loose alot of players. I mean the Hawks were flogged hard core during the past summer. Andrew Shaw, Andrew Ladd, Teuvo Teravainen... those were big names, and experience.

Still the Hawks were able to find new talent. Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz stepped up, and they are just going to get better. So it is not like Chicago is going to regress to a point that they were in the early/mid 2000's.

One thing that the Hawks do need, is support on the blueline. After Keith and Seabrook, they don't really have a "go to guy". Also Keith and Seabrook are not getting younger. If the Hawks are going to make a splash during the off season, it is to get an offensive defenseman, who can log big time minutes.

One BIG change that might need to come in internally. The Hawks have been known as a "finesse" team, and that has worked well for them in the past. However, the last two years, they have been eliminated in the first round. Now I am not saying that they should fire Quenneville, but they need to find a new style to play, so that they can be effective.

I will end on this. Although this sweep will leave a bitter taste, I still like the savor of the Hawks. It just needs some new spices, and sauces to really bring out the flavour. Damn.. I am hungry now!!

Oh and now the Hawks are out, I will be cheering for Subban and the Predators! Time to see Subby hoist a cup!