Blackhawks Renaissance: Trade Deadline Wakeup Call
The Blackhawks have played the last 11 games without their captain, Jonathan Toews. Seven of those have come since the NHL trade deadline, when the Hawks disappointed many fans by only making two moves (acquiring defenseman Johnny Oduya and moving “defenseman” John Scott).
It appears the deadline may have been the wakeup call the Blackhawks’ superstars needed.
Since the deadline, the Blackhawks have a 5-1-1 record, including wins at Ottawa and Detroit and at home against the New York Rangers and St. Louis. The Rangers and Blues were in first place in their respective conferences at the times of the Blackhawks’ victories.
Much has already been said about Patrick Kane since he moved back to center. In the seven games since the deadline, Kane has four goals and three assists, with a point in five of the seven games. He has also won 34 of 83 faceoffs (41 percent), and has two game-winning goals.
While Kane is stealing the headlines, Patrick Sharp has been red hot as well. He has eight points (two goals, six assists) since the deadline. Sharp is tied for the team lead with three points (one goal, two assists) on the power play since the deadline as well.
If Kane and Sharp have been good, Marian Hossa has been great. He has a point in six of the seven games since the deadline, piling up three goals and six assists in that span. In the wins against the Rangers and Blues, Hossa had eight hits and two blocked shots as well. He has two game-winners in the last seven games, and has the same one goal and two assists on the power play as Sharp.
The surprising name to stand out on the stat sheet since the deadline has been rookie center Marcus Kruger. In the last seven games, Kruger has two goals and three assists. Jamal Mayers has won 50.7 percent of his faceoffs since Toews left the lineup as well, leading the team.
Clearly the Blackhawks are at their best when Toews is healthy and contributing; he’s one of the best all-around players in the league today. But while he’s out of the lineup, the Hawks will need their other superstars to continue contributing in a big way, as well as role players like Kruger and Mayers to provide an impact.
So far- it appears Bowman made a great call on Oduya.
Here is the question looking ahead… Will the Hawks eat both contracts of Monty and #4 next year or try to move them? Don’t see much value in return and Monty is cheaper choice for 3rd pairing. And will the Hawks make the re-signing of Oduya a priority?
yeah lets not use his name the rest of the year. 4 really shit the bed on st louis’ first and third goals.
I think Strachan can revise his statements now.
Hjarmlsson is still hurt. When he is healthy he is a key player for our Defense. Oduya was a great pick up. I can stop whining about Campbell now. I would definitely sign Oduya to a longer contract. Kane is stepping up. Factoring in his young age and upside I wouldn’t trade Kane for any one player right now. I know that opinion is controversial and many disagree, but thats my opinion. When the captain comes back and #4 gets healthy we can make a playoff run if our goaltending holds up. A legitimate chance at a deep run is what I have been asking for and I think we have that if we get fully healthy and the goaltending holds up.
Hey, the site is back. What happened?
Traffis crashed the server I was using, so I had to make a move that took a little more/longer than anticipated. Glad to be back, though
Glad you’re back, I must have retyped committedindians.com 40 times the past few days haha. Go Hawks!
Glad the site is up and running again…I must add I can’t share in the bashing of Hammer.
Oh, okay. Well, glad its back up, Tab.
For a short while there, I would open the site and it had ‘Aboriginal Gambling’ as a selection. I’m going “Thats not the Committed Indians I’m looking for!” lol
I wanted to get 2 Dmen at the deadline. One will have to work. Again, Hawks are good on O for the next several years….if they keep the prospects. They will have to let go of something this summer to get another 1 or 2 grinding Dmen.
Bowman….please keep the youth movement going
#27 has shown signs that he can be an excellent passer. He moves the puck down the ice with quick crisp passes. #4 has been a disappointment all year. He simply hasn’t progressed in the past two years. If you can move him during the summer…. then do it. If you can move Monty… same. Then make a run at resigning #27 and Suter. The growth of #8 and #34 will end up being what solidifies the “D”. #8 will eventually allow us to forget what old # 51 was good at. Don’t forget this kid is a rookie. I think he has done damn well… I expected some up’s and downs.