Rejoint: juill. 2019
Messages: 640
Mentions "j'aime": 162
I don’t see how any of these deals improve the Blackhawks chances of making the playoffs. Players moved (as in the first trade (Smith & Koekkoek) are role players that aren’t being replaced when moved. Ideally Coleman would be expected fit into either of the first to lines. You can argue Caggiula could replace Smith on the 4th, but Smith takes draws and kills penalties. Like it or not Smith is contributing to the Hawks penalty kill.
Koekokkoek has been in my opinion, is what the Hawks hoped he be. Rock steady defending, and consistent moving the puck out of his end. He keeps the game simple. Who steps in to replace him. The Hawks were most fortunate they were deep in the back end to replace Seabrook & De Haan.
Tell me (for any Kovalchuk boosters out there), why is he an after thought ? The man is done. A shell of his former self. Evidently Rob Blake came to that conclusion this season. Horrible signing.
I like the Martinez deal but he will be sought by many playoff clubs. It will cost the Blackhawks more. Not sure if Kings would take Gustafsson.
A deep draft year. The Hawks should wisely hold onto their picks.
To make the claim the Hawks are an contender is an overstatement. They can make the playoffs, and even have success, but everything must continue to work perfectly.
Goaltending (been the Hawks strength all season)
Penalty Killing (surprisingly turned it around to be a top 10 team)
Secondary scoring ( the key I think to Hawks making the post season is how much scoring DeBrincat & Strome generate in the next 3-4 weeks) Carpenter is playing the off wing, and it could be argued the he could be moved to the fourth line, and Smith be traded for a winger for the third line. I will say in my opinion, this would be a mistake. Blackhawks should find a rental winger and give up a non roster player and or pick.
Power play ( Clearing their power play, and been a left down all season. With all their offensive weapons it is hard to imagine their power play is so low in the league. I like to see Kubalik on the 1st unit and move DeBrinicat to the 2nd unit with Strome. If possible can Kane play the 2 minutes?
Staying healthy ( this I think determines if the Blackhawks could have a deep run. In my opinion, the don’t have the depth to sustain a deep run.
The past two seasons the Hawks have been in a mini rebuild without tearing it all down. Reflecting on how fragile this club appeared in November to their level of play now ... it has been a surprisingly progression.
What I said yesterday. The Hawks appear to have team chemistry. To much movement detracts team chemistry. The Hawks should find a winger and defensive depth.