Blackhawks Progress: From $62.8 million to 20 cents – 10 Questions The Blackhawks Must Answer

Christopher Ralph – PIB Co-conspirator

Back in September of last year PIB highlighted 10 questions to monitor as the season progresses. Given that we’re now slightly more than half way through the season I thought it appropriate to take a look back at these previously raised issues and see how the ‘Hawks are measuring up. Consider this my spin on the mid-term report.

You might also want to check out two outstanding mid-season reports that are done in a more traditional fashion:

*Second City Hockey

 *PIB Co-conspirator Jim Neveau’s Midterm Report Card

1. Let’s get this one out of the way: Is Cristobel Huet a legitimate #1 NHL goalie and can he take the ‘Hawks to the next level?

My take back in September:

“Is he up for the task? Time will tell. The French netminder does have game, but I, like many analysts, question his ability to be anything but a solid backup at this level. According to THW’s Rafal Ladasz, Huet is the 15^th overall enigma in the NHL.”

Update: Undoubtedly a rough start to the season. Since then, he has been solid. His impressive stats are padded with the defense and team that takes to the ice in front of him. Am I sold on Huet? In a word – No. I guess I’m not easily impressed and may admittedly run the native of France a little hard. While the Wings have done wonders with the likes of Chris Osgood in previous Cup runs, relying on Huet deep in the playoffs could easily prove to be a weak link. But all is not lost…

2. Not when, but who will step up as the starter when Huet falters?

My take back in September:

“My bold prediction is that both [Niemi and Crawford] will actually supplant Huet on the goalie depth chart before season’s end.”

Update: While I may have been a bit premature in predicting both Niemi and Crawford would displace Huet, Niemi may very well still supplant Huet as the starter before the true quest for the Holy Grail begins. The focal point for Niemi to be a legit number one elite goalie at this level will be improving consistency. At the halfway point, like Shakira’s hips (can’t believe I just used that reference), the numbers don’t lie! Playing behind the same team we can compare the stats of Huet and Niemi (even before last night’s 5-2 win over the Bruins with Niemi picking up the win).

- GAA: Huet – 2.08 Vs Niemi 1.81

- SV%: Huet – .912 Vs Niemi .926

- W-L: Huet 20-8 Vs Niemi 10-2

- SO: Huet 3 in 32 games Vs Niemi 4 in 13 games

 3. Is Hossa instead of Havlat an upgrade?

My take back in September:

“Another photo finish in this close debate.

Hossa’s 12 year/$62.8 million contract – ridiculous.

 Havlat’s previous injury woes (before last year, at least) – dreadful.

Hossa’s Cup curse (runner up in the last 2 Cup Finals on opposite sides!) – scary.

Hossa’s injured shoulder – don’t become Havlat!

Havlat playing in contract year last season – payday!

Hossa’s two-way ability – formidable!

Havlat’s game-breaking offensive explosiveness – superb!

In the end, I think the ‘Hawks signed the best player available in free agency, and he will have an overall positive impact on the team, gelling well with talented array of young guns they already have up front.”

Update: While we had to wait until the second quarter of the season to see “The Hoss” sport the historic Blackhawk logo, he has not disappointed. Notching 20 points (10G, 10A) in 21 games and a plus 7 rating,  he’ll only get better as the season progresses and will make those around him all the more dangerous.

It’s safe to say Havlat has been a disappointment in Minnesota with 26 points in 38 games and a second worse on the team plus/minus of -10.

Bottom line: Hossa a definite upgrade.

4. Will a trip across the pond for the Victoria Cup, and then to start off the season, result in a poor start? And will Coach Quenneville survive the aftermath of the trip?

My take back in September:

“Another two-part question. As TSN noted: Quenneville has no fear about the Euro-course {‘All four coaches that opened the regular season in Europe last fall failed to finish the year with their job: Barry Melrose (Tampa Bay), Tom Renney (N.Y. Rangers), Craig Hartsburg (Ottawa) and Michel Therrien (Pittsburgh)’.} The Blackhawks might experience some minor jet lag, but it won’t linger long into the season.”

Update: Simple. No (well maybe not Usain Bolt like start out of the gates, but not a poor start buy any means) and Yes.

5. Will the lack of a true physical defenseman hurt the team’s chance to take it to the next, next level?

My take back in September:

“The Flames have Sarich, Regehr, and Phaneuf. The Wings have Brad Stuart. The Penguins have Brooks Orpik. The Bruins have Zdeno Chara. Come playoff time, the benefits of physical blueliners become even more evident. While Keith and Seabrook are tremendous in their own zone and Campbell can throw the scattered highlight reel check, the ‘Hawks do lack that true, pure physical defenseman. While I can’t see it having a huge impact on the regular season, I would like to see the addition of such a player on or before the trade deadline day. Intimidation and striking fear into opposing forwards will be crucial for the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup.”

Update: Admittedly, I might’ve been off the mark on this one. Seabrook can step it up physically and Hjalmarsson is becoming more and more physical to go with his fantastic positional play. Still – if GM Bowman can somehow manipulate and gain some cap relief, gearing up for a long playoff run by adding a physical rear guard who doesn’t hurt the team with his skating, would only make the Blackhawks all the tougher to play against.

6. How will Patrick Kane handle all the exposure?

My take back in September:

“In TSN’s ‘Hawks season preview, they think “Twunny Cent” Kane will be the NHL’s most scrutinized player this season (TSN). That might be the case heading into the season, but I think that will quickly be put to rest. He’s done and said all the right things since the incident that needs no more discussing. This might even prove to heighten his awareness and improve his focus, resulting in an even more dangerous offensive force.”

Update: Another no-brainer! As forecasted, Kane has been obviously been outstanding, leading the team in goals (18), assists (31) and point (49) through 43 games. He is third on the team with plus/minus of +17. More importantly, there have been no further distracting off-ice incidents. Kane will also be an important component of Team USA’s entry at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

7. What effect will Blackhawk player participation in the Olympics have on the club?

My take back in September:

“The impact of this will not be able to be gauged until well into the playoffs. In 2006, the Red Wings had no less than 4 players on Team Sweden’s gold medal winning squad. The President Trophy winning Wings squad, however, was upset in the 1^st round by the Oilers. Did the intense Olympic competition eventually drain the likes of Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Holmstrom and Kronwall? Hard to say for certain as the spoiler team Oilers did climb and scrape their way to the Cup finals (losing to the Hurricanes). Several Blackhawks are in the hunt to join their countries respective Olympic squads.

As I reported from the Team Canada Red and White scrimmage game, Duncan Keith and Jonathon Toews are very strong candidates to make powerhouse Team Canada’s team, with Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp likely on the outside looking in. PIB’s own co-author Jim Neveau covered Team USA’s orientation camp and Patrick Kane will obviously be donning the red, white and blue in Vancouver 2010 barring any injuries. I could also see the versatile Dustin Byfuglien making that squad as well. Of the remaining ‘Hawks, Hossa will be suiting up for Slovakia.

I am definitely all for NHL player Olympic participation. I am just saying there maybe ramifications as the grueling hockey season wears on. There might be only a certain amount of time even the most elite players can go to the well, after such an intense event as the Olympics.”

Update: Obviously, the status is pretty much as above at this point. The only additional information at this point is that we know the selected players for their respective countries.

*Canada: Toews, Keith and Seabrook

*USA: Kane

*Slovakia: Hossa and Kopecky

8. Has the Bowman hockey genius gene rub off on new Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman?

My take back in September:

“PIB’s Jim Neveau provided an excellent in depth review of Stan Bowman’s situation in Chicago back in July (THW). Financial decisions galore will be of utmost importance as the ‘Hawks face a major cap crunch next season and beyond. While his predecessor Dale Tallon made typhoon-like splashes in the offseason for both good and bad reasons, Bowman’s two transactions thus far in his short tenor include an exchange of draft picks with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2010 2nd-round pick for Toronto’s third-round pick in 2011 and a 2011 second-round pick) and claiming Radek Smolenak off waivers a few days ago. Blackhawks faithful can only hope that even a small portion of his father’s hockey magic and genius have rubbed off on Stan.”

Update: The jury is still out on the younger Bowman. His biggest transactions at this point were the signing of the Big 3 – Keith, Toews and Kane. He still has plenty of work ahead of him in the near future facing the inevitable cap crunch in coming seasons.

9. Who is this year’s Blackhawks breakout player?

My take back in September:

“While last season seemed to be “Year Of The Blackhawk Breakout”, who will emerge this year and translate potential into reality? Last season, guys like Dave Bolland, Cam Barker, Andrew Ladd and rookie of the year finalist Kris Versteeg all had tremendous breakthrough seasons. The candidates this year include netminders Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Jack Skille. My vote actually goes for one of the guys who has already “broken out” – Cam Barker. I predict this to be the season the 3^rd overall pick, behind Ovechkin and Malkin, truly breaks out and elevates his game to the next level.”

Update: Well – what can I say – hindsight is 20/20. I couldn’t be more off on this prediction unless Barker has a remarkable second half of the season. When and if Barker does breakthrough, he might be even sporting different colours. He might need a change of scenery although I can’t imagine a better scenario for an offensive blueliner to flourish.

Brouwer, Niemi and Hjalmarsson are the obvious choices at this point for breakout Blackhawk of the year.

10. How much does the loss of Adam Burish impact the team?

My take back in September:

“I covered Burish’s injury in depth last week in the inaugural “Blackhawk Down” column. As I stated in that article: “Taking the agitator role to another level, heart-and-soul, fourth line plugger Adam Burish will miss the majority of the season, after tearing his ACL Sunday night. Burish brings good penalty killing ability, physical play and shot blocking all to the rink, all the time. Beyond that, though, is his ability to get deep under the skin of the opposition’s key players – he truly basks in the glory of that role. While the ‘Hawks have plenty of young players with the ability to jump into the lineup, it’s the intangibles that Burish brings to the team that will be sorely missed.” As noted in one of the “Shots From The Slot” articles, Jesse Rogers rates Adam Burish’s loss to the ‘Hawks as a 5/10. (ESPN) How would you rate the loss? PIB gives it a 6/10.”

Update: It appears Burish might be ready to get back in the lineup after the Olympics. His absence due to injury has obviously not been felt in the win/loss column, but his energy, intensity and other intangibles could have a definite positive impact in a long playoff run.

Post your comments below. Alternatively, you can email me at hockeyspy@gmail.com and/or follow PIB on Twitter to get all the latest Blackhawk news – http://twitter.com/paintitblackhwk

Tags: antti niemi, Brent Seabrook, cam barker, Chicago Blackhawks, Cristobal Huet, Cristobel Huet, Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, marian hossa, martin havlat, Niklas Hjarmalsson, Olympics, Patrick Kane, Tomas Kopecky, Troy Brouwer