Can The Chicago Blackhawks Make The Playoffs? (cli...

There are a ton of sports clichés that are out there, some I believe in, some I don’t. One of which I do believe in is the championship hangover and the Chicago Blackhawks are living proof. A dominant force on the ice last year in all aspects of the game, the team hasn’t been the same this year.

The salary cap in the NHL is a joke; it’s the only league in pro sports that actually counts bonus money against an organization (I.E; bonus money for making the playoffs, making it to the Stanley cup finals, and winning the Stanley cup). Throw that in with a hand full of big contracts from former GM Dale Tallon, a bunch of players wanting more money for being Stanley cup champions and now it’s a whole new team.

The time came to clear some financial space.

Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Brent Sopel and 4^th line bum Ben Eager were traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for a 1^st and 2^nd round pick and a few minor leaguers. 3 out of the 4 were a key part in that championship that had a lot of time to gel with the other Blackhawks stars Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. The organization parted ways with Finnish goaltender Antti Niemi (who had a slow start to the season but has caught fire lately for the San Jose Sharks) and signed free agent veteran goaltender Marty Turco, assuming he had something left for this season.

They assumed wrong.

All the blanks left open in the painful (yet necessary) trade to Atlanta have been filled in by a lot of minor league talent and less than average talent in trades (yeah Fernando Pisani, I’m looking in your direction). Jack “I’m almost going to make a big play” Skille has been disappointing and has been traded to the Florida panthers for yet more prospects as well. However, the good news is that Corey Crawford whom has been groomed for a number of years in the AHL has really stepped up his game, being a suitable replacement for Niemi. Trust me, that’s saying something, I was probably Niemi’s biggest supporter last season Crawford currently has 2 shutouts, whith a goals allowed average of 2.16 and a save percentage of .920.

In order for this team to get to the playoffs, the veterans this team decided to keep around need to play to their potential. Marian Hossa needs to suck it up and not take off several games when he breaks a nail, Patrick Kane needs to stop closing out the bars in Chicago and show up to practice, Duncan Keith needs to actually defend someone and not play like he has his head up his Arse, and Marty Turco should not be allowed to play anymore for the rest of the season…at all. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp can’t do this on their own.

As I am writing this, the Chicago Blackhawks have 64 points on the season and need 4 more to get the 8^th seed at the very least. What kind of sucks is that the Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild (really?) are also out of the playoffs right now but are still ahead in the standings with more points. That being said, the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th seeds (The Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks) are all tied with 68 points, so pretty much anyone has a chance to get in. There are only 24 games left in the regular season for Chicago, and only 10 of them are at home, so from here on out, every point from every game counts.

IF the hawks are good enough to get in, it’s a whole new season from there…and then they can get the clean slate they desperately need.

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