It's hard to get too upset over the Blackhawks' 3-2 loss in Detroit yesterday. It was an exciting game - lots of back-and-forth action, plenty of scoring chances for both teams, ect. - and though the 'Hawks lost, they certainly didn't look overmatched. Throw in that Chicago was missing two of its better players in Dave Bolland and Marian Hossa, and nothing I saw last night discouraged me from what I've thought all along: the 'Hawks are going to be one of the best teams in the NHL this season, and they have a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup.
The 'Wings have been one of the best run franchises in sports for a long time. Catching them won't be easy. But, after closing the margin the last three years, this could be the season the Blackhawks stop the Red Wings' streak of eight consecutive division titles.
Division titles - at least in my opinion - only carry weight in baseball and football, though. The success of the 2009-2010 'Hawks will be gauged in the playoffs. They will probably have to go through Detroit once again. It's probably better that way.
If the 'Hawks go the Stanley Cup without having to topple the Red Wings, I'd almost feel as if they hadn't earned it. Perhaps their is no shame in taking the easy path to success, but 'Hawks-'Wings just feels inevitable seven months from now.
The thing separating these two teams at the moment appears to be defense. The 'Hawks will be able to score with any team in the league, especially once Hossa returns. But is Cristobal Huet the type of goalie that can lead a team to the Stanley Cup? Was giving that much money to Brian Campbell a mistake of Luol Deng and Tommie Harris-like proportions? Time will tell. But after watching Chris Osgood and the rugged Detroit backline stonewall many solid Chicago scoring chances last night, it seems clear the 'Hawks D will have to up their game if this season is going to end better than the last.
More than anything, it sure is great to have the 'Hawks back again, right? Their offseason sure was nasty, but let's not forget that this team is loaded with talent. They're the best team in the city, and - 2010 free agent madness aside - should be a very long time.
We'll talk about the impending doom of the offseason another time. For now, let's enjoy Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith while we still have them.
This team is good enough to win a title, and that's what it's all about. For those of you who generally spend your winters questioning the Bulls' rotation or Jim Hendry's latest free agent signing, I urge you to give the 'Hawks priority over those things this year. It'll end up being more rewarding.
Ricky O'Donnell is the designated pinch-hitter at FCP. Contact him at richardpodonnell@gmail.com.
Ok, I'll admit that I'm a casual fan of the game. rather than a die hard, but honestly, doesn't anyone else think this whole thing drags on a bit too long?
With the Winter Olympics intruding upon the schedule, it's been predicted that they'll still be playing Hockey well into next July.
A 10 month long "season" is a bit much, if you ask me. (and I realize that nobody did)
Coupled with the fact that just about every team in the league gets to qualify for the playoffs, I think the NHL is too watered down. A hockey team from Nashville is like a bob sled team from Jamaica. It just doesn't compute.
Mark, I know just about everyone on this blog is no more than a casual hockey fan no matter the quality of the Blackhawks. I accept it. It is, after all, called "Full Court" Press and that bears itself out no matter how bad the Bulls are and the slightest thread is started on their behalf. If the Hawks were bad, the only posts that would happen would be maybe one per winter complaining about the way the franchise is run.
Honestly, while many might consider me a die hard when it comes to hockey or baseball, I'm really not much of a die hard in any sport anymore. Call it post "mid-life crisis." Call it "seeing the light." Call it whatever you wish, but I simply have no time anymore to closely follow any sports team or individual that isn't doing at least marginally well. Even then, my allegiance has gradations upward depending upon the level of success. Hence, post-season-bound teams that can go deep into the playoffs still get very close monitoring by yours truly.
However, I also don't need to have any sports season, no matter how successful, extended by the Olympics.
As the only person rooting AGAINST Detroit in last year's semi finals -- among a sea of "YEAH BRING ON DETROIT" idiots -- I can say with certainty that there is *absolutely* no shame in taking the easy path. We could have lost to the Pens last year, man!
Hossa hasn't even played for the Hawks yet. You are slighting the players who have actually played a game in a hawks uniform. You can't say a player is the "one of the best players" if he hasn't even played yet.
They will not win a Stanley cup until they beat the Redwings.
All this 'contender' talk is loser talk. Same story as last year
if you ask me. Weaker team though.
Ricky responds: In August, AOL's Adam Gretz - a dude who knows far more about hockey than you or I - compiled his list of the 50 best players in the NHL. Two members of the 'Hawks made the cut. Patrick Kane was one of them. He came in at No. 47. Hossa was the other, and he appeared at No. 15.
Saying Hossa is one of the best guys on the team isn't slighting anyone. He's one of the best players in the league and has been for a long time. When he's on the ice, he scores 40 goals a year. So, uh, yeah. Hossa is one of the best (probably THE best) players on the team.
Here's the link if you guys wanna check it out: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/07/18/fanhouses-top-50-nhl-players/
Chicago needs the Detroits and Minnesota's to make them. Bulls need them ad so do the Sox. These rivalries have made MJ and the Bulls grow up and it makes the Whitesox focus and play at a different intensity every year. And I respect AND Admire those cats for bringing it. I am rooting for Minnesota because they are responsible for bringing out the very best in their opponents. They leave it on the field. Minnesota was in a playoff game with the Sox last year and in one with the Tigers this year because you have to tear it from their dead cold hands.
I liked the Pistons because I knew that part of that attitude pumping through their veins was born and raised on the Southside. On the Southside one of my favorite catch-phrases growing up was "Bring IT or Stay Home, Cause a Scared Man Is a Dead Man"!!!! It rang true then and it does today. The Hawks are going to have to man up and go through Detroit! Yeah we have cute looking nice players that skate fast, but if they want that cup - they are going to have to take it like Al Capone. We will thank Detroit for making us. Once we beat them we will be ready to be Champs.
And that brings me to this point - why is it that all of these other cities can pay and field good players and Chicago just won't??? You will not Win - until you Spend!!!
And under the heading, "Ain't Nowhere Else To Put It" ...
... How 'bout dem Raiders!!!
I was actually gonna take those slugs in a parlay. Figured there was no way on Earth that they wouldn't cover the 15 & 1/2 points.
Then I figured again.
I hope Hitman mortgaged the house, and went to the window with them.
In the words of the sage; "Lololololololol".
And I'm wondering, at what point does Hitless finally admit that he doesn't know diddly about the NF of L?
Will eclipsing Detroit's record of futility eventually elicit a mea culpa?
Villano
*smug with the knowledge that the Bears can't lose this week*
Boy, the Raiders are terrible.
yeah Villano...even Chicago's bid for the Olympics can beat the Raiders...BUT
The best Chicago "had" to offer is throwing footballs in Denver and on his way to the Superbowl and then Hawaii...
buh bye Jerry Angelo...and Culzie...when ya can't get any coeds to sit in a limo with ya...I'll have my Wife round some up and you can pay 'em...cuz you'd need to
now get out of my face with your amateur opinions ...
Atlanta is
"now get out of my face with your amateur opinions ..."
As soon as you tell us one more time how much better than the Bears the Raiders are going to be this year.
Hey, When Randy Hanson pulled a Culzie Villano I knew the Raiders were gonna have a rough go of it...season's not over yet, tho
Hitman, you do realize that players vote for the pro bowl? 35 completions and the longest he could throw it was 14 yards? The first
stipulation in voting for a pro bowl qb, is that one can throw the ball........more than 14 yards...i hope..
I give you props on the olympic bid joke, made me chuckle, but I
am sick...so it also made me cough. In a way, you hurt me.
Is the Raiders problem.....the coach or the players? Will Ron
Rivera fix them? I know Angelo will. 'Cause the minute he gets the
ax, the Raiders will take him. They are just that dumb.
well Stuck...I'm afraid Tom Cable over stepped and lost the team...the players are with Hanson from what I've read....and Jamarcus needs to take a seat and let Gradkowski play...that kid is lost
and as far as how far Orton can throw the ball...he plays within the system...he wins...doesn't get rattled...never too high or too low...he's a winner...always has been...look at his record...and besides, Orton has a strong arm...he can throw a laser 35-40 yards down field...but why....Joe Montana didn't
You guys better leave Hitman alone. He said I was going to win the Coach Of The Year award. (he just forgot to say which year)
Mess with him again, and I'll give you a taste of what I did to that woosie, Hanson.
I'll kill you! ... I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!
I have to go empty Al's bedpan now, but I'll be watching you bums.
A little over halfway through Period 1 against the Calgary Flames (a rematch of last season's first round affair), the Blackhawks were down 5-0. That's an absurd and insurmountable score in ice hockey!
Hawks won the game 6-5.
This ain't your father's Blackhawks. This isn't even your grandfather's Blackhawks.
Patrick Kane is playing like a superstar.
well Tom, lol...leading the Alameda County Covicts Football Team the the California Penal League Championship isn't all bad....probably get Marinovich to QB
Sincerely,
Darth Vader, The Grim Reaper, and the Vice Lords