Despite everyone outside the room telling the Blackhawks they’re supposed to be bad this year, the players on the roster really, truly don’t give a damn. Neither do the coaches. They’re going to do their jobs and play as hard as they can every night, and they’re absolutely buying into what head coach Luke Richardson is selling. Which is tremendously encouraging.
But the reality is still that the Blackhawks are in a rebuild. And their goal is to build organizational depth and add enough talent that the Chicago Blackhawks can get back to the mountain top and stay there again.
So after the current team won three of their first four at the United Center, what did we learn about this team? Here are some of my big takeaways from the past week of hockey.
Since the start of the summer when he was introduced as the new head coach, Richardson has told us he wants a team that will play hard and play fast. In the Blackhawks’ wins against Detroit, Seattle and Florida they did precisely that. Before the Hawks hosted the Oilers, I wondered how their speed game would play against the standard in that area.
The answer to that question is… well, pretty good I guess. It’s pretty hard to get a clean read on how the Blackhawks might have competed against the Oilers had the game been more “normal” because of the overwhelming amount of special teams play, but the Blackhawks definitely skated with them. They just didn’t quite finish the deal. Richardson talked about learning how to be closers after the game.
“We didn’t have the finish they had. They had that killer instinct at the end and we have to learn to have that.”
—Luke Richardson on the Blackhawks’ 6-5 loss to the Oilers, who scored with 38 seconds left pic.twitter.com/lgQiFZLp6E— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) October 28, 2022
What the Blackhawks did do really well was piss off the Oilers skaters. From the mid-point of the first period, the Blackhawks relentless attack was clearly annoying Edmonton and they easily lost their composure (Evander Kane has a history of doing that).
What the Blackhawks lacked was the top-end skill necessary to beat a team loaded with elite talent like the Oilers. But let’s take a step back and appreciate that the Oilers needed a goal from Leon Draisaitl (a former MVP) with under 40 seconds left in regulation to escape with a win. The Blackhawks — with a roster full of castaways and unknowns surrounding Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews — competed to the end against a team some feel could win the Western Conference this year. What that tells me is the coaching staff is doing a great job and these guys have the will to win. They want it. And I appreciate that.
Over the past 15-plus years we’ve all watched as Kane and Toews elevated their games against the best competition time and time again. On Thursday night, 19 and 88 dusted one off and gave us a virtuoso performance. Toews was physical and a dog on the puck. Kane was electric, making plays and scoring a big-time game-tying goal late in regulation. If you want to doubt that they have anything left to give, go ahead. The evidence we’ve seen early this season is to the contrary.
Lots of people were more than happy to tell Toews he was washed up over the summer. They told him to ask for a trade to make room for someone else. They wanted him to retire. Well, I am sorry to tell those folks that 19 is back. He’s engaged, active, physical and — most importantly — having fun and healthy.
Alex Stalock is fun to watch. He wanders away from the blue paint to play the puck, he chirps at guys, he’s playful and active. He handles the puck really well and loves to take chances. There will be times he might make you want to scream, but he’s putting it all out there every night. This is a second — maybe third — chance at being an NHL netminder for him and he’s relishing the opportunity. His enthusiasm for the game embodies what makes this team likeable.
Finally, my biggest takeaway from this homestand to start the new season is a big one. These Blackhawks aren’t scared of anyone or anything. They stared down the Florida Panthers, did everything they could to give the game away with bad penalties in the second period, and still found a way to win. Two nights later, the Oilers arrived with their high-powered offense and the Hawks went toe-to-toe with them. Lots of teams that are told they aren’t very good allow good teams to walk all over them. They’re quick to back away from the table when the stakes are raised. That isn’t these Blackhawks.
Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...
The World Championships got started with a bang on Friday morning. Germany, without Lukas Reichel (who still wasn't on their roster), beat Slovakia 6-4. Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland rolled to a 5-2 win over Norway. Kurashev picked up an assist...
After finishing his Calder Trophy-caliber rookie season with the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard decided to jump right back on the ice and do his best to help Canada win gold at the World Championship. Notice the lack of the word "Junior"...
While we're watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs without the Blackhawks, there are a few guys from the NHL roster this season competing for a championship of their own. The IIHF World Championship is taking place in Czechia from May 10-26....
The day after the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery I did a quick wrap of some updated mock drafts from around the interwebs to see who folks were projecting the Blackhawks to select. We've had a few more drop recently, so...
The IIHF World Championship begins this morning with Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland facing Norway in Game 1 of the tournament. That game begins at 9:20 AM CT. On Friday morning the lines for the game posted and Kurashev...
Over the weekend I shared a news story from Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers at The Athletic that detailed the formation of the new regional sports network (RSN) that would eventually be the home for Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White...
If you were hoping to find out what the artist formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes / Utah's new NHL franchise's nickname could be, you might want to brace for disappointment. This week, ownership of the newest NHL franchise --...
When the Toronto Maple Leafs fired Sheldon Keefe on Thursday morning, it didn't surprise most people. But one aspect of the move certainly got my attention. The Leafs installed Keefe as their head coach on November 20, 2019, which made...
This year's NHL Draft Lottery was the first time since 2010 that no team moved up. Which was surprising, and a win for the Blackhawks. Ben Pope shared this nugget, which is also interesting. The Rangers selected forward Kaapo Kakko...
With two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the NHL card Monday, you have plenty of chances to place an anytime goal-scorer wager. Keep scrolling for the odds on players from each matchup.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime...
The Edmonton Oilers welcome the Vancouver Canucks on May 14 at 9:30 PM ET, and have been made -218 favorites, with the visiting team at +180.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total: 6.5Best...
It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...
On Monday, in a series opener at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Jose Soriano starts for the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) against Matthew Liberatore and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24), with first pitch scheduled for 9:38 PM ET.The article below will...
The Seattle Mariners (22-19), led by Josh Rojas, host Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals (25-17) at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.See how to watch the Seattle-Kansas City matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Royals and when does it...
Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) on Monday in a series opener, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...
Jurickson Profar and the San Diego Padres (22-21) host Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (12-28) on Monday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the...
Gavin Stone will take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15) when they visit starting pitcher Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) in a series opener on Monday, with first pitch at 9:45 PM ET.Keep reading to...
The Cleveland Guardians are on the road, opening a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET.Rangers vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Rangers Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers Starting...
The San Francisco Giants will be hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 9:45 PM ET on Monday, May 13.Giants vs. Dodgers Series Info Dodgers @ Giants Time: Monday, May 13...
NEWSLETTER
