Chicago Blackhawks Going Nowhere: Are Toews, Bowman and Quenneville To Blame?

The Blackhawks are in a funk. There is no denying the fact that most of the season has been one step forward and two steps back. With 28 games left there is a distinct possibility that they will miss the playoffs. Even if they make it, a first-round defeat is almost certain. Who is to blame for this fall from grace and what can/should be done about it.

The No. 1 one factor well discussed is that the salary cap did the 'Hawks in. Fair enough but the company line and traditional thinking were that the core was strong enough to compete. Obviously that is not the case so what are the other factors that have led to such a mediocre season?

2. Lack of Veteran Leadership

The two that got away and hurt the most were Ladd and Madden. Their presence in the locker room was instrumental to success on the ice. Toews is OK but he is still unseasoned. Just because you won a Cup, a Calder and a gold medal doesn’t mean you are a seasoned vet. It means you were successful, for one season. 

3. Poor Overall Play by Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook and Sharp

Your best players are supposed to be your best players and the Blackhawks' best are playing average. Kane is suffering from too much success and too much fun. Most nights he coasts along the half board and gets beat. Rarely is he in front of the net.

Hossa is tired and playing hurt. Not a specific injury but just overall all hurt. He has played three consecutive seasons going to the finals. It is too much hockey for a guy his age.

Keith and Seabrook are just plain awful. They are out of sync and lack the chemistry that made them a force last year. Sharp can score goals, just don’t have him on the ice in 5-on-5 play. 

4. Lack of Team Toughness 

Too many of the same types of players. Bickle and Dowell are the only newcomers with grit. Brower and Bolland have some sand on them too.

They lack Eager, Ladd, Big Buff and Frasier who could irritate and drive teams to distraction. The lack of toughness means almost every night the 'Hawks try to finesse play rather than check, hit and separate the opposition from the puck. You're easy to defend if you are not willing to hit and go into the corners. Most opponents let the 'Hawks dance on the perimeter because they know they can’t go low and be effective. 

5. Management Missteps

Ignoring the cap issues, one wonders if Bowman and Coach Q are on the same page. Injuries have made line combinations tough but Q’s quest for chemistry makes the lineup look like ordering a sandwich from Subway—too many combinations, not all of which taste good together. Bowman has already mailed it in knowing there is no cap space and Seabrook has to be signed; you just can’t say that publicly. Couple that with the fact that so many teams are in the playoff hunt, making a deal is impossible to shake things up.

6. No Puck Luck

Last year every bounce, call and broken play went their way. This year...nada. Too many shots off the post and blocked shots from the point. 

So how do you make the playoffs? From a management perspective you are happy if you do and happier if you don’t. The 'Hawks can really retool if they don’t make the playoffs. The fans will excuse a core player being traded to pick up a No. 1 goalie, a No. 3 defenseman or a couple a players with a mean streak. Just making the playoffs will cause Bowman to stand pat and tweak, which won’t be enough to return the team to the Stanley Cup Finals anytime soon.