Chicago Blackhawks: Looks Like the Cavalry Isn't Coming on Defense

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to hope that they can tape together a full regiment of defensemen for the remainder of the season.

It is my hope, however, that they bring in help for the walking wounded on Chicago's blue line ASAP.

The Blackhawks held on for a point Sunday in Washington, but it is evident that the department of defense was on shaky ground in our nation's capital.

Brian Campbell, who was in a walking boot Friday when he met President Obama, was only able to log seven minutes before coming out of the contest.

Duncan Keith, who logged 30 minutes for the second game in a row, may be playing with a broken finger. Campbell doesn't look like he can go tonight against San Jose, to say nothing about the rest of the week. 

The Blackhawks face the Sharks before traveling to Dallas and Phoenix, two teams neck and neck with Chicago in the Western Conference.

This is a crucial stretch for the Blackhawks. At this point, GM Stan Bowman either can not or will not provide any relief to the defense.

Admittedly, there isn't much that can be done at this point. The Hawks can't trade for help and don't have the cap space to add a player to the roster.

One option that has to be considered is the possibility of putting Jordan Hendry, who will not be back this season, on Long-Term Injured Reserve. The Hawks have been reluctant to exercise this option for reasons I do not understand.

As I understand the LTIR rules, Hendry, who makes $600,000 this season, would qualify for LTIR. He will be out for more than the 10 games and 24 days required by the league. Chicago could then replace Hendry with a minimum-salary player.

The Blackhawks seemed perfectly willing to have a hobbled Campbell give it a go on Sunday knowing the alternative was five minutes of John Scott. Campbell surely won't play Monday night. 

What is the next move?

In one corner, you have a Rockford call-up. I wrote last week that both Jassen Cullimore and Garnet Exelby both have NHL experience and could provide a measure of depth that the 'Hawks could use.

In the other corner is Scott. He played seven minutes in Tampa Bay, most of it trying to stay out of the way of the remaining four Blackhawks. He was on the ice for Chicago's first goal, though he was skating as far away from the play as he could and the puck never came his way.

He hit the crossbar with a slap shot, but if given an option, wouldn't we rather have Cullimore out there as the sixth defenseman?

Save your breath if you're going to tell me how bad a player Cullimore is—I know who Jassen Cullimore is. He's a depth defenseman at the end of the line in his career. He is slow and not nearly as physical as a 6'5'', 235-pound guy should be. 

But even 10 or 12 minutes from Cullimore is better than the limited time Campbell played Sunday or Scott played Saturday.

I swear I'm not the president of his fan club, nor do I benefit financially in any way if Cullimore is called up.

That said, Cullimore is a much better option than John Scott for the Hawks, who are currently out of most other options.

Rockford was at home last night. Put Hendry on LTIR. Bring Cullimore up for a game. Send him right back down if Campbell is ready to put in even a moderate work load. Just keep Scott off the blue line.

If there's a legitimate reason that the Blackhawks can't call up help on defense, I honestly would like to be set straight.

Cullimore has been through waivers already this season. If he needs to go through re-entry waivers or the penalties for placing Hendry on LTIR are so severe that they are preventing a move from taking place, then I will dispense with the Chicken Little routine.

However, if there is nothing standing in Bowman's way that would prevent help from coming down I-90, why hasn't Bowman called in reinforcements?