Here Come the Hawks, the Mighty Blackhawks?

The lasting memory of former Blackhawks' head coach Denis Savard will be when he instructed his players to "respect the Indian" through the media last season.

It's too bad the Hawks' opponents didn't get the same memo.

After what many fans would consider to be a frustrating nine games, the Hawks have only scratched the victory column three times. Though they continue to score points by losing in overtime (specifically in shootout situations), they have yet to look dominant for a full 60 minutes. They show flashes of the potential that sold over 13,000 season tickets this year, but struggle to put it together for a full game.

The skill is there. So is the speed. The puck-handling from top to bottom on the roster might be as good as there is in the game. Then what are the Hawks lacking? What is keeping them from winning games and the respect of their opponents on the ice?

These are not your father's Blackhawks. Gone are Keith Magnusson, Bob Probert, and Chris Chelios. Now, the Hawks' defensive leaders are Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell.

The difference between the old and the new? Keith and Campbell have two combined penalty minutes through nine games; Probert averaged double that per period. Brent Seabrook leads the Hawks' defenders in PIM this year with 14, nearly half of which were in the Detroit game.

The 2008-09 Blackhawks are not tough enough. Yes, Colin Faser will fight on a nightly basis. And yes, Ben Eager will hit in open ice. But they are the exceptions, not the rule.

Some might argue that the reason the Hawks aren't more physical is because of the size of some of their players. Patrick Kane might weigh 150 pounds in full pads and soaking wet, while Jonathan Toews, the captain, doesn't look like he has even started to fill out his youthful frame yet, either.

I would turn this exact argument as the reason why the Blackhawks should be more physical. The Hawks have plenty of big bodies that can mix it up. Dustin Byfuglien is listed at 6'3" tall and 246 pounds, big enough to play linebacker for the Bears. Cam Barker, Aaron Johnson, and Matt Walker are all listed over 6'2" and 210 pounds and can hit. When James Wisniewski was healthy last year, he would make sure that at least two opponents knew he was on the ice every time he came off the bench.

By being more physical, the smaller players like Kane and Kris Versteeg will be able to get better shots on goal. The ice will open up and the passing lanes will be more accessible. Also, if the Hawks are delivering the hits, perhaps the shooters on the other rosters will be as tired as our own when it comes time for a shootout, and more games will finish in victory.

Is there a subliminal fear from some of the younger players of injury? Are they afraid their skills and speed will begin to erode if they play physically they way Martin Havlat's appear to have over the past three years?

In the Detroit game last weekend, the Hawks showed how good they could be for two periods. They hit well, they moved the puck with precision, and they scored almost at will against the defending champions. But in the third period, as has happened so many times this year, the veteran opponent came out swinging. The Hawks were on the receiving end of the hits, and the score quickly followed.

New head coach Joel Quenneville needs to echo the statement of Savard. These Hawks do need to respect the logo on the front of their sweater each night. But they also need to start forcing their opponents to do the same.

The roar is coming back in the stadium, and the excitement in the city for the young team is clear. But in order to maintain this momentum and win games, the Hawks must be more physical.

They are good enough and deep enough to skate around people. Now they need to skate through them.