Chicago Blackhawks Dialogue: Panic Time, or Is Everything Fine at Quarter Pole?

The Chicago Blackhawks are one-quarter of the way through the 2011-12 NHL season. This team has sent us mixed signals over the last few weeks. A three-game skid was erased by four straight wins, which gave way to a pair of lopsided weekend defeats.

It a good time to weigh in on the state of the team. How should we feel about the first 21 games?

Time for a little dialogue, Chicago style.

This is old school, so stay with me. The old Chicago tune "Dialogue (Parts I & 2)" is a back-and-forth conversation between two vocalists with polar opposite world view. The late, great Terry Kath keeps pointing out the country's wrongs, while Peter Cetera is content to keep tokin' and holds the belief that "everything is fine."

(As a brief aside, now would be a good time to download Chicago V—it's the one with the logo carved into wood—and get in a groove. Feel free to go back and listen to any of the first three double albums. Last summer,  I listened to the first 21 albums in consecutive order. That's as close to the Chicago Marathon as I'm going to complete.)

The eternal pessimist meets Pollyanna, on vinyl, no less. Trouble is, am I more Kath or Cetera in regards to the Blackhawks?

Let the dialogue begin, starting with...

Top Six Forwards

Terry Kath sings,

"Man, Andrew Brunette is too slow for Jonathan Toews. It hasn't worked out.

"Patrick Sharp is not lighting it up now that teams are slamming the back door on him. Viktor Stalberg doesn't belong on the top line, either. What we need is a big power forward who can fill the net.

"Daniel Carcillo isn't talented enough to play top-six minutes all season."

Peter Cetera sings, "Dude, ease up. Kaner is striking fear into the hearts of opposing clubs at center. Hossa's on fire and dominating at both ends. Did I mention that he's on pace for 92 points?

"Kane loves Carbomb on his wing, and Daniel has been a valuable member of that line. If No. 88 feels safer with him on his line, leave it be.

"Stalberg is on pace for 20 goals. He's figuring it out and gives Tazer a lightning-fast option when he looks to dish to the net. Sharp's picking up the pace. Geez, Louise, he missed all of training camp!

"We have plenty of cap space to add a legit top-six forward in a couple of months when the playoff race heats up. We'll get what we need then. For now, relax. Everything is fine."

I'm listening to... Cetera, that bass-playin', love-song-writin' sage of hockey knowledge. There's been more good than bad from the top six. Plus, since Stalberg came back health hasn't been an issue.

Hot Track: "Baby, What a Big Surprise" (Chicago XI), in response to Kane at center.

Bottom Six Forwards

Terry Kath sings, "Dave Bolland's in and out of the lineup. Surprise, surprise. I saw Bryan Bickell's picture on a milk carton this morning, brother.

"Michael Frolik still takes crazy shots and can't even finish when he does put up something reasonable. What happened to that vaunted checking line?

"Brunette isn't fourth-line material. Marcus Kruger is too young and can't win board battles or faceoffs.

"We got rid of Rostislav Olesz, but Ben Smith isn't going to be an offensive force in this league. When does Kyle Beach get called up?"

Peter Cetera sings, "Duuude, Smith's got intangibles. He's going to bring more versatility than my man Rusty.

"Bolland's on the ice, isn't he? The club tells us that Frolik should be back any day now. Bickell might get benched, but he responds to it. He's one of the league's best values. Believe in the wrister, Terry.

"Kruger shook off a poor camp and is getting more comfortable on North American ice. He'll get stronger, and he goes to the net. Jamal Mayers is exactly what we needed this season. He can take the draws and get chippy when need be.

"By the way... Kyle Beach is injured and may not see the ice for the rest of the season in Rockford. He was making progress, but still was not ready to contribute."

I'm listening to... Cetera, again, though I can hear the wailing of the original Chicago guitarist who met with such a tragic end in 1978. The third line needs to get healthy and start playing the effective hockey that made them the darlings of the 'Hawks early on. I like the Smith call-up, but know not to expect him to carry this team.

Hot Track: "Feeling Stronger Every Day" (Chicago VI), as Smith returns from a concussion, Frolik mends and Bolland gets back in the swing of things.

Defense

Terry Kath sings, "What a mess. Nick Leddy is not Brian Campbell by any stretch. Brent Seabrook's out of commission. Who knows when he might be back? Niklas Hjalmarsson is not worth the offer sheet.

"Sean O'Donnell is too slow to be effective. I'm preparing a full album of songs on why John Scott should not be in the lineup.

"Duncan Keith? He was minus-eight this weekend. He and Steve Montador parted like the Red Sea and let skaters right up to the doorstep. Peter, even you have to see this."

Peter Cetera sings, "Scott has been taking more frequent shifts. He's... he's... pretty tall.

"Seabs should be back Wednesday night in San Jose. Once Joel Quenneville scratches his Scott itch, Lepisto and Montador will hold down a solid third pairing.

"Montador jump-started the power play, and Hjalmarsson is proving to be a nice compliment to Leddy. The kid has skills and is taking the puck into the zone with Campbell-esque authority. He's on his way to similar offensive numbers to Soup's first season in Chicago.

"Let Seabrook settle Keith down on the first pairing... they'll be O.K."

I'm listening to... Kath, so long as Quenneville insists on keeping Lepisto or O'Donnell out in favor of Scott. Seabrook's return will help get us in a Cetera state of mind.

Hot Track: "Make Me Smile" (Chicago II), which is what I'll be doing when Seabrook is back with Keith, hopefully sooner than later.

Alternate Track: "Wishing You Were Here" (Chicago VII), featuring vocals from both Kath and Cetera, again in reference to Seabs.

Goalies

Terry Kath sings, "Fourteen goals in two games isn't good for whomever patrols the pipes. Corey Crawford is in a funk, and Ray Emery should have been pulled twice Saturday night."

Peter Cetera sings, "Bust cool, Daddy-O. Crawford was responsible for several wins so far. He's been a little spotty as of late, but he's been a victim of the lack of defense more often than not.

"Until the Edmonton debacle, Emery has been everything the 'Hawks could have asked for in a backup. No one in an Indian-head sweater was that damn impressive Saturday night, so it's no fair blaming the men in the crease."

I'm listening to... Cetera, because he's so smooth and mellow. In this case, he's also correct. The goalies had a tough time versus the Oilers. It happens.

Hot Track: "In Terms Of Two" (Chicago VI). Two solid goalies, that is.

Special Teams

Terry Kath sings, "Teams are onto the 'Hawks game plan on the power play. Take away the back door, and you've killed another penalty. The kill is even worse than last year, which I didn't think was possible."

Peter Cetera sings, "We've shown vast improvement with a man advantage in the last week. We won plenty of games despite that big drought. Hey, we have three short-handed goals to boot. The kill was very good the first month and will improve once Bolland gets back in a groove."

I'm listening to... Kath. The recent spark of Montador in the middle of the second unit still leaves the power play in the middle of the pack. Chicago is neck and neck with the horrible Columbus Blue Jackets for the worst penalty kill in the NHL. The results have to improve in both areas.

Hot Track: "Mississippi Delta City Blues" (Chicago XI) partly in honor of the special teams and partly because I think it's a slammin' track.

Overall

Terry Kath sings, "We've been inconsistent during a light part of our schedule."

Peter Cetera sings, "We lead the Western Conference with 27 points"

I'm listening to... Cetera. I don't think we can claim to have the best team in the league right now, but we do sport the best record along with the Minnesota Wild.

Hot Track: "Where Do We Go From Here?" (Chicago II)

Saturday's humiliation was deep, but this is just the second time this season that Chicago has lost consecutive games. That had happened four times at this point last season.

Going into the weekend minus Seabrook and Frolik, along with a limited Bolland, equated to losing our best defenseman and two of our better defensive forwards. That doesn't get the 'Hawks off the hook, but there is the hope that the defense can rebound.

I know one thing for sure. Last season we found ways to drop points, and this year we're finding ways to pick them up. We have cap space to address what can't be fixed from within over the next few months.

There is still time to salvage the circus trip. The Kane at center gambit has come up roses. Savor the sight of unadulterated Hossa. Make your kids watch it so that they know what a two-way forward can be.

Things are not perfect in Mr. Bowman's neighborhood, but I'm going to stand with my feet firmly planted in the positives. Let's see what the next 20 games hold for the Blackhawks.