Lots of Bears, Bulls, and gambling talk lately, but what about the Hawks? Let’s check in on the Blackhawks and see what we’ve been missing… or haven’t been missing.
Connor Bedard won the rookie of the month in November; it’s nice to start off with something positive. There have been others, but he is the biggest positive right now on the ice in Chicago. He looks to be legit. He has the most goals, most points, and tied for most assists. I’m not worried about him. I guess the only worry would be if the Hawks can’t build a team around him, and he decides he doesn’t want to be here any longer. That would be a big, big problem. Let’s hope we don’t have to cross that bridge. The team we built around him this year has been falling apart. Taylor Hall out for the season with ACL surgery. I was looking forward to some good things from him, but not any more, at least this year. Corey Perry had his contract terminated. Who knows what really went on, although I’m sure we’ll find out eventually, but… it involved a team event, alcohol, and something sexual of nature, and with the Hawks recent missteps in that area, they had to do something. Sure, should we have stood by him through his “substance abuse” issue? Yeah, but… based on what the Hawks are recovering from, plus the fact this isn’t some 20 year old stud player, the decision was made. He had been doing really well on the ice before this happened. Athanasiou is also on the injured list currently; don’t know if I’ll ever know how to spell his name without checking, but even though he’s only had 4 assists thus far, any guys missing will hurt this already thin roster.
I know the Hawks haven’t been doing well, but I didn’t know they are now tied for the worst team in the NHL. Yes, we are tied with the SAN JOSE SHARKS with 14 points. We do have 2 games in hand, so… haha. It’s been rough; there’s no other way to say it. Currently, we’re on a 3 game losing streak, only scoring 1 goal in each game against the Red Wings, Jets, and Wild, all on the road, where we’ve played 14 of our 23 games thus far. A 4-10 record away from the UC isn’t pretty. A 3-6 record at home is a touch better. The Blackhawks open a 4 game homestand (do we call it that in hockey too?) on Tuesday vs the Preds. We then get the Ducks, Blues, and Capitals before heading back on the road. Obviously, they’re all better than us; the Ducks are only 6 points better than us, which means that’s our best shot at a W? The Preds, Blues, and Caps are 10, 11, and 12 points better than us respectively.
I guess I’d thought the Hawks would be better this year, kind of like the Bears; I’ve been wrong on both counts. Maybe I’m just a year ahead of myself… The Bears have shown a little life lately; maybe the Hawks can start to pick it up a bit. Here’s hoping. Go Hawks!
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