Blackhawks: 3 takeaways from early season struggles

After years of being a perennial contender, things have gone awry for the Chicago Blackhawks and it’s only getting worse. What can be done to save the team?

What a mess the Chicago Blackhawks are. Not too long ago, the Blackhawks were running the league. They had non-stop playoff runs, personal point streaks and the most recent dynasty in the National Hockey League, Chicago is, however, nowhere near the prowess of even three seasons ago.

So, what went wrong? Much of the core is still intact and they aren’t ancient. 11 games into the 2019-20 season, it seems like it’s more of the same from a year ago, but even worse. In a lot of ways, at least on paper, they were supposed to improve. Well, whatever the reason, the Hawks have quite a hole to fill.

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The good news is that the season is still young and there is time to clean up this mess. While contenders aren’t born overnight, it’s not impossible to move from the basement to the penthouse quickly. The St. Louis Blues from last season after they went from worst to first.

Truthfully, I’d be a little insane and downright disrespectful to think the problem is simple.  But, from my simplemindedness, I think there are a couple of fixes that can right the ship.  Some are easier than others, but unless you want to keep sinking, you must embrace drastic measures.  Here’s what I would do.

1. Figure out what to do with Seabrook

It’s hard to not question some of the moves head coach Jeremy Colliton is making. The biggest concern is defenseman Brent Seabrook. Colliton recently made Seabrook a healthy scratch for the second time in as many games.

It’s not like he’s ancient. At 34 years old, Seabrook still has lots of hockey left to play. His ice time and role have shrunk in the last few years, but it’s not like he’s expendable. Even with the diminished ice time, he’s still averaged over 30 points a season while laying his body on the line.

I say play him.  He’s still under contract for another four years at a decent price tag.  But, if you think he’s lost a step, there’s only one thing to do.  You have to move him.  It’s criminal to treat him like that.  So many other teams would love to add him and Chicago is letting him warm the bench.  It’s simply a waste of talent.

2. Give the young ones more time

The days of Duncan Keith playing 24 minutes plus a night should be over, but they aren’t. Don’t get me wrong; it’s less a slight on Keith and more of a praise to the youth for the Blackhawks. After having to rely on the same four or five guys night in and night out, I can see how it would be strange to think otherwise.

It sounds contrary, but giving a player all the minutes rarely shows success. Spread the wealth and all your players will be better rested. Aside from that, the other players won’t be able to improve if they don’t get the ice time and meaningful minutes.

The other issue is goaltending. Almost never is a goalie sharing the crease when it comes to the Cup. There is a starter and a backup. Whoever started this timeshare idea should be questioned. Between Robin Lehner and Corey Crawford, I’d lean on the former, who’s a cheaper, younger goalie and is having more success.

3. It might time for a changing of the guard.

All good things come to an end. Winning three Cups in six years doesn’t happen often. In fact, it’s only been done by five other franchises in NHL history. Players, like everyone else, get older. It’s sad, I know, but it happens. And, this sad fact has happened in the Windy City.

Make no mistake, I am definitely not saying that the core is not good – quite the contrary. The big problem is that, unlike the other five franchises to win three in six years, Chicago is the only one in the salary cap era to do so. You just simply cannot pay all your past champs what they are making now.

Out of the big five in, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Keith, Seabrook, and Corey Crawford, you still have a really good core. But you simply cannot afford it if you want to compete. These five players account for just under half of the entire team’s salary cap. There is no other answer here.  Someone other than Kane has to go, and at a loss if necessary.