3/6/18

It has been a long time since the Blackhawks were in a position like this. Since Kane and Toews have been in the NHL the Blackhawks have made the playoffs every year. That changes this year, or rather in 15 games. The Chicago Blackhawks were the NHL's corner stone marquee of a great franchise. They had won 3 stanley cups in 6 years, with 5 conference finals in a 7 year span. They had won the president trophy, and had mustered one of the best starts to a season ever, breaking a record for longest win streak at the start of the season (2013). To follow their stanley cup in 2015 the Hawks have followed that performance with, a game 7 loss in the first round to the St. Louis Blues and a sweep by the Nashville Predators in round 1. Now the Blackhawks can add something even worse to their resume, missing the playoffs.

The Blackhawks have no reason for why they are missing the Playoffs. They have 2 of the best players in the game in Toews and Kane, they have a defensive machine in Duncan Keith, and they brought back Brandon Saad to be a sweet addition to the top line. Unfortunately for Hawks fans and NHL executives who like to see high ratings in the Stanley Cup Final, the Blackhawks top leaders all had down seasons this year, every player has not played their best this season, well except for goalie Corey Crawford.

Corey has not given up a goal since the start of the year, that might sound like a good thing, but in reality, Crow has not played in a game since 2017. The Hawks have flirted with reporters and fans, hinting at his comeback only to come out and say he is still gone. Something needs to change in the Chicago Blackhawks locker room on Madison Street during the summer. Maybe its firing Coach Q, who now has managed to keep his team from making the Playoffs, even though he still has some of the best players of all time in the NHL. Maybe its Stan Bowman, whose drastic changes over the summer of trading Panarin and Hammer has set the team farther back. Last time I checked making the playoffs with a number one spot in the conference and getting swept is better than being at the bottom of the division. But hey Bowman if you want to tank this year, you might as well tank big time!

The Blackhawks signed Eric Gustafsson to a two year deal. However the Blackhawks have another key signing to make this summer, Dylan Sikura. Sikura, whose older brother signed with the team earlier today, is in his last year of college, and after being drafted by the Hawks is yet to sign an NHL contract. The Blackhawks realize that Sikura could be an NHL player sooner and not later, and need to do all they can to sign him before he decides to look at free agency at the end of the season. Sikura is a player the Blackhawks desperately need, he is a big forward who could be useful on any line. At Northeastern he has recorded 105 points in 69 games, hopefully some good news will be announced out of the Blackhawks management floor, and it will be Sikura signing with the Hawks.