Season Preview Question: What's With This Crappy Pre-Season?

by Matthew Dirt on Sep 24, 2009 7:06 PM CDT Comment 27 comments

After last night's fairly pathetic display of a game, the Blackhawks are now 0-2-1 for the preseason so far. Now - this post is not going to be a call to panic or raise any big concerns. Far from it. No matter how bad a preseason gets, simply repeat the mantra "these games don't matter, these games don't matter..." If that doesn't work though and you still find yourself panicking some more, just remember this. The 2008 Detroit Lions were 4-0 in the preseason... before going 0-16 in one of the most pathetic and hilarious seasons of all time in any sport. Really, losing these games doesn't matter..

That's not to say that these games can't be a bit distressing though - it certainly would be nice to see the Hawks actually win a preseason game before hopping on the plane to fly out to Finland. So after the jump we'll look at some numbers, trends and others takes and try to figure out what the fuck is going on with this team

Here's some quick good news right off the bat - as of right now, the Blackhawks are not having the worst preseason. That would go to the Carolina Hurricanes who have lost both preseason games in regulation, meaning they don't even have the one point that the Blackhawks currently hold. A quick check over at Canes Country shows no signs of worry either... mostly because, again, these games don't matter.

Here's something else - other than the obvious (goals) there's no category where the Blackhawks have been seriously outplayed. They've only been outshot by only 5 overall, and never by more than 4 in a single game. They're winning more faceoffs than they're losing, though only by a very slim margin (91-87). It took a while but the power play finally started to click last night, converting on 2 of 6 attempts. Meanwhile, the penalty kill has been shutting down other teams 80% of the time, which is in line with last year's season total of 80.6%. Though last night's three power play goals against wasn't pretty.

So is it a problem with the goalies? Maybe. Each of the three main goalies have had a full game to make their case. And while Huet performed well (not great), the two men fighting for the back-job are failing under pressure in their two starts. Last night, Crawford was hung out to dry with 6 goals against and a .800 SV% (should that be the mendoza line for hockey?) while Niemi didn't do much better with 3 goals against and a .827 SV%. Clearly, these numbers will not be acceptable once the season starts, but again, that's what the preseason is here for. The goalies all still have time to work out the kinks... lets hope they do it

Things clearly aren't quite as simple as just checking the box scores though. For one, stats like this don't tell the full story in hockey. The Hawks could be taking plenty of shots from bad angles or they could simply be getting robbed by other team's goalies. Just the same, the defense could be giving up nearly impossible situations to block for the goalies. With only one game televised so far and none of the local papers doing in depth analysis of the game, it's too hard say.

Obviously though, the major problem right now this preseason is the fact that the injury bug is hitting the Hawks... hard. After last season where all the major players remained relatively injury-free (and the only player we wanted to get rid of needing basically season ending surgery) injuries were sure to be a bigger concern for this season. Didn't think they'd hit so early though. As Fifth Feather pointed out in a post today, it seems Jack Skille is the latest to go down this season. The good news is that Bolland could be back for tomorrow's game but at this point I may want to give him the extra rest just to be on the safe side. We've talked a lot about how deep the Hawks are at forward, especially wingers, but looks like we'll really get to test that this year.

So I know I didn't really answer any questions in this - but there really aren't any to be had just yet. Not only is it an incredibly small sample size, but it's all one big experiment at this point. How upset or worried can you be when Danny Bois has played 3 games and Duncan Keith has played only 1?

We're now just about one week til the big kickoff for the season - so we should see more of the regulars get more ice tomorrow and an improvement in the quality of play... and speaking of tomorrow's game. The season's first Committed Indian is going to be on sale before the game - if you're going, be sure to pick one up from all the usual spots. If you're not going - you can still buy them here. So no excuses.

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Early season sched.

Sucks. That goes for regular season too. When teams like Phoenix & Islanders are 7 games in and Carolina & Chicago have only played 2 and 3 games respectively. Guess what? Last and second last respectively… or something like that. I remember at the start of reg. season last year how it “appeared” the Rangers were comin’ out swinging but a then again they had played 4 more games than most other teams and even THEY could pick up a point here and there. Wish we had a sched. where one franchise didn’t lag in the GP column to cloud the stats so.

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Sep 24, 2009 7:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tazer seems to think they mean something...

“Everyone says these games don’t count for anything, which I think is complete B.S., because they do mean something,” Toews said.

http://tinyurl.com/yanzpor

http://twitter.com/hawksfansince08

by hawksfansince08 on Sep 24, 2009 7:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

anyone know if any more of the preseason games are on tv?

says huet will be playing the whole game tomorrow, and the final one overseas.

by jeff021690 on Sep 24, 2009 8:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it was three years ago

when the Hawks went 8-0 in the preseason. Trent Yawney was going on and on about how the team was learning how to win and they were setting the right mood for the rest of the year. Then the real games started and they were one of the worst teams in the league. How’d that work out for everybody?

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Sep 24, 2009 9:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In the end...no so bad!

For at the end of the 2006-2007 season the Hawks won the lottery and drafted Patrick Kane 1st overall so the season wasn’t a total loss, but I understand were you are coming from for the Hawks had a 7-1-1 pre-season only to become the worst team in the NHL by January although the Flyers eventually ended up pulling the rears at season’s end.

The pre-season is just an extended training camp and that no too much should be made of the results; however, there is no excuse to get blown out like the way they did Wednesday in D.C.. It would be beneficial for the Hawks to get their game together and get it into the right pace and frame of mind so when the season does start that they’re confident enough in their play and not just hoping to get it together. It would be a tremendous boost to the Hawks chances of dethroning the Wings of the Central Division title if they came out with a good and fast start, like 6-2-2 type of start instead of the recent October’s which has seen the Hawks battle the .500 mark.

It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!

by hawks61 on Sep 24, 2009 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be at the game tomorrow, so they better win

And I’ll be sure to get a copy of The Committed Indian, too!

That ball hit deep! Way back! You can put it on the boooaaaard...YES!

Long drive into deep right center field! This ball is OUTTA HEEERRRREE!
R.I.P. Harry Kalas 4-13-09

by HappyHuman on Sep 24, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

never take too much stock into preseaon games for any sport. Best example: Detroit Lions went 4-0 in the preseason, then proceeded to lose 16 straight.

by TJ3117 on Sep 24, 2009 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

is there an echo in here.........

Matt dropped the same stat in the intro…………just sayin.

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by hackerar on Sep 24, 2009 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree...... for the most part

While I agree that these games dont mean much… To a lot of people tho they do… especially players trying to score a coveted roster spot… The coaches also seem to use this time to play with the lines a bit… change things up and see if something really starts to look good… I will say something tho…. my boy sharpie seems to have his A game back… hopefully he can help pick up some of the slack of hossa being gone as well as losing JHC! But so far he looks good! My only concern so far is the goal tending… Heuy has me just a tad bit nervous

by SharpFTW10 on Sep 24, 2009 11:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Huet

has only played one game. If he sees 30-40 shots per game, the Hawks are in trouble. If he sees 20-30 they will be OK. Everybody calm down. And Crawford? Who was playing D against Ovechkin, Backstrom, etc.? Didn’t they waive two D from that game? I watched that game on line, the D sucked and so Crawford got lit up.

If Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, Barker, insert other 2 D here, Huet, Niemi, and Crawford keep the golas around 3 per game, I think the Hawks will be near the top in the league. If not, well then we better have 2-3 50 goal scorers. Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland, Versteeg. Who’s it gonna be? Unless he is injured, I’m betting on Toews.

"Stay thirsty my friend"

by laaarmer on Sep 25, 2009 8:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

You’ll notice Detwat and SJ are sucking mud alongside us and I’m sure we’ll be 3 of the worst teams in the conference this year (lol). I like the way Q is using the pre-season as a testing ground. Maybe some of the other franchises see it as a way to start filling seats early because their end product is sub-par?? But for a self-confessed “more ice time the better” goaltender, I was hoping to see Huet get more time between the pipes in the pre-season so he could hit the ground running when the regular season point run begins. Of course Toews is going to say these games matter as he should for any and all games. That’s his job. Coach Q’s job is to experiment in the pre-season, control the product, and then bring us the Cup in the spring. Cha-ching!

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Sep 25, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huet will be a monster with a lot of playing time

"Stay thirsty my friend"

by laaarmer on Sep 25, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been spreading that thought around a lot lately

Here’s hoping it’s true!

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Sep 25, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Havlat's stick broken in this photo?

How can that goal count? Should be a penalty, no?

"Stay thirsty my friend"

by laaarmer on Sep 25, 2009 9:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he hit it on the post on the way in

You know he wrestles bears in the off season.

"Stay thirsty my friend"

by laaarmer on Sep 25, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have mixed feelings about the pre-season

It is a valid point to note that Crawford was not set up to succeed in his outing against the Caps. Without 2 and 7 on the ice, none of our goalies even has a chance, let alone against Ovechkin. And even when 2 and 7 are on the ice and playing well, the number of games our goalies will face 30+ shots will IMHO still be staggering. That does not bode well for any netminder.

That being said, all things point to what I have been saying for months now – our success will ultimately be tied to our behind the blue line players. Questionable goaltending at best, combined with a lack of depth at defense, and now an injury plagued forward corps means we have more problems.

Thrown in the insane amount of travel to start off the year with, and you have a recipe with the potential to repeat Savvy’s abysmal start to last season…..unless Huet and the D men can step it up….a LOT.

by Return of the Roar on Sep 25, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Got a case of the Cubs fan woes

the mole hills turned to mountains are ridiculous. Though it will make things interesting.

by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Sep 25, 2009 1:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well the winless steak is over

The Hawks finally won a pre-season game with Rob Klinkhammer netting the winner in the 3rd. So there we have it, the sky is no longer falling (although Huet did allow 3 GA on 18 shots) and we can go to Switzerland with no fear of a winless pre-season eventhough it really doesn’t matter. What matters now is the Cup….the Victoria Cup.

In other fantastic pre-season news, the Wings lost to the Leafs 5-4 in the skills competition known as the Shoot-out.

And oh yah- HAWKS WIN!!! (c’mon I’ve waited since May to say that….and it feels good)

by hawks61 on Sep 25, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Medium rare, please.

Nice win. Huet remains a mystery for now. We are a powerhouse!

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Sep 26, 2009 4:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Powerhouse??

Kind of an oxymoron as long as we have swiss cheese in the net.

I am not looking forward to depending upon 7-5 wins this year.

by Return of the Roar on Sep 26, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like I said, he's the mystery part - I 'spose it may be a bit oxymoronish though depending on your opinion

Despite being drunk when I wrote that, the last part was meant to give some perspective in relation to Hawks teams of the recent past, or even longer ago (been a Hawks fan for 35 years). I guess I’m in the camp that’s holding faith for Huet… trying to think positive and all that crap.

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Sep 26, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

last night...

I was real impressed with Kopecky. he was all over the ice. assisted two goals.
Kane obviously looked good. Sharp was very active as well.
I almost shit myself when Toews was taken to the locker room after that boarding penalty but he was right back out a shift later and skating strong.
…and yes. Huet still scares the shit out of me. not real sharp last night. how long before we steal one of Anaheims goalies?

Other than goaltending, they pulled it together after the first period and played a tough game. esp for preseason.

"...can i have a glass of whiskey and a slice of bread?"

by west_fulton on Sep 26, 2009 12:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kane for Hillier. I’m proposing that trade.

http://accordingtwomey.blogspot.com

by hawksfan21 on Sep 26, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nabokov

He is in the last year of his contract, and likely the best potential acquisition we would have a shot at – oh yeah… no cap room. Maybe Halak….

Any top tier goalie will require us to dump at least $4MM in salary first, as Nabby is making just under what Huet makes now.

by Return of the Roar on Sep 26, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Buff for one of the Isles goalies?

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Sep 26, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now that my friend...

…has been a option that workd for both sides for when the trade dealine comes around it’s highly likely that the Isles will deal one, depending on DiPietro’s health, if not both of their goaltender’s. Biron or Roloson both have good playoff credentials and if Huet is underperforming than don’t be suprised if Stan pulls the trigger on a trade. My guess instead of Byfuglien don’t be suprised if it’s Versteeg, especially if he struggles this season. The Isles could definitely use more offensive punch to help out Tavares in the future.
Another option could be Campbell to Ottawa for Volchenkov (I know I’ve pushing this one) but for some reason many folks here in Ottawa are crying for a QB for the PP and Campbell’s name has been mentioned frequently. Volchenkov is in his final year of his deal so it’s an option that Stan might want to look at. If Ottawa’s PP goes south and early don’t be suprised if Murray comes calling for Campbell for if the Sens miss the playoffs again this season Murray could be a goner.

by hawks61 on Sep 26, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nabokov isn't happening, and Halak?

Halak is pure garbage, any goaltender that was a back-up to Price last season shows how poor of a goaltender their franchise deems them to be. Halak is a complete waste of time for even Les Canadiens, let alone the Hawks so forget that option.

Nabokov is not going anywhere for the Sharks believe that they are Stanley Cup contenders and now even more so with the recent addition of Heatley. The Sharks are banking on their playoff zeroes to finally cash in and win in the most important season-the playoffs. So with that I don’t believe that Nabokov is an option this season. However depending on next season, whether the cap goes up or not may dictate in what direction the Hawks will want to go with their goaltending and Nabokov at the right price would become a valuable option. But with Toews, Kane and Keith up for contract renewals it seems very unlikely which is too bad for I am one who believes that Nabokov has been hung out to dry over the Sharks recent failures during the post-season.

by hawks61 on Sep 26, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs