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Wednesday, November 8, 2000
New faces ... same results?
By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell
Special to ESPN.com
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The objective for the Blackhawks this season is ultra-simple
but not so easy – make the playoffs. The last time
the Blackhawks saw the postseason was 1996-97 and that wasn't so memorable as
they bowed out in the first round.
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Wed., Sept. 27
The Blackhawks have to play better against the bad teams in the league. They rise to a higher level when they play good teams, but they falter against the bad teams. They'll need Alexei Zhamnov to play the entire season the same way he played the final 25 games of last year. He played awesome at the end the year. Jocelyn Thibault will have to get off on the right foot. Last year Thibault struggled early, and it hurt the Blackhawks. This year, they don't need any question marks in net. Thibault has to be a top goaltender. |
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Management, with a real sense of urgency, promises a better finish this
year. However, it might be wishful thinking. Why would they think that? And
how do they intend to accomplish it? They have a new coach in Alpo Suhonen,
who brings a more offensive approach to the game. Suhonen is hoping his
defensemen will be more active. However, in their
first six exhibition games, the team was 0-for-38 on the power play and
went 1-4-1. It looked like more of the same that sunk the Blackhawks last year ... but
it's early yet.
The team's biggest question mark is the ability of Jocelyn Thibault to carry
the weight of the goaltending on his so-far-so-frail shoulders.
Last year, Thibault inadvertently set the tone for the Hawks' awful year
when he was pulled in two of the club's first three games including the
opener. In order for them to have any chance at all, Thibault not
only has to be good, but very good and very consistent. Last year, the team surrendered
a horrid 93 goals in the third period. That kind of shoddy performance will
bury a team.
Then there's Alexei Zhamnov, an enigma if ever there was one. Zhamnov
has all the talent in the world, but he only had 23 goals last year, a
statistic he should reach with one hand behind his back. With a contract
looming in the summer, look for Zhamnov to pick it up markedly this season.
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Bottom Line on the Blackhawks
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Goaltending
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Center
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Defense
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Scoring
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SEASON OUTLOOK: There has been little indication that things will be different in Chicago. But the first 15 games will tell the tale. If the Hawks stink, it will get ugly again. If they win some games, confidence and karma could turn things around. |
Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe writes a weekly national NHL column for ESPN.com.
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