When the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, they did it with a healthy mix of skill and toughness. With guys like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Marian Hossa mixed in with the likes of Ben Eager, Adam Burish, and Troy Brouwer they were the careful mix of sandpaper and skill that teams need to lift the Stanley Cup at the end of the year.
Last season, however, things were a bit different for Chicago. Gone were the likes of Burish and Eager (among others) and they had to find other ways to win games. Playing tougher defense systematically was one way they did it and still they were able to make the playoffs and nearly pull off a first round victory against Vancouver.
This offseason has seen things change a bit for Chicago. While they weren’t selling everyone off this time around, bringing in the likes of Sean O’Donnell and Steve Montador on defense along with Jamal Mayers and Dan Carcillo at forward, that snarl is back in the Windy City and one guy that’s glad to see it is Patrick Kane.
Kane tells ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers that that physical element was something they were missing last year.“I don’t think you can have ever have more than enough [toughness], especially on our team,” Kane said. “You look at so many skill players that we have, I think last year -- I don’t want to say we got exposed -- but we weren’t like as protected enough as years before.
“Sometimes you have to mix and match. You just can’t put the best 12 players on the ice at all times because they are the most skilled. You need certain players for certain roles.”
One other guy that found his way out of town was Troy Brouwer who was traded to Washington for a first round pick. Brouwer had some skill and had a penchant for getting in opponents heads with his ability to talk a big game. Kane says Brouwer’s loss might be a bit bigger than some let on.
Perhaps that kind of feeling inside is what helped him be as effective as he was at rubbing opponents the wrong way.
If Chicago thought that Brouwer wasn’t being effective enough, they’ll get an over-correction in that brand of game thanks to Carcillo’s presence. His work being an agitator, while sometimes endearing to fans, can lead his team into trouble with needless penalties. Savvy veterans like Mayers, O’Donnell, and Montador should be able to do enough to help counteract Carcillo’s shenanigans. If those guys can’t do it, then dealing with ultra-serious and ultra-competitive team captain Jonathan Toews should do it.
With the moves Chicago’s made, they’re certainly going to be more nasty to deal with and with how they played down the stretch last season with their intensive style of hockey, adding that physical element into the mix will help better establish the Blackhawks in the Western Conference race.
Then again, all that that will guarantee is that they’ll find another way to meet Vancouver in the playoffs somehow once again. Hey, after three years it has to happen, right?