Hawks a model of how to build a winner
Much can be learned from modern dynasty
The NHL had issues getting the Stanley Cup to the Madhouse on Madison in time for the celebration.
Which was odd. By now, they ought to know to have the Cup handy when the Blackhawks are playing a deciding game in the final.
With three championships in six seasons, Chicago is what passes for a modern dynasty in the parity era, just short of Montreal’s once-standard refrain of taking the “usual route” for the parade.
How did the Hawks do it, and what lessons are there for 29 other NHL clubs, including the Ottawa Senators?
Bottoming out helped. Being really lousy after the lockout allowed the Blackhawks to draft Jonathan Toews (third overall, 2006) and Patrick Kane (first overall, 2007), a one-two punch that’s been at the heart of their Cup victories in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
(Similarly, their opponents, the Tampa Bay Lightning, got Steven Stamkos first overall in 2008) and defenceman Victor Hedman second overall in 2009).
Toews, at 27, is one of the NHL’s most decorated and celebrated captains. He gets after it in the biggest games, with an ability to will himself and others around him to greatness.
The Blackhawks habit of rising up in clutch situations (eg. down 3-2 in the conference final against the Anaheim Ducks) is what separates Chicago from the rest, in an era when precious little separates contending teams.
One could argue that the Blackhawks were healthier than the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the Bolts didn’t have some of their best players at their best, including scoring star Tyler Johnston (broken wrist) or goaltender Ben Bishop (groin tear).
The Blackhawks also had injuries, but not as critical.
Every little bit helps in this climate of low-scoring games, a universal ability to play shutdown defence and salary cap limits. Unlike the days of the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders, playoff games today are decided by a bounce here and a bounce there. It wasn’t until Game 6 that Chicago won by two goals, proving that even teams with the flash of Kane and Toews have to tighten the screws as necessary.
Can the Blackhawks win again? Sure, but so can Tampa Bay, Anaheim and a bunch of others. Stamkos, the Lightning captain who was shut down in the final, will be burning to get back for a different ending.
Since 2010, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has had to tap dance around cap-busting issues, and that dance will ensue as the contracts of Kane and Toews kick in next season. Chicago plans to keep most of the core intact, including Toews, Kane, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook. Winger Patrick Sharp will almost certainly be let go in the interest of retaining talented RFA winger Brandon Saad.
Bowman has done a nice job replacing some of the good pieces he couldn’t keep (like Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd), filling in with kids from within (for example, Andrew Shaw and Teuvo Teravainen) along with veteran pickups like Brad Richards, Kris Versteeg and Antoine Vermette.
Senators fans could appreciate Vermette, a solid performer in five Ottawa seasons, getting his chance to hoist the Cup, third in line after Toews and veteran defenceman Kimmo Timonen. Ex-Sens forward Hossa raised the Cup for a third time (not sure that’s what a previous Ottawa regime had in mind by banishing Hossa to Atlanta).
Vermette didn’t play big minutes for the Blackhawks — such is their depth — but he won faceoffs and chipped in with a couple of huge goals (double OT vs. Anaheim, and the Game 5 winner vs. Tampa).
In reality, the younger Lightning might be a better role model for Ottawa than the more veteran ’Hawks, as the Senators strive to advance from feel-good story of making the playoffs to a legitimate player in the post-season.
The one element Tampa Bay and Chicago have in common is a willingness to spend to the cap.
Recent history shows that winning teams spend to the limit, acquiring rentals as needed (such as Vermette).
When the Senators might adapt that “go for it” mentality is anyone’s guess (it may take a new ownership structure), but if they sign all their restricted free agents in the weeks ahead and add another piece or two via trade, they will be higher spenders naturally.
General manager Bryan Murray and his eventual successors will need the means to go the extra mile when Ottawa’s young talent is riper and a Cup run more realistic. It would be a shame to see what has been developed here in-house over the past three seasons not get a shot at true contention.
Fans in Ottawa would love to see their own Norris Trophy winning defenceman, Erik Karlsson, become a 700-minute playoff performer like Keith.
Unlike the days of the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders, playoff games today are decided by a bounce here and a bounce there.