Crackhawks Once More

For all the Chicago Blackhawks did to get to where they are, they just can't help themselves fumbling the ball with the game on the line.

First, it was this ridiculously lame 12-year, multi-bazillion dollar contract given to Marian Hossa. Then, the revelation of former GM Dale Tallon's last-straw foul up/mail fraud trying to deliver qualifying offers to restricted free agents. Now, earlier this week they find out that Hossa hurt his shoulder during the playoffs and is undergoing surgery that will put the start of next season in jeopardy.

I love the line (and I wish I could find the source so I'm paraphrasing here) that said Hossa sure as hell didn't hurt it lifting trophies...

Maybe this shows just how far from the dregs the franchise needs to be lifted even after rocketing so far in just four years. Maybe this shows that the Blackhawks will always have more than a little bit of Cubs in them no matter which Wirtz child runs things.

All I know is, the team took huge steps backward when possibly on the cusp of many years of relative prosperity.

Am I saying they're legitimate Cup contenders? No, despite being in the NHL's final four last season. They were a young team that didn't know they were supposed to be there, and were totally outclassed by a better Detroit squad.

I am saying that a little more organizational stability and brains could have been the perfect motor to keep the momentum going.

Now they have a new GM in Stan Bowman, who though trained in the club for nearly a decade, is going to eventually have to swing things his own way. That may mean further internal shakeups, player dealings and (gasp) coaching changes if (when?) the Hawks don't get off to the scorching start they enjoyed in 2008.

Hossa for Havlat, at best, was swapping high-scoring but ineffective-when-it-counts European players. With the surgery, there's a question of recovery time and readiness for the regular season. There's no Nikolai Khabibulin, lost to free agency in Edmonton, and there's going to be a goaltending carousel in trying to determine where Cristobal Huet, Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi fit into the starter-backup roles.

A saving grace may be the maturation of Kane, Toews, et al, hopefully helped along by Brian Campbell. It doesn't seem like enough.

As of now, it looks like the Blue Jackets and Predators will get a jump by Christmas for the coveted second-place spot in the Central behind the weakened Red Wings. That doesn't bode well for the status quo.