Paul M. Banks and Peter Christian talk about the topics most important to Hawks fans everywhere
(PMB) What a difference your man-crush Patrick Sharp makes, the Chi was just 6-7-3 without him and (overlooking Sunday’s dominating shutout performance by Vancouver’s net-minder Roberto Luongo) the Blackhawks offense really gets a major boost from his presence.
A lot of people forget he was leading the team in goals before he went down with an injury. Tell us what makes him such a great pure scorer and what he brings to the table that makes you admire him so. Beyond the fact that he has a cool goal-scoring song (ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man”) and he seems to have started growing the “playoff beard” a little early.
(PC) I’ve never quite been able to put my finger on what it is that puts some on a pedestal when it comes to goal scoring. Typically the best players on the team are considered the guys who can make the great pass to set up the easy goal, however there are plenty of times where the player receiving the great pass just can’t find a way to put the puck in the net. Whether it is the puck bouncing over the stick, not getting enough on the shot or just plain bad aim it seems Sharp is a player that doesn’t really get affected by those very common on-ice problems.
He is unique in his goal scoring ability in the fact that he doesn’t need a ton of shots per game to notch his goals. He makes his chances count. While a pure scorer like Alexander Ovechkin gets all the pub, he takes more than 6.5 shots per game. Whereas Sharp takes an average of 2 per game. The comparison I would make is that Ovechkin is like Kobe Bryant in that he scores, scores and then scores again, but always needs to have possession of the ball/puck. Sharp on the other hand is more like a Roger Mason type that takes advantage in far fewer opportunities.
It doesn’t hurt that he often plays on a line with two great passers in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews (pronounced TAVES, rhymes with CAVES). When it comes to my admiration (sounds so much better than man-crush or the new term that makes me gag – bromance) for Sharp, there are quite a few reasons.
The first is the fact that I’ve known of him so long. Thunder Bay, Ontario is only an hour north of the Minnesota border and on more than one occasion teams from the area played against my teams or friends’ teams in tournaments. Since Sharp is exactly 9 days younger than I, I’m pretty sure we unknowingly crossed paths at some point (he is heartbroken I’m sure). I think I first heard about him when he played for the Thunder Bay USHL team as a 16 year old.
Second is his calm demeanor on the ice. He is always under control and in position to help himself and his team. Third is the fact that he is a closer. As I’ve watched with the Wild over the last decade, they have plenty of players that can set up a great scoring chance, but no one to find the net. Sharp is a great fill for that need.
(PMB) It would be good for “Sharpie” to start getting the publicity and recognition “Kaner” and “Toewser” do. (Although you’d be surprised how many Chicago sports fans still don’t know how to pronounce Jonathan Toews’ name). Another vital bone in the offense’s body of work is Martin Havlat. He started awfully slow, but has been on fire the past couple months. I doubt management will be able to procure enough cap room to keep him this off-season. Your thoughts on Havlat and if he should be considered a priority?
(PC) Havlat is one of those guys that goes under the radar amongst casual fans, but the stat guys, the die-hards and the league know that he is extremely valuable as a 2nd line scorer. Having players that can get comfortable on the 2nd and 3rd line situations and produce as well is key to any team having prolonged success. Scoring options on those lines help take the pressure off the first line while also stretching the opponent’s defensive limits.
Havlat’s already equaled his career best in points and has been able to stay healthy for the first season since 2003-04. That being said, it is extremely unlikely that Havlat will be able to return to the Blackhawks next season. With so much cap space already tied up in current players, Havlat would have to take a pay cut or the team would have to trade some of their already signed players. Plus the Hawks are pretty deep at right wing as it is, if there was a position that they could let someone go, it is at right wing. That being said, I think Havlat’s post-season performance will directly be correlated to the team’s success or lack thereof in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
(PMB) The cliche in the book is “taking them one game at a time,” but here at The Sports Bank we obviously destroy boring platitudes and look ahead. In forecasting the playoffs, who would you rather have in the first round, Calgary or Vancouver? The Hawks have played really well against Canada this season (I’m exempting the embarassing 4-0 loss at home to the most likely first round opponent Canucks yesterday) and especially outperformed the market against the Flames. I’d like to see Vancouver overtake them so Chicago can play the Flames in the first round. Of course, you can’t overlook scrappy Columbus as this Blue Jackets team has already set a franchise record for season points and they are within striking distance. No matter what happens, I’d like to see the Hawks hold on to that final home ice advantage slot as the fans have been so great this winter. I’ve never seen a buzz like this during a previous season on Chicago’s West side and they deserve a chance to try and be a factor in a tight game.
(PC) The play-off buzz for the NHL is unlike any of the other professional sports post-season’s mostly because the Stanley Cup play-offs are always so wide open. No other league can boast as many upsets as the NHL. As for the Blackhawks, their biggest asset will also likely be their biggest detriment in the play-offs. The post-season rookies will definitely bring a ton of energy to the team, however the inexperience and intense pressure could turn that energy into mistakes. No matter where they end up seeding wise, they are going to have to keep a loose leash on that energy.
As for match-ups that would favor the Blackhawks, I think that they can out skate either Calgary or Vancouver but need some more muscle to match what both teams have on their 2nd and 3rd lines. I’ve seen first hand how both teams use their 2nd and 3rd line grinders to wear down their opponent, which then opens up opportunities for their first line scorers.
If the Hawks got matched up with either team, home ice advantage would be crucial. The United Center is no stranger to a play-off atmosphere, however it has typically been reserved for a game with a hard court at the center of the arena. The same passion the fans of the Bulls had during their championship runs is going to be necessary for the Blackhawks. Calgary is always a tough place to play, but in the play-offs it is brutal. Vancouver isn’t much better. A young worn down team on the road at either arena would spell D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R for the Blackhawks in the first round. Unless either Calgary or Vancouver tanks with their last 6 games, Columbus will not be a potential first round opponent for the Hawks (although that would probably be the best match-up for the Hawks).