Emma: Trust The Blackhawks' Process, Even As Reconstructed Roster Struggles
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The inconceivable awe from three hoists of the Stanley Cup in six years tends to remove a sense of reality at the United Center. The Blackhawks have rewarded Chicago so graciously that it can be difficult for the hockey-crazed city to accept struggles and inconsistencies.
After all, Joel Quenneville's Blackhawks have engraved their place as hockey's best. That's the standard in Chicago -- no exceptions.
But the Blackhawks, who fell to 13-9-3 on Tuesday after a 2-1 loss to the Wild, have a long way to go for a shot at the Cup. Yet, this team is right where it should be, struggling for improvements. With so many new pieces to the puzzle, consistency was supposed to be hard to find.
"It seems like we can't get on a run here," Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said.
Kane is playing like the MVP, working on a 20-game points streak. He's one shy of the Blackhawks record, 21, set by Bobby Hull in the 1971-72 season. Kane has 15 goals on the season and leads the NHL with 39 points.
Joining Kane and the Blackhawks' star-studded core is Artemi Panarin, the rookie from Russia, who's the leading contender for Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie of this Connor McDavid-less season. Panarin has been everything Chicago wanted and then some, with seven goals and 16 assists, good for second on the team in points.
The Blackhawks, of course, have two of the NHL's greatest players in Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith as well, plus names like Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and more. Come playoff time, Chicago's stars are at their brightest, with the supporting cast clicking, too. But up until then, there are challenges in growth.
For general manager Stan Bowman's reconstructed roster, the growing pains have hurt more than usual.
On Tuesday, the Blackhawks struggled to play their puck-possession game, then sputtered with chances in the offensive zone. Their lone goal came from Kane -- who else? -- on a puck that found its way past Wild netminder Devan Dubnyk.
No matter what line tweaks Quenneville tries, the Blackhawks haven't been able to find consistency with their puck possession.
"We haven't had as much as we'd like," Quenneville said.
While Kane has been outstanding this season and as Panarin has impressed in his rookie season, the Blackhawks have shown team struggles.
Toews has just 15 points in 25 games, and Hossa, who turns 37 next month, only has 10. Defenseman Trevor Daley, acquired in the Patrick Sharp deal with Dallas, has yet to give much help on the blue line. Andrew Desjardins and Marcus Kruger, both re-signed this offseason, have combined for two points and a -14 rating. And Bryan Bickell's $4 million annual salary is being earned in Rockford with the AHL affiliate IceHogs.
The Blackhawks returned from the circus trip on the West Coast with a 3-1-2 mark, an impressive feat given the travel. Then good vibes were gone in a hurry after falling to the reeling Wild. Keith said they just got outworked.
"We could've been better," Keith said.
Improvements take time, especially for a Blackhawks team that just faced the most radical of roster reconstructions this offseason. But such is life trying to fight the cruel salary cap, something Bowman has done well to the tune of three championships.
Count on Toews to play better, Hossa to show age is just a number and young players like Teuvo Teravainen, Marko Dano, Tanner Kero to mesh with the mold. Trust that Bowman will add what's needed before the trade deadline. If all goes as it should, the Blackhawks will be at their best come playoff time.
Trust the process with these Blackhawks, because their leaders have been here before, and the newcomers will catch up. Reality bites when your expectations are championships, but they shouldn't be doubted.
"We know what we have to do to win games," Kane said. "Whether it's the veterans in here or the young guys, we know what we have to do to win games in this league. No excuses."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.