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Michael Miller

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2007-2008 Blackhawks review

Fan Commentary, by Mr. Miller
April 4, 2008

Mark this date down: April 3, 2008. With two games left to play and three days left in the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks were eliminated from 2007-2008 NHL playoffs. Rational fans didn't expect this. Even die-hard fans had to be surprised. And based on preseason predictions, the national media didn't have a clue.

Naturally, the questions are starting to be asked: How much did Toews injury cost the team? Why couldn't the overpaid Russian play as well over the course of the season as he did down the stretch? Did Savard's learn-on-job coaching cost them a couple of points here and there?

Ultimately: why did the Blackhawks exceed expectations and stay alive this far into the season?

There are plenty of factors and theories as to why that is. But for me, it comes down to two elements: change and attitude.
After former owner William Wirtz passed away in September, a series of immediate and effective changes occurred within the organization. Rocky Wirtz became the man in charge, marketing ideas took off, John McDonough was hired, home games were put on TV and finally - Bob Pulford shown the door.

In other words: the Blackhawks once again became relevant in Chicago. Their long-lost credibility quickly restored.

Of course, none of this had anything to do with the injuries to Martin Havlat, Craig Adams, James Wisniewski and a slew of others. But the trickle down effect could easily have played a role in Duncan Keith becoming an all-star, Patrick Kane pushing to be the Calder Trophy winner and Dustin Byfuglien finding his game.

The aura of failure in Chicago was immediately lifted at the start of the season and fans starting coming back in droves. Don't, for one second, think that the players didn't notice and, more importantly, respond.
Midway through the season, there was an additional uplift (some might say "uproar") in terms of media coverage and public opinion when head coach Denis Savard challenged his team to Commit to the Indian.

Like so many coaches before him, Savard was simply trying to relay the notion that the logo on the front of the uniform is more important than the name on the back. That players should stand up and play for their team and their teammates, not for themselves.

Fans rallied behind the slogan, t-shirts bearing the phrase soon popped up, the media had a field day. It was catchy, it was invigorating, it was positive. But then the PC crowd stepped in, spoke out of turn and did everything in their power to squash the movement.

They failed.

Fans who understand the tradition of the Blackhawks knew what Savard was saying. Players who are now part of that history heard the call.
Chicago fans are certainly used to saying the phrase Just wait 'til next year. With the Blackhawks and their fans, however, next year can't come soon enough.

http://www.blackhawkzone.com/commentaries/eliminated040408.htm
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Mr. Miller
Blackhawkzone.com

Last Sunday, as usual, I sat up in the 300 level at the United Center for the Blackhawks, Flames game. Instead of my usual seats in 324, I was part of a group sitting in 327. Instead of $18 seats, I found myself in the less expensive $10 area. Yet somehow, the experience seemed entirely different compared to that in which I've grown accustomed.

The passion seemed higher. The decibel level clearly was too. The knowledge of the game and the implied understanding of the situations on the ice were quite apparent.

So it got me to thinking. Is there some truth to the often debated notion that only "real fans" sit up in the 300 level? That the higher you go in the stadium, the more rabid the fan? And I guess it could be asked, what is a "real fan"?

I've sat as close as the 4th row off the glass for an NHL game all the way to the proverbial nose-bleed seats of Standing Room Only (and all areas in between, including skyboxes). Die hard fans obviously exist in all areas, but there is clearly a difference in the types of fans that sit in each and the question is Why?

From personal observation and experience, two key factors come into play: age and economics. The older you are, the more you can afford. The more you can afford, the closer you tend to sit. That doesn't necessarily make you less of a fan, of course, it just effects the way you act.

Let's face it: a 45 year old fan is going to conduct themselves in a different manner than a 20 year old. Ushers in the 100 level enforce conduct rules much more so than in the 300 level as fans actually have to wait for whistles down low and security is rarely called up to break up fights along the glass.

Some say the difference is clearly lies on alcohol consumption. Perhaps there's some truth to this, but the age factor still plays as big of a role. Older fans don't tend to drink a 12-pack during a hockey game. Older fans might have their families with them, which effects their actions and obnoxious level. Also, there are more corporate seats and fans in the 100 and 200 level.
There's an expected role, if you will, in the 100 level. The atmosphere dictates how to act in the 200 level. In the 300 level, the rules aren't thrown out - they're just not as closely enforced.

How many "Detroit Sucks" chants begin in section 111? Have you ever noticed that Tommy Hawk rarely makes an appearance in 324? Why does a waiter take your order in 223, but someone else delivers your food and drinks to your seat?

The level of service at the UC and the way you're viewed by ushers, security, vendors and other fans directly correspond to where your sitting and how much your ticket costs. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, but the tendencies are clear.

The die-hard fans in the 100 level are just as passionate and knowledgeable as those in the 300 level. The differences often lie in how they act and how they're expected to behave. The former has a set of standards to follow. The latter is virtually no-holds barred.
Neither takes away from the level in which you're a "real fan". They just merely dictate how you're viewed in the eyes of the organization and those sitting around you.

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Disagree if you'd like...
http://www.blackhawkzone.com/commentaries/disagree022608.htm

Trade Deadline: What did you expect?
http://www.blackhawkzone.com/commentaries/expectations022608.htm

Just start already!

Fan Commentary, by Mr. Miller
September 12, 2007

The beginning of the 2007 NHL season is rapidly approaching. Here in Chicago, anticipation is running high as fans eagerly await the debut of rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. In Philadelphia, they're chomping at the proverbial bit for the chance to redeem themselves from a horrific 2006 campaign. Detroit fans are loading up on octopi and slowly reading the large-print version of "Hockey for Dummies".
Despite the recent start to the NFL season and the various pennant races happening in baseball, many hockey fans, the die-hards anyway, have easily switched their focus to all things hockey. Online message boards are loaded with posts about training camps, rosters, preseason reviews and predictions, fantasy leagues, rookie game results as well as the anticipated arrival of their precious season tickets.
Back-and-forth bantering (and in some cases bickering) is a result of the gradual rise in interest since their team last took the ice when, except in Anaheim, the season-ending cliche of "wait until next year" rang true for so many people. Next year is now. And now is the time to seriously prepare for hockey.
On ChicagoBlackhawks.com, one fan started a season countdown. In July!
In Pittsburgh, there are no less than five online conversations regarding the introduction of the new style of Penguins' sweater.
San Jose's message boards, on the first page alone, there are five topics regarding the recent acquisition of fomer Blackhawk, Flyer, Coyote and King Jeremy Roenick.
Virtually all hockey forums have multiple threads involving the release of EA Sports NHL '08.
Interested in fantasy hockey? ChicagoBlackhawks.com has seven continuing discussions ranging from league recruitment, rules, a little trash talking among competitors and more. In Philadelphia, multiple conversations are happening as well.
Hockey fans are passionate. For some, the sport and their team are an obsession. If getting their off-season fix includes spending hours every day online, surfing the web for news, notes, chat rooms and message boards - then they should be thankful for the technology. But when it's all said and done, hockey is a sport than needs to be seen live; it's an experience. And no amount of online trash talking among fans or stat comparison between teams will ever change that. For those fans, this all amounts to nothing more than virtual foreplay: a reason for anticipating the real thing. When the season starts, it's all about the games.
But, sadly, not all discussions are intelligent and poignant. When coming from a rival fan, some can be actually quite comical and entertaining. Take this little gem from the Blues Forum:
Season Starting Butterflies
With the start of the season fast aproaching I thought I would find out if anyone else was having the same symptoms as me, I call it Blues Hockey Fever. I tried watching football, but it just couldn't keep my interest. I scan the TV guide for any show/movie about hockey. I have returned to the Blues site on a daily bassis again for any new news. My palms are swetty and I walk around in a lack luster state, dazed with the anticipation of the opening game.
If I don't see the Blues on the ice soon, I am afraid my blood will turn light blue.
Hockey is a great sport for all ages, but perhaps an intelligence test needs to be devised before walking through the turnstyle.
Nevertheless, hockey fans are some of the most knowledgeable and insightful fans in all of sports. Even the ones of questionable intelligence, like the post shown above or Red Wing fans, display a loyalty and passion that is rarely seen outside the NHL. Whether the topic is about who'll wear the "C" for the upcoming season or simply a tirade about The Hockey News prediction that says Columbus will finish last in the Central, fans are eager to see their teams hit the ice. Some even suffer from swetty palms.
For the sanity of all involved, it's time to drop the puck and get this season underway.

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The "if" Factor.
Fan Commentary, by Mr. Miller
August 16, 2007
Blackhawk fans are nothing, if they're not perpetually optimistic. A new season often brings in new players, new hopes and more times than not: illusions of things that go against common sense.
Coming out of the lockout season, teams were technically on a level playing field in terms of competition and the ability to land high quality free agents. A salary cap was in place and no longer could the Rangers, Red Wings, Avalanche and Stars outbid everyone else for the services of perennial all-stars.
In 2005, the Blackhawks signed long time all-star Adrian Aucoin, tough guy Matthew Barnaby and Stanley Cup winners Martin Lapointe and Nikolai Khabibulin. Along with a healthy Eric Daze, former 1st round pick Tuomo Ruutu and a stable of young, exciting, skilled players - some fans predicted nothing short of the Stanley Cup returning to Chicago. At the very least, many expected a strong playoff push.
The team finished 4th in the division with 57 points.
Going into the 2006 season, fans pinned a lot of hope for a rejuvenated Khabibulin. The signing of Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinksi from Ottawa were signs of better things to come. Young defensemen Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith were getting better and better. A psuedo #1 center was obtained in Michal Handzus. Finally, thought many fans, the year had come for a strong, competitive, Chicago Blackhawk hockey team.
Last in the division. Seventy one points. See the pattern?
Call it the "if" factor.
Wheel1811 demonstrated this concept quite nicely in a recent post on the WirtzSucks.com Message Boards.
'They are not Dynamic but if Kane and Towes live up to the hype and if Havlat can stay healthy and if Samsanov can rebound the first two lines can be scary then the third and fourth lines need to just stay in the positive numbers. Which I think that the third line can but the fourth line is a little old and slow. The big thing that is going show if this team is going anywhere is the D-men.'
Every summer fans start right in with their "if" list. This is nothing new. Before it was if Fleury keeps his head on straight. If Daze doesn't get hurt. If T-blow doesnt get tired. If they get good play from the backup goalie. If Ruutu stays healthy. If Yak-me-ov and Vorobiev make the team...
The team is no doubt taking steps forward in signing new players, giving the prospects more experience, dumping dead weight and drafting solid kids. With each move by General Manager Dale Tallon, the reasons to be optimistic become stronger and stronger. Yet apparently, lessons from the past have long since gone bye-bye. Many fans seemed to have raised the bar even higher this summer when it comes to their expectations for the 2007 season.
<img src="http://www.wirtzsucks.com/images/commentaries/kane.jpg" width="150" height="150" align="left" alt="#1 pick, Patrick Kane" />Rookies Patrick Kane and Jonnathan Toews have yet to play a single NHL game. By most accounts they're both going to be solid NHL players. They haven't proven it yet. Talk to Blackhawk fans right now and both those young men are going to duke it out for the Calder Trophey this season. Philadelphia's James vanRiemsdyk or Kyle Turris in Phoenix seem to be out of the running before the season even starts.
Despite a pretty good defensive unit consisting of Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith and James Wisniewski - rookie Cam Barker still has to show his worth and Jim Vandermeer is coming off an awful 2006 campaign. And most glaring of all is the absence of a solid, #1 defensemen to anchor the blue line.
For 10 years now, the team still lacks a bona fide #1 centerman. Handzus wasn't the answer nor was Alex Zhamnov. Recent pick up Robert Lang now been pushed through the 'center-turnstyle' but his better days look to be behind him as well. Yanic Perreault? Kevyn Adams? Twenty-five other teams would more than likely pass on them at this stage in their careers.
Last year's team was better than the 2005 squad. This year's team looks to be better than what we saw on the United Center ice last season. On paper, there are clearly things to be excited about. Toews, Kane, Ruutu, Seabrook, Keith, Havlat, Lang, Khabibulin, Samsonov and Wisniewski should provide for a lot excitement beginning in October. Head Coach Denis Savard signed a recent extension through next season. He's a fan favorite and will have his team as ready as they can be come opening day.
Just don't allow the summer blinders to prevent you from seeing the progress taking place. For the fist time in a long time, the ship is headed in the right direction. Unless the stars align properly in the heavens and all the hopeful "what if" scenarios come into play, these Chicago Blackhawks aren't a playoff team. But they're getting there.
If only fans could understand that and enjoy the process.

Fan Commentary
by Mr. Miller
June 19, 2007

The Chicago Blackhawks recently traded underachiever Jassen Cullimore and winger Tony Salmelainen to Montreal for multiple 20 plus goal scorer Sergei Samsonov. On the surface, this is clearly a solid move by third year General Manager Dale Tallon. But is this really a slam dunk win for Tallon? A wash? Or could he have actually taken the team a step backwards?
Some will argue that by simply getting rid of Cullimore, the Blackhawks are a better team via the old adage "addition by subtraction." After all, Cullimore's been disappointing since coming to Chicago after winning the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in the 2003-2004 season and his $1.9 million salary was a burden to the team's salary cap. Yet his +/- improved from -24 to -6 in the past 2 seasons, which is somewhat of a testament considering the obvious struggles of the 'Hawks. Cullimore's defensive play was horrible in the beginning of the year but improved steadily as the season progressed. If it weren't for making some very high-profile, bonehead, mistakes (like scoring twice in his own net or being burned in the final minute of a couple of games), fans might be whistling a different tune.
As it turns out, though, the 'Hawks blue line is now a bit more inexperienced. Unless a move is in the works for some defensive help, Cullimore's apparent replacement could be 33 year old Magnus Johansson from the Swedish Elite League who has yet to play a single NHL shift. Johansson, up-again-down-again Dustin Byfuglien or AHL caliber Danny Richmond could easily split time in Chicago.
Although some fans held high hopes for Tony Salmelainen, the speedster was a replaceable part in the Blackhawks organization. Some considered him nothing more than the usual third line type guy in which the 'Hawk system has an abundance. Some would argue that he just needs to be paired with the right linemates to take his game to the next level. Either way, you have to trade something to get something. And Tallon throwing Salmelainen into the mix probably sealed the deal to get Samsonov.
As for Samsonov, after signing a 2-year deal worth just over $7 million with the Canadians in 2006 - his 9 goals and 17 assists last season proved to be quite disappointing to the organization, fans and media in Montreal. Their hopes that Samsonov would recapture his scoring touch from 1997 to 2001 where he netted 124 goals never came to be. Instead, he statistically had his worst year as an NHL player.
Is his career on the downside? After 9 NHL seasons has Samsonov reached his peak and now on his way out? Did he hang around just long enough to sign for the big money and let his game go down the tubes soon after?
Many fans in Chicago felt that Kyle Calder was absolutely not worth the $2.95 million awarded to him during arbitration last summer. Philadelphia fans probably feel the same. But comparing numbers since the 2000 season - Calder's numbers aren't too different than those of Samsonov's.
During the past six seasons, Calder's proven to be more durable than the often injured Samsonov as he played in 74 more games that the newly acquired Russian. Calder's scored only 14 less goals and 18 less assists (32 total points.) Dale Tallon and Blackhawk fans need to ask themselves: do those numbers justify the extra hit to the salary cap? In the days of tight budgets, which 'Hawks fans know all too well, and salary restrictions - how much of an impact could that have for the upcoming season?
On the WirtzSucks.com Message Boards, long time poster HESCORES summed it up this way: "So, the Hawks basically spent an extra million in salary to get a player who used to be real good and hasn't played a full season in 6 years."
Fans are used to being negative and questioning the moves made by the organization. Again, on the surface, this appears to be a good move by Tallon. But by looking into the numbers and thinking a bit critically into the trade, questions are clear. Yet until everyone laces 'em up and hits the ice, it might just be too early to tell what impact this will have on the Blackhawks.

Savard, Tallon
should be ashamed
Fan Commentary, by Mr. Miller
March 12, 2007

Hawks ready for a fight it said in Friday's Chicago Sun Times.
Koci ready to add punch to Hawks' roster chimed in the Chicago Tribune.
Koci ready to serve, protect was the headline in the Daily Herald.
Everyone knew it was coming. The league knew it, the Phoenix Coyotes expected it, the media reported it and the Blackhawks' perpetrated it. It wasn't tough, hard-nosed, historically typical, 'Blackhawk hockey'. It was goonery at its best and the recently recalled 6'6", 238 pound, David Koci did everything that was expected of him.

In Saturday's game, Koci was credited with 2:31 of ice time in 5 shifts, 7 penalties and 42 PIMs. That included 3 fights, a charging penalty, roughing and 2 game misconducts.

His first fight came, not surprisingly, during his first shift. His second fight, a rematch, happened a single shift later. At least the man waited 3 more shifts for his final bout. That, of course, occurred after laying down a cheap shot on Phoenix's Bill Thomas. But hey, at least he blocked a shot.
Blackhawk coach Denis Savard claimed to have a feeling that it was going to be one of those types of games. Well of course it was, Denis. It was your guy that caused it all!

There's a huge difference between protecting a teammate and gooning it up. Koci wasn't protecting anyone. No one was taking runs at Martin Havlat. Tuomo Ruutu wasn't being knocked around. There was no old score to settle with Phoenix winger Josh Gratton.
Koci wasn't just playing a physical game hockey. He was a goon on Saturday night. His play showed it, his stats proved it and everyone expected it.

In Koci's defense, some fans have said that because the Blackhawks have been treated that way several times this season, it was payback time and thus, justified. I've seen many games this season and I don't recall any other team doing what the Blackhawks told Koci to do against the Coyotes. Even if that were the case, the logic is flawed.

Blackhawk fans are frustrated. It's been another losing season and a continuation of a long, losing, decade. They're frustrated at the soft style of players that former GM Mike Smith brought in. They're frustrated that the return to old school hockey that Brian Sutter tried to created didn't work out. They're not happy that current GM Dale Tallon doesn't know what style of play is best for the team in this era of the 'new' NHL.

Fights are a part of hockey. They're actually good for the league and good for the sport. The fans often enjoy them, the players respect their teammates who fill those roles and the game can be more competitive as a result. But the display that Tallon and Savard orchestrated this past Saturday at the expense of a young rookie in David Koci was nothing short of embarrassing.

The league might suspend Koci. Maybe they won't. But either way, expect the officials to pay a little more attention to the physical play of the Blackhawks. Should the team continue this style, expect a few more penalties to be called.

Also, expect some Blackhawk fans to avoid the truth and continue to blame a 25-year old conspiracy as to why the team usually spends more time in the penalty box than their opponents. After all, if there's one thing we Blackhawk fans are good at - it's placing blame everywhere except where it truly belongs. In this case, squarely on Head Coach Denis Savard and General Manager Dale Tallon.