SICK!!!!  And it only cost Duncan Keith four teeth!

h/t: MPS

NQTC Reader JavierSandooski

Imagine if the Cubs locked up Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley and Kosuke Fukudome to solid long term deals. (Oh wait – they did? And it’s worked out terribly??) Now imagine the complete opposite — this is basically the move the Hawks are making with today’s official announcement of signing Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane (both 5 years) and Duncan Keith (13 years) to long term deals.

It’s a great move by the hawks, regardless of the fact that they may be somewhat overpaying these guys; reports have Toews & Kane hitting the cap at $6.3 million and Keith at $5.5 million. These three are each all-stars and most likely will be Olympians this winter in Vancouver. Toews is the youngest active captain in the NHL at 23 and the Hawks are dependent on him – they went 8-0 after his return from missing six games with a concussion – they went 3-3 in the 6 games he missed. Duncan Keith is one of the best defensemen in the league; and Kane has elite skills that don’t come along very often.

This move definitely sets the core of the Blackhawks in place for years to come: the three aforementioned, Hossa and Seabrook, and now the matter becomes who else is staying and who is going. Rumors recently have circulated, which basically have said anyone else on the team might be one of the guys to go (Sharp, Versteeg, Buff, Barker, list goes on). All I know, they better keep my boy The Hammer (PS – email me asap if you know where I can get a sweet Hjalmarsson jersey tee). Oh and I’d really like if they can keep Sharp and Versteeg. Now, enjoy this video made by my friend Pat starring my favorite Hawks player.

Here’s the problem with that bit of “news”.  It is not really possible with the NHL salary cap system that is currently in place.  The same Tribune article that is insinuating that these deals are essentially already done out of one side of its mouth is explaining how it is impossible out of the other side:

The salary cap this season is $56.8 million. It’s expected to remain the same or drop slightly next season, which could handcuff the Hawks, who already have 13 players signed for around $43 million for 2010-11.

With Hossa on the hook for 12 years at about $5.5 million per and Huet another $5.5 million, you would have to think that Kane and Toews will command at least that.  If they sign the long-term deal, maybe they would give a discount, but why would two kids with that kind of talent agree to be locked up at a lower rate than their value through their prime playing years?

The Hawks front office has worked many miracles the last few seasons, but this one would top them all.  The little problem of “math” seems to be an inflexible obstacle to the signing of all three of these budding young stars.  If it somehow happens, this Hawks team could dominate the next decade in Chicago.  NQTC reader DC Blackhawks said it best: “if they do [these deals], they will own the city.  Outside of MJ, few players have played in Chicago for 10+ years and their team was very competitive.”  He makes a good point, although I don’t know if I’d go that far.  Here was my response, “If they lock it up, maybe, but let’s see some cups first.”

Keep your eyes and ears open, an announcement about the extensions is expected in the next couple of weeks.

• The young stars for the Blackhawks would have to be super-human to not feel pressure going into Game 2.  Kane and Toews put up some awful stats in Game 1 and it’s on them to step it up tonight.  Kane was held without a shot just three times all season before Sunday, but now it’s four times and two of those have come against Detroit.  Kane mentioned that it felt like he was being triple teamed out there in Game 1, so hopefully for the Hawks he’ll be able to find some space and discover that magic he had against Vancouver. 
• I didn’t see Seabrook and Keith take a whole lot of heat after Game 1.  I thought these two had been a couple of the best defensmen in the entire league for the first two rounds, but a couple of bad turnovers in Game 1 were killers.  While guys like Datsyuk and Hossa struggle, the Hawks can’t afford to give away goals to other players. 
• One of the positives I saw from Chicago in the first game was their physical play.  The Wings played a real tough series against Anaheim before this one and if the Hawks can keep punishing the Wings with big hits, there’s a chance they could wear them down if they can extend this series. 
• Another good thing for Chicago is that being so young, there most recent playoff experience is the only kind they have.  The Hawks fell behind 1-0 in the Vancouver series and had a great comeback to win Game 2.  Just because this is a bigger stage, doesn’t mean they can’t handle it.  Look for a disciplined and spirited performance tonight. 
• Again, pay attention to the pace tonight.  After winning the first game, I can’t imagine the Wings would try and change styles, so it will likely be another wide open and exciting affair. 

That’s all I’ve got this afternoon, but I’m really looking forward to this one tonight.  6:30 PM CT, on Versus.

After falling behind early, just like every other game this series, the Blackhawks couldn’t complete the comeback and now find themselves in a 2-1 hole going into Game 4.  The habit of falling behind early really can’t keep up if the Hawks want to hang around for another week or so.  It’s hard to say if they just aren’t prepared, they’re flustered under the pressure, or if it’s just Vancouver playing so well that has led to 3-0, 2-0, and 3-0 deficits in the first three games of the series.

These games seem to go much better with bullet previews, so….Bullets.

• If the Hawks were flat at the beginning of Game 3, it certainly was no fault of the United Center crowd.  It had to be deafening in there for the anthem.  Something tells me tonight will be no different, seeing as how this could be the last home game of the season if the guys don’t get their acts together.
• It sure would be nice for Khabibulin to really bring his A-game tonight.  He has given up a lot of goals this series and while they haven’t all been his fault, the Hawks might need the Wall to be in full effect tonight.
• Sami Salo might be back for Vancouver tonight.  He flew into Chicago yesterday apparently and participated in the team skate.
• Speaking of defenseman coming back, it’d be nice to have the real Duncan Keith back tonight.  He is seeming to have some trouble staying upright this series and the Hawks could really use the old Duncan back.
• And where has Andrew Ladd gone?  I know he isn’t one of the stars on this team and he provided a nice scoring boost this season, but he has done nothing in the playoffs.  He has one point in nine games and that was a goal in a 5-1 win in the Calgary series.  He had one shot on goal in the first three games of this series after he had 13 last series.  Come on Ladd!
• I’m sensing a big game for Havlat tonight.  In the Calgary series, Havlat was a guy you could tell had been involved in the playoffs before and stepped his game up accordingly.  Tonight the Blackhawks need that experience again and Havlat could be the guy to help them tie this series up.

Alright, that’s all I have for tonight’s game.  Let’s try not to fall behind by a few goals, eh?  Game is at 7:00 tonight on VS.  Oh, and what’s up with the “who cares” option on the Hawks poll Stormin’ Norman?  I know you created it right after the Bulls were eliminated, but really?  Could you ever imagine including the option on a Bulls poll?  Gah!

Calgary and Vancouver took their battle for a division title down to the end of the regular season, and Chicago was barely ahead of them in final points, so this promises to be another highly competitive series.  Everything I have heard marks Vancouver as the favorite, but I’m really struggling to figure out how.  For me, it’s nearly impossible to call this series because I think Chicago has the better team, but Vancouver has home ice.

The teams split four games in the regular season and there is no love lost between the them.  You’ll see a lot of shoving after whistles and a lot of WD-40 in use for the hinges on the penalty box.  The team that keeps its cool the best will have a distinct advantage.  Speaking of advantage, the Blackhawks were great on the power play in the first round, while the Canucks excelled on the kill.  Something will have to give there.

Part of the reason for the success of Vancouver’s D was the netminder Roberto Luongo.  He was great in the sweep of St. Louis and has to worry Blackhawks fans with that “hot goaltender” phenomenon that can carry a team deep into the playoffs.  However, Chicago has a goaltender of its own on a pretty good streak.  Khabibulin was great in the first round and will be looking to carry the Hawks one step closer to the Stanley Cup Finals.

What’s the key to the series?  Slowing down the top line of Vancouver.  Alex Burrows and the Sedins form one of the best lines in the NHL and it will be up to Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith to hold them down.  The Hawks blueline duo did well against the Flames top line in the first round, but this is a different animal.  The Sedins are capable of holding the puck deep in the zone all by themselves, leaving Burrows free to get open.  They’re going to score, it’s just a matter of limiting the damage and making other people beat you.

Keith and Seabrook were fantastic in the first round though.  I especially thought Seabrook was one of the best players on the ice for either team a lot of the time.  Speaking of young guys needed to step up again…the offense.  While the Canucks get a ton of production from their top line, the Hawks get it from all over.  12 different players scored in the first round for Chicago and they’ll need more of the same this time around.  Dave Bolland deserves special mention for his play in the first round.  He just seemed a step faster than everyone else and made plays in all aspects of the game.

I also have to say that I really, really don’t like Vancouver.  Expect a lot of goonery in this series to the point that it will actually make you mad.  Cheap shots after the whistle, overreactions every time the Hawks get near Luongo, coupled with constant collisions with Khabibulin.  I really think the Blackhawks are better, but Vancouver plays a brand of hockey that can be very effective in the playoffs, with toughness and great goaltending.  It’s a tall task for these young Blackhawks, but they need to be able to keep their cool and let the Canucks sit in the penalty box.  More controlled physical play like we saw in the first round and I think the Hawks come out on top.  Hawks in six.

Hey Cristobal, Look Lower!

For a few months now, we’ve talked about how important it is for the Blackhawks to be peaking around this time of the year going into the playoffs.  Two weeks ago, it was time to lift the lid over the panic button.  Then the Hawks went on a five game point streak that included three wins, meaning it was almost time to close the protective cover on the button.  Then, as they always do, Canada screwed everything up and after two lopsided losses, the red button is back in the open and Dr. Strangelove is awaiting on the speed dial.

Okay, so maybe this is all a little melodramatic, but the Chicago Blackhawks are not an easy team to figure out.  A spectacular first half of the season had us wondering if they were Cup contenders and now we’re just wondering which team will show up on a nightly basis.  Is it the team with young talent that can fly around the ice and trade goals with anyone, or the one that makes stupid mistakes in its own zone and hits the net with the regularity of the special kid who gets into the intermission contest?

This week has been anything but special.  The only positive to come out of games against Vancouver and Montreal was that the Blackhawks showed the Canucks that they were not intimidated and had plenty of ‘fight’ in them despite the deficit.  The message was sent in case they meet in the playoffs.  However, with the inconsistency they’ve shown and the Red Wings waiting for the last two games of the season, that playoff series looks like it will be held with Calgary or Vancouver having the home ice advantage.  The Hawks have a game in hand on both, but trail them by one and two points respectively.

Mental lapses like Duncan Keith’s last night against Montreal will not fly this time of the year.  While it’s great that the Hawks are likely headed to their first postseason in a while, it is not good that they have such insufficient playoff experience.  If it’s time to start thinking like a playoff team then you can’t be setting up one of the premier scorers on the other team right in front of your own net with a no-look pass.  Lesson learned.  Also, 0-6 on the power play has to turn some heads.

It’s back to the United Center tonight against St. Louis, then Nashville comes to town on Friday night.  We’ll see which squad shows up for those games and in the meantime, I’ll keep a close eye on that panic button.