2008 Season Thoughts: Airmaq

Well, though a disappointing finish, that was a fun and a successful season (the last cup-less season at this point that can be a successful season.) If the boys can take another huge step forward next year, there will likely be new banner(s) hanging in the United Center.

Here's my report card for both the regular season and the playoffs for each player, Q and Dale Tallon, and if the player should be brought back (if applicable.) So here it is; feel free to comment on this.

CENTERS-

Jonathan Toews- Regular Season- A Playoffs- B+
(One year remaining on his entry level contract. Obviously keep him around.) Last 70 games of the regular season. Jonny T scored 34 goals. He was very good in his own zone all year, and was a MONSTER in the faceoff circle, 59.4% in the playoffs. He was definitely battling through some sort of ailment in the playoffs, but he showed why he was selected as the team captain. The future is bright for Captain Serious

Dave Bolland- Regular Season- B+ Playoffs- B+ (Is a RFA; I would sign him to a contract somewhere along the lines of 4 year/9 mil.) Bolley was yet another kid that took a huge step forward this year. Playing against the other team's top line for most of the season, he was a plus 19 and recorded 47 points in the regular season. He then followed that up with a 12 point playoff. The only area of concern is the faceoff dot; 44.4% in the regular season and 45.7% in the playoffs. Much like Jonny T, Bolley should have a bright future.

Samuel Pahlsson- Regular Season- F Playoffs- D-
(Is a UFA; Get him the HELL out of here) On this one I can say (in my best Dennis Green voice) "SAMMY PAHLSSON IS WHAT I THOUGHT HE WAS!' He did do a decent job of winning faceoffs in the playoffs (53.7%) but that is about all he did. His offensive contributions in the playoffs ( 2G 3A) out matched his defensive contributions. The ONLY thing he does better than Colin Fraser, is win faceoffs. This was an AWFUL trade.

Colin Fraser- Regular Season - B Playoffs- A
(Is a RFA; a 10% raise (or slightly more) from his current 500k is very reasonable. Bring him back)

A very good 4th liner; adds energy, physical, not afraid to mix it up, is responsible defensively, and is solid on the PK. Was maybe the best Hawk forward on the ice in game 5 vrs Detroit.

RIGHT WINGERS-

Marty Havlat- Regular Season- A Playoffs- A
(Is a UFA; re-signing should be the number 1 priority for the Hawks)

What a difference a year makes huh? At this time last year, we could not wait to get Marty and his $6 mil cap hit out of town; now were saying COME BACK MARTY! It was during about a 6 day layoff during the Hawks 9 game winning streak that Marty seemed to finally say to himself "okay, the shoulder is good; now let's really play some hockey", and his play took on a whole new level. He scored many clutch goals for the Hawks in both the regular season and the playoffs and was a key component in shutting down the opposition's top line as well. Please get this guy back next year.

Patrick Kane- Regular Season- B+ Playoffs- B+
(One year remaining on entry level contract. Obviously keep around.)

Was the cog that made the PP go; 35 power play points in the regular season; 6 more in the playoffs. The PP struggled when he was out/ less than 100%. Was the Hawks leader in goals in the playoffs with 9. Seemed to be breaking up more plays in defensive zone in the slot during the playoffs. Is only going to get bigger and stronger as the years go on. Is going to be scary good in a few years.

Kris Versteeg- Regular Season- B- Playoffs C-
(Is an RFA; Hawks should sign and trade him; sell high.)

He is a calder finalist (and will no doubt finish 3rd) and led all NHL rookies in assists with 31. Added 22 goals as well. He does have a pretty good shot as well. However; there are many things NOT to like about him. 1) His toughness can seriously be questioned. Missed nearly two weeks of action because his pinkie hurt. 2) Maturity. Game 4 vrs Detroit; takes a stupid penalty to put the Hawks down 5 on 3 for a full 2 minutes. Then comes out of the box and IMMEDIATELY takes a penalty and goes right back to the penalty box. 3) ZERO hockey IQ. Rather than dumping the puck in deep; he ALWAYS tries to stickhandle around 2, 3, 4 people at the blue line. This usually results in a turnover and an odd man rush the other way. His trade value will probably never be higher than it is now.

Dustin Byfuglien- Regular Season- D Playoffs- B+
(2 years remaining on his deal. Keep around)

Didn't really seem to 'get it' until he was on the verge of coming out of the lineup once everyone got healthy. No matter the reason, he turned into quite a force on the ice. He really figured out how to use his size to his advantage in the playoffs. If he can play like that over an 82 game schedule next year, he is going to give the NHL fits.

Adam Burish- Regular Season- B Playoffs- B+
(One year remaining on his contract; keep around.)

He is very good at what he does. He is not going to score 15-20 goals a year; nor is he on the team to do so. Is part of one of the best 4th lines in the league. Is an agitator, responsible defensively, good on the PK, not afraid to throw his weight around, and had a very effective playoff. People don't like him because he doesn't score a lot of goals. But yet, NOBODY that would replace his spot is going to go score a lot of goals; they wouldn't be 4th liners if they were scoring 15-20 a year. You need guys like him in the playoffs to succeed.

LEFT WINGERS-

Patrick Sharp- Regular Season- B+ Playoffs- B
(signed through 11-12; needs to stay)

Is one of the best pure goal scorers on the Hawks; in addition to being a very strong defensive player/penalty killer. Needs to stay on the wing; isn't very good at faceoffs. A healthy Patrick Sharp is a key to the Hawks success.

Andrew Ladd- Regular Season- A- Playoffs B+
(one year left on his contract; needs to stay)

Recorded 49 pts and was a plus 26 during the regular season on the Hawks 'shut down' line. He also managed to do this while playing against the toughest competition in the entire league according to behindthenet.ca . His game 5 turnover notwithstanding, he is a playoff player. Does all of the dirty work that is essential to win not only in the regular season, but in the playoffs as well. He really needs to stick around for awhile.

Troy Brouwer- Regular Season- C+ Playoffs- C+
(Is an RFA; is worth a 10% raise from his current 700k cap salary)

Does a lot of good things on the ice; is responsible defensively/on the PK, willing to bang and crash, and gets himself into good positions on the ice. He needs to develop a better scoring touch; he has been a 40 goal scorer in the AHL, no reason to think that he cant score 15-20 a year in the NHL. Worth giving another season.

Ben Eager- Regular season- B- Playoffs- B
(RFA; could go either way on this; a 10% raise from 650k is probably acceptable; If it's much more than that, let him walk.)

Has good size, and tremendous speed. Loves to throw his weight around, and has some pretty good skill. However, he did take WAY too many really bad penalties this season. If he can tone down the penalties, he'll be a real asset; especially in the playoffs.

DEFENSE

Duncan Keith- Regular season- A+ Playoffs- B
(one year remaining on his contract; Needs to stick around for the next decade)

Had another tremendous regular season; we all saw what happens when you take him out of the lineup. Is a horse/minutes eater. A future Norris winner. Was not quite the same in the playoffs; looked like he was battling some type of ailment; but was still pretty good.

Brent Seabrook- Regular season- A- Playoffs- B+
(signed through 10-11; needs to stick around for the next decade with Dunc)

Really took a huge step forward this year in the 2nd half of the season. Turned into quite a physical force. This is going to be one of the best pairs in the league in a few years.

Brian Campbell- Regular Season- F Playoffs -D
(signed for a shit load for WAY too fuckin long; priority number 2 this offseason should be to try to move him..)

Yeah, yeah, he had a career high with 45 assists; but he is a DEFENSEMAN. You can count on your hands how many good defensive games he had during the regular season. His effort was in question for most of the regular season. This mighty PP QB was 3rd on the team in PP points, and had 5 LESS pp points than Barker while playing 14 MORE games. He was often out of position, afraid to take a hit or give one, loafed around the ice, would not get back into the play when he got caught up the ice, went 50 games without a goal, and only the 'emergence' of Matt Walker kept Campbell from being the worst defenseman on the Hawks this season. In the Vancouver series he actually appeared to turn it on and finally give consistent effort for the first time this season and actually played pretty well that series. He didn't have a very good playoff as a whole; but at least he gave some effort and had a decent Vancouver series; that pushed his playoff grade up to a D.

Cameron Barker- Regular season- B Playoffs- B-
(RFA; if they can get that cap hit DOWN; or keep it right around where it is now, then bring him back; if he wants a huge raise, then let him go.)

Barker is definitely making strides in the right direction. He turned his physicality up another level, is playing better defensively, and he is a much better PP QB than Brian Campbell. That being said, he is probably only going to be about average defensively, and the Walker/Barker pair were probably the worst pair on the ice in the Detroit series; though I attribute that more to Walker.

Matt Walker- Regular season- FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF Playoffs-FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
(UFA; DO NOT BRING BACK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE)

He has got to be the worst defenseman in the NHL. WOW he is BAD. He has no hand/eye coordination thus constantly fanning on pucks, can't hit a barn with a shot from the point, is physically incapable of breaking up an odd man rush, gets caught out of position/burned on breakaways A LOT, and is one of the slowest players in the NHL. The fact that Q had him out there nightly is downright criminal.