Playoffs? Well, Hawks should be
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rPosted Monday, July 09, 2007
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While the Blackhawks believe they have improved their roster dramatically since the end of last season, particularly offensively, the question remains:
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Will they be a team good enough to make the playoffs in the tough Western Conference?
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It’s not going to be easy, but the additions of Robert Lang, Yanic Perreault, Sergei Samsonov, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane certainly should make the Hawks more entertaining to watch than the team that finished last in the NHL in offense.
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“It’s very possible for us to have a great year,” Hawks coach Denis Savard said. “I firmly believe we’re going to take our game to another level and we’ll be able to compete with any team in the league.”
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Savard spoke at the prospects camp that ended Friday and showcased Toews and Kane, the Hawks’ last two No. 1 draft picks who displayed flashes of brilliance — albeit against other kids.
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The Hawks expect Toews and Kane to be in their opening-night lineup.
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“One thing at a time,” Toews said. “I have to make the team first, and this camp is good to see where I’m at. I’ve got two more months to training camp and, obviously, I’ll have a better idea what I have to do to fit in.”
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The Hawks see Toews fitting in behind Lang and Perreault at center, at least to start the season. Toews has the potential to be the Hawks’ No. 1 center, and to become it quickly.
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Kane showed at prospects camp why he was taken first overall in last month’s draft. He has the look of a pure scorer and playmaker, and the moves to go with it.
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“I think we have three lines that can score,” general manager Dale Tallon said. “Now we want to put together a high-energy fourth line, with in-your-face kind of guys. Can (Rene) Bourque and (Patrick) Sharp be those guys? Maybe.”
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Savard hasn’t given up on the idea of Bourque possibly playing left wing on the first line with Lang and Martin Havlat, with a second line of Perreault, Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu.
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“(Jason) Williams can play anywhere on those lines as well, and we’ve still got (Radim) Vrbata,” Savard said.
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The power play should be better with the additions of Lang, Perreault and Samsonov.
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“No question we’ve upgraded our scoring,” Savard said. “When you look at our offense last year, the power play struggled. I think the acquisition of Perreault is going to help that power play tremendously.
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“If we can get 40 more goals than last year, 50 more goals, it could be 15 more wins. We need to turn that power play around.”
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Savard sees Perreault as a guy who can make a difference on the power play because of his nose for the net in tight.
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“He’s more a down-low guy,” Savard said. “He’s good around the net; that’s where he gets a lot of his goals.
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“Lang feels he’s a better player the more ice time he gets. Last year he had 45-50 points with Detroit, but I think his numbers will be better here. He’s smart, he creates space — a lot of things we haven’t had here.”
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Tallon still would like to add another winger and a veteran stay-at-home, physical defenseman before training camp.
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Right now the Hawks have a depth chart on defense that reads Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Andrei Zyuzin, James Wisniewski, Jim Vandermeer, Cam Barker, Dustin Byfuglien, Danny Richmond and Magnus Johansson. One or more of them could be used as trade bait.
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Zyuzin was acquired from Calgary in the Adrian Aucoin deal, and Johansson was signed out of Sweden, where he has been a steady pro for nine seasons.
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“Johansson and Zyuzin are good players, and I think Byfuglien is ready to step up and take a spot,” Tallon said. “Barker has to pick it up, too. We’ll see how it plays out, but in Zyuzin and Johansson, they’re two good veteran defensemen.”
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