Quenneville looking for more from Hawks
Blackhawks fans might be tired of hearing this, but nearly one month into the season the Stanley Cup champs still consider themselves a work in progress.
The Hawks are 7-6-1 after 4 losses in their last six games and have been inconsistent defensively and average on home ice.
“We've been OK, but I think we're looking for more,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “We're not happy. We should be further along with our record.
“We've had some games where we left some points on the table for sure. We've had some really good in-game stretches and some tough stretches in games as well.”
How the Hawks played in Saturday's tidy 3-1 victory at Minnesota is what Quenneville wants to see on a regular basis.
“That's what will make us successful, how we play, the simplicity of our game and the energy we had,” he said.
The way general manager Stan Bowman sees it, the Hawks would be even worse off if not for the play of goalies Marty Turco and Corey Crawford.
“Goaltending has probably been our strength,” Bowman said. “It's given us a chance every game we've played.
“Something we're trying to get is consistency with our style of play, but knowing you've got the goaltender back there every night allows you more comfort to work your way through it.”
The players feel the overall game is coming along slowly, but they believe it's getting better.
“We're finally grasping the system and playing the way we're supposed to,” captain Jonathan Toews said.
“There have been a lot of changes in here, but I think everyone is getting used to their new teammates,” Patrick Kane said. “There will come a time when this team is at the top of its game, but it's not there yet.
“We've still got to tighten things up, but it's better to learn them now than later in the season.”
Bowman said he has been pleased with the play of new regulars Viktor Stalberg, Jack Skille and Jake Dowell.
On the flip side it has been a slow start to the season for Niklas Hjalmarsson, Troy Brouwer, Bryan Bickell and Fernando Pisani.
Injuries have factored somewhat into the mediocre start. Brian Campbell returned only Monday from a sprained knee, while Marian Hossa and Dave Bolland remain out until likely next week.
The Hawks have had to reach down into the minors to recall five players already in defenseman Jassen Cullimore and forwards Ben Smith, Ryan Potulny, Evan Brophey and Brandon Pirri.
While some have questioned why prospects such as Kyle Beach and Igor Makarov were bypassed, Bowman said call-ups are done on a game-by-game basis.
“Sometimes you read too much into that,” Bowman said. “Sometimes it's more on a need basis. Certain players fit into a role differently.
“I think if you're looking to provide offense, you're not going to bring up a guy who doesn't do that. If you need a guy who's a checker, those guys (Beach and Makarov) don't necessarily fit that bill.
“We want to reward players who deserve it. We've done that with the guys we've brought up. They were playing well at the time, but they also filled the need.”
ŸHossa skated at practice Tuesday but in a white jersey, which meant no contact.
“There's definitely been a lot of progress,” said Hossa, who has been sidelined a week with an upper-body injury. “I'm definitely getting there, probably halfway.”
Hossa would like to return to the lineup at some point next week. He had an MRI after the injury, which revealed no significant damage.
“The MRI showed lots of good stuff,” he said.