Hawks Talk: Underachieving at the quarter point

OK, we've reached the quarter point of the season, so what better time to chat about what we've just witnessed and what may lie ahead for the Blackhawks?

Here we go.

Q: Have the Hawks overachieved, underachieved or are they right where you thought they'd be?

John: To me, they've slightly underachieved to this point.

For the most part, the Hawks are playing very solid hockey as evidenced by their 5-2 record in the last seven games. But that nine-game stretch where they went 3-6 and managed just 20 goals - 10 of which came in two games - was certainly disappointing.

But here's the bottom line - and I said this to you about a week ago - it's impossible for guys to be "up" for all 82 regular-season games. Combine that with the fact that the Hawks' opponents are always jazzed to be playing a team that has won two Stanley Cups in the last five seasons and they're going to lose some games they probably should win.

Mike: I think they're a titch below where they should be.

Those 3 straight home losses in late October and earlier this month easily could've been - and probably should've been - 3 straight wins, and then they'd be sitting atop of the Central along with St. Louis and Nashville.

The good news is, despite a sluggish game Sunday in Vancouver, they appear to be hitting their stride.

Q: If the playoffs began today, the Hawks would be the seventh seed in the West. Where do you think they'll end up come April?

John: The race for a playoff berth and a top-four seed in the Western Conference will be something. Only four teams - Dallas, Colorado, Arizona and Edmonton - have fewer than 22 points, while the Nos. 2-7 seeds all have between 25-29.

The Hawks have been like that recreational golfer who comes home after playing 18 holes and is asked, "What did you shoot?"

"Well, a 94, but only because I triple-bogeyed three holes. Otherwise I played AWESOME."

I think they start to assert themselves as we hit December, January and beyond. So to answer the question, the Hawks end up with the fourth seed behind St. Louis, Nashville and Anaheim.

Mike: That's the $64,000 question, John.

I think the cream will rise to the top, and the Hawks will do just that. By the time the season hits the quarter pole, they'll find themselves battling it out with the Blues for the top spot in the Central.

Of course, I could be way off, but bottom line: They'll finish with a second or third seed, providing complacency doesn't slip in.

Q. Who has been the most pleasant surprise?

John: This was an easy one as of a week ago as undrafted rookie Trevor van Riemsdyk not only made the team, but the coaches were beginning to have a lot of faith in him. But with TVR out 3-4 months, I'll go with Kris Versteeg.

After missing the first four games with a lower-body injury, Versteeg muddled along for his first eight games on the ice.

Since then, few Hawks have been hotter as he has racked up 5 goals and 6 assists in the last nine games. If he keeps that up, Versteeg has a chance to better his career bests in goals scored (23) and points (54).

It looks like coach Joel Quenneville has found a solid second line by pairing Versteeg with Patrick Kane and Brad Richards. That trio looks comfortable together and it has helped Versteeg take his game to another level.

Mike: You stole my thunder there. I'm definitely going with Versteeg as well.

He just looks like a different player this season. Q has been raving about him since early in camp, and it turns out he was on to something.

Steeger probably rushed his return last season, and it showed - and he admitted it showed. This season he has his speed back, but it's not just that. He seems to be playing smarter out there, more aware. And since moving alongside Kane and Richards he has bumped it up a notch.

Plus, I have to say I really liked the way he came to Kane's defense Sunday in Vancouver. The guy's got some feisty to him.

Q. I know it's goofy, but if you had to pick a first-quarter MVP, who would it be?

John: I really don't think there's any other choice here (so if you don't pick him, Mike, I apologize!) other than to go with The Captain.

It's the easy way out, but Jonathan Toews is playing the most consistent hockey of anyone on the team. He leads the team in goals (9) and is tied with Patrick Kane with 18 points.

But it's more than that. While Toews' on-ice game is always solid, his presence in the locker room and the "this-isn't-good-enough" message he sent to his teammates during that rough 3-6 stretch came through loud and clear.

He leads the way a captain should lead, and the Hawks are lucky to have him.

Mike: The two guys who pop to mind right away are Niklas Hjalmarsson and Corey Crawford.

Hammer doesn't have the offensive numbers, but night in and night out, the guy's been a beast.

But for consistent excellence, I have to go with Crow, who has simply been a rock back there.

He's such a confident cat these days, and that's just what the Hawks will need down the stretch, especially on those nights when they don't have their "A" game going.

• For more Hawks talk, follow Mike on Twitter at @dhspellman and follow John at @johndietzdh.