Blackhawks' Patrick Sharp: Goals will come sooner or later
When Patrick Sharp mulled his options in free agency last summer, it didn't take him long to zero in on one team: the Chicago Blackhawks.
After all, when the franchise you helped win three Stanley Cups wants you back and you can play with some of your best friends again, it's pretty much a no-brainer to return.
But Sharp, who spent the past two seasons with Dallas, made it clear when he signed that he had no intentions of basking in past glories.
No way, no how.
Sharp signed to help the Blackhawks continue their standard of excellence and — hopefully — add to their Stanley Cup trophy case.
Things haven't gone as planned, though, with the Hawks (9-8-2) hovering around .500 and Sharp scoring just 1 goal since the season opener. One might think the 35-year-old veteran would be moping or hiding from the media, but that's not the case.
Upbeat and positive, he figures the goals will come.
“The last few games I thought I started getting back to playing with more pace,” Sharp said. “That's something that (coach) Joel (Quenneville) and I talk about: play quick, play fast, play off instincts. As a team we've all been searching for the answers, and individually I can say the same.”
In this interview conducted before the Hawks defeated the New York Rangers on Wednesday, Sharp had plenty of answers to a variety of topics.
Q: You hit a post on a shot against New Jersey on Sunday. Were you like, “Oh, my God, would one of these just go in please?”
A: Honestly, I've been through it so many times. I felt good after (that) game despite the loss. I played a better game and usually when things like that happen, you start practicing better, start playing better games and the points come.
But if you sit around hoping that things are going to go in and waiting for points and goals, then you're not going to get any. You've got to go make it happen.
Q: You've mostly been on the third line. Do you feel like you guys have the puck enough?
A: We've had different lines quite a bit, and that means we haven't been good enough. When lines are switching around it means the team's not playing the way the coaches like. So whatever line I'm on — first, second, third or fourth — I want to try to make that the best line. Having the puck is key. We're all better when we do have the puck as a team.
Q: Does switching the lines this often make it difficult to build chemistry?
A: Maybe for some guys. For me, not really. I learned early in my career to bounce around and play wherever the coach puts you. Be thankful you're in the lineup, you have a position, you have a jersey. That's the first step.
And then the second step is doing what you do as a player. Joel is the coach, and he knows each player in this room and what he can bring. So he's going to put us in the best position to succeed.
For me, I don't worry about who I'm playing with or what we're trying to accomplish out there. I just bring my best effort, my best skill set and hopefully it jells with the guys I'm playing with.
Q: So is the chemistry angle overplayed?
A: It's pretty clear when a line is feeling good with each other and maybe one or two guys are moving the puck well. But, personally speaking, I've played on so many different lines that it's more individual than it is team oriented.
Like if I'm feeling good, I don't care if I'm playing with you and (NBC SportsChicago's) Michelle (McMahon). I'm going to go out there and I'm going to have that mindset that I'm playing good.
I've played with players that are playing great and then I'm the third guy on that line, but I'm not feeling good about myself and it doesn't make for a great line. I try to look upon myself first, and then go to the linemates second.
Q: How has Joel handled this rough stretch? Have you noticed anything different about how he's going about things?
A: Being away from Joel for two years and then coming back, you see a great coach. He's the guy that we want behind the bench handling situations like this. He's been through everything as a coach.
I remember playing for Joel when we lost (nine) in a row (in 2011-12). We were a first-place team at the All-Star Game, and you could see that Joel's intensity, his consistency behind the bench, the message that he was sending got us out of that funk.
You can say the same thing for us as of late. We're talking after every game, identifying areas of our game that we can improve, and him and his staff have been great in that area.
Q: When you look back at when you started here in 2005, can you believe how much has changed since John McDonough was hired 10 years ago?
A: It's tough to answer it in just one question. Things have come so far. You mentioned the name John McDonough. He's got more to do with it than anyone. He's created a culture here of winning and family-first environment.
That's what means the most to me. For my wife (and I), being a Blackhawk is part of an identity for us. We're part of a family. We care about the team and everybody in it. Not just the players in the locker room, but coaches, staff, training staff, front office. Everybody's in the same boat pulling together.
It's come a long way. Hopefully we can take it to further heights.