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Chicago Blackhawks: Duncan Keith Has Had Enough and So Have I

By Tony Gianares

SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 01: Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks walks out of the locker room prior to the start of the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic against the Boston Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium on January 1, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 01: Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks walks out of the locker room prior to the start of the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic against the Boston Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium on January 1, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Blackhawks’ season is spiraling out of control. Another loss to Colorado reveals how far the team has fallen from grace.

With tonight’s 4-1 loss, the Chicago Blackhawks have now lost 3 of 4 matchups against the Colorado Avalanche in 2019-20. The worst part about it is none of the games have even been close. The Avalanche have outscored the Blackhawks 16-6 in the season series.

Colorado was expected to take a step forward this season, but these losses have painted an extremely vivid picture of where the Blackhawks currently stand; an aging team with no direction. Playoffs are basically out of the question at this point.

Right now, it looks like the Chicago Blackhawks will be a lottery team for the third straight season. Nobody likes losing, but I expect the Blackhawks to do a lot more of it in 2019-20 under Jeremy Colliton with a failing roster.

If you’re more of a silver linings type of person, there’s always 2020 consensus #1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere, who has been compared to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. He can’t help us until June though.

Duncan Keith Speaks Up

After tonight’s loss, alternate captain, Duncan Keith, spoke up about the state of the Chicago Blackhawks. It was a nice surprise, because Keith doesn’t give many emotion-filled answers. When arguably the most humble guy on the team speaks his mind so freely and honestly, his words really hits home.

https://twitter.com/Certified_TonyG/status/1207530078713856002

I don’t think I could have said it any better. This Chicago Blackhawks team lacks passion and consistency from top to bottom. Keith has seen this firsthand from the press box for the past 9 games and tonight’s lackluster team effort.

Where Do the Chicago Blackhawks Go From Here?

More from Blackhawk Up

Maybe Duncan Keith should call a player’s only meeting since nobody else wants to take charge here, including the coaches and management. Speaking of coaches, head coach Jeremy Colliton needs to do something.

With each loss, Colliton continues to lose the locker room and the fanbase. It is really unfortunate. I have stood in Jeremy’s corner from the start, but maybe, he’s just not the right guy for the job.

However, the Chicago Blackhawks’ struggles do not lie solely on Colliton’s shoulders. Stan Bowman is the man who gave Colliton the keys to an old, broken-down hoopty. Yes, Bowman has recently acquired some promising talent in Dylan Strome, Adam Boqvist, Kirby Dach, and more, but that is not nearly enough. The Blackhawks have continued to deteriorate during this time and you can’t rely on rookies to carry the team back to the playoffs.

With the way things have been going, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Chicago Blackhawks go a different direction at both the head coach and GM positions. The hot seat has been incinerated. Time is up.

With Marc Crawford returning to the bench on January 2nd, I could see him being named the interim head coach at the midseason point. As for Bowman and John McDonough, the Blackhawks will likely cut ties this offseason.

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