Yeah, the Blackhawks really are far worse than you think after loss to Ducks

Yep, that didn’t last long. Last week, the Blackhawks at least looked like they were playing to expectations, which would have been an improvement. But I was clearly wrong on that quip, as they’ve been nothing but dreadful since. Yeah, their inability to score was hurting them even then, but if you’re a Blackhawks fan, it’s more than okay to admit that this past week has been tougher to watch than usual. 

Over their past three games, opponents have outscored the Hawks 10-4, and it wasn’t like they were playing the best teams in the league. Neither the Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, or Anaheim Ducks are surefire playoff teams, and two of the three names listed probably won’t do much in terms of postseason contention. 

That said, it shows just how bleak things have been for a team that was supposed to at least look like a fun group, even if the playoffs were still mainly a pipe dream. But after dropping their last three contests and five of their last six with a 2-1 overtime win sandwiched in between, it’s clear the Hawks are nowhere near relevancy.

Where do you even begin if you’re the Chicago Blackhawks?

Few would be against a coaching change at this point, especially now that a big name is currently on the market and will likely be someone’s bench boss next season. And right now, the Hawks need a leader to at least do something to get its current group to play like an actual team, something they’ve rarely done this year despite having Connor Bedard, Teuvo Teravainen, and Tyler Bertuzzi, among others, serving as adequate building blocks. 

Forging an identity would be a great place to start, as the Hawks currently look like a dysfunctional bunch that may get most of its wins by catching opponents on a bad night. Or perhaps they’ll enjoy an occasional decent three hours before lapsing back into mediocrity. 

But if I were to poll Blackhawks fans right now, what is their style even supposed to look like? How would you describe the Hawks to friends and family members if they asked you about them? For me, I wouldn’t even be able to concoct an answer, given this team’s overall impulsive play and lack of consistency. 

That said, from a coach on the hot seat, to an inability to score and to even earn convincing wins when an opponent isn’t struggling through a rough game, I’ll say that I spoke too soon last week. This team isn’t playing to expectations, or at least it’s no longer the case. Right now, they’re an eyesore to watch.