Blackhawks Daily: Harsh Post Trade Deadline Realities Setting In?

Now that everything has settled from the trade deadline passing, what is the true reality of some of the teams that made deals–while others sat it out? The Blackhawks weren’t as active as they have been in years past, but general manager Kyle Davidson had telegraphed that message for weeks leading up to it.

But what about teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins or Detroit Red Wings? The Penguins fell to Ottawa in overtime and while they picked up a point, it’s clear that the Jake Guentzel trade was likely the beginning of what could be a massive reshaping of things. The Pens are the cautionary tale right now of maybe holding on too long and not reading the tea leaves. Sidney Crosby isn’t about to be in for a tank, and for a franchise–and league icon–to twist in the wind a bit seems unfair. When Kyle Dubas came in, it was playoffs or bust after the Hawks handed them the devastating 5-2 loss last year that shut them out of the playoffs.

Dubas might promise to reshuffle things in the offseason but it sure seems like the damage is done. So will it be a teardown with a tank? A rebuild on the fly? The latter never worked for the Red Wings, who are spiraling right now.

The Red Wings were blasted by Buffalo 7-3 on Tuesday and to say there’s panic in Hockeytown is an understatement. Social media blames the new ad on the jersey. Derek Lalonde has people calling for his job when just two weeks ago he was being praised for his work. The iconic Steve Yzerman is being double guessed by some for not doing anything at the trade deadline.

There’s something to be said for Blackhawks fans who know where they sit in the scheme of things. But for teams like the Penguins and Red Wings–both in completely different spots, the post trade deadline realities setting in aren’t promising the same hope that it is in Chicago–and elsewhere.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Blackhawks postgame chatter hears that while two wins in a row is great, it’s hardly the time to rest on it
• Connor Bedard tied the Blackhawks rookie single-game point record in Tuesday night’s 7-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks
• Bedard also reached a couple other impressive marks–including the 20-goal plateau in his rookie campaign.
• Blackhawks Stock Index looks at the open spots for next season–and the pecking order for those on the roster trying to fill them.
• The Blackhawks signed Notre Dame’s Landon Slaggert to a two-year rookie deal after the Irish were eliminated from the Big 10 Tournament. Slaggert will suit up with the Hawks for the game against Los Angeles on Friday.

Hockey Now Network

• Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins decided to keep goaltender Linus Ullmark through all of the rumors and he couldn’t be happier to remain in Boston.
• Colorado Hockey Now: After trading for Casey Mittelstadt, the Colorado Avalanche saw him breakthrough with his first goal with the club. There should be plenty more where that came from. The top line also contributed to their big win over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday
• Detroit Hockey Now: The Detroit Red Wings are circling the drain, dropping its sixth straight loss and falling out of the wild card spot in a brutal loss to Buffalo. Maybe it’s time to bring in a motivational speaker–in the form of Lions coach Dan Campbell–to help turn things around.
• New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils continue their free-fall in the standings in what was supposed to be a Stanley Cup-contending season.
• Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers are without John Tortorella right now as he serves a two-game suspension.