While doing some research online today, I came across this article in the LA Times about how professional athletes don't care as much about winning as their fans do.
The article is a great read, and I immediately thought of the Toronto Maple Leafs while reading it. I have always felt like they don't care about losing as much as their fans do. Getting into the countless issues the Leafs have would take forever but basically, Leafs Nation can "bleed blue and white" all they want, the Leafs themselves simply don't care that much.
Is it possible that the Blackhawks are becoming the same way?
The way they've been playing in their latest games suggests as much. While watching the Hawks these past 6 games, I couldn't help but be reminded of how it feels to watch a Leafs game with Blackhawks players just standing around lollygagging as the other team's Offense easily played the puck in their zone on several occasions. Even scoring has been an issue. Most of the goals the Blackhawks have been getting lately feel like they are just lucky slip-ups by the other team which, again parallels them with the Leafs as this was always a secret notion I had about their goals as well. The team is playing sloppy hockey of the most careless brand and it's clear their heads aren't in the game...
...which leads me to the theory that they've just stopped caring...
I suppose it's valiant that they attempt quelling Media with promises to do better, or to get themselves out of the "rut" somehow, but when it's go-time and they hit the ice, it's just the same tired, uninspired effort as the previous game. You can pretend to care in words, but your actions will betray you and, currently, it seems the Chicago Blackhawks are letting their actions do just that (the Care Bears would not approve, btw).
Now, before the opposing arguments get going in your head, please take note that I used the word "currently". A current, and a frame of time, are both constantly in flux and motion. So yes, maybe the Hawks will find their feet and pull off some magical act of brilliance (I believe those are called miracles); and yes, maybe everything will be roses again soon. That would all be great but we won't get ahead of ourselves right now.
The point of this all is whether they do, or don't get their mojo back, the Blackhawks are showing that they care far less about the outcome of their games than their fans do.
Some of you reading may be thinking "OMG I'M SO CALM ABOUT ALL THIS, RELAX, THEY'RE JUST IN A SLUMP," or "WHO CARES IF THEY CARE? I'M TOO COOL TO CARE ABOUT ANYTHING," or "WOW, I'M SO MUCH BETTER A FAN THAN EVERYONE CUZ I SUPPORT THE TEAM NO MATTER WHAT".... that's all great, and good for you.
Hell, maybe your logic is correct. Maybe it is just a slump, maybe no one cares if the players care, and maybe a true fan does stick by the team even when the team isn't standing by their own performance. I am just putting them on blast because it would be nice to see some quality hockey being played, that's all.
No one expects the Blackhawks to pull off anything superhuman, just to be proactive and show some true effort. A former boss of mine once said "being proactive isn't something special, it's just a trait of an effective worker; not an exceptional worker, just an effective worker." Wanting the players to try to do their job effectively and exhibit some care is not too much to ask. Even if it is just another day in the office...
That said, the Hawks have a lot of hard work to do in the San Jose office - here's the appropriately named No Guts, No Glory Playlist for their meeting with the Sharks tonight.
Filed under: Blackhawks, Hockey, Sports and Entertainment
Tags: another day at the office, athletes, athletes don't care, Blackhawks, blue and white, caring, Chicago Blackhawks, fans, game night, golf season, indifference, L.A. Times, Leafs Nation, losing, no guts no glory, San Jose, San Jose Sharks, slump, Toronto Maple Leafs, who cares, winning
