Pretty soon, and we can barely contain outselves, there are likely to be more Blackhawks commercials thrust in our faces featuring Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as those freshly scrubbed, must-see faces of a Leave It To Beaver team that's coming on stronger than Mehgan McCain on eHarmony.
I'm just warming up with my youthful reminiscences. Got to clear out the mental attic once in a while and Make Room For Daddy. And who's your daddy? Why, none other than Kane and Toews, right?
Seabrook, Keith are the Blackhawks' lost Beatles
They have become old marketing standbys for the Blackhawks Bunch at the ages of 21 and 20. Since surveys show this younger generation in Chicago trending toward being fans of these Mister Freezes and their teammates, there is no reason not to slap their glittering mugs on every billboard, flat screen, button, brochure and screen saver in existence.
And also every reason for that new generation to have no idea what I'm talking about, unless they are Hulu subscribers and have seen the old becomes new again.
Youth reinvigorates and often sustains.James Dean movies are still in vogue 50 to 60 years later. Tab Hunter and Troy Donahue...well, not everyone bridges the generational divide.
Even in terms of hockey time travel, you will still find more pictures extant today of that vibrant and bouncing baby boy named Bobby Hull with no teeth than a beer-bellied and aging Hull with no hair.
Hull has retained that affinity for flapping his gums with a smile and still appears in the mind's eye as the bouncing baby boy ready to chew up scenery. Images last forever, even as the body disintegrates.
So the Blackhawks would be remiss in focusing only on their handsome young twosome As Their World Turns. They are missing the Love Boat.
With no disrespect intended toward the overexposed Kane and Toews, I believe that the most important young faces of the Blackhawks once the season begins will be Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. Picture that, for a change.
They easily could sub for Kane and Toews in a few TV spots, since the latter pair have to be weary of being a constant focus in this reality show and probably wouldn't mind Seabrook and Keith standing in for some closeups.
John and Paul wouldn't have been quite as popular without Ringo and George backing them. The Blackhawks Bunch, you see, also has backup stars.
Maybe the young'uns consider them elders, since Seabrook is 24 and Keith 26, but Blackhawks fans are going to age in a hurry if Seabrook and Keith aren't the anchors on a defense that has to excel in order for goaltender Cristobal Huet to have a much-needed solid start, just to give himself peace of mind.
Mix in Cam Barker, 23, and streaking Swede Niklas Hjalmarsson, 22, and the Hawks defense could be the true strength of this team for years.
Brian Campbell is the grand old man of the defense at 30, unless you want to put Brent Sopel in the picture (and quite a few fans don't). Campbell himself wants a more complete season in terms of offense, defense and decision-making.
If not, hopefully the NHL investigates whether the Hawks prearranged with Campbell to retire at 31.
If Campbell can solidify his overall output, what a singular plus that would be for the defense now that Seabrook and Keith seem to be the power couple of the moment.
Now, we all saw Seabrook and Keith have some trying moments during the Western Conference finals against Detroit. No need to gloss over that. They didn't have a perfect finish to a promising season. There were obvious letdowns under pressure.
But with experience and an emerging confidence, you have to think that Seabrook, Keith, Barker and Hjalmarsson will be prepared to go a step further. Seabrook should be even more of a physical force on a club that lost Matt Walker's toughness.
Keith will know how to use his speed and quickness to finish a play better than ever and be an impact in increased facets.
Barker will find ways to lessen the vulnerability of his skating mobility with better positioning and awareness. Hjarmarsson will continue his steady rise that saw him open a few eyes even a bit wider during the playoffs, when some first took notice of his maturing abilities.
There is a belief that the Hawks remain a man short on defense with no idea what Sopel can still bring to the equation. The need for another physical defenseman has been broached in every offseason assessment.
Whether general manager Stan Bowman answers that question before the season begins is just one of the uncertainties hanging over the club at this point. Is it a necessity or only a nice addition if he can add another defenseman? You can get an argument started on that point alone.
The consensus seems to be the defense is a little short. But the core is in place and that is where the concentration should be.
Since defense, defense, defense, defense is the rallying cry heard in any sport, the Hawks seem to be a legitimate championship contender based on how formidable the defense appears more so than any other lone factor.
Let's harken back to what Seabrook said before last season began.
"We are a little meaner than we've been in the past," he said. "We have to be really good with our sticks and very physical in our own zone."
Judge them pound to pound. With the sticks and the bodies, not the weight scale.
Seabrook will probably repeat that assessment this year. As long as the others follow his lead, with Barker especially adding more smart physical play, the upside is encouraging.
You could argue that this team will go as far as Seabrook and Keith takes them. Toews and Kane are no more important than Seabrook and Keith, whether or not everybody can fit into the wide-angle lens.
Here's hoping Keith, Kane and Toews get re-signed with no snags in the process and stay together longer than the Jonas Brothers, who are bound to get sidetracked by women and ripped asunder.
That would never happen to a hard-bitten hockey player. Against the rules.
And also every reason for that new generation to have no idea what I'm talking about, unless they are Hulu subscribers and have seen the old becomes new again.
Youth reinvigorates and often sustains.James Dean movies are still in vogue 50 to 60 years later. Tab Hunter and Troy Donahue...well, not everyone bridges the generational divide.
Even in terms of hockey time travel, you will still find more pictures extant today of that vibrant and bouncing baby boy named Bobby Hull with no teeth than a beer-bellied and aging Hull with no hair.
Hull has retained that affinity for flapping his gums with a smile and still appears in the mind's eye as the bouncing baby boy ready to chew up scenery. Images last forever, even as the body disintegrates.
So the Blackhawks would be remiss in focusing only on their handsome young twosome As Their World Turns. They are missing the Love Boat.
With no disrespect intended toward the overexposed Kane and Toews, I believe that the most important young faces of the Blackhawks once the season begins will be Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. Picture that, for a change.
They easily could sub for Kane and Toews in a few TV spots, since the latter pair have to be weary of being a constant focus in this reality show and probably wouldn't mind Seabrook and Keith standing in for some closeups.
John and Paul wouldn't have been quite as popular without Ringo and George backing them. The Blackhawks Bunch, you see, also has backup stars.
Maybe the young'uns consider them elders, since Seabrook is 24 and Keith 26, but Blackhawks fans are going to age in a hurry if Seabrook and Keith aren't the anchors on a defense that has to excel in order for goaltender Cristobal Huet to have a much-needed solid start, just to give himself peace of mind.
Mix in Cam Barker, 23, and streaking Swede Niklas Hjalmarsson, 22, and the Hawks defense could be the true strength of this team for years.
Brian Campbell is the grand old man of the defense at 30, unless you want to put Brent Sopel in the picture (and quite a few fans don't). Campbell himself wants a more complete season in terms of offense, defense and decision-making.
If not, hopefully the NHL investigates whether the Hawks prearranged with Campbell to retire at 31.
If Campbell can solidify his overall output, what a singular plus that would be for the defense now that Seabrook and Keith seem to be the power couple of the moment.
Now, we all saw Seabrook and Keith have some trying moments during the Western Conference finals against Detroit. No need to gloss over that. They didn't have a perfect finish to a promising season. There were obvious letdowns under pressure.
But with experience and an emerging confidence, you have to think that Seabrook, Keith, Barker and Hjalmarsson will be prepared to go a step further. Seabrook should be even more of a physical force on a club that lost Matt Walker's toughness.
Keith will know how to use his speed and quickness to finish a play better than ever and be an impact in increased facets.
Barker will find ways to lessen the vulnerability of his skating mobility with better positioning and awareness. Hjarmarsson will continue his steady rise that saw him open a few eyes even a bit wider during the playoffs, when some first took notice of his maturing abilities.
There is a belief that the Hawks remain a man short on defense with no idea what Sopel can still bring to the equation. The need for another physical defenseman has been broached in every offseason assessment.
Whether general manager Stan Bowman answers that question before the season begins is just one of the uncertainties hanging over the club at this point. Is it a necessity or only a nice addition if he can add another defenseman? You can get an argument started on that point alone.
The consensus seems to be the defense is a little short. But the core is in place and that is where the concentration should be.
Since defense, defense, defense, defense is the rallying cry heard in any sport, the Hawks seem to be a legitimate championship contender based on how formidable the defense appears more so than any other lone factor.
Let's harken back to what Seabrook said before last season began.
"We are a little meaner than we've been in the past," he said. "We have to be really good with our sticks and very physical in our own zone."
Judge them pound to pound. With the sticks and the bodies, not the weight scale.
Seabrook will probably repeat that assessment this year. As long as the others follow his lead, with Barker especially adding more smart physical play, the upside is encouraging.
You could argue that this team will go as far as Seabrook and Keith takes them. Toews and Kane are no more important than Seabrook and Keith, whether or not everybody can fit into the wide-angle lens.
Here's hoping Keith, Kane and Toews get re-signed with no snags in the process and stay together longer than the Jonas Brothers, who are bound to get sidetracked by women and ripped asunder.
That would never happen to a hard-bitten hockey player. Against the rules.
The Blackhawks Bunch will forever remain as pure and innocent in marketing terms as The Flying Nun, and perhaps one day grow up to have their own Boniva commercials just like Sally Field, who still radiates endless youth.
1 Comment
Dave Morris said:
Mike, thanks to you...The Brentinator finally gets his due. While Dashing Duncan had them swooning in their seats last season, Basher Brent showed all of us he was indeed Ready For Prime Time.
You remember those "Big Bad Blackhawks" (flash cut to the Sports Illustrated cover from February 3rd, 1964, a toothless Bobby Hull brawling with an unidentified Red Wing--maybe John Miszuk or Jimmy Watson)? I do.
We love our Blackhawks bad.
Mr. Seabrook knows nasty plays well, and Lawd Have Mercy for that.
Yes, Matt The Mauler may be missed; he and his crooked pinky now bolster the Bolts, and the fans are saying "Oh, what WILL we do NOW?" when in reality there's plenty of mean on this team.
Last time I looked, Capable Cam had lots of slam, Hjammer could hammer 'em, and even Soupy could dish out some chunky beef stew.
And who knows, maybe Aaron Johnson will become Hulk-like with a new opportunity...maybe the much maligned 'other' Brent, Mr Sopel, finds Salvation under Father Quenneville.
Now, all the Hawkey Horde have to do is use their feistiness along with their finesse; with the benefit of their recent experience, and the sting of being waxed by those Wings, still sticking in their collective craw.
Getting mad is part of hockey. But getting even is part of becoming Stanley Cup Champions.
The Pens did it...and IMHO it's time for the Hawks to fly higher.
Battlin' Brent is another one of those heroes to whom we give too little credit. And along with the Talented Mr Sharp to whom you recenly paid homage, Seabs could lead his mates back to the top of the mountain for another crack...maybe this time, at the Mug.
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