The Hawks would try and mount enough pressure to close the gap in the last period but couldn't connect. Connor Bedard would try and drive offense, but wouldn't generate a point until the last period, with an assist on Tyler Bertuzzi's power-play goal.
Bad news travels fast, and this news should consider changing Kyle Davidson's timeline on acquiring a 2nd-line center.
The Blackhawks Ryan Donato, and Philipp Kurashev were unable to overcome the odds, as they won only 7 out of 22 face-offs.
While winning face-offs isn't solely a lonesome job, the Blackhawks need help. Even Jonathan Toews credited Marian Hossa for helping him win more in the circle.
So how do you solve the problem with a lack of puck possession after losing in the circle? Well you're going to have to find talent somewhere. Will it be in Rockford, with Frank Nazar who has 7 points in 7 games? Ideally, but he'd have to clear waivers which wouldn't happen.
Only Nolan Allan can be sent down without clearing waivers, and Isaak Phillips will eventually be exposed again when Alec Martinez is off of injured reserve.
Whose a free agent add that could add to the Blackhawks depth, and not break the bank as far as losing or trading prospects go?
Tab Bamford thinks that Mikael Granlund could be a good target for the Blackhawks. He has an affordable $5 Million AAV cap hit, and with the ascendance of Will Smith, and Macklin Celebrini in San Jose could find himself out of a job in the Sharks organization soon.
The Blackhawks themselves have no internal answers, as for the last two seasons they've had Jason Dickinson, who had a career year last season. But has had a slow start this year.
The depth is lacking and it shows as Nick Foligno has been asked to shore up the 2nd line often down the middle.
There's no high-priced free agent worth giving up your best prospects in Rockford for, even if it is Nazeem Kadri, or Sean Couturier.
POLL | ||
Should the Blackhawks trade for Mikael Granlund or another veteran center? | ||
Yes | 41 | 54.7 % |
No | 34 | 45.3 % |
List of polls |