I just want to preface my first post in saying that I am a Blackhawks fan and am excited about the team's current success and future prospects. Given that I think your team will be our likely upcoming opponent, I thought I'd come here (I check in from time to time) to see what you guys were saying about our team.
It took me 3 pages of scouring, but this is the best assessment of the Blackhawks that I can find. The positives (from a 'Hawks team perspective) are that they are one of the (if not the) best skating teams in the NHL, and can trot out 4 quality lines ranging from adept to burgeoning superstar forwards (which is why, as you stated, the assertions of lack of depth are absurd). They have the ability to score goals in bunches, and have 4 defenders (Campbell, Seabrook, Keith, and Barker) that possess the abilities to bolster the offense when needed.
Speaking of the defense we have 2 #1 defensemen in Keithe and Seabrook, and another good young defensemen in Hjarlmarrson. Khabby has also played better than his numbers have indicated (aside from a few rough games), and was one of the bigger reasons the Hawks won their last series.
Now for the negatives/weaknesses. As Chris rightfully pointed out this team has no SYSTEM, which is particulary noticeable on defense. For some reason Q is content to play a non-aggressive style which lacks the proper emphasis on blue-line forchecking. This results in a RIDICULOUS amount of high percentage scoring chances due to easy entry accross the blue line, great passing lanes, and copious amounts of space for individual puck movement. This was not only evident in BOTH playoff series, but also during the regular season (and was a large determinant in your success against us). It's even worse on the PP when the Hawks let players waltz around and pass the puck at will. If the Canucks were even passable in their offensive zone, they probably win the series. The Hawks have the skating ability and the talent to be more aggressive and it's frustrating to see our current philosophy consistently be our undoing. Barring a biblical miracle and seeing this retarded "strategy" be reversed in the finals, I see you guys having an astronomical PP % (33-40%), which I'm pretty sure was accomplished during the regular season. It pains me to say it, but I can't see us keeping you out of our own goal.
Then there's the issue of our defensive liabilities. Matt Walker is the biggest piece of s*** defensemen in the NHL today. Q plays him in favor of Aaron Johnson who's a MUCH better defender and player. In these playoffs ALONE, Walker has made at least 8-10 major mistakes that have directly led to an opponent goal. What's more is that he really isn't capable of ANYTHING on the offensive end either; he has a rocket slap shot he can never get on goal and is utterly worthless at moving the puck. Simply replacing this skating failure would be a huge lift to the Hawks chances. He'll be, by leaps and bounds, the worst player for either team to see the ice.
I'm also not very high on Barker either. He's an able-bodied defensemen around the net and is becoming more punishing around the boards, but he too makes an inordinate amount of mistakes. What's scary is that he and Walker are often a defensive tandem; you'll see PLENTY of opportunities while they're on the ice. Barker still has a lot of potential, but I think the Hawks would be smart to sell "high" on Cam as I don't ever see him reaching his full potential. When it comes to hockey smarts he just doesn't seem to have them.
Our other weakness is that you can shut this team down IF (and its a big if) you stifle them at the blue line and limit your TOs. I really thought Vancouver played great defensive strategy that generally worked (outside the PP) on the overall. You guy's have MUCH more defensive skill and talent when healthy and should be able to mimic this strategy fairly easily. With that said it will be hard to completely contain this team as we've seen during the playoffs and even against you guys during the regular season.
In the end I feel we'll probably lose this series in 6 games. I think we'll score our share of goals, but our defensive scheme (or lack thereof) is horrendous and yields way too many scoring chances. Your offensive talent is superior in comparison to Vanouver and I see their missed opportunities resulting in your team. Q changes lines when their ineffective, but he DOES NOT make adjustments to the defense which will be this team's undoing. Playing the likes of Matt Walker will only compound this problem.
If (and I repeat IF) the Hawks manage to win this series, the PP will have a lot to do with it. Our puck movement has been tremendous, and Kane is back (for the last 4 weeks) to his old self ( which he was not after he got leveled in a Wings game earlier in the season).
Good luck later tonight, as I'm looking forward to a Hawks Wings series, even though I think we'd have a better chance against Anaheim.
