After the Blackhawks lost 4-0 to the Flyers on Saturday, Eddie Olczyk finally had enough and he let the Blackhawks know it. The power play has been struggling for years and Eddie reached his breaking point. I loved hearing his honesty all game and I especially loved this rant about the Blackhawks’ power play during the post-game show.
Can we please fire #GarbageManStan and make Edzo the new #Blackhawks GM?! He knows what he’s talking about and has some great ideas. I loved his fiery commentary all day today! #CHIvsPHI pic.twitter.com/DajT8eCIto
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) November 10, 2018
Analyzing the Current State of the Blackhawks’ Power Play
Eddie Olczyk is 100% right in his analysis of the Blackhawks’ power play. It is embarrassing in all aspects and it has been this way for years now. The power play is currently ranked 30th in the NHL this season for a reason. I would almost prefer the team to start declining penalties because they allow more shorthanded goals on power plays than they score actual goals — this is entirely inexcusable.
#Blackhawks currently have the 30th ranked power play in the #NHL… Can we seriously start considering declining penalties? PHI literally just scored on OUR POWER PLAY!!!!!!! I’m not going to last an entire season of this garbage 🙄🤦🏻♂️ #CHIvsPHI https://t.co/m8pihJMLKQ
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) November 10, 2018
I am truly at a loss for words right now when it comes to this Blackhawks’ power play. They have enough offensive talent to run an effective power play, but they simply cannot get the job done. The players need to start being held accountable, but the blame does not solely lie on the players’ end. The 1-3-1 power play scheme is simply not working. The coaches need to start using the right players and the right schemes.
Eddie Olczyk Calls Out Jeremy Colliton
Eddie Olczyk called out new head coach, Jeremy Colliton, multiple times during the game. Eddie said he would like to see Colliton be more assertive out there and bench players that deserve to be benched. Duncan Keith made a bad play during the power play, which led to this Sean Couturier shorthanded goal, and the Blackhawks simply cannot have these types of mistakes on the power play.
SO… this is Sean Couturier blowing past Duncan Keith and #GarbageManStan’s prize offseason acquisition, Chris Kunitz, on the way to scoring a goal. Thank You, StanBo… thank you. #Blackhawks #CHIvsPHI pic.twitter.com/NsaWIahRyL
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) November 10, 2018
This was not the only blunder of the game for Duncan Keith. Here, Keith fails to clear the puck out of the defensive zone and it leads to a goal for the Flyers.
Video of Duncan Keith making a DUMB play in the defensive zone, leading to a Giroux backhand goal #Blackhawks #CHIvsPHI pic.twitter.com/cPhztL3Qdl
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) November 10, 2018
If Jeremy Colliton really wants to earn his players’ respect, he needs to bench players who deserve to be benched, even if they are core players like Keith. Set an example and let the players know you will not accept this crap.
Expectations Going Forward for Blackhawks
As Eddie Olczyk mentioned during the game and the post-game rant, Colliton needs to find out which players actually want to play and which ones will make the power play a success. Maybe those players are in Rockford right now, like Dylan Sikura, Gustav Forsling, Victor Ejdsell, Anthony Louis, and etc. Maybe they are currently free agents or future free agents. Just find a lineup that works and players that will buy into what you’re selling.
Jeremy Colliton is a smart coach and has had quick success in the SHL with Mora IK and in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. I believe it is just a matter of time before things start changing for the better. Keep in mind that Colliton has only been with the Blackhawks for 5 days now, so don’t count him out yet. Also, be realistic. You have to understand that there are many holes on this roster, so make sure you set realistic expectations. Regardless of what John McDonough and StanBo tell you, this is not what a playoff team looks like.
With the way the Blackhawks have been steadily declining since 2015, StanBo’s leash is as short as it has ever been as GM. Honestly, I think we may have a good candidate for Blackhawks’ GM right in front of us. His name is Eddie Olczyk and hockey is the blood that runs through his veins.
#EdzoForGM
For more Blackhawks news and updates, follow the author @Certified_TonyG on Twitter.
