The Blackhawks usually have returned home prodigal sons after their lengthy November trips, begging forgiveness and understanding.
But this year, they have the rest of the National Hockey League on bended knee. Their 36 points are a shining beacon for the others to follow.
Calgary, a preseason favorite by some to win the Stanley Cup, would like to have Dave Manson for his toughness. Championships take true grit.
But the Flames got more hard-nosed Hawks than they bargained for Saturday night, and were unexpectedly thrown from the saddle in a bruising 5-3 loss. The buckin` broncs from Chicago stomped all over them.
Coach Mike Keenan claims he hasn`t even spoken with Flames General Manager Cliff Fletcher since he was elevated to his club`s GM position in June. He insisted any speculation about a Manson deal to Calgary was unfounded conjecture.
Fair enough, but when`s the last time, or even the first, Keenan ever admitted talking trade with any team?
His denials should be placed in the same pigeonhole as politicians who pledge never to raise taxes.
Maybe Keenan, if he`s being forthright, should look up Fletcher`s number and spring for a long-distance call. Send a dollar to him if you`d like to aid this Help-a-Hawk Fund, and make sure that call gets made.
Fletcher may have a whole list of Hawks tough guys he`d like to discuss with Keenan after seeing their latest John Wayne imitation.
Perhaps Fletcher could be swayed into parting with center Doug Gilmour, who`d fit perfectly into Keenan`s defensive-oriented system. And his offense would be much appreciated.
Actually, the pressure now descends on Keenan as much as his players. Maybe more so.
Keenan has the depth to make a significant deal. He possesses eight defensemen who are all of NHL caliber, and has five goalies in the system.
But Keenan is still learning on the job as GM. Is he being too discerning in his current trade judgments? Is he waiting for another blockbuster at the expense of the smaller deals that are necessary, too?
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It`s far too early to make a judgment on him as a GM, just as it`s too soon to award the Hawks the Stanley Cup just because their 36 points tops the NHL at this point.
But Trent Yawney won`t be happy long if Keenan keeps sitting him out a lot now that Doug Wilson has returned to the defense from his lengthy layoff with healing ankle ligaments. Yawney was the odd man out Saturday.
The situation looks primed for Keenan to deal either Yawney or Manson. Both are quality players and should bring helpful talent if there is an exchange.
But Keenan doesn`t have to do anything. He could return the steady Yawney to defense and move the rugged Manson to a wing, a switch he has already made with another extra defenseman, Bob McGill.
The move would have to be explained to Manson to stop him from being annoyed by the decision. But Manson is such a strong skater and tough player that his potential to be a Bob Probert type at left wing is intriguing.
Like Probert, the Hawks are gaining a reputation for intimidation. That`s arguably been the biggest stride they have made this season.
”On their team, everybody hit,” Calgary goalie Rick Wamsley said in grudging admiration.
The Hawks are playing like a team on a mission. But it`s like a manned space flight. It`s going to take more than a 5-1 record from a six-game trip to take this club where it wants to go.
April and the playoffs look to be about as far away as the moon, so caution is advised. The Hawks are the first to recognize that.
”We can`t look that far ahead,” Hawks wing Steve Thomas said. ”We`ve only played St. Louis once this season and they`re a force to be reckoned with.”
Hawks center Troy Murray doesn`t expect his club to open up a big margin on the Blues, now four points behind the first-place Hawks in the Norris Division.
”It`s going to be down to the wire,” Murray said. ”It`s a tough division. But the road trip was tremendous. Not many teams get an Alberta sweep.”
The accomplishments on this 12-day sojourn were made stronger by the Hawks overcoming Edmonton and Calgary. Those clubs have been the ones to keep Chicago out of the Stanley Cup finals the last two years, winning the Campbell Conference championship.
The Oilers needed six games to bounce the Hawks last year, and then won the Cup. The Flames dispatched the Hawks in five games two years ago on their way to owning the Cup for a year.
”The big difference so far is that we`ve played consistently,” Hawks defenseman Steve Konroyd said. ”Not just played well sometimes, but most of the time.”
All it will take is five more months of consistency to win the Cup.