Scott Powers, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Hawks thoughts: Could Morin be better off somewhere else?

Here are some thoughts and observations about the Chicago Blackhawks after their 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday:

1. The Blackhawks might want to think about just trading Jeremy Morin. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville obviously isn’t fond of his game, and Morin deserves a chance somewhere. He’s 23 and has been in professional hockey since the 2010-11 season. He's put in his time with the organization. Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman basically gave Brandon Pirri and Jimmy Hayes opportunities elsewhere by trading them when it was evident they weren’t going to be utilized much. He could do the same for Morin. Morin's ice time was limited again Thursday. Quenneville played him nine shifts and 6:50. He has averaged 7:48 in 14 games and has been scratched four times this season. He doesn't have any production to show for it this year, but he has shown plenty of offensive ability in the past. He also continues to be among the league's leaders in Corsi. It may not click for him in Chicago, but it may still click elsewhere. He is represented by Pat Brisson, who is also the agent for Kane, Jonathan Toews, Andrew Shaw and Marcus Kruger, so it’s likely Bowman would listen if a trade was what was asked of him. Brisson and Morin likely thought Morin would get more of an NHL opportunity this season when he signed a two-year deal in June.

2. Someone familiar with Patrick Kane’s game described it as a mess just a few weeks ago. I was told Kane was making decisions too quickly and not forcing defenders into difficult situations. You could see him begin making some adjustments recently against the Tampa Bay Lightning and starting to dictate the play and controlling the puck more. He wasn’t rewarded that game, but it was only a matter of time. With a goal and assist Thursday, he’s scored in three consecutive games and has six points over the last three games. He has also recorded consecutive multi-point games for the first time this season. Usually when Kane gets going, he stays going for a bit.

3. Kane’s success the last two games has something to do with Kris Versteeg and Brad Richards being on his line. Quenneville was reluctant to combine Kane and Richards even though that appeared to be the plan when Richards was signed. Anyway, they’re together now, and they’re flourishing. That line was a plus-3 against the Dallas Stars on Sunday and should have been a plus-2 on Thursday. The Blackhawks’ top line had a horrendous line change which created a Flames’ odd-man rush and goal in the second period, and it ended up being on the second line’s tab. Even with that, the line has been a plus-4 and has helped create five goals in the last two games.

4. Defenseman Adam Clendening had a fine NHL debut. He was solid on both ends of the ice throughout his 22 shifts and 10:41 of ice time. You can tell he’s very conscious of his defensive positioning and not getting beat back. He knows his NHL ride depends on not making defensive mistakes. That’s probably not a bad thing right now. He’ll get more comfortable and display more of his offensive skill with time. He led the Blackhawks with a plus-7 Corsi in 5-on-5 play Thursday. The Blackhawks had 15 shots for and eight shots against with him on the ice. Quenneville also wasn’t afraid to start him all over the rink. Clendening was on the ice for four offensive-zone faceoffs, three neutral-zone ones and five in the defensive zone. He also showed his power-play upside with the goal and with how he can move the puck from the point.

5. On Nov. 3, I wrote a story about how the Blackhawks were likely going to start scoring soon. That has proven to be true. Their shooting percentage wasn’t likely going to remain as low as it had been. After having just 15 goals in 5-on-5 situations through 12 games as of Nov. 3, they have gone off for 19 goals in 5-on-5 play over the last seven games. They went from averaging 2.25 goals per game and ranking 25th in the league to now averaging 2.74 goals and ranking 13th. Their team shooting percentage is still likely to increase at least a few more percentage points, so expect the goals-for average to increase over time as well.

6. The pucks are finding the net more often, but the Blackhawks would still love to get Marian Hossa going. He continues to be off to the worst start of his career. He has two goals and a 3.5 shooting percentage through 19 games and hasn’t scored in the last nine games. He has averaged a 12.7 shooting percentage throughout his career.

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