The Chicago Blackhawks coach is a Stanley Cup champion, an NHL Hall of Famer, the 3rd leading scorer in the storied history of an original six team and scored 473 goals in the league. So when he talks about lack of effort, you have to respect it. Following a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Savvy did exactly that.

“This is a divisional game, we’re fighting for our lives here, we want to get into the playoffs, we had a nice crowd and this is what they give us?” said an exasperated Savard of his players. “I think they forgot last summer or two summers ago or three summers ago what we gave them (contracts). We committed to them. They were very happy when they signed it. Well, commit to us, commit to the jersey, commit to the people here. They don’t want to commit to the Indian, let’s go upstairs and get them out of here.

“Last time I checked some guys got pretty nice money, nice contracts,” Savard said. “This is a classy organization here and we won’t accept it. It doesn’t matter how skilled you are, you have to want to battle, period. You don’t want to battle you won’t play here.”

After reading that I want to go slam someone into the boards. I think I need a t-shirt that says “Commit to the Indian”. A call to greatness.

The Hawks head into the break at 23-23-4. After showing much promise earlier in the season, they are in last place in the Central division and would not make the playoffs if the season ended today.