1938–39 Chicago Black Hawks season

Pre-season

In July 1938, Chicago GM and vice-president Bill Tobin was named president of the club by Major McLaughlin.

The Montreal Maroons announced they would be folding, leaving the NHL with 7 teams, thus eliminating the need for divisions.

Regular season

The Black Hawks would get off to a mediocre start, and after an 8–10–3 start, they would dismiss head coach Bill Stewart and replace him with player-coach Paul Thompson. The Hawks would struggle under Thompson, going 4–18–5, and finish in last place in the NHL, missing the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years. Chicago would continue having problems scoring goals, getting an NHL low 91 goals, while they gave up the 3rd most goals at 132.

Team captain Johnny Gottselig would lead the team offensively, getting team highs in goals (16), assists (23) and points (39). Joffre Desilets and Mush March would be the only other Hawks with double digit goals, with 11 and 10 goals respectively. Earl Seibert would anchor the defense, scoring 15 points and having a team high 57 penalty minutes.

In goal, Mike Karakas would be the starter, winning 12 games, earning 5 shutouts, and posting a GAA of 2.65.

A year after their unexpected Stanley Cup championship, the Black Hawks would become the only team in the league to miss the playoffs, as they finished 7 points behind the 6th place team, the Montreal Canadiens.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

|- | 1 || November 3 || New York Americans || 1–6 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–0–0 || 2 |- | 2 || November 5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–0 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 2–0–0 || 4 |- | 3 || November 6 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–2 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–0–0 || 6 |- | 4 || November 13 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–0–0 || 8 |- | 5 || November 17 || New York Rangers || 1–0 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–1–0 || 8 |- | 6 || November 20 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1–1 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–1–1 || 9 |- | 7 || November 24 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–4 || Detroit Red Wings || 4–2–1 || 9 |- | 8 || November 26 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–6 || New York Americans || 4–3–1 || 9 |- | 9 || November 27 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–0 || New York Rangers || 5–3–1 || 11

| Legend:

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

References

• National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007

References

1. (July 27, 1938). "Bill Tobin Named Hawks' President". Ottawa Citizen.
2. "1938-39 Chicago Black Hawks Schedule".