As I read and listen to Hawk topics since the Scotty Bowman signing I had to ask myself if I was missing something. It appears that there is a popular belief for some that all key hockey decisions concerning the Blackhawks are directed solely by John McDonough. As many Hawk fans look forward to the additions of Campbell, Huet and Bowman as helping the Hawk to compete for the Stanley Cup, there are some who believe those decisions may have been made for the wrong purpose.

Marketing and the bottom line are very important but improvement in those areas alone will not necessarily lead to advancement on the ice. That appears to be the rub for some. If in fact this has become a marketing magic carpet ride directed solely by John McDonough playoff expectations for this season may prove too lofty.

NHL fans especially those in Chicago should get ready for the constant cry that will accompany the Blackhawks throughout this upcoming season every time they lapse. If the Hawks start the new campaign out 3 and 7 or even with a 5-5 record, those from the dark side will be loudly heard from. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the naysayers and crusted pessimists will fumble over their keyboards to write how the Hawks followed an ill advised plan for success. Some will quickly comment throughout the next 9 months and beyond that the offseason player acquisitions plus the addition of Scotty Bowman were all done for these reasons….media hype and ticket sales.

It is the opinion of some, most of whom are commenting a long way from Chicago in fact, that the Blackhawks have become one big mushrooming marketing enterprise that predicates all Franchise decisions solely on making a media splash to generate ticket sales.

The thinking is that John McDonough who is beyond doubt a sports marketing genius is now at the master control board flipping the switches for hockey decisions without regard for future consequences. It has been said that McDonough force fed Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet down the throat of Dale Tallon . It was McDonough not Tallon and his staff who wanted Campbell and Huet, as the Hawks GM really had no choice in the matter is how the story goes. What has been written and discussed implies that McDonough is the puppeteer and is the only one pulling the decision making strings for the Blackhawks. Evidently that theory also implies that the person at the top rung of the Franchise Rocky Wirtz, has also taken a back seat in the decision making process.

Actually what has been said by Dale Tallon is that the Hawks needed to make a splash in the Free Agent market and now that apparently means to some that a sports marketing guru is in complete control of all on and off ice strategic decisions. Some say McDonough was also the real force in getting Scotty Bowman to join the Blackhawks Front Office. I am sure McDonough is a quick study but he doesn't have the experience to be in complete control of important hockey matters...Does he?

It isn’t a seasoned hockey man making those decisions but rather a sports marketing exec ultimately determining who might be the future coach or GM of the Hawks it has been written. To think that fans here were experiencing a rebirth of good feelings only to find out this is just a well orchestrated marketing plan that could be all fluff with little substance.

I will admit that John McDonough and his marketing expertise have had a very quick profound effect on this Blackhawk Organization. Somehow McDonough has been able to peel away the gloom and apathy which surrounded West Madison street for many years. In well over 40 years of watching the Chicago sports scene I can not recall any resurgence similar to the one that the Hawks are now experiencing. Previously in almost every case, be it in Chicago or elsewhere winning precedes a dramatic surge in popularity for sports teams.

Last year the Hawks did have a winning season but fell short of the Playoffs. They had a very encouraging campaign but hardly one that would be the reason for season ticket sales to more than triple from the previous year. McDonough, his energetic staff along with a willingness from Rocky Wirtz in committing to bring a winner to Chicago have lit a fire that has eliminated much of the darkness that has obscured this once proud Franchise.

Great marketing is a big reason for the renewed interest but the tail doesn’t wag the dog. If McDonough or anyone else is pulling the trigger on player signings and Front Office additions solely to bolster media coverage or ticket sales trouble will soon follow. I have a hard time believing that someone who has been brought up around hockey like Rocky Wirtz, while also being a shrewd business man would allow such as shallow plan to be followed. Evidently my thinking is quite contrary to some.

I feel strongly that the improved Roster and the added expertise of Scotty Bowman was not solely directed by someone who had no real hockey experience before joining the Hawks last November. In many ways it is easier to write a popular blog if it is filled with suspicion and criticism.

Who better to doubt than a Franchise who seemingly couldn’t do anything right for years?

Some of the negative rhetoric has the feel of being personal. Whatever the reason for some comments they are misguided. In my opinion they should be not taken as valid reasons to criticize or question the plan for improvement that has been acted upon here. The possible negative result of change and the purpose for them satisfy a need to those looking for reasons to doubt the aim of the Hawks Organization. For now I believe that the primary mission here is to provide a winning team for Hawk fans while selling tickets and media attention will come with success.

If memory serves me Dale Tallon was talking about the need for an offensive, power play directing defenseman who was in his late twenties, before McDonough arrived on the scene toward the end of November. Tallons description always reminded me of only one player who could become an available UFA , and that would be newly signed Hawk Brian Campbell.

With all due respect to Cristobal Huet, who I am glad is here, I don’t think his acquisition alone would cause many to rush out to purchase season tickets. His signing does show a further commitment to improve by the Hawks but that message could have been accomplished in other ways. Actually that point already was made by the Hawks as the big “splash” of the summer was the signing of Brian Campbell to a 56 million dollar contract. If some want to believe that the hockey acumen of John McDonough alone caused the push for Huet as well as Campbell so be it, but I can’t completely buy into that thinking.

The latest big media stir was caused by Scotty Bowmans decision to join the Hawks. I was a bit surprised that he came aboard this summer only because he stated he didn’t want to leave the Wings a few weeks ago. Successful people are allowed to change their mind especially when they have many good options to choose from.

As I wrote after Andy Strickland broke the Bowman to Chicago rumor, it would not shock me if it were to happen. Scotty was often seen at the UC last season which may or may not had to do in part because his son Stan had been battling cancer. I think Bowman was in a position much like the one he has now with the Hawks…whereby he makes his own agenda much of the time. After seeing Bowman around so often my own mind often began to wander. If I had a dollar for every time I thought about Bowman actually coming to the Hawks Front Office… I would have enough money to fill my gas tank.

Is it McDonough’s dissatisfaction with Tallon or Savard that caused the Organization to seek out the services of Bowman?

That is another view that has been tossed around the Internet and the air waves. I can only comment on what I know for sure or believe to be so… Tallon being on shaky ground is not something that I have ever heard any whispers about.

Tallon did stumble out of the gate right after the Lockout, but he was not alone in that regard. The Flyers were another team who misplayed how the new NHL would roll. Interestingly, since Paul Holmgren took control as Flyer GM the season after the Lockout they have turned their destiny around.

Tallon admitted his mistakes, changed course and now has a Roster which should be a solid Playoff contender. The Hawks chose to retain Tallon after Rocky Wirtz assumed control but did remove his boss Bob Pulford from the hockey scene. It is different, but not so unlike the Clarke and Holmgren changing of the guard in Philly. A comparison can also be drawn as the Flyers often spend to the Cap limit, which is a new found practice here in Chicago.

I could make the case if it were not for the many key injuries that the Hawks would have finished at least four points better and a gained a Playoff birth last year. That brings me to the last of the many opinions that have been expressed by others lately which I disagree with. The story has also been written that McDonough brought in Bowman to replace Savard behind the bench possibly as soon as this season. Once again I view that scenario as unlikely.

If the Hawks would have finished with four additional points last season Savard would have been considered for Coach of the Year honors. The fact is that he guided a young injury riddled bunch that had 19 call-ups and as many as 8 starters out of the lineup at the same time to a pretty good finish. After the revolving door of Rockford IceHogs call-ups the Hawks could have made the Playoffs, Savard would have been considered for Coach of the Year honors by more than a few.

Mike Babcock was properly awarded Coach of the Year honors in the Western Conference as he was finally recognized after many good years. If I had to pick a coach to win one game Babcock would be near the top of my list. Bruce Boudreau won the same well deserved honor for the Eastern Conference as he guided the upstart Capitals to the Playoffs.

One has to remember that the Hawks were not on the radar to make the Playoffs at the start of last season. A Playoff birth for Savard’s Hawks would have surpassed the performance of the Caps Boudreau in some ways. Maybe I am also guilty of reaching, but Savard could have been a compelling choice for Coach of the Year consideration if the Hawks were able to climb into eight place in the West.

At this time should a primary concern be to find a replacement for Savard?

It appears to me that Savard has a few markers in his pocket; there should be no rush to replace him. Rather he should be evaluated closely when he has a healthy squad to work with for a good portion of the year. Right now it is hard for me to say he has done anything to prompt a top executive to seek his replacement even if it could be with the great Scotty Bowman.

Scotty Bowman is in fact the greatest NHL head coach of all time and one of the best ever in all of sport. To say that he was brought here at 74 years of age to become Head Coach of the Hawks this season is a bit much for me to swallow. I suppose it is possible that Bowman could get behind the bench again. I also think it is possible for Scotty to be a GM once more. Although in my world it wouldn’t seem feasible that he would have an appetite at this point to endure the rigors that would come with either job but maybe he would be up for those challenges.

Dale Tallon would actually be one of only a few past Hawk GM’s who if fired probably would land another manager position rather quickly. Bowman as a Blackhawk coach or GM once again is possible, but far from being realistic in my view as his expertise can be utilized in other valuable ways.

Right now a big issue at hand for the Blackhawks is the further evaluation of many IceHogs and newly drafted prospects. Bowman would be able to give a fresh unprejudiced view of the NHL potential for theses youngsters. It is apparent that the Hawks have reached the time whereby some of their young players will have to be traded, because they won’t all be able to play here. Who better to help with that important assessment process than the wise Bowman?

Tallon and Savard are only under contract for this season, although I wouldn’t be surprised if either were extended before the end of the year.** One has to also remember that the Hawks were guilty in the past of not always holding key personnel responsible for their performance. So it shouldn’t come as a shock if Rocky Wirtz does chose to be more deliberate before extending Tallon or Savard.

Why would Bowman want to take either job even if the opportunity presented itself?

Right now Bowman has been given a title which implies to me that he could do almost anything he wants as Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations. Bowman deserves the right to pick and chose what he wants to do and where he does it. A long and very successful career allows one the luxury of choice.

I do think that there could be another position in Bowman’s future with the Hawks but it wouldn’t be as a Head Coach or GM. Bowman could assume the role that Bob Pulford once had as a Senior Vice President of the Blackhawks or possibly Scotty could just be called the Director of Hockey Operations someday. Then Bowman would have the title and responsibility of overseeing the entire hockey side of the Hawks Franchise.

In my world Scotty had enough reason to come to the Hawks solely to work with his son Stan, to dismiss that as being a big factor in his decision to leave the Wings is foolish. Besides being able to work with Stan, Scotty also realized that this was an interesting opportunity in Chicago as the Hawks are an Organization hungry for success. To be able to help lead the Hawks to the Cup would be another glowing accomplishment for Bowman. So there appears to be many reasons why Scotty would come to Chicago for a fresh challenge, not the least of which would be the opportunity to win a Cup with his son Stan.

As far as being brought in by McDonough because Tallon and Savard are on a slippery slope…..I don’t think so. To those who want to buy into that theory let me pose a thought. After years of successful coaching and consulting maybe Bowman would rather be an orchestra leader rather than a musician. Regardless of what title he ends up with here his hockey know-how will be well utilized.

If media image is so important for the Hawks, how striking would it be around the NHL for either Tallon or Savard to lose their job at this point?

The futures of both Tallon and Savard should not be the primary concern for the Blackhawks. Neither has had a true opportunity to fully succeed yet and both have not done enough wrong to put their jobs in jeopardy.

With renewed interest comes added media attention and the Hawks have done a great job of quickly becoming a story in Chicago and around the NHL. The end result of all the changes that have occurred this summer will become apparent in time, for now I can’t question the intent.


Al’s Shots


By now Maple Leaf fans may realize that being a GM in the mecca of hockey may not be such a desirable job after all.

Another “conspiracy theory” may have been shot down as Mark Hardy signed to go back to LA to be an assistant on Terry Murray’s staff. Some thought that as soon as Mike Haviland was brought to Chicago Hardy would be named the head coach of the IceHogs. As the story goes another of Savards potential replacements Haviland, would be close at hand if a change was needed. In reality Hardy may have expressed an interest to go back the Kings where he played and also was a former assistant coach. If in fact that was the case Haviland would have been a natural replacement.

The Hawks did replace Haviland in Rockford but with Bill Peters who comes in with an impressive resume. Peters coached the Spokane Chiefs for three seasons and led them to the Memorial Cup this past year. He has also been named to coach Canada’s Under 18 World Junior Team. The Chiefs improved their point total in each of the three seasons Peters was there. He appears to be another strong addition to the Blackhawk operation.

No hype needed as far as baseball is concerned. Two great matchups in Chicago this weekend as the Cub and Cards tangle as well as the White Sox and Red Sox.

**It has not been made official but a story in the Daily Herald by Tim Sassone cites that Tallon has agreed privately to a 2 year contract extension.

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