Again, how many teams make the playoffs every year let alone still have a chance of advancing with big pieces being injured. That massive winning streak with Toews out had nothing to do with quality coaching? Wow.

Toews AND Hossa this past year. Bolland, Toews and Keith the year before.

Some of you people have absolutely ridiculous expectations. With how tight the NHL is, getting into the playoffs and putting your players in a position to succeed is all that matters.

I would argue that both against Vancouver (see Sharp missing open cage) and Phoenix (plenty of chances to put them away and the Hawks just flat out couldn't finish... Not even taking Crawfords play in they should have done better... And plenty of adjustments were made during that series...

I don't understand how you can pin that on the coach...
- fattybeef

Never blame the guy in charge. Don't we get enough of this stupidity in Politics? Coach's coach to make decisions, when they make bad decision or the players don't perform, that is how it goes. Pick your pocket full of sorrows...God I hate excuses.

BTW I agree with you on the parity stuff. And how close they were to winning. The margin is small.

Bowman's cowardice in making trades and inability to sign the right talent in free agency is the biggest issue.
- furso27

Last year's flops (Brunette and O'D) both had history with Q. Who had more to do with bringing them in? Q or Stan?

Do we think that free center ice pkg will happen?
- hockey nut 28

Center ice no as I believe the cable company owns the distribution of it. NHL only provides the content. The gamecenter package online thought is owned by the NHL and could be free.

Again, how many teams make the playoffs every year let alone still have a chance of advancing with big pieces being injured. That massive winning streak with Toews out had nothing to do with quality coaching? Wow.

Toews AND Hossa this past year. Bolland, Toews and Keith the year before.

Some of you people have absolutely ridiculous expectations. With how tight the NHL is, getting into the playoffs and putting your players in a position to succeed is all that matters.

I would argue that both against Vancouver (see Sharp missing open cage) and Phoenix (plenty of chances to put them away and the Hawks just flat out couldn't finish... Not even taking Crawfords play in they should have done better... And plenty of adjustments were made during that series...

I don't understand how you can pin that on the coach...
- fattybeef

And their in lies the problem. Q does not put his players in the best position to succeed. If he did, we wouldn't see Keith out there every PP blasting away from the point into the shins of defenders every night, and John Scott would have never dressed for a single game.

I agree that with the parity in the league things are going to tight every year. When things are close, coaching makes a difference. Maybe with some actual coaching this team advances past the first round the last two years, instead of just being close.

Last year's flops (Brunette and O'D) both had history with Q. Who had more to do with bringing them in? Q or Stan?
- NewToHockey

+1

It does not matter who was provided or if it were you and I who provided the guys. The point is how they are used. That is the criticism. Could you or I have coached the Oilers in the 80s or the 1927 yankees to championships....or the Jordan Bulls? What I and others are pointing out, is that Q does not seem to nurture and develop any players. You are either his guy or not...yeah yeah I know these guys are professional, but that does not help a locker room.

As much as we like to romanticize the Cup team, Players like Ladd, Buff, Campbell and Brouer were all Richarded around with. That is a fact. So the lets keep that in mind when evaluating Q's management of players.
- TrueGrit

It absolutely f'n does matter what players were provided to Q. Giving him stiffs like Pisani, Lepisto, Brendan Morrison, Ryan Johnson, Jamal Mayers, Brunette etc and asking him to do the same with them as he did with Ladd, Buff, Brouwer and others makes no sense at all.

And what do you mean that all of these players were Richarded around with? The team won the Cup and at that was the only measurement that means anything. He won with the team he was provided with.

I will be the first to say I don't like some of the stuff I see at times - too much line juggling; sending a guy like Frolik to the outhouse and continuing to play an inept Andrew Brunette who he probably handpicked; mismanaging the minutes and situational use of Duncan Keith and trying to deliver a message with John Scott are just a few.

But Q himself didn't allow the 2 soft goals in OT on home ice that Crawford did. Show me a great goalie and I will show you a very good hockey coach. Q didn't accumulate 600+ wins as an NHL coach by being a complete idiot, even though I think he was outcoached by Dave Tippett in that series. Stan Bowman Jr. will never, ever get near Q's win numbers in his managerial career. But put Ken Holland in Bowman's place tomorrow and you would quickly see a much smarter bench boss in Joel Quennville.

Last year's flops (Brunette and O'D) both had history with Q. Who had more to do with bringing them in? Q or Stan?
- NewToHockey

Stan. He's the one responsible for the decision to extend the contract.

And what do you mean that all of these players were Richarded around with? The team won the Cup and at that was the only measurement that means anything. He won with the team he was provided with.

I will be the first to say I don't like some of the stuff I see at times - too much line juggling; sending a guy like Frolik to the outhouse and continuing to play an inept Andrew Brunette who he probably handpicked; mismanaging the minutes and situational use of Duncan Keith and trying to deliver a message with John Scott are just a few.

But Q himself didn't allow the 2 soft goals in OT on home ice that Crawford did. Show me a great goalie and I will show you a very good hockey coach. Q didn't accumulate 600+ wins as an NHL coach by being a complete idiot, even though I think he was outcoached by Dave Tippett in that series. Stan Bowman Jr. will never, ever get near Q's win numbers in his managerial career. But put Ken Holland in Bowman's place tomorrow and you would quickly see a much smarter bench boss in Joel Quennville.
- RickJ

Thanks for making my point in bold.

Regarding Q's history, hey the 1980 Playmate of the year was hot in ....well 1980, but it is 2013. Yes, Crawford gave up a few softies, however, it was your special teams failure to score a power play goal that left it to overtime. I won't knock Q's resume or what he has accomplished, but what is more relevant is what have you done for me lately.

Many also miss my point on Cambell and Buff and Ladd...even Versteeg and definitely Brouwer, Q isolated these guys and never let them on the inner circle. Don't believe me, listen to qoute's from Ladd and Cambell after they left. Yes they won a cup, but when you realize that guys that were in and out of his dog house left and became all stars and flourished with opportunity, you have to ask why did not brouwer get a consistent assignment here among other thoughts. (I realize cap stuff forced some hands, but lets not act like all those guys loved their roles here).

Stan. He's the one responsible for the decision to extend the contract.
- moylander

Q was trying to find a guy who could skate that played with him in Hartford. But they could not find one. That would have been a guy Q trusts....

BTW, am I the only person who believes that there is no way Luongo goes anywhere unless the Cannucks take crap in return?

All this hype and talk. I do not doubt that he would be a great addition to your team, but why not wait till he is bought out and sign him to a more intelligent deal?

Or do you like this guy and all the baggage and accept that risk and the albatross contract that would be screen saver for as long as you have a job?

BTW, am I the only person who believes that there is no way Luongo goes anywhere unless the Cannucks take crap in return?

All this hype and talk. I do not doubt that he would be a great addition to your team, but why not wait till he is bought out and sign him to a more intelligent deal?

Or do you like this guy and all the baggage and accept that risk and the albatross contract that would be screen saver for as long as you have a job?
- TrueGrit

I agree 100%. The Canucks painted themselves in a corner here. Schneider at Best is Luongos equal . The Canucks could have moved Schneider easier that Luongo. No one is going to give up real value for Luongo. By real value I mean NO top 6 player No #1 pick. Prospects and Salary dump maybe, mid round picks maybe. If no one takes Luongo from Vancouver he eats up some cap and their dressing room will be in disarray .

Thanks for making my point in bold.

Regarding Q's history, hey the 1980 Playmate of the year was hot in ....well 1980, but it is 2013. Yes, Crawford gave up a few softies, however, it was your special teams failure to score a power play goal that left it to overtime. I won't knock Q's resume or what he has accomplished, but what is more relevant is what have you done for me lately.

Many also miss my point on Cambell and Buff and Ladd...even Versteeg and definitely Brouwer, Q isolated these guys and never let them on the inner circle. Don't believe me, listen to qoute's from Ladd and Cambell after they left. Yes they won a cup, but when you realize that guys that were in and out of his dog house left and became all stars and flourished with opportunity, you have to ask why did not brouwer get a consistent assignment here among other thoughts. (I realize cap stuff forced some hands, but lets not act like all those guys loved their roles here).
- TrueGrit

If you haven't seen it, go onto the Hawks website and watch the Q&A session involving McDonut, Bowman Jr. and Q. I really believe the whole problem starts with Q having no respect for his immediate boss. And Bowman Jr. not having the wherewithal to successfully general manage an NHL team with as much player talent as this one has.

Players not being on the inner circle - boo f'n hoo. That's like saying you have no relationship with your boss and you're very hurt about it because he won't listen when you want to sit down and air all of your troubling laundry issues to him. He sees them as miniscule in importance and doesn't want to waste his time listening to you cry him a river. So like Al Davis once said - "Just win baby." And that applies to both Q and the players. Nobody gives a crap about inner and outer circles if you don't win.

If you haven't seen it, go onto the Hawks website and watch the Q&A session involving McDonut, Bowman Jr. and Q. I really believe the whole problem starts with Q having no respect for his immediate boss. And Bowman Jr. not having the wherewithal to successfully general manage an NHL team with as much player talent as this one has.

Players not being on the inner circle - boo f'n hoo. That's like saying you have no relationship with your boss and you're very hurt about it because he won't listen when you want to sit down and air all of your troubling laundry issues to him. He sees them as miniscule in importance and doesn't want to waste his time listening to you cry him a river. So like Al Davis once said - "Just win baby." And that applies to both Q and the players. Nobody gives a crap about inner and outer circles if you don't win.
- RickJ

I saw it. Really moot for either of us to read into that stuff. Yes at the end of the day it is about winning. Being on inner circle is not about crying and attention..it is about dysfunction. Ask any of those guys and while nostalgic they would never come back to Chicago and play for Q. My point is that those guys have been given roles with teams and treated respectfully and have flourished. But such is life.

ESPN Chicago ‏@ESPNChiHawks

Bowman: Trade is unlikely. LIkes the depth and young players. Have quite a few guys ready to play. Personell-wise, have pieces they like.


- CrisCrossCrease

Why is this such surprise to you guys? You want him to make some big splash just to make a splash for half a season? There is no reason for them to start giving away players at this point. Things go south with injurys or poor play. I would expect a move but not now. "We like our guys and the depth we have" mantra....of course they do. Trades are really over hyped and who cares if this or that deal was close to getting done. It does not matter. And I thinks its the same with other teams.

If you haven't seen it, go onto the Hawks website and watch the Q&A session involving McDonut, Bowman Jr. and Q. I really believe the whole problem starts with Q having no respect for his immediate boss. And Bowman Jr. not having the wherewithal to successfully general manage an NHL team with as much player talent as this one has.

Players not being on the inner circle - boo f'n hoo. That's like saying you have no relationship with your boss and you're very hurt about it because he won't listen when you want to sit down and air all of your troubling laundry issues to him. He sees them as miniscule in importance and doesn't want to waste his time listening to you cry him a river. So like Al Davis once said - "Just win baby." And that applies to both Q and the players. Nobody gives a crap about inner and outer circles if you don't win.
- RickJ

If I don't like my job or my boss, I have the freedom to leave. Players don't - they have to keep showing up on a daily basis and listening to Q and his staff be idiots - especially during games.
Q has shown ZERO ability to grow one single young player. Besides that, he has his pets that get their next shift no matter what. But if you're young and make a mistake, you watch useless lumps play instead of you.
Hockey is a game of mistakes - all-stars and scrubs make 'em - great coaches use them as learning points and develop players...Q uses them as valid reasons for sitting younger guys.
There is plenty of blame to go around the Hawks - Q is a major issue, not the only one, but a major one. Alpo could have won the cup with that team

Looks like things might get ugly with ryan o'reilly. Heard he wants close to 5 million in a long-term deal. He would be the perfect center for Kane and Sharp. Newest rumor has an O'Reilly for Yandle swap. Too bad we don't have the D-Man Colorado is looking for

If I don't like my job or my boss, I have the freedom to leave. Players don't - they have to keep showing up on a daily basis and listening to Q and his staff be idiots - especially during games.
Q has shown ZERO ability to grow one single young player. Besides that, he has his pets that get their next shift no matter what. But if you're young and make a mistake, you watch useless lumps play instead of you.
Hockey is a game of mistakes - all-stars and scrubs make 'em - great coaches use them as learning points and develop players...Q uses them as valid reasons for sitting younger guys.
There is plenty of blame to go around the Hawks - Q is a major issue, not the only one, but a major one. Alpo could have won the cup with that team
- dpard

If I recall correctly, the last few Stanley Cup winning coaches are hard asses who don't roll out the carpet for every young player who thinks his sh$t don't stink. Daryl Sutter, Q, Mike Babcock don't just give jobs to young guys, they make them earn it with good and consistent play. And they prefer the learning is done down on the farm not in the NHL.

Q's primary job function is not young player development. But it seems to me he hasn't hindered Toews or Kane at all and he recognized when Andrew Shaw could deliver something at the NHL level despite his young age. And he also recognizes when guys like Morin, Lalonde, Hayes etc aren't ready for prime time.

I love it when readers like you show how low your self-esteem is. Actually, no. It's kinda sad that you feel you have to be like that.
- John Jaeckel

Not worth it John.

Thanks for the updates and hopefully over the next week of "training camp" we'll get a feel for how Q is going to use this roster if Stan is staying pat.

In the meantime, keep us posted on any rumblings you hear.

Looks like things might get ugly with ryan o'reilly. Heard he wants close to 5 million in a long-term deal. He would be the perfect center for Kane and Sharp. Newest rumor has an O'Reilly for Yandle swap. Too bad we don't have the D-Man Colorado is looking for
- tomcat24

I would at least see if Colorado is interested in Keith.

I just don't think player additions are made solely by owner, GM or coach.

Is it a even one point per person vote?

I don't think so, but as on the ice the team decides, and I ma pretty sure that the GM & coach want to be on board somewhat equally but we all know that some coachs who are not condient with their standing are gonna go with the flow.

Other coaches are gonna puch for some of their old guys mostly because they have been to war with them know what they bring in the room, bench and on the pond.

if the owner says to the GM get your coach what he said he thinks is missing, the GM job does become tough, in that a UFA move only cost cash, and cap anf a trade costs you players, futures, and the GM better have a fairly good background hidstory of what he is paying for...it's not like their is a consumer reports to check out potential additions.

I would guess Jamal Mayers, Andre Brunette were Q suggestions that both he and Bowman managed to get at a workable price.

I would think that Stalberg, Frolik were all deals put together to free cap and the pro scouting staffs had a lot of imput on...Emery, Lepisto, Montador, Campoli, and Oduya were probably co-operative endeavours where the group was looking for a speciifc need on the back line and both GM & coach trusted each other that the player was a fit and so was the money.

Call me crazy but I don't see the start of the season being next weekend as some starter pistol to trade frenzy.

So far all we have seen is a tough guy go East and diappointing guy and youngster go West....not any reshaping move.

If I am the GM of any NHL club by this time I had all August to feel the pulse of the market, evaluate my weakness and survey how my farm may help...
and I am probably thinking lets see how we start...if there are no gaping holes, no big injuries, or no surprise prospects, I am probably taking my chances that my team can keep close in most games and win our fair share.

If we don't then maybe I try to shake things up when I can establish another trading partner who has a similar need for a shake-up.

I think that many discussion will start and continue for weeks them months that lead to the trade deadline, because by them I have a reall good idea where my team is weak.

Right now I, like every other general manager is thinkng we are in thsi sprint, and I can noy going to be hasty now.

Granted there will be teams that will clearly go for being that club that wants to improve and challenge this playoff.
They will be talking rather quickly.

and teams who are missing stars awaiting their return from the mend, like Kelser and Kopitar might be more than ready to cash in on return with any player they know they want to move...Luongo, of course, Bernier not unless...

I think we are seeing our excitement for the games to begin pushing our fanboyness past the true reality of where we are right now:

Seeing how those major league rosters will get filled from inside.

To be fair... The guys on the roster that Bowman has provided have been crap. Olesz, Monty, SOD, Lepisto, Scott, Brunette, Pisani, Frolik, and the list goes on. It was Tallon that provided the talent.
- moylander

Of that bunch, only Frolik has a shot at being redeemable--though not just because he's still here. Q hasn't helped that kid. Lepisto was borderline, he hardly played. The others were has beens or never beens.

Too bad for Monty, but 3 in a year is scary--sounds like it's time to protect his future.

Thanks for making my point in bold.

Regarding Q's history, hey the 1980 Playmate of the year was hot in ....well 1980, but it is 2013. Yes, Crawford gave up a few softies, however, it was your special teams failure to score a power play goal that left it to overtime. I won't knock Q's resume or what he has accomplished, but what is more relevant is what have you done for me lately.

Many also miss my point on Cambell and Buff and Ladd...even Versteeg and definitely Brouwer, Q isolated these guys and never let them on the inner circle. Don't believe me, listen to qoute's from Ladd and Cambell after they left. Yes they won a cup, but when you realize that guys that were in and out of his dog house left and became all stars and flourished with opportunity, you have to ask why did not brouwer get a consistent assignment here among other thoughts. (I realize cap stuff forced some hands, but lets not act like all those guys loved their roles here).
- TrueGrit

Just had to look it up.

http://www.playboy.com/ga...tten-playmate-of-the-year

Pretty sure the Bears defense was not the problem. Having an incompetent offense and awful play calling is what has killed the Bears.

Anyone will wear down a defense eventually if the offense cant sustain a drive. 5th best overall defense and 3rd best in terms of points allowed. Awesome argument.

You do realize teams like NYR ride their best players the exact same way? The Wings have a pretty big disparity between their best players and the other guys. Pittsburgh has a similar disparity. When the role players aren't executing and points are needed there isn't much other choice...
- fattybeef

Sandlot offense at best.

Hjalmarsson for Paajarvi we need a left handed point shot and discuss...
- TheDyingOilerFan

So he gets taken off the top line in Oklahoam City for indifference and still not being able to score with consistency and you think he brings you a major league defenseman.

Unfortunately as fans we all seem to this we can get ou team a silk purse fr a sow's ear...

No doubt Bears offense has big issues. However, you can go to cover2.com and pop warner teams can draw run 4 basic plays that march a team down the field. As dominating as defense was at times, it was horrible end of half and end of game. Because Cover 2 scheme leaves 17 yard in, 13 yard curl and 6 yard dump over the middle open all day long...not to mention slants.
The defense was horrible when it mattered most. Keep your stats.

So the role guys don't even get on the ice when it matters and you blame role players. Role players killed the PP and PK right? Who played on it? as you would say..nice argument. BTW Crosby and Malkin do not kill penalties. To say the role players aren't executing is like proving a negative, since they NEVER get a chance with Q.
- TrueGrit

Yeah, didn't look like the Bears could stop anything in the middle. Definitely the soft spot in that defense. Maddening at times to watch...since there was no hockey.