Whatever, I don't get all the venom towards this kid on this board.
- dan9189

He played 2 out of the 6 games vs Phx...(24 min total), had 1 assist and no shots on goal...as for the venom...i like him, always have, but don't believe he's quite ready to be a full time Hawk.

You're making some persuasive points 4 sure...have a feeling he'd be dyno on the pp to boot.
- philco28

Phil, Connolly was seriously injured more than once tripping over a chicken wing at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo when he was with the Sabres.

Skilled, can play the point on the PP and very injury prone.

Hard to fault the guy for the year immediately following the Cup. Didn't like a couple of additions last year. Liked the Montador add; in retrospect wasn't so great, but has yet to really hurt the team. Love being free of Soupy's cap hit. Love getting a 5th rounder for John Scott, love getting a 1st rounder for Brouwer. Don't love the Frolik extension, scared Crawford won't find first year form. Didn't love that he held on to some cap space but no one knows exactly why that happened and it turns out Crawford would have poop the bed anyhow, so.....

All in all, I'm pretty lukewarm about the last two years. He has a lot to prove, certainly. That said, I'm not so sure there is a huge trade market right now, based on the general lack of movement; so when there aren't any moves to make.....
- nathanjf

its a shame what Stan has done to a team that should have been a dynasty.

A little foresight here.... Its only going to get worse if Stan doesn't act soon with only $4.8 million in cap space next year remaining to re-sign stalberg, leddy, bickell, mayers, a back up goalie, and a dman or find suitable replacements for them if they go UFA. A compliance buyout on rusty will get the hawks $2.25 million more. Monty can't be bought out if injured.

Phil, Connolly was seriously injured more than once tripping over a chicken wing at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo when he was with the Sabres.

Skilled, can play the point on the PP and very injury prone.
- RickJ

Amigo...he did play 70 games last year, so maybe he's feeling better than he has in years.

He played 2 out of the 6 games vs Phx...(24 min total), had 1 assist and no shots on goal...as for the venom...i like him, always have, but don't believe he's quite ready to be a full time Hawk.
- philco28

That's fine if people don't think he's ready but there seems to be a lot of rooting for him to fail which I don't get.

its a shame what Stan has done to a team that should have been a dynasty.

A little foresight here.... Its only going to get worse if Stan doesn't act soon with only $4.8 million in cap space next year remaining to re-sign stalberg, leddy, bickell, mayers, a back up goalie, and a dman or find suitable replacements for them if they go UFA. A compliance buyout on rusty will get the hawks $2.25 million more. Monty can't be bought out if injured.
- moylander

If Monty is injured, he will likely be on LTIR so his money wouldn't be on the cap anyways. Olesz will likely be bought out because after this year you won't be able to stash players in the AHL without taking a cap hit.

Blackhawks are actually in a pretty damn good cap position as of right now.

That's fine if people don't think he's ready but there seems to be a lot of rooting for him to fail which I don't get.
- dan9189

I love his upside and hope he blossoms with us. Can only speak for myself on that.

Would love to have Jacob back but I'm not sure he upgrades anything right now.
- John Jaeckel

You are speaking with your heart JJ and nothing wrong with that. But Jake Dowell can't play and I believe he got himself in trouble with the coaching staff for speaking out when he was here.

I'd sure take a look at Leland Irving though and probably Santorelli

You are speaking with your heart JJ and nothing wrong with that. But Jake Dowell can't play and I believe he got himself in trouble with the coaching staff for speaking out when he was here.

I'd sure take a look at Leland Irving though and probably Santorelli
- RickJ

I think Dowell had the nerve to question the work ethic of a "core" player and at the time he probably was right.

Which defenceman sits ?
- philco28

The one that takes the body I'm guessing.

Stan = fail.

Again.

The one that takes the body I'm guessing.

Stan = fail.

Again.
- Return of the Roar

- philco28

Actually, I am guessing in most games five of the seven will sit - a lot.

Same old same old.

I think Dowell had the nerve to question the work ethic of a "core" player and at the time he probably was right.
- jhawk159

I remember that as well and I agree he was probably right. But I still don't see a place for Dowell here.

BTW...Where's Al today?

I remember that as well and I agree he was probably right. But I still don't see a place for Dowell here.

BTW...Where's Al today?
- DarthKane

Probably wondering how to write a column that is not a repeat of what he has been saying for two years, now going on three.

2C?

Goalie upgrade?

Identity?

You are speaking with your heart JJ and nothing wrong with that. But Jake Dowell can't play and I believe he got himself in trouble with the coaching staff for speaking out when he was here.

I'd sure take a look at Leland Irving though and probably Santorelli
- RickJ

If I remember correctly JJ was all for putting an 'A' on Dowell's jersey before he left. As most married guys know, keeping your mouth shut is often better than speaking the truth. Dowell, whether he was right or not, would have been better off keeping his nose to the grindstone and his mouth shut.

Probably wondering how to write a column that is not a repeat of what he has been saying for two years, now going on three.

2C?

Goalie upgrade?

Identity?
- Return of the Roar

Over and over. Same poop.

If I remember correctly JJ was all for putting an 'A' on Dowell's jersey before he left. As most married guys know, keeping your mouth shut is often better than speaking the truth. Dowell, whether he was right or not, would have been better off keeping his nose to the grindstone and his mouth shut.
- Hal9000y2k

So very true.....

A blog on the performance of Stan Bowman? Don't you have to do something before you can be deemed to have "performed"? There are dead guys getting more done than SB, and exhibiting more personality while doing so. Outta be a real short blog.
- Hal9000y2k

+1

Oduya sucks dude. He isn't a 2nd pair d-man.

You're severely high if you think he is.
- JoeHawks88

I agree with you

Fro skates like the wind and has both a great motor and a great desire to involve himself. Wish he shot the puck better because his speed creates so many chances...but he is what he is.
- philco28

I will never forget watching froelic stand there as toews was getting worked over by two guys and he did nothing. HIS sackless self needs to go

I will never forget watching froelic stand there as toews was getting worked over by two guys and he did nothing. HIS sackless self needs to go
- molly2522

Who is froelic?

Who is froelic?
- nelli312

The guy who plays like he is in my no check league

How does this change the lines?

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Bolland-Kane
Carcillo-Shaw-Stalberg
Bickell-Kruger-Mayers
Frolik (13th forward)?

If Gomez is signed Could see something like this:

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Gomez-Kane
Carcillo-Bolland-Shaw <---really like the look of that line
Stalberg/Bickell-Kruger-Mayers
Frolik (press box)

Would make me think Stalberg would be shopped if that happened. Just spitballing.
- ikeane

Those first two lines will get beat to $hit by teams like st. louis

Those first two lines will get beat to $hit by teams like st. louis
- molly2522

You know except those lines were smaller last year and the hawks handled st louis in the second half of the season pretty easily. You love talking about enforcers and big guys, but its an antiquated thought process and reasoning. Drop it

That's something I have specifically heard from multiple sources. The "appearance" at practice last year during the losing streak, talking to Q, drew some serious backlash from a couple of team leaders. And from what I know of those guys, I believe it.

Understand, the players care very little about marketing or really whether the team is profitable. They want to win. Period. Can you blame them? So anything the front office does that is seen by the players as a distraction or worse still to support or coddle certain players or bad behaviors is going to be seen negatively. Or anything the front office does to draw attention to itself (like having commercials made about them) is likely going to be seen as a distraction or reinforce the perception that there are things more important than or equal to winning.
- John Jaeckel

You mean like mcCub's one goal commerical...talk about a frickin' ego. As far as the roster is anyone surprised...Stanley's in love w/ his cap space and prospects...where's the sense of urgency? I thought the team's mantra was One Goal as in to win the Cup? As usual Stan claims he has money to make moves at the trade deadline - don't hold your breath waiting for that Brendan Morrison moment...

Of course you'd need an actual GM before you made any moves not a lackey. McD did what any marketing major could have done and gotten results. Reconnect w/ former disgruntled stars...get Pat back in the booth, put the home games on TV, get the team involved in the community and schools, get a bunch of young guns in the marketing dept and crank up on all the new media forms...Yet Rocky sees him as the all being. Can Rocky wake up and tell his marketing guy to stay the frank out of hockey ops?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'd love to see it Lovie and Stan gone in the same year...we're already half way there.

Look forward to the article JJ - should be a fun read as always...