Rick is right...Gomez will wind up back with "Uncle Lou!" your move Stan!??????

At least if he got on an airplane it probably means not a concussion.
- fattybeef

Good thing Stan got that # 2 Center... Oops!

The reality is that the Blackhawks were a solid, mid-tier playoff team last season and let in two awful OT goals to get knocked out by a crappy, lucky and well-coached Phoenix team that benefited from a weak division to get home ice in round 1.
- forgeagain

Valid point.

Though that crappy Phoenix team handily beat a Nashville team that the Hawks didn't have a prayer against.

Valid point.

Though that crappy Phoenix team handily beat a Nashville team that the Hawks didn't have a prayer against.
- AceRatbang

I think Nashville is massively overrated. They are kind of like the Bulls minus Derrick Rose. They win some games, maybe win a round or make it interesting in the playoffs then return to an afterthought.

I think Nashville is massively overrated. They are kind of like the Bulls minus Derrick Rose. They win some games, maybe win a round or make it interesting in the playoffs then return to an afterthought.
- fattybeef

Can't underestimate Nashville because they are so well coached. They could make a run at a Getzlaf or Perry at the deadline and suddenly make a run.

Toews has the flu. Should be ready tomorrow per Craig Custance.

I’m sure I’ll be attacked for some of my statements but…

With the general tone from most, it sounds as though the Hawks should again be rated the worst franchise in all of professional sports! From those calling Kompon, "Tampon" (when he hasn't even been given a chance here, based solely on a few "fans" from LA's negative posts), to those bashing Bowman for ALL this teams ills, is ridiculous!

For the record, I'm not a Bowman apologist, and I can't stand McD and his ego or Kitchen for that matter either, and I want the Hawks to win the Cup every year too, but that's really an unrealistic goal in sports these days! The 2010 Hawks were a perfect storm of a team where everything fell into place, and we were very spoiled by them, so what’s with all the “entitlement” type attitudes and armchair GM expertise? Whether we like it or not, there is parity in this league so trading partners will likely be hard to come by, especially this season, and each GM is going to try to “win” any trade they make! As someone has previously said, sometimes the best trade you make, is the ones you don’t make! This said, how many “big” trades have happened so far this season by other teams?

Now, if it's true, that the Hawks are trying to model their franchise after the Redwings, it shouldn't shock anyone that they haven't traded away any of their "highly touted" prospects for rental players or bandaids. It also shouldn't shock anyone that they are marketing some of those prospects to the fan base. I highly doubt the Blackhawks are the only franchise guilty of this...(caveat: McD is an ego maniac that I'd love to see gone!)

I will agree that the F/A’s that have been brought in, have been for the most part, BAD, but some of those obviously had Q’s fingerprints on them (Mayers, Brunette, O’Donnell, trading away Brouwer?) so he shouldn’t escape the wrath of negativity that seems to fall so heavily on Bowman. (That’s for you Ogi!!!) At least the Hawks are rid of deadweight guys like Pisani, Morrison, Scott, Lepisto (who I thought was never given a fair shake here by Q), Potulny, Johnson…et all! Personally, I like the depth we have now much more so than what we’ve had past two years anyway! It really depends on how well Q does and what style of play this team will have…Hopefully he’ll have more confidence in rolling 4 lines like he did in 2010, which would help lessen the workload on our top players!

That said, for the first time since 2010 season, the Hawks do have a familiarity in their lineup that they haven’t had which "should" hopefully translate into success! After the purge of 2010, the Hawks iced what, 10 new players of the bargain basement has been variety, and even with that mess we still made the playoffs and pushed Vancouver to 7 games! Our defense in front of Crawford back then was stronger than it was last year, and "on paper" at least, our defense this year should be stronger than last year! Which I hope translates into a rebound season by CC into his rookie form, as opposed to the inconsistency we saw last year. A better PK would go a long way to help Crawford too, so a lot of this team’s success (or failure) will likely come down to special teams!

I don't know what this season holds for the Hawks, but I'm definitely going to be in the glass half full category (for now), and reserve my wrath for “IF” this team stinks it up on the ice!

Very passionate and well written blog JJ! Every point is extremely accurate. My question for you is this, why not give Pirri a shot? And why is rocky not taking care of the nonsense that is plaguing this organization?
- nickmo2699

Absolutely, 100% this.

Regardless of tearing down or building up, if there is any truth to other teams not wanting to deal with the Hawks... At all... That presents a massive problem.
- fattybeef

As do the rumors that quality free agents don't want to come here.

As do the rumors that quality free agents don't want to come here.
- StLBravesFan

If true, and that's a big IF, where does that blame belong? It was not too long ago that the Hawks were #2 in desirable destination to play, and Q was right up there too! What has changed? Dysfunction Junction???

Great, excellent blog, JJ.

How can they feel good about 101 points when that got them only the 6th seed? (On top of an 8th seed the year before, both on the heels of a Cup championship).

I’m sure I’ll be attacked for some of my statements but…

With the general tone from most, it sounds as though the Hawks should again be rated the worst franchise in all of professional sports! From those calling Kompon, "Tampon" (when he hasn't even been given a chance here, based solely on a few "fans" from LA's negative posts), to those bashing Bowman for ALL this teams ills, is ridiculous!

For the record, I'm not a Bowman apologist, and I can't stand McD and his ego or Kitchen for that matter either, and I want the Hawks to win the Cup every year too, but that's really an unrealistic goal in sports these days! The 2010 Hawks were a perfect storm of a team where everything fell into place, and we were very spoiled by them, so what’s with all the “entitlement” type attitudes and armchair GM expertise? Whether we like it or not, there is parity in this league so trading partners will likely be hard to come by, especially this season, and each GM is going to try to “win” any trade they make! As someone has previously said, sometimes the best trade you make, is the ones you don’t make! This said, how many “big” trades have happened so far this season by other teams?

Now, if it's true, that the Hawks are trying to model their franchise after the Redwings, it shouldn't shock anyone that they haven't traded away any of their "highly touted" prospects for rental players or bandaids. It also shouldn't shock anyone that they are marketing some of those prospects to the fan base. I highly doubt the Blackhawks are the only franchise guilty of this...(caveat: McD is an ego maniac that I'd love to see gone!)

I will agree that the F/A’s that have been brought in, have been for the most part, BAD, but some of those obviously had Q’s fingerprints on them (Mayers, Brunette, O’Donnell, trading away Brouwer?) so he shouldn’t escape the wrath of negativity that seems to fall so heavily on Bowman. (That’s for you Ogi!!!) At least the Hawks are rid of deadweight guys like Pisani, Morrison, Scott, Lepisto (who I thought was never given a fair shake here by Q), Potulny, Johnson…et all! Personally, I like the depth we have now much more so than what we’ve had past two years anyway! It really depends on how well Q does and what style of play this team will have…Hopefully he’ll have more confidence in rolling 4 lines like he did in 2010, which would help lessen the workload on our top players!

That said, for the first time since 2010 season, the Hawks do have a familiarity in their lineup that they haven’t had which "should" hopefully translate into success! After the purge of 2010, the Hawks iced what, 10 new players of the bargain basement has been variety, and even with that mess we still made the playoffs and pushed Vancouver to 7 games! Our defense in front of Crawford back then was stronger than it was last year, and "on paper" at least, our defense this year should be stronger than last year! Which I hope translates into a rebound season by CC into his rookie form, as opposed to the inconsistency we saw last year. A better PK would go a long way to help Crawford too, so a lot of this team’s success (or failure) will likely come down to special teams!

I don't know what this season holds for the Hawks, but I'm definitely going to be in the glass half full category (for now), and reserve my wrath for “IF” this team stinks it up on the ice!
- nelli312

Good stuff. Hope you aren't attacked for what you said.

I think Nashville is massively overrated. They are kind of like the Bulls minus Derrick Rose. They win some games, maybe win a round or make it interesting in the playoffs then return to an afterthought.
- fattybeef

That's all fine and well, but Nashville outplayed the Hawks head to head last year and gave them fits.

That's all I was saying.

I’m sure I’ll be attacked for some of my statements but…

With the general tone from most, it sounds as though the Hawks should again be rated the worst franchise in all of professional sports! From those calling Kompon, "Tampon" (when he hasn't even been given a chance here, based solely on a few "fans" from LA's negative posts), to those bashing Bowman for ALL this teams ills, is ridiculous!

For the record, I'm not a Bowman apologist, and I can't stand McD and his ego or Kitchen for that matter either, and I want the Hawks to win the Cup every year too, but that's really an unrealistic goal in sports these days! The 2010 Hawks were a perfect storm of a team where everything fell into place, and we were very spoiled by them, so what’s with all the “entitlement” type attitudes and armchair GM expertise? Whether we like it or not, there is parity in this league so trading partners will likely be hard to come by, especially this season, and each GM is going to try to “win” any trade they make! As someone has previously said, sometimes the best trade you make, is the ones you don’t make! This said, how many “big” trades have happened so far this season by other teams?

Now, if it's true, that the Hawks are trying to model their franchise after the Redwings, it shouldn't shock anyone that they haven't traded away any of their "highly touted" prospects for rental players or bandaids. It also shouldn't shock anyone that they are marketing some of those prospects to the fan base. I highly doubt the Blackhawks are the only franchise guilty of this...(caveat: McD is an ego maniac that I'd love to see gone!)

I will agree that the F/A’s that have been brought in, have been for the most part, BAD, but some of those obviously had Q’s fingerprints on them (Mayers, Brunette, O’Donnell, trading away Brouwer?) so he shouldn’t escape the wrath of negativity that seems to fall so heavily on Bowman. (That’s for you Ogi!!!) At least the Hawks are rid of deadweight guys like Pisani, Morrison, Scott, Lepisto (who I thought was never given a fair shake here by Q), Potulny, Johnson…et all! Personally, I like the depth we have now much more so than what we’ve had past two years anyway! It really depends on how well Q does and what style of play this team will have…Hopefully he’ll have more confidence in rolling 4 lines like he did in 2010, which would help lessen the workload on our top players!

That said, for the first time since 2010 season, the Hawks do have a familiarity in their lineup that they haven’t had which "should" hopefully translate into success! After the purge of 2010, the Hawks iced what, 10 new players of the bargain basement has been variety, and even with that mess we still made the playoffs and pushed Vancouver to 7 games! Our defense in front of Crawford back then was stronger than it was last year, and "on paper" at least, our defense this year should be stronger than last year! Which I hope translates into a rebound season by CC into his rookie form, as opposed to the inconsistency we saw last year. A better PK would go a long way to help Crawford too, so a lot of this team’s success (or failure) will likely come down to special teams!

I don't know what this season holds for the Hawks, but I'm definitely going to be in the glass half full category (for now), and reserve my wrath for “IF” this team stinks it up on the ice!
- nelli312

But I do believe that they can do better at making true hockey trades to improve,without selling the farm.

Forget judging Bowman.


Judge Rocky Wirtz. He's at the top. He's letting everything that we don't like happen. He's the boss.


Judge big fat "hey, I put the team on tv... give me standing ovations" Rocky Wirtz.
- AceRatbang

This is by far the best response to the blog one could hope for. Either ownership can accept mediocrity or they can and should expect greatness and nothing less that a Cup. If Rocky truly practices what he preaches, then expect Stan-Bo to be gone if this team fails to make the playoffs or bows out early. Likeabilty get you Lovie Smith. He never could figure out an offense and we now see the results. If Stan-bo cant figure out how to deal for top NHL talent, he and this team is destined for failure.

>JJ, if, as it appears, that other GMs won't trade with SBow, his value as a GM ceases to exist
>It's one thing to outright win a trade now and then, but to "tapdance" about it is just plain thoughtless
>Still cannot get past the idea of hockey moves having to be "sold" to McD (McD, himself, said it was so) and probably Blunk
>The way I read your info: with SBow as GM and McD as President and involved, the Blackhawks will NOT be able to make ANY significant NHL-talent acquisitions from other teams -- unless they VASTLY OVERPAY
>I really hope the Hawks have a great year -- but if they don't -- Rocky better clean house

Solid write up JJ.

Neil , Eagle , :

The fans want results. Since the Cup was raised in 2010 the Hawks had the sell off (Which I have stuck up for Bowman many many times because he had to do this) , then in the 2010-2011 season the Hawks only made the playoffs because Dallas couldn't win a road game on the last day of the season against Minnesota... SO we're all feeling good and lucky , almost a little confident because at that point in time the Hawks owned Vancouver. We all know how the Hawks went down in 7.

Then in 2011-2012 the Hawks continues to sell off guys. The one that hurt the most was Campbell because the Hawks netted about $4,500,000 on that deal and Bowman proclaimed that now they had wiggle room to add if the Hawks needed to add. Well the Hawks needed a real Center like nobodies business last year . The Hawks didn't get a real center. The Hawks again were embarrassed in the 1st round of the playoffs mostly because of terrible goaltending , being owned by Phoenix at the dot and poopty special teams.

If the Hawks don't make a Center or Goalie upgrade this season and happen to be bounced earlier than the conference finals its going to get even worse for Bowman on these message boards and in real life.

Spot on JJ... as several have pointed out the fish stinks from the head down of one Rockwell Wirtz. I can't stand McCub and as I've stated many times anyone w/ a marketing degree could have done what he did to get the fans back. What the difference was was the product on the ice and the guy that put the team together is laughing somewhere in FLA - even as its disassembled piece by piece.

As long as Rocky allows this charade nothing will change. McCub having his own hockey guy is nothing new nor is his disgrace full self grandizing one goal ad.

Stan gets an F for putting together a pro roster - he's a caretaker nothing more and hasn't managed to do that properly. Unless you call getting repeatedly fleeced by former Hawks execs...whether it be in FLA or ATL. When he has sunk money into UFAs he's missed badly - Steve Montador tops the list. As far as his drafts - he's been surrounded by people who actually know something about the game. Wasn't Shaw pushed by Bergevin. Stan's comments to LeBrun last week were the usual PR BS we've come to know and love from the Hawks front office.

As far as Edzo he was quite critical of mgmt. at the end last year - so I'm sure he got his hand slapped by McCub.

The Hawks still have major holes in their roster and basically the same team we saw lose to the Yotes...you know the kind of team the Hawks have trouble with - a grinding physical team...nothing new there. We've needed a #2 center as long as the Bears have needed a left tackle yet nothing happens. But the solution now is to move your shutdown center (one of the best in the league) to the 2nd center position and create yet another hole.

But don't worry because Stan says he'll have cap space at the deadline and next season to make moves...The window is now (not three years from now when who knows what the core will look like or what kind of condition they'll be in) and it's closing ever so quickly...

Great, excellent blog, JJ.

How can they feel good about 101 points when that got them only the 6th seed? (On top of an 8th seed the year before, both on the heels of a Cup championship).
- StLBravesFan

THIS. Who cares how many points you have, it only matters where you are relative to the other teams playing. They finished fourth! in the division, last I checked thats not very good. The passivity is astounding with this group in charge

Neil , Eagle , :

The fans want results. Since the Cup was raised in 2010 the Hawks had the sell off (Which I have stuck up for Bowman many many times because he had to do this) , then in the 2010-2011 season the Hawks only made the playoffs because Dallas couldn't win a road game on the last day of the season against Minnesota... SO we're all feeling good and lucky , almost a little confident because at that point in time the Hawks owned Vancouver. We all know how the Hawks went down in 7.

Then in 2011-2012 the Hawks continues to sell off guys. The one that hurt the most was Campbell because the Hawks netted about $4,500,000 on that deal and Bowman proclaimed that now they had wiggle room to add if the Hawks needed to add. Well the Hawks needed a real Center like nobodies business last year . The Hawks didn't get a real center. The Hawks again were embarrassed in the 1st round of the playoffs mostly because of terrible goaltending , being owned by Phoenix at the dot and poopty special teams.

If the Hawks don't make a Center or Goalie upgrade this season and happen to be bounced earlier than the conference finals its going to get even worse for Bowman on these message boards and in real life.
- mrpaulish

I agree that something needs to be done.Unfortunately nothing will happen until the season gets started.Stan and McD will end up waiting untill the overpay deadline if they don't take some kind of risk.Just hoping they can do something once other teams have evaluated their rosters.Not holding my breath though.

The problem with Crawford, is that the team in front of him does not have the confidence to leave him exposed, so they essentially cannot play the way the Hawks were built to play. A little thing like confidence, or lack of it, just leads to one issue after another, and it just keeps going and going. Then you basically couple that with the fact that if Seabrook and Keith are not on the ice, you also have the D-men not inspiring confidence in the forwards to play their game. The Hawks simply played a different game when Niemi was the 'tender, as he had the ability to steal a game here and there, and to come up with big save when it was called for.

Not saying anything we all here do not know already, but the Hawks need to upgrade in net, and also draft or trade for a young blue chip goalie to have in the system. No offence to Teuvo Teravainen, but I will say that Andrey Vasilevskiy would have been the better choice.

As for Stan Bowman, he made his bed when he dealt away all the Hawks size, grit and leadership right after the Hawks won the Cup. How you could let a guy go with the size and unique skill set that Buffer had, was simply amazing. He set the tone in most of the playoff series for the Hawks. Vancouver had no answer for him, and he put Pronger on notice in the Cup finals the year they won. Same with Ladd. The guy just has heart and leadership qualities in spades, as well as size, and the Hawks just let him walk away. At the expense of maybe a Sharp and Hjalmarsson, the Hawks could have kept Buffer and Ladd, as well as Niemi. Just saying....and i do realize how hard it was to manage the cap mess they were in right after the Cup.

Plyrs99
- plyrs99

This +1000.....you don't PHUCKING TRADE THE MOJO MAN DIC K HEAD

I agree that something needs to be done.Unfortunately nothing will happen until the season gets started.Stan and McD will end up waiting untill the overpay deadline if they don't take some kind of risk.Just hoping they can do something once other teams have evaluated their rosters.Not holding my breath though.
- eagle50

Could really be a fools game waiitng until the deadline this season...


From today:
On the Blackhawks - "Optimistically Speaking" - http://bit.ly/WMAGsa on Fox Chicago

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Another A+ blog JJ....

The point about Stan's head growing exponentially after the Leddy trade is well-taken. If Stan is universally despised by the rest of his colleagues it's no surprise. What did Jr. ever do to earn a shot as an NHL GM ? The silence should be deafening. And as others have said...name one other team in the National Hockey League that would employ this singularly, unpleasant bozo as its GM. Again, the silence should be deafening.

Then Stan says...no one, including himself...can rest on laurels ?


What laurels ? A final day, lucky entry entrance into the playoffs 2 years ago, and then a first round flame out last year.

Stan...you and your laurels can go PHUCK YOURSELF.

Game preview blog coming?