http://www.chicagobusines...0130615/ISSUE01/306159983

Thought you guys would really enjoy this article from Crain's posted today.

"Even with higher ticket and sponsorship revenues this season, Crain's estimates the Blackhawks annually spend between $10 million and $20 million more than they take in. The balance is made up from other companies under the Wirtz Corp. umbrella, including United Center Joint Venture."

The article is somewhat amazing because of how everything is broken down into pieces (so while we think OK, concessions and parking take in a fortune -- and they do -- it's considered part of the UC Joint Venture -- which Wirtz is a part of and obviously gets a cut of whatever profitability exists from it).

So the Hawks "lose" money because their ticket take doesn't account for all the team expenditures. However, there is no mention made of what all these other ventures really add up to.
- savvyone-1

There are cash flow losses then there are paper losses. I would seriously doubt the Blackhawks will suffer a cash flow loss this year with 4 rounds of playoff revenue.

How Bickell is not on PP is crazy!
- TrueGrit

I agree. I thought they tried it in the LAK series and it worked. Why not go back to it.

Totally agree and I think Q knows and has preached this but I think you have a personnel issue here. Guys always looking for the perfect, highlight reel pass. Not consistently going for the dirty goals. They are also extraordinarily slow at making decisions. They give the PK too much time to get in their faces.
- golfbard

Everything sucks about the pp. I definitely want kompon gone. But you are right. It is more about the players. They are so damn slow moving it, thinking, everything. Plus like al always says, they take forever winding up for shots they always get blocked

As in, "Manu know nothing about basketball".

That's ok - I still don't understand what holds airplanes up in the sky.
- StLBravesFan

It's a lifestyle choice.

As far as the miracle of powered human flight....PFM.

Everything sucks about the pp. I definitely want kompon gone. But you are right. It is more about the players. They are so damn slow moving it, thinking, everything. Plus like al always says, they take forever winding up for shots they always get blocked
- tomcat24

I agree.. I wasn't in favor of the Kompon hiring. There isn't even an attempt to make the PP look any different then last year.

http://www.chicagobusines...0130615/ISSUE01/306159983

Thought you guys would really enjoy this article from Crain's posted today.

"Even with higher ticket and sponsorship revenues this season, Crain's estimates the Blackhawks annually spend between $10 million and $20 million more than they take in. The balance is made up from other companies under the Wirtz Corp. umbrella, including United Center Joint Venture."

The article is somewhat amazing because of how everything is broken down into pieces (so while we think OK, concessions and parking take in a fortune -- and they do -- it's considered part of the UC Joint Venture -- which Wirtz is a part of and obviously gets a cut of whatever profitability exists from it).

So the Hawks "lose" money because their ticket take doesn't account for all the team expenditures. However, there is no mention made of what all these other ventures really add up to.
- savvyone-1

Don't they have a piece of Comcast Sportsnet too?

If somehow, thru all of the entities related to the hockey venture (NOT including the non-hockey Wirtz companies), they aren't making money, they never will. It's all a matter of which pocket the money goes into.

I agree.. I wasn't in favor of the Kompon hiring. There isn't even an attempt to make the PP look any different then last year.
- golfbard

I'm seeing the common denoninator in the PP as being Q. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the PP scheme is his own and the assistants are just forced to work within it. And that, quite possibly, was the source of the friction with Haviland.

It's a lifestyle choice.

As far as the miracle of powered human flight....PFM.
- Ogilthorpe2

Uhhh - PFM?

I'm seeing the common denoninator in the PP as being Q. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the PP scheme is his own and the assistants are just forced to work within it. And that, quite possibly, was the source of the friction with Haviland.
- Q...argh

I'm not sure I agree with that entirely. Yes the buck stops with Q in terms of the Kompon hiring. But if you go back to 2010, while their PP wasn't great during the playoffs, I felt it still scored timely goals with Campbell running point and Buff and Brouwer in front. Again, I know the stats were lousy and 7 PPGs scored in the playoffs isn't good but they weren't this bad.

I think a lot of this is on the players and the struggles is now in their head.

I'm not sure I agree with that entirely. Yes the buck stops with Q in terms of the Kompon hiring. But if you go back to 2010, while their PP wasn't great during the playoffs, I felt it still scored timely goals with Campbell running point and Buff and Brouwer in front. Again, I know the stats were lousy and 7 PPGs scored in the playoffs isn't good but they weren't this bad.

I think a lot of this is on the players and the struggles is now in their head.
- golfbard

Just my gut feeling and deduction. I could just as well be wrong.

Just my gut feeling and deduction. I could just as well be wrong.
- Q...argh

The power play is an interesting debate. Plenty of blame to go around.

How Bickell is not on PP is crazy!
- TrueGrit

Agreed 1,000%.

Here's another thought TG -- why is it that the stars HAVE to be on the PP? Is it written into their multi-million dollar contracts? Is it because the FO or Q believes because they are stars, they MUST be on the PP?

After 3 years of futility on the PP under Q, something MUST change.
I think about some of the guys that might really help -- as well as the guys on the 2 PP units that should be pulled off PP duty.

Going with Q's line of thinking/action -- you would think that he would put on/pull off guys on the PP based upon their success or lack thereof in an attempt to get the right "mix."

So let's break down the PP issues and identify possible solutions:

1. Puck retrieval & offensive zone entry
Not working: unit 1 with Keith and Seabrook
Solution: Leddy skating the puck into the zone or dumping it in and retrieving.

Leddy has shown he is the ONLY guy capable of getting the puck deep into the zone reliably. Keith and Seabrook are awful. We need a 2nd guy capable of this and don't think Leddy can take ALL the PP time.

2. Puck retrieval and board work in the offensive zone (assuming they get the puck in)
Not working: almost everything. How often do we lose puck battles on the boards and have the puck taken and cleared? Pretty often.

Solution: try guys like Frolik and Kruger. Maybe 1 or both on the PP. Those guys are not only great along the walls but also like mad dogs going hard after the puck. The effort just is not there from some of the other guys -- maybe that changes when they lose PP time and are made to sit and watch.

3. Net presence
Not working: simply put, the right guys aren't out there

Solution: Bickell -- should be seeing major time on the PP. Big body, very good hands and very good shot. Why not Seabrook (if he can stay upright on his skates, that is!) -- again, big body and a battler. He might not have the shot from close in but if he can create havoc in front, another Hawk can put the puck in. Heck, I would even try Rozsival in front of the net (guy seems to win a lot of the battles and is a big body as well, doesn't shy from contact at all).

4. Points
Not working: Keith (for sure), Seabrook (doesn't shoot enough and just seems like he's a moment away these days from falling down), Sharp/Hossa (again, just doesn't appear either of these guys is really comfortable -- and maybe more importantly -- EFFECTIVE -- on the point.

Solution: I would give Hjalmarsson an opportunity and Rozsival (if he isn't going to be tried as a net presence body) -- along with Leddy -- maybe they could simply rotate these 3 guys. Leddy seems to know what to do with the puck at the point, as does Rozy -- and Hjalmarsson has shown he has the smarts to be effective as well. Why not try this? Practically 0 for the playoffs doesn't feel good.

5. Overall scheme
Not working: obviously, nothing is working in the overall scheme.

Solution: simple one -- put pucks to the net early and often, get at least 1 big body in front and make teams scramble. If we have guys like Frolik and Kruger that can retrieve and control pucks along the wall, that will help, along with getting looks from the point and guys that don't hit shin bads nearly every time like Keith.

Don't they have a piece of Comcast Sportsnet too?

If somehow, thru all of the entities related to the hockey venture (NOT including the non-hockey Wirtz companies), they aren't making money, they never will. It's all a matter of which pocket the money goes into.
- StLBravesFan

Yes they do. And just as the Wirtz Beverage company supplies ALL the beverages to the UC, which of course is not only Hawks but Bulls, concerts, college games, etc. I don't think any of us would have to cry or feel sorry for Rocky -- he's got his hands in a lot of "pies" and it's the way things are divvied up that is driven as much by his accountants/consultants as anything.

Thought the interesting point was the ticket prices being below value, even with the 16% increase in prices -- comparing them to other markets and to secondary market value.

Al, i was right in front of you guys, I saw more than once, the minute looch or horton came near some of these guys on the wall or behind the nets, they moved aside, I saw 4,10 7 &, & , & big 29 do it more than once! keep the line up the same , which Q probably will , but my post was more meant for once this is all said & done in a couple of weeks.
- wonthecup10

Not disagreeing but the team wasn't skating...Which has a lot to do with not passing well out of their own zone which is to your point.

Inredible start, no finish as the Blackhawks drop Game 2 in OT. My Fox Chicago- FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11IESN5

BR game 3 projected lines. Hope they are right...

Line 1: Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane

Line 2: Patrick Sharp, Michal Handzus, Marian Hossa

Line 3: Brandon Saad, Marcus Kruger, Michael Frolik

Line 4: Andrew Shaw, Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg
- ilinkhawk

Time for Kane with Toews at least some of the time. But Shaw and Bolland aren't going to the 4th line.

Inredible start, no finish as the Blackhawks drop Game 2 in OT. My Fox Chicago- FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11IESN5

Agreed 1,000%.

Here's another thought TG -- why is it that the stars HAVE to be on the PP? Is it written into their multi-million dollar contracts? Is it because the FO or Q believes because they are stars, they MUST be on the PP?

After 3 years of futility on the PP under Q, something MUST change.
I think about some of the guys that might really help -- as well as the guys on the 2 PP units that should be pulled off PP duty.

Going with Q's line of thinking/action -- you would think that he would put on/pull off guys on the PP based upon their success or lack thereof in an attempt to get the right "mix."

So let's break down the PP issues and identify possible solutions:

1. Puck retrieval & offensive zone entry
Not working: unit 1 with Keith and Seabrook
Solution: Leddy skating the puck into the zone or dumping it in and retrieving.

Leddy has shown he is the ONLY guy capable of getting the puck deep into the zone reliably. Keith and Seabrook are awful. We need a 2nd guy capable of this and don't think Leddy can take ALL the PP time.

2. Puck retrieval and board work in the offensive zone (assuming they get the puck in)
Not working: almost everything. How often do we lose puck battles on the boards and have the puck taken and cleared? Pretty often.

Solution: try guys like Frolik and Kruger. Maybe 1 or both on the PP. Those guys are not only great along the walls but also like mad dogs going hard after the puck. The effort just is not there from some of the other guys -- maybe that changes when they lose PP time and are made to sit and watch.

3. Net presence
Not working: simply put, the right guys aren't out there

Solution: Bickell -- should be seeing major time on the PP. Big body, very good hands and very good shot. Why not Seabrook (if he can stay upright on his skates, that is!) -- again, big body and a battler. He might not have the shot from close in but if he can create havoc in front, another Hawk can put the puck in. Heck, I would even try Rozsival in front of the net (guy seems to win a lot of the battles and is a big body as well, doesn't shy from contact at all).

4. Points
Not working: Keith (for sure), Seabrook (doesn't shoot enough and just seems like he's a moment away these days from falling down), Sharp/Hossa (again, just doesn't appear either of these guys is really comfortable -- and maybe more importantly -- EFFECTIVE -- on the point.

Solution: I would give Hjalmarsson an opportunity and Rozsival (if he isn't going to be tried as a net presence body) -- along with Leddy -- maybe they could simply rotate these 3 guys. Leddy seems to know what to do with the puck at the point, as does Rozy -- and Hjalmarsson has shown he has the smarts to be effective as well. Why not try this? Practically 0 for the playoffs doesn't feel good.

5. Overall scheme
Not working: obviously, nothing is working in the overall scheme.

Solution: simple one -- put pucks to the net early and often, get at least 1 big body in front and make teams scramble. If we have guys like Frolik and Kruger that can retrieve and control pucks along the wall, that will help, along with getting looks from the point and guys that don't hit shin bads nearly every time like Keith.
- savvyone-1

Certainly one more:

1A. Initial face off. Too often they lose the initial face off, puck gets cleared, at least 20 seconds are run off and THEN you get into you points (1) and (2).

I'll let you come up with the solution: certainly can't happen with whatever time remains this year.

Uhhh - PFM?
- StLBravesFan

Pure (frank)ing Magic my friend.

Personally I've noticed that when the PP is most effective is when it's having the most movement. When the guys stand still and just pass it around, they become very easy to defend. It's one reason I like Leddy on the PP. He moves the puck AND his feet well.

When they get a good rotation and cycle going, it's when they're at their best. I also like it better when they filter everything through 88 on the half boards. The more he has the puck, the better chances the unit creates. That said, Boston's done an excellent job taking that away.

Personally I've noticed that when the PP is most effective is when it's having the most movement. When the guys stand still and just pass it around, they become very easy to defend. It's one reason I like Leddy on the PP. He moves the puck AND his feet well.

When they get a good rotation and cycle going, it's when they're at their best. I also like it better when they filter everything through 88 on the half boards. The more he has the puck, the better chances the unit creates. That said, Boston's done an excellent job taking that away.
- andru2797

I've noticed the PP is most effective when Byfuglien gets right in the goalie's face....

As I said before, the most alarming thing about Saturday's loss was the manner in which they lost.

Lots of people suggesting that the 1st period proves the Hawks can dominate if they just play "their game". Problem with that is that is, the 2nd, 3rd, and OT proved that Boston also appears to be able to dominate when they play "their game", and Boston seems better equipped to impose their will.

I hope tonight looks more like Saturday's 1st period, but I fear that in front of the home crowd, Boston may impose their will right from the opening puck drop. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like a blowout is coming...and not the good kind. 5-1 B's.

I've noticed the PP is most effective when Byfuglien gets right in the goalie's face....


- Ogilthorpe2

LOL...especially at 302 lbs!

But the PP does need to get going somehow...if the Bs are gonna play aggressive, we need to make them pay for it. That's how Montreal beats them, that's how we're gonna beat them.

Chicago can't expect to play Bruins hockey and expect to win. That's why I'm not buying this whole Carcillo talk. I'd rather put the most balanced, fast and skilled lineup out there and focus on improving the PP. Beat them playing Blackhawks hockey.

The Pens tried playing Bruins hockey and got burned.