Whatever Q decides on, somehow he has to get Kane, Saad and Sharp going. They are getting absolutely nothing out of those 3 guys. And I maintain it is largely because of inferior play at the 2 & 3C positions.
- RickJ

agree but whats really frustrating is they have been a slopfest more often than not in transition...puck management has been awful...

goaltending and PK and PP have saved their asses

since 1/1/14 the hwks are a mediocre 21-17-11..and 1 goal short of the SC finals in between...and they have not won more than 2 in a row in regulation during these last 47 games.

other teams have caught up while the core has got big fat contracts...and if it wasnt for Craw bailing them out several times they are below .500...

This team is not passing the eye test or smell test....
- bogiedoc

That kind of talk will bring out rope and torches mister... Team wide there is something missing. The only game this year they came playing like they can was against Philly. That was it. The Jets game will be telling and thats not good so early in the year. We had an easy start with lots of rest. The team is healthy so this funk/fog WTFE is a mystery. North/south hard to the net. The ugly sets up the pretty.

since 1/1/14 the hwks are a mediocre 21-17-11..and 1 goal short of the SC finals in between...and they have not won more than 2 in a row in regulation during these last 47 games.

other teams have caught up while the core has got big fat contracts...and if it wasnt for Craw bailing them out several times they are below .500...

This team is not passing the eye test or smell test....
- bogiedoc

Well said...

There is some great stuff from 80s OIlers and Islanders. How each year it was necessary to bring in some new blood, new hunger etc..How big that was to fight complacency. Last year, every new guy was ostracized to the point of Sheldon Brookbank playing 3 line wing for like 10 games and Michael Handzus skating 50 games with Kane without being able to score a goal.

The negativity on here is hilarious. Every year the gloom and doom crowd tries to predict the downfall of the Hawks, then the playoffs roll around and everybody is a believer again.

Hawks are taking the LA Kings approach; coast in the regular season, turn it up when it matters. We saw the same thing last year and it worked out pretty well didn't it?

The negativity on here is hilarious. Every year the gloom and doom crowd tries to predict the downfall of the Hawks, then the playoffs roll around and everybody is a believer again.

Hawks are taking the LA Kings approach; coast in the regular season, turn it up when it matters. We saw the same thing last year and it worked out pretty well didn't it?
- Tweek

Negativity??? Coasting?? Is that what they were doing with a losing record in their division and going down 2-0 to the blues and 3-1 to the Kings...thanks for the enlightenment.

Great to see Oduya (who I thought was bad in last spring's series against the Kings)
serve one up tonight...

two pp goals was nice...but as everyone mentioned a ton of shots (especially in the third) but everything as always from the perimeter...or so it seemed.

since 1/1/14 the hwks are a mediocre 21-17-11..and 1 goal short of the SC finals in between...and they have not won more than 2 in a row in regulation during these last 47 games.

other teams have caught up while the core has got big fat contracts...and if it wasnt for Craw bailing them out several times they are below .500...

This team is not passing the eye test or smell test....
- bogiedoc

Thanks for the research Bogie...I knew they were about a .500 club since the calendar turned.

The playoffs last season put a shine on what was otherwise a mediocre stretch...which seems to have extended into the new campaign. In fact, it's gone on so long mediocrity is what I expect going forward.

Now, if the Hawks want to prove us cynics wrong...I'll be thrilled to witness it.

Is the glass half full or is it half empty with this team? I think we will know the answer by Christmas? I think something good is going come out of the blender . The coaching and management staff will have figured out the right line combos and send a few of our players packing via trade, quassi injuries or the Rockford Express that can't cut it. Way to early to give up on the Hawks!

Thanks for the research Bogie...I knew they were about a .500 club since the calendar turned.

The playoffs last season put a shine on what was otherwise a mediocre stretch...which seems to have extended into the new campaign. In fact, it's gone on so long mediocrity is what I expect going forward.

Now, if the Hawks want to prove us cynics wrong...I'll be thrilled to witness it.
- ArlingtonRob

You've been a cynic posting on this board for YEARS. They've proven you wrong over and over and over and over again.

Just thought I'd mention that

The negativity on here is hilarious. Every year the gloom and doom crowd tries to predict the downfall of the Hawks, then the playoffs roll around and everybody is a believer again.

Hawks are taking the LA Kings approach; coast in the regular season, turn it up when it matters. We saw the same thing last year and it worked out pretty well didn't it?
- Tweek

Respect your opinion, but there are some things to look at here...especially depth at the center position. And while the Hawks will make the playoffs they're already taxing some of their key players and its early...

First of all, even in last years playoffs I was cynical. Second...ya play 82 to earn a playoff spot...

...this Hawks club hasn't earned sh*t yet.
- ArlingtonRob

hey Rob..you usually catch the radio post game...how was Troy tonight? Anybody in particular he throw over board?

You've been a cynic posting on this board for YEARS. They've proven you wrong over and over and over and over again.

Just thought I'd mention that
- CaptainBlackhawk

Captain...My cynicism seems to have clouded your memories. I've been optimistic when the club has looked great...admittedly, my "Chicago negativity" often had me expecting bad results, but I knew the club was talented.

Last year I was incredibly optimistic to start the season, and by x-mas I expected 125 points...then came new years and with it a different Hawks club...

...sure the playoffs were exciting and for that I was thrilled, although good fortune (puck luck?) helped them reach the conference finals.

My hope for this year was a return to dominance, but so far I see the club from last March and the tire pumping and optimism I read on this board isn't going to change my mind...

...only the Hawks can accomplish that.

Over the last 50 games and playoffs. I see a talent loaded team that is no longer a front runner...they can't hang on to leads or put teams away as they once did.

They have the ability to absolutely blitz a team when in desperation mode but we have seen far to much desperation mode the last year. They have been tied or behind in the 3rd period in 8 of the 11 games this year.

hey Rob..you usually catch the radio post game...how was Troy tonight? Anybody in particular he throw over board?
- bogiedoc

I was watching the TV broadcast and turned it off after the final whistle...

...so I missed Troy and Co.

Now that you mention it, I wish I'd listened in.

Respect your opinion, but there are some things to look at here...especially depth at the center position. And while the Hawks will make the playoffs they're already taxing some of their key players and its early...
- DK002

But hasn't center depth been a problem for years? And it hasn't stopped them from succeeding. In fact, isn't it supposed to be a little bit better this season with Richards instead of old man Handzus?

As for overusing star players, sure it's a cause for concern, but again, a problem we've seen in the past. I'm just not ready to bury this team 11 games in. I'd think this crew has earned a vote of confidence by now.

But hasn't center depth been a problem for years? And it hasn't stopped them from succeeding. In fact, isn't it supposed to be a little bit better this season with Richards instead of old man Handzus?

As for overusing star players, sure it's a cause for concern, but again, a problem we've seen in the past. I'm just not ready to bury this team 11 games in. I'd think this crew has earned a vote of confidence by now.
- Tweek

Not actually true. They should check TOI stats.

But hasn't center depth been a problem for years? And it hasn't stopped them from succeeding. In fact, isn't it supposed to be a little bit better this season with Richards instead of old man Handzus?

As for overusing star players, sure it's a cause for concern, but again, a problem we've seen in the past. I'm just not ready to bury this team 11 games in. I'd think this crew has earned a vote of confidence by now.
- Tweek

No one throwing dirt on their casket. The stats and trends describe a team that thinks their talent will always carry the day. That they can just turn it on and pull a game out...sorry not working. I will take the old hwks with a poopty pp but dominate 5 on 5 anyday. But those hawks are AWOL this year.

yeah sometimes the other guy beats you...but i am tired of watching this team coast through the first 2 periods and then...oh...we need a goal to tie it...time to start playing.

Thanks as always for adding to the depth of discussion.

Yawn = I have no ability to debate...I just like to throw stones and run home!


- TrueGrit

See edit.

There is clearly a group that believes things are just fine -- you're in the boat with the rest of us thinking this team has some real issues, going nowhere in a hurry. I bring up the SOG thing as we've heard here in the last few days that because we lead the league or are at the top of SOG per game that somehow we're doing great, regardless of what the eye test shows the rest of us.

I don't believe in puck luck along -- you make your puck luck with hard work and smart play. Yes, you can have a few games where you do the right things and can't dent the twine. But that typically doesn't go on for as long as what we've seen here early.

This team is essentially the same as last year.
Lost Bollig.
Lost Leddy.
Sent Regin to Rockford.
Brought Morin up (thus far).
Steeger is supposedly fully recovered.

So you're (not you personally btw! the defenders of One Goal) telling me you only lost 1 cog (Leddy) that many would say wasn't a cog and everyone else is apparently healthy and this crap we've seen is what we're getting?

Doesn't add up for me.
- savvyone-1

Bingo
Said it 10 days ago...Hawks are a 500 team...lose to the Peg tomorrow night and we are tied with them...Hawks right now despite a great effort in the 3rd tonight are a 500 team...12 give aways says it all

Hear that boys..mail it in...Tweek made reservations for May.

Doom and Gloom = dealing with reality.

Pear Harbor, first call comes in...sir the Japanese have attacked, how do we respond.

Oh you doom and gloomers...but sir, this is reality....oh predicting the downfall of the US. No sir, we are just dealing with reality as it is presented. We want to take the information and figure out how to prevent doom and gloom.

Most still do not get it. You can lay out fact, point to actual team record etc... and still shoot the messenger, flip a switch, find consolation prizes, like we won shots on goal battle today. Hey everyone out hits the hawks each game, I wonder if their coaches and teams point to that as a victory, even though they lost the game?
- TrueGrit

I seem to remember a JJ thread last year asking posters on here how far they thought the Hawks would go. Many said "Hawks are one and done, out in the first round!"

Many of those same people were singing a different tune after the Blues series.

There are 30 teams in the NHL. Only ONE can claim to have enjoyed the same level of success Chicago has in the past five years. Call me a kool-aid drinker or whatever, I just seem to think these guys know a thing or two about winning hockey games.

Here, I'll summarize the next few pages upcoming to save you time:

Bomb for Mcdavid Trade Sharp/Saad/Other fan favorite, we're awful

The blender will work, just a small trade

Blah Blah Corsi Blah Blah won two cups

Q

Have some faith

SB

Trade Crow for Darling

How dare you "insert poster name here" and your doom and gloom

realism

Can we just talk hockey

Either way, really, a debate about the issues facing the team does not equal doom and gloom. The metaphor was in place to illustrate to the sensitive folks how absurd and tiresome it has become to explain the difference between gloom and doom and dealing with reality.

See I knew how the story ended positively, that is why I chose the metaphor.
- TrueGrit

And the point you're missing is it has become REALLY tiresome to explain to folks that the doom and gloom crowd, way over the top, everything is wrong, Hawks suck crowd has been here.. well.. forever.

And I know what's going to be said: You're wrong, that's not what people are saying.

I answer: There's a reason why this message board has become devoid of posters. Most everyone got tired of the same ol' thing year in and year out. They actually like to have rational discussion about the team vs. the "OH MY GOD EVERYTHING IS WRONG" crowd.

I seem to remember a JJ thread last year asking posters on here how far they thought the Hawks would go. Many said "Hawks are one and done, out in the first round!"

Many of those same people were singing a different tune after the Blues series.

There are 30 teams in the NHL. Only ONE can claim to have enjoyed the same level of success Chicago has in the past five years. Call me a kool-aid drinker or whatever, I just seem to think these guys know a thing or two about winning hockey games.
- Tweek

As I wrote earlier. Look with Kane, Toews, Seabrook , Keith and CC, you have enough there that puts you in the conversation every year. I never denied that. Some of us are looking at other things that we see or perceive that to us do not pass the sniff test. This does not make us doom and gloomers, it makes us people, trying to figure out what is wrong.

I always feel like most teams have a path to be cup competitive each year. As a fan, I have to rationalize it some how. Some/most never find it. I am just looking for something positive to trend, other than we have a handful of elite guys with a history of playing big in big games. Don't get me wrong, that is a great asset, but pointing to some other stuff, chemistry, cohesiveness, consistent style of play...those would get me farther down the road and separate them from the up and comers.

Here, I'll summarize the next few pages upcoming to save you time:

Bomb for Mcdavid Trade Sharp/Saad/Other fan favorite, we're awful

The blender will work, just a small trade

Blah Blah Corsi Blah Blah won two cups

Q

Have some faith

SB

Trade Crow for Darling

How dare you "insert poster name here" and your doom and gloom

realism

Can we just talk hockey
- ZenlarTheRed

This is a predictable bunch isn't it?

I seem to remember a JJ thread last year asking posters on here how far they thought the Hawks would go. Many said "Hawks are one and done, out in the first round!"

Many of those same people were singing a different tune after the Blues series.

There are 30 teams in the NHL. Only ONE can claim to have enjoyed the same level of success Chicago has in the past five years. Call me a kool-aid drinker or whatever, I just seem to think these guys know a thing or two about winning hockey games.
- Tweek

All good points but the west in particular has improved and we have not. Tiger woods has a great resume as do the hawks
but ...you get the picture....we are now a really average team...IMO