>When players stop playing for each other, it's over -- until it isn't (said the Yogi Berra of hockey)
>Hawks have been #1 in heart and skill for quite awhile -- this team with no heart is really not much of a team at all
>Time for the FO to fix this -- should have been fixed back in the summer
- SnapitUpstairs

Yep! Blow it up! It's all over. The Golden age of hockey in Chicago just up n died.

Crawford was very good for much of this playoffs. i think it is a little hyperbolic to say that he, in isolation, outplayed all those goalies. And I'm not sure even in isolation you could say he outplayed Howard, who was unbeatable at times in round 2. Crawford also struggled for part of the Boston series. He was very good overall, playing behind a great team. I would not have given him the Smythe. Bickell was a beast, he would have gotten my vote.
- John Jaeckel

The numbers don't lie. And even Kane himself said CC deserved it. We can debate it until the end of time, but the point is, the Hawks did not win in spite of Corey. You can play the "he played behind a great team" card all you want, but Rask/Quick/Howard play behind great teams too.

Good to see that the quality of discussion has remained in my absence.

No worries, even if they miss the playoffs they'll flip the switch...only team that can.
- HawkintheD

Killin' me today

Good to see that the quality of discussion has remained in my absence.


- InvisibleOrange

The best era in Chicago Blackhawk Hockey ever hits a bump in the road and everyone wants to write the team off. I really don't get it???

Trade Kane! He's all used up!
- MNHawk

and his value is at his highest!

Yep! Blow it up! It's all over. The Golden age of hockey in Chicago just up n died.
- paulr

>Wondering where my post says that
>Funny, you spend so much time pom-pom waving yet how much money do you actually spend attending Hawks games?
>Some of the people on this board are spending $1,000 every home game
>And while they understand that there will be some regular season stinkers and gladly accept them, this current Hawk product is far below an acceptable return
>How about you get lost until the Hawks win 3 games in a row?

The best era in Chicago Blackhawk Hockey ever hits a bump in the road and everyone wants to write the team off. I really don't get it???
- paulr

Giant magnifying glass on the team. Massive expectations. Many hockey experts/lovers overly obsessed with the regular season ebbs and flows, so therefor everything gets overstated.

Small moves would be nice, might help. Hard to do much with the cap though. Hopefully a 2nd ass kicking at home and all the attention its gotten helps even more, and gets this teams core(and even the glue guys on the bottom 6 like Bickell, Kruger, Smith, and Shaw) to start playing with focus and intensity.

Major moves? All out panic mode? Team chemistry and lockeroom problems? Im not willing to go there yet.

>Wondering where my post says that
>Funny, you spend so much time pom-pom waving yet how much money do you actually spend attending Hawks games?
>Some of the people on this board are spending $1,000 every home game
>And while they understand that there will be some regular season stinkers and gladly accept them, this current Hawk product is far below an acceptable return
>How about you get lost until the Hawks win 3 games in a row?
- SnapitUpstairs

Who on this board has a gun to their head to attend Blackhawk games?
I have driven into Chicago for six BLackhawk games in my lifetime
There will be good and bad in a given season, right now is the bad and I get fans being unhappy, hell I'm not Happy but the nonsense some people post is crazy.
How about you get lost until the Hawks win three in a row.

>Wondering where my post says that
>Funny, you spend so much time pom-pom waving yet how much money do you actually spend attending Hawks games?
>Some of the people on this board are spending $1,000 every home game
>And while they understand that there will be some regular season stinkers and gladly accept them, this current Hawk product is far below an acceptable return
>How about you get lost until the Hawks win 3 games in a row?
- SnapitUpstairs

So he's less of a fan because he lives in a different zip code and doesn't have season tickets?

Sorry to tell you this Paul but you're optimism and glass is half full BS is no longer welcome here...at least until you move and attend a few games.

Giant magnifying glass on the team. Massive expectations. Many hockey experts/lovers overly obsessed with the regular season ebbs and flows, so therefor everything gets overstated.

Small moves would be nice, might help. Hard to do much with the cap though. Hopefully a 2nd ass kicking at home and all the attention its gotten helps even more, and gets this teams core(and even the glue guys on the bottom 6 like Bickell, Kruger, Smith, and Shaw) to start playing with focus and intensity.

Major moves? All out panic mode? Team chemistry and lockeroom problems? Im not willing to go there yet.
- SimpleJack

No doubt the team could use a defenseman and a forward or two if the cap can accommodate it. But this team is fully capable of turning it around with or without additional help.

So he's less of a fan because he lives in a different zip code and doesn't have season tickets?

Sorry to tell you this Paul but you're optimism and glass is half full BS is no longer welcome here...at least until you move and attend a few games.
- HawkintheD

We use Postal Codes here Bub! And don't talk to me unless you are a Pom pom waving blindly optimistic fan like me!

No doubt the team could use a defenseman and a forward or two if the cap can accommodate it. But this team is fully capable of turning it around with or without additional help.
- paulr

And the team may also continue to play as poorly as they have been. This "bad stretch" indicates a pattern. Great teams have down ticks sure, but if you can't see something more than that then congrats on being the glass half full guy.

Just saying "lets play better" is not gonna cut it on this one. That's what the pom pom squad seems to be saying...."the Hawks are super duper calli-licious and as soon as they want to it's on baby...just relax". The team looks wretched, not just a "slump", but a team that just sucks or doesn't care and won't compete. Take your pick, but the brand of hockey on display by this team right now is an embarrassment and I'm not sure adding a bottom pairing D-man is gonna fix it. SOMETHING is terribly off with this team.

>Wondering where my post says that
>Funny, you spend so much time pom-pom waving yet how much money do you actually spend attending Hawks games?
>Some of the people on this board are spending $1,000 every home game
>And while they understand that there will be some regular season stinkers and gladly accept them, this current Hawk product is far below an acceptable return
>How about you get lost until the Hawks win 3 games in a row?
- SnapitUpstairs

C'mon, Snapit - very unfair - some people on this board can't afford to (or think it's foolish to) spend that much on a hockey game - but they are fans just like those that do - and, in some cases, are just as knowledgeable.

If you're looking for an acceptable rate of return, call Morgan Stanley or Mesirow. It's entertainment.

And only Jaeckel or Kolb should really be suggesting people should get lost.

- Cup-Bearer

Nice video, look forward to seeing you Friday. Can you come out early and watch our skate before the game? Be by the Phil Esposito statue by 1230, you can come inside arena and put together a scathing report of TG's depreciated skill sets.

And the team may also continue to play as poorly as they have been. This "bad stretch" indicates a pattern. Great teams have down ticks sure, but if you can't see something more than that then congrats on being the glass half full guy.

Just saying "lets play better" is not gonna cut it on this one. That's what the pom pom squad seems to be saying...."the Hawks are super duper calli-licious and as soon as they want to it's on baby...just relax". The team looks wretched, not just a "slump", but a team that just sucks or doesn't care and won't compete. Take your pick, but the brand of hockey on display by this team right now is an embarrassment and I'm not sure adding a bottom pairing D-man is gonna fix it. SOMETHING is terribly off with this team.
- kwolf68

It is embarrassing....but you've gotta give them the benefit of the doubt. LA looked even worse than the Hawks look right now about a month ago or so(not to mention the added off ice issues with Voynov, Richards getting demoted, etc.)....look at them now. Look at any elite team during any stretch of any regular season....there are ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. Rarely EVER is there a long consistent stretch of dominating play.

Even in 2013 when we had about as long of a stretch like that you could possibly have, we STILL damn near lost to Detroit in the 2nd round, and needed a miracle to turn it around and advance. That Red Wings team was pretty bad that regular season, snuck in, and probably should have eliminated what was arguably the greatest regular season team ever(though obviously not over 82 games).

Look at the team in 2010. Look at the month of March. They went 6-8-1! In March! Including giving up TWELVE goals in back to back losses to the freakin' Blue Jackets! That close to the playoffs!

Then there was last year. Last year we were even worse IMO than we are right now, and for a longer stretch of time. We never really picked it up or got going before the playoffs, and Kane and Toews both got hurt. Well, we still made it to game 7 of the WCF.

My point is, many fans need to relax, put these things into perspective, and realize that the grass is greener on the other side....things are bad now, but wont last this way. Not with the history this team has, not with the proven track record. Its impossible.

C'mon, Snapit - very unfair - some people on this board can't afford to (or think it's foolish to) spend that much on a hockey game - but they are fans just like those that do - and, in some cases, are just as knowledgeable.

If you're looking for an acceptable rate of return, call Morgan Stanley or Mesirow. It's entertainment.

And only Jaeckel or Kolb should really be suggesting people should get lost.
- StLBravesFan

>OK, Sage
>Sorry to have offended anyone
>I'll gladly disappear for a long spell

>OK, Sage
>Sorry to have offended anyone
>I'll gladly disappear for a long spell
- SnapitUpstairs

Nobody has to disappear - that's the point - and I certainly wasn't suggesting it.

It is embarrassing....but you've gotta give them the benefit of the doubt. LA looked even worse than the Hawks look right now about a month ago or so(not to mention the added off ice issues with Voynov, Richards getting demoted, etc.)....look at them now. Look at any elite team during any stretch of any regular season....there are ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. Rarely EVER is there a long consistent stretch of dominating play.

Even in 2013 when we had about as long of a stretch like that you could possible have, we STILL damn near lost to Detroit in the 2nd round, and needed a miracle to turn it around and advance. That Red Wings team was pretty bad that regular season, snuck in, and probably should have eliminated what was arguably the greatest regular season team ever(though obviously not over 82 games).

Look at the team in 2010. Look at the month of March. They win 6-8-1! In March! Including giving up TWELVE goals in back to back losses to the freakin' Blue Jackets! That close to the playoffs!

Then there was last year. Last year we were even worse IMO than we are right now, and for a longer stretch of time. We never really picked it up or got going before the playoffs, and Kane and Toews both got hurt. Well, we still made it to game 7 of the WCF.

My point is, many fans need to relax, put these things into perspective, and realize that the grass is greener on the other side....things are bad now, but wont last this way. Not with the history this team has, not with the proven track record. Its impossible.
- SimpleJack

Good post! I think no Hawk fans is enjoying the last eight weeks of inconsistent play but attributing it to players not caring or coaches and GMs being incompetent is ridiculous. The Hawks are fully capable of turning it around and as posted numerous times I believe they can and will.

For those of you who want some Hawks chatter tonight....I will be on with the boys from Cheer the Anthem tonight at 7:15 CST.

Recording Episode 24 of Cheer the Podcast tonight with guest Al Cimaglia, the Blackhawks' correspondent for the NHL Radio Network. Send your questions to cheerthepodcast (at) gmail.com.

Good post! I think no Hawk fans is enjoying the last eight weeks of inconsistent play but attributing it to players not caring or coaches and GMs being incompetent is ridiculous. The Hawks are fully capable of turning it around and as posted numerous times I believe they can and will.
- paulr

It is embarrassing....but you've gotta give them the benefit of the doubt. LA looked even worse than the Hawks look right now about a month ago or so(not to mention the added off ice issues with Voynov, Richards getting demoted, etc.)....look at them now. Look at any elite team during any stretch of any regular season....there are ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. Rarely EVER is there a long consistent stretch of dominating play.

Even in 2013 when we had about as long of a stretch like that you could possibly have, we STILL damn near lost to Detroit in the 2nd round, and needed a miracle to turn it around and advance. That Red Wings team was pretty bad that regular season, snuck in, and probably should have eliminated what was arguably the greatest regular season team ever(though obviously not over 82 games).

Look at the team in 2010. Look at the month of March. They went 6-8-1! In March! Including giving up TWELVE goals in back to back losses to the freakin' Blue Jackets! That close to the playoffs!

Then there was last year. Last year we were even worse IMO than we are right now, and for a longer stretch of time. We never really picked it up or got going before the playoffs, and Kane and Toews both got hurt. Well, we still made it to game 7 of the WCF.

My point is, many fans need to relax, put these things into perspective, and realize that the grass is greener on the other side....things are bad now, but wont last this way. Not with the history this team has, not with the proven track record. Its impossible.
- SimpleJack

Pretty much the best post a person could make today. Agree 100 percent.

We use Postal Codes here Bub! And don't talk to me unless you are a Pom pom waving blindly optimistic fan like me!
- paulr

Clearly the only way for you 2 guys to settle your dispute is by being forced to sit together in the platinum seats 20 games per year watching the Maple Leafs.

These would be tickets you actually paid for. Now that is value for the money.

It is embarrassing....but you've gotta give them the benefit of the doubt. LA looked even worse than the Hawks look right now about a month ago or so(not to mention the added off ice issues with Voynov, Richards getting demoted, etc.)....look at them now. Look at any elite team during any stretch of any regular season....there are ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. Rarely EVER is there a long consistent stretch of dominating play.

Even in 2013 when we had about as long of a stretch like that you could possibly have, we STILL damn near lost to Detroit in the 2nd round, and needed a miracle to turn it around and advance. That Red Wings team was pretty bad that regular season, snuck in, and probably should have eliminated what was arguably the greatest regular season team ever(though obviously not over 82 games).

Look at the team in 2010. Look at the month of March. They went 6-8-1! In March! Including giving up TWELVE goals in back to back losses to the freakin' Blue Jackets! That close to the playoffs!

Then there was last year. Last year we were even worse IMO than we are right now, and for a longer stretch of time. We never really picked it up or got going before the playoffs, and Kane and Toews both got hurt. Well, we still made it to game 7 of the WCF.

My point is, many fans need to relax, put these things into perspective, and realize that the grass is greener on the other side....things are bad now, but wont last this way. Not with the history this team has, not with the proven track record. Its impossible.
- SimpleJack

It is embarrassing....but you've gotta give them the benefit of the doubt. LA looked even worse than the Hawks look right now about a month ago or so(not to mention the added off ice issues with Voynov, Richards getting demoted, etc.)....look at them now. Look at any elite team during any stretch of any regular season....there are ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. Rarely EVER is there a long consistent stretch of dominating play.

Even in 2013 when we had about as long of a stretch like that you could possibly have, we STILL damn near lost to Detroit in the 2nd round, and needed a miracle to turn it around and advance. That Red Wings team was pretty bad that regular season, snuck in, and probably should have eliminated what was arguably the greatest regular season team ever(though obviously not over 82 games).

Look at the team in 2010. Look at the month of March. They went 6-8-1! In March! Including giving up TWELVE goals in back to back losses to the freakin' Blue Jackets! That close to the playoffs!

Then there was last year. Last year we were even worse IMO than we are right now, and for a longer stretch of time. We never really picked it up or got going before the playoffs, and Kane and Toews both got hurt. Well, we still made it to game 7 of the WCF.

My point is, many fans need to relax, put these things into perspective, and realize that the grass is greener on the other side....things are bad now, but wont last this way. Not with the history this team has, not with the proven track record. Its impossible.
- SimpleJack

You're right, everything is sunshine & rainbows.

Maybe this team isn't that good. Ever think of that?