Could not agree more.

Is it fair to lay all the blame at one players feet? Of course not, but his play along with Crawford's sure isn't helping.

If you could get both off the team by trade with a decent at best return, would you do it for the cap savings alone?
- kingcong39

Wow. And just three days ago a number of you were debating how much better Crawford is than Rinne.

Add Boston to that list who will be without Krejic for awhile.

Any eastern conference team would love to add a 2 time cup winning guy, who can add depth scoring.

Question is would Bowman do it? I highly doubt it. Adding Scott Hanhan doesn't excite me or FIX this problem. Adding Glencross doesn't do it either. This team needs a shake up, not a fine tuning.
- SteveRain

Would you take Lui Erikson back for Sharp?

Because there is, perhaps, two-fold pressure on Bowman: the obvious pressure to support a sagging team and possibly skirt the once implausible concept of missing the playoffs altogether, AND because the media spotlight in Chicago has been shifted to big “splashy” moves—the kind Hawk President John McDonough loves—by the Bulls, White Sox, and Cubs.

Hadn't considered this before JJ but it is a great point....
- Bjm84

I brought that up a few blogs ago.

As far as Sharp, look at playoff or playoff contending teams in the East. I would def look at:

Montreal
Florida
Tampa Bay

(for starters)
- John Jaeckel

We have been saying this for weeks so agreed. I would add the Ilsel and Rangers to that list.

As for the team

Looks to me like their lack of size and grit has caught up to them all over the ice.

1.No one going to the Net
2.No one going into the corners
3. Passes are missing their mark because guys are passing quickly to avoid being hit

As for the Locker room. My guess is Bickel .....because being over paid and lazy causes strife.

As far as Sharp, look at playoff or playoff contending teams in the East. I would def look at:

Montreal
Florida
Tampa Bay

(for starters)
- John Jaeckel

John, do you think StanBo will continue to trade with the same guys that he has in the past?

Oh...and just to chime in on something I read in yesterday's blog...people saying that Keith should be traded now, or during the summer for a "nice package" are nuts in my opinion....You will never get a d-man of his equal in return, and the style that the Hawks play has a lot to do with their d-men...U wanna get rid of Keith for prospects and solid vets? U know what will happen then? Take a look at yesterday's game after Oduya went down, train wreck...U would have games and moments like those on a nightly basis if u trade Keith....The d-men are ok 1-4..it is 5 and 6 that are killing this team,not to mention the bottom 6 fwds
- captainserious

Maybe Keith getting too much PP time is causing a riff in the room. You have got to trade Keith now, while he has value left.

I heard Darling played both games Fri/Sat for the Hogs this weekend, which is not typical...
This call-up may have been in the works for awhile as he has been primed to start the next game.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Would you take Lui Erikson back for Sharp?
- RickJ

I would take anything back for Sharp. I think 10 is the guy John alludes to as a chemistry issue in the room. just MY opinion from what I have heard over the past 9 months.

Guy is playing 4th line minutes and played lower line minutes vs LA. Since he made the Canadian Olympic team, he has been horse crap.

Maybe Keith getting too much PP time is causing a riff in the room. You have got to trade Keith now, while he has value left.
- powerenforcer

And if they trade Keith they'll need to try to find a replacement, any idea how they do that?

Crow is not the problem. Is he overpaid? A bit IMO, but he has been good if not very good for most of the season.

Sharp is having a down year, it happens. But look at the roles he is being placed in. On the 3rd line with Bickell and Shaw (checking line) and on the 4th line with Kruger and Smith (shutdown line). How can a sniper be expected to produce points on those 2 lines?! Sharp needs to play with someone who will give him space to shoot and pass him the puck when he is open for the shot (ex. Kane or Toews).

Bickell is what he is. A player who reserves himself during the regular season and blossoms in the postseason. He has 1 good game for every 6-10 bad (invisible) games in the regular season. No one is going to take his contract for a good return.

As for the locker room crud - the whole team is down for playing poorly and they need to push together. If one player is standing out and making things worse I am sure the leaders in the room would squash it. I don't foresee Toews or Q allowing something like that to continue unless it is justified.

This team needs to get their heads out of the butts and stop complaining about non-calls so much. If their PP was better (more shots and less passes plus net front presence) I am sure teams would be less likely to clutch and grab as much. Work together and if the shot is available take it. Shot low (for rebounds) if another player is driving like you. Stop the fancy BS and play like you want to win.

Sorry for the rant, just tired of the same old excuses and explanations.

I would take anything back for Sharp. I think 10 is the guy John alludes to as a chemistry issue in the room. just MY opinion from what I have heard over the past 9 months.

Guy is playing 4th line minutes and played lower line minutes vs LA. Since he made the Canadian Olympic team, he has been horse crap.
- SteveRain

Agreed. And he takes selfish offensive zone penalties more than anyone on the Hawks (not named Carcillo or Shaw). I'm shocked that he wears an "A" over Seabrook or Hossa

And if they trade Keith they'll need to try to find a replacement, any idea how they do that?
- paulr

Dion is available.

Will play with 2 broken hands

Has beautiful wife.

Wears bowties.

Alright.... Sharp and TT to FL for Petrovic and Barkov. Tallon gets his boy in Sharp to mentor and bring some leadership and gets an internal replacement in high-end prospect TT. We get young controllable upside help in Petrovic(D) and Barkov(C).

Then Shaw for GlenX.

And if they trade Keith they'll need to try to find a replacement, any idea how they do that?
- paulr

Right now I would talk to Edm for Nurse. That may be a start..... (but would Keith go there, that is the hurdle)

And if they trade Keith they'll need to try to find a replacement, any idea how they do that?
- paulr

Keith should be as untouchable as it gets.

Right now I would talk to Edm for Nurse. That may be a start..... (but would Keith go there, that is the hurdle)
- powerenforcer

God did I love his nasty side that came out against the russians

I'll date myself. For the first time since I have owned season tickets, dating back to 2007-08 since I am financially able to afford them, I left the game yesterday at the end of the 2nd period. That was the 1st game I had been to in awhile due to young kids, work travel, etc.

What I saw in person was beyond compression. There is NO quick fix to this disaster. This is NOT a bump in the road. This is a team that quite frankly, is NOT that good and while others can sit here and assume the light may go on and this team COULD get on the roll IF their BEST players step up and play like they can, the point is......at what point does that train of thought finally end?

I love Toews, but he has been PURE dog crap for a long period of time here. STOP whining to the ref EVERY time you feel a call should be made. Duncan KEith got embarrassed on goal 1 against. Michael Rozsival gets back doored....and herein lies the problem....It's OK for Q to bench a guy like Rundblad, or Cumiskey, or Leddy in the past but have a double standard when idiot Rozsival continues to play like hell with ZERO repercussions? Think that doesn't raise eye brows in the room especially when this team continues to play MEDIOCRE hockey?

I dont' doubt there is a SERIOUS chemistry issue here. The so called leaders talks a good game, but do the troops follow? SO far....they do NOT. You had a dog and pony show....room is closed, beat writers waiting to get in, and down comes Bowman like Cameron Diaz in Any given Sunday, and then you have all the players sitting at stalls when the writers come in Please.

I am ALL for dealing Sharp now. You dont' need him. You have 2 top lines that for the most part have produced and made Sharp expendable. What again, was the Hawks record when that jag was out?

This team needs a shot across the bow to wake up the complacency and prove that 1 goal is about winning championships from the top down.

Until then, the playoffs are NOT a given. Dont' look now but LA is doing what LA always does...getting hot when it matters. Minny is hot. Winnipeg is right on their @ss. Teams are playing with desperation and a purpose while the Hawks float around like it's a preseason game.
- SteveRain

Yep. It's over. Last night's game officially eliminated the Blackhawks from playoff contention. Awful team. Hopefully they win the McDavid sweepstakes.

Dion is available.

Will play with 2 broken hands

Has beautiful wife.

Wears bowties.
- RickJ

Don't post this. Some posters would think it's a good trade proposal! A few good games and a few wins should quell the panic and hopefully sanity will be restored.

Alright.... Sharp and TT to FL for Petrovic and Barkov. Tallon gets his boy in Sharp to mentor and bring some leadership and gets an internal replacement in high-end prospect TT. We get young controllable upside help in Petrovic(D) and Barkov(C).

Then Shaw for GlenX.
- Bjm84

Actually, would probably have to sweeten the pot to include Barkov. Schmaltz?

Right now I would talk to Edm for Nurse. That may be a start..... (but would Keith go there, that is the hurdle)
- powerenforcer

Right now I am glad you aren't the Hawks GM. Nurse may or may not be a good NHL player.

As far as Sharp, look at playoff or playoff contending teams in the East. I would def look at:

Montreal
Florida
Tampa Bay

(for starters)
- John Jaeckel

Has to be somewhere he wants to go: NMC or NTC or something, right?

you are nutz....stanbow has his balls in a vice grip with no leverage...other GM's know it. Sharps performance has fallen off the cliff since his big push to make the olympics last year. The hawks have huge cap issues this year and into next year. Sorry no GM is going to the give the hawks a huge return for the sharp of previous years...its over.

so please inform us a scenario where the hawks get a huge return for #10 in the next week...
- bogiedoc

Have to disagree, everyone evaluates stan in a vacuum. There are a lot of pressures around every other GM office. Lets step back and realize this.

There are 29 other teams with more needs than the Hawks. There are plenty of teams that would love a shot at Sharp to make the same splash many wish Stan would make.

it all boils down to what you want and who has what you want in exchange for sharp or any deal.

To act as though the world is falling and everyone else is just chuckling at Stans expense is just made for tv drama stuff.

At the end of the day, the hawks can't afford a huge return anyways.

I'll date myself. For the first time since I have owned season tickets, dating back to 2007-08 since I am financially able to afford them, I left the game yesterday at the end of the 2nd period. That was the 1st game I had been to in awhile due to young kids, work travel, etc.

What I saw in person was beyond compression. There is NO quick fix to this disaster. This is NOT a bump in the road. This is a team that quite frankly, is NOT that good and while others can sit here and assume the light may go on and this team COULD get on the roll IF their BEST players step up and play like they can, the point is......at what point does that train of thought finally end?

I love Toews, but he has been PURE dog crap for a long period of time here. STOP whining to the ref EVERY time you feel a call should be made. Duncan KEith got embarrassed on goal 1 against. Michael Rozsival gets back doored....and herein lies the problem....It's OK for Q to bench a guy like Rundblad, or Cumiskey, or Leddy in the past but have a double standard when idiot Rozsival continues to play like hell with ZERO repercussions? Think that doesn't raise eye brows in the room especially when this team continues to play MEDIOCRE hockey?

I dont' doubt there is a SERIOUS chemistry issue here. The so called leaders talks a good game, but do the troops follow? SO far....they do NOT. You had a dog and pony show....room is closed, beat writers waiting to get in, and down comes Bowman like Cameron Diaz in Any given Sunday, and then you have all the players sitting at stalls when the writers come in Please.

I am ALL for dealing Sharp now. You dont' need him. You have 2 top lines that for the most part have produced and made Sharp expendable. What again, was the Hawks record when that jag was out?

This team needs a shot across the bow to wake up the complacency and prove that 1 goal is about winning championships from the top down.

Until then, the playoffs are NOT a given. Dont' look now but LA is doing what LA always does...getting hot when it matters. Minny is hot. Winnipeg is right on their @ss. Teams are playing with desperation and a purpose while the Hawks float around like it's a preseason game.
- SteveRain

If this team has any hopes of doing anything this year or in the future they are going to need a whole lot more from 19 five-on-five. 11 goals at even strength just is not enough from him. I know how good he is in all three zones and the new extensions haven't kicked in yet but going forward if you're going to make what he is going to make you have to be more than just a really good all around player, you have to do all the little things he does AND score at a prolific rate. Being a great all around player earns you a big contract. Being one of the five highest paid players in the game means you have to be special, great just isn't good enough.

As sexy as the Stan vs. Q strife is, I think there are some serious locker room issues that are hindering this team a lot more than that one. Something isn't right and hasn't been for a couple of months. Something stinks in that room, and its more than just sweaty gloves and compression shorts.

Has to be somewhere he wants to go: NMC or NTC or something, right?
- StLBravesFan

i thought it was a limited ntc. Stil have never been given a straight answer on this

Right now I am glad you aren't the Hawks GM. Nurse may or may not be a good NHL player.
- paulr

And right now Keith is a good AND bad NHL layer. Look to the future, today is over.