As I don't live in the area anymore, I can't say whether or not I would have attended games during that time, although for cheaper prices I'd have likely gone some at least. But my interest was way reduced. I kept up with the team, followed the scores and draft, but never saw any games and didn't make it a point to visit to see games (such as I did prior and have since). How I spend my money is something I take careful consideration and I don't know how I could justify spending coin to "support" a franchise that was the epitome of a dumpster fire.

I started to see some signs when Duncs and Seabs got there. They were getting chewed up, but you could see the talent was there. Even way back in 2006 you could see those two guys had the makings of being special. It was at that time my interest started to pick up, because some pieces were being put into place. That was still during the down times, but the signs were there. Two-three years prior there was absolutely NOTHING to be excited about...no games on TV, continued drafting of Russian tomato cans and Alexei Zhamnov as a captain.

I consider economics. Lowering the attendance gives management incentive to get stuff done. As long as the franchise is trying then I will support them no matter what. The Hawks understand that today
- kwolf68

I'm all for voting with my wallet. I went to more Wolves games during the rough years than Hawks games, and I'll admit, I cheered out loud when Dollar Bill died. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but positive changes off of the ice starting happening almost immediately.

I'm all for voting with my wallet. I went to more Wolves games during the rough years than Hawks games, and I'll admit, I cheered out loud when Dollar Bill died. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but positive changes off of the ice starting happening almost immediately.
- Lash8

Yea it was crazy how after he passed it was almost like the Hawks immediately came to life. However, the foundation was being laid prior (Keith and Seabs for example).

You landed two superstars and the cornerstones of this franchise with a mid-first round pick and a 2nd round pick. ANY team in hockey could have had Duncan Keith, a player who will be skating into the Hall of Fame one day.

Yea it was crazy how after he passed it was almost like the Hawks immediately came to life. However, the foundation was being laid prior (Keith and Seabs for example).

You landed two superstars and the cornerstones of this franchise with a mid-first round pick and a 2nd round pick. ANY team in hockey could have had Duncan Keith, a player who will be skating into the Hall of Fame one day.
- kwolf68

Definitely. The team had already started to improve at the time, but people really started coming back in droves once Rocky took over.

Yea it was crazy how after he passed it was almost like the Hawks immediately came to life. However, the foundation was being laid prior (Keith and Seabs for example).

You landed two superstars and the cornerstones of this franchise with a mid-first round pick and a 2nd round pick. ANY team in hockey could have had Duncan Keith, a player who will be skating into the Hall of Fame one day.
- kwolf68

Keith, Hossa, Toews, Kane and Quenneville are locks for the HHoF

Third actually, which makes it all the more embarrassing that it's been four decades since they've won one.
- Sandus

And you played the Wild, Blues and Predators the same number of times as the Hawks?

And the Hawks played the Coyotes and Oilers the same number of times as did the Ducks?

In the end, it means nothing...you played in a crap division and had a far easier road to the WCF...it means nothing starting Sunday. The teams will figure it out.

The Hawks were sleep walking half the season, played in a much harder division, lost it's leading scorer for 20 games and still only had 3 less wins.
- kwolf68

The Ducks were 8-1 vs STL, MIN, and NAS. Chicago was 4-2 with a shootout win vs AZ and EDM. Its a good thing for the Hawks the Ducks aren't the central.

Definitely. The team had already started to improve at the time, but people really started coming back in droves once Rocky took over.
- Lash8

Don't forget about televising games!

only asshats buy cup finals gear if you lose.
- flyershockey

How many did you buy? I'm thinking at least 10 but I may be skewing the statistic in favor of my argument that you're an asshat.

How many did you buy? I'm thinking at least 10 but I may be skewing the statistic in favor of my argument that you're an asshat.
- tredbrta

It's not an argument .... he has been adamant about facts ... in this case the facts bear themselves out .... don't you think?

I went to a ton of games in the 00-05 era, and it was damn painful. It was cheap, though! I've said it before about the bandwagon. You're not a bandwagon fan until you fall off during hard times. I guess I was a bandwagon fan when I was in junior high and got into hockey and the Blackhawks when they made the cup finals against the Penguins, yet here I am still. For a niche sport like hockey in the US, if you're not raised watching the game, you jump on the bandwagon for some team at some point, but only bad times can determine whether or not you're "bandwagon".
- Lash8

I guess I'm the bandwagon fan. I had season tickets starting in 1989 and let them go when the Hawks moved into the UC. My seats were 100 feet further from the ice in the UC compared to the Stadium and went up by 20 bucks a seat. I had bought a new home and just could not afford the tickets. As they started to trade away talent and look worse and worse I lost interest in the worst run sports franchise during that time. Not until Tallon started drafting good talent and making some good signings did it peak my interest again.

Its one thing to be a fan of a team that is trying to get better and they suck then a team that exploits its fans and puts zero effort in getting better.

I will gladly take the badge of bandwagon fan when it relates to my dollars spent on Sport entertainment. Yes, I'm a Blackhawks Fan and as that fan I thank the hockey gods for Rocky Wirtz every time they play.

It's the Jaeckel and Hyde thread.

It's amusing how many people who were female doging and moaning about how bad the Hawks were all season long are now so staunchly defending the team after they win a couple rounds and a few trolls show up.

Take your meds folks, or it's gonna be a long two weeks....well, one and a half anyway.

Ogi's tip of the Day:


- Ogilthorpe2

Switch + flipped.

You have to admit there is a massive difference in the team we are seeing now and the team of Jan/Feb....

As I don't live in the area anymore, I can't say whether or not I would have attended games during that time, although for cheaper prices I'd have likely gone some at least. But my interest was way reduced. I kept up with the team, followed the scores and draft, but never saw any games and didn't make it a point to visit to see games (such as I did prior and have since). How I spend my money is something I take careful consideration and I don't know how I could justify spending coin to "support" a franchise that was the epitome of a dumpster fire.

I started to see some signs when Duncs and Seabs got there. They were getting chewed up, but you could see the talent was there. Even way back in 2006 you could see those two guys had the makings of being special. It was at that time my interest started to pick up, because some pieces were being put into place. That was still during the down times, but the signs were there. Two-three years prior there was absolutely NOTHING to be excited about...no games on TV, continued drafting of Russian tomato cans and Alexei Zhamnov as a captain.

I consider economics. Lowering the attendance gives management incentive to get stuff done. As long as the franchise is trying then I will support them no matter what. The Hawks understand that today
- kwolf68

Maybe the opposite of bandwagon fan may be a fan who buys and supports a consistently bad product. We stopped buying the Wirtz/Pulford garbage in the 90s and when it became apparent he was on his way out and they drafted Toews we bought season tix again. If Peter had gotten control and managed the team like Bill we would have left again. Rocky didn't let that happen.

Maybe the opposite of bandwagon fan may be a fan who buys and supports a consistently bad product. We stopped buying the Wirtz/Pulford garbage in the 90s and when it became apparent he was on his way out and they drafted Toews we bought season tix again. If Peter had gotten control and managed the team like Bill we would have left again. Rocky didn't let that happen.
- tredbrta

It's not an argument .... he has been adamant about facts ... in this case the facts bear themselves out .... don't you think?
- paulr

Indisputably!

Switch + flipped.

You have to admit there is a massive difference in the team we are seeing now and the team of Jan/Feb....
- tredbrta

Some of us said this would happen, but many Hawk fans wouldn't listen.

Hate to tell you some of us were right ......

Some of us said this would happen, but many Hawk fans wouldn't listen.

Hate to tell you some of us were right ......
- paulr

I was beginning to doubt a switch could be flipped so easily. Very glad you were right.

Maybe the opposite of bandwagon fan may be a fan who buys and supports a consistently bad product. We stopped buying the Wirtz/Pulford garbage in the 90s and when it became apparent he was on his way out and they drafted Toews we bought season tix again. If Peter had gotten control and managed the team like Bill we would have left again. Rocky didn't let that happen.
- tredbrta

I don't think anybody supported that consistently bad product, at least not regularly. How an organization doesn't realize or doesn't care that their stadium is less than half full for the better part of a decade is beyond me. I don't blame anybody for bailing during those years.

And you played the Wild, Blues and Predators the same number of times as the Hawks?

And the Hawks played the Coyotes and Oilers the same number of times as did the Ducks?

In the end, it means nothing...you played in a crap division and had a far easier road to the WCF...it means nothing starting Sunday. The teams will figure it out.

The Hawks were sleep walking half the season, played in a much harder division, lost it's leading scorer for 20 games and still only had 3 less wins.
- kwolf68

so then jj's arguments dont mean poop either, am i correct?

so then jj's arguments dont mean poop either, am i correct?
- flyershockey

No.

I was beginning to doubt a switch could be flipped so easily. Very glad you were right.
- tredbrta

Now if only I could get my wife to say that ......

Just a comment on all the trolls- might as well get used to it because we are well on our way to becoming the Red Wings or Yankees of years past. Everyone else hates because all the team does is win. Feels good on this side but be honest- if it were the Blues winning the Cup or at least making th WCF just about every year you'd be hating on them just as bad.

Some of us said this would happen, but many Hawk fans wouldn't listen.

Hate to tell you some of us were right ......
- paulr

No question, they rope a doped everyone.

The Ducks were 8-1 vs STL, MIN, and NAS. Chicago was 4-2 with a shootout win vs AZ and EDM. Its a good thing for the Hawks the Ducks aren't the central.
- sniper11

interesting that nobody had anything to say about these stats...

Don't let a good meme (that all Kings fans are bandwagon fans) go to waste. It's ALL anyone has on the Kings anymore. It's envy and general butthurt that the Kings are the best hockey organization since 2011.
- kwolf68

fixed

so then jj's arguments dont mean poop either, am i correct?
- flyershockey

Bro....what the hell is your argument???

That u want Hawks fans/bloggers to admit that there's a chance that the other team will beat them? And it annoys you that they wont? When most indicators point towards them being the favorites/better team anyways?

Thats kinda psychotic.