Except the mouth breather Gustafsson played 41gms in the regular season over 15min a game. It's not Q's fault the idiot still couldn't comprehend throwing the puck to the worst possible spots at the worst possible times. He did it all year...never improved. Did it in the playoffs, cost them the game winner.

So if the coach can't sit a player, what is he to do? Give him more playing time?
- PatShart

He is a young D. Hardest position to learn in the NHL. Cut him slack. Q coulda played Rozy or Ehrhoff.

Yeah, saw a bunch of promo stuff for these types of coaches over the summer - Seguin, etc. all part of it.
- pdx2ord

>Some NHL players now even have full-time nutrionists/meal planners who are taking an agreed upon % of that player's salary to provide that player with all the meals that player needs
>As I said, for those at the top, or who want to get there -- it's adapt or get left behind
>BTW for the record, I am a very big Toews fan and supporter -- but there are things he knows he can improve in

He is a young D. Hardest position to learn in the NHL. Cut him slack. Q coulda played Rozy or Ehrhoff.
- z1990z

At some point the professional player, playing with some of the best players, with one of the best coaches needs to actually learn/shoulder some of the responsibility rather than its the "coaches" fault he fails to understand the concept of not turning the puck over there. Hopefully he follows Campoli and completely vanishes off this team.

>Darryl Belfry
>Another player he works with (among many) is John Tavares -- notice play recognition and his below the goal line improvement with the biscuit?
>None at this time
- SnapitUpstairs

But there was a connection... were you a former player?

No, it definitely isn't "just as bad" as LAs. But leave it to you to blow things out of proportion and cast doubt on the teams future. This is the 4th straight year I've experienced your endless doubting and criticizing of every little move that gets made. 3WCF and 2 Cups later, i think its safe to say our front office knows what its doing, and has a long term plan.
- SimpleJack

Really? It isn't as bad? 2 in million in cap space with at least 4 spots to fill?

But wait you're one of the guys thinking somebody is taking bickell at full tilt just because.

I'm grateful for the championships. However my constant questioning has come to roost as now it's finally caught up to bowman. Last summer it cost him saad. Still hasn't been replaced. This summer it'll cost him shaw and possibly somebody else.

Point is I'm still waiting for somebody to show me how this team is back as a cup contender with the same holes as this year plus no Ladd weise fleischman shaw etc.

I'll hang up and listen.......

Thanks al.

The organizational view point on Teuvo will be the most interesting dynamic to watch. Also going to be interesting to see the constant disagreement I. Personnel between quenneville and bowman.

The rest will help the core but to get to 16 wins you need help and as constructed now that help wasn't there. With a tighter cap and losing proven nhl assets it's only going to get more difficult baring a major trade.

That last point is what so many are continuing to ignore. Not only were lines 1/2 dangerous in cup runs but line 3 was always a threat to score. This year that rarely happened.

But there was a connection... were you a former player?
- DMChi2010

>Words can be funny -- in no way do I want to mislead you about a former connection with the Hawks
>Rather, "None at this time" means I am working towards creating one -- but am currently a good distance away from getting there

Really? It isn't as bad? 2 in million in cap space with at least 4 spots to fill?

But wait you're one of the guys thinking somebody is taking bickell at full tilt just because.

I'm grateful for the championships. However my constant questioning has come to roost as now it's finally caught up to bowman. Last summer it cost him saad. Still hasn't been replaced. This summer it'll cost him shaw and possibly somebody else.

Point is I'm still waiting for somebody to show me how this team is back as a cup contender with the same holes as this year plus no Ladd weise fleischman shaw etc.

I'll hang up and listen.......
- SteveRain

Spot on. Maybe someone takes bickell's contract to get to the cap floor, but that is only $3M. Still a really good core that should be competitive. But other teams have caught up, and the well is getting dry. A little off topic, but will Stamkos make $11M, or will a team learn about putting so much money in one player. I'd rather have 2 solid $5.5M players.

IMO before any trades are made McD needs to fix the disfunction in the organization between the coaching staff and the front office.
I am upset with the way Q coached the players he was provided all season. It should not have taken him till the fifth game of the playoffs to settle on a lineup. He never allowed continuity to develop
Personally I think Sekac should have been kept and Mashinter released. He looked like Panic in that he had a lot of upside to his game.

We may have had the number four defenseman in Daley or possibly Erhoff but will never know. Why did Q not play Rosival over Rumbled or Gus in game seven? have not heard that he was hurt. all season long Rosy played and when the playoffs start he suddenly decides to sit veterans and play rookies over them. Yes i consider Rumblad a rookie
Decisions by Q all year I found to be questionable and wonder what the veterans on the team think about his coaching decisions?

No rival GM was gonna do the Blackhawks GM a favor.

Thus Leddy deal no leverage

Sharp deal no leverage until the hawks bend over,

and Bickell on an island with no leverage.

GMs are out to make their teams better with addition that actually contribute unless they are simply awful trying to win the number one lottery position and have so many holes that Bickell looks better than inexperience.

And for those saying trade Seabrook: great!

Try and find another one...we have three and some teams don't have ONE AS GOOD AS him...

Just caught up.

I know people will antagonize and blame Gustafsson, but man he is young and had a pretty solid series for a 1st year defenseman. Keith and Seabrook blew it on the first two goals. They were just off their game. Blues were better than us. Respect to St. Louis.

Going forward, I think the front office has to cut ties with some important players. Teravainen and I really hate to say this, but Shaw might have to go. Aside: never like the Bickell contract. Personally thought CC was MVP of that cup win. Ship his ass or buy him out. Useless. Waste of $4 million. Keep Gus, Pokka, Hartman unless you get a suitable deal for either of them.

Johns trade.... Yuck....

Can't see the Hawks moving Crawford, even if the numbers do make sense. Really have to contemplate that move for sure. He performs in the season and more importantly, the playoffs. Sign Panik for sure. Look at college FAs and try to add some D help. Big concern is a #4/5 defenseman and that must be addressed.

The Blackhawks will perform next year and their window is still open. This team can do it again. Solve the cap crap this summer and gear up for next season. Your move Stanley. Here are the chips - call the game.

Thanks al.

The organizational view point on Teuvo will be the most interesting dynamic to watch. Also going to be interesting to see the constant disagreement I. Personnel between quenneville and bowman.

The rest will help the core but to get to 16 wins you need help and as constructed now that help wasn't there. With a tighter cap and losing proven nhl assets it's only going to get more difficult baring a major trade.

That last point is what so many are continuing to ignore. Not only were lines 1/2 dangerous in cup runs but line 3 was always a threat to score. This year that rarely happened.
- SteveRain

Did it not happen because Q didn't play the proper players or did we not have the proper players to play? Im not sure we didn't have the players but Q did not put them on the ice

I'm kind of surprised that Keith didn't get scorched on this board. Instead it's Gus and Runflat, easy targets because they're inexperienced, mistake-prone d men.

I might have had thicker beer goggles on last night than many here, but Keith was instrumental to the Blues victory. Lackadaisical horse poop play from him. As I recall, I counted more good defensive and physical (!) plays from Runblad than Keith. That is horrifying.
- kinigitt

He did, it was just in the old thread before the new blog was posted. I thought he and Seabrook both had their worst game in a long time last night.

Lackadaisical is the perfect word and honestly I kinda thought that's who Q was talking about when he said guys weren't "excited" enough. There was no urgency to Keith's play, his passes were sloppy, and he made a lot of unforced turnovers by stupid little backpasses that didn't go to their intended target

Just caught up.

I know people will antagonize and blame Gustafsson, but man he is young and had a pretty solid series for a 1st year defenseman. Keith and Seabrook blew it on the first two goals. They were just off their game. Blues were better than us. Respect to St. Louis.

Going forward, I think the front office has to cut ties with some important players. Teravainen and I really hate to say this, but Shaw might have to go. Aside: never like the Bickell contract. Personally thought CC was MVP of that cup win. Ship his ass or buy him out. Useless. Waste of $4 million. Keep Gus, Pokka, Hartman unless you get a suitable deal for either of them.

Johns trade.... Yuck....

Can't see the Hawks moving Crawford, even if the numbers do make sense. Really have to contemplate that move for sure. He performs in the season and more importantly, the playoffs. Sign Panik for sure. Look at college FAs and try to add some D help. Big concern is a #4/5 defenseman and that must be addressed.

The Blackhawks will perform next year and their window is still open. This team can do it again. Solve the cap crap this summer and gear up for next season. Your move Stanley. Here are the chips - call the game.
- 93Joe

Always wondered maybe Stan traded John's because Q said he would never make it in his lineup. At this point who knows.

He did, it was just in the old thread before the new blog was posted. I thought he and Seabrook both had their worst game in a long time last night.

Lackadaisical is the perfect word and honestly I kinda thought that's who Q was talking about when he said guys weren't "excited" enough. There was no urgency to Keith's play, his passes were sloppy, and he made a lot of unforced turnovers by stupid little backpasses that didn't go to their intended target
- maria_wyeth

Once again I wonder if the veterans were tired of what appears to me to be Q mind games

As I said last spring/summer, I will say again this spring/summer. I hope the Hawks solve their cap issue by trading Crawford.
- Jason Millen

Because the Hawks are easier to beat without him?

Maybe we can get a "kill two birds" scenario in place this summer. Kane either stays in Chicago or goes to Winnipeg and works with Toews on his offense. Toews can work with him on his defense. Think the last thing Kane needs after this huge disappointment is to go back to Buffalo.

And, yes, I have no doubt Toews is serious about coming back better than ever, and will do everything he can to make that true.
- pdx2ord

My thought was to have him go live with Panarin in Russia...

No one thinking outside the box yet... my view is that you do not trade a 2-cup goalie who makes reasonable dough.
To solve many troubles, it might be considered to send the Ross trophy winner to fetch a stud D, say Hedman or Subban or Doughty. And what a short memory we all have... nine months ago this board wanted him out of town anyway. Talk about cap relief and defense bolstering.
- RedFeather

I agree you don't trade Crawford.

I also think you don't trade Kane. He is the only player on the team that consistently makes those around him better. Panarin would not have been nearly the phenom he was if he had to transition to the NHL with a linemate other than Kane. Without Kane's performance this year, Hawks don't come close to making the playoffs, imo

My thought was to have him go live with Panarin in Russia...
- maria_wyeth

Where he might start WWIII ?

I'll bet next year's deals involve a KHL import or two who are acquainted with Panarin, and will sign for reasonable contracts. There is not much at all of value in Rockford but Rasmussen, and the other prospects like Motte are a minimum of two years away.

Book it now - Panik is a Hawk for a long time coming, and he will begin by signing a very cap friendly deal to stay in Chicago. He is about winning over money.

I think TT and Shaw (unless he signs for super low money) are gone, and Bickell gets bought out.

And no, again, you do not trade Crawford.

>Words can be funny -- in no way do I want to mislead you about a former connection with the Hawks
>Rather, "None at this time" means I am working towards creating one -- but am currently a good distance away from getting there
- SnapitUpstairs

Snapper you might be too smart, logical, progressive, and truthful for the old boys network that is NHL management. Part of me wants to PM you and ask what you do, but I know it's none of my business. I'll just keep my nose in check and enjoy the posts.

Spot on. Maybe someone takes bickell's contract to get to the cap floor, but that is only $3M. Still a really good core that should be competitive. But other teams have caught up, and the well is getting dry. A little off topic, but will Stamkos make $11M, or will a team learn about putting so much money in one player. I'd rather have 2 solid $5.5M players.
- down_in_a_hole

Thanks. I know I come off as times as a Debbie downer but I do value the last 7 years it's been a great ride and bowman and the fo have gone all in and been rewarded. However at times it's fair to question yhe path along the way and this is a very crucial time for this fo. Wirtz won't be happy with only 3 playoffs gates and mcdonough won't be happy as winning cures all and this year they needed a w to offset a hellacious off ice year.

Onwards.

My thought was to have him go live with Panarin in Russia...
- maria_wyeth

Arguably the Hawks best Top 4 D was in 2010 when above average Antii Niemi won the cup. If Crow gets you a legitimate Top4 D, I'd take my chances with Scotty D and a veteran UFA on the cheap looking for a cup opportunity. Unless they get a 4D to balance the minutes of another year older 2+4+7, it won't matter how well Crow plays...

Did it not happen because Q didn't play the proper players or did we not have the proper players to play? Im not sure we didn't have the players but Q did not put them on the ice
- molly2522

I like q but he made some asinine decisions. Weise never should have been scratched. Guy has a proven history of playoff success. He waited to long to make adjustments but I'll say this and it pains me to do so....from top to bottom blues were the better team.

Q and bowman need to get on the same page again because it seems there's some disconnect there again.

Any guesses on what it will take to resign Panik??
- z1990z

A contract and a pen?