i agree. but nothing that the hawks did worked. it brings me back to the logic of the hawks did not have the horses in the stable to beat this system. i have never seen this group get dominated that badly. nashville played them perfectly and made them uncomfortable all over the ice.

the hawks need to get bigger up front and add more speed. need more guys who can play in the corners and along the boards.
- frafra

Plenty of Horses that can still play against any system. Toews, Kane, Hossa, Panarin, Keith, Hjarlmarsson, Seabrook, Kruger. Preds played tough, fast and disciplined. Stuck to the game plan and it worked.

Hawks didn't do much to change anything. Still lots of wrapped passes that NSH picked off. Jumped the D-to-D passes. Stepped into the long outlet pass lanes. NSH consistently forchecked hard and cheated defensemen in and the Hawks did little to counteract it.

Give Laviolette and the Preds all the credit in the world, but this Hawks team didn't get old, slow and/or stupid over night. Something else going on here......not sure what.

Still have not absorbed the fact that we got swept. Geezus..
Was out having a beer last night and the TV had on the Preds/Hawks series highlights. Could hardly finish my beer.
- z1990z

Not only swept but beat, humiliated, violated, destroyed, insulted, shattenkirked upon and altogether ground into the dust like crumbs in the carpet at an all you can eat buffet, but in this case it was on ice.....That said, not finishing a beer is a serious problem, please see a doctor...

No one in the NHL makes more than they do...they ARE NOT the top 2 players in the NHL...they should have offered them 8 mil per year for the same term...that would have left 5 million in cap space. Seabrook at 31 years olf should not have been given that enormous contract. Crawford after one Cup was not worth 6 million...hell Niemi wasn't worth 4 million and they let him walk...need I say more...

I mean, do you know for a fact there are issues?

I feel like everyone is looking for some outside reason as to why the Hawks got bounced. LIke, it couldn't be that they didn't show up and got out=played. There has to be some sort of other factor.

I'm not sold on that.

Feels sort of like an excuse to me.

Sometimes you just run out of gas or don't match up well.

I'm sure there's ups and downs in locker rooms all the time--these are grown men who are very competitive and there's pride and millions of dollars on the line. Of course there will be guys bumping heads.

I just think everyone looks for something/someone to blame.

"Oh, they didn't win? Time to fire the coach!"

"I heard that there's been locker room issues."

I mean, you can make an argument for that stuff, but there's also been dysfunctional teams who have gone out and succeeded.

I just think the Preds were playing more of a playoff tempo and the Hawks were going through the motions and ended up paying for it.
- Hank3Henshaw

The short answer is NO, I don't know for 100% there are "issues" within the locker-room.

The longer answer is to your scenario of running out of gas, or running into a bad matchup (agreed), or along those narratives is all well and fine.

However, to me, this was the 1st year I can recall them getting dominated this badly in any series. Zero push back. That's more then a bad matchup or not raising your game. That's a thorough beat down and the message of needing to raise your game stated by your HC, and veteran "core leadership guys" after each practice in the series, each morning skate, and each game and yet......it never happens tells me that the message was heard, but not listened to. Otherwise outside of the 2nd period in game 3, the Hawks looked like a draft lottery team.

Also, this was the 1st year with lofty expectations they didn't come close to meeting.

I can buy most of what you were saying if they competed and lost 1 goal games, but the eye test in that series told me they were done.....long before that......and that is a problem.....stemming from what, I have no clue, but I don't buy it was just a bad week, etc.........

Not only swept but beat, humiliated, violated, destroyed, insulted, shattenkirked upon and altogether ground into the dust like crumbs in the carpet at an all you can eat buffet, but in this case it was on ice.....That said, not finishing a beer is a serious problem, please see a doctor...
- Kewl1

The highlight reel for the Hawks in that series include many saves from Crow and the Keith hit on Arvidsson. That's it.

Plenty of Horses that can still play against any system. Toews, Kane, Hossa, Panarin, Keith, Hjarlmarsson, Seabrook, Kruger. Preds played tough, fast and disciplined. Stuck to the game plan and it worked.

Hawks didn't do much to change anything. Still lots of wrapped passes that NSH picked off. Jumped the D-to-D passes. Stepped into the long outlet pass lanes. NSH consistently forchecked hard and cheated defensemen in and the Hawks did little to counteract it.

Give Laviolette and the Preds all the credit in the world, but this Hawks team didn't get old, slow and/or stupid over night. Something else going on here......not sure what.
- TheTrob

I've played on a few teams were talent on paper was far superior to that of an opponent and seen coaches blow things off assuming it was on to the next round, only to lose because of a lack or preparation, attention to detail, overconfidence, you name it......

I'll be very shocked if all main players at each position are back next year.....If Bowman is shrewd enough to ax Qs long time coaching liason, drinking buddy, then a slight tweak to the culture of that locker-room could very well be next.......Seen some big trades recently.......

Firing Q makes no sense to me. I don't know why so many people want to see him go.

I think that'd be one of the stupidest thing they could do.
- Hank3Henshaw

Is the pp success a reflection of the coach? Kitchen is the pp instructor. He answers to Q.

Knowing this, why is it no matter whom the pp instructor for many years, both Kane and Toews + Keith headline a group that dies nit get the results it should. The pp players do the same easily read strategy. No net front presence almost always. Kane on the side boards tries to make a play. Keith is NOT a pp quaterback and is bad in getting shots on net. The bloggers who post multiple nets in picture form with Keith shooting......is humorous. If the players do not want to do what the coach teaches, then what. No sweat, we won three Cups despite this

Firing Q makes no sense to me. I don't know why so many people want to see him go.

I think that'd be one of the stupidest thing they could do.
- Hank3Henshaw

Is the pp success a reflection of the coach? Kitchen is the pp instructor. He answers to Q.

Knowing this, why is it no matter whom the pp instructor for many years, both Kane and Toews + Keith headline a group that does not get the results it should. The pp players do the same easily read strategy. No net front presence almost always. Kane on the side boards tries to make a play. Keith is NOT a pp quaterback and is bad in getting shots on net. The bloggers who post multiple nets in picture form with Keith shooting......is humorous. If the players do not want to do what the coach teaches, then what. No sweat, we won three Cups despite this

WELL NOW TIMES CHANGE. Keith may no longer be the great skater to defend so well. Which makes his lack of Po results stand out even more so. In turn, what does this say about a GM unable or unwilling to get the "type" of players who are willing to do as instructed and one whom is truly a pp qb.

I agree that if the team struggles to be about .500, then Q is next in line to be dismissed. By xmas . Irregardless of the pp success.

Now compare Q to Babcock in certain areas of concern.

When u have a Babcock coaching the Red Wings you keep your veterans and the team for a decade was always strong, competing for a Cuo. You didn't do what he said or he didn't like you, you were toast. With Q there is that accountability defensively. Beyond that ....he is saud to be a players coach.

So be it certain players and or the GM, this upcoming season a new accountability appears likely.

I will add this caveat: I do not believe Stan can turn things around by next trade deadline. If he cannot see we need to get bigger and tougher, and keep adding more speed to the line up, well it will hit him over the head with a wake up call some time next season. Everyone will see this is the case. McDonough and Rocky will no longer trust Bowman if he sticks to his smurfs with skill. It will be a big hurt, too, if Toews does not return to form. Both Q and Stan are on the clock. Want to see moves made that are the right moves.

Is the pp success a reflection of the coach? Kitchen is the pp instructor. He answers to Q.

K
- jhawk59

From what I've read, Kitchen was PK and defense, not PP.

Is the pp success a reflection of the coach? Kitchen is the pp instructor. He answers to Q.

Knowing this, why is it no matter whom the pp instructor for many years, both Kane and Toews + Keith headline a group that dies nit get the results it should. The pp players do the same easily read strategy. No net front presence almost always. Kane on the side boards tries to make a play. Keith is NOT a pp quaterback and is bad in getting shots on net. The bloggers who post multiple nets in picture form with Keith shooting......is humorous. If the players do not want to do what the coach teaches, then what. No sweat, we won three Cups despite this

WELL NOW TIMES CHANGE. Keith may no longer be the great skater to defend so well. Which makes his lack of Po results stand out even more so. In turn, what does this say about a GM unable or unwilling to get the "type" of players who are willing to do as instructed and one whom is truly a pp qb.

I agree that if the team struggles to be about .500, then Q is next in line to be dismissed. By xmas . Irregardless of the pp success.

Now compare Q to Babcock in certain areas of concern.

When u have a Babcock coaching the Red Wings you keep your veterans and the team for a decade was always strong, competing for a Cuo. You didn't do what he said or he didn't like you, you were toast. With Q there is that accountability defensively. Beyond that ....he is saud to be a players coach.

So be it certain players and or the GM, this upcoming season a new accountability appears likely. My wager is that Q will not last be that

I will add this caveat: I do not believe Stan can turn things around by next trade deadline. If he cannot see we need to get bigger and tougher, and keep adding more speed to the line up, well it will hit him over the head with a wake up call some time next season. Everyone will see this is the case. McDonough and Rocky will no longer trust Bowman if he sticks to his smurfs with skill. It will be a big hurt, too, if Toews does not return to form. Both Q and Stan are on the clock. Want to see moves made that are the right moves.
- jhawk59

Hawks PP is awful.

But I don't blame the coaching staff entirely for that.

No one has stepped up to be the PP quarterback.

Also, if you look at most teams PP, it's a pass or two, put the puck on net and repeat.

Hawks like to pass, pass, pass some more, pass again, try to force a pass, maybe shoot, miss the net, run out of time.

They eat up so much time just being too cute. I think that falls a bit on coaching but more so on the players looking for the pretty goal. At some point, you have to take a shot and not care how it gets to the net or how it goes in.

Is the pp success a reflection of the coach? Kitchen is the pp instructor. He answers to Q.

Knowing this, why is it no matter whom the pp instructor for many years, both Kane and Toews + Keith headline a group that does not get the results it should. The pp players do the same easily read strategy. No net front presence almost always. Kane on the side boards tries to make a play. Keith is NOT a pp quaterback and is bad in getting shots on net. The bloggers who post multiple nets in picture form with Keith shooting......is humorous. If the players do not want to do what the coach teaches, then what. No sweat, we won three Cups despite this

WELL NOW TIMES CHANGE. Keith may no longer be the great skater to defend so well. Which makes his lack of Po results stand out even more so. In turn, what does this say about a GM unable or unwilling to get the "type" of players who are willing to do as instructed and one whom is truly a pp qb.

I agree that if the team struggles to be about .500, then Q is next in line to be dismissed. By xmas . Irregardless of the pp success.

Now compare Q to Babcock in certain areas of concern.

When u have a Babcock coaching the Red Wings you keep your veterans and the team for a decade was always strong, competing for a Cuo. You didn't do what he said or he didn't like you, you were toast. With Q there is that accountability defensively. Beyond that ....he is saud to be a players coach.

So be it certain players and or the GM, this upcoming season a new accountability appears likely.

I will add this caveat: I do not believe Stan can turn things around by next trade deadline. If he cannot see we need to get bigger and tougher, and keep adding more speed to the line up, well it will hit him over the head with a wake up call some time next season. Everyone will see this is the case. McDonough and Rocky will no longer trust Bowman if he sticks to his smurfs with skill. It will be a big hurt, too, if Toews does not return to form. Both Q and Stan are on the clock. Want to see moves made that are the right moves.
- jhawk59

Kitch took care of the D and the PK. Dineen was the PP guy, but yes Q has the final say. Interesting that Kitch was let go, but Dineen is still here. That tells me that Stan will go to Dineen if Q falters. How will Q handle Kitch getting the axe?

We have youth with speed and edge with Kempny and Forsling. Kempny has good wheels and a helluva point shot. PP guy??

Really?
Whole (frank)ing team appears to have quit on him (and on each other) during the most important time of the year.

It's not just another 1st round out.
It's a 1st round out in DRAMATIC (read: without a whimper) fashion.

Did you see ANY pushback?
Any heart?
Any desire?

We're talking about a club with Toews, Kane, Hossa, Panarin, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Crawford. Those 8 guys alone I would expect to put up a fight and at least make it a series.

Now if you want to talk about putting up a fight in a 4 game sweep, go back to the WCF with the Sharks when we beat them 4 straight. When that was over, as a fan it felt as if we were in a dogfight. And even down to the close-out game, it seemed the Sharks could come back and win at least a few games.

Huge chasm between losing in 4 and being in it. And losing in 4 like whipped dogs from the beginning. And have our coach do the same things over-and-over-and-over without success. Lavy took Q to the woodshed. The rest of the team followed suit.
- savvyone-1

Here's the takeaway that troubled me the most on Bowman's comments:

Asked about Blackhawks vets lack hunger?

Bowman: "I don’t know if I buy that. And if that’s the case, then we’re going to get rid of those people."

That tells me either he either doesn't have a clue or deliberately is burying his head in the sand.

No one in the NHL makes more than they do...they ARE NOT the top 2 players in the NHL...they should have offered them 8 mil per year for the same term...that would have left 5 million in cap space. Seabrook at 31 years olf should not have been given that enormous contract. Crawford after one Cup was not worth 6 million...hell Niemi wasn't worth 4 million and they let him walk...need I say more...
- Chisoxhawk

I did not like the Crawford deal at the time. Thought he should have gotten 5, 5.5 max (every little bit helps). But I will admit I think he has very much lived up to that contract. HATED the Seabrook deal. He should have not gotten a dime more than the 5.8 he was making on his previous contract. Why in the hell did he deserve a raise at 31? Stupid. And no way the twins were getting 8M, though that would have been a great deal for the Hawks. However 9, 9.5M at most. They are both way over paid.

The highlight reel for the Hawks in that series include many saves from Crow and the Keith hit on Arvidsson. That's it.
- JRoenick97

The Keith Hit on Arvidson tells the whole story of that series, Arvidson took 3 strides with his head down because he had no fear of being hit, and in playoff hockey that is a problem. Preds defenders were barely touched in that series. Hawks need to get bigger and faster, and a little nastier

Seriously... only 1 person took any team other than the Hawks or Caps in the NHL.com pool? wow... i guess we should have dared to be different!

https://bracketchallenge....gues/jjs-hockeybuzz-group

The Keith Hit on Arvidson tells the whole story of that series, Arvidson took 3 strides with his head down because he had no fear of being hit, and in playoff hockey that is a problem. Preds defenders were barely touched in that series. Hawks need to get bigger and faster, and a little nastier

- magarats

Not going to happen with Scotty, and Q. They do not assemble/coach a team that way

I mean, do you know for a fact there are issues?

I feel like everyone is looking for some outside reason as to why the Hawks got bounced. LIke, it couldn't be that they didn't show up and got out=played. There has to be some sort of other factor.

I'm not sold on that.

Feels sort of like an excuse to me.

Sometimes you just run out of gas or don't match up well.

I'm sure there's ups and downs in locker rooms all the time--these are grown men who are very competitive and there's pride and millions of dollars on the line. Of course there will be guys bumping heads.

I just think everyone looks for something/someone to blame.

"Oh, they didn't win? Time to fire the coach!"

"I heard that there's been locker room issues."

I mean, you can make an argument for that stuff, but there's also been dysfunctional teams who have gone out and succeeded.

I just think the Preds were playing more of a playoff tempo and the Hawks were going through the motions and ended up paying for it.
- Hank3Henshaw

i am with you...but the abrupt and unexpected sweep by the (frank)n preds of all teams after a 24-4-2 feb and march simply does not square up...so the speculations of the behind the scene issues...

did this team all of a sudden become a dysfuctional complacent bunch after clinching the #1 seed...have not won since and looked bad doing it 0-8

The Keith Hit on Arvidson tells the whole story of that series, Arvidson took 3 strides with his head down because he had no fear of being hit, and in playoff hockey that is a problem. Preds defenders were barely touched in that series. Hawks need to get bigger and faster, and a little nastier

- magarats

the hawk forecheck was abysmal but they have never stressed that part of the game...
so called "finishing checks" has been absent from the hawk game plan through all 3 cups...

Sopel on if he would consider the assistant coaching gig with the @NHLBlackhawks if called upon #Blackhawks

I would answer that call as fast as I could.

Credit to the Preds for advancing, but it should be interesting to see how they do against a team playing actual playoff hockey (because the Hawks sure weren't).

EDIT
Just so you know, it kills me to have to have written "credit to the Preds for advancing" because they're one of my most despised organizations.

All these "fun trades" make me giggle so I will throw out a few:

Totoo For Crosby

TVR for Ericksson



While we are at it Dump Q and sign DA Coach,

Add: Gretsky, Messier, and Olgethorpe

Not going to happen with Scotty, and Q. They do not assemble/coach a team that way
- powerenforcer

Maybe it's time for them to rethink their views on getting a bit bigger/nastier because that formula (at least somewhat) got them 1st round exits from the last 2 playoffs. A 5'10 170 lb Swede/Czech (for example) although possibly "speedy" isn't going to clear anyone from a goal crease or lay a meaningful hit/back check in this lifetime.

Seriously... only 1 person took any team other than the Hawks or Caps in the NHL.com pool? wow... i guess we should have dared to be different!

https://bracketchallenge....gues/jjs-hockeybuzz-group


- jt19

I went 6-2 but I never should have had the Hawks going to the finals. I am also doubting my pick of the Caps going to the finals as well. The two series I lost were Chicago and Montreal, I think I was picking with my heart and not my brain.

Seriously... only 1 person took any team other than the Hawks or Caps in the NHL.com pool? wow... i guess we should have dared to be different!

https://bracketchallenge....gues/jjs-hockeybuzz-group


- jt19

Yeah "I'm Suck"

Not going to happen with Scotty, and Q. They do not assemble/coach a team that way
- powerenforcer

I disagree a bit.

I believe Q does like bigger/physical guys: Mash, Tootoo, Desi, Hayden, etc. He is more of an old school hockey mind and believes in the physical game.

I think Bowman is the guy who likes smallish/quick players.

I'd like to see them get more of a balance next season.

Maybe assemble a third or fourth line of actual grinding/physical players.