All true
It’s a mess
Question
If Joel is canned he gets the next Coaching opening

If Stan gets fired does he land anywhere?
- Colbyboy

Yeah GMing a Walmart...because Daddy won't have McD's ear there...

This doesn't feel like just a slump, this feels like bottoming out.
The roster configuration doesn't work. Too many guys not earning their salary. Too many young guys not good enough.
Crawford is this team's best player. Saad the best skater (although I assume Kane is not done being Kane but right now,well.)
Geez.
Need to bring up some guys from Rockford just to shift the energy.
Need to make some trades.
Need a plan.
Is it over? If it is, the front office needs to admit it to themselves and act accordingly.

A 50 pt center clearly on the downslide for 10.5 mil... that is going to be almost as tough to trade as Seabrook. Toews has been flanked by Hossa, Saad, and Sharp for the most successful stretches of his career.

Wonder how much Toews' game misses the 2010-2016 version of Big Hoss. He did a lot of heavy lifting on that line on both ends of the ice.
- bhawks2241

Toews is still young enough and could be a nice 2nd or 3rd line center on a deep team. Contract will be an issue, but I agree.

Hawks made 72 a scape goat and I love having 20 back, but it's time they go Ducks and go 20-19-88 and pray they can score enough to hide the numerous warts on this team....Ducks did that for years with Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry and were OK.

Put 14-15-12 as your next line and keep on going down.

10 is done. Just an awful player right now.

Yeah GMing a Walmart...because Daddy won't have McD's ear there...
- DK002

100% agreed. Q will land somewhere, or at least given a look.

They need to be a package deal, and fire both Q and Stan, and then hire a new mind like a Sullivan type to coach and creative thinker to take over GM. Somebody who isn't loyal to guys and can take an objective approach to this dumpster fire.

A 50 pt center clearly on the downslide for 10.5 mil... that is going to be almost as tough to trade as Seabrook. Toews has been flanked by Hossa, Saad, and Sharp for the most successful stretches of his career.

Wonder how much Toews' game misses the 2010-2016 version of Big Hoss. He did a lot of heavy lifting on that line on both ends of the ice.
- bhawks2241

I like Toews. I've defended him for a couple years--always hoping he'd turn it around.

But, I'm not blind. The eye test is very telling that he's not the guy he was in the past.

I've felt for awhile now that if there's a team interested in taking him (and full/some of his ridiculous contract), they should do it.

I know everyone says: "You don't trade Toews, bro."

remember that guy named Wayne Gretzky? One of the best to ever do it. Even he was traded...and if he can get traded, anyone can get traded.

If they were smart, they'd move Subban now and get some pieces back.
- Hank3Henshaw

If we were smart, we would have only signed Seabrook for 3 more years max. I was one of the biggest Seabrook defenders, but even I saw that contract was a disaster.

Anyone else in favor of limiting term on any contract to 5 years going forward? And cut a year off that term for every year over 30...

I like Toews. I've defended him for a couple years--always hoping he'd turn it around.

But, I'm not blind. The eye test is very telling that he's not the guy he was in the past.

I've felt for awhile now that if there's a team interested in taking him (and full/some of his ridiculous contract), they should do it.

I know everyone says: "You don't trade Toews, bro."

remember that guy named Wayne Gretzky? One of the best to ever do it. Even he was traded...and if he can get traded, anyone can get traded.
- Hank3Henshaw

Agreed.... I was always a 19 and 7 defender, but their games have regressed and their contracts are detriments to the team. 19 is your captain, and like 88, a marketing center piece so I'm 90% sure baring a huge return, 19 won't leave unless 19 wants to.......not saying I agree with that thinking, but that's how it goes.

7 you have to get creative here......you have to eat some money and pawn him off. Send him home to Vancouver or to the eastern conference where maybe his lost step can't be exposed as much in more grinding conference.

the guy I would LOOK to trade is 2......for his contract and name.....you could get a huge return......

If we were smart, we would have only signed Seabrook for 3 more years max. I was one of the biggest Seabrook defenders, but even I saw that contract was a disaster.

Anyone else in favor of limiting term on any contract to 5 years going forward? And cut a year off that term for every year over 30...
- Chunk

and not give everyone a g-damn NTC or NMC

See Polie didn't give Turis one?

If we were smart, we would have only signed Seabrook for 3 more years max. I was one of the biggest Seabrook defenders, but even I saw that contract was a disaster.

Anyone else in favor of limiting term on any contract to 5 years going forward? And cut a year off that term for every year over 30...
- Chunk

To be fair, I don't like any of the big Hawks contracts (past and present).

My point was if your the Preds, you move Subban now and get stuff back, rather then sign him to an inflated contract and be stuck with it.

100% agreed. Q will land somewhere, or at least given a look.

They need to be a package deal, and fire both Q and Stan, and then hire a new mind like a Sullivan type to coach and creative thinker to take over GM. Somebody who isn't loyal to guys and can take an objective approach to this dumpster fire.
- SteveRain

Hey Rainman, how are you sir...

Q's a HOF coach no question and should easily get another gig if he so chooses. Take a look at a team out there that's close, but can't win it. They bring him in and look out. No question the PP has been horrid and he continues to play guys on their off side on defense. But again look at that roster.

Meanwhile Bowman's track record speaks for itself the last several seasons and has led to the downward trajectory this team is on placed on. Stan was handed this thing on a platter and through bad trades, overpayment for past performance as well as the NMCs have placed this team where its heading. I have no faith in the guy that signs Runny after a Cup run when his team needed an actual defenseman - cut to Troy Brouwer in game 7 in St. Louis. Sure he added two more Cups by adding some secondary pieces, but being the Mastermind that he is and capologist - shouldn't he have seen this coming?

Sadly I doubt Stan goes anywhere because McD's mancrush on Scotty.

Agreed.... I was always a 19 and 7 defender, but their games have regressed and their contracts are detriments to the team. 19 is your captain, and like 88, a marketing center piece so I'm 90% sure baring a huge return, 19 won't leave unless 19 wants to.......not saying I agree with that thinking, but that's how it goes.

7 you have to get creative here......you have to eat some money and pawn him off. Send him home to Vancouver or to the eastern conference where maybe his lost step can't be exposed as much in more grinding conference.

the guy I would LOOK to trade is 2......for his contract and name.....you could get a huge return......
- SteveRain

Good points.

There's another guy who has really regressed (although not having a ridiculous contract) and that's Hartman. What happened to that guy. I remember when there were rumors of them moving him last year and I was like, "No way. He's cheap and he brings a game the hawks need." Now he seems invisible on the ice. If I remember correctly, Hartman was a piece Colorado wanted in a potential CHI-COL Duchene trade, but it was nixed because the Hawks didn't want to lose Hartman. Hindsight is 20-20, but I wonder who else was involved in that potential trade...

and not give everyone a g-damn NTC or NMC

See Polie didn't give Turis one?
- SteveRain

We are paying for the Cups now. The big contracts, NTC and the worn out core. If Stan and McD simply hope for the switch flip, it aint happening. Time to realize REAL CHANGE is needed and soon. If not, we are gonna be sitting home in April from several years to come.

Find an up/coming young HC to work with this team. Need new thoughts/energy.

2010 Playoff 1st line- Toews, Kane, Byfuglien
2013/2015 1st Line- Toews, Hossa, Saad

2017- No 1st Line

It truly is someone else's time--it had to come eventually.

Hey Philco...wow mount Orval...with the famous heart transplant rant...BTW fix the godd.mn power play - a 5 o 3 for almost a full two minutes and no shots on the net...
WTF.
- DK002

Hey DK...Tessier prolly lost the team after that lol, but man this group is lifeless and listless. Least we milked the nucleus for 3 Cups.

Time for Bowman to realize he's made a MESS!

Hope that some of these guys will waive the NTC.


Trade 50 while his value is high. Only way to get rid os SEABISCUT contract.

Call NYI:
Leddy
Ladd
Ho Sang
Griess

Crawford
SEABISCUT
Panik

Waive sharp & bring up Hino.

Something along those lines needs to happen or these NTC are going to have this team in the basement soon.

The NTC are the killer!

Stan thinks these 3 will turn season around.
Rungblad
Totoo
Roszival
- Goalie-33

2010 Playoff 1st line- Toews, Kane, Byfuglien
2013/2015 1st Line- Toews, Hossa, Saad

2017- No 1st Line

It truly is someone else's time--it had to come eventually.
- RaleighHawk

Hawks need to identify the future core and start moving guys out. 88, 20, 50 and..........

(88, 20, 50 is my core now)

Hawks need to identify the future core and start moving guys out. 88, 20, 50 and..........
- z1990z

Get Schmaltz in a weight room ASAP. Don't let him leave till early March.

amazing 30 for 30 BTW

Real, no denials, owned it........maybe their best one yet.
- SteveRain

To be the man . . .

I totally agree with your comment that this is not an entertaining team. With the way other teams have retooled and play like the Hawks of several years ago, I no longer expect them to dominate the league. Would be happy with anything that gets them into the playoffs healthy AND ENTERTAINING as they do so. I find myself turning the games off part way through because I don’t enjoy the effort and enthuasism I see. I can take them losing if it looks like they are trying and are entertaining. I’m Not seeing either of these traits
- Spec41971

A lot of what made the Hawks entertaining in the past was playing a speedy, attack-in-waves and, of course, elite skill game.

The elite skill has faded, so Bowman attempted to get faster. Right now, it doesn't look like he succeeded.

It takes more than adding Saad or moving Schmaltz to the middle. It's a team effort and when you're moving at higher speeds, more than ever do you have to be in-sync.

The Hawks... are not.

Adam Burish mentioned a few times last night that they're playing "tight". It doesn't look like they are having fun out there and opening up their creativity.

To be fair, I don't like any of the big Hawks contracts (past and present).

My point was if your the Preds, you move Subban now and get stuff back, rather then sign him to an inflated contract and be stuck with it.
- Hank3Henshaw

I completely get your point and wasn't tryin got be snarky. Like everyone else, I'm a bit too salty today.

Get Schmaltz in a weight room ASAP. Don't let him leave till early March.
- bhawks2241

Schmaltz was definitely knocked down a few pegs after his injury, which was really too bad because he was looking like he could be a real difference maker this year. He was put in a prime opportunity to succeed with Kane, but seemed to be forcing too much since he returned.

I agree, more strength is needed as he's getting pushed off the puck easier than Debrincat.

To me, it looks like they should move him back to the wing (LW) and acquire another centre with speed, that can win draws.

So WTH is up with this team? Has our core talent eroded that much?
- z1990z

Curious to think but is it possible that this core group got paid and has won quite a bit over last few years. So maybe mailing it in a bit now. Possibly same outcome in playoffs last two years.

Pardon me, Justin, for using your line...it just fits

So It only takes One

BUT I go in a different direction

Which I believe we are all coming to grips with
It is what it is, and we had a lot of good years. When we fell back, we rebounded in the second or third year. Not so fast in a new cycle

Here is what must be on going yet probably no master pr move is ready to set in motion. The propeller is maybe primed but no turning the switch yet

How does McDonough handle the downturn?

A good guess might be, Stan, trade whatever you have to, except Kane. And be sure we are getting an exciting new player. Be that a draft choice or a player. Oh btw Crawford ie

Note: I am not a Galyenchuk fan and McDonough likely never heard of him ....unless he reads the board.

In the time the team would take to improve tremendously, a new hot talent can draw some attention.

One directive I would like Bowman to follow is no more skinny lightweight center

Hey Rainman, how are you sir...

Q's a HOF coach no question and should easily get another gig if he so chooses. Take a look at a team out there that's close, but can't win it. They bring him in and look out. No question the PP has been horrid and he continues to play guys on their off side on defense. But again look at that roster.

Meanwhile Bowman's track record speaks for itself the last several seasons and has led to the downward trajectory this team is on placed on. Stan was handed this thing on a platter and through bad trades, overpayment for past performance as well as the NMCs have placed this team where its heading. I have no faith in the guy that signs Runny after a Cup run when his team needed an actual defenseman - cut to Troy Brouwer in game 7 in St. Louis. Sure he added two more Cups by adding some secondary pieces, but being the Mastermind that he is and capologist - shouldn't he have seen this coming?

Sadly I doubt Stan goes anywhere because McD's mancrush on Scotty.
- DK002

I'm good....hope you are as well.

Agreed......I can only hope Bowman/Q are a package deal, but I'm sure Bowman will survive the retooling. This team looks very flat, and their is no magical switch to go off. Coachng staff and player ops and players have equal share in this.

A lot of what made the Hawks entertaining in the past was playing a speedy, attack-in-waves and, of course, elite skill game.

The elite skill has faded, so Bowman attempted to get faster. Right now, it doesn't look like he succeeded.

It takes more than adding Saad or moving Schmaltz to the middle. It's a team effort and when you're moving at higher speeds, more than ever do you have to be in-sync.

The Hawks... are not.

Adam Burish mentioned a few times last night that they're playing "tight". It doesn't look like they are having fun out there and opening up their creativity.
- Justin Lowe

They didn't play tight for most of the last period. The question becomes, why does it take them so long to get into the game? They had a bad taste in their mouth the entire offseason, and came out the first two games with something to prove. Where the heck did that go? How do they not have that exact same feeling now that they have been embarrassed for two straight games?