Maybe if 88 played like he deserved it. Right now, I wouldn't hand him anything.
- breadbag

I'm not sure why Toews hasn't spent some time on the second line. I think it would do him good. I believe it would served as a "wake up" call of sorts and may build his confidence a bit if he can find some success on in.

Maybe if 88 played like he deserved it. Right now, I wouldn't hand him anything.
- breadbag

He would default to receiving it for his play the last two years, not necessarily this season.

But I can hang with that, don't name a C until 88, 19, 7, 20, 2, or someone else steps up to the plate

I'm not sure why Toews hasn't spent some time on the second line. I think it would do him good. I believe it would served as a "wake up" call of sorts and may build his confidence a bit if he can find some success on in.
- Hank3Henshaw

Hard to say what is 1st and 2nd line sometimes. You could argue that Toews was playing 2nd line for much of the last 2 seasons, with AA playing with the two best winger the Hawks had. 72-15-88 often got the first go when there were icing or offensive zone draws and many PP opportunities where Toews was sitting in favor of AA. Not saying Toews didn't get his chances, but the line difference between 1st and 2nd line on the Hawks isn't much of anything really.

I'm not sure why Toews hasn't spent some time on the second line. I think it would do him good. I believe it would served as a "wake up" call of sorts and may build his confidence a bit if he can find some success on in.
- Hank3Henshaw

He has, but Q's depth chart will always be a little skewed

See Kruger, M as a "4th line center" but his playing time is that of a 3C

How does that work, though? Usually you work your way up to the top lines through good play

You would think you had the level of talent that is speculated about him, he would carve up those lower-line opposing players.

If he's not producing on the bottom lines, how does putting him on the top change that? Maybe the guys around him will help?

Not being sarcastic, generally curious how the logic works there.
- Hank3Henshaw

Didnt take it as sarcasm, but Debrincat needs to play with players with high levels of skill and hockey IQ, not grinders or guys out there to neutralize the other team.

Debrincat is a passenger player in the sense he wont ever create his own space and opportunities, but he will ebb and flow with the level of skill on his line. If he is out there with fast guys creating space and using speed, he is smart enough and a good enough finisher that he will find the spots on the ice, bury pucks, and make plays with them

Playing with Anisimov and hartman wont do much for debrincat if they are just down low grinding cycles

Putting him with fellow bottom 6ers who also dont do much to create their own opportunities just creates a whole lot of meh and lackluster offensive chances

Debrincat isnt going to light it up playing bottom 6 grinding minutes, its not his game

Either Q needs to put him top 6 or I need to send him to Rockford
- Stan_Bowman

You're all talk

You're all talk
- vabeachbear

Didnt take it as sarcasm, but Debrincat needs to play with players with high levels of skill and hockey IQ, not grinders or guys out there to neutralize the other team.

Debrincat is a passenger player in the sense he wont ever create his own space and opportunities, but he will ebb and flow with the level of skill on his line. If he is out there with fast guys creating space and using speed, he is smart enough and a good enough finisher that he will find the spots on the ice, bury pucks, and make plays with them

Playing with Anisimov and hartman wont do much for debrincat if they are just down low grinding cycles

Putting him with fellow bottom 6ers who also dont do much to create their own opportunities just creates a whole lot of meh and lackluster offensive chances
- Stan_Bowman

Very good points. Thanks for clarifying.

All of this talk about firing Q / Bowman but almost no discussion about stripping the leadership group of their letters.

Take Toew's "C" away, hand it right to Kane. (For marketing purposes and also because Kane has steadily improved after the 3rd cup, Toews hasn't)
Save face, give Toews an "A" (mainly just for marketing)
Give Saad the other "A" (or keep it with Seabrook, some have said that he's always been the "true captain" of this team behind the scenes.

But main point, strip the "C" from 19 and hand it to 88
- Slofire94

I also mentioned two weeks ago to give Kaner the " C" . It might might be a good motivational tool... Plus I believe Kaner has been the key player for the Hawks the last two years... He earned the Letter.

Very good points. Thanks for clarifying.
- Hank3Henshaw

Therefore send him to his old pal Connor M the perfect fit.

New Blackhawks lines:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp/Hayden-Wingels-Hartman
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat

Keith-Franson
Forsling-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Kempny-Oesterle

New Blackhawks lines:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp/Hayden-Wingels-Hartman
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat

Keith-Franson
Forsling-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Kempny-Oesterle
- walleyeb1

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.
- Justin Lowe

He just needs to play. Arvidsson had a rough first year, kind of like Dinglecat, and that kid just needs to play. Same goes for Murphy and Kempny.

The problem is they are treating this like they are trying to win now and they have a combination of not having the right pieces plus guys that just need to develop.

amazing 30 for 30 BTW

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

Watched most of that 30 30 last night. It was interesting given a topic that I don’t care about. Really sad that a documentary on a professional wrestler was more entertaining that the Hawks last night.

New Blackhawks lines:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp/Hayden-Wingels-Hartman
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat

Keith-Franson
Forsling-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Kempny-Oesterle
- walleyeb1

I love putting Schmaltz back on the wing. Sharp is going to be sitting for a couple games I think. The D pairs are going to look terrible in any combination until they all start playing better.

Raise your hand if you called Franson being the steadying force on the blueline this year...

New Blackhawks lines:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp/Hayden-Wingels-Hartman
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat

Keith-Franson
Forsling-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Kempny-Oesterle
- walleyeb1

lol - its getting a little ridiculous now

Tried to hold off posting until game 20 (1/4 way through season....)

1. Very happy for Rocky wirtz now being able to charge teams to practice at his new practice facility. Found it hilarious, sad, and pathetic he went out of his way to boast about this.......

2. Where would this team be without Corey Crawford? With him playing at an ELITE level you are in 6th place, and a Minnesota (game in hand) win away from being tied for 6th/7th in the DIVISION.

3. I preface this by saying I respect Toews, but it's time to admit he is the most overrated player in the NHL. For all the pub and pumping of his tires, all I hear from 19 is blah blah blah, and then the team goes out and lays an egg and he is unnoticeable. The player leadership on this team HAS to be called in to question. yes, Toews, Keith Seabrook led for years, but like Q that message appears to be old and how badly does this locker room miss 81 who backed up his words with 100% effort shifts. Can you say the same about 2/7/19? Because I can't.

4. Coaches should put people in best position to succeed and I can't say that's happening. While Q is a HOF coach, this team has picked up where it left off vs Nashville. Lifeless, effortless, games where they look disinterested and complacent. Meanwhile, ole Stanley isn't safe as well, and if I'm McEgo I'm contemplating a joint effort where BOTH Q and Bowman are kicked to the curb. both have failed miserably in construction of the roster, and on ice production.

5. I also look at a core player trade sooner rather then later. I look manly at 2/7/19 who all look complacent. 88/20/50 are your untouchables and all have raised their games each year, where as these 3 look fat and happy and see very, if any, individual improvements. Toews gets tossed around like a rag doll, 2 is being exposed almost nightly, and 7 is........a disaster.

This team is on the downward trend on the bell curve and 2nd hand rehab jobs in Campbell and Sharp have imploded in their face. Their depth is questionable, and you essentially have 2 top 6 players on this team in 88/20, and a bunch of 3rd and 4th line players after that. Play the kids.....move out veterans to create financial room and get assets back that you can groom to be the 2nd waive of core players. Most fans will get it, and if you can't do it based on backlash of marketing doom, then the goal slogan is just a fantasy.

This team is very unwatchable.......a long winter is upon us.
- SteveRain

Very well said, hard to disagree with any of this

Very simple - support success, abandon failure. Lots of other places my time and money can be invested. The past should never create an obligation to tolerate the present.
- Return of the Roar

Absolutely 100% spot on.

I also mentioned two weeks ago to give Kaner the " C" . It might might be a good motivational tool... Plus I believe Kaner has been the key player for the Hawks the last two years... He earned the Letter.
- spanky

Ah, I don't recall but good idea!

Just a ton of female dogging around here about the executives, where as the on-ice leadership needs a jolt

New Blackhawks lines:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp/Hayden-Wingels-Hartman
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat

Keith-Franson
Forsling-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Kempny-Oesterle
- walleyeb1

You can blend it all you want the end result will be the same.

High level culture change is needed and some of the sacred cows need to go as the message and the one time leadership has fallen on deaf ears.

Sorry but Q, Toews and Seabs are my picks. Even if it's a salary dump who cares it gets you 16 million reasons to go out and get younger.

At the end of the day the product speaks for itself.

If Management is happy with first round exits or barely making the playoffs then that's what you're going to see for the next decade until those horrible contracts expire ....only then will you be able to rebuild.

Imagine the production you'll be getting from Seabs and Toews in 2 to 3 years?? OMG I can't even dare to think about how bad that will be?

Time is now to rid yourself of these contracts while there still a little meat on the bone....and as far as Q is concerned his message has gone stale and by the looks of it can no longer motivate these players.

And Bowman's well every dog has his day...time to take those two dogs behind the shed!

You can blend it all you want the end result will be the same.

High level culture change is needed and some of the sacred cows need to go as the message and the one time leadership has fallen on deaf ears.

Sorry but Q, Toews and Seabs are my picks. Even if it's a salary dump who cares it gets you 16 million reasons to go out and get younger.

At the end of the day the product speaks for itself.

If Management is happy with first round exits or barely making the playoffs then that's what you're going to see for the next decade until those horrible contracts expire ....only then will you be able to rebuild.

Imagine the production you'll be getting from Seabs and Toews in 2 to 3 years?? OMG I can't even dare to think about how bad that will be?

Time is now to rid yourself of these contracts while there still a little meat on the bone....and as far as Q is concerned his message has gone stale and by the looks of it can no longer motivate these players.

And Bowman's well every dog has his day...time to take those two dogs behind the shed!
- Hawkster

Hopefully after the next CBA in 2 years we can "adjust" a couple bad contracts per team. Or a soft cap for player(s) that the org drafted...

Ha......I had the game on mute, but I am sure Foley pulled out every excuse known to man. Pat Foley kissed his 6x8 framed Keith photo before he shuts his eyes each and every night.
- SteveRain

Agreed...... I don't know what the love affair is between Keith and Foley but my god he falls all over Duncan Keith whenever possible.... but when Keith throws the puck up the middle a few games ago that lead to a goal, he says it was a HAWKS turnover , never a KEITH turnover. This has been noticeable for several years now IMO, and I'd be absolutely thrilled with moving him........ trouble is...... I do not trust Bowman or anybody up there right now to get that done.

Hopefully after the next CBA in 2 years we can "adjust" a couple bad contracts per team. Or a soft cap for player(s) that the org drafted...
- Slofire94

The NHL or NHLPA would need to opt out for that to happen. Not all the owners may be keen on that.

New Blackhawks lines:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp/Hayden-Wingels-Hartman
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat

Keith-Franson
Forsling-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Kempny-Oesterle
- walleyeb1

Sharp needs to be cut.
Seabrook and Toews need to see the pressbox...wouldn't that be accountability ?
Bouma down to Rockford ( we only need 1 hitter, Hayden )

Oesterle in for Seabrook
Vinny and Kampf up to replace Sharp and Toews.
Dauphin up for Bouma.

At least there would be a message sent that slow, lethargic, no compete levels are as Stan called them "UNACCEPTABLE"

As for Keith....... get him off the PP at least. Maybe the above shake-up will spark him to stop with the NO COMPETE Keith once again.

New Blackhawks lines:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp/Hayden-Wingels-Hartman
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat

Keith-Franson
Forsling-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Kempny-Oesterle
- walleyeb1

wow..this will make all the difference...ADB with bouma/kero...WOOHOO