I am Good thanks . But if this team is going to put off the inevitable until the off season of moving a lame duck coach ,then IMO they might aw well start the dive to draft well . This team will continue to chase it's tail with Q and his musical chairs coaching style. Sell off the Bomma Wingles Glass Franson ,maybe get some late picks . Come back next year with a different coach and staff ,and young players to mix with the core .Something like Boston is doing right now .
- oldduffman

Agree, if they can trade some or any of the core for a good "hockey trade"
or decent draft choices I'd go for it.

SB needs to stop drafting smurfs though, size, grit, is definitely in need.

When you say that it's hard to argue but at the same time yikes
- BetweenTheDots

Depending on the stats you look at and how you read into them - he has been top 5 in the league...

You take the best player regardless of size. And with the NHL getting faster having players that forecheck tenaciously, are quick up the ice and have a bit of finish are good to have.

Tampa Bay has a lot of lil guys, so does Vegas, so did Pittsburgh when they won twice in a row.

Size is pretty irrelevant in today's NHL.
- fattybeef

A team full of smurfs and non physical players won't cut it either.
A guy like Marchand doesn't take poop, while to many of our guys
take way to much and don't know how to hand it out.

Pitt's last cup was a fluke, yes they won it but it was all down to
Fleury saving their ass in the first 2 rounds....then Murray saved
their ass after that.

Man, the bickering and sky is falling posts are in full swing today.
- JRoenick97

You mean every day....?

The HB bingo cards are getting filled fast today, indeed.

I'll say the Danault trade was the worst trade that comes to mind. I can at least see the reasoning behind the other trades, even if they didn't work out.

The other question is how many D's has Bowman drafted that became top 4 caliber? I realize these don't grow on trees, and it's more difficult when drafting last or almost last, but this has been a real weakness of the Bowman era.
- 333inthe3rd

Danault trade would not have been so bad if coach Q had used Wise in the playoffs before it was to late . Like Vermmete the year before Q had to play his head games with Stan players . Against ST.L he waited to long to use Wise who has always been a solid playoff player with grit, and as player that get's under other playes skin , something we could have used that year against ST.L and Brower .

Danault trade would not have been so bad if coach Q had used Wise in the playoffs before it was to late . Like Vermmete the year before Q had to play his head games with Stan players . Against ST.L he waited to long to use Wise who has always been a solid playoff player with grit, and as player that get's under other playes skin , something we could have used that year against ST.L and Brower .
- oldduffman

Dale Weise was hot garbage in Chicago, that's why he got benched. It wasn't head games with a Stan player. Sometimes a narrative gets attached to something just to boost that narrative to the next level. This is one of those examples.

Stan made a trade for two rental players who looked good in Montreal. When they got to Chicago both players failed to grasp their role and were continuously caught with their pants down. It's no surprise to anyone that Fleischmann hasn't been in the NHL since then, and Dale Weise is an overpaid bum in Philadelphia.

I am fully expecting this, the announcement will be signing the Sikura brothers. I think this would be a great approach for the club to take.

I'd expect the Hawks to trade a contract or two at the deadline to give themselves from wiggle room for signing college and European free agents.
- DarthKane

I hope that if they are in an unfavorable position at the TDL that they do not act on faint hopes. A lot can be done to position themselves favorably for the future.
We have had a nice run and have some nice youth moving forward already. I am willing to use this opportunity to continue to reload and build on what is currently in place. I believe that there would not be too much fan objection to that plan.

https://www.facebook.com/...videos/10156098669684216/

THIS is why NHL players should play in the Olympics. 2010 USA vs Canada Gold Medal game was 8 years ago today. Epic. The Olympics without NHLers just won't have the same entertainment level, especially for the casual fan. Get bent Bettman.

Agree, if they can trade some or any of the core for a good "hockey trade"
or decent draft choices I'd go for it.

SB needs to stop drafting smurfs though, size, grit, is definitely in need.
- gazza53

1). Playoffs we need players who willingly check and play hard, at least two like that to deploy on
the top two or top three lines. Hopefully Saad would play his game if he could work better with correct linemattes. Anyway, it is still going to be a battle for our defensemen - as currently given - but at least a better equipped forwards might make a game out of it. That goes as far as drive to playoffs and if they almost miraculously get in.

2). The difference between last year and this season is that we conceivably would get soundly beat, but not thoroughly embarrassed....as the roster stands now. Toews and Seabrook contributions make the team performance either somewhat more encouraging, or worse....friends what version shows up those two players

3). Crawford has a concussion. He might be recovering from it now ....post concussion I do not know. I also do not know if he had vertigo again. But it is a concussion. That is the word but no one is willing to go on record from the Blackhawks last I heard

The HB bingo cards are getting filled fast today, indeed.

I'll say the Danault trade was the worst trade that comes to mind. I can at least see the reasoning behind the other trades, even if they didn't work out.

The other question is how many D's has Bowman drafted that became top 4 caliber? I realize these don't grow on trees, and it's more difficult when drafting last or almost last, but this has been a real weakness of the Bowman era.
- 333inthe3rd

Johns is skating about 18 minutes a night and of a similar mould as Murphy. I think Dale drafted him though.

Other than Pollie - I don't know that there are a lot of GM's that draft defenders well.

Pulford drafted Keith, Seabrook, Wisniewski, Buff, and then in 05 they drafted Hammer.

And outside of Johns, I don't think there has been a defender drafted that has skated with any frequency in the NHL.

However, identifying that players like Leddy, Oduya, Rozsival (He was a solid enough 3rd pairing guy) TVR (again solid enough as a 3rd pairing guy) could contribute was clutch.

Biff's like Rundblad, Erhoff, Scuderi, Daley, Campbell V2, Timonen, other assorted third pairing players - were kind of bad.

To be fair, drafting a top defensive prospect isn't necessarily a priority when the top 4 was pretty well situated and guys are locked down until the end of time. Plus this ecan take some time to develop. Keith's deal you can live with but Seabrooks is disgusting.

It also doesn't help that Q doesn't typically adjust his style to fit his players so the Hawks are somewhat limited in terms of who they will go after.

I dunno. The Hawks aren't Edmonton but are sliding closer to Detroit status. A shake up now, before it erodes further, either in the front office or behind the bench may not be a bad thing. Change for the sake of change can be positive.

A team full of smurfs and non physical players won't cut it either.
A guy like Marchand doesn't take poop, while to many of our guys
take way to much and don't know how to hand it out.

Pitt's last cup was a fluke, yes they won it but it was all down to
Fleury saving their ass in the first 2 rounds....then Murray saved
their ass after that.
- gazza53

With some of the hits Crawford absorbed this year, other teams would have had 5 guys piling on the perpetrator. Our guys just shrug these events off. Our goalies are fair game because there are no consequences.
I know that this is not 1990, but there has to be some policing to allow our players to perform to their potential and to maintain their physical health.

Dale Weise was hot garbage in Chicago, that's why he got benched. It wasn't head games with a Stan player. Sometimes a narrative gets attached to something just to boost that narrative to the next level. This is one of those examples.

Stan made a trade for two rental players who looked good in Montreal. When they got to Chicago both players failed to grasp their role and were continuously caught with their pants down. It's no surprise to anyone that Fleischmann hasn't been in the NHL since then, and Dale Weise is an overpaid bum in Philadelphia.
- Hawks_49

The disconnect between Stan and Joel is hard to pinpoint because much of what we hear, see or imagine is lacking the full story. So going with what you just said, how is it that prescouting before a trade did not reveal the players might have a problem with Q's system. Veterans having a problem ....how.....they cannot do what was asked of them. Look, I believe you. But I don't understand the dynamics involved with their incompatibility.

https://www.facebook.com/...videos/10156098669684216/

THIS is why NHL players should play in the Olympics. 2010 USA vs Canada Gold Medal game was 8 years ago today. Epic. The Olympics without NHLers just won't have the same entertainment level, especially for the casual fan. Get bent Bettman.
- EnzoD

Especially since the League is presumably looking to make inroads in China and other Asian ports.

But I think the game was on February 28, 2010....

Dale Weise was hot garbage in Chicago, that's why he got benched. It wasn't head games with a Stan player. Sometimes a narrative gets attached to something just to boost that narrative to the next level. This is one of those examples.

Stan made a trade for two rental players who looked good in Montreal. When they got to Chicago both players failed to grasp their role and were continuously caught with their pants down. It's no surprise to anyone that Fleischmann hasn't been in the NHL since then, and Dale Weise is an overpaid bum in Philadelphia.
- Hawks_49

I agree, Weise was awful. He failed to do anything when he did play and he didn't earn any playing time. I think he has proven to be a bust for all but one team he played for.

Fleischmann was better and at least contributed to the PK, but he wasn't the guy he used to be either.

All in all, the trade didn't work out, but most rental type trades don't really pan out in the NHL.

Johns is skating about 18 minutes a night and of a similar mould as Murphy. I think Dale drafted him though.

Other than Pollie - I don't know that there are a lot of GM's that draft defenders well.

Pulford drafted Keith, Seabrook, Wisniewski, Buff, and then in 05 they drafted Hammer.

And outside of Johns, I don't think there has been a defender drafted that has skated with any frequency in the NHL.

However, identifying that players like Leddy, Oduya, Rozsival (He was a solid enough 3rd pairing guy) TVR (again solid enough as a 3rd pairing guy) could contribute was clutch.

Biff's like Rundblad, Erhoff, Scuderi, Daley, Campbell V2, Timonen, other assorted third pairing players - were kind of bad.

To be fair, drafting a top defensive prospect isn't necessarily a priority when the top 4 was pretty well situated and guys are locked down until the end of time. Plus this ecan take some time to develop. Keith's deal you can live with but Seabrooks is disgusting.

It also doesn't help that Q doesn't typically adjust his style to fit his players so the Hawks are somewhat limited in terms of who they will go after.

I dunno. The Hawks aren't Edmonton but are sliding closer to Detroit status. A shake up now, before it erodes further, either in the front office or behind the bench may not be a bad thing. Change for the sake of change can be positive.
- fattybeef

Makes a lot of sense what you say. Fortunately there will be more on defense from this current group whom will improve. Rutta is the best of them now; Forsling could become a gem; Oesterle is useful but better on his natural side; Murphy is not really compatible in this Samuelson or NHL but can slide by as a third pair; and Kempny is that double edge sword with what some call a 2 cent brain. Kempny will not last here.

There are two offensive dmen in Rockford whom could play NHL eventually. But do not expect more than third pair ceiling. Dahlstrom might be close whereas Snuggerud needs a full year to learn better how to play defense. I know both Raydysh and Norell are developing but they are not in the NHL advancement yet.

Clendenning.... please....a spare part journeyman and Gus needs to get another look
Mitchell is playing for at least another year collegiate. Kyrs is going to need development.
Tuolola and Carlsson sound real promising but we cannot say much until they get here. Jokiharju sounds like the real deal but he is a lightweight who more than likely needs to put on size & muscle.

1). Playoffs we need players who willingly check and play hard, at least two like that to deploy on
the top two or top three lines. Hopefully Saad would play his game if he could work better with correct linemattes. Anyway, it is still going to be a battle for our defensemen - as currently given - but at least a better equipped forwards might make a game out of it. That goes as far as drive to playoffs and if they almost miraculously get in.

2). The difference between last year and this season is that we conceivably would get soundly beat, but not thoroughly embarrassed....as the roster stands now. Toews and Seabrook contributions make the team performance either somewhat more encouraging, or worse....friends what version shows up those two players

3). Crawford has a concussion. He might be recovering from it now ....post concussion I do not know. I also do not know if he had vertigo again. But it is a concussion. That is the word but no one is willing to go on record from the Blackhawks last I heard
- jhawk59

Probably because Crawford has either asked them not to or is refusing to give them permission to release it.

With some of the hits Crawford absorbed this year, other teams would have had 5 guys piling on the perpetrator. Our guys just shrug these events off. Our goalies are fair game because there are no consequences.
I know that this is not 1990, but there has to be some policing to allow our players to perform to their potential and to maintain their physical health.
- 67hawks

Lucic was on the ice when Marc Savard had his career ended by Matt Cooke.

Lucic AND Chara were on the ice when Nathan Horton was knocked silly against the nucks in 2011.

Having tough guys on your team doesn't mean your players aren't gonna get run. Lucic and Chara in 2011 were probly at the height of their games or close to it, and were generally looked at as THE tough mother (frank)ers of the league.

A team full of smurfs and non physical players won't cut it either.
A guy like Marchand doesn't take poop, while to many of our guys
take way to much and don't know how to hand it out.

Pitt's last cup was a fluke, yes they won it but it was all down to
Fleury saving their ass in the first 2 rounds....then Murray saved
their ass after that.
- gazza53

Yeah....and Chicago had a nice regular season last year but the team was nowhere NHL playoff ready.

Dale Weise was hot garbage in Chicago, that's why he got benched. It wasn't head games with a Stan player. Sometimes a narrative gets attached to something just to boost that narrative to the next level. This is one of those examples.

Stan made a trade for two rental players who looked good in Montreal. When they got to Chicago both players failed to grasp their role and were continuously caught with their pants down. It's no surprise to anyone that Fleischmann hasn't been in the NHL since then, and Dale Weise is an overpaid bum in Philadelphia.
- Hawks_49

I have to disagree ,he was never given a chance because Q got his nose out of joint .Coach Q ego has been killing this team for a couple years now . And when Wiese started playing regularly against ST.L the team started their comeback ,it was just to late .

I have to disagree ,he was never given a chance because Q got his nose out of joint .Coach Q ego has been killing this team for a couple years now . And when Wiese started playing regularly against ST.L the team started their comeback ,it was just to late .
- oldduffman

If you think their comeback was associated with Weise playing 9 minutes a night I don't know what to say. You've got your mind set on a certain thing being the reason for the failure. It seems as if you don't want to focus on reality, but instead on finding a scapegoat in a man you don't want as the coach.

Quenneville isn't perfect, but not giving Dale Weise "opportunities" certainly was not a mistake on his part. The guy just didn't pass the eye test. He got sour about his playing time and had his own pity party about it. You could hear it in his comments upon leaving the team.

Especially since the League is presumably looking to make inroads in China and other Asian ports.

But I think the game was on February 28, 2010....
- StLBravesFan

My mistake. The NHL players want to participate, the fans definitely want the NHL guys to play, and I'm sure NBC wants NHL guys playing to boost their ratings. If they were going with no NHLers, it would have been better if they went with a strictly non-professional tourney, instead of having a bunch of NHL has-beens like Rene Bourque playing LOl

If you think their comeback was associated with Weise playing 9 minutes a night I don't know what to say. You've got your mind set on a certain thing being the reason for the failure. It seems as if you don't want to focus on reality, but instead on finding a scapegoat in a man you don't want as the coach.

Quenneville isn't perfect, but not giving Dale Weise "opportunities" certainly was not a mistake on his part. The guy just didn't pass the eye test. He got sour about his playing time and had his own pity party about it. You could hear it in his comments upon leaving the team.
- Hawks_49

He was, is, and will always be a 4th liner. Tomas Fleischmann was a freaking Professional Try-Out player and 36 years old that season. It's an inexcusable trade to make, especially when David freaking Rundblad was in the defensive rotation and a Dman was the most acute need on the roster. Wasted opportunity with the Core still in their prime due to Bowman's incompetence.

If you think their comeback was associated with Weise playing 9 minutes a night I don't know what to say. You've got your mind set on a certain thing being the reason for the failure. It seems as if you don't want to focus on reality, but instead on finding a scapegoat in a man you don't want as the coach.

Quenneville isn't perfect, but not giving Dale Weise "opportunities" certainly was not a mistake on his part. The guy just didn't pass the eye test. He got sour about his playing time and had his own pity party about it. You could hear it in his comments upon leaving the team.
- Hawks_49

Right when Wiese got a larger role in games 5 and 6 the HAWKS won he scored . Those were the do or die games . Not using a instigator and pest like Wiese in a series vs ST.L is Stupid . Like Verrmete the year before or Daily later see a pattern here .

If you think their comeback was associated with Weise playing 9 minutes a night I don't know what to say. You've got your mind set on a certain thing being the reason for the failure. It seems as if you don't want to focus on reality, but instead on finding a scapegoat in a man you don't want as the coach.

Quenneville isn't perfect, but not giving Dale Weise "opportunities" certainly was not a mistake on his part. The guy just didn't pass the eye test. He got sour about his playing time and had his own pity party about it. You could hear it in his comments upon leaving the team.
- Hawks_49

I think that if any of us saw ourselves losing minutes to Mashinter in a beer league, no less the NHL, we'd be sour too.

Right when Wiese got a larger role in games 5 and 6 the HAWKS won he scored . Those were the do or die games . Not using a instigator and pest like Wiese in a series vs ST.L is Stupid . Like Verrmete the year before or Daily later see a pattern here .
- oldduffman

What larger role do you think he played? He never even played 10 minutes in any playoff game for Chicago. He had a goal in four playoff games and any time he was on the ice his line was not able to push possession despite starting in the O-zone almost 60% of the time. Just stop. Weise is not a comparable with Vermette because Weise was just a horrible player for Chicago.