Perspective is everything. No one complains about the Vermette trade because we won the Cup that year. Everyone destroys the Ladd trade because we did not win the Cup that year. If that was flipped it'd be the same. You look like a genius when you win and an idiot when ya don't. The secondary deals has always killed Bowman though. Every GM makes good and bad deals. We got luck with a lot of trades early on with this team, but now not so much.
- Savetheembers33

No they don't and even I dont. that was a good try for Stan. That didn't work out.

The "secondary deals" (especially those I mentioned) tells me this GM is out of his league, being propped up by an elite core he inherited that is now wearing out.

ANY reasonably competent GM does NOT, DOES NOT, give away what he gave up to get the trash he acquired in the Danault and Kimo deals.

NOT Having THREE number 2s and Phil Danault is part of the reason the Hawks are fading.

That's not even to mention the maddening crap he does with contracts. ie, max salary PLUS no trade clauses. I hope Stan is the car dealer next time I need a car...

Lets see what this guy comes up with at the TDL. As dumb as the deal with Philly is JJ reported, that's just the type of poop Bowman will pull I bet. Ill call it now...Bowman either will make a nothing trade or get fleeced. If I am wrong Ill admit it.

Sadly, I DID like his trades last summer, and I am not ready to give up on Saad or Murphy. Still, even if those guys turn it around AT best those trades are probably a wash.

today's mixmaster:

Charlie Roumeliotis @CRoumeliotis

#Blackhawks lines and pairings at morning skate:
Saad-Toews-Wingels
Jurco-Anisimov-Kane
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Duclair
Hinostroza-Kampf-Hartman

Keith-Oesterle
Murphy-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Rutta
- jt19

That’s two games in a row Bouma is a scratch, guess he’s not being traded anywhere lol.

Heck, Seabrook for a 2nd and a 4th and call it done.
- Rota's Rooter

Even better - Seabrook for nothing - just get him off the books.

That’s two games in a row Bouma is a scratch, guess he’s not being traded anywhere lol.
- walleyeb1

Who would want Bouma and what would he bring? I see nothing higher than a 5th round pick.

Skille, Stalberg, Panik, DuClair is there much of a difference?
- -Doh-

Yeah - DuClair is only 22, with some potential.

Too bad he didn't get a couple hundred games in the "A" to learn how to play the pro game.

Maybe he still can figure it out.

The fact Kimo played longer than Petry is a laughable argument on every level as if Kimo had ANYTHING to do with the Hawks winning the Cup and if Petry was the reason Montreal did not.

The point with the Vermette trade is it took absolutely no real brilliance to acquire a UFA to be for a #1 and a prospect. That's pretty much the going rate. So Bowman didn't (frank) up that deal, good for him. I think we should take the small victories with this GM. And yes, he should have fixed that situation in 2014, whether it was he or Q who wanted to double down on Handzus someone screwed up by not getting Vermette a year sooner (it was pretty much known he was available as Coyotes were looking to rebuild).

And the point of the Kimo trade is it isn't just a "bad trade" or "Stan missed', it's an example of certifiable incompetence. The Danault trade is only marginally better because at least the players Stan got had been (sorta) playing.
- kwolf68

I agree that neither trade was good but it's the forest for the trees thinking or lack of that's laughable. Also, I never said Kimmo had anything to do with them playing longer than the Habs, my point was more that they won the Cup that year.

And while yes they already had two Cups in the bank but as late as 2009, how many times would you have made those trades, poopty ones and all if it guaranteed even just one Cup win?

Like I said, there were angry mobs here in 2011 and '12 eviscerating Stan for not making a similar type of Vermette trade. I remember people commenting about how those are the types of moves "GM's who go for it" make or "if Stan had any real stones" he would make a move...now the goalposts have been moved for the sake of argument and it's simply a move he should have made and didn't (frank) up. Talk about laughable. He identified his guy and the move worked. As has been talked about in the past, how many deadline deals actually end up having the desired result?

today's mixmaster:

Charlie Roumeliotis @CRoumeliotis

#Blackhawks lines and pairings at morning skate:
Saad-Toews-Wingels
Jurco-Anisimov-Kane
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Duclair
Hinostroza-Kampf-Hartman

Keith-Oesterle
Murphy-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Rutta
- jt19

Why are we still dressing Jurco (and on the 2nd line)? He is not playing well plus he showcasing himself in a negative way.
Unless he is part of our tank plan, then OK.

Why are we still dressing Jurco (and on the 2nd line)? He is not playing well plus he showcasing himself in a negative way.
Unless he is part of our tank plan, then OK.
- 67hawks

and JF Berube most likely starts tonight

Why are we still dressing Jurco (and on the 2nd line)? He is not playing well plus he showcasing himself in a negative way.
Unless he is part of our tank plan, then OK.
- 67hawks

- Trying to see if there is any type of hockey IQ there?
- Hoping there will be some sort of interest from another team?
- Q telling Stan "we went through this with Rundblad"?

SIGNING UPDATE: The #NYIslanders lock up F Josh Bailey with a six-year, $30 million contract extension.

Track all the deals here: https://t.co/XI4JdOHo1j #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/NGoJxK77rR

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 23, 2018

That’s two games in a row Bouma is a scratch, guess he’s not being traded anywhere lol.
- walleyeb1

What happened to Dahlstrom? Did he play too well on Wednesday and cost the Hawks points in the Tanking Derby?

I agree that neither trade was good but it's the forest for the trees thinking or lack of that's laughable. Also, I never said Kimmo had anything to do with them playing longer than the Habs, my point was more that they won the Cup that year.

And while yes they already had two Cups in the bank but as late as 2009, how many times would you have made those trades, poopty ones and all if it guaranteed even just one Cup win?

Like I said, there were angry mobs here in 2011 and '12 eviscerating Stan for not making a similar type of Vermette trade. I remember people commenting about how those are the types of moves "GM's who go for it" make or "if Stan had any real stones" he would make a move...now the goalposts have been moved for the sake of argument and it's simply a move he should have made and didn't (frank) up. Talk about laughable. He identified his guy and the move worked. As has been talked about in the past, how many deadline deals actually end up having the desired result?
- HawkintheD

Just because a team wins the Cup does NOT negate idiotic trades. That's silly. Oh the Kimo trade was bad, but we won the Cup so everything is good. BS.

I don't remember what people were saying in 2011, so that's argument of conjecture. I doubt you remember every word being said either. Maybe some people were upset, others maybe not. The only thing I recall was wanting another center in 2014. Even though they won in 2013, I didn't think center was a position of strength for us. Bowman didn't trade for one, I don't know if he failed or what, but he surely traded for one in 2015...what changed? Oh, he finally saw the light? Or Q saw it? Hell if I know, but running out Handzus (a player NO OTHER team would have even played) for a Cup contending team was the height of either stupidity, loyalty or arrogance by at least 1 person (coach or GM or both) in position of power.

Bottom line if Bowman's fan club is gonna give him all this credit for success in the past (largely on the backs of players he inherited) then at what point do these same people hold him accountable for the numerous dumbass trades, giving away assets for nothing, the ridiculous way he negotiates contracts???

Hey team - sorry for the delay on the updated blog, been waiting on a couple responses all morning.

I should have something out by this afternoon, once I hear back.

What happened to Dahlstrom? Did he play too well on Wednesday and cost the Hawks points in the Tanking Derby?
- RickJ

He should be play every game till this season is over.

Hey team - sorry for the delay on the updated blog, been waiting on a couple responses all morning.

I should have something out by this afternoon, once I hear back.
- Justin Lowe

Totally understand. Bring some interesting info.....the games have not been for a while.

He should be play every game till this season is over.
- z1990z

I agree. WTF is the point of playing aging veterans who could use rest over kids that could use experience?

More fodder for the Fire Q crowd, and maybe well deserved

What happened to Dahlstrom? Did he play too well on Wednesday and cost the Hawks points in the Tanking Derby?
- RickJ

My best guess is that they need to show Rutta is healthy if they want to trade him. And they can’t sit Gus because he has to play all of the remaining games but one in order to stay RFA. Otherwise he’s UFA and you risk losing him for nothing.

My best guess is that they need to show Rutta is healthy if they want to trade him. And they can’t sit Gus because he has to play all of the remaining games but one in order to stay RFA. Otherwise he’s UFA and you risk losing him for nothing.
- Marlowe

The health thing is a decent analysis and makes sense. I wouldn't expect a team to trade for Rutta unless they know he can handle NHL shifts.

I'm not sure Tallon wants to bail out his successor in Chicago taking the worst contract in the NHL
- Colbyboy

He helped him by taking soupy

I agree. WTF is the point of playing aging veterans who could use rest over kids that could use experience?

More fodder for the Fire Q crowd, and maybe well deserved
- kwolf68

Perfect time to have Rockford guys get some time.

Would these trade proposal make sense:

Franson hartman AA to Columbus for
Jenner or Anderson carlsson or murry and 2nd 2018

Franson hartman AA to phily for:

Sanhiem fippula lindblum or a 2nd 2018

Maybe another team sees this package and gets involved or if bowman is smart and plays off each team and see what team blinks first

He should be play every game till this season is over.
- z1990z

via GIPHY

Right?

via GIPHY

Right?

- savvyone-1

Hey Matt...yeah you're right so many bad moves to choose from by Stanbo...
putting a mostly AHL defense in front of the goalie certainly ranks right there.
And Moving Hammer was a big mistake. You've also got a lot of young guys as forwards as well.

Here's what I don't get Q supposedly hates the kids - but he's played a lot of them this season. It seemed like the Rutta/ Forsling pair seemed to be doing ok during the middle part of the season and we're getting minutes, but neither have seen the ice in some time. Rutta hurt and Forsling sent down so they can showcase other players.

I just don't see how they can let Stan continue to 'work his magic'. Sure Stan has added nicely around the edges to help secure two more Cups and he should be commended for that, but there's a pile of bad moves, and signings over the last several seasons that have put this team where it is and I can't see how upper mgt. can ignore those.

As Wiz points out - Q will have a job within a day if he's released. And I doubt he wants to go play golf a la Tallon. Stan well I can't see him getting another GM gig anytime soon.
- DK002

I totally agree. Q wants to win. He wants players who "play the right way" and he doesn't really care how old they are if they do that. Young guys tend to screw up more than veterans so they have had a short leash over the Q years, and that's worked well when there were other options on the roster in the Cup years, less so when the bench isn't so deep. He's continuously looking for combinations that click because he wants to win now. But there is a significant list of young players who became regulars under Q, especially among the forwards. Among defensemen, only Johns looks like one that got away, a guy who looks to have a good NHL career ahead of him with top 4 potential. TVR was serviceable and a Q favorite, he would have helped this year too. But the problem has been a roster talent depletion, and that's mostly on Stan.

I hope I'm wrong but I really don't see any significant going down between now and Monday at 2 pm CST

Wingels or Bouma going to a contender for energy line insertion like Desjardin here in 2015 makes sense. Does anyone want an old and unproductive Sharp? Rutta?Gustafsson? None of these guys will fetch anything higher then a 5th round pick

My issue still lies that the organization is arrogant enough to think that all will be fine next year with 50 being healthy and 19/20/2 bouncing back. 38/12 worry me because 38 regressed badly this year and who's to say 12 won't do the same? The other issue is 19 truly making those who plays with regress? that's the question that needs to be looked at very hard and answered.

Hawks need centers so 15 will stay....48/91 will stay. 8 is a lock...but for all the hype Ulf got....what D man back there was a pleasant surprise this year? Osterle until the clock struck 12 and he turned back into a pumpkin? Who else? Murphy has been mediocre at best...that's their problem. Their D men are pretty badmost nights and if kane can't carry anchors on his line to score this team has no chance. We saw it last April when Nashville outskated them, out hit them, and waxed them in 4 straight. We got an angry Bowman promising changes and his changes have flat out sucked. 20 has been a HUGE disappointment. captain America Murphy that somebody was all excited for has sucked.....and the veterans he brought in have given you very little.

So where does Bowman and Q go from here? They both need to go and this team needs a fresh outlook behind the bench, and most importantly up in the GM chair. Let Scotty get Stan a job underneath Stevie Y and start a new.

This is not a quick fix...bold moves need to be made and Bowman is too loyal and gun shy to sell high when he can before his team falls off the map for 2-3 years of mediocre seasons and at best 1st round waxings vs superior teams.