Not motivating your players is on the coach as well. Not using your new players properly is on the coach. There's arguments to both sides, but it's really all on what management thinks is happening. I like Q, for the record.
- JRoenick97

None of us are in the locker room to know if this is or isn't happening.

Not using your players properly is also an opinion, you know? Not to mention, a lot of times that's a team (coaching staff and FO) decision.

Not motivating your players is on the coach as well. Not using your new players properly is on the coach. There's arguments to both sides, but it's really all on what management thinks is happening. I like Q, for the record.
- JRoenick97

How do you motivate an AHL goalie?

Not motivating your players is on the coach as well. Not using your new players properly is on the coach. There's arguments to both sides, but it's really all on what management thinks is happening. I like Q, for the record.
- JRoenick97

Do professional athletes need Motivation or do they need inspiration? I'd like to think top tier performers need neither as it comes from within

Can't get past today without asking…..where were you on Feb.22, 1980?

When this happened……….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYscemhnf88



Greatest moment in sports……………period.
- BobP.

Doesn't matter where you were - you weren't watching it live on TV.

IIRC, the game was only broadcast on tape delay that evening.

This is kinda my thought too. Why does the guy who built the team get to stay but the Coach takes the blame? It doesn't make much sense to me. You can only play with the cards your dealt. Not to mention the backlash the Hawks will receive if Coach Q is gone next year. Most fans LOVE him for what he's done for us. Fans have already been tuning in less and less as this team has had their first off year in almost a decade (by off I mean an actual losing record). Firing or "Reassigning" Q could be a PR nightmare for a team that's already back to being on the low end of the totum pole in this city when it comes to sports. Don't get me wrong, Q has been stubborn as F**K when it comes to playing certain guys and mixing the lines just about every other game , but I don't think it's a matter of his voice not being heard as some people have suggested. I think this team is hurting lacking in talent and that's the GMs fault. We've all talked about how many bad trades Stan has made over the past few years that are now coming back to haunt this team. Not to mention the drafting has been very poor as well which makes those bad trades look that much worse. If Stan goes (and his dad with him) most fans wouldn't bat an eye, but if Q goes there will be a lot of people upset.
- Savetheembers33

Whats this whole thing about stan not drafting well:

Shaw
Saad
TT
Debrincat
Schmaltz
Hartman
Hino
Denault

I think he's done a pretty good job, at least at forward. And with defense, I thin kit was more an issue of them not being developed correctly. Case in point, Dahlstrom and Gustaffson. Now that they have the people to develop, these two have gotten better.

Do professional athletes need Motivation or do they need inspiration? I'd like to think top tier performers need neither as it comes from within
- riozzo

100% agree.

Kick in the a$$ here or there is fine, but if they need someone in there to tell them to do their job (a job that any of us would love to have), then they're soft.

Never happen.

Q had decent success with St. Louis and Colorado, but he had his outstanding success after taking over a team in Chicago that was loaded with talent.

Now, I'm not saying at all that any coach could have done what he did - it's as difficult to win when you're supposed to (and to keep the stars playing together as a team) as it is to develop a team into a contender - but they are two different skills - and I'm not sure that Q has the temperament and traits (or the inclination) to build a team.

The Blackhawks today have really only one player playing as a superstar - and there are no sure future HOFers in the wings. I don't think we're going to see Toews, Seabrook, Keith, Hossa come back to championship form ever again. Like it or not - move the remaining core out or not - the current situation is a rebuild and requires identifying, procuring, and developing lots of young talent.

I've come to the conclusion that Q should be moved out not because he has become a bad coach - he hasn't, he is still a quality coach - but because his coaching skills are not what will be necessary to develop the next contender here.

Seattle? No - but maybe a good young team with already developed talent that needs a coach that can put it all together.
- StLBravesFan

Justin didn't mention it in this piece, but last night on the Canadian broadcast last night Sportsnet put up a graphic of the number of games the Big 4 (Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook) had played in the last 10 years. They all have between 840 and 870 games on their odometers, not including Olympics, World Cups and World Championships'.

Gary Galley just noted that despite how great these players are and were, the wear and tear has basically taken all the tread off their tires.

This isn't something Q, Bowman, McDonagh, Rocky or the Fountain of Youth can fix.

If it were me, I would go the LA Kings route and at season's end fire both the GM and Head Coach (and let the Assistants find work elsewhere). Both of these guys have been so focused on winning and having to deal with the pressure of competing for a SC every year that they aren't equipped now to deal with what this team has really become - an 'also ran' in today's NHL. This team stinks and after the HOF'ers now on the downside of their career, they are made up of a bunch of 12 and 13th forwards and 5-6 defenceman. Its a long road back to greatness. Appreciate it for what it was, a great team that was eventually submarined by the cap. Only Pittsburgh can lay claim to being better and still competitive in this era, led by 2 of the NHL's all time greats in Malkin and Crosby and owned by an ex-superstar who can identify a real player, coach or GM in a fast glance.

Bring in a guy like Paul Fenton from Nashville and let him start first by focusing on drafting and player development at the minor league level. And then slowly but surely he will move out the bad contracts thru buyouts and one sided trades. But its going to take a few years, making the playoffs again any time soon in the Central Division won't be easy.

Never happen.

Q had decent success with St. Louis and Colorado, but he had his outstanding success after taking over a team in Chicago that was loaded with talent.

Now, I'm not saying at all that any coach could have done what he did - it's as difficult to win when you're supposed to (and to keep the stars playing together as a team) as it is to develop a team into a contender - but they are two different skills - and I'm not sure that Q has the temperament and traits (or the inclination) to build a team.

The Blackhawks today have really only one player playing as a superstar - and there are no sure future HOFers in the wings. I don't think we're going to see Toews, Seabrook, Keith, Hossa come back to championship form ever again. Like it or not - move the remaining core out or not - the current situation is a rebuild and requires identifying, procuring, and developing lots of young talent.

I've come to the conclusion that Q should be moved out not because he has become a bad coach - he hasn't, he is still a quality coach - but because his coaching skills are not what will be necessary to develop the next contender here.

Seattle? No - but maybe a good young team with already developed talent that needs a coach that can put it all together.
- StLBravesFan

Yea it was pretty much a joke on my part. I doubt that Q could do what Gerard Gallant has done with a group of misfits and castoffs.

100% agree.

Kick in the a$$ here or there is fine, but if they need someone in there to tell them to do their job (a job that any of us would love to have), then they're soft.
- Hank3Henshaw

What kicks in the ass did Q give them? He sat Seabrook one time. That's it.

Here is my take on things to come:

The organ-I-zation has spent this season reviewing the laws of the CBA to make sure when they name Hossa coach, his salary cap comes off the books (since he did not retire, but he is not a player either).

How well will the guys play when Hossa is behind the bench?

None of us are in the locker room to know if this is or isn't happening.

Not using your players properly is also an opinion, you know? Not to mention, a lot of times that's a team (coaching staff and FO) decision.
- Hank3Henshaw

None of us are in the FO either. We don't know if Q is losing his sway, or Stan is fighting with Q, or the FO is influencing the decisions... but we still imply on this board that it's happening. You can't say one and deny the other. We really know nothing.

What kicks in the ass did Q give them? He sat Seabrook one time. That's it.
- JRoenick97

Probably wanted to do more, but the front office won't let him.

Wouldn't be surprised if he's wanted to move Toews down or sit him and make him think about it. Bet the marketing department but a stop to that real quick...can't have that. Don't want to upset the fans...c'mon.

Doesn't matter where you were - you weren't watching it live on TV.

IIRC, the game was only broadcast on tape delay that evening.
- StLBravesFan

Thanks for pointing out the obvious. At least for those that are old enough to remember it first hand. The coverage did a pretty good job of not making the already completed games' outcome known before the(yes delayed)telecast. It wasn't like today where we seemingly know it "before" it happens. Media coverage wasn't so consuming in general.

It was just an iconic moment in not only sports, but for the country at the time as well.

Hope you'll remember it in that context.

Can't get past today without asking…..where were you on Feb.22, 1980?

When this happened……….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYscemhnf88



Greatest moment in sports……………period.
- BobP.

Me and my buddies sitting in Moe & Armela's tavern on West Montrose Avenue watching it.

Fire coach Q so we can have him.

Probably wanted to do more, but the front office won't let him.

Wouldn't be surprised if he's wanted to move Toews down or sit him and make him think about it. Bet the marketing department but a stop to that real quick...can't have that. Don't want to upset the fans...c'mon.
- Hank3Henshaw

You can't tell me in one comment that the players are at fault and that we aren't "in the room" so we don't know, then put up a pure speculative comment like this. You don't know this as much as I don't know what players are or are not motivated by Q.

Fire coach Q so we can have him.
- TandA4Flames

You and about 10+ other teams are likely in the same boat here.

You can't tell me in one comment that the players are at fault and that we aren't "in the room" so we don't know, then put up a pure speculative comment like this. You don't know this as much as I don't know what players are or are not motivated by Q.
- JRoenick97

Simmer down. It's a joke, brother

How do you motivate an AHL goalie?
- BetweenTheDots

I’m not sure but, not by yanking him for a 32 year old feel good story the first time he has an off game.

Simmer down. It's a joke, brother
- Hank3Henshaw

I'm not upset, just pointing out a large disconnect on this board with speculation on one side, then chastising people for speculation on the other. It was honestly hard to see that you were joking because of that.

Don't kid yourself. He's a 3 time cup winner. Second winningest coach in NHL history. Seattle would hand him the keys to the house immediately.
- JRoenick97

Before you think aboiut supporting that statement, you better review carefully.

I do not expect another expansion team will be close to how good the Las Vegas team continues to be. Almost to draft and hire the management and have it all come together the way Vegas' success has sustained. I could foresee an expansion team wheeling and dealing the way Vegas has .......However for a first year team to be successful someone who has won only with veterans - like Q - is a total miscast

He can do appearances, be an ambassador. That's if he wants to stick around. They talked Savard into it and they tolerate Bobby Hull. I'm no Q guy but three cups has to be respected no matter what.
- 6628

6628 - Heard from a UC (not a Hawks) source who generally has good sources themselves - who says that Q will be out. If that’s the case, who do you get who is a better coach? Seriously if you get rid of Q you better have a darn good replacement. The casual fan who shouts “Q!” when he’s introduced at the start of the game or who only casually pays attention to a game here or there will need to see that’s the guy they pick is an improvement. Thinking from a marketing perspective.

As a fan and a season ticket holder who more than casually pays attention I would want to know that the next guy was a planned as good or better alternative than the one you let go. Don’t fire someone just to say you did something without a good replacement.

Who would you put in there? (Value your opinion and looking for what the solution might be)

Also same question about Stan - if you get rid of him, who do you put in that’s better? Or can be marketed as such?

I'm not upset, just pointing out a large disconnect on this board with speculation on one side, then chastising people for speculation on the other. It was honestly hard to see that you were joking because of that.
- JRoenick97

No, no. I understand. Humor doesn't always translate via the board.

But, you and I are usually on the same wavelength with a lot of debate on here.

Because that is an opinion. The case could be made that Stan has gotten the team younger and faster like the rest of the league and Q didn't adjust his systems to account for that. I don't necessarily buy that, but it's all perspective on what the management thinks happened.
- JRoenick97

It's a valid point that is hard to argue. Idk. It's not a good situation how this is going to play out. Best case scenario is that Stan gets lucky makes some awesome trades, Q adjusts the remainder of the season to let the young kids play to their strengths a bit more and Rocky and Co. give them one more season or they're both gone. You can argue anyone of the scenarios as being the best way to go for reason X or reason Y. It's all a crap shoot. I think what happens at the Deadline will show which way they are leaning towards going this offseason

Justin didn't mention it in this piece, but last night on the Canadian broadcast last night Sportsnet put up a graphic of the number of games the Big 4 (Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook) had played in the last 10 years. They all have between 840 and 870 games on their odometers, not including Olympics, World Cups and World Championships'.

Gary Galley just noted that despite how great these players are and were, the wear and tear has basically taken all the tread off their tires.

This isn't something Q, Bowman, McDonagh, Rocky or the Fountain of Youth can fix.

If it were me, I would go the LA Kings route and at season's end fire both the GM and Head Coach (and let the Assistants find work elsewhere). Both of these guys have been so focused on winning and having to deal with the pressure of competing for a SC every year that they aren't equipped now to deal with what this team has really become - an 'also ran' in today's NHL. This team stinks and after the HOF'ers now on the downside of their career, they are made up of a bunch of 12 and 13th forwards and 5-6 defenceman. Its a long road back to greatness. Appreciate it for what it was, a great team that was eventually submarined by the cap. Only Pittsburgh can lay claim to being better and still competitive in this era, led by 2 of the NHL's all time greats in Malkin and Crosby and owned by an ex-superstar who can identify a real player, coach or GM in a fast glance.

Bring in a guy like Paul Fenton from Nashville and let him start first by focusing on drafting and player development at the minor league level. And then slowly but surely he will move out the bad contracts thru buyouts and one sided trades. But its going to take a few years, making the playoffs again any time soon in the Central Division won't be easy.
- RickJ

Good post here. To me sustained work eventually sets in on even the most gifted of atheletes. These guys have played a lot of hockey and a lot of close, grueling, competitive hockey.

To me the onus is on Blowman for being so myopic. It's a tough spot to be in but he has all the same numbers and more that we have,he should have considered that if I give three guys huge contracts it's not going to be justified with their likely drop in productivity.

It shouldn't have been a surprise.