Where does Scotty Bowman fit into this mess? This situation has to be making him nuts, and I wouldn't be surprised if he "retires". As the saying goes - "Pride goeth before the fall"

Also JJ, can you provide some perspective on the season Crawford is having vs. what Carey Price experienced in his second year (I think). That was when Montreal was callling for his head and Halak was the "savior". I am not comparing Craw to Price - just trying to figure out expectation, talent, etc.
- ksilvy58

Price was a lot younger, I believe. And he had more of a track record of success leading up to that point. Crawford CAN turn it around. But so, frankly could Steve Mason. Crawford's a better bet, probably at this point. Who wants to bet their job on it? This organization has nothing else between the pipes except Emery who is on a 1 year deal.

The same place he was when Carcillo, OD, Lepisto were signed and Frolik was given a nice raise to be a goal scorer.

You might want to check Scotty's record as a GM.
- Al

Way better coach than GM.

I'm not sure why you are frowning on top heavy things. My experience, at least, is I'm usually okay with things that are top heavy.

Way better coach than GM.
- John Jaeckel

Not even the biggest Kool Aid drinker could dispute that...

Speaking of Kool Aid...

A GM who overvalues his team, a Head Coach who can't get his message across...Reality Check Time:http://bit.ly/xdVGzc On My Fox Chicago

John Jaeckel: Notes On A Trainwreck
- John Jaeckel

You want d come talk to the sabres they have sekera weber leopold and marc G on the block!

Att: Scout Andru 2797

How was your scouting report on Crawford last night?

No worries... I'm sure he'll turn his game around tonight in Calgary.

At that point all that could have been done is to start a fight with a player who never fights....Remmey wanted Gagne to get the record.....I could see Q. doing the same.

Q. had the toughest guy in the NHL on the bench and on the ice in the late going...Did it make a difference?

If any Hawk started a fight they would have been suspended for sure...In the case of Scott it wouldn't matter though.
- Al

I wasn't making a correlation between Q and his statement about hitting with just last night's game. It's more about there lack of hitting and playing with grit in general throughout the season and Q's statement last night.

note: not trying to pick on you but...

how many times are we going to write/say this? at a certain point, you've already found out what this team is made of.
- dr_boloney

I get what you are saying. I think we say this so often because we hope that we are wrong about our assessment of the team. A convincing win tonight does not mean that all's well far from it. I think a loss tonight after that mess yesterday would tell us that things are far worse than we want to believe. Either way changes are needed.

Att: Scout Andru 2797

How was your scouting report on Crawford last night?

No worries... I'm sure he'll turn his game around tonight in Calgary.
- wolverine19

From the bench? That's a good one!

I wasn't making a correlation between Q and his statement about hitting with just last night's game. It's more about there lack of hitting and playing with grit in general throughout the season and Q's statement last night.
- EKolb13

His message in general hasn't hit the mark...I just cited again n my blog.
Q. preaches defense and they are 14th in Conference in GAA yet he likes his personnel.

His message in general hasn't hit the mark...I just cited again n my blog.
Q. preaches defense and they are 14th in Conference in GAA yet he likes his personnel.
- Al

i'm a little too young to remember Q as a player. what type of defenseman was he? was he the king of the stick check or a blow em up, stay at home type?

This was a trainwreck from top to bottom. Sharp said it best...it was a team loss. When asked about trades, what do you want Q to say 'Yeah, we need someone in the worst way!"...not gonna happen. He's not going to dress down his current players. The point Q is trying to make is that the problems facing this team is not the personnel (which an infusion of talent would help) but an overall commitment to playing a full game.

I don't think anyone would argue the first period was more of the Hawks style. They had a lot of good looks and just didn't convert. SCore could've easily been 3-0 Hawks. Weak goal by Crawford opens the door, much like Turco did time and time again last year, and the wheels come off...guys now think they have to put a 9-spot up to make up for his mistakes and again, it's trickle down.

Defenders have left him out to dry on several occasions this year, but I can't recall more than 1 or 2 saves that he saved their bacon

"Some players are overcoached and beaten up. Lines, pairings and special teams are constantly juggled— while "marquee" players get free passes, excuses and endless second chances.

Square pegs have been jammed into round holes because coaches and/or the GM are afraid to admit, much less correct, their mistakes.

Blind arrogance."

Well written post JJ...really enjoyed reading it.

Wonder if there might be a move afoot to rename the franchise the Chicago Active Sticks.

Losing like that makes me ill. I still think Dubnyk was the diff. He made a slew of subtle, but great stops that kept the Oil close. Tazer's post clip on bhawks.com is riveting. I love when Johnny is candidly pissed.

i'm a little too young to remember Q as a player. what type of defenseman was he? was he the king of the stick check or a blow em up, stay at home type?
- dr_boloney

i'm a little too young to remember Q as a player. what type of defenseman was he? was he the king of the stick check or a blow em up, stay at home type?
- dr_boloney

From I what I recall more a solid stay at home type that didn't rely on finesse...

This was a trainwreck from top to bottom. Sharp said it best...it was a team loss. When asked about trades, what do you want Q to say 'Yeah, we need someone in the worst way!"...not gonna happen. He's not going to dress down his current players. The point Q is trying to make is that the problems facing this team is not the personnel (which an infusion of talent would help) but an overall commitment to playing a full game.

I don't think anyone would argue the first period was more of the Hawks style. They had a lot of good looks and just didn't convert. SCore could've easily been 3-0 Hawks. Weak goal by Crawford opens the door, much like Turco did time and time again last year, and the wheels come off...guys now think they have to put a 9-spot up to make up for his mistakes and again, it's trickle down.

Defenders have left him out to dry on several occasions this year, but I can't recall more than 1 or 2 saves that he saved their bacon
- eburgio

Nice post. Welcome

From a leadership standpoint...it is time for silence. Short answers...and a focus...I don't want to analyze what is going on or have players and coaches explain what we all can see. Draw a line in the sand, make adjustments and move forward.

This was a trainwreck from top to bottom. Sharp said it best...it was a team loss. When asked about trades, what do you want Q to say 'Yeah, we need someone in the worst way!"...not gonna happen. He's not going to dress down his current players. The point Q is trying to make is that the problems facing this team is not the personnel (which an infusion of talent would help) but an overall commitment to playing a full game.

I don't think anyone would argue the first period was more of the Hawks style. They had a lot of good looks and just didn't convert. SCore could've easily been 3-0 Hawks. Weak goal by Crawford opens the door, much like Turco did time and time again last year, and the wheels come off...guys now think they have to put a 9-spot up to make up for his mistakes and again, it's trickle down.

Defenders have left him out to dry on several occasions this year, but I can't recall more than 1 or 2 saves that he saved their bacon
- eburgio

Q. isn't going to dress down anyone but the question could have been handled diferently.

At some point it is more a case of not the right personnel or a coach that can't get his message across or doesn't understand how to use his personnel.

I think Bowman has good amount of blame but Q. will pay for it all if things don't end nicely this season.

From I what I recall more a solid stay at home type that didn't rely on finesse...
- Al

ok. both you and JJ answered that way, so i wonder if the stick checking/finesse style is coming from somewhere else. if that is the case, has Q given up? was his statement a subtle jab at upper management? i just don't understand how a former defenseman who was a grinder would instruct guys to play this way.

furthermore, if Q has given up, would that explain the lack of any resilience by the team?

From a leadership standpoint...it is time for silence. Short answers...and a focus...I don't want to analyze what is going on or have players and coaches explain what we all can see. Draw a line in the sand, make adjustments and move forward.
- TrueGrit

Liking that idea.

Trainwreck is an understatement.

IMO:

Bickell seemed to write his ticket out last night with his (lack of) play.
I think every other team's asking price just went up when it comes to a deal with the Blackhawks after seeing (again) how weak they are in certain areas.

I still cannot figure out Cra(p)wford. He plays a solid game vs. Vancouver although he still manages to stab at the puck with his glove hand (I think in the offseason he needs to take up a game of catch) and then gets lambasted vs a lowly Edmonton team.

bleh.
- droche7

As I said last nite Bickell couldn't get you a 10th rounf pick if they had them.....WAIVE HIM.....ITS OVER.

Craw had great 1st month....since then his GA > 3.5 and his save% <.880!

Soft goals, poor angles, looses his net a couple times a game....he is the lead trainwreck.

ok. both you and JJ answered that way, so i wonder if the stick checking/finesse style is coming from somewhere else. if that is the case, has Q given up? was his statement a subtle jab at upper management? i just don't understand how a former defenseman who was a grinder would instruct guys to play this way.

furthermore, if Q has given up, would that explain the lack of any resilience by the team?
- dr_boloney

It's a different game and to have a good stick is very important. Fronting players always..... is something I don't agree with..

When you watch the replays of goals scored vs Hawks...Keep track how mnay times forwards aren't in the picture or arrive late and are reaching with there stick to check players...

It is more than just the defensemen.

Toews hinted to it also....Too much focus by some to score and not enoiugh concern about the other side of the game.

Crawford gave up 4 bad goals...But he wasn't supported either.

As I said last nite Bickell couldn't get you a 10th rounf pick if they had them.....WAIVE HIM.....ITS OVER.

Craw had great 1st month....since then his GA > 3.5 and his save% <.880!

Soft goals, poor angles, looses his net a couple times a game....he is the lead trainwreck.
- bogiedoc

I watched Bickell play almost his entire junior career and the fact that he is even in the NHL is one of the most baffling things I have experienced as a hockey fan...

As I said last nite Bickell couldn't get you a 10th rounf pick if they had them.....WAIVE HIM.....ITS OVER.

Craw had great 1st month....since then his GA > 3.5 and his save% <.880!

Soft goals, poor angles, looses his net a couple times a game....he is the lead trainwreck.
- bogiedoc

Never going to waive him....With his contract he is still tradeable but not as valuable as a couple of months ago....And that is on Bowman.

He is another example of Bowman overvaluing his club....Bickell was never a big goal scorer nor was ever really physical in the AHL....So now he is neither.