Goals are scored because mistakes are made. In order to minimize mistakes players need to play a system. Playing a system minimizes mistakes because players know their options. Forwards being at the other teams blue line when the puck is in their zone is not a system that is beer league. The Hawks are so predictable in every facet of their game, this makes them easy to play against. Edmonton averaged almost six goals a game against us and went 3 and 1. Name another team that they did this too. They exposed our neutral ice play, defencive zone coverage and penalty killing. This is the NHL, even the bottom end players can be taught to defend. Bring in all the talent you want, the problems will still exist.
- hawksbuzz

Thankyou Coach Hitchcock for your hockey tutorial and amazing revelations.

You want a system to admire - try Dave Tippett's in Phoenix, it excellent. Where are they in the standings? You know why - because they are thin on talent. Another good one is Pittsburgh's - unfortunately it doesn't seem to work with as much consistency as Coach Bylsma would like. Might have something to do with talent like Crosby and Staal being out of the lineup.

Show me talent and a very good goaltender and I will show you a very good coach.

The fact of the matter is is that the Hawks, when playing well, are not easy to play against because of the amount of skill they possess up front, their speed and the ability to make the other team chase the puck. When playing poorly, their lack of physical play and defensive zone weaknesses become glaringly obvious.

Believe it or not, the Hawks have a system. The problem is that the talent on this team is not consistently capable of executing it on a very high level.

Your theory of having player robots playing a system 'so they know their options' is total rubbish. Ask any player who has played the game at a high level, they play best when playing intinctually and not overthinking.

This painful stretch of hockey for the Hawks will prove to be a major positive for the hawks going forward. Yes this is counter intuitive to what many express here, but like all trends, ebbs and flows it is apparent that the team/organization is finally bottoming out.

Sell them when they are yelling, buy em when they are crying...two old trader phrases. What does it mean? Well from a fans perspective, we have developed expectations that are out of sync with reality...proof...the hysteria all over the board (which I have contributed too).

From a team perspective, ultimately this is the best thing that could happen to them. It is the sort of thing that makes or breaks you. After coming from nowhere in a few short years with a young talented squad, the team did not experience any adversity. Obviously with the roster shake up last year, there were built in excuses all around. After a mediocre season, they almost found their mojo to beat Vancouver in opening round. That too would have sent a wrong message, that you can lollygag around and think you can turn it on and off.

This year we are now "reloaded", according to the organization. And while improved, and having flashes of brilliance, something still is not right.

Now I am not here to point out what needs to be done and how this story ultimately plays out, but what I do know is that we are finally getting closer to realizing what the problems are. Specifically, all the built in excuses etc are no longer valid. This team is naked and vulnerable. Players are being exposed. Guys with expectations are crumbling or at least stressing under the weight.

This is a good thing, because before you can fix something you have to ID what is really wrong. And it is not just depth guys etc. It is the character and dedication of core players, coaching, philosophy, chemistry, management. JJ and others have pointed it out too well, these guys have fallen into the trap of believing their own hype. Expecting teams to bow down.

And while everyone keeps crying for some big trade and practically melted down when SB says no imminent help on the way, I am actually glad to hear that. It turns the focus internally, where it needs to be. You can't fix things always by adding this or that. The additional talent is marginal, and will not be enough to make a difference by itself. It is like a hollow person going shopping and creating a front that shows everything is in order and beautiful, when internally that person is in agony.

Fast forward, and hopefully things get righted, but think how much better this team will be by picking themselves up by their own collective boot straps? If you think they can't then drastically lower your own expectations and stop whining. My main contention in this all is that the most valuable thing this team can do is overcome its first real adversity. It may take time, it may be painful, but when done we will be better for it. For the first time this team can not kid itself anymore. Ultimately, this dose of humility will serve them well.

This is the cap era, in order to have a strong core you have half the team of second tier players. They need to know their roles and need to be taught a system and put in a position to succeed.

Success in the new NHL comes with drafting well, developing your prospects and coaching.
- hawksbuzz

Indeed, very, very well said. ... I'll also add that you better make damn sure your core players, that consume 50% of the payroll, come to play and produce every night. A team that goes with a top heavy payroll simply can't overcome spotty production from any of its core.

Are the Hawks getting that from Kieth all of last year and this year to date, or from Kane?

This painful stretch of hockey for the Hawks will prove to be a major positive for the hawks going forward. Yes this is counter intuitive to what many express here, but like all trends, ebbs and flows it is apparent that the team/organization is finally bottoming out.

Sell them when they are yelling, buy em when they are crying...two old trader phrases. What does it mean? Well from a fans perspective, we have developed expectations that are out of sync with reality...proof...the hysteria all over the board (which I have contributed too).

From a team perspective, ultimately this is the best thing that could happen to them. It is the sort of thing that makes or breaks you. After coming from nowhere in a few short years with a young talented squad, the team did not experience any adversity. Obviously with the roster shake up last year, there were built in excuses all around. After a mediocre season, they almost found their mojo to beat Vancouver in opening round. That too would have sent a wrong message, that you can lollygag around and think you can turn it on and off.

This year we are now "reloaded", according to the organization. And while improved, and having flashes of brilliance, something still is not right.

Now I am not here to point out what needs to be done and how this story ultimately plays out, but what I do know is that we are finally getting closer to realizing what the problems are. Specifically, all the built in excuses etc are no longer valid. This team is naked and vulnerable. Players are being exposed. Guys with expectations are crumbling or at least stressing under the weight.

This is a good thing, because before you can fix something you have to ID what is really wrong. And it is not just depth guys etc. It is the character and dedication of core players, coaching, philosophy, chemistry, management. JJ and others have pointed it out too well, these guys have fallen into the trap of believing their own hype. Expecting teams to bow down.

And while everyone keeps crying for some big trade and practically melted down when SB says no imminent help on the way, I am actually glad to hear that. It turns the focus internally, where it needs to be. You can't fix things always by adding this or that. The additional talent is marginal, and will not be enough to make a difference by itself. It is like a hollow person going shopping and creating a front that shows everything is in order and beautiful, when internally that person is in agony.

Fast forward, and hopefully things get righted, but think how much better this team will be by picking themselves up by their own collective boot straps? If you think they can't then drastically lower your own expectations and stop whining. My main contention in this all is that the most valuable thing this team can do is overcome its first real adversity. It may take time, it may be painful, but when done we will be better for it. For the first time this team can not kid itself anymore. Ultimately, this dose of humility will serve them well.
- TrueGrit

Agreed

Really I am so pissed!
I have been a fan of the Black Hawks since 1963 when I met Bobby Hull, who was a friend of my Dad when they played together in Point Anne in the good old days.
I cannot believe that the ownership of this collection of a$$holes cannot fix this team!
You bloggers are always 100% right on the money. You know exactly what the problems are and those idiots that run this disaster just refuse to listen.
Obviously you are the true and only fans of this storied franchise and the ownership, management, coaching staff and players are blatantly ignoring your incredible experience and knowledge.
You have all, with your obvious genius, given the professionals that guide this confederacy of dunces the blueprint of eternal success in the NHL.

1. Its the marketing departments fault. We should have "30 Goals" thereby guaranteeing success no matter the record!
2. Its those imperious brain dead Bowman's fault. (frank) their success everywhere else!
3. If we only had Troy Brouwer, Dustin Byfuglien, Brian Campbell, Andrew Ladd, Kris Versteeg, and the immortal Jake Dowell we would be invulnerable, impetuous and irrepressible.
4. The Hawks broadcasters are incompetent and worse have brain implants that are only capable of espousing the direct feed of the mind control front office. Their refusal to eviscerate the players, coaches and management on the back of a humiliating loss is the root of the problem!
5. WTF with the "one" Stanley Cup bullpoop! Every other NHL franchise has won a long string of consecutive Cups and has been dominant for decades at a time.
6. Hits (not those faggy "bodychecks") win the Cup every time. Goals are so 90's! And fights...well, they aren't really that important anymore unless you are losing in which case it is imperative that the bloggers lust for vindictive and vengeful spilling of blood is satiated rendering the loss inconsequential.
7. We must trade, release, kidnap or hobble the following: Keith ( too much estrogen)
Kane (not enough Matt Cooke), Bickell (child murderer), Montador (Al Quaeda operative), Frolik (Euro wussy) and especially every goalie since Glen Hall that ever played (Hasek, Belfour, Niemi)
7. How dare this franchise not panic and summarily change all the players and coaches on annual basis...it is the recipe for continued sports success eg.( Browns, (Clippers, Islanders) that whole "stability and patience" fallacy never works eg. Steelers, Lakers, Red Wings)

At any rate I guess I am just an old school fan, supporting my team through ups and downs, the highs and the lows, the good and the bad.

When I discovered the phenomenon of sports blogs and especially "Hockey Buzz" first with Sassone through Al and on to JJ I could always look forward to reasonable discourse and respect for all opinions.

However, it seems as though the Philistines have triumphed. The recent travails of the team have warped the conversation and any disagreement or positive view is met with derision, ridicule and even worse the convention that only those that are in agreement with the moderators have credence and that divergent views are only the domain of the ignorant, challenged on all fronts by a bully pulpit.

Of course, I will marginalized by the prevailing thought police, by not counseling Hawk armageddon but ther is always the hope that Ryan Miller will save the day!
- BattleshipKelly

Agree, disagree, or some combination in between--this is brilliant.

And I don't buy all of the McDounough McCub crap, and I am pretty critical of the team, and can't quite buy the media's over-optimism, and appreciate the cynicism and sarcasm on display here from many of the bloggers/posters--but yours is a great post.

Hell yea. I'd take Roy and Regehr . If Buffalo want to clear them out for salary reasons they'd fit in nicely with the Hawks.
- mrpaulish

Sell out your prospects for an old, small, injury prone centre and an old, slow bottom pairing Dman? They both carry a 4 mill cap hit into next year. How do we fit that into our Cap? There is a reason they call it a salary dump! The only trade I would make with Buffalo is for Lindy. He would solve most of our problems without costing us the future.

Pretty much sums it up. Good read.
- Ogilthorpe2

Thanks guys..

Need some new blood and Jimmy Hayes might not be enough.

The pickings are getting slim for Bowman and if his search doesn't expand the Hawks could end up in a battle for the last two playoff spots.

I agree that Seabs is better and deserves top billing...but Keith, in his prime with his cap friendly contract, could fetch A LOT in return. And other than playing a ton of minutes..he doesn't hit, doesn't score much, can't hit the net much....doesn't offer much...we could dump him and get a lot in return.
- philco28

I know what you're saying, but with the way the market is for top 4 D-men right now, I think you'd be hard pressed to replace Keith for the same or less cap hit. Plus, every year that passes, that long term cap hit is going to look better and better.

I think the better plan is to get him off the PP where he stinks, and try to get his ice time own a bit so that hopefully he's more effective in the minutes that he does play.

Sell out your prospects for an old, small, injury prone centre and an old, slow bottom pairing Dman? They both carry a 4 mill cap hit into next year. How do we fit that into our Cap? There is a reason they call it a salary dump! The only trade I would make with Buffalo is for Lindy. He would solve most of our problems without costing us the future.
- hawksbuzz

You could get your wish on Lindy soon...But probably not here.

Regehr is not a bottom pairing defender and is much better than Monty and the others that are 4-8 here. Taking some pressure off Leddy at 20 years old is not a bad idea.

Roy is small and has been hurt...He is also a much better player then Morrison, Kruger, Sam Gagne and I could go on.

The Hawks have 8-9 salaries dropping off the books including Huet and no one is a due a raise.

The numbers can work if the deisre to spend is there.

As far as prospects....They are all wishes and hopes and despite the Kool Aid that is gulped and splashed ariund only Pirri could someday be considered a top six forward of those in Rockford.

Olsen and Lalonde are not as well thought of around the NHL as some believe.

But you are entitled to your opinion...So keep sitting back and hoping for better days.

I know what you're saying, but with the way the market is for top 4 D-men right now, I think you'd be hard pressed to replace Keith for the same or less cap hit. Plus, every year that passes, that long term cap hit is going to look better and better.

I think the better plan is to get him off the PP where he stinks, and try to get his ice time own a bit so that hopefully he's more effective in the minutes that he does play.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yep, the realities don't favor moving Keith i realize. But to me right now, he's not earning his keep and he's not playing well at all. Guess we're stuck with his active stick, wussy a ss for at least the rest of this season.

Pretty much sums it up. Good read.
- Ogilthorpe2

Thanks

Pretty much sums it up. Good read.
- Ogilthorpe2

Thanks

Pretty much sums it up. Good read.
- Ogilthorpe2

Thanks

Sorry...internet wonky I didn't see the three posts above!

Fast forward, and hopefully things get righted, but think how much better this team will be by picking themselves up by their own collective boot straps?
- TrueGrit

Do you think they can as constructed?

As a fan of any sport all I ask for is effort and heart, from there I hope for wins.

How can this team, core still intact, play so poorly most of last year and v Vancouver in the playoffs go down 3-0, playing poorly, and then hit a switch and take the series to OT in game 7?

That team, and it's core, could play at a high level IF they chose to work to do so. They showed that in that series after sleepwalking through most of last season, where they simply lacked effort/heart.

How can this team, same core intact, play so well losing in OT to Detroit twice, Vancouver in OT, beat San Jose in January and look so horrid v a depleted Calgary club and a weak Edmonton club?

The above shows me they are no different from last year, core intact. IMO the team doesn't have the will, heart or effort to win consistently or pull themselves up by their bootstraps as constructed.

This group has shown us through 1 and 1/2 seasons, which is a good sample size, they don't have the attributes to overcome adversity.

Whether it's the core, coaching or upper management is up for debate. What IMO is not up for debate, watching this core and the coaching staff/management over the last season and a half, is they don't have what's needed to win consistently. But watching them come to play v Detroit, Vancouver or San Jose would indicate they can if they chose to.

You could get your wish on Lindy soon...But probably not here.

Regehr is not a bottom pairing defender and is much better than Monty and the others that are 4-8 here. Taking some pressure off Leddy at 20 years old is not a bad idea.

Roy is small and has been hurt...He is also a much better player then Morrison, Kruger, Sam Gagne and I could go on.

The Hawks have 8-9 salaries dropping off the books including Huet and no one is a due a raise.

The numbers can work if the deisre to spend is there.

As far as prospects....They are all wishes and hopes and despite the Kool Aid that is gulped and splashed ariund only Pirri could someday be considered a top six forward of those in Rockford.

Olsen and Lalonde are not as well thought of around the NHL as some believe.

But you are entitled to your opinion...So keep sitting back and hoping for better days.
- Al

So Al, you arent buying into the "its a transition year" theory? Nor am I.

Like virtually all other NHL teams, the Hawks don't have 5 or 6 players that are going to bust onto the NHL scene anytime soon and be difference makers. To get some quality minutes/games out of minor leaguers is helpful during a long season. The Hawks were fortunate to get some good things out of Hayes, Shaw and Pirri. But they aren't the answer to the quantum improvement leap that is required right now.

Depending on what the Sabres want in return, I'd take the chance on Derek Roy and one more year on his contract. He was a very good junior player and has been same in Buffalo until a year ago. Robin Regehr, I would take a pass on.

You could get your wish on Lindy soon...But probably not here.

Regehr is not a bottom pairing defender and is much better than Monty and the others that are 4-8 here. Taking some pressure off Leddy at 20 years old is not a bad idea.

Roy is small and has been hurt...He is also a much better player then Morrison, Kruger, Sam Gagne and I could go on.

The Hawks have 8-9 salaries dropping off the books including Huet and no one is a due a raise.

The numbers can work if the deisre to spend is there.

As far as prospects....They are all wishes and hopes and despite the Kool Aid that is gulped and splashed ariund only Pirri could someday be considered a top six forward of those in Rockford.

Olsen and Lalonde are not as well thought of around the NHL as some believe.

But you are entitled to your opinion...So keep sitting back and hoping for better days.
- Al

We have 54 mill. committed to 16 players. So lets add in two more contracts at 8 mill.? Five players to sign for 2 mill. and that is if the cap stays the same. We have too much committed to next year already. Bowman is filling in next years roster with his kids. This team has signed its core long term and needs to get a steady supply of kids from the farm to support them. These don't need to be top end talent just role players. Like it or not Bowmans intention all year has been to fill in the roster with cheap expiring contracts and to let the kids develope. This is a retooling year. Bowman will never get into cap hell again!!!

Thanks guys..

Need some new blood and Jimmy Hayes might not be enough.

The pickings are getting slim for Bowman and if his search doesn't expand the Hawks could end up in a battle for the last two playoff spots.
- Al

Al,
You were comparing the Hawks-Edmonton matchup to Boston-Carolina yesterday. I wonder if the best comparison might be that the 'Hawks are kind of like the Flyers. Jekyll and Hyde, lots of goal scoring, iffy goaltending--look at their game today, on home ice! They remind me of the Blackhawks--and they don't inspire a lot of confidence re. Cup chances.

I agree that Seabs is better and deserves top billing...but Keith, in his prime with his cap friendly contract, could fetch A LOT in return. And other than playing a ton of minutes..he doesn't hit, doesn't score much, can't hit the net much....doesn't offer much...we could dump him and get a lot in return.
- philco28

Not only do I agree with both of you -- but when I brought this up last year (I had committed a cardinal sin by suggesting the team trade Keith) -- I got hammered for the idea. My thought at the time: many GM's are probably similarly fooled by Keith and the oddity of his Norris win. It will NEVER happen again for him. But we could get back a king's ransom in some really good pieces by ridding ourselves of that albatross of an agreement.

Thankyou Coach Hitchcock for your hockey tutorial and amazing revelations.

You want a system to admire - try Dave Tippett's in Phoenix, it excellent. Where are they in the standings? You know why - because they are thin on talent. Another good one is Pittsburgh's - unfortunately it doesn't seem to work with as much consistency as Coach Bylsma would like. Might have something to do with talent like Crosby and Staal being out of the lineup.

Show me talent and a very good goaltender and I will show you a very good coach.

The fact of the matter is is that the Hawks, when playing well, are not easy to play against because of the amount of skill they possess up front, their speed and the ability to make the other team chase the puck. When playing poorly, their lack of physical play and defensive zone weaknesses become glaringly obvious.

Believe it or not, the Hawks have a system. The problem is that the talent on this team is not consistently capable of executing it on a very high level.

Your theory of having player robots playing a system 'so they know their options' is total rubbish. Ask any player who has played the game at a high level, they play best when playing intinctually and not overthinking.
- RickJ

Hitch in Chicago Pitts has the same record as us without Crosby and Stall. Imagine where the Hawks would be without Toews or Hossa for the year So I guess I would like to see that system Bylsma has in place used in Chicago

Al,
You were comparing the Hawks-Edmonton matchup to Boston-Carolina yesterday. I wonder if the best comparison might be that the 'Hawks are kind of like the Flyers. Jekyll and Hyde, lots of goal scoring, iffy goaltending--look at their game today, on home ice! They remind me of the Blackhawks--and they don't inspire a lot of confidence re. Cup chances.
- AL SEC0RD

Probably a thougtful comparison.

We have 54 mill. committed to 16 players. So lets add in two more contracts at 8 mill.? Five players to sign for 2 mill. and that is if the cap stays the same. We have too much committed to next year already. Bowman is filling in next years roster with his kids. This team has signed its core long term and needs to get a steady supply of kids from the farm to support them. These don't need to be top end talent just role players. Like it or not Bowmans intention all year has been to fill in the roster with cheap expiring contracts and to let the kids develope. This is a retooling year. Bowman will never get into cap hell again!!!
- hawksbuzz

Nor will he win a cup again either...

So Al, you arent buying into the "its a transition year" theory? Nor am I.

Like virtually all other NHL teams, the Hawks don't have 5 or 6 players that are going to bust onto the NHL scene anytime soon and be difference makers. To get some quality minutes/games out of minor leaguers is helpful during a long season. The Hawks were fortunate to get some good things out of Hayes, Shaw and Pirri. But they aren't the answer to the quantum improvement leap that is required right now.

Depending on what the Sabres want in return, I'd take the chance on Derek Roy and one more year on his contract. He was a very good junior player and has been same in Buffalo until a year ago. Robin Regehr, I would take a pass on.
- RickJ

I see no indication here of ever doing anything on the cheap. But if nothing substantial happens before the deadline then maybe there is a new path.


I think what gets lost in the shuffle and I mentioned it on the radio the other day.

On a very good club with high end talent...A second line center on a bad team might not improve things here...The player may not improve his stats because he is surrounded with better players.... See Michael Frolik for an example.

The Hawks are most likley not goiung to acquire two $4 mill players but a Regehr who is still a top 4 dman on many teams could fit comfortably in here as a 4-5, because he isn't asked to play over his head.

Otherwise there will be more Morrison like acquisitions....4th line centers who are slotted higher. I would like to see Bowman aim higher.

I wrote the other day Morrison played 2nd line center for 2 games and Hossa was about as unoticeable as he has ever been. Maybe they have given up on BM playing up or they could give him another chance or two. Still looking to catch lightning in a bottle.

You guys really need to lay off of Kieth. Lets look at the cup year and the 3 pairings compared to last year and this year. Now lets look at the minutes Kieth is being asked to play last year and this year = a ton more minutes well lets think of why. 1) no sopel Johnson or boynton = good shot blockers good penalty killers.
2) no Campbell he could be relied on more than Od and montador power play ect.
We do not have these guys anymore and Keith and Seabrook are playing in EVERY situation and are fatigued and lets not forget they are up against the other teams best players. Trust me lets get a good #3 #4 d man and a good #6 shot blocker and ther mintues will be around 22 to 24 and we will see kieth of old.

Nor will he win a cup again either...
- hawks2010

You really believe Frolik is going to be here at his level of contract to play 4th line mins??

Also I hope you are not including Olesz in the mix with your cap numbers...So your numbers could be off by over $5 mill.

If Bowman was high on Olesz at all he should have been here weeks ago.

Also you are considering adding two $4 mill players which most liikley isn't going to happen.

Probably a thougtful comparison.
- Al

And the Devils are now winning 6-0 in Philadelphia. It is a Blackhawk-like implosion.