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

1. Can Mike Kitchen and thereby remove the rank odor that currently lingers in the coaching staff.

2. Tie a chain around C2's neck in practice and keep the leash tight from post to post. Why he's always adrift at sea on wrap arounds is UNACCEPTABLE and chalked up to BAD COACHING.

I am not sure where they go from here if they lose tonight. I tweeted JJ this last night, Crawford looked so lost last night that the only thing I could think of was Rick Ankiel throwing over the backstop when he was trying to pitch. Confidence is completely shot.

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

Scotty is just an "adviser" --- Jimmy Howard could be a more accurate comparison, he had a not good year but the 60 games he played paid off in the long run.

Everyone still seems to be under the assumption they are 100% committed to winning this year...

After they won they had to gut the team. Rebuilding / retooling usually takes a few years. This isn't surprising, especially when they have 5 million playing in Europe and over 3 in the AHL. Just because Wirtz is loaded, it does not justify pissing away money or assets on another potential albatross.

Looking at it from an analytic, long term success and business plan perspective their actions / lack there of are not at all surprising. You wont seen a dominating team for another year or two... Sorry to ruin your day. At least they are still pretty exciting / entertaining to watch most nights and we are blessed enough to be able to see the games on TV which was not an option half a decade ago.

Unload the dead weight and go after Shea Weber in the off season if he's available. Weber and Keith were Canadas best D pair in the Olympics. Then you can move Seabrook down with Hjalmarrson or Leddy and the last pair with Montador. You can ride the top 2 lines then with limited time for the 3rd pair .He may command $7mil+ but it be worth it to get more help for Crawford because barring a suprise trade he's not going anywhere.

Scotty is just an "adviser" --- Jimmy Howard could be a more accurate comparison, he had a not good year but the 60 games he played paid off in the long run.

Everyone still seems to be under the assumption they are 100% committed to winning this year...

After they won they had to gut the team. Rebuilding / retooling usually takes a few years. This isn't surprising, especially when they have 5 million playing in Europe and over 3 in the AHL. Just because Wirtz is loaded, it does not justify pissing away money or assets on another potential albatross.

Looking at it from an analytic, long term success and business plan perspective their actions / lack there of are not at all surprising. You wont seen a dominating team for another year or two... Sorry to ruin your day. At least they are still pretty exciting / entertaining to watch most nights and we are blessed enough to be able to see the games on TV which was not an option half a decade ago.
- fattybeef

Scotty is just an "adviser

Curious ...What does just an advisor mean in this case?

Would it make sense for the Hawks to trade for Khabibulin? He's signed through next season at $3.75 M, but could likely be unloaded at the draft if deemed necessary.

Would it make sense for the Hawks to trade for Khabibulin? He's signed through next season at $3.75 M, but could likely be unloaded at the draft if deemed necessary.
- axemen6

Never going to happen and never is a long long time.

Unload the dead weight and go after Shea Weber in the off season if he's available. Weber and Keith were Canadas best D pair in the Olympics. Then you can move Seabrook down with Hjalmarrson or Leddy and the last pair with Montador. You can ride the top 2 lines then with limited time for the 3rd pair .He may command $7mil+ but it be worth it to get more help for Crawford because barring a suprise trade he's not going anywhere.
- barth 39

I've got to think that adding another high end, huge contract player like Weber (@ likely 8mill+) and dropping the "dead weight" like (from your fellow posters examples) O'Donnel, Carcillo, Bickell, Mayers etc... will only make the overall problem worse, not better.

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.
- Al

Not to argue, but let's be clear about a couple things:

1) Forget support, Crawford was a total sieve last night. Before his meltdown, the team was leading 2-0 and on their way to a win. He was the #1 reason for the loss and should have been pulled after the 2nd goal. He stinks!

2) Scotty Bowman is not the General Manager, Stan is.

3) Q is a serial line shuffler worse than my mother-in-law is a pack rat. Stalberg/Toew/Kane play a fine game in Vancouver on Tuesday. Next thing I see is Stalberg with Morrison. That's ridiculous.

4) Just who the hell is responsible for dressing John Scott 2 games in a row and for what reason. He hadn't been seen for weeks. What, was he needed to intimidate the little guys on the Oilers?

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

PLUS can't absorb / catch pucks - did he have ANY absorbed / caught pucks last nite?

That didn't hurt him much last nite, but very often does - and causes all sorts of problems getting the puck out.

1. Can Mike Kitchen and thereby remove the rank odor that currently lingers in the coaching staff.

2. Tie a chain around C2's neck in practice and keep the leash tight from post to post. Why he's always adrift at sea on wrap arounds is UNACCEPTABLE and chalked up to BAD COACHING.
- philco28

Phil,

I brought your point up today in my article.

But Waite said last week he finds nothing technically wrong with Crawford...

There is way too much Hawk fan on Hawk fan crime going on today.


We all want the hawks to win every night

We all want the Hawks to compete every night

The roster set as it is now is not anywhere good enough to win a Stanley Cup.

I've been against moving one of the "core" guys generally speaking but it might be a must now. It may take a Sharp or Kane to acquire a real power forward or a real top 3 D man. Both needs of this Blackhawks team. Im kind of the opposite of JJ when it comes to Kane , I love him. But He has not taken over 1 game this year. Not 1. His value might never be higher. His maturity may never be lower.

PLUS can't absorb / catch pucks - did he have ANY absorbed / caught pucks last nite?

That didn't hurt him much last nite, but very often does - and causes all sorts of problems getting the puck out.
- StLBravesFan

His glove hand has been an isue on and off all season.


Last night he fell into an old bad habit of overplaying the puck and losing his net.

Not to argue, but let's be clear about a couple things:

1) Forget support, Crawford was a total sieve last night. Before his meltdown, the team was leading 2-0 and on their way to a win. He was the #1 reason for the loss and should have been pulled after the 2nd goal. He stinks!

2) Scotty Bowman is not the General Manager, Stan is.

3) Q is a serial line shuffler worse than my mother-in-law is a pack rat. Stalberg/Toew/Kane play a fine game in Vancouver on Tuesday. Next thing I see is Stalberg with Morrison. That's ridiculous.

4) Just who the hell is responsible for dressing John Scott 2 games in a row and for what reason. He hadn't been seen for weeks. What, was he needed to intimidate the little guys on the Oilers?
- RickJ

THIS, THIS, THIS AND THIS!!!

I've got to think that adding another high end, huge contract player like Weber (@ likely 8mill+) and dropping the "dead weight" like (from your fellow posters examples) O'Donnel, Carcillo, Bickell, Mayers etc... will only make the overall problem worse, not better.
- Lohaus

For the record, Mayers is pretty F'ing far from dead weight on this team. He's consistently been arguably the best bottom 6 Forward on this team this year.

Team President John McDonough actually has a special, personal hockey adviser (Al McIsaac)— who isn't the GM or Sr. VP Hockey operations (the Bowmans) who also report to him.

I think Rocky needs to let John McDonough go. IMO Rocky gave him way to much power and now the Hawks are turning into the cubs organization under his power. A lot of talent, Big contracts, bigger overhead and feeling the fans owe the players and management something. Maybe there is a reason why Dale Tallon didn't jive with John McD? Time for Rocky to wake up and stop smelling McD's coffee.

On coach Q he is probably tired of the top brass telling him how to coach this team and is the reason why certain players are rostered each night. Coach Q is doing a great job on the way he carries the load of top management.

In the end its all about $$$$

1. Can Mike Kitchen and thereby remove the rank odor that currently lingers in the coaching staff.

2. Tie a chain around C2's neck in practice and keep the leash tight from post to post. Why he's always adrift at sea on wrap arounds is UNACCEPTABLE and chalked up to BAD COACHING.
- philco28

Bad team defense = declining goalie confidence = bad mechanics/decisions. It's a team game folks. When you are a goalie and your team is not doing what it is supposed to do in front of you, you start to second guess what you as a goalie are supposed to do in the name of bailing your team out. If he "stays in position" he would likely get roasted for not trying to be more aggressive.

The first goal was a redirect off of Seabrook's stick ten feet from the crease. One of the "out of position" goals given up last night (the third one I think) was 100% due to late to the dance Leddy and his freaking size 25 clown shoes that pushed Crawford out of the crease back toward the trapezoid, ensuring that he could not get back in time.

I wish C2 broke more sticks over crossbars in games like this. SOMEONE has to send a message to the team at large that they are not playing as a team.

Keep the focus on the real problem - the 2010 "system" does not work with this group of players. The lack of adjustment to play to the strengths, or at least to play away from the weaknesses of your players' talents is a COACHING issue. A stubborn adherence to a system that is failing is the shortest path to the links in April. What is the point of showcasing guys like Mayers on TV for grit when they are not allowed to use it?

For the record, Mayers is pretty F'ing far from dead weight on this team. He's consistently been arguably the best bottom 6 Forward on this team this year.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm just using names I've read for discussion purposes...

Never going to happen and never is a long long time.
- Al

So what's the solution between the pipes? CHI has the 2nd worse GAA in the West...CLB being dead last.

So what's the solution between the pipes? CHI has the 2nd worse GAA in the West...CLB being dead last.
- axemen6

GAA is a team stat. Let's start with working on team defense.

For the record, Mayers is pretty F'ing far from dead weight on this team. He's consistently been arguably the best bottom 6 Forward on this team this year.
- Ogilthorpe2

Mayers scored a big goal against Vancouver tying that game and putting an end to the Canucks early momentum and scored a goal last night that got the Hawks off to a fast start. One of the few guys to play physical and stand up for teammates when warranted without taking stupid penalties to hurt the team. Easily the best signing of the off season and who would have thought that. I know I didn't at the time. He has done everything he was asked and expected to do without complaining and hasn't tried to be something he's not which seems to be a problem with more than a few of his teammates.

Brutal effort last night. Hopefully Emery can regain the form he found when Crawford was hurt. Hopefully they can shore up the blue line. Hopefully they can keep getting some secondary scoring from the bottom 6.

Lots of ifs.

I know it may have tied into the long term commitment and the unknowns regarding the next CBA, rather than this season, but I can't help but think that this team would really have been better off keeping Brian Campbell.

I am not sure where they go from here if they lose tonight. I tweeted JJ this last night, Crawford looked so lost last night that the only thing I could think of was Rick Ankiel throwing over the backstop when he was trying to pitch. Confidence is completely shot.
- furso27

sad but decent analogy...how about Sax of the Dodgers and Knoblauch of the Yanks with their troubles with throws to first.

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.
- Al

But that was my point...that might as well waive him cuz as you point out his trade value is just above the zero line.

So what's the solution between the pipes? CHI has the 2nd worse GAA in the West...CLB being dead last.
- axemen6

Find it amazing after 30+ starts Crawford has zero SO.