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

No question: He's been great down there with what has been a revolving door of line mates searching for a clue!

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?
- Return of the Roar

I somewhat understand your point. I played goal for over 25 years at various levels. I was on some very good teams and some others, well, not so good. However, as a goalie you have to focus on making the saves you should make before you worry about anything else. You'll get no argument from me that this team's defense is sorely lacking at that at times they have left Crawford and Emery out to dry; however, the bigger issue is that Crawford is not making the easy saves he should make. You cannot blame the defense on Hall's goal or Barker's goal. You have to make those saves. Those goals had nothing to do with the defense. I hate to admit it, but I had my share of bad games where I gave up a bad goal or two and it really deflated the team. You could see it and feel it. Remember the Nashville game and that goal he gave up from basically the red line. The Hawks were in that game and after that goal, you could see the wind sucked out of them, much like last night's goal by Hall. Now I'm not saying your team should fold it's tent every time a goalie gives up a bad goal. Those things are gonna happen and the team has to be more mentally strong than that, but at the same time, he has given up a ton of soft goals at the worst possible time in games. Giving up a softie when you are winning 6-1 or 5-0 . . . not a big deal. Giving one up when you are tied or up a goal, those are killers, especially when it is happening repeatedly.

SB's hands are often tied, you hear.

Interesting comment.

Tied by whom? McD? Rocky?

Please elaborate.

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

Thank you. They are what they are at this point.

A serious personnel change or a coaching change needs to happen now. What infuriates me is every game each team has equally the amount of chances to lay a clean check. The other team uses this opportunity 90% of the time against the Hawks...conversely the Hawks use about 20% the opportunity to lay a check. Instead, preferring to coast on by waving their sticks around hoping the opponent gives them the puck back like children. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT? Where are the guys pride? Grow some balls and HIT THEM BACK!! Newsflash players and coaches, we don't have puck as often anymore so we have to hit them to FORCE the puck off their sticks. I wouldn't dare let someone hit me all game and I'm not going to hit them back.

I knew all along Leddy still needed more time in Rockford. His skating is what got him by till now...now the book is out. The same book is out on Kane and the Hawks defense...be tough and physical and they will disappear like a ghost in a haunted mansion. TOO many wasted roster spots on this team. Too many pairings with the wrong players on them. Worst, the coaching staff not adjusting at all.

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

Is it possible Q is trying to force Bowmans hand by dressing Scott and basicly saying this is what you're giving me to work with so I'm going to play him until you get me a legit d-man who can take a regular shift and contribute or Q has lost his mind take your pick.

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.
- bogiedoc

No ..believe it or not his trade value is not 0 because he is signed next year for close to the minimum.

I somewhat understand your point. I played goal for over 25 years at various levels. I was on some very good teams and some others, well, not so good. However, as a goalie you have to focus on making the saves you should make before you worry about anything else. You'll get no argument from me that this team's defense is sorely lacking at that at times they have left Crawford and Emery out to dry; however, the bigger issue is that Crawford is not making the easy saves he should make. You cannot blame the defense on Hall's goal or Barker's goal. You have to make those saves. Those goals had nothing to do with the defense. I hate to admit it, but I had my share of bad games where I gave up a bad goal or two and it really deflated the team. You could see it and feel it. Remember the Nashville game and that goal he gave up from basically the red line. The Hawks were in that game and after that goal, you could see the wind sucked out of them, much like last night's goal by Hall. Now I'm not saying your team should fold it's tent every time a goalie gives up a bad goal. Those things are gonna happen and the team has to be more mentally strong than that, but at the same time, he has given up a ton of soft goals at the worst possible time in games. Giving up a softie when you are winning 6-1 or 5-0 . . . not a big deal. Giving one up when you are tied or up a goal, those are killers, especially when it is happening repeatedly.
- RetiredGoalie

Very interesting...it usually alot of hyperbole to say a season changed on 1 goal or play but since that goal they have been outscored 17-8, lost 4 in arow and have only played maybe 4 or 5 solid periods.

This team has absolutey ZERO toughness on the top 3 lines and on D arguably only Seabrook will lay a body on somebody. There was a point in the game last night, and I don't remember who it was on Edmonton, but he was at the side of the net taking whacks at Crawford and the Hawks just skated away...nobody put this guy on his back side. The Hawks had 10 hits last night in a game where they gave up 8 goals...completely unacceptable.

And yes...Crawford looks lost. We need to ride Emery now to see if we need a goalie before the deadline.

Also, the Leddy experiment as a top 4 defensman needs to end for now. He is clearly not there yet.

No ..believe it or not his trade value is not 0 because he is signed next year for close to the minimum.
- Al

ok.....I won't push the point any further...and that is probably why they are more than willing to give him every opportunity to finally get it....cuz he is cheap and former #2 pick

Very interesting...it usually alot of hyperbole to say a season changed on 1 goal or play but since that goal they have been outscored 17-8, lost 4 in arow and have only played maybe 4 or 5 solid periods.
- bogiedoc

Interesting take. I really wasn't pointing to that goal as the reason for their current slide though, just saying that it turned the momentum in that one particular game, much like the Hall goal last night. Two different games, but bad goals given up at bad times that changed the way the Hawks played from that point on.

You want to blame Joel Quenneville, but he has been dealt a lousy hand of talent.


Wo wo wo stop the Clock (stern fans will get this)

Did u say Q has been dealt a lousy hand of talent...........
Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Keith, Seabs, - 6 of the top players in the league.
He might have a lousy supporting cast for his talented players to play with, but almost every team has these problems.

The constant line juggling, and line matching on the road are making me sick. There is no reason to have Scott in the line-up, and although I think Frolik is paid too much, there is no reason to have him in the press box unless he's being traded.

Q has lost this team. Crawford has lost this team. We dominated the 1st in EDM (should have been 4-0), dominated the 2cd and 3rd in Van, but as soon as we have a little adversity we fold. There is nothing like playing in front of a goalie who keeps letting in softies.
Ride Emery, Fire Q, get us a Dman so 2 of our best players dont have to play 30 min a game, Kane step up, lets go.

Interesting take. I really wasn't pointing to that goal as the reason for their current slide though, just saying that it turned the momentum in that one particular game, much like the Hall goal last night. Two different games, but bad goals given up at bad times that changed the way the Hawks played from that point on.
- RetiredGoalie

I think the timing of goals against does play a role in momentum. That being said, the two examples I gave were the ones which turned the tide from a shutout to being down by one goal. Arguably the worst timed goals against of the game.

As I have said all long - with this team/system in front of you, even Tim Thomas would be a sieve.

What a day to get my playoff invoice...

Is it possible Q is trying to force Bowmans hand by dressing Scott and basicly saying this is what you're giving me to work with so I'm going to play him until you get me a legit d-man who can take a regular shift and contribute or Q has lost his mind take your pick.
- jhawk159

I think a combination of both, but he's going to get himself canned at this rate!

You want to blame Joel Quenneville, but he has been dealt a lousy hand of talent.


Wo wo wo stop the Clock (stern fans will get this)

Did u say Q has been dealt a lousy hand of talent...........
Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Keith, Seabs, - 6 of the top players in the league.
He might have a lousy supporting cast for his talented players to play with, but almost every team has these problems.

The constant line juggling, and line matching on the road are making me sick. There is no reason to have Scott in the line-up, and although I think Frolik is paid too much, there is no reason to have him in the press box unless he's being traded.

Q has lost this team. Crawford has lost this team. We dominated the 1st in EDM (should have been 4-0), dominated the 2cd and 3rd in Van, but as soon as we have a little adversity we fold. There is nothing like playing in front of a goalie who keeps letting in softies.
Ride Emery, Fire Q, get us a Dman so 2 of our best players dont have to play 30 min a game, Kane step up, lets go.
- Boisy12

Too many wasted roster spots...

RIGHT ON THE HEAD WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER , JJ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You want to blame Joel Quenneville, but he has been dealt a lousy hand of talent.


Wo wo wo stop the Clock (stern fans will get this)

Did u say Q has been dealt a lousy hand of talent...........
Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Keith, Seabs, - 6 of the top players in the league.
He might have a lousy supporting cast for his talented players to play with, but almost every team has these problems.

The constant line juggling, and line matching on the road are making me sick. There is no reason to have Scott in the line-up, and although I think Frolik is paid too much, there is no reason to have him in the press box unless he's being traded.

Q has lost this team. Crawford has lost this team. We dominated the 1st in EDM (should have been 4-0), dominated the 2cd and 3rd in Van, but as soon as we have a little adversity we fold. There is nothing like playing in front of a goalie who keeps letting in softies.
Ride Emery, Fire Q, get us a Dman so 2 of our best players dont have to play 30 min a game, Kane step up, lets go.
- Boisy12

Interesting, all of those directives fall on Bowman or Q . . . except 1.

Too many wasted roster spots...
- Al

yes, and no structure to how the team plays the game.

You want to blame Joel Quenneville, but he has been dealt a lousy hand of talent.


Wo wo wo stop the Clock (stern fans will get this)

Did u say Q has been dealt a lousy hand of talent...........
Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Keith, Seabs, - 6 of the top players in the league.
He might have a lousy supporting cast for his talented players to play with, but almost every team has these problems.

The constant line juggling, and line matching on the road are making me sick. There is no reason to have Scott in the line-up, and although I think Frolik is paid too much, there is no reason to have him in the press box unless he's being traded.

Q has lost this team. Crawford has lost this team. We dominated the 1st in EDM (should have been 4-0), dominated the 2cd and 3rd in Van, but as soon as we have a little adversity we fold. There is nothing like playing in front of a goalie who keeps letting in softies.
Ride Emery, Fire Q, get us a Dman so 2 of our best players dont have to play 30 min a game, Kane step up, lets go.
- Boisy12

Disagree, strongly

I think the timing of goals against does play a role in momentum. That being said, the two examples I gave were the ones which turned the tide from a shutout to being down by one goal. Arguably the worst timed goals against of the game.

As I have said all long - with this team/system in front of you, even Tim Thomas would be a sieve.
- Return of the Roar

I do think that a goalie the ilk of a Rinne or Lundquist or Thomas would fair better than Crawford on the Hawks simply because they are much better goaltenders than he is. Al said it in a previous blog, that Crawford was in the AHL for six seasons (I believe) and wasn't really setting the world on fire down there. For him to be successful, the defense has to be solid - blocking shots, clearing the crease and getting to rebounds - and we both know the Hawks D isn't getting the job done in any of those areas. I'm not saying the Hawks would be unbeatable or that their defense would miraculously morph into a top unit with one of the 3 goalies behind them that I mentioned, but I do think the Hawks would have a few more games in the win column simply because that ilk of goaltender is going to win you some games on their own . . . the proverbial goalie wins as they are called. Crawford has played well in some games, so I'm not crapping all over him, but I really don't recall too many games where they won because of him. Kept the team in the game, yeah maybe, but won because of him? Probably can count those on one hand or with one or two fingers.

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

1. Agree. Watch the tape and watch Seabrook's reaction on the first goal. Pure Disbelief. Catches the guy on a breakaway, forces hiim to the short side, and it still goes in. That has to be stopped 9 out of 10, and Crawford's reaction got into his own head. From there...it was just a matter of WHEN not IF.

2. Disagree. Scotty carries a bigger stick. His title may be "advisor" but you don't pay a guy to watch EVERY game in the NHL, and sit in on operations meetings if you aren't valuing his opinion. He;s more like a HEAD SENIOR scout then advisor. Advisor would be explaining to McDonough the technicalities of the game. The Frolik trade was mainly Scotty. The Savard FIRING was also Scotty, after he sat and watched Savard botch his way through a training camp.

3. Agreed. He panics and you can see it trickle down to the players. Any of us who have played this game, realize you need some sort of connection with line mates. With the Hawks, Q just keeps moving everyone around...

4. I think both....Flash back to last April...Who PUBLICLY campaigned for, and had professionally trained (skating), John Scott? Stan Bowman.

Like I said before, I think there is a MAJOR power struggle going on, and anyone who has seen moneyball...think Art Howe vs Billy Beane. Q is refusing to play certain guys, Bowman is forcing his hand....it's chaos.

Sadly, I think it's just getting bad...cue the Credence....the bad moon is rising...

I purposely waited till around 11:30 Chicago time to let the message board fill up and here some opinions. I have an answer to the issue and that is, Rick Dudley. You know, the same Rick Dudley that helped make "One Goal" a reality. I guy that is expierienced in this sport and is not thrown into important positions because Daddy is quite possibly the best coach of all time. The fans have a right to be soft on this team, but it is the true fan that realizes that maybe the "Golden Six" are not the answer.
Sharp, Toews, Kane. All three stood out to me as playing well. But, where was 81 last night. Marian Hossa did not look in sync last night for one five minute span. He may have played his worst game in a Hawk uniform. I dont agree with the blasting of Joel Quennville. He had a team in 2010, he brought that team and the organization a Stanley Cup. He wants to give Crawford the look he deserves because Daddy's boy payed him that money in the offseason because he had 1, yes 1 good seven game series. Joel Quennville needs some talent. When I heard Brunette got hurt, I went down to my knees and thanked god. I am on JJ's side. This team needs to forget the past and realize that this season is slowley coming apart and it needs to be fixed now.

More square peg, round hole perspective.

Rostislav Olesz, another whipping boy, has 25 points in 25 games at Rockford and is +10 on a bad team.

Bickell blows up the penalty box in Edmonton last night. Scott plays.

1. Agree. Watch the tape and watch Seabrook's reaction on the first goal. Pure Disbelief. Catches the guy on a breakaway, forces hiim to the short side, and it still goes in. That has to be stopped 9 out of 10, and Crawford's reaction got into his own head. From there...it was just a matter of WHEN not IF.

2. Disagree. Scotty carries a bigger stick. His title may be "advisor" but you don't pay a guy to watch EVERY game in the NHL, and sit in on operations meetings if you aren't valuing his opinion. He;s more like a HEAD SENIOR scout then advisor. Advisor would be explaining to McDonough the technicalities of the game. The Frolik trade was mainly Scotty. The Savard FIRING was also Scotty, after he sat and watched Savard botch his way through a training camp.

3. Agreed. He panics and you can see it trickle down to the players. Any of us who have played this game, realize you need some sort of connection with line mates. With the Hawks, Q just keeps moving everyone around...

4. I think both....Flash back to last April...Who PUBLICLY campaigned for, and had professionally trained (skating), John Scott? Stan Bowman.

Like I said before, I think there is a MAJOR power struggle going on, and anyone who has seen moneyball...think Art Howe vs Billy Beane. Q is refusing to play certain guys, Bowman is forcing his hand....it's chaos.

Sadly, I think it's just getting bad...cue the Credence....the bad moon is rising...
- SteveRain

This. This. This.

And this.

And that.

Is it possible Q is trying to force Bowmans hand by dressing Scott and basicly saying this is what you're giving me to work with so I'm going to play him until you get me a legit d-man who can take a regular shift and contribute or Q has lost his mind take your pick.
- jhawk159

Couldnt agree more. I think it is a non-verbal way of telling Stan-Bo that he needs to make a move, because his decisions are making Q look bad.