I think that's true McD was brought in to put fannies in the seats. I've got no problem there. He needs to be smart enough to delegate the hockey operations to someone who is better suited. He should go out and hire the best hockey guy he could find similar to what Tom Rickets did when he hired Theo Epstein.
- jhawk159

And just as long Crane f(u)cking Kenney stays the hell out of Theo's way, they'll be fine. I would have just as easily jettesoned him but if Tom can make sure Theo has autonomy to do what he wants, they'll be fine. On the West side it sure sounds like McD is putting his paws all over SB's domain. NOT a good way to run any club.

Well, good for him for taking the pressure on himself. Because that's where it now is.
- John Jaeckel

Wonder if having Scotty Bowman around makes it more uncomfortable for McD to do what may be needed. Get rid of Stan..

Given the roster Bowman gave Q... what style would you play? Not puck posession. Not dump chase and hit either.
- ilinkhawk

That's the point...If they were structured to be a jail break fast paced puck possesion team they were wrong.

At some point let's call a spade a spade.

The Hawks get outshot, outhit, out blocked and often are chasing the puck.

To think they would be able to forecheck well enough to scare anyone was dumb so one style or the other had to be chosen. They can't pass well enough and don't have a defined checking line and the season is 70% over...

That tells me the roster has dead weight and holes, plus the Q. is stuck in the past..

Now it's a scattered group of some players who are quick and have skill but don't have physicality in their DNA and others who can't be consistently effective.

The plan was a spoiled one from the beginning....

The difference a Shaw made is striking for a 5'10 rookie who makes his share of mistakes...So with a few additions a long playoff run could have been possible but not with this same roster.

As David Poille said recently the West is more wide open this year than in the past....


Changes needed to be made here and the picture has been clear for some time.

I would have to believe that Quenneville had significant input on who to acquire this offseason

I mentioned the same in today's article and that could lead to Q's downfall...

Q's biggest fault is he never changed from the 2010 style but the problems started here in the summer with Bowman moves.

He stated then Florida offered the most value for Campbell but Olesz has been of no value to the Hawks....I don't think Q. pulled the trigger on that deal.

Bowman overvalued his roster...Paid up for Frolik insead of Brouwer, signed a bunch of dmen and not one can kill penalties effectively. Counted on Leddy to be Campbells replacement. Underestimated the scrutiny Carcillo would be under from officials and I could go on but....

Q. isn't blameless and bringing in his buddy Kitchen hasn't worked well either.

There is enough blame to go around and now it is up to Bowman to fix things.
- Al

Everything you say about Q has merit, but.... a good hockey man would have anticipated problems instead of what Bowman has done which is stick his head in the sand and practice denial and make claims about trades being too hard to finalize.

All anybody has to do is go back thru the record since about November 1. This team has racked up victories over the not very goods - Columbus, NYI, Buffalo, Calgary, Montreal. They rarely win a game over good teams; for 2 years have not played all that well at home despite the record; shoddy defensive play and weak goaltending; abysmal special teams play; and now teams have the blue print for beating them - a heavy dose of physical pounding which is not responded to..

And now Mr. B is up against it because his GM associates want to rape him in any deal that would help the Hawks.

Everything you say about Q has merit, but.... a good hockey man would have anticipated problems instead of what Bowman has done which is stick his head in the sand and practice denial and make claims about trades being too hard to finalize.

All anybody has to do is go back thru the record since about November 1. This team has racked up victories over the not very goods - Columbus, NYI, Buffalo, Calgary, Montreal. They rarely win a game over good teams; for 2 years have not played all that well at home despite the record; shoddy defensive play and weak goaltending; abysmal special teams play; and now teams have the blue print for beating them - a heavy dose of physical pounding which is not responded to..

And now Mr. B is up against it because his GM associates want to rape him in any deal that would help the Hawks.
- RickJ

I don't see how anyone can argue your points...

Duncan Keith was quoted, today in an Adam Jahns article, I'm parphrasing, about how the team wasn't as good as their record was months ago..

Everything you say about Q has merit, but.... a good hockey man would have anticipated problems instead of what Bowman has done which is stick his head in the sand and practice denial and make claims about trades being too hard to finalize.

All anybody has to do is go back thru the record since about November 1. This team has racked up victories over the not very goods - Columbus, NYI, Buffalo, Calgary, Montreal. They rarely win a game over good teams; for 2 years have not played all that well at home despite the record; shoddy defensive play and weak goaltending; abysmal special teams play; and now teams have the blue print for beating them - a heavy dose of physical pounding which is not responded to..

And now Mr. B is up against it because his GM associates want to rape him in any deal that would help the Hawks.
- RickJ

Would you boot Stan?

Would you boot Stan?
- ilinkhawk

That can't/won't happen yet.

I would rather no one goes ...Some mistakes are admitted and fixed and we watch a long playoff run.

Wonder if having Scotty Bowman around makes it more uncomfortable for McD to do what may be needed. Get rid of Stan..
- ilinkhawk

You bet it could. However it could (should) shed light on what's truly needed. I wouldn't be surprised if Scotty panned a line-by-line letter to the entire FO staff about what he saw on this latest 3-game segment. It may not put SB in good light but a good executive would admit mistakes and try to correct them.

I don't think the owner of the Panthers would give him a wait and see grade. Attendance up, 1st place in thier division, 3rd in their conference, 22 mil in cap space next year vs the pathetic last place team they had last year.
- ilinkhawk

My "wait and see" grade is based on what he can do when he's up against a salary cap, NOT what he can do when he can spend freely without worrying about a cap.

He's proven he's been successful when he has an unlimitted check book.

We all keep blasting the front office for meddling by McDonough, management by committee, discord between the front office and the ice, McDonough bringing in sycophants who will bow down to him, Bowman not willing to recognize his mistakes - just out of curiosity, does anyone have any first-hand examples of any of this - or are we just expanding on a few bits of information and rumor to build a picture of a dysfunctional group that's pissed that a previous regime actually built a Cup champion?
- StLBravesFan

>Al MacIsaac Vice President / Asst. to the President
>Wondering why a Team President needs his own personal hockey guy
>I don't have a smoking gun, but it sure smells like gunpowder

Wonder if having Scotty Bowman around makes it more uncomfortable for McD to do what may be needed. Get rid of Stan..
- ilinkhawk

Scotty is the hockey bona fides of the entire organization. Lose him and you have Marc Bergevin.

Absolutely.

Scotty is the hockey bona fides of the entire organization. Lose him and you have Marc Bergevin.

Absolutely.
- John Jaeckel

Al and JJ, You're both saying big changes must be made. So are you saying fire Q now, fire Q if they lose x more games, or stick with Q for the year and let him try and make system changes to address the problems?

I say fire Q now, because I'd rather see what Haviland can do now before its too late.

My "wait and see" grade is based on what he can do when he's up against a salary cap, NOT what he can do when he can spend freely without worrying about a cap.

He's proven he's been successful when he has an unlimitted check book.
- StLBravesFan

Would love to see how much proof you need to see to believe the earth is round and not flat? Or are you still up in the air about that one...

if Stan doesnt upgrade the NHL roster before the deadline then I will be first in line with the torches to lead you guys. Dale Tallon is never coming back. Its over. Let it go.

Give Stan until the deadline. Ive been posting that I want Stan to do something , and do it now ! all week. But Q is obvioulsy not getting fired , lets see how it shakes out.

Get ready for the following:

More shrugging and saying the trade market is dead. They will only make a move if a really good one presents itself (don't hold your breath). And they will do something in the offseason—only once the labor issue is settled.

Lots of message control between now and then.

As Sassone tweeted yesterday, if I understood it correctly, the beat writers are literally intimidated not to call out senior management. Someone asked him why he doesn't call them out, are you scared, and he replied "yes".

Think about why Rick Telander and Rick Morrissey (neither of whom have ever covered hockey I believe) are writing the only Hawk opinion pieces in the Sun-Times—and not Jahns.

Ask Josh M.

Unless they are seriously blowing smoke on Q, they will go on lockdown. If a great deal presents itself, great. Otherwise, it will be what it will be.

Al and JJ, You're both saying big changes must be made. So are you saying fire Q now, fire Q if they lose x more games, or stick with Q for the year and let him try and make system changes to address the problems?

I say fire Q now, because I'd rather see what Haviland can do now before its too late.
- coldsteelonice

Hard to believe Bowman is not sincere about Q. He has nothing to gain by being insincere.

Otherwise, you just don't say anything, especially not being interviewed by a guy (Boden) who might as well be a team employee. Nothing against him, it's just the way it works with CSN and the Hawks, by design.

Maybe they are close on deals and feel confident they will get something done soon. Again, though, don't know why he would say the trade market is quiet. The other thing he could say is 'we're working to better this club."

I would count on Q remaining around.

Get ready for the following:

More shrugging and saying the trade market is dead. They will only make a move if a really good one presents itself (don't hold your breath). And they will do something in the offseason—only once the labor issue is settled.

Lots of message control between now and then.

As Sassone tweeted yesterday, if I understood it correctly, the beat writers are literally intimidated not to call out senior management. Someone asked him why he doesn't call them out, are you scared, and he replied "yes".

Think about why Rick Telander and Rick Morrissey (neither of whom have ever covered hockey I believe) are writing the only Hawk opinion pieces in the Sun-Times—and not Jahns.

Ask Josh M.

Unless they are seriously blowing smoke on Q, they will go on lockdown. If a great deal presents itself, great. Otherwise, it will be what it will be.
- John Jaeckel

Well , if this is true and thE Hawks stand pat they have a real chance to miss the play offs. They keep getting their a s s kicked by teams behind them in the standings.

Get ready for the following:

More shrugging and saying the trade market is dead. They will only make a move if a really good one presents itself (don't hold your breath). And they will do something in the offseason—only once the labor issue is settled.

Lots of message control between now and then.

As Sassone tweeted yesterday, if I understood it correctly, the beat writers are literally intimidated not to call out senior management. Someone asked him why he doesn't call them out, are you scared, and he replied "yes".

Think about why Rick Telander and Rick Morrissey (neither of whom have ever covered hockey I believe) are writing the only Hawk opinion pieces in the Sun-Times—and not Jahns.

Ask Josh M.

Unless they are seriously blowing smoke on Q, they will go on lockdown. If a great deal presents itself, great. Otherwise, it will be what it will be.
- John Jaeckel

Absolutely right! I recently sent an email to my season ticket guy, requesting the balance I've paid for playoff tickets be credited back to my account, as I didn't think I'd be purchasing playoff tickets for this train wreck of a team. Below is the response I received a few hours later:

It is no secret that the team is struggling, 6 in a row is never good. However, I don’t think you should give up on the boys quite yet. It is a long season, and there is no denying we have the core to turn the ship around. Look at years past, it takes one spark to get things going. Plus, I would rather slump now than in late March. I think it is important to remember that’s exactly what this is…. A slump. Good teams come out of them, and I doubt we will be the exception to that rule.

Stay tuned and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised,

My reply:

This sounds like a PR response generated from Mr. Blunk! No offense meant, but please give me my money back! Thank you!!!

Edit: And I have yet to hear back from him about my request!

Hard to believe Bowman is not sincere about Q. He has nothing to gain by being insincere.

Otherwise, you just don't say anything, especially not being interviewed by a guy (Boden) who might as well be a team employee. Nothing against him, it's just the way it works with CSN and the Hawks, by design.

Maybe they are close on deals and feel confident they will get something done soon. Again, though, don't know why he would say the trade market is quiet. The other thing he could say is 'we're working to better this club."

I would count on Q remaining around.
- John Jaeckel

I was more curious on what you thought SHOULD be done.

Well , if this is true and thE Hawks stand pat they have a real chance to miss the play offs. They keep getting their a s s kicked by teams behind them in the standings.
- mrpaulish

It won't be a chance they miss the playoffs, the will miss the playoffs. None of the issues currently surrounding this team are new. They have been there all season, but have been glossed over due to the great early season record.

That can't/won't happen yet.

I would rather no one goes ...Some mistakes are admitted and fixed and we watch a long playoff run.
- Al

>Al, great read on your link
>Agree that "seeing reality" is a must for any chance of a turnaround
>Whoever the coach is they MUST: get the players to reconnect with their love of the game -- and their desire to win
>Whoever the goalie is: must not allow any soft goals
>If just these things happen, on-ice play will greatly improve
>Add a system to match the roster and better special teams and the Hawks might actually be able to win a round if they get in
>A homerun trade that checks a lot of boxes (not likely) makes things even better