I was wondering about Telandar wondering off the reservation to hit on the Hawks.

Are you saying McD will revoke press access if they don't like what is being said...well don't expect anything insightful being asked by Boden with his interview with StanBow tonight!
- bogiedoc

Jessie Rogers had a nice article today. Don't agree with everything but it's nice to see potential solutions. 5 things to break the slump:

1. Trade for Khabibulin to try and catch lightning in a bottle
2. Drastic changes to Special Teams - Move stars off PK and put role players who will block shots and play "straight up" instead of that stupid forward cross over poop.
3. Keep lines together
4. Make a trade of any kind just to shake team up - he suggested trying to get Burish back to lighten the dressing room again, team needs a mental makeup fix almost as badly as physical
5. Play one desperate game - play like its a game 7

Would you boot Stan?
- ilinkhawk

Too late, not happening this season.

But if I were Rocky, I would be asking Hockey Operations the following questions:

1) Is this team capable of winning the Stanley Cup this year?

2) Is the current roster capable of making the playoffs given the remaining schedule?

3) What players on our roster would bring the most return in a trade for the long term competitive benefit of the organization?

If the answer to #2 is NO, I would instruct Stan and Scotty to make it known around the NHL that Sharp, Keith, Kane and Bolland are available and that all serious trade offers will be given consideration. Assuming something really good is offered, I would pull the trigger in moving one or two of them (assuming NTC or NMC can be dealt with).

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't see this team qualifying for the playoffs and if they do the post season will be short.

And in the offseason, I clean out Q, Kitchen, Stan, Scotty and a whole bunch of players at the bottom end of the roster and restructure Hockey Operations with a real hockey General Manager at the helm like Don Maloney or Jim Knill reporting directly to me.

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".
- John Jaeckel

If this is true, and I really have no doubt that it is, it's very disturbing. We, as fans, are inundated with team generated propaganda on BlackhawkTV, the UC scoreboard, tv / radio ads, ect... and the journalist's who's job it is to ask the questions the fans want answered are afraid of senior management? 10 to 1 McDonough's got a copy of "Mein Kampf" in his office at home. Now I'm really having second thoughts about going on this summers new Blackhawks whistle stop train tour for disgruntled fans of famous places in Stanley Cup history. My tickets are for boxcar #3. I thought that was pretty good!

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

Most definately....and if so it will be seen as an epic Chicago flop!!

It more than possible that one or more of these teams gets on a roll: Flames, Aves, and Stars. It looks like the Wild are done. Kings should stick around with Quick and the Yotes look to stay in the mix with their system and Smith.

While the Hawks continue to to get drilled; they still play 8 of the next 12 on the road vs the likes of Blues (2), Wings (2), Rangers, Preds, Kings...LOOK OUT!

Too late, not happening this season.

But if I were Rocky, I would be asking Hockey Operations the following questions:

1) Is this team capable of winning the Stanley Cup this year?

2) Is the current roster capable of making the playoffs given the remaining schedule?

3) What players on our roster would bring the most return in a trade for the long term competitive benefit of the organization?

If the answer to #2 is NO, I would instruct Stan and Scotty to make it known around the NHL that Sharp, Keith, Kane and Bolland are available and that all serious trade offers will be given consideration. Assuming something really good is offered, I would pull the trigger in moving one or two of them (assuming NTC or NMC can be dealt with).

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't see this team qualifying for the playoffs and if they do the post season will be short.

And in the offseason, I clean out Q, Kitchen, Stan, Scotty and a whole bunch of players at the bottom end of the roster and restructure Hockey Operations with a real hockey General Manager at the helm like Don Maloney or Jim Knill reporting directly to me.
- RickJ

Interesting. I wouldn't be against it. But that would never happen.

GM's are typically given at least 5 years at the helm to really form "their" team..

Sorry folks

I posted this earlier and thought it would get some response. Am I the only one who feels this way?

I never liked Scotty being involved with this organ-I-zation. Rocky is following his pappy's footsteps......Pulford was to William as Scotty is to Rocky. Former members of other Original Six teams that have come to town and destroyed this franchise.

I posted this earlier and thought it would get some response. Am I the only one who feels this way?

I never liked Scotty being involved with this organ-I-zation. Rocky is following his pappy's footsteps......Pulford was to William as Scotty is to Rocky. Former members of other Original Six teams that have come to town and destroyed this franchise.
- powerenforcer

Rocky is willing to spend the $$$ to build and maintain a winner. (see Huet and Olesz contracts) - Huge difference, in that sense at least!

Jessie Rogers had a nice article today. Don't agree with everything but it's nice to see potential solutions. 5 things to break the slump:

1. Trade for Khabibulin to try and catch lightning in a bottle
2. Drastic changes to Special Teams - Move stars off PK and put role players who will block shots and play "straight up" instead of that stupid forward cross over poop.
3. Keep lines together
4. Make a trade of any kind just to shake team up - he suggested trying to get Burish back to lighten the dressing room again, team needs a mental makeup fix almost as badly as physical
5. Play one desperate game - play like its a game 7
- coldsteelonice

1. Rumor had it I think that Khabby went ballistic in the locker room while playing against Detroit in the playoffs. Might be too much bad blood there - not to mention a big contract for another year afterward.

2. Would be nice - I still see more of the same.

3. Ditto.

4. I have to hope that they are working on this, but I would think the smell of desperation emanating from W. Madison adds a high premium to any deals. The execs are not going to overpay.

5. Definitely would help. But that depends upon the atmosphere in the locker room more than anything else.

If this is true, and I really have no doubt that it is, it's very disturbing. We, as fans, are inundated with team generated propaganda on BlackhawkTV, the UC scoreboard, tv / radio ads, ect... and the journalist's who's job it is to ask the questions the fans want answered are afraid of senior management? 10 to 1 McDonough's got a copy of "Mein Kampf" in his office at home. Now I'm really having second thoughts about going on this summers new Blackhawks whistle stop train tour for disgruntled fans of famous places in Stanley Cup history. My tickets are for boxcar #3. I thought that was pretty good!
- Hal9000y2k

I think what you meant to state was he has the writting of one Joseph Goebbels..

And why would they be affiard to speak out against them.. Like you said, that is their job. Makes me wonder how much of a patsy the two in the TV booth are then. Foley doesn't want to lose his job again, so he became the corp boy?

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

Where to begin . . .

They need a serious shake-up. And that's what I would do.

Honestly, I can't say categorically "launch Quenneville." But unless you can make a significant deal (or deals), that's what I would do. I am hearing some thngs today that they are serious about getting something done, they will ride this out until a deal or deals materialize. Is it the right thing to do. TIme will tell, but time is not on their side.

If Rocky Wirtz is the businessman I think he is, then he will have some serious housecleaning to do in the offseason. The Emperor at present has no clothes. The brand will be damaged unless they really pull off a minor miracle.

I wonder if part of the message control will be pulling the McDonough One Goal spot. It should be.

Rocky is willing to spend the $$$ to build and maintain a winner. (see Huet and Olesz contracts) - Huge difference, in that sense at least!
- nelli312

You are correct in that sense. I'm looking at more as having a "hockey guy" to lean on.

I posted this earlier and thought it would get some response. Am I the only one who feels this way?

I never liked Scotty being involved with this organ-I-zation. Rocky is following his pappy's footsteps......Pulford was to William as Scotty is to Rocky. Former members of other Original Six teams that have come to town and destroyed this franchise.
- powerenforcer

You equate Pulford to Scotty? Where is Scotty styfling Rocky? NFW. If anyone, it's McD. I never heard $$$Bill or Pulford talking about winning titles. I heard about protecting season ticket reservations (I was one for many, many years, going back many years to the old Barn), I heard about a competitve team. I heard about making the playoffs, but I never heard about winning the cup.

If McD is infringing on hockey operations, only one person stops that: Rocky. Will Rocky separate the two? He sure could. Ricketts is doing it with the Cubs. Rocky sure as hell can do it with the Blackhawks.

Where to begin . . .

...pulling the McDonough One Goal spot.
- John Jaeckel

Launch sequence should begin now.

What an egotistical and irrelevant spot. It wasn't even about hockey....

1. Rumor had it I think that Khabby went ballistic in the locker room while playing against Detroit in the playoffs. Might be too much bad blood there - not to mention a big contract for another year afterward.

2. Would be nice - I still see more of the same.

3. Ditto.

4. I have to hope that they are working on this, but I would think the smell of desperation emanating from W. Madison adds a high premium to any deals. The execs are not going to overpay.

5. Definitely would help. But that depends upon the atmosphere in the locker room more than anything else.
- Return of the Roar

Jesse seems to be the lone guy banging the Khabibulin drum. The players required to turn this around > Khabibulin and Burish. And I also believe Khabibulin burned bridges.

PP design is seriously flawed. They need another PK defenseman a la Hjalmarsson— a shot blocker.

Where to begin . . .

They need a serious shake-up. And that's what I would do.

Honestly, I can't say categorically "launch Quenneville." But unless you can make a significant deal (or deals), that's what I would do. I am hearing some thngs today that they are serious about getting something done, they will ride this out until a deal or deals materialize. Is it the right thing to do. TIme will tell, but time is not on their side.

If Rocky Wirtz is the businessman I think he is, then he will have some serious housecleaning to do in the offseason. The Emperor at present has no clothes. The brand will be damaged unless they really pull off a minor miracle.

I wonder if part of the message control will be pulling the McDonough One Goal spot. It should be.
- John Jaeckel

I always laughed at that one knowing how people feel about him.

Great blog btw way, JJ.

This team could use Brouwer right now but Q never had any faith in him and now thats coming up Stalberg.. In that case, Bowman did well to get a 1st round pick out of Brouwer.

My pecking order would be..

-Coach.
-Fix the defense.
-If the goaltending doesn't fix itself after the defense being upgraded then Bowman has to fix it himself.

If he can't, he should be fired.

Too late, not happening this season.

But if I were Rocky, I would be asking Hockey Operations the following questions:

1) Is this team capable of winning the Stanley Cup this year?

2) Is the current roster capable of making the playoffs given the remaining schedule?

3) What players on our roster would bring the most return in a trade for the long term competitive benefit of the organization?

If the answer to #2 is NO, I would instruct Stan and Scotty to make it known around the NHL that Sharp, Keith, Kane and Bolland are available and that all serious trade offers will be given consideration. Assuming something really good is offered, I would pull the trigger in moving one or two of them (assuming NTC or NMC can be dealt with).

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't see this team qualifying for the playoffs and if they do the post season will be short.

And in the offseason, I clean out Q, Kitchen, Stan, Scotty and a whole bunch of players at the bottom end of the roster and restructure Hockey Operations with a real hockey General Manager at the helm like Don Maloney or Jim Knill reporting directly to me.
- RickJ

You leave out however that he would have to broom McDonough in order to have a Don Maloney type GM. McDonough had that kind of GM and couldn't work with him.

Where to begin . . .

They need a serious shake-up. And that's what I would do.

Honestly, I can't say categorically "launch Quenneville." But unless you can make a significant deal (or deals), that's what I would do. I am hearing some thngs today that they are serious about getting something done, they will ride this out until a deal or deals materialize. Is it the right thing to do. TIme will tell, but time is not on their side.

If Rocky Wirtz is the businessman I think he is, then he will have some serious housecleaning to do in the offseason. The Emperor at present has no clothes. The brand will be damaged unless they really pull off a minor miracle.

I wonder if part of the message control will be pulling the McDonough One Goal spot. It should be.
- John Jaeckel

That is just window "un"dressing. It's a symptom of a bigger problem I believe you are alluding to: Marketing driving Hockey Ops, sort of like the tail wagging the dog.

If this is true, and I really have no doubt that it is, it's very disturbing. We, as fans, are inundated with team generated propaganda on BlackhawkTV, the UC scoreboard, tv / radio ads, ect... and the journalist's who's job it is to ask the questions the fans want answered are afraid of senior management? 10 to 1 McDonough's got a copy of "Mein Kampf" in his office at home. Now I'm really having second thoughts about going on this summers new Blackhawks whistle stop train tour for disgruntled fans of famous places in Stanley Cup history. My tickets are for boxcar #3. I thought that was pretty good!
- Hal9000y2k

if it is related to me that I wrongly interpreted that tweet, I will retract and apologize. that is essentially what was said.

The intimidation thing is not new news however.

There is a guy who reads and posts here fairly often who has direct personal experience with it.

You equate Pulford to Scotty? Where is Scotty styfling Rocky? NFW. If anyone, it's McD. I never heard $$$Bill or Pulford talking about winning titles. I heard about protecting season ticket reservations (I was one for many, many years, going back many years to the old Barn), I heard about a competitve team. I heard about making the playoffs, but I never heard about winning the cup.

If McD is infringing on hockey operations, only one person stops that: Rocky. Will Rocky separate the two? He sure could. Ricketts is doing it with the Cubs. Rocky sure as hell can do it with the Blackhawks.
- blackhawk24

The only argument I could make on this point is that Scotty (and Stan) is designing a soft team. Chicago is a tough,hard working city. We want our teams to play that way.
That is how I believe he is destoring thia franchise, ttying to make it something it shouldn't 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

No I'm not calling for anyone to be fired today...

I have been saying for quite awhile personnel changes are needed to have a long playoff run.

My view is this roster can't play a 2010 style consistently and be succesful.

>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
- SnapitUpstairs

They need at least one of each of the following:

- a forward who is physical and tough to play against, preferably who can kill penalties and take draws
- a physical, stay at home d-man who can block shots and kill penalties.

2 or each, or one of one and two of the other would be preferable. But they need it right now. If they wait til the deadline, they will be out of it.

If this is true, and I really have no doubt that it is, it's very disturbing. We, as fans, are inundated with team generated propaganda on BlackhawkTV, the UC scoreboard, tv / radio ads, ect... and the journalist's who's job it is to ask the questions the fans want answered are afraid of senior management? 10 to 1 McDonough's got a copy of "Mein Kampf" in his office at home. Now I'm really having second thoughts about going on this summers new Blackhawks whistle stop train tour for disgruntled fans of famous places in Stanley Cup history. My tickets are for boxcar #3. I thought that was pretty good!
- Hal9000y2k

Dude, what in the !@$%^&* is that supposed to be? McD may be an egomanic but to equate him to one of the most ruthless murderer in the history of mankind is ludicrous.

Jesse seems to be the lone guy banging the Khabibulin drum. The players required to turn this around > Khabibulin and Burish. And I also believe Khabibulin burned bridges.

PP design is seriously flawed. They need another PK defenseman a la Hjalmarsson— a shot blocker.
- John Jaeckel

The most valid point which makes even discussing Khabby as a possibility is that Edm would trade him in a NY second...I don't know if he has a NTC.

My guess is we will see Salak before Khabibulin or probably anyone else.

That said I don't see him coming back here...

You leave out however that he would have to broom McDonough in order to have a Don Maloney type GM. McDonough had that kind of GM and couldn't work with him.
- John Jaeckel

If you were Rocky, would you broom McD or restructure the reporting lines of the organizational chart?

Jesse seems to be the lone guy banging the Khabibulin drum. The players required to turn this around > Khabibulin and Burish. And I also believe Khabibulin burned bridges.

PP design is seriously flawed. They need another PK defenseman a la Hjalmarsson— a shot blocker.
- John Jaeckel

It seems like there are a lof of Hawks players that weren't retained in F/A or traded that are in the "burned bridges" category??? Is there any tangible evidence to this?