he's already gotten the playoff money...the bulls are doing remarkable so the negative spot light isn't shining bright enough on his team in the print/tv/radio locally.

Firing Q would rival them signing Hossa. It needs to happen, but I think it is/was a pipe dream at the time.
- SteveRain

Don't think the air can't come out of this ballon....And Wirtz knows the same.

Before anyone slams their fingers on a keyboard I'm not alking about going from 21,500 each game to 10,500....But a drop off only 2000 fans on certain nights is significant $$.

You already see feature writers. albeit not strong on hockey knowledge critcizing this team.

Season ticket renewlas will be fewer than this year if they make another early exit....The waiting list only will last so long.

The part about the Bulls makes it worse....

They will continue to get the front sports page and the additional ad revenue as well as shelf space if the Hawks slide.

Does Mactavish go across the street and coach the Hawks? I think he would be a nice fit. However, Q lasts the year.
- hertzman

Canucks coach after this year.

First time poster, and a couple year reader. I have always enjoyed reading your blogs John. I enjoy the points here too.....I agree with some, and others not so much.....You'll see where I sit when it comes to this..

I started reading back before the trade deadline of 2010. At that point I could tell the Hawks were going to win the cup, and that was since the 2009 playoffs. You could see it and feel it. I started reading here when everyone (myself included) thought the Hawks needed more than Niemi in net...That seemed to be the only concern, as the rest of the team had heart, grit, energy, and enjoyed playing together....Them's were some good days.

A few weeks ago it seemed like trading for one or two players was enough to boost the Hawks to cup contention, now it seems like a whole lot more.

I've never cared for Leddy. I see him make mistake after mistake. I have a hard time seeing his potential like most people on here. If I'm mistaken, then great. Next is Patrick Kane. Trade him and you can probably get a couple solid players in return. You'd get more for him than Sharp. What I see from Kane is lazy effort almost 100% of the time. I also question him in the lockeroom. I could see a Heatley there. I could be wrong here too, but his effort lacks and it seems to spread to others on the team. Crawford is not a number one goaltender. That was apparent three years ago. Get rid of him too.

The team is scouted. Then beaten. Where is creativity and above all else, the hitting?? Keith is a shell of his former self, and Toews has had it with the way the team is playing. He's not going to be pushed around, and he's pushing back.....In the last couple of games anyway. Why does Keith have an 'A' and Seabrook doesn't?? Bizarre.

Watching the Hawks of last night is like watching the Hawks at the start of the season, or in the middle of last season. They go through the same motions with little to no success. Watch Kane for a few games, and you'll see him skate the same paths, then shoot and miss high. The power play is the exact same, where is the creativity?? What needs to be done??

Get rid of Kitchen. Why have a Toronto Maple Leaf guy?? Bowman was put into a hard situation, and hasn't handled it well. He needs some schooling and unfortunately at the Hawks expense he's getting it. Coach 'Q' was a great addition at first, or so it seemed, but I think anyone could have coached the 2009/2010 Hawks to a cup. Has he ever had the team buy in, or was he fortunate because of circumstance?? Get rid of him. Overall there is something a miss in that lockeroom and we see it simmer on the ice. The team has no identity at this point, and to hear Chelsea Dagger play sounds like an insult to the cup team. Lose that song because it sounds tired now.

In the end, this team has fallen from grace. Tallon should still be in Chicago, if anything to fix the mess he created. But in all that mess he created a Cup winner. That should have meant more than the door.

Ohh and Bickell sucks. Get rid of him.

I haven't added much to what's been said on here. Pretty much another post that's been said before, but hey, it's my first. Go Hawks, get some heart!!
- _diatribe_

Welcome, post more

Canucks coach after this year.
- VANTEL

I hear close buds with Gillis.

I hear close buds with Gillis.
- Al

That is the rumour. Most of us don't expect AV back next year. I hope he lands the Montreal job.

Don't think the air can't come out of this ballon....And Wirtz knows the same.

Before anyone slams their fingers on a keyboard I'm not alking about going from 21,500 each game to 10,500....But a drop off only 2000 fans on certain nights is significant $$.

You already see feature writers. albeit not strong on hockey knowledge critcizing this team.

Season ticket renewlas will be fewer than this year if they make another early exit....The waiting list only will last so long.

The part about the Bulls makes it worse....

They will continue to get the front sports page and the additional ad revenue as well as shelf space if the Hawks slide.
- Al

Yes, in the last 48 hours or so, I have noticed this too.

I have also been of the belief that the resurgent Bulls could easily co-opt the Hawks' —that the Bulls had exclusively for 15 years or more.

Everyone needs to understand this is a sales/marketing issue as much as it is a hockey issue. The perception of "doing nothing" could be worse than that of doing something that ends up being ineffectual or perceived later on as "a bad move." Because at least then they have the fallback of "we tried."

Welcome, and I 100% agree with you. Some in the Chicago media go OUT of their way to protect Keith. Still think he's going to show up in 2009-10 version. Sorry...it isn't happening. Guy makes brutal mistake after mistake after mistake.

he also flat out admitted he quit on this team last year. He's not a leader.
- SteveRain

Thanks...

He quit on the team, but played when "his" buddy Seabrook was taken out. If that is the only way to motivate him, there's a serious problem there. I like his play for the most part, but he doesn't deserve the position he's in (anymore). Way too many minutes for a guy that can't handle it.

he's already gotten the playoff money...the bulls are doing remarkable so the negative spot light isn't shining bright enough on his team in the print/tv/radio locally.

Firing Q would rival them signing Hossa. It needs to happen, but I think it is/was a pipe dream at the time.
- SteveRain

I didn't think it was a pipe dream.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=21393

Watching the Rangers game....Hawks and their mgmt should observe how they play. Blocking shots, finishing checks and checking for that matter. Flying around sacrificing their bodies, helping the D men, moving the puck and quick transition to create scoring chances. Also see Pittsburgh.

That is the rumour. Most of us don't expect AV back next year. I hope he lands the Montreal job.
- VANTEL

Yep I think so...Heard from those who would know when Wolves jobs was available.

I didn't think it was a pipe dream.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=21393
- John Jaeckel

I remember that morning distinctly....

The part I didn't think would ever happen was the long, long term contract....

But that's what it took to get Hossa at the time.

Yes, in the last 48 hours or so, I have noticed this too.

I have also been of the belief that the resurgent Bulls could easily co-opt the Hawks' —that the Bulls had exclusively for 15 years or more.

Everyone needs to understand this is a sales/marketing issue as much as it is a hockey issue. The perception of "doing nothing" could be worse than that of doing something that ends up being ineffectual or perceived later on as "a bad move." Because at least then they have the fallback of "we tried."
- John Jaeckel

BBall can change with the emergence of one true superstar player in place much quicked than hockey.

The Bulls have that in Rose-MVP ... and unless injury prone could have him in place for 10 more years or longer.

Yes, in the last 48 hours or so, I have noticed this too.

I have also been of the belief that the resurgent Bulls could easily co-opt the Hawks' —that the Bulls had exclusively for 15 years or more.

Everyone needs to understand this is a sales/marketing issue as much as it is a hockey issue. The perception of "doing nothing" could be worse than that of doing something that ends up being ineffectual or perceived later on as "a bad move." Because at least then they have the fallback of "we tried."
- John Jaeckel

When I see a lot more featured writers in press row at the UC it is under two circumstances.

The Hawks are doing really well or they are playing poorly.

The difference is they come back way more often when the team is winning.

Yep I think so...Heard from those who would know when Wolves jobs was available.
- Al

Coach Q is a very good coach and will be picked up instantly.I think the real problem is the bottom end talent on the team.It is always easier to look for a boost by a coaching change than make 5 trades.

Watching the Rangers game....Hawks and their mgmt should observe how they play. Blocking shots, finishing checks and checking for that matter. Flying around sacrificing their bodies, helping the D men, moving the puck and quick transition to create scoring chances. Also see Pittsburgh.
- Leerock

For sure.....Rinne and Lundquist with 2 strong defensive teams in front...YIKES...not exactly slump busting games straight ahead.

Coach Q is a very good coach and will be picked up instantly.I think the real problem is the bottom end talent on the team.It is always easier to look for a boost by a coaching change than make 5 trades.
- VANTEL

The wrong roster or the wrong system for the roster.

Both not good...

Q. recently signed a nice contract extension and has kids in school here....

He will be able to stick around Chgo and do nothing or work for the organization in some capacity if a change is made before his deal is up.

He will have options.....

Coach Q is a very good coach and will be picked up instantly.I think the real problem is the bottom end talent on the team.It is always easier to look for a boost by a coaching change than make 5 trades.
- VANTEL

Agreed, agreed, agreed.

BUT . . .

Quenneville has had a limited shelf life everywhere. Does not mean that is the case here.

BUT . . .

There could be a gulf here between what is the absolute smartest thing to do in terms of the competitiveness of the team, and what makes the best appearance for public consumption.

Could be both are achievable in the same course of action. But I am certain that will mean doing something as opposed to nothing.

Thus, if they don't change coaches, then they will have to make a fairly significant trade. Their options there are limited unless they are willing to risk/overpay.

The wrong roster or the wrong system for the roster.

Both not good...

Q. recently signed a nice contract extension and has kids in school here....

He will be able to stick around Chgo and do nothing or work for the organization in some capacity if a change is made before his deal is up.

He will have options.....
- Al

.

Agreed, he would not be fired, he would be reassigned unless there were a significant bridge burning event.

.

Agreed, he would not be fired, he would be reassigned unless there were a significant bridge burning event.
- John Jaeckel

You think Kane will be weaering a Hawk sweater next season? Does he have a NTC?

Keith at 30 mins per game... killing every PP and trying score on every PP makes a lot more mistakes than a 23-24 minute version of the same player who isn't n't asked to do everything in every game.

I don't feel compelled to protect Keith or anyone else but the fact is he is over played and every year Keith gets a little older too.

All those pucks bouncing over his stick and all the shots that miss the net by 8 feet on the PP aren't happneing because his playing ability is a fraction of what it once was...

To succeed Keith and everyone else has to be put into the best position to succeed.
- Al

Thank YOU AL. Keith has been taking a beating, but I almost guarantee you pull him back to 25mins< and you'll have your top pairing d-man back.

You think Kane will be weaering a Hawk sweater next season? Does he have a NTC?
- hertzman

According to CapGeek, not for the next two years, I believe.

Edit: Just read it. It says: NMC (only eligible in 2014-15, details TBA) So maybe he can be moved in 14-15?

Agreed, agreed, agreed.

BUT . . .

Quenneville has had a limited shelf life everywhere. Does not mean that is the case here.


- John Jaeckel

8 years in STL
3 years in COL
3rd year with Hawks

All coaches have limited shelf lives but its not like he goes from town to town...

That being said if their streak hits double digits of they get 1 point of the next two IMO they have no other choice than to do something drastic and since a trade doesn't appear to be on the table. You send Q and Kitchen packing, give Havi a decent chance to win against Columbus and go from there.

Players should be held responsible for their play, but exactly who would replace these players (Kane, Keith, Sharp, or Hossa) in the lineup if they are in the press box or on the bench? I agree that they should be held accountable for their play but suggesting some of your best players who regardless of recent performances still give you the best chance to win night in and night out sit the bench because they made a turnover or didn't make a check when they had the opportunity to is not the answer. A bad backchecking Patrick Kane still gives your team a better chance to win than a great backchecking Ben Smith.
- Tuke17

Nothing wrong with 10 mins on the bench to send a message once in awhile. Q did it to Kane and Sharp for lazy stupid penalties in this first yr here but since the big contracts have rolled in, seems they are immune. Some of the play this season and last has been some of the worst Ive seen out of any team in the league and there's no excuse for it.

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.

u can do it,yzerman and federov did it for years
it just adds to the equation when the player doesnt produce (kane)
- wingz4life

It's more than that. Something else is broken higher up, maybe in a couple spots. IMO the higher ups were not much of an issue - if ever - in MoTown.