Sorry Al, I must have missed it....... Can you post the link?
- Mr Ricochet

No need to be sorry...I brought it up because I believe Wirtz needs to be the leader...

http://www.myfoxchicago.c...o-win-another-stanley-cup

On Fox Chicago May 15

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Of course I'm not speaking for JJ, but an emphatic yes!! If Jesse, or anyone else, were to rub say McD the wrong way he'll get shutout. That's how he pays his mortgage.

I'm not here to say the beat writers should spill all, but at the same time honest reporting has a place.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm not sure how that game works, but if the ESPNChicago has a media credential to cover the Hawks, wouldn't Jesse just be shut out of maybe some 1-on-1 interviews?

He had an editorial piece about the dysfunction. It was refreshing to read an opinion from him, rather than just the corporate speak that the Hawks spew.

No need to be sorry...I brought it up because I believe Wirtz needs to be the leader...

http://www.myfoxchicago.c...o-win-another-stanley-cup

On Fox Chicago May 15

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

No doubt the buck starts and stops with Wirtz, Al, but that's why you hire senior management or management people. You put some faith in those hires to perform and buy into the "plan. Clearly, the plan is not working, so the question is: who in management is really calling the shots? What's your opinion, Al? If it is management by committee then Rocky really needs to step in here.

I'm not sure how that game works, but if the ESPNChicago has a media credential to cover the Hawks, wouldn't Jesse just be shut out of maybe some 1-on-1 interviews?

He had an editorial piece about the dysfunction. It was refreshing to read an opinion from him, rather than just the corporate speak that the Hawks spew.
- eburgio

Beat writers etc don't get to do any interview at anytime they desire.

Beat writers etc don't get to do any interview at anytime they desire.
- Al

No, i realize that. I'm sure PR has a say with what access they give, and to whom. My point was that of outside of the normal practice/game reporting, if one of the beat writers had a black mark next to their name, wouldn't they only really miss out on the 1 on 1 stuff? I don't see a lot of video that Tracey Myers does w/Bollig about his fighting style. Doubt they would just take ESPNChicago media credentials from them, because Jesse wrote an article they didn't agree with

No doubt the buck starts and stops with Wirtz, Al, but that's why you hire senior management or management people. You put some faith in those hires to perform and buy into the "plan. Clearly, the plan is not working, so the question is: who in management is really calling the shots? What's your opinion, Al? If it is management by committee then Rocky really needs to step in here.
- djd

I think there are layers to the hockey side but Wirtz has to oversee the overall plan. That would include budget and significant personnel decisions.

The question ultimately is ...Does Wirtz feel the "plan" is not working??

No, i realize that. I'm sure PR has a say with what access they give, and to whom. My point was that of outside of the normal practice/game reporting, if one of the beat writers had a black mark next to their name, wouldn't they only really miss out on the 1 on 1 stuff? I don't see a lot of video that Tracey Myers does w/Bollig about his fighting style. Doubt they would just take ESPNChicago media credentials from them, because Jesse wrote an article they didn't agree with
- eburgio

That would be a question for Jesse to answer...

I'm not sure how that game works, but if the ESPNChicago has a media credential to cover the Hawks, wouldn't Jesse just be shut out of maybe some 1-on-1 interviews?

He had an editorial piece about the dysfunction. It was refreshing to read an opinion from him, rather than just the corporate speak that the Hawks spew.
- eburgio

It does happen that certain reporters aren't allowed in the room even though they have a pass. Pretty sure this happened in effect to Marriotti due to his feud with Reinhorn and that clown, Harrelson........ Very rare though.

But shutting out guys isn't. Like you said no one on one's, and no special access. That happens enough and a guy doesn't get some exclusives his company will send someone else.

I did read Jesse's piece on the Hawk dysfunction. He also wrote a bit on them being soft... I've come full circle on Jesse since he left the ego filled Score. Indeed you'll get plenty of company line crap from Jesse, but he will at times report like he did on the dysfunction.

Being a beat guy is a tough line to walk.

That would be a question for Jesse to answer...
- Al

I'm speaking in general, not specifically Jesse, or Jahns or (insert beat writer). I don't see that those other guys do a whole lot of unique, out of the box stuff, outside of Jesse. I'm asking in terms of the media coverage and what's allowable and not.

I've always felt that for as close to the team as these guys are, they don't see to have a lot of of knowledge about what's going on. Or if they do, they don't share at all

I think there are layers to the hockey side but Wirtz has to oversee the overall plan. That would include budget and significant personnel decisions.

The question ultimately is ...Does Wirtz feel the "plan" is not working??
- Al

Indeed, one would have to have access to the books to really know for sure on the fiscal side whether or not the plan is working. Is that the bottom line for Rocky or does he really care about hockey as a game and not a business. I realize it's difficult to separate the two as an owner. But some owners are "real" fans too.

Send Hammer to Colorado for O'Byrne.

At this point, wouldn't be opposed to Dubinsky coming over. Had quite a few hits last year (207) and him in between Hossa and Sharp and he could have a good year.
- robhawks

Dubinsky is not a true top 6 forward, and definitely not at true 2C.

he has a large contract too.

He is a true 3rd line banger/grinder, think more of brooks laich without quite as much skill

Torts was so pissed at him all year he buried him on the 4th line a good portion of time. When he was playing well he was on their third line, and they are not deep offensively at all. He also got moved to wing because he wasnt doing well at all at C

It does happen that certain reporters aren't allowed in the room even though they have a pass. Pretty sure this happened in effect to Marriotti due to his feud with Reinhorn and that clown, Harrelson........ Very rare though.

But shutting out guys isn't. Like you said no one on one's, and no special access. That happens enough and a guy doesn't get some exclusives his company will send someone else.

I did read Jesse's piece on the Hawk dysfunction. He also wrote a bit on them being soft... I've come full circle on Jesse since he left the ego filled Score. Indeed you'll get plenty of company line crap from Jesse, but he will at times report like he did on the dysfunction.

Being a beat guy is a tough line to walk.
- Mr Ricochet

A little bit of the Score comes out of him when he spot-hosts. But Hawk Harrelson is the biggest dooosh. I wish he and Marriotti could've had a steel cage match, fight to the death because there's a slight chance we would've been spared one, or both.

Indeed, one would have to have access to the books to really know for sure on the fiscal side whether or not the plan is working. Is that the bottom line for Rocky or does he really care about hockey as a game and not a business. I realize it's difficult to separate the two as an owner. But some owners are "real" fans too.
- djd

There was an article in Crain's after the Cup year that talked about how they were still in the red, financially, even with the Cup run. He mentioned they had to borrow money from the other businesses to break even, but that they were slowly borrowing less and less. That was 2 summers ago, I believe. I'll see if i can find the link

McNeil has 4 years of CHL experience so apparently that means hes eligible for Rockford from what I have heard
- fattybeef

Fatty,

Where does he have 4 years of CHL service? If you're including the 4 game stint in '08-'09, that doesn't count as a full season of service according to CHL rules.

As of right now, McNeill would need either four seasons of service time in the CHL or be the age of 20 by 12/31/12.

He won't have enough service time nor be old enough by that date, so he will either have to make the big club or go back to junior. Same with Danault.

McNeill also confirmed this himself when I was chatting with him in the autograph line this spring.

No need to be sorry...I brought it up because I believe Wirtz needs to be the leader...

http://www.myfoxchicago.c...o-win-another-stanley-cup

On Fox Chicago May 15

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Very nicely done, Al. Excellent read..........

Uncertainty and a scattered direction makes Wirtz the biggest loser. Blackhawk fans need Rocky to come to the rescue and lead his franchise to another Stanley Cup.

Agreed........ When the time comes we'll see if Rocky has what's needed to make the right hire at the very top and let that hockey man build a franchise. To date Rocky hasn't been able to do so, in fact he's gone in reverse.

So, it's one more year of dysfunction and then try and fix the mess?

What about the problem of finding a nasty lw that is available. I am all for trading Stalberg for top 6 nasty...but there were 2 guys that had 25+ goals last year that someone could consider nasty. Lucic and Hartnell. Hartnell -though a great player-doesnt scare anyone. Lucic costs you Kane, Toews, or Seabrook. -basically not available. Doan can play left wing

If you cant even suggest an actual player to acquire, why be so critical of NOT trading the prospects?
- miked23

So ironic... When Ladd and Buff were shown the door... these guys grew on trees right? Bowman made his bed and now has to sleep in it. Bottom line, players like this are very difficult to find and the one's that produce and create their own matchup problems even more so.

A little bit of the Score comes out of him when he spot-hosts. But Hawk Harrelson is the biggest dooosh. I wish he and Marriotti could've had a steel cage match, fight to the death because there's a slight chance we would've been spared one, or both.
- eburgio

Never thought of it that way, them beating the hell out of each other and we'd be spared both......

Having been a uberfan of the Sox way back when, even before Harrelson came to them, I liked his game call. Then of course he showed all how little he knew about the sport, the same way Toyota Mike/Jap Iron did about football when he went to New Orleans, when he was GM for a couple years. Remember the 27 man coaching staff and moving Fisk to left field.

But his call was a good one, then he turned into a cartoon looking to be noticed.

As repulsive as Marrioti was/is I'll forever be thankful he exposed quite a bit on the southside.

Very nicely done, Al. Excellent read..........

Uncertainty and a scattered direction makes Wirtz the biggest loser. Blackhawk fans need Rocky to come to the rescue and lead his franchise to another Stanley Cup.

Agreed........ When the time comes we'll see if Rocky has what's needed to make the right hire at the very top and let that hockey man build a franchise. To date Rocky hasn't been able to do so, in fact he's gone in reverse.

So, it's one more year of dysfunction and then try and fix the mess?
- Mr Ricochet

I would hope this season won't be written off...But for now??

So ironic... When Ladd and Buff were shown the door... these guys grew on trees right? Bowman made his bed and now has to sleep in it. Bottom line, players like this are very difficult to find and the one's that produce and create their own matchup problems even more so.
- ilinkhawk

It's more of Bowman didn't have much of a choice if he could keep those guys after the cup win due to the salary cap. In all, I think he kept the right players given the parameters of the situation.

It's the talent (or lack thereof) that Bowman has brought in after the fact, and the way Q uses it that makes it sub-par.

Never thought of it that way, them beating the hell out of each other and we'd be spared both......

Having been a uberfan of the Sox way back when, even before Harrelson came to them, I liked his game call. Then of course he showed all how little he knew about the sport, the same way Toyota Mike/Jap Iron did about football when he went to New Orleans, when he was GM for a couple years. Remember the 27 man coaching staff and moving Fisk to left field.

But his call was a good one, then he turned into a cartoon looking to be noticed.

As repulsive as Marrioti was/is I'll forever be thankful he exposed quite a bit on the southside.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm a Cub fan, so I know not what you speak of (fisk to OF). But Hawk is just a clown. I can't stand it that he calls the game like he's in the dugout, or buddies with the players.

Personally, like I said this morning, I think Rocky knows where the bodies are buried and unless these guys pull off some major moves here before the start of the season, you will see a major housecleaning some time around June 1, 2013. MAJOR.
- John Jaeckel

The Blackhawks finished last season with 101 points while playing 30% of the time. That's pretty impressive playing crappy hockey and getting that many points. What makes you think that adding a "big name or 2" will change that?

It doesn't change it! You add Parise or Suter or both and this team still plays 30% you're still looking at a first round knock out. Add Luongo and you still end up with the same result.

The biggest change that should have happened this season was Q, Kitchen, and Waite fired. Rocky screwed it up. He is listening to the wrong advisers and he kept the cancer that plagued this team. No matter who you bring in this team is not winning the Cup next season unless you get rid of the coaches.

Q took responsibility for this team this off season, and if you are hearing Saad @ 2c then I guess Q thinks Saad is a 2C. Tells you how bright he is, not!

Making "major moves" just to make moves is both idiotic and irresponsible. Reminds me of Pulford. You want to win you fix the team (the cancer = Q) back before Rocky the cancer was Pulford. Get rid of Q then assess the issue (if any) with the roster.

Problems with Kane or Crawford will get hashed out by a real coach (I'm assuming Barry Smith would be the replacement). IMHO you sign Hasek to a camp tryout and while he most likely does not make it, we at least forge a bond with Hasek and make him the next goaltending coach. New assistants will teach the younger players like Leddy or Saad instead of the haphazard way it's being done now.

To conclude ask yourself this: if the Blackhawks played 90-100% hockey last season, instead of the abysmal 30%, would it have changed the outcome? Would it have changed the off season perception and needs going into the 2012-2013 season?

I'm speaking in general, not specifically Jesse, or Jahns or (insert beat writer). I don't see that those other guys do a whole lot of unique, out of the box stuff, outside of Jesse. I'm asking in terms of the media coverage and what's allowable and not.

I've always felt that for as close to the team as these guys are, they don't see to have a lot of of knowledge about what's going on. Or if they do, they don't share at all
- eburgio

I will leave it at this...

A beat writer or even someone like me has to get his article though an editor. An editor can veto a topic or as the name implies edit what he/she feels isn't appropriate. The team must grant permission for one on one interview time.

Some beat people write more opinions than others...Being a beat reporter is primarily about reporting what is current and can be proven....At least that's my take.

In the age of "blog" like influence there are more opinions given but that really isn't their primary function.

I'm a Cub fan, so I know not what you speak of (fisk to OF). But Hawk is just a clown. I can't stand it that he calls the game like he's in the dugout, or buddies with the players.
- eburgio

Hawk is the town drunk. He is a joke of an announcer, and almost a bigger homer than Jack Edwards (Boston). I really feel sorry for Steve Stone to have to sit next to that fool.

Do you think that the beat writers just give us the run of the mill stuff because they have to keep good relations w/the players and coaches? I've met Jesse before and he's a good dude, but he repeatedly rebuffed the Kane/Dowell clash. He denied that Kane had the scaphoid fracture and that wound up being true.
- eburgio

Yeah, Jesse and i had a discussion the day the wrist fracture came to light as FACT, after he and some others said my break on it was erroneous (and worse). I have no issue with Jesse.

I do love how some members of the mainstream, while holding forth on Twitter, love to slam rumors (including often mine) as though their "access" means they know what is and isn't being discussed as far as trades and free agency. When they probably don't know—have no idea.

I think there's an assumption that because these guys are 'close" to the players and coaches that they know everything. That is not true. A lot of what they know is what they are supposed to know. What the team wants them to know and report. It's called message control and it is as old as the hills. I also believe they are in a difficult position in terms of their position and access in terms of ever being very critical or saying the full extent of some things they might well know is true.

Ask one very well known former member of the media covering the Hawks, who i will not name out of respect for him. But he reads and posts here regularly.

The biggest change that should have happened this off-season was Q, Kitchen, and Waite fired.
- scorerstouch

A-(frank)ing-men!