I have said it before and I will again now: the front office infighting this summer is not terribly different than the Peter Wirtz/Tallon vs. Pully/Bryan Sutter nonsense of ten years ago.

One way in which Rocky—thus far—does not differ from Dollar Bill is in having a crowded and contentious boardroom.
- John Jaeckel

and now the infighting news travels at light speed. Stans decision to publicly address the dysfunction on the staff last season was dimwitted. Not that players dont talk, but why draw more attention to it? Guy is in a windtunnel...

Just for you Eli, Mr P, Southern

https://p.twimg.com/AxNtjg2CIAA7jDu.jpg

First official Lu pic of the thread!
- ikeane[/img]

This...



is the same as this...



Just say no to Luser.

Good point.

Dad Bill would have been burned at the stake by now. Wonder if the luster is starting to wear off of Rocky yet. Maybe it takes one more year before people start to focus more on him.
- howiehandles

It's easy to give praise when you win the Cup ... But in reality.. Rocky and John had little or zero to do with that. I think the whole Rocky is God was so overdone. He really didn't do much except give fans a normal NHL experience (tv etc...). Was just good timing. Really you have to wonder how amazing Rocky and McDobough look taking over in say the mid to late 90s. Horrible team on tv? Who cares? The guy(s) who drafted, signed and scouted the team and the team itself are the ones who should be praised. Doesn't feel that way.

It's more than started, he's fully tarnished in my eyes. I lump him right in with McD, Stan , and Q as far as blame goes. If he can't/won't see it , (frank) him too.
- Ogilthorpe2

And his little dogs too...

On paper, I give the players a 8.5 out of 10. On paper, they're one of the best teams in the league. But the paper doesn't include the coaching or management, both of which score in the -3 range on the 10 scale. I'm so depressed. Hopefully the faithful at the convention really let the brass hear it.
And great blog, JJ. One of your best.
- Blackhawks928

While I agree with your last two sentences....

Based on their play the past two years:

(a) I wouldn't give the vaunted "core" 8.5 - except for Toews and Seabrook, who hasn't regressed since the Cup year?

(b) Stalburg, Kruger, Bickel, Shaw, Leddy, Saad - the young and the praised - what has any of them done to deserve an 8.5?

(c) On paper, they are what they've been - one play-off series and done - no reason to think they should have done more (or will).

and now the infighting news travels at light speed. Stans decision to publicly address the dysfunction on the staff last season was dimwitted. Not that players dont talk, but why draw more attention to it? Guy is in a windtunnel...
- HealthyScratch1

He just reacts

Well, the good news is, I'm hearing he realizes it.

- John Jaeckel

Just now, say since the inactivity & results going back to the draft? Or a couple months before?

Cuz if its the latter, he's as guilty as anyone. Said it before a few times. He's gotta do a Ricketts/Theo thing.

But now wouldn't be the time (regardless of the CBA), during the CF's / SCF would have been the time.

So looking ahead several months, who do you believe is the "Theo of present day GM's?" Who could be pried away, elevated to Prez & have McD kicked out of the hockey war room, just like C.Kenney?

Nice write up as always, I'm just starting to get pissed!

He just reacts
- John Jaeckel

While other gms act.

Excellent read, jj.

It's more than started, he's fully tarnished in my eyes. I lump him right in with McD, Stan , and Q as far as blame goes. If he can't/won't see it , (frank) him too.
- Ogilthorpe2

I HATE McD. Hate in the sense he's running a hockey team I've loved since I was a kid (40s now), and I hold him largely, but not entirely, responsible.

Stan, I don't hate. Just know he's not qualified to do the job. Seems like a good guy, but I don't want him running my team.

Q. I really used to like the guy, but I'm done with him too. I miss Havi. Not sure if he's HC material, but always seemed to have a smile on his face.

Just now, say since the inactivity & results going back to the draft? Or a couple months before?

Cuz if its the latter, he's as guilty as anyone. Said it before a few times. He's gotta do a Ricketts/Theo thing.

But now wouldn't be the time (regardless of the CBA), during the CF's / SCF would have been the time.

So looking ahead several months, who do you believe is the "Theo of present day GM's?" Who could be pried away, elevated to Prez & have McD kicked out of the hockey war room, just like C.Kenney?

Nice write up as always, I'm just starting to get pissed!
- blackhawk24

I've got some free time

Well.... Maybe Kompon will figure it out in Chicago?

But man, he was terrible... He tried to blame it on the players, but really his system was just awful... Loves trying to pass the puck into the net... Bad enough that 3 power plays in the 5 minute major that won us the cup wasn't enough to save him his job.

Most of the time we'd have rather just run 2 minutes off the clock than go on the PP, just huge momentum killers.



Good luck...
- bluecoconuts

That's what the Hawks did most of last year, so Kompon should fit right in.

It's easy to give praise when you win the Cup ... But in reality.. Rocky and John had little or zero to do with that. I think the whole Rocky is God was so overdone. He really didn't do much except give fans a normal NHL experience (tv etc...). Was just good timing. Really you have to wonder how amazing Rocky and McDobough look taking over in say the mid to late 90s. Horrible team on tv? Who cares? The guy(s) who drafted, signed and scouted the team and the team itself are the ones who should be praised. Doesn't feel that way.
- ilinkhawk

Absolutely. Same with McD taking credit for the Cubs marketing success. Winning breeds success. He came on when they finally started winning a bit, and now he's a genius.

You're completely right on Rocky. His old man dropped at the right time, with all due respects to his family, for him. Lucky dog is all. The lap dogs who love Rocky, "he put the Hawks on TV". These owners aren't doing it out of the kindness of their heart. They're doing it for the almighty dollar.

I can't wait till some of the bandwagon fans stop buying, showing up with their jerseys with the tags still on, texting the whole game, leaving at the end of the second period, just go away.

I HATE McD. Hate in the sense he's running a hockey team I've loved since I was a kid (40s now), and I hold him largely, but not entirely, responsible.

Stan, I don't hate. Just know he's not qualified to do the job. Seems like a good guy, but I don't want him running my team.

Q. I really used to like the guy, but I'm done with him too. I miss Havi. Not sure if he's HC material, but always seemed to have a smile on his face.
- howiehandles

Q used up a a lot of political capital and fan good will with Kompon. He is now officially part of the problem, no question.

Maybe it's some kind of new fangled hands off coaching approach.
- onac22

I'm pretty sure you meant "brain turned off" coaching.

I HATE McD. Hate in the sense he's running a hockey team I've loved since I was a kid (40s now), and I hold him largely, but not entirely, responsible.

Stan, I don't hate. Just know he's not qualified to do the job. Seems like a good guy, but I don't want him running my team.

Q. I really used to like the guy, but I'm done with him too. I miss Havi. Not sure if he's HC material, but always seemed to have a smile on his face.
- howiehandles

It wouldn't have hurt to have tired him as a head coach. They should have canned Q after the 9 game losing streak and let Haviland be the interim coach for the rest of last season. Then we would have known if he could have done the job or not.

I HATE McD. Hate in the sense he's running a hockey team I've loved since I was a kid (40s now), and I hold him largely, but not entirely, responsible.

Stan, I don't hate. Just know he's not qualified to do the job. Seems like a good guy, but I don't want him running my team.

Q. I really used to like the guy, but I'm done with him too. I miss Havi. Not sure if he's HC material, but always seemed to have a smile on his face.
- howiehandles

As long as the effort on the ice matches the marketing effort, they can have all the conventions they want. Unfortunately, there has been little balance in that regard. This team needs hockey iq, not a parade float.

Absolutely. Same with McD taking credit for the Cubs marketing success. Winning breeds success. He came on when they finally started winning a bit, and now he's a genius.

You're completely right on Rocky. His old man dropped at the right time, with all due respects to his family, for him. Lucky dog is all. The lap dogs who love Rocky, "he put the Hawks on TV". These owners aren't doing it out of the kindness of their heart. They're doing it for the almighty dollar.

I can't wait till some of the bandwagon fans stop buying, showing up with their jerseys with the tags still on, texting the whole game, leaving at the end of the second period, just go away.
- howiehandles

Oh, that's coming.

That's what the Hawks did most of last year, so Kompon should fit right in.
- ArlingtonRob

Kings were 17th in the league at 17% on the PP last year,the Hawks were 26th at 15.2%...maybe this Tampon guy could help.

Just now, say since the inactivity & results going back to the draft? Or a couple months before?

Cuz if its the latter, he's as guilty as anyone. Said it before a few times. He's gotta do a Ricketts/Theo thing.

But now wouldn't be the time (regardless of the CBA), during the CF's / SCF would have been the time.

So looking ahead several months, who do you believe is the "Theo of present day GM's?" Who could be pried away, elevated to Prez & have McD kicked out of the hockey war room, just like C.Kenney?

Nice write up as always, I'm just starting to get pissed!
- blackhawk24

Damn, you've gotten better looking since this afternoon.

Love the new avatar.

Kings were 17 th in the league at 17% on the PP last year,the Hawks were 26th at 15.2%...maybe this Tampon guy could help.
- Ogilthorpe2

Isn't Tampon going to stop the bleeding on the PK?

Isn't Tampon going to stop the bleeding on the PK?
- EKolb13

Agreed. Best one yet.

It wouldn't have hurt to have tired him as a head coach. They should have canned Q after the 9 game losing streak and let Haviland be the interim coach for the rest of last season. Then we would have known if he could have done the job or not.
- EKolb13

Still shocked q made it through that. Now convinced he shouldnt have.

Imagine if it happens again and he has to go midseason. You end up having to replace an entire staff, because asshats #2 and #3 cant replace him. Its the dumbest succession plan the hawks could have.

Agreed. Best one yet.
- Ogilthorpe2

Pat yourself on the back for that one.

John Jaeckel: The No-Fun Convention Begins
- John Jaeckel

Bravo!!!! Have this printed and sent to Rocky. The loudest noise I have ever heard was the silence after 911. I for one wont be going to any Blackhawks games (only 3 to 5 per year) this next season. Rockey would be wise to (and I have said this before) send McDoughnut to the down town offices. Then put a hockey guy in the position of GM. I didnt like every move Tallon made (drafting Skillie and Barker) but he has a clue as to how a championship team is constructed.............it needs a supporting cast.

Still shocked q made it through that. Now convinced he shouldnt have.

Imagine if it happens again and he has to go midseason. You end up having to replace an entire staff, because asshats #2 and #3 cant replace him. Its the dumbest succession plan the hawks could have.
- HealthyScratch1

I'd imagine if Q gets canned, they'd have to can his cronies at the same time.

I have Q getting canned by game #24.