Fixed.
- John Jaeckel

I think the Blues were a fluke to be perfectly honest with you but we will see about that one. Could be very well wrong about that assumption but I don't buy the turn around as lasting with that group.

Fixed.
- John Jaeckel

Only a matter of time til they tune out hitchcock.........look at his track record.

For the record,

I don't mind anyone disagreeing. Wowo, cmonalready, no problem

It's those who come on (apparently for the first time today) to shoot the messenger because they don't like the message that I will fire back at. So, be forewarned.

Also name callers.

I think the Blues were a fluke to be perfectly honest with you but we will see about that one. Could be very well wrong about that assumption but I don't buy the turn around as lasting with that group.
- fattybeef

Great goaltending, big and tough upfront, defense might be a piece away.

I agree, they might have gotten a little added mileage out of the Hitch jumpstart and the inevitable hitch tune out is coming, but not necessarily this year.

And I have to make them my division favorite.

Really liked how the last one resorted to posting pictures of pretty ladies. That was amusing to say the least.

In honor of the Olympics: http://content.usatoday.c...-then-wins/1#.UAlXR2Ge4TY

Anyways, don't the Hawks will be terrible. Think I have mentioned that before. Don't think they are going to be significantly better (or better in general) than some of the more competitive teams in the West (Vancouver, LA, San Jose).

They have some young talent, which is neat. Problem is they have a coach who is in my opinion better at coaching veterans than developing youth... Massive issue if they are getting younger. Plan A, Plan B and Plan C seem to be a clusterwhatever of who knows what.

Kruger and Leddy and Bickell and Stalberg should take a step forward, true. However, relying on them or a rookie or two to step up and make a big impact is pretty foolish. If that is their intention they should have fired the coaching staff, brought in someone who could "teach the game" and market "these kids can play" so they are at least straight forward about the situation and fans know what to expect.

The Hawks are still relevant IMO but if they bonk like they did last year a lot of "casual" fans / box owners who can't see past the PR are going to be irritated they were sold a golden goose but ended up with same old dairy cow instead.
- fattybeef

Bingo

For the record,

I don't mind anyone disagreeing. Wowo, cmonalready, no problem

It's those who come on (apparently for the first time today) to shoot the messenger because they don't like the message that I will fire back at. So, be forewarned.

Also name callers.
- John Jaeckel

I think your pretty damn spot on....and those name callers are dícks.....you know
In case you were wondering .

Only a matter of time til they tune out hitchcock.........look at his track record.
- Wowo2282

Same could be said for Q and most coaches.

Exactly, I don't understand all this gloom and doom. Everyone in here is just looking for a "splash" to be made. You would think we are cheering for the bluejackets or something.

I wanted the hawks to sign suter or parise of course but at a reasonable cap hit. What they got especially suter is astronomical and I am quite happy stan bowman was not a moron and spent the remainder of the cap on him. How good will he even be w/o being paired with weber? Bet he won't be that great. And those of you who want to sign the winnik's of the world? WHY? What have they ever done? Last i saw the san jose sharks loaded up on those types of guys at the deadline. Yaaaaa how far did that get them? I'd rather insert hayes or a younger guy into the lineup that could bring energy. This is just my opinion. Hawks on paper are the best in the division right now.

And don't you think rocky understands the whole free agent contract situation will be addressed in the CBA? Personally i hope the cap goes down a bit and those teams paying big bucks for above average players will rot with those contracts
- Wowo2282

And don't you think rocky understands the whole free agent contract situation will be addressed in the CBA? Personally i hope the cap goes down a bit and those teams paying big bucks for above average players will rot with those contracts

Part 1..Yes Rocky is dialed in about as much as anyone.

Part 2 ...If the sky falls the Hawks as well are one of those teams to be hurt with the Hossa/Keith contracts.

There are too many cross currents...

If there was so much fear by owners the landscape was going to change so much...

Why would there be a bidding war for Suter/Parise??
Why would there be an offer sheet on Weber??

Also, as they have admitted to be..

Why would the Hawks be in on either player, especially Parise, who if my whispers were correct, were offering to pay a $14 million bonus???

The CBA is an issue but there are bigger concerns here. Once the CBA is in place, whether two months or two years from now... The same holes will probably still be present.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Only a matter of time til they tune out hitchcock.........look at his track record.
- Wowo2282

I think this year they'll be pushing hard to get to the SCF....but if they get off to a slow start maybe....but looking at the central I think there a notch better than us...

Same could be said for Q and most coaches.
- EKolb13

Yes, true, but the style of play hitch preaches can most likely wear on some players. Say they go into a small slump early on, he could lose the team, who knows?

I think this year they'll be pushing hard to get to the SCF....but if they get off to a slow start maybe....but looking at the central I think there a notch better than us...
- southernhawk

On paper, at least.

On paper, at least.
- EKolb13

And they average about 25lbs more bullypower than us...

Same could be said for Q and most coaches.
- EKolb13

Hopefully sooner rather than later if the ship's ever to get righted.

I have no special insight here. I do get the sense he and Seabrook REALLY just want to win. And that both are frustrated wit the hast two years. If it continues like this . . .
- John Jaeckel

Maybe Toews and Seabrook can meet with Rocky and get him to understand just why other players don't want to come to Chicago.

Rocky needs to meet with every GM in the league to find out why the Hawks can't make any meaningful trades.

He needs to meet with every important agent to find out why their players don't want to come here.

And they average about 25lbs more bullypower than us...
- southernhawk

Southie, we're going to get a lot of mileage out of 25 lbs!

The (frank)ing Kings were PERFECTLY built for play off hockey! PERIOD .
- southernhawk

THIS....

When are we going to stop looking at regular season stats and accolades to gauge this team. Our top 5 scoring in the league was a useless stat. We had a team that was better suited for the tighter called regular season games. The Kings were the opposite.

Kruger should be better ....Shaw...lets hope he at least holds even same with Stalberg Olsen should improve...Leddy needs about 25 lbs AND bickell should play better (contract year ).....
- southernhawk

Too many "shoulds" and "let's hopes" in there for a team that is supposed to contend for a Stanley Cup.

I have heard:

Winnik
Torrey Mitchell
Konopka
McClement
Nash was asked by Howson to put them back on his "list" and he refused
- John Jaeckel

JJ simply one of your best to date as far as the article...spot on.


Add to this list Suter as well...we know that Suter didn't have the Hawks on his final list and would have been prepared to return to the Preds instead of coming here. This speaks volumes about where this team is right now.

This is on Rocky he needs to move McD et all out. I've wanted Bowman gone since the deer in the headlights look after Hammer signed the offer sheet two summers back. As you've pointed out Stan has gotten very little for all the top end talent he moved out which was also the grit and glue of the team. And he has continued to make bad move after bad move and yet continues to state the Hawks are right there while failing repeatedly to address needs that eveyone else but him can see.

I thought Q was the better of the two having actually won 600 games and two cups but he lost me w/ the Brouwer thing for starters not to mention running his core guys into the ground and then putting the teams woes on Havvy. Havvy was a good coach well liked and one of Dale's guys. Kitchen has shown what kind of coach he is in several different stops in the league. The Kompon thing reeks horridly. Instead of getting a qualified asst. Q is more interested in a guy on 'his side' in this mess.

Add to the fact that Q admitted last season that he didn't focus on defense early on so much because the team was going so well and we are now where we are. Barry Smith despite being a Bowman guy actually improved the PP last season when he was on the ice working w/ the team briefly. But we all know how that ended.

McD is the one that really should be moved out but will Rocky do it? The fact that the man has his own 'One Goal' commerical is pathetic and disgusting to put it in the nicest of terms. McD getting rid of a hockey guy so a finance major - see money guy (who by the way screwed up the qualifiers) - could run the team was a boneheaded play beyond all others. Bowman can't make a move to save his rear. And when he does he gets fleeced. As far as McD we know he's dabbled in Hockey Ops when he shouldn't . JJ can you shed a little more light on what these situations were...
Huet, Campbell, etc...?

Hope everyone enjoys the convention his weekend...let the booing commence.

Southie, we're going to get a lot of mileage out of 25 lbs!
- EKolb13

....just think if Bickell had 25 more lbs...#behemoth

THIS....

When are we going to stop looking at regular season stats and accolades to gauge this team. Our top 5 scoring in the league was a useless stat. We had a team that was better suited for the tighter called regular season games. The Kings were the opposite.
- ilinkhawk

kings had a tremendous forecheck.........this is where a signing of doan would help tremendously. Absolutely no forecheck in the hawks top 6 right now. No jam whatsoever. Sure you hope carcillo can contribute there at times, but hes coming off a knee injury. Saad would be a pleasant suprise if he could fill that role, but cmon the guy hasn't done anything so far to amaze you in his short nhl stint. Like JJ, said he was just "there" Only if the hawks could land doan.........one can wish. If the hawks want to return to successful playoff hockey, they need guys in the top 6 that can put a body on someone.

Hope everyone enjoys the convention his weekend...let the booing commence.
- DK002

Instead of booing, I'm hoping for tough questions asked, with follow-ups when the spin starts.

Too many "shoulds" and "let's hopes" in there for a team that is supposed to contend for a Stanley Cup.
- StLBravesFan

Exactly ...that was the point I was trying to make

Maybe Toews and Seabrook can meet with Rocky and get him to understand just why other players don't want to come to Chicago.

Rocky needs to meet with every GM in the league to find out why the Hawks can't make any meaningful trades.

He needs to meet with every important agent to find out why their players don't want to come here.
- StLBravesFan

Rocky needs to meet with McDouchebag, his little lackey Bunk and the Blowmans for those answers. Maybe he needs to meet with Coach Quack and find out why he retained Asst. Coach Kan't run a PP and why he hired Asst. coach Tampon.

In all, Rocky should send a clear message to all of them, and it should be "fix it or get the (frank) out!"

If Rocky doesn't clean house and soon, his name should be changed from "Wirtz" to "Worst."

kings had a tremendous forecheck.........this is where a signing of doan would help tremendously. Absolutely no forecheck in the hawks top 6 right now. No jam whatsoever. Sure you hope carcillo can contribute there at times, but hes coming off a knee injury. Saad would be a pleasant suprise if he could fill that role, but cmon the guy hasn't done anything so far to amaze you in his short nhl stint. Like JJ, said he was just "there" Only if the hawks could land doan.........one can wish. If the hawks want to return to successful playoff hockey, they need guys in the top 6 that can put a body on someone.
- Wowo2282

Frolik forechecks hard Shaw Carcillo too Bollig....its more than that...something has flown the coup....we could be looking at the making of a team that has lost / loosing its identity .

....just think if Bickell had 25 more lbs...#behemoth
- southernhawk

Bickell with 25 extra lbs.