Amen.

It seems like there's just a staggering level of negativity on these boards lately, and fine, if people want to feel that way, nobody is stopping you. But it seems like people who aren't quite ready to throw in the towel yet until the season starts are apologists?
- hawkfan79

Fair enough. IMO it's always good to hear opposing views and I too think there is a lot to like. I'm looking forward to seeing a full year of Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig, seeing if Kruger and Hayes improve, seeing if Crawford is more like the goalie of two years ago or last year. I like the addition of Brookbank and think Montador is much more useful than he's given credit for.

But I've watched this team since winning the cup play some uninspired horrid hockey. I watched them sleepwalk through the whole damn 2011 season only to hit a switch being down 3-0 to Vancouver and play like the Hawks of 2010. Where was the effort all year? Plus they were so uninspired they made the playoffs on the last day of the season when Minnesota beat Dallas, or they WOULDN'T have made the playoffs after winning the cup!!!

Then last year. More uninspired hockey. How many 60 minute games did they play? A handful, maybe two?

The club moved Campbell's salary and did what with the cap space? The club had no net presence, and did what to fix it? The club has needed a 2nd line center since StanBowPops&McD got here, what's been done? The club has only Seabrook who can clear the crease, what's been done to fix it? The club is alleged to be a puck possession team but can't win faceoffs, what's been done to fix that? This club has had a top 4 and a revolving door filling the other two slots for two years. What's been done to fix that?

Now Q. Teams stack the blueline but the Hawks over, and over, and over try to skate through instead of chipping and chase. What's been done to change that. It's easy for a novice to see this team tunes Q out in that regard, they simply won't pay a price for the puck. The special teams were horrid last year and they brought Smith in to help, and Q melted down. He'd rather lose his way than try another angle. What's been done to change that? Kieth plays like a zombie for two straight years so what does he do, skates him more.

Not my words but the Hawks', there is dysfunction in the coaching ranks. What's been done to change that, firing Haviland? So there is dysfunction and the answer is to fire ONE coach?

Yea there is a lot to like from this club, so much so we see them just throw their sticks over the boards 75% of the time and they rack up 100 points. That's ok if a point total is your goal. If going deep into the playoffs is the goal then the team as constructed by upper management and coached by the coaches on staff have shown repeatedly that won't happen.

History and experience has shown some the Hawks are rudderless and inept in so many areas and some that this team is talented and has a chance to win with 100 point talent. .........Therein lies the divide amongst Hawk fans.

For a guy that didn't want to play out east.....

After visiting with the Rangers brass in NY today Coyotes Captain Shane Doan will make his 2nd visit of free agency Saturday in Philadelphia -- John Gambadoro (@Gambo620)
- moylander

And we sit silently on the sideline.....sigh.

Mr.Ricochet I agree with you on Monty ...i think his cap hit should be closer to what brookbank has...but I think he is serviceable as a #4 at very best and a #5 mist of the time brookbank is a good 5-6 stay at home bring a lunch type player he and Monty can help....but will Q use them ?

I hear Getzalf could be available. If this is true WHY, WHY, WHY are we not putting an offer for this guy. He fits all our needs and he's a stud. We want to make a splash we'll there you go mr. Bowman. We have the space so what's the problem? ...give them Saad and the first round....whatever it takes....f.uck make it happen!!!!
We have not made a splash since Hossa and that was years ago....give us something to be excited about....I think us fans deserve it.

Fair enough. IMO it's always good to hear opposing views and I too think there is a lot to like. I'm looking forward to seeing a full year of Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig, seeing if Kruger and Hayes improve, seeing if Crawford is more like the goalie of two years ago or last year. I like the addition of Brookbank and think Montador is much more useful than he's given credit for.

But I've watched this team since winning the cup play some uninspired horrid hockey. I watched them sleepwalk through the whole damn 2011 season only to hit a switch being down 3-0 to Vancouver and play like the Hawks of 2010. Where was the effort all year? Plus they were so uninspired they made the playoffs on the last day of the season when Minnesota beat Dallas, or they WOULDN'T have made the playoffs after winning the cup!!!

Then last year. More uninspired hockey. How many 60 minute games did they play? A handful, maybe two?

The club moved Campbell's salary and did what with the cap space? The club had no net presence, and did what to fix it? The club has needed a 2nd line center since StanBowPops&McD got here, what's been done? The club has only Seabrook who can clear the crease, what's been done to fix it? The club is alleged to be a puck possession team but can't win faceoffs, what's been done to fix that? This club has had a top 4 and a revolving door filling the other two slots for two years. What's been done to fix that?

Now Q. Teams stack the blueline but the Hawks over, and over, and over try to skate through instead of chipping and chase. What's been done to change that. It's easy for a novice to see this team tunes Q out in that regard, they simply won't pay a price for the puck. The special teams were horrid last year and they brought Smith in to help, and Q melted down. He'd rather lose his way than try another angle. What's been done to change that? Kieth plays like a zombie for two straight years so what does he do, skates him more.

Not my words but the Hawks', there is dysfunction in the coaching ranks. What's been done to change that, firing Haviland? So there is dysfunction and the answer is to fire ONE coach?

Yea there is a lot to like from this club, so much so we see them just throw their sticks over the boards 75% of the time and they rack up 100 points. That's ok if a point total is your goal. If going deep into the playoffs is the goal then the team as constructed by upper management and coached by the coaches on staff have shown repeatedly that won't happen.

History and experience has shown some the Hawks are rudderless and inept in so many areas and some that this team is talented and has a chance to win with 100 point talent. .........Therein lies the divide amongst Hawk fans.
- Mr Ricochet

Dude. This is poetry.

After my initial usual rage at the Hawks for being dysfunctional, i am kinda excited about a full year of Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig. The Hawks were 24 and 10 or something like that with Carcillo in the line up. We'll see.

I guess Im just hoping having emotional guys like that will "Will" the Hawks into playing 60 minute games, maybe Kane's embarassed and will hopefully come out on fire.

Fair enough. IMO it's always good to hear opposing views and I too think there is a lot to like. I'm looking forward to seeing a full year of Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig, seeing if Kruger and Hayes improve, seeing if Crawford is more like the goalie of two years ago or last year. I like the addition of Brookbank and think Montador is much more useful than he's given credit for.

But I've watched this team since winning the cup play some uninspired horrid hockey. I watched them sleepwalk through the whole damn 2011 season only to hit a switch being down 3-0 to Vancouver and play like the Hawks of 2010. Where was the effort all year? Plus they were so uninspired they made the playoffs on the last day of the season when Minnesota beat Dallas, or they WOULDN'T have made the playoffs after winning the cup!!!

Then last year. More uninspired hockey. How many 60 minute games did they play? A handful, maybe two?

The club moved Campbell's salary and did what with the cap space? The club had no net presence, and did what to fix it? The club has needed a 2nd line center since StanBowPops&McD got here, what's been done? The club has only Seabrook who can clear the crease, what's been done to fix it? The club is alleged to be a puck possession team but can't win faceoffs, what's been done to fix that? This club has had a top 4 and a revolving door filling the other two slots for two years. What's been done to fix that?

Now Q. Teams stack the blueline but the Hawks over, and over, and over try to skate through instead of chipping and chase. What's been done to change that. It's easy for a novice to see this team tunes Q out in that regard, they simply won't pay a price for the puck. The special teams were horrid last year and they brought Smith in to help, and Q melted down. He'd rather lose his way than try another angle. What's been done to change that? Kieth plays like a zombie for two straight years so what does he do, skates him more.

Not my words but the Hawks', there is dysfunction in the coaching ranks. What's been done to change that, firing Haviland? So there is dysfunction and the answer is to fire ONE coach?

Yea there is a lot to like from this club, so much so we see them just throw their sticks over the boards 75% of the time and they rack up 100 points. That's ok if a point total is your goal. If going deep into the playoffs is the goal then the team as constructed by upper management and coached by the coaches on staff have shown repeatedly that won't happen.

History and experience has shown some the Hawks are rudderless and inept in so many areas and some that this team is talented and has a chance to win with 100 point talent. .........Therein lies the divide amongst Hawk fans.
- Mr Ricochet

This. 100%, all of it. Post of the month.

Good morning!

What's the good word?

Good morning!

What's the good word?
- EKolb13

We still need

-better GM
- 2nd line center
- better goalie
- different coach

That about sums it up!

We still need

-better GM
- 2nd line center
- better goalie
- different coach

That about sums it up!



- Hawkster

You can add new team president to that list too.

I look at it this way. The year after the Cup, we took a much weaker team into Vancouver, battled back and almost stole the series from the eventual Cup runner up. Last year, we were arguably better than the previous year, and for the most part, dominated Phoenix in the playoffs, who eventually lost in the conference finals. Who's to say how that series played out if Hossa wasn't assaulted, and Smith wasn't such a dive queen and Shaw played the entire series.

Fast forward to this season. The same team returns from last year, with Brookbank who is an upgrade to our 5/6 pairing which should help distribute the minutes, assuming Q is true to his word after the season and he plans to be better at managing player minutes.

Ogi...

I echo a lot of your frustration, especially in Q's direction, as I think a LOT of the Hawks on ice problems are a direct result of the coaching, or lack there of from Q and dbag Kitchen.

The Cup winning team the Hawks had was a special team with size, grit, speed, agreed! A perfect storm if you will, and it left us spoiled and wanting for more! That said, can anyone here, or even JJ/Al give a scouting report on guys like Kruger, Leddy, Olsen, Shaw, Hayes? We all know what they needed to work on to be more effective (size/strength/improved skating respectively) So perhaps Leddy and Kruger come in 10 meaningful pounds bigger...perhaps Olsen is in shape and worked on his skating all summer, same for Hayes. Perhaps they didn't, and if that's the case, then my point is moot.

Yet I'll reserve to jump off the cliff of despair until I see what these supporting players look like on the ice. The Hawks are a puck possession team...not a rough and tumble team. I agree with TrueGrit in that the Hawks compete level needs to be there, and be more consistent. That's on coaching!!! When our compete level is there, you see a very dominant team, that still gets outhit night in night out because we have the puck most of the time...So I agree with you Ogi, that Q needs to do a much better job preparing the team, and holding everyone accountable with the same standards!
- nelli312

Too soft, suspect goaltending, weak up the middle.

8 words. That Bowman hasn't the creativity to do anything about.

Too soft, suspect goaltending, weak up the middle.

8 words. That Bowman hasn't the creativity to do anything about.
- John Jaeckel

Mentioned Getzlaf a few posts back.
Any reasons we would not try try to make a pitch for this guy?
I'm no GM but I would think he checks a lot of boxes for us.

Wow the spinmeisters aka the blackhawks brass were at it again last night.
No Stanbum or McCub or any other of the Hawks front office. And as mentioned no Saad or Oduya...gee we can only wonder what kind of response the introduction of Gauthier would have gotten? LOL.

And the spin control by CTL was frankin' hilarious as well. Tracey Myers said they were all saying Q and not booooinngg - gee sounded like Boos w/ a B to me. Kitch as well got a nice round of Qs as well as Crawford.

The video tribute they showed for last season pumped the tires on the fact that the Hawks have had 190 consecutive sellouts and then later in it the players were each shown talking about how great the fans were that come to the UC every night while pictures of fans having a great time/ eating food/ buying product were shown in the background...total BS. Yeah we haven't improved our team at all this summer and the front office and coaching staff are a joke, but come down to the UC for a great time.

I think that was the shortest opening speech by Toews given to date.
- DK002

I'm sure the powers at CSN have put all the filters on the reporting at the behest of you know who.

She didn't really say that?

Good morning!

What's the good word?
- EKolb13

Good Morning Eli
Greetings from Albuquerque.

Good Morning Eli
- Ogilthorpe2

Good morning Ogie!

How are you?

Positives?

As I've said, the defense is deeper and better than it was a year ago. That should help Crawford, but I also think Quenneville will not hesitate to go to Emery and no one from above will stop him (this time). And personally, I think Emery is a lot more consistent than Crawford.

I saw a brief shot of Kruger from the shoulders up on CSN last night and he looked to me as though he's put on a little mass.

Hossa. What a stud that guy is. I hope Hawk fans appreciate what they have with this guy. An almost certain HOF'er and a great two-way player with a big heart. A quiet leader. And he will likely score his 500th goal in a Hawk sweater.

As for Kane, he looks to be in good shape. and you'd think if he has 1/10th the heart of Hossa or Toews then he's serious about his re-dedication and is out to prove the doubters wrong. If he has 1/10th the heart. That said, I can't assume he doesn't have a problem just because he says it. People with that problem always deny it up until the point where everyone around them forces them to. And he's not there yet, if indeed he has a problem.

I still don't think Jimmy Hayes is a full time NHL player but I also believe a full year of Carcillo, if he keeps his emotions in check, would be very good for this team. On the second line with Kane and Hossa. Shaw too but the marketing dept. is already making much too big a deal out of him.

I'll just say this, if there is a start to the season, they better play well, because the minute there's a slide, I think it's going to set some changes in motion.

And some of those changes maybe coming regardless.

Good morning Ogie!

How are you?
- EKolb13

On a quest for some green chile. You?

Fair enough. IMO it's always good to hear opposing views and I too think there is a lot to like. I'm looking forward to seeing a full year of Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig, seeing if Kruger and Hayes improve, seeing if Crawford is more like the goalie of two years ago or last year. I like the addition of Brookbank and think Montador is much more useful than he's given credit for.

But I've watched this team since winning the cup play some uninspired horrid hockey. I watched them sleepwalk through the whole damn 2011 season only to hit a switch being down 3-0 to Vancouver and play like the Hawks of 2010. Where was the effort all year? Plus they were so uninspired they made the playoffs on the last day of the season when Minnesota beat Dallas, or they WOULDN'T have made the playoffs after winning the cup!!!

Then last year. More uninspired hockey. How many 60 minute games did they play? A handful, maybe two?

The club moved Campbell's salary and did what with the cap space? The club had no net presence, and did what to fix it? The club has needed a 2nd line center since StanBowPops&McD got here, what's been done? The club has only Seabrook who can clear the crease, what's been done to fix it? The club is alleged to be a puck possession team but can't win faceoffs, what's been done to fix that? This club has had a top 4 and a revolving door filling the other two slots for two years. What's been done to fix that?

Now Q. Teams stack the blueline but the Hawks over, and over, and over try to skate through instead of chipping and chase. What's been done to change that. It's easy for a novice to see this team tunes Q out in that regard, they simply won't pay a price for the puck. The special teams were horrid last year and they brought Smith in to help, and Q melted down. He'd rather lose his way than try another angle. What's been done to change that? Kieth plays like a zombie for two straight years so what does he do, skates him more.

Not my words but the Hawks', there is dysfunction in the coaching ranks. What's been done to change that, firing Haviland? So there is dysfunction and the answer is to fire ONE coach?

Yea there is a lot to like from this club, so much so we see them just throw their sticks over the boards 75% of the time and they rack up 100 points. That's ok if a point total is your goal. If going deep into the playoffs is the goal then the team as constructed by upper management and coached by the coaches on staff have shown repeatedly that won't happen.

History and experience has shown some the Hawks are rudderless and inept in so many areas and some that this team is talented and has a chance to win with 100 point talent. .........Therein lies the divide amongst Hawk fans.
- Mr Ricochet

Great post. One of the biggest misses last season was trading Campbell and not doing much of anything with the cap savings. Hindsight is 20-20 and his contract doesn't look so bad now in light of the crazy money that's being thrown around.

The Hawks probably have enough talent to be a 100 point team but 100 pts isn't the benchmark that it used to be because of all SO'S and three point games.

Name one truly positive thing worth discussing that's happened since the end of the season.
- Ogilthorpe2

ummmmm..have not seen a bad PP or soft goal since then!!

Positives?

As I've said, the defense is deeper and better than it was a year ago. That should help Crawford, but I also think Quenneville will not hesitate to go to Emery and no one from above will stop him (this time). And personally, I think Emery is a lot more consistent than Crawford.

I saw a brief shot of Kruger from the shoulders up on CSN last night and he looked to me as though he's put on a little mass.

Hossa. What a stud that guy is. I hope Hawk fans appreciate what they have with this guy. An almost certain HOF'er and a great two-way player with a big heart. A quiet leader. And he will likely score his 500th goal in a Hawk sweater.

As for Kane, he looks to be in good shape. and you'd think if he has 1/10th the heart of Hossa or Toews then he's serious about his re-dedication and is out to prove the doubters wrong. If he has 1/10th the heart. That said, I can't assume he doesn't have a problem just because he says it. People with that problem always deny it up until the point where everyone around them forces them to. And he's not there yet, if indeed he has a problem.

I still don't think Jimmy Hayes is a full time NHL player but I also believe a full year of Carcillo, if he keeps his emotions in check, would be very good for this team. On the second line with Kane and Hossa. Shaw too but the marketing dept. is already making much too big a deal out of him.

I'll just say this, if there is a start to the season, they better play well, because the minute there's a slide, I think it's going to set some changes in motion.

And some of those changes maybe coming regardless.
- John Jaeckel

good to see the cup half full JJ. Mine is still empty!

I'm sure the powers at CSN have put all the filters on the reporting at the behest of you know who.

She didn't really say that?
- John Jaeckel

JJ sadly she did...

At about the 46 min mark of the opening ceremonies after the video (of last sesasons highlights played) Kap said he was surprised at the cheers for Q after two first round exits and Tracey responded and said 'they were Qing not Booing..' as loud boos are being heard...

Stan's pre ceremony comments were the company line we've grown acccustomed to:

"I'm excited to hear what the fans have to say...we're not happy about how it ended eiter...on the flip side we have a lot of things to be excited about,
the potential for next year we have...the young players that are currently on this team driving the team going forward, the players at prospect camp...there are a lot of reasons for optimism..."

Q said he was happy to have Jaime and that more than likely he'll be running the PP.

Nothing from Rocky yesterday or McCub. W/ all of the panels this weekend I sincerely doubt that anyone will actually be allowed to question Stan or McCub to the extent that we'd all like?

Great post. One of the biggest misses last season was trading Campbell and not doing much of anything with the cap savings. Hindsight is 20-20 and his contract doesn't look so bad now in light of the crazy money that's being thrown around.

The Hawks probably have enough talent to be a 100 point team but 100 pts isn't the benchmark that it used to be because of all SO'S and three point games.
- jhawk159

I was never as down on Soupy's contract as most people. I understood the overpay by a young team trying to woo the best FA D-MAN available. However, I did think he was overpaid enough that I agreed at the time with Stan dumping that contract when he had the chance. But man, in hindsite I think it was a mistake. Like you say, looking at the crazy money being thrown around at FA's now, and taking into account that they did nothing with the added cap space last year...I'm thinking that trade was a big mistake. Then when you add in what Stan took back in that trade and it becomes an Epic Fail for Stan.

ummmmm..have not seen a bad PP or soft goal since then!!
- bogiedoc

Ok, I stand corrected.

Fair enough. IMO it's always good to hear opposing views and I too think there is a lot to like. I'm looking forward to seeing a full year of Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig, seeing if Kruger and Hayes improve, seeing if Crawford is more like the goalie of two years ago or last year. I like the addition of Brookbank and think Montador is much more useful than he's given credit for.

But I've watched this team since winning the cup play some uninspired horrid hockey. I watched them sleepwalk through the whole damn 2011 season only to hit a switch being down 3-0 to Vancouver and play like the Hawks of 2010. Where was the effort all year? Plus they were so uninspired they made the playoffs on the last day of the season when Minnesota beat Dallas, or they WOULDN'T have made the playoffs after winning the cup!!!

Then last year. More uninspired hockey. How many 60 minute games did they play? A handful, maybe two?

The club moved Campbell's salary and did what with the cap space? The club had no net presence, and did what to fix it? The club has needed a 2nd line center since StanBowPops&McD got here, what's been done? The club has only Seabrook who can clear the crease, what's been done to fix it? The club is alleged to be a puck possession team but can't win faceoffs, what's been done to fix that? This club has had a top 4 and a revolving door filling the other two slots for two years. What's been done to fix that?

Now Q. Teams stack the blueline but the Hawks over, and over, and over try to skate through instead of chipping and chase. What's been done to change that. It's easy for a novice to see this team tunes Q out in that regard, they simply won't pay a price for the puck. The special teams were horrid last year and they brought Smith in to help, and Q melted down. He'd rather lose his way than try another angle. What's been done to change that? Kieth plays like a zombie for two straight years so what does he do, skates him more.

Not my words but the Hawks', there is dysfunction in the coaching ranks. What's been done to change that, firing Haviland? So there is dysfunction and the answer is to fire ONE coach?

Yea there is a lot to like from this club, so much so we see them just throw their sticks over the boards 75% of the time and they rack up 100 points. That's ok if a point total is your goal. If going deep into the playoffs is the goal then the team as constructed by upper management and coached by the coaches on staff have shown repeatedly that won't happen.

History and experience has shown some the Hawks are rudderless and inept in so many areas and some that this team is talented and has a chance to win with 100 point talent. .........Therein lies the divide amongst Hawk fans.
- Mr Ricochet

Nice post!

good to see the cup half full JJ. Mine is still empty!
- bogiedoc

Could be completely full IF....

But too many ifs.

Q said he was happy to have Jaime and that more than likely he'll be running the PP.
- DK002

This gives me a "not so fresh" feeling.