I agree to a point...but the Hawks-Cubs comparison has one big problem. The number of fans...

...I can only guess the size of each fan base, but I think it's safe to say that there are many, many more Cub fans than Hawks fans.

And I still believe the attraction of the convention will fade if the Hawks fade.
- ArlingtonRob

Guess we'd have to define "fan", ya know, sort of like the "2 million" that was widely reported to be at the parade.

Yes, the Cubs base is a lot larger and that has an impact, but I think you guys hit on it earlier about the 'meatball' factor. That factor is how McD tailors the convention.

Maybe this piece from Tribune isn´t news to most of you, but it´s the thing I´m most worried about:

McDonough will celebrate his five-year anniversary leading the team in November and has begun taking a more active role in hockey operations.

"I'm trying," McDonough said. "When I say an active role from a decision-making standpoint, the only role I play is by the time they have reached the decision I ask how they've arrived at it. What was the thought process behind it? I just have to make sure there's a process and a system involved."



Oh please, say it ain´t so..
- MjulQvist

Nice catch, and thanks for the post.............


I ask how they've arrived at it. What was the thought process behind it? I just have to make sure there's a process and a system involved."

Would hockey people being asked/told (grilled?) to explain themselves by a non-hockey/PR person feel they are being micromanaged? Do they feel they are expected to explain nuance to a man who has no way of understanding it? Do they feel info is gathered by the non-hockey person and taken to the owner and twisted to fit the PR persons "vision" of personnel?

Much like nothing his heard by a president unless it goes through the filter of the vice president?

Hawks put up a photo of Ben Smith on FB from the convention. I know he's not a savior, but I think he's the kind of winner role player this team could really use. Does anyone know how well he is recovering from surgery?

Mjulqvist/ Blackhawk 24/Mr. Ricochet - the preceeding paragraph that Kuc wrote is just as depressing...as well as Q's comments...

Kuc's article:

Defending Bowman: Hawks President John McDonough said he has no problem with the job general manager Stan Bowman has done this summer. The Hawks swung and missed on several free agents, including goaltender Martin Brodeur and forward Zach Parise.

"Stan understands the big picture," McDonough said. "He doesn't panic, he doesn't kneejerk. Stan's job is to make this club better and he's doing everything he can to do that."

Bench talk: It appears new assistant coach Jamie Kompon will be in charge of turning around the Hawks' power play, which struggled all last season.

"Jamie may have the power play, (Mike Kitchen) may get the penalty kill but we'll all have some input in all areas," coach Joel Quenneville said.

Keeping tabs: McDonough will celebrate his five-year anniversary leading the team in November and has begun taking a more active role in hockey operations.

"I'm trying," McDonough said. "When I say an active role from a decision-making standpoint, the only role I play is by the time they have reached the decision I ask how they've arrived at it. What was the thought process behind it? I just have to make sure there's a process and a system involved."

I guess the only positive is we haven't heard from Rocky this weekend giving his approval of the front office and coaching staff at this juncture. Hopefully the pressure is on from up high.

All those wondering what's wrong with the Hawks should read Andy Campbell's article posted today on the Bleacher Report. It's bang on!!!

Those who think sitting idly and relying on rookies is the solution to being cup contenders and think SB is doing a bang up job this article is for you.

Could not of said it better myself....hey Rocky W. you should read it as well.
- Hawkster

Great read!! http://bleacherreport.com...s-weekends-fan-convention


Who is pulling the reigns, McDonough, Wirtz or is this a GM that, quite frankly, is not good at his job?

The clock is ticking on Bowman, and at this rate, there should be a new GM in Chicago this time next year.


As this kind of writing becomes more prevalent it inches more and more to the mainstream. It changes the narrative and can only lead to blame being laid where it counts and deserves to be, in Rocky's lap.

It's the only way for systemic change to occur and treats the root cause and not the symptoms.

.......Are we there yet....

.......Are we there yet....
- southernhawk

Yes

This summer has just been a bad dream. You will wake to find out Stan managed to acquire Nash, Doan, Parise, Suter and Brodeur. All is well.

.......Are we there yet....
- southernhawk

Your avatar: you don't get many of those to the pound.

Yes

This summer has just been a bad dream. You will wake to find out Stan managed to acquire Nash, Doan, Parise, Suter and Brodeur. All is well.
- NewToHockey

And Bobby in the shower when Victoria Principal walks in....

.......Are we there yet....
- southernhawk

Good morning Southie!

I guess it depends on what "there" is?

Good morning Southie!

I guess it depends on what "there" is?
- EKolb13

Anywhere but here ....stuck in off season purgatory ....

Anywhere but here ....stuck in off season purgatory ....
- southernhawk

The risk of a lock-out keeps us stuck in off-season purgatory.

The risk of a lock-out keeps us stuck in off-season purgatory.
- EKolb13

Mjulqvist/ Blackhawk 24/Mr. Ricochet - the preceeding paragraph that Kuc wrote is just as depressing...as well as Q's comments...

Kuc's article:
.
- DK002

Many are coming to the conclusion we just have to patiently wait this out, and hoping for the sake of hope we are wrong. That the Hawks will get 4-5-6 maybes to happen and the club will take a step forward.

Logic and history tell us otherwise, so the only thing left to do is watch as the franchise bounces from iceberg to iceberg until the crew is replaced.

If we grasp at a positive reading guys like JJ, Al and the Bleacher Report today we can see the narrative changing in respect to the Hawks' management team. It's a start and as I mentioned a few times previously, once Rocky's name is mentioned more than Toews' in articles about the Hawks those of us clamoring for change will see it.

Mjulqvist/ Blackhawk 24/Mr. Ricochet - the preceeding paragraph that Kuc wrote is just as depressing...as well as Q's comments...

Kuc's article:

Defending Bowman: Hawks President John McDonough said he has no problem with the job general manager Stan Bowman has done this summer. The Hawks swung and missed on several free agents, including goaltender Martin Brodeur and forward Zach Parise.

"Stan understands the big picture," McDonough said. "He doesn't panic, he doesn't kneejerk. Stan's job is to make this club better and he's doing everything he can to do that."

Bench talk: It appears new assistant coach Jamie Kompon will be in charge of turning around the Hawks' power play, which struggled all last season.

"Jamie may have the power play, (Mike Kitchen) may get the penalty kill but we'll all have some input in all areas," coach Joel Quenneville said.

Keeping tabs: McDonough will celebrate his five-year anniversary leading the team in November and has begun taking a more active role in hockey operations.

"I'm trying," McDonough said. "When I say an active role from a decision-making standpoint, the only role I play is by the time they have reached the decision I ask how they've arrived at it. What was the thought process behind it? I just have to make sure there's a process and a system involved."

I guess the only positive is we haven't heard from Rocky this weekend giving his approval of the front office and coaching staff at this juncture. Hopefully the pressure is on from up high.
- DK002

If anyone is wondering why this front office is paralyzed, there's a big part of the answer.

How about you hire competent hockey people, give them a budget to work within, and let them do their jobs. If they fail, you replace them.

Great read!! http://bleacherreport.com...s-weekends-fan-convention


Who is pulling the reigns, McDonough, Wirtz or is this a GM that, quite frankly, is not good at his job?

The clock is ticking on Bowman, and at this rate, there should be a new GM in Chicago this time next year.


As this kind of writing becomes more prevalent it inches more and more to the mainstream. It changes the narrative and can only lead to blame being laid where it counts and deserves to be, in Rocky's lap.

It's the only way for systemic change to occur and treats the root cause and not the symptoms.
- Mr Ricochet

Rocky's the only one that can't be fired. The rest can be.

If there are any John McDonough supporters out there, other than marketing department lurkers, sorry, everything that has come out of this guy's mouth this offseason does not make him look good. At all.

If anyone is wondering why this front office is paralyzed, there's a big part of the answer.

How about you hire competent hockey people, give them a budget to work within, and let them do their jobs. If they fail, you replace them.
- John Jaeckel

This makes total sense. Too bad Wirtz is letting McD do what he shouldn't be doing.

(frank).

(frank).
- Ogilthorpe2

Good morning to you too...

If anyone is wondering why this front office is paralyzed, there's a big part of the answer.

How about you hire competent hockey people, give them a budget to work within, and let them do their jobs. If they fail, you replace them.
- John Jaeckel

Mornin' JJ, guys...

this is bang on and what I've said for some time. The only thing I want Rocky to do is start w/ firing McCub and work his way down that list...until we get a competent President and GM read Hockey Guy this crap is going to continue. But I'm going to assume they are getting this season to try to rectify the situation when immediate change is needed.

McD patting himself on the back "I'm Trying" - we don't want you to try sir we want you gone. Does McD have his 'One Goal' commercial on a loop on the monitor in his office...?

I'm just wondering what folks thoughts are on who they'd like to run the team as President to GM to coaching staff...???

Good morning to you too...
- EKolb13

I'm just wondering what folks thoughts are on who they'd like to run the team as President to GM to coaching staff...???
- DK002

Bob Pulford at all positions at the same time. No?

It´s really hard to say. It seems the best GM´s, coaches etc. are always the ones not here anyway. But could Stan Bowman be better as a President? And how about Greg Sherman as GM, head coach Babcock with Trent Yawney and John Torchetti assistants..Don´t know...

Carcillo already acting like an idiot and the season hasn't started.

Carcillo already acting like an idiot and the season hasn't started.
- fattybeef

Thats cause he is an idiot

Bob Pulford at all positions at the same time. No?

It´s really hard to say. It seems the best GM´s, coaches etc. are always the ones not here anyway. But could Stan Bowman be better as a President? And how about Greg Sherman as GM, head coach Babcock with Trent Yawney and John Torchetti assistants..Don´t know...

- MjulQvist

They had the right set up before. Tallon was the hockey guy whose strength was finding talent and Bowman as the guy who figured out how to pay that talent and make it work with the cap. Unfortunately the egos had to get in the way with McD and Scotty and that's how we got to where the team is at now. Economics was not Tallon's strong suit just as acquiring talent is not Stan's.