"I don’t know a lot about much. But I do know the longterm Hawk fan and their psyche quite well. I believe they will make their displeasure known loudly at the Annual Lovefest known as the Fan Convention this weekend. " - JJ

I hope you're right JJ , I hope the management gets "Booed" and hope one of y'all puts it on youtube because you know the Hawks will try and hide that if it does happen.
- mrpaulish

The long term Hawk fan can make their voices hear louder by not showing up at all! Anyone going to this circus is only promoting what McNonuts has brought to the table! Stay home people and make your voices heard!

Blues resign osh for 5yrs at 4.1 per.

Blues resign osh for 5yrs at 4.1 per.
- Gerk

That's it? He needs a new agent!

Blues resign osh for 5yrs at 4.1 per.
- Gerk

St Louis is going to have a lot of good young talent locked up for a long time. I can see tha Blue and Hawks battling for the Central division for the next few years. Assuming the divisions stay the same.

That's it? He needs a new agent!
- ToewsFatherNLaw

Not bad for army given all the $$ being thrown around.

The long term Hawk fan can make their voices hear louder by not showing up at all! Anyone going to this circus is only promoting what McNonuts has brought to the table! Stay home people and make your voices heard!
- ToewsFatherNLaw

Now there's a good idea

Silliness. Way too harsh. Hawks have a very competitive team and organization. They were a notch away from competing strongly for the Stanley Cup.

They have plenty of high end talent. I do wish they had made another move or two picking around the edges., including:
1. Not Lu, but a young up and coming G to compete with Craw.
2. A different $3m defenseman, maybe some size to clear out the crease on the PK, and maybe a blue line shot on the PP. Not necessarily better than Hammer/Leddy/Oduya, but different.
3. A little more meat in the top two lines. Maybe that comes from Carcillo or Shaw. Frankly, I may be willing to take a chance on that piece of the puzzle coming from within.
4. Better face off %. Here, I'd like to see that come from simply better results from Kane, Kruger or even Sharp/Bolland.

In summary, they have enough talent, if they move around a couple things at the edges. The Cup winning Kings had the best record in hockey last year, right? The 2010 Cup winning Hawks team finished 1st in the West, right? NHL is about having ENOUGH talent, and putting together a bit of good scheme, a bit of luck and hot goaltending at the end of the year.

Now, however, I am very puzzled by the Kampon hire. That one does reek of power struggle, incest, lack of confidence to add a real game changer. I would rather have seen Q show some balls and add someone who challenges his own thinking, adds to the brainpower behind the game bench. From what I've read, this one looks like a "yes man" hire. If that's the case, I'm disappointed in Q.

Blues resign osh for 5yrs at 4.1 per.
- Gerk

I've got Hawks season tickets, and pretty much refuse to go see them play 10-15 minutes of hockey. But I do go twice a year to see the Blues rag doll them.

Nice club, and a great signing.

The long term Hawk fan can make their voices hear louder by not showing up at all! Anyone going to this circus is only promoting what McNonuts has brought to the table! Stay home people and make your voices heard!
- ToewsFatherNLaw

Any sports teams conventions bring out the real weirdos and nitwits of that team's fanbase, that's why I avoid those things like the plague. They're nice for the kids but that's it. Too many over aggressive adult autograph seekers and jock sniffers for my liking.

Silliness. Way too harsh. Hawks have a very competitive team and organization. They were a notch away from competing strongly for the Stanley Cup.

They have plenty of high end talent. I do wish they had made another move or two picking around the edges., including:
1. Not Lu, but a young up and coming G to compete with Craw.
2. A different $3m defenseman, maybe some size to clear out the crease on the PK, and maybe a blue line shot on the PP. Not necessarily better than Hammer/Leddy/Oduya, but different.
3. A little more meat in the top two lines. Maybe that comes from Carcillo or Shaw. Frankly, I may be willing to take a chance on that piece of the puzzle coming from within.
4. Better face off %. Here, I'd like to see that come from simply better results from Kane, Kruger or even Sharp/Bolland.

In summary, they have enough talent, if they move around a couple things at the edges. The Cup winning Kings had the best record in hockey last year, right? The 2010 Cup winning Hawks team finished 1st in the West, right? NHL is about having ENOUGH talent, and putting together a bit of good scheme, a bit of luck and hot goaltending at the end of the year.

Now, however, I am very puzzled by the Kampon hire. That one does reek of power struggle, incest, lack of confidence to add a real game changer. I would rather have seen Q show some balls and add someone who challenges his own thinking, adds to the brainpower behind the game bench. From what I've read, this one looks like a "yes man" hire. If that's the case, I'm disappointed in Q.
- Cmonalready

They have a ton of talent, but not the right mix. Too many small, soft stick wavers.
If that's what he wanted he would have just kept Haviland.

Realizing it is one thing, having the stones to do something meaningful about it is another thing altogether.
- Ogilthorpe2

Exactly........ He's realized it by how, allowing StanBowPops&McD to give Q the rope to hang himself? Oh goody, Rocky.

This is Rocky's Horror Picture Show.

Silliness. Way too harsh. Hawks have a very competitive team and organization. They were a notch away from competing strongly for the Stanley Cup.

They have plenty of high end talent. I do wish they had made another move or two picking around the edges., including:
1. Not Lu, but a young up and coming G to compete with Craw.
2. A different $3m defenseman, maybe some size to clear out the crease on the PK, and maybe a blue line shot on the PP. Not necessarily better than Hammer/Leddy/Oduya, but different.
3. A little more meat in the top two lines. Maybe that comes from Carcillo or Shaw. Frankly, I may be willing to take a chance on that piece of the puzzle coming from within.
4. Better face off %. Here, I'd like to see that come from simply better results from Kane, Kruger or even Sharp/Bolland.

In summary, they have enough talent, if they move around a couple things at the edges. The Cup winning Kings had the best record in hockey last year, right? The 2010 Cup winning Hawks team finished 1st in the West, right? NHL is about having ENOUGH talent, and putting together a bit of good scheme, a bit of luck and hot goaltending at the end of the year.

Now, however, I am very puzzled by the Kampon hire. That one does reek of power struggle, incest, lack of confidence to add a real game changer. I would rather have seen Q show some balls and add someone who challenges his own thinking, adds to the brainpower behind the game bench. From what I've read, this one looks like a "yes man" hire. If that's the case, I'm disappointed in Q.
- Cmonalready

This is pretty much how I feel except I think the Goaltending issue is a much bigger concern/problem then most do. I'm good with the forwards and defense but would like the #2 center position solidified. Not sold on Kruger and Kane/Sharp are better on the wing.

This is pretty much how I feel except I think the Goaltending issue is a much bigger concern/problem then most do. I'm good with the forwards and defense but would like the #2 center position solidified. Not sold on Kruger and Kane/Sharp are better on the wing.
- dan9189

Not last year he wasn't.

Not last year he wasn't.
- Ogilthorpe2

Regardless I don't want him at Center.

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

Ray Shero

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

Thanks. My guess is Howson was entertaining the idea of Kane for Nash and wanted Rick to reconsider??

I wasn't expecting a huge signing but not filling obvious needs at 2C and another 3-4 phyisical D man is not good.

Great article once again.

Also, if the Hawks start with a terrible first half of the season and need a coaching change, who gets the call? Kitchen? Tampon? Really?

First time in a long time I write on this board...I just want to say you absolutely hit it on the head with this article JJ. I already sent this article out to friends of mine who have been saying a few of the points you hit on.

It really has been sad to watch this organization go from the top in 10' to puttering away now in 2012. My expectations for this upcoming season could not be any lower. The word "neglect" seems to be how I would describe StanBo's tenure as the GM here in Chicago.

The Campbell signing seemed to be the changing of the guard, big time free agents were now talking of Chicago as the "place to be". To hear that is no longer the case only a few short years later, with middle of the road FA's not even wanting to come here has to say something. Hopefully something is done, but I do not hold my breathe. I have a strange feeling StanBo will be around for a few more years even if things wind up like we all expect them to this year...

Thanks again JJ!

Thanks. My guess is Howson was entertaining the idea of Kane for Nash and wanted Rick to reconsider??

I wasn't expecting a huge signing but not filling obvious needs at 2C and another 3-4 phyisical D man is not good.

Great article once again.
- Lido_Shuffle

The Hawks d-man signing was Oduya, like it or not.

................. You gonna have a piece coming soon, Al? Maybe something on Holmgeren?
- Mr Ricochet

JJ's piece was well done and will give you guys something to chew on for awhile..

To be honest I have been waiting for something worthwhile to happen, I have one more piece to write before Camp.

Maybe next week...

JJ's piece was well done and will give you guys something to chew on for awhile..

To be honest I have been waiting for something worthwhile to happen, I have one more piece to write before Camp.

Maybe next week...
- Al

No doubt JJ's piece is a good one, they all are. Although I count the days when his blogs name Rocky 4 to 1 over any other management name ..... Was hoping to see a nice piece coming out of Chicago about how Holmgren and the Flyers ownership refuse to be told no and how they think through every conceivable option. You know a compare and contrast piece between the Flyers organization and the Hawks'. Talk about low hanging fruit to make a point!

How would a guy like Holmgeren have handled the Hawk roster the day after the cup winning goal, and where would they be now?

The Hawks d-man signing was Oduya, like it or not.
- dan9189

I like it. Especially for the cap hit.

This is pretty depressing. Thinking of the spin at this convention makes me nauseous.

The players have to be offended/frustrated by this, right? For all top end talent this team has, the city it's in, a packed mad house, the fact that the clown shoe front office is scaring tier 2, 3, and 4 players away is infuriating.

Last year I hoped the Hawks would miss the playoffs so something drastic would happen to this organization. It appears it still is in desperate need of a wake-up call. A showering of boo's and low attendance at the convention is a great start.

Great write up JJ. It's unfortunate that you are so correct in this instance.

No doubt JJ's piece is a good one, they all are. Although I count the days when his blogs name Rocky 4 to 1 over any other management name ..... Was hoping to see a nice piece coming out of Chicago about how Holmgren and the Flyers ownership refuse to be told no and how they think through every conceivable option. You know a compare and contrast piece between the Flyers organization and the Hawks'. Talk about low hanging fruit to make a point!

How would a guy like Holmgeren have handled the Hawk roster the day after the cup winning goal, and where would they be now?
- Mr Ricochet

A lot of winning NHL ready players were dumped...This season fans should hope someone acquired in those dumps would turn into a useful player.

Hope is about all there is for now...

Anyone else feel like the Hawks are a family where the kids have no idea their parents are morally bankrupt and headed for a messy divorce? Mom is a lazy tramp and their dad has gambled away the house/cars? I feel like the repo man is coming...SOON

Looks like we're back to the 2005-7 days when the management is so dysfunctional that no one wants to come here... Sad. Looks like nothing will get done till we end this season in disgrace and hopefully McD and SB and Q and his cronies all get let go...

If Toews ever leaves as a FA I'm done with this team...