John Jaeckel: You Can’t Have it Both Ways

John Jaeckel: You Can’t Have it Both Ways
- John Jaeckel

JJ, more than anything else, don't you think it comes down to compete level, attention to detail, and the desire to work for a victory, instead of just showing up, playing drop-in hockey and hoping you can out-skill the other team. Guess what??

Hossa is aging, Sharp lost a step after his knee injury (and maybe even before that), and the best offensive player in the league (this season) is out. The hawks are no longer the fastest or most skilled team in the league. They keep trying to play like the 2010 Hawks, even though they most closely resemble the 2011/12 Hawks. Get back to basics, put KT and Rosi on the 3rd pair, and start working for victories, instead of showing up expecting to beat a team bc of their record. Very frustrating to watch this team since January.

Hmm, is it you don't think Q has a mighty big hand in this?

Sort of think he is largely responsible not only for the lineup on a nightly basis, but as well for the players he will play (and that he asks Stan for). Now I realize he cannot lace 'em up anymore and go out there -- IOW, he can't play for these guys.

But . . . at the same time, I wonder how many would take this Blackhawks roster, loaded as it supposedly is, in place of their own? Pretty clear they've got as much or more top-level talent as any team in the league. And that leads me to the following: either Q has not properly prepared for the fact that #88 is out for the year (or most of it) and has no real strategy to absorb his loss OR he has a strategy which the team does not execute. And if it is the latter, why can he not get them to stick to the plan?

Hmm, is it you don't think Q has a mighty big hand in this?

Sort of think he is largely responsible not only for the lineup on a nightly basis, but as well for the players he will play (and that he asks Stan for). Now I realize he cannot lace 'em up anymore and go out there -- IOW, he can't play for these guys.

But . . . at the same time, I wonder how many would take this Blackhawks roster, loaded as it supposedly is, in place of their own? Pretty clear they've got as much or more top-level talent as any team in the league. And that leads me to the following: either Q has not properly prepared for the fact that #88 is out for the year (or most of it) and has no real strategy to absorb his loss OR he has a strategy which the team does not execute. And if it is the latter, why can he not get them to stick to the plan?
- savvyone-1

The roster isn't loaded. You said it yourself that they've got top level talent. However, they lack depth and a strong stable of complimentary players. Take away the most dangerous offensive player,and this roster is just another playoff team. Injuries happen, and most teams struggle getting past them. It's not Q's fault. You just deal with it and keep playing.

The roster isn't loaded. You said it yourself that they've got top level talent. However, they lack depth and a strong stable of complimentary players. Take away the most dangerous offensive player,and this roster is just another playoff team. Injuries happen, and most teams struggle getting past them. It's not Q's fault. You just deal with it and keep playing.
- Vegas Trotzkies

Exactly, losing Frolik obviously turned out to be a poor decision. He is an outstanding depth player on the PK and 5v5. Also, for all his warts and his inflated contract, Bolland was another excellent depth forward. Far more value at both ends than Richards provides.

Exactly, losing Frolik obviously turned out to be a poor decision. He is an outstanding depth player on the PK and 5v5. Also, for all his warts and his inflated contract, Bolland was another excellent depth forward. Far more value at both ends than Richards provides.
- EnzoD

Frolik was also continually knocked for being vastly overpaid for being a 3rd liner who chipped in a grand total of 11 goals in his 3 seasons with the blackhawks

He was given his contract based on his past 20+ goal seasons and didnt come even close to that production

Yea, Frolik was a great PK and all, but at $3.3 mil per, is vastly overpaid for what he did

Hes akin for Chris Kelly to Boston, a nice player, but way too overpaid for his services, or at least how he was utilized

The roster isn't loaded. You said it yourself that they've got top level talent. However, they lack depth and a strong stable of complimentary players. Take away the most dangerous offensive player,and this roster is just another playoff team. Injuries happen, and most teams struggle getting past them. It's not Q's fault. You just deal with it and keep playing.
- Vegas Trotzkies

Not necessarily disagreeing -- but if this is the case, then why are the supposed experts saying the team is still a Stanley Cup favorite?

This club was sputtering even with #88 in the lineup, struggling to score goals and playing as if it simply didn't care. Too much room given up by forwards coming out of the D zone and too much room allowed by the D against attacking forwards. Both of those = a bad combination and give us what we've seen. There simply isn't a commitment across the lineup to do things the right way.

IMO

And . . . playing the "wrong" way becomes habit forming. Once ingrained, it is very hard to stop. The proverbial switch was supposed to be flipped here at the end of the season. But it has been allowed to go on for far too long.

Exactly, losing Frolik obviously turned out to be a poor decision. He is an outstanding depth player on the PK and 5v5. Also, for all his warts and his inflated contract, Bolland was another excellent depth forward. Far more value at both ends than Richards provides.
- EnzoD

What? Frolik and Bolland have been gone for 2 seasons. Ben Smith was doing just fine last year with a lesser contract and the Hawks were a goal away from going back to the Stanley Cup without the almighty Frolik and Bolland.

I wish people would stop pissing and moaning about guys who have been gone for a while now. They have been playing inconsistent for a while now. The secondary guys are not doing poop. If others did their job, they wouldn't be so damn maddening.

Bickell, Versteeg, Sharp, Richards, Rozy, and Oduya have been utter dog poop for most of the season. Would have lumped Shaw in there, but he looks a lot better at wing. IF they pull their heads out of their asses, this team will look better.

Can they weather 2 series in the playoffs without Kane? Ehhhh. Who knows. As they currently look now, it is going to be very difficult.

Frolik was also continually knocked for being vastly overpaid for being a 3rd liner who chipped in a grand total of 11 goals in his 3 seasons with the blackhawks

He was given his contract based on his past 20+ goal seasons and didnt come even close to that production

Yea, Frolik was a great PK and all, but at $3.3 mil per, is vastly overpaid for what he did

Hes akin for Chris Kelly to Boston, a nice player, but way too overpaid for his services, or at least how he was utilized
- FourFeathers773

40 points on the year playing mostly 2nd/3rd line on Winnipeg. Fantastic PK guy and has great speed, which this lineup is severely lacking. I would take that in a second over bickell, Richards, Rosival, KT, and Versteeg.

What? Frolik and Bolland have been gone for 2 seasons. Ben Smith was doing just fine last year with a lesser contract and the Hawks were a goal away from going back to the Stanley Cup without the almighty Frolik and Bolland.

I wish people would stop pissing and moaning about guys who have been gone for a while now. They have been playing inconsistent for a while now. The secondary guys are not doing poop. If others did their job, they wouldn't be so damn maddening.

Bickell, Versteeg, Sharp, Richards, Rozy, and Oduya have been utter dog poop for most of the season. Would have lumped Shaw in there, but he looks a lot better at wing. IF they pull their heads out of their asses, this team will look better.

Can they weather 2 series in the playoffs without Kane? Ehhhh. Who knows. As they currently look now, it is going to be very difficult.
- Dannyboy

I agree, I dwell too much on all the talented players StanBo has traded away to replace with Bickell, Versteeg, Richards, and Timmonen. However, this team had dynasty potential and the hard cap, and some poor roster decisions, have brought the hawks down a notch. And obviously without kane anything they do this year is gravy.

Last night was a mixed effort from some of the players. Some good plays and then some really bad ones. Versteeg needs to stop looking for the fancy play. I cannot say how many potential scoring chances he missed because he wouldn't shoot/pass the puck and would try to dance a check. Kane isn't there to bail you out Steeger so keep it simple (dump, pass, shoot). Richards is starting to show his age and Rosival looks gassed or out of position every time he plays. Keith looks disinterested and even checked his own teammate last night (Steeger) to the deck to get him out of the way. Either this team is trying to look like they are playing poorly or the chemistry is amiss. Toews and Kruger are the two brightest lights right now, and Kruger keeps getting punished on the boards like Toews used to.

Wake up boys the playoffs are right around the corner. The Blues/Preds are going to be tough to beat in a first round matchup.

Hats off to Mason for some great saves and the Flyers for a good game.

Is this team a 1 line team right now?
Yes

Has Bickell been terrible?
Yes

Does Benching him work?
No

Has Vermette been good?
No

Is everyone seen enough of Carcillo?
Yes

Is the 4th line ever going to score a goal?
Yes

Has Crawford been great?
Yes

Is Richards fed up playing with the rejects form lines 1 and 2?
Yes

Is there a Team in the Western Conference Playoff picture the Hawks could beat?
No

JJ, more than anything else, don't you think it comes down to compete level, attention to detail, and the desire to work for a victory, instead of just showing up, playing drop-in hockey and hoping you can out-skill the other team. Guess what??

Hossa is aging, Sharp lost a step after his knee injury (and maybe even before that), and the best offensive player in the league (this season) is out. The hawks are no longer the fastest or most skilled team in the league. They keep trying to play like the 2010 Hawks, even though they most closely resemble the 2011/12 Hawks. Get back to basics, put KT and Rosi on the 3rd pair, and start working for victories, instead of showing up expecting to beat a team bc of their record. Very frustrating to watch this team since January.
- EnzoD

Agree with KT and Rozi as the 3rd pair . Anything to the fact that their best game in the past week as been with Darling in net. Do they try harder with Darling or against tougher competition OR are they hanging Crawford out to fend for himself.

The roster isn't loaded. You said it yourself that they've got top level talent. However, they lack depth and a strong stable of complimentary players. Take away the most dangerous offensive player,and this roster is just another playoff team. Injuries happen, and most teams struggle getting past them. It's not Q's fault. You just deal with it and keep playing.
- Vegas Trotzkies

The narrative of this 'Q is evil nonesense' has nothing to do with Q and how he coaches but because Q didn't love certain players as much as some posters did and as a result they are no longer Hawks. There is no real case about Q's coaching, it's all subjective stuff that is pointed at the coach. The problem with this team since January has been the best players haven't played to their capabilities. Not sure how this is tagged on the coach?

I just wanted to say that I thought it was very classy on Quenville's part to start Timonen last night.

I just wanted to say that I thought it was very classy on Quenville's part to start Timonen last night.
- jmatchett383

It wasn't about class the Hawks need the KT of last season for the playoffs and he has to get in game shape in time for the post season. Hopefully he is able to.

Its not that Bickell, or others, are terrible, it is that there is a culture that is allowed which creates this malaise that we have seen permeate this team. It is the culture of sticking to stupidity and draining the energy from your team when they know nothing will every change. And the only changes are bringing in "experienced" guys who are past their due dates.

What is there to push Bickell or anyone?

TT is not the problem. Putting in another slow player with no skill is hardly the answer in this league.

Q has the roster he chose. Many others were moved in favor of keeping these guys around and the players they traded for. Oduya and Rosival are here because Q chose them. This is not complicated. Bickell the same.

Soon enough it will dawn on more and more fans that perhaps we moved some of he wrong guys and kept some of the wrong guys?

Q holding on to NO RISK/NO Reward veterans =s Richard in the NHL. Brad Richards would likely be a NJD if we did not sign him here. There he would be part of a youth movement. If he could not play much on the Rangers who went to the cup, how on Gods' green earth is he a solution to a problem here? He had a 6 week stretch in Nov-Dec and since them....

All this violin playing for Q...give me a break.

Kruger as 2C option...forget it...make tee times.

He can blend all the lines he wants, his blue line is pourus and highly overated at this point. Again, by his own choice.

Earth to Qfelators.

It is the coach's job to get results. Where are the results? Not 3 years ago, but today.

Exactly, losing Frolik obviously turned out to be a poor decision. He is an outstanding depth player on the PK and 5v5. Also, for all his warts and his inflated contract, Bolland was another excellent depth forward. Far more value at both ends than Richards provides.
- EnzoD

Everything went downhill after this.

Great post JJ. I have felt for the last 10-12 games that Q is trying to find working combinations headed into the playoffs. Kane could play on line's 1, 2, 3 and make things happen, a hole we won't fill. We're still 7-2-1 in the last ten with all of this juggling going on, so I hope we find some chemistry to use in April.

Earth to Qfelators.
- TrueGrit

It wasn't about class the Hawks need the KT of last season for the playoffs and he has to get in game shape in time for the post season. Hopefully he is able to.
- paulr

Well, I'm not sure if him being a starter (as in the starting 6 players on the ice) had much to do with him getting into playoff shape.

Parts of his game have always been overlooked. He may not make great passes or put up many points for you guys, but he's as competitive as anyone while being extremely classy, he has a pain tolerance that is high, even for a hockey player, and his positioning skill has allowed him to make up for a reduction in speed. I think he'll be just fine for you guys come mid-April.

Earth to Qfelators.

It is the coach's job to get results. Where are the results? Not 3 years ago, but today.
- TrueGrit

Of course it's the coach's job to get results and if he can't get the best players to play at a higher level then he will be gone as he should be. However I believe the team will turn it around in the post season. And when they do I will be happy to see my team play well.

Well, I'm not sure if him being a starter (as in the starting 6 players on the ice) had much to do with him getting into playoff shape.

Parts of his game have always been overlooked. He may not make great passes or put up many points for you guys, but he's as competitive as anyone while being extremely classy, he has a pain tolerance that is high, even for a hockey player, and his positioning skill has allowed him to make up for a reduction in speed. I think he'll be just fine for you guys come mid-April.
- jmatchett383

I think he'll be fine too. When the forwards begin supporting the defensemen both defensively and transitionally, the defensemen will be fine. Right now they are being hung out to dry.