Justin Lowe: Bye Week Thoughts: Likely Outcome to this Season The Blackhawks are on their bye week.

Their next game is Saturday vs. NYI.

I'm bored, so here are some musings on the rest of the Hawks season.

Shout out to Bogie (I believe) who posted those Hawks records vs. playoff / non-playoff teams a couple blogs ago. It gave me the idea for some of the context of this blog.

UPDATE: Dylan Sikura has been named a Hobey Baker Award as expected.

Stan better get this kid signed. This team might need some good news come April.

First?

Crawford's mystery injury is he was re-concussed in a snowmobiling accident. That was verified by a source of mine with close ties to many of the players in the locker room.

Sucks, but he's going to have to learn to stop messing around off the ice. Apparently he didn't learn his lesson from the drunk-falling down the stairs at the Rise Against show last year.

Shout out to Bogie (I believe) who posted those Hawks records vs. playoff / non-playoff teams a couple blogs ago. It gave me the idea for some of the context of this blog.
- Justin Lowe

yep been beating on their record vs WC playoff teams for a couple of weeks; other than the 2 recent wins vs the jets (one where glass did headstands and cartwheels) they just can't compete with those teams...can't even get a lead...

>>>I've heard that Joel will be the causality if the Hawks didn't make an impact in the playoffs, so if they didn't make it at all, he's all but gone according to my source.<<<

that seemed to be the plan during the presser after the pred blow out...

the hawks are following the Kings route: 2 playoff early elims followed by a playoff miss = bye bye GM and coach...

my guess stanbow spared because of his legend father is in the suite...

Crawford's mystery injury is he was re-concussed in a snowmobiling accident. That was verified by a source of mine with close ties to many of the players in the locker room.

Sucks, but he's going to have to learn to stop messing around off the ice. Apparently he didn't learn his lesson from the drunk-falling down the stairs at the Rise Against show last year.
- Budi1782

the hawks played the devils on sat 12/23 and then began christmas break; the hawks announced him going on IR Wed 2/27. it seems to make sense that holiday vacation accident is in play...

ummm the concert incident was dec, 2014...not last year...and there was no confirmation that being drunk was the issue

Was Sikura merely named as a finalist, since there is over two months remaining until the frozen four.

Sikura represents another skill guy ADD. I would be surprised if he doesn't turn out to be a point producer - should show signs of that immediately. However I will yield for now and not put the cart in front of the horse.

Once Sikura has established himself then may be the time to trade one of our smallish skill guys. The question as dpard blogger has said, what names are out there available. I'll just add this caveat: this is only one suggestion among many YOU and I and Stan B himself could conjure. I look at our players as assets and how do we get more assets where we are lacking?

The best answer (as many have said here) is to draft and develop. Fine. Top ten is the only impact players this draft. We have to wait to see where our choice may become. Ordinarily Bowman does not move up in round one. He also has an aversion to power forwards, seemingly the Detroit model has been his way. Yet now I would think that part of getting tougher to play against would include more of the larger size players whom have skill and skate well enough to very good range.

It may not come to pass that the calibre player from the draft can be ours. I believe we must get stronger down the middle - all sports like to be strong down the middle. Especially not knowing or counting on Toews, as he puts together a string of good, then bad games.

Playoff hockey is rough stuff. I do not think this team is able to hang in vs that type of hockey even in one seven game series. We have made strides being tougher to play against, but we would be soundly beaten. Just not embarrassed badly as last spring.

Now with Seabrook down few TOI we loose not just experience, but one of two able to play tough. Therefore I also wish to find his replacement. I can only suggest that Hartman would draw a lot of interest. If that is what takes, i am willing as long as we can draft and perhaps, later after Sinkula appears set, make a hockey trade. That is another option, the trade route.

Available to trade: Sinkula himself, DeBrincat, and Schmaltz are the candidates if you can pull off a trade for a power type forward/center. There could be more added so it is not merely a one for one trade.

Now I am sure others have their own ideas how to obtain assets where we are lacking. Some of the ideas may well be better than my suggestions. Keep in mind being strong down the middle could include where Kampf line outplays their third or fourth line.

And as a carry over from Justin's last blog, I just wanted to more thoroughly explain my thoughts which dpard vehemently disagrees. Which is cool and I am not always right, certainly not the most informed or best judge as most of my viewing is front of the tube and not live in person. I also tend to take what Tr Murray says as being pretty much gospel - like truth.

So anyone care to point out any shortcoming of my ideas? Have your own suggestions. And hey, dpard, peace bro. You have good insight on this board Even if we disagree here. If we aren't in playoffs I move AA now while he has value at his age, propensity to injury, and skating catches up even more on him. I dislike moving a big center but hopefully we obtain one through draft or trade.

I thought I read on here recently that Jurco wouldn't have to clear waivers again because he hadn't been up long enough. Any know if that's true?

Edit: this comes from Capfriendly.com: A player does not need to pass through waivers if the player has not been on the NHL active roster for a cumulative 30 days since last clearing waivers, and has not played in 10 or more NHL games. CBA Reference 13.2(b)

What was the record last year in the last 37 games?

Sounds like Crawford has a substance abuse issue.

Thats JL for the great read when one can't friggin sleep... I sure Hope Cro is getting help for his deamon's. He plays one of the most difficult positions in all of sports and it would not take to many shots to the gourd for me to throw back a few. Can't help but wonder how many hits has he taken that we are not aware about. Help the player first! This season is a lost leader...

Tony Granato would be a good replacement for Q but I hope they give Q one more year, whether they make the playoffs or not.

I'll put this question to you guys as it seems pertenant to your position.

How long does a NHL coach have with 'a' team? In that, he could coach the same core then leave & coach again at a much later date where a different core exists in the same team.

So how long? Q has won cups, has a good record but is his time with this group up?

AV at the Rangers.

Even Sully with the Pens - maybe not next year, but if the Pens don't have success again how long does he get?

Cooper in Tampa. If they don't win this season do they need a change with the team they have?

Sutter in LA lasted how long before his reign became tired?

I'm not saying that the coach is finished in the NHL, as I believe a coach - let's say Sutter, can go back to another team & have success.

Justin so Bowman would get a pass if the hawks don't make the playoffs? To me he more to blame for this mess than coach Q. Bad trades bad contacts bad drafting and he gets a pass why because MCdough has love affair with the bowman's. He is the one that put this flawed team together missing a top rw/lw top 4 d man traded one away for we don't know yet(murphy) who to me might be a top 4 missing 2 centerman playing wiggles out of position and Hartman to until kamp came up and still not enough size. Yes coach Q is at fault also obviously he responsible for getting the team ready and getting the most out of the players and he has not done that. Time to clean house!! Like to hear your thoughts and what you would do if you were in Wirtz and MCdough shoes.

My feeling was Crawford went in rehab. Hush hush, and a history of drinking. Whatever it us, I agree with the Captain's sentiments. Person first. Get better Crow!

Sometimes you wonder if there are double standards.

Then there is this (which could be perceived as a double standard):
McDonough recognizes a team broken up by salary cap and success (three Cups) is extremely hard pressed to come back a fourth time. Bowman resided over the last two Cups so now sacrifices must be made. McDonough is more concerned with the spin on it from the marketing viewpoint. Did someone say some of his transactions went poorly in the end. Yea...well Stan and Joel fight, you know.

Now coach Q won Cups and is reknown for some good things as a coach. But now there is a question if he has the FULL support/ear of each player (veterans). He could use a break from coaching. That powerplay is still a problem. Shoudn't a coach be able to get players to overcome issues despite the player' style. Maybe yes and no ....no matter how the GM stocked the team. Hmmm

And now Q has told the players rather subtly that they need to come out like gangbusters after the break. It is on them.

Well times are tough this year for all Blackhawks, fans included

It might be hardest on just exactly whom after the season ends?

even the great scotty bowman coached 5 teams...i think only got fired 1x, he quit and moved on from other coaching assignments...

9 -4 in cup finals but 3 of those with expansion blues in the late 60's...

interesting his best regular season team 95-96 wings won 62 games and lost the conf finals...next year a 38 win wings team won the cup; had a 9 year run with that team with 3 cups....hmmm sound familiar

hockey is a strange game in the big and small picture

if Q is fired he will find another HC job immediately; he has 2 years left after this year at about 6 mildo...he ain't resigning

He has term left. He could relax for a year

What was the record last year in the last 37 games?

Sounds like Crawford has a substance abuse issue.
- Colbyboy

23-10-4 went 24-4-2 in feb and march....they dominated in feb scoring 4 plus goals in every win...

can it happen again??? it would call for one helluva turn around physically and mentally...without a healthy crawford = no chance

My feeling was Crawford went in rehab. Hush hush, and a history of drinking. Whatever it us, I agree with the Captain's sentiments. Person first. Get better Crow!

Any thought process like this is pure speculation at this point. Any information that has been conveyed so far has been someone's sister-in-laws cousin who knows the driver who filled in for the regular driver on the Gonnella Bread route to the UC.

I'll put this question to you guys as it seems pertenant to your position.

How long does a NHL coach have with 'a' team? In that, he could coach the same core then leave & coach again at a much later date where a different core exists in the same team.

So how long? Q has won cups, has a good record but is his time with this group up?

AV at the Rangers.

Even Sully with the Pens - maybe not next year, but if the Pens don't have success again how long does he get?

Cooper in Tampa. If they don't win this season do they need a change with the team they have?

Sutter in LA lasted how long before his reign became tired?

I'm not saying that the coach is finished in the NHL, as I believe a coach - let's say Sutter, can go back to another team & have success.
- Aussiepenguin

If he doesn't have the horses to pull his wagon the fastest, it really doesn't matter who the driver is and how much he cracks the whip. Q isn't perfect, but right now he's mounted on a wagon that isn't anywhere close to fastest in the race.

Has Mike Babcock turned the Maple Leafs into a Cup winner? Everybody predicts he's going to - we"ll see. How about Blashill in Detroit or McClelland in Edmonton or Boudreau in Minny or Julien in Montreal or that idiot Bylsma in Buffalo and on and on.........

It may be time for Q to move on as Scotty B did in his career, but it isn't because he got stupid overnight. Somebody in Hawksville had also better be looking at some of decisions made with contracts dished out, trades that were not very good and most importantly selections at the draft table - both the players selected and picks that were traded.

Tony Granato would be the nice local story; but it"ll get old very quick if he doesn't win. Successful NHL coaches with the skins on the wall don't fall off trees every June. Q won't be out of work long if he wants to keep coaching, but he will pick the best destination.

All this talk about Crow having a drinking issue, don't you think it is questionable that Q is the pitchman for Binny's, with Q's background? For a team that is so keen on optics, whenever I see Q in a Binny's ad I just shake my head. Bad optics.

The Hawks are not going to trade Schmaltz or DeBrincat. Those are two of the team’s future building blocks or cornerstones. They are two former great draft choices - Schmaltz a First Rounder and DeBrincat, a Second Rounder, who should’ve been a First Rounder.

I thought I read on here recently that Jurco wouldn't have to clear waivers again because he hadn't been up long enough. Any know if that's true?

Edit: this comes from Capfriendly.com: A player does not need to pass through waivers if the player has not been on the NHL active roster for a cumulative 30 days since last clearing waivers, and has not played in 10 or more NHL games. CBA Reference 13.2(b)
- matt_ahrens

Thanks! I stand corrected.

Still think it would have made sense to play him vs. Minnesota.

Not sure the plan for Jurco. Just think when you get a giy called up, you should try to get him in.

Same goes for Gustafsson.