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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: What This Team Isn’t and What They Need To Be
Author Message
Colbyboy
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Summerside , PEI
Joined: 12.14.2013

Mar 5 @ 7:28 PM ET
Rather than beat the dead horse that is this season

Q- The team I’ve been handed is terrible.

Stan - I’m dealing with the Cap- Declinging players I rewarded & the Hawks have drafted late every year & what picks I had I traded to be all in.

Questions-
-Why would Q want to be here?
- Is there any confidence in Stan to lead this 10 year rebuild?

My answers are
Q- He doesn’t
SB- None




StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Mar 5 @ 7:31 PM ET
The hilarity is Bowman was rumored to be shopping this player. He got no takers, then signs him to a new deal. (yea that is just my projection)

I so hope the Bears can get good really quick and the Sox rebuild needs to ramp up, because the Good Ship Blackhawk is a clowncar right now.

- kwolf68


Problem is - this is a team in flux - and we fans don’t know what kind of a future is out there.

Is the core (2/7/19/50) done - or can they come back and be part of a Cup contending team again?

Are 8/12 the real special deal - or will the league catch up to them, as it has for a lot of young promising players?

Are the rest of the young group (91/64/5/40/) true future contributors?

Stan, Q and the rest have about 3 1/2 months to evaluate all of this and come to conclusions before the draft and July 1 - the summer program depends on this evaluation.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Mar 5 @ 8:19 PM ET
Bowman gm's like ahl gm hope he knows its the nhl (sarcasm).

If the hawks can sign 2 out of 3 then it looks more like a nhl defense (Manning Holden Moore ). Sign gus for 2 years again just shows how incompetent he is as gm of late.

Other players may be to look at in free agency:

Rannta Hutchinson goalies

fippula strome beagle stastny bozak centers

JVR nash(rick) E.Kane Maroon Puempel LWs

Wilson Grabner Armia Wingles (bring Back Please) Rieder

Some are RFA and Ufa

In my opinion hawks need at least one center 2 or 3 dman backup goalie and 2 heavy wingers and top 6 winger I know its a lot some come from free agency some from within the system. Also 1 or 2 of the core need to be traded. Bowman has a lot of work to do, have no confidence he can get it done considering his last 3 years have not been very good.
eagle50
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: ON
Joined: 07.13.2012

Mar 5 @ 8:28 PM ET
Heard that part of the reason Dylan Sikura hasn't signed yet is because he is waiting to see how things play out with this team and management. If Q goes it's very likely he will test FA
- Savetheembers33

If true is he not giving up close to a million dollars as the Hawks are the only team that he can burn a year of his ELC!My bet is he is waiting to see what happens with his collegiate playoffs and he would be gambling with real money if what you state is true.
TrueGrit
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: FL
Joined: 07.19.2011

Mar 5 @ 9:27 PM ET
come on Savvy. Q knows that he has an AHL level defense, AHL level goaltending, and a bottom tier NHL offense. Q knows that he has a guaranteed contract, so why would he have a care in the world about this sad state of affairs? If he gets fired, he gets paid AND doesn't have to deal with the embarrassing excuse for an "NHL Roster" that Bowman has assembled. We are both on the same page as far as Q's history of player usage, doghouse vs penthouse treatment, and overall stubborness....HOWEVER, I simply cannot pin the blame on Q this year. Rutta, Oesterle, Forsling, Gustafson, and Dahlstrom don't belong on NHL ice. Even Seabrook and Murphy have barely been performing at 3rd pair levels this year. Q can't go out there and make players better than they are. This season, and the following years of SUCK we should all be bracing ourselves for, falls squarely on the shoulders of Bowman, 19 and 7.
- EnzoD


NHL coaches, all coaches/managers in any walk of life are responsible for directing human resources to accomplish objectives. Q has always coached like a petulant child. Bozo the clown could have coached 1 if not 2 of the cup wins. THE HAWKS HAD THE BEST TALENT /DEEPEST TEAM IN HOCKEY. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO LOOK DOWN THE BENCH AND CALL OUT OLYMPIC PLAYERS?

Pittsburgh won 2 cups with pretty much AHL/retread defensemen the last few years. Problem is, Q can't teach, he is a one trick pony. Instead of bringing guys along and making them useful, he targets and isolates guys..driving a wedge. When the talent was great, it was not as noticeable. Now, when the handful of guys he never blamed for anything are having a down year...its poor Q.

Not buying it...There is enough talent there to be able to compete for 8th or playoff spot. Not happening because the team quit. They quit a while ago. For God Sake Anaheim has been without Getzlaff, Kessler and many other front liners for most of the season, but they stuck together and grinded it out. Q loses one guy and pouts like a baby.

Bottom line is Q's MO is stale....the team is foolish for keeping him here even this long. This is flat out embarrassing...this team is falling knife right now....
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Mar 5 @ 10:07 PM ET
Can anyone tell me what Al MacIssac really does?
- riozzo

Maybe what he might do. A new title. It is all so murky, so unclear whether the coach or GM returns despite the negative connotation which appears to be dispelled rather than everyone jumping on how well the coach and GM get along LATELY.
Hawkster
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Quebec , QC
Joined: 06.13.2008

Mar 5 @ 11:07 PM ET
This team has hit rock bottom and yet no whispers of major changes regarding the core, Q or Bowman?

Since when is missing the playoffs and being close to last overall in the league acceptable?

Major changes needed, somebody wake up!!
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Mar 5 @ 11:13 PM ET
This team has hit rock bottom and yet no whispers of major changes regarding the core, Q or Bowman?

Since when is missing the playoffs and being close to last overall in the league acceptable?

Major changes needed, somebody wake up!!

- Hawkster



Maybe because Rocky got a huge chunk of change when Vegas was given the franchise?
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Mar 6 @ 12:15 AM ET
This team has hit rock bottom and yet no whispers of major changes regarding the core, Q or Bowman?

Since when is missing the playoffs and being close to last overall in the league acceptable?

Major changes needed, somebody wake up!!

- Hawkster


it all depends what you by "major" and where the changes to be made are located.

This team has gone through an incredible turnover in personal in just two years:

2015-16 roster of 41 players who played in at least 1 games; 30 are gone...
2016-17 roster of 29 players who played at least 1 game; 16 are gone...

most of this player movement for cap reasons with numerous auditions for a top six wing or dman positions...
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 6 @ 12:26 AM ET
This team has hit rock bottom and yet no whispers of major changes regarding the core, Q or Bowman?

Since when is missing the playoffs and being close to last overall in the league acceptable?

Major changes needed, somebody wake up!!

- Hawkster


Maybe this is a good thing bc the people who communicate with the media (Stan, Q, Toews) have no idea and won't see it coming when the axe comes down HARD in about a month.....CLEAN HOUSE MCDONAGH!!
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Mar 6 @ 12:58 AM ET
Wow you couldn’t be more wrong. Q has been AWFUL this year, ABOMINABLE this year. He has always been an impediment even in year’s of success. He has never coached the Hawks up making them better than they were. Blaming the players is absolutely ludicrous. For heaven’s sake the Penguins won the Cup last year with basically no D-Men. However, they had a Coach. Q’s systems are a joke. Gimme a break - in a year where maybe some effective coaching would have been helpful Q clearly showed his stats are a reflection of WHERE he has coached not HOW. Welcome to the Scotty Bowman School of Coaching where you only coach really stacked line-ups. Remember, Colorado couldn’t get rid of Q fast enough.

I wish that the Hawks’ management had shown nads and fired Q’s sorry butt in the off-season or no later than the midpoint of this season. When Q had a tantrum and created a scene at the Draft he should have been fired on the spot - I would have voided his contract - no money is absolutely guaranteed. The arrogant, disgusting interviews he is giving right now? Get his sorry butt out the door. He has responsibilities to the team that go beyond standing behind the bench.

Enzo keep cheering for those losses buddy.

- Z3Hawk


This is actually a very good point. I wouldn’t write them off at making a good run at one more this year either. Somehow Sullivan manages to get the best out of his players, I ran across this:

The coach demands the same intensity of his players. Even star players like team captain Sidney Crosby and right winger Phil Kessel are required to block shots, win face-offs, battle for the puck, and hurry back to help in the defensive zone—back-checking in hockey parlance.

Such thankless jobs often go unnoticed, but Sullivan knows firsthand that they’re crucial to tipping the balance of a game. And players who aren’t measuring up are called on it. “He’s very honest. He doesn’t yell, he just tells you: I need you to win this battle in the corner or to get a box out on this play,” says Penguins defenseman Ian Cole. “He’ll tell you whether you’re a fourth line winger or an all-star.”
John McDonough
Joined: 11.30.2017

Mar 6 @ 12:59 AM ET
Maybe this is a good thing bc the people who communicate with the media (Stan, Q, Toews) have no idea and won't see it coming when the axe comes down HARD in about a month.....CLEAN HOUSE MCDONAGH!!
- EnzoD


Sssssssssshhhh! You know Stan posts here right?
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Mar 6 @ 1:07 AM ET
Not a bad night!

CD16_A492_301_D_4585_AE0_D_BC6_A93_F74747

StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Mar 6 @ 7:19 AM ET
This team has hit rock bottom and yet no whispers of major changes regarding the core, Q or Bowman?

Since when is missing the playoffs and being close to last overall in the league acceptable?

Major changes needed, somebody wake up!!

- Hawkster

Not sure what you expect them to say while the season is still going on.

I’d rather they be quiet now until they have done a complete evaluation of what they have and what needs to be done.
Rota's Rooter
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2017

Mar 6 @ 7:58 AM ET
https://www.habseyesonthe...rocket-antti-niemi-injury

Can Montreal make the tank any more obvious?
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Mar 6 @ 8:49 AM ET
This is actually a very good point. I wouldn’t write them off at making a good run at one more this year either. Somehow Sullivan manages to get the best out of his players, I ran across this:

The coach demands the same intensity of his players. Even star players like team captain Sidney Crosby and right winger Phil Kessel are required to block shots, win face-offs, battle for the puck, and hurry back to help in the defensive zone—back-checking in hockey parlance.

Such thankless jobs often go unnoticed, but Sullivan knows firsthand that they’re crucial to tipping the balance of a game. And players who aren’t measuring up are called on it. “He’s very honest. He doesn’t yell, he just tells you: I need you to win this battle in the corner or to get a box out on this play,” says Penguins defenseman Ian Cole. “He’ll tell you whether you’re a fourth line winger or an all-star.”

- walleyeb1


Have no idea if Gallant has a similar style, but I do know no one was picking them to be on top of the Western Conference for most of the year. The talent's not bad but I think coaching likely has something to do with where they're sitting.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Mar 6 @ 8:49 AM ET
NHL coaches, all coaches/managers in any walk of life are responsible for directing human resources to accomplish objectives. Q has always coached like a petulant child. Bozo the clown could have coached 1 if not 2 of the cup wins. THE HAWKS HAD THE BEST TALENT /DEEPEST TEAM IN HOCKEY. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO LOOK DOWN THE BENCH AND CALL OUT OLYMPIC PLAYERS?

Pittsburgh won 2 cups with pretty much AHL/retread defensemen the last few years. Problem is, Q can't teach, he is a one trick pony. Instead of bringing guys along and making them useful, he targets and isolates guys..driving a wedge. When the talent was great, it was not as noticeable. Now, when the handful of guys he never blamed for anything are having a down year...its poor Q.

Not buying it...There is enough talent there to be able to compete for 8th or playoff spot. Not happening because the team quit. They quit a while ago. For God Sake Anaheim has been without Getzlaff, Kessler and many other front liners for most of the season, but they stuck together and grinded it out. Q loses one guy and pouts like a baby.

Bottom line is Q's MO is stale....the team is foolish for keeping him here even this long. This is flat out embarrassing...this team is falling knife right now....

- TrueGrit


Well said.
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Mar 6 @ 8:58 AM ET
Not sure what you expect them to say while the season is still going on.

I’d rather they be quiet now until they have done a complete evaluation of what they have and what needs to be done.

- StLBravesFan


Not sure why it's a surprise to anyone they aren't announcing any moves they will or won't make in the press.

About the only time I've seen a team announce their plan was when Theo took over the Cubs. Even then, it's not like he was giving out specifics..."When a better manager comes available, we'll likely can Ricky Renteria"...
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Mar 6 @ 9:47 AM ET
Bowman gm's like ahl gm hope he knows its the nhl (sarcasm).

If the hawks can sign 2 out of 3 then it looks more like a nhl defense (Manning Holden Moore ). Sign gus for 2 years again just shows how incompetent he is as gm of late.

Other players may be to look at in free agency:

Rannta Hutchinson goalies

fippula strome beagle stastny bozak centers

JVR nash(rick) E.Kane Maroon Puempel LWs

Wilson Grabner Armia Wingles (bring Back Please) Rieder

Some are RFA and Ufa

In my opinion hawks need at least one center 2 or 3 dman backup goalie and 2 heavy wingers and top 6 winger I know its a lot some come from free agency some from within the system. Also 1 or 2 of the core need to be traded. Bowman has a lot of work to do, have no confidence he can get it done considering his last 3 years have not been very good.

- Scott1977


Bowman could make two out of thrre good moves AND NOT GOOD ENOUGH. He needs a HR each swing. Each move is magnified on a bad team compared to the needs on good team.

Hey Scott A Good news Bad news angle for next season:

what about the perfotmance of Toews, Seabrook, Keith, Crawford. Are they the ssme, better, worse..A few variables in to reckon. One is their attitude as it relates to the team's success. Good moves from Bowman and Bowman could bring thrm.much closet to respectability. Win or loose, how you play the game affects attitude.

A second variable is their body. You know the issues each and another year of tread. Another season to look forward to (?) Is exciting or a downer with Joel still here. We are hearing and suspecting nit everything is rosy. And i don't mean Rozy. (If Rozy now that too would be bad)

GOOD NEWS would be the emergence or growth in their game from the kiddie corps. Don't know how Saad plus even younge kids will do. But if one, possiibly two new forwards and even one or two scrubs now on defense do improve

The BEST NEWS, however, is two strong scoring lines catapults scoring. And to some extent KANE could have a monster year.? Of course buoyed by maturation of DeBtincat and Schmaltz. Sinkula?


It started with moving out what was deemed dead weight in Panik, Kempny and Hartman

Two out of three: an ok old '80's song but two out of three good moves by Bowman not good enough.

* Might Bowman bring some russians to play in Rockford. There were two russian drafts of ours in The World Juniors Tournament
* Carlsson
** pipe dream most teams not trading if they have top five pick.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Mar 6 @ 10:08 AM ET
Not a bad night!

CD16_A492_301_D_4585_AE0_D_BC6_A93_F74747


- walleyeb1


With those 3 point games you could not have scripted it better.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Mar 6 @ 10:11 AM ET
Bowman could make two out of thrre good moves AND NOT GOOD ENOUGH. He needs a HR each swing. Each move is magnified on a bad team compared to the needs on good team.

Hey Scott A Good news Bad news angle for next season:

what about the perfotmance of Toews, Seabrook, Keith, Crawford. Are they the ssme, better, worse..A few variables in to reckon. One is their attitude as it relates to the team's success. Good moves from Bowman and Bowman could bring thrm.much closet to respectability. Win or loose, how you play the game affects attitude.

A second variable is their body. You know the issues each and another year of tread. Another season to look forward to (?) Is exciting or a downer with Joel still here. We are hearing and suspecting nit everything is rosy. And i don't mean Rozy. (If Rozy now that too would be bad)

GOOD NEWS would be the emergence or growth in their game from the kiddie corps. Don't know how Saad plus even younge kids will do. But if one, possiibly two new forwards and even one or two scrubs now on defense do improve

The BEST NEWS, however, is two strong scoring lines catapults scoring. And to some extent KANE could have a monster year.? Of course buoyed by maturation of DeBtincat and Schmaltz. Sinkula?


It started with moving out what was deemed dead weight in Panik, Kempny and Hartman

Two out of three: an ok old '80's song but two out of three good moves by Bowman not good enough.

* Might Bowman bring some russians to play in Rockford. There were two russian drafts of ours in The World Juniors Tournament
* Carlsson
** pipe dream most teams not trading if they have top five pick.

- jhawk59


"Dead weight" Kempny got top 4 minutes in the Caps last game.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Mar 6 @ 10:16 AM ET
Brandon Pirri has about 22 goals so far for Wolves. He wouldn't be a tempoary bandage or depth next year especially with Q as ship captain. You cannot teach some old dogs any new tricks.
savvyone-1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: I'm singing the Blues!, IL
Joined: 03.04.2011

Mar 6 @ 10:22 AM ET
"Dead weight" Kempny got top 4 minutes in the Caps last game.
- 67hawks


Not good enough for Q.
Taking Q's clothes to the cleaner and detailing Q's car didn't translate into Kempny's language of choice -- translation said Q wanted Kempny to kiss Q's azz and to watch 2-time-Norris winning defenseman for how to play D.

When Kempny said WTF, it sealed his fate here.

Just one more example of Q's stubborn ways forcing Stan to ship off players for nothing.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Mar 6 @ 10:23 AM ET
"Dead weight" Kempny got top 4 minutes in the Caps last game.
- 67hawks

The guy Rick on the board here insists has a two cent mind, makes same blunders since his first practices as an NHL player. If he got a shot of confidance, opportunity to play, a system.or defense pair mate who covers for him........how often does he make those mistakes esch game? More , less, the same?

Hmmm. If you see him.play would apprrciate your analysis
Davewn
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Joined: 12.16.2015

Mar 6 @ 10:27 AM ET
"Dead weight" Kempny got top 4 minutes in the Caps last game.
- 67hawks


Too much ability to fit in with Q and Stan's "Island of Misfit Toys" defense corps.
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