The Bruins have it clocked perfectly against every team that would like to kill Marchand. Just try it and you will have to deal with Big Z Chara or McQuaid or Kevin Miller, so Marchand gets away with all kinds of crap every night.

But dealing with the Blackhawks isn't anything other than a laugh for them because they have nobody who wants to play anything other than the over 50 year old non-contact league type of hockey. Thanks Stan Bowman for that roster.
- RickJ

Exactly right. Chara is 40 and playing better than both Keith and Seabrook. This Hawks' locker room is in a very bad place, significant changes are needed from the top down. I've said it revently, but #2 has as many bad turnover this season as he did the past decade combined. Is it mental or physical or both?

Enzo you know that's not going to happen...Doc will wax poetic on what a model franchise the Hawks have been.

Good news on DuClair...so Gus hammers two, but his defense is horrible and that would be the concern not his booming shot. And then you get a frustrated Kane who's been ragdolled all day by Chara and takes the double minor out of frustration...and suddenly you're down two.

As you mention something has to be done. I'd still love to see Francis replace the fanboy GM. But doubt it happens. Wouldn't mind seeing Dineen moved on and Oates forced on Q as the new PP coach.

One more note from the broadcast apparently Q went over to see Sikura play last night there on the East coast. I'm wondering if there's anything to the rumor someone mentioned on here that Sikura wanted to see what happened with Q before he commits to the Hawks...the optics certainly won't look good if they lose that kid.
- DK002

The NHLPA survey verifies that the "country club" atmosphere starts with Q. He was voted the #1 coach that guys want to play for. However, like we both know, Bowman's body of work since 2014 has been objectively bad. Gotta get a former player in there who knows the type of players needed to win a cup. Bowman has shown time and time again his ineptitude in adding toughness and also poor evaluations of defenseman. Rundblad extension is all you really need to know about Bowman's judgement of NHL Dmen. Have to get a new GM and a new coach.

Couple things:

Jack Edwards is brain-dead. The UC staff should not even let that guy in the building.
Bruce Cassidy - The leage needs to suspend this guy, since he keeps allowing Marchant out on the ice.
Brad Marchant - If he exits the building with his teammates, Rocky will get a letter from me.
Q - better instruct Toews to take out Marchant, with the result to be suspended the rest of the season. No reason keeping him out on the ice when he has some sort of injury. Perfect excuse to shut him down.
Opening draw - Line fight- including goalies!
- powerenforcer

Cry baby excuse. This is why fighting hockey is allowed and why we still need a enforcer. Glad Hayden is back but he shouldn't be your no.1 fighter. The Bruins played the hawks the way I would. Kane didn't want any part. But get rid of the dead weight and get some guys to dish out the punishment.
Highmore hasn't really impressed me but he had a nice goal and good push back after he got leveled and no hawk did nothing. This is the worst I've seen the hawks in terms of push back and sticking up for each other. We haven't been a real tough team in a long while but at least we stand up for each other.
Hopefully Seabrook or toews ask marchand to go and show some leadership. Physicality is something really missing from his game. when you loose your speed you better keep being physical.
Hoping too too is still in shape because we have no one in the ahl to call up. maybe they go all the way down to echl they got a young physical player in Schmitt and a smaller guy in clarke but clarke from what I've seen isn't much of a fighter we need someone. Hoping for some push back tomorrow. If you suck you better be tough and not get manhandled every game like the hurricanes.

Exactly right. Chara is 40 and playing better than both Keith and Seabrook. This Hawks' locker room is in a very bad place, significant changes are needed from the top down. I've said it revently, but #2 has as many bad turnover this season as he did the past decade combined. Is it mental or physical or both?
- EnzoD

The only guy on this team that has given me any encouragement that he could be a leader and physical player is John Hayden. The rest of the team is just playing out the string for the season and who knows what's being said behind the closed doors of the dressing room and executive office.

Keith is playing like he just doesn't give a crap. To me its mental with him - i.e. get this season over with so I can get outta here.

Oh I agree. This team needs an LA style change that being the dismissal of the HC and GM. The Bowmans are dug into the Hawks like a tic. Dont know if McD and the upper crusties are ready to can Stan. And if the Sikura signing is hinging on Q staying?

Well WTF is that about? The roster is a mess. The team is lost and playing without purpose and the HC can't/wont/refuses to alter the schemes to make adjustments.
- z1990z

If this is true, then turkeys can fly for real. i mean who is this kid, the next Wayne Gretzky??! Hasn't played a pro minute in his life, and twiddle dee and twiddle dumb have to stay and hold his hand??!!! it's a privilege to be able to play professional sports, NOT A RIGHT ! Let him walk then. Eddie-O was right today, he stated that the league needs to do something about this type of situation, and i agree. Whatever happened to earning your way with some of these entitled so and so's ?

And somebody please rip Marchand's head off tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enzo you know that's not going to happen...Doc will wax poetic on what a model franchise the Hawks have been.

Good news on DuClair...so Gus hammers two, but his defense is horrible and that would be the concern not his booming shot. And then you get a frustrated Kane who's been ragdolled all day by Chara and takes the double minor out of frustration...and suddenly you're down two.

As you mention something has to be done. I'd still love to see Francis replace the fanboy GM. But doubt it happens. Wouldn't mind seeing Dineen moved on and Oates forced on Q as the new PP coach.

One more note from the broadcast apparently Q went over to see Sikura play last night there on the East coast. I'm wondering if there's anything to the rumor someone mentioned on here that Sikura wanted to see what happened with Q before he commits to the Hawks...the optics certainly won't look good if they lose that kid.
- DK002

true enough but not the studio guys: they have already in past telecasts called it like it is with the hawks...

a coaching change could impact signings and trades

The only guy on this team that has given me any encouragement that he could be a leader and physical player is John Hayden. The rest of the team is just playing out the string for the season and who knows what's being said behind the closed doors of the dressing room and executive office.

Keith is playing like he just doesn't give a crap. To me its mental with him - i.e. get this season over with so I can get outta here.
- RickJ

as i have said before: am looking forward to the end of season what comes out about him, what the hell is bugging him...he has made more offensive and defensive errors this year than in the previous 3 or 4 combined...

have not seen one hit or anything close like he laid on a pred in game 4 when it didn't matter..

i have heard about a "prideful group", well that may be true but the only ones i see showing it are a few of the young guys and an overwhelmed goalie tandem getting lit up everynight

quick search: Howe only recorded a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” twice in his career
- bogiedoc

I had my own unique Gordie Howe moment

I skated against him It was a 5 minute scrimmage and I playd defense against him. He slid a pass across at last moment from the wing and i dove to break it up. My teamattes congratulated me on a great play. Actually i had wiped out, but it looked good. Gordie was 69 yr old. He was a spokesman for a hockey league across country, various cities.

Marchand goon. Somebody must take out goon or they're not a hockey team.

Marchand goon. Somebody must take out goon or they're not a hockey team.
- 35Tony0

This team's unwillingness to stick up for team mates when blatant fouls are committed against them is disgusting. Other teams react to minor infractions while this team cowers no matter how much it is bullied. Try touching stars on other teams even with legal hits and see the reaction you get.
It is just a matter of time before Kane gets Duclaired. Teams know they can get away with that with the Hawks.

This team's unwillingness to stick up for team mates when blatant fouls are committed against them is disgusting. Other teams react to minor infractions while this team cowers no matter how much it is bullied. Try touching stars on other teams even with legal hits and see the reaction you get.
It is just a matter of time before Kane gets Duclaired. Teams know they can get away with that with the Hawks.
- 67hawks

I was pleased with Schmaltz fighting back today. I think Murphy also has it in him. It would do the team a world of good if Murph throws a little payback Boston's way tomorrow. Even if Marchand is suspended before the game. Both Marchand and Chara were over the freakin' line all day today.

I was pleased with Schmaltz fighting back today. I think Murphy also has it in him. It would do the team a world of good if Murph throws a little payback Boston's way tomorrow. Even if Marchand is suspended before the game. Both Marchand and Chara were over the freakin' line all day today.
- 35Tony0

You (frank)ing kidding? They have nobody that can hold court. It's a good thing for them I renewed my tickets last night. I feel like an idiot and wouldn't have done it today. I'm as outraged as anyone, but if you need Too Too to save the day then bye bye.

You (frank)ing kidding? They have nobody that can hold court. It's a good thing for them I renewed my tickets last night. I feel like an idiot and wouldn't have done it today. I'm as outraged as anyone, but if you need Too Too to save the day then bye bye.
- 6628

We need real toughness not punching bags like Tootoo. I am embarrassed to tell anyone that I am a fan of this team as it looks today.

We need real toughness not punching bags like Tootoo. I am embarrassed to tell anyone that I am a fan of this team as it looks today.
- 67hawks

There must be something in the water on west Madison- even role players like Bollig and Mashinter start thinking they have skills they've never had and lose their physicality. It's like a disease

We need real toughness not punching bags like Tootoo. I am embarrassed to tell anyone that I am a fan of this team as it looks today.
- 67hawks

Embarrassed?

Teams win championships - teams fall out of the playoffs - seems a bit shortsighted and fair-weathered to be embarrassed about what they are now after the last 10 years - but ok.

You guys want someone tough to go after Marchand and other goons - ok, again - won’t do any good, but that’s just my opinion.

I’d rather have that missing toughness (and toughness IS missing from this squad) be strong and win puck battles on the boards; be able to get to the net and fight to get good position and then maintain it; be strong on opposing players in front of Berube, or Forsberg, or Crawford or whoever is goalie next year and move opponents out of the crease and slot....

That’s what I see being an important piece missing this season.

But - that’s also just my opinion.

Last place in the Central Division.
Absolutely atrocious defense core and team defense.
Top Paid Players SIGNIFICANTLY underperforming.
Anemic PowerPlay.

So, sign the defenseman that are part of the awful defense to inflated $$ extensions, keep the GM, keep the Coaching staff, and "expect improvement from everyone" next season.


- EnzoD

Enzo...without significant change to this roster the Hawks "One Goal" next season will again be a lottery pick. If that's the choice being made this club will be pushing the cap while scraping the barrel bottom for points.

Could be an ugly decade ahead.

From 1st in the WC to last in division in 77 games: 29-40-8: a wtf .375 winning % with 7 of those wins of the OT/SO variety; that means they have won 22 of 77 games in regulation

Folks thats sabre and coyotes zip code performance and this is with 50 million committed to 7 players: toews, kane, seabs, keith, saad, craw and anisimov

with stanbow (still can't figure out why) handing 3.2 million to gust and rutta, who are not even top 5 or 6 on playoff teams...go figure...

so they want to come back next year with a deja voo blueline...and look for improvement...

while their captains: 19, 2, 7 are now just "guys"...

they may not sink into the lottery this year...but next year looks more promising

Embarrassed?

Teams win championships - teams fall out of the playoffs - seems a bit shortsighted and fair-weathered to be embarrassed about what they are now after the last 10 years - but ok.

You guys want someone tough to go after Marchand and other goons - ok, again - won’t do any good, but that’s just my opinion.

I’d rather have that missing toughness (and toughness IS missing from this squad) be strong and win puck battles on the boards; be able to get to the net and fight to get good position and then maintain it; be strong on opposing players in front of Berube, or Forsberg, or Crawford or whoever is goalie next year and move opponents out of the crease and slot....

That’s what I see being an important piece missing this season.

But - that’s also just my opinion.
- StLBravesFan

your in the minority. We want retribution when wronged

From Lazerus: "A league source said not to expect any supplemental discipline for Marchand, because the contact was deemed accidental. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said it was two guys “trying like hell” to avoid each other. Marchand was given a minor penalty for interference. Adding insult to injury, the Bruins scored a shorthanded goal during the penalty."

Typical coach speak protecting his guy: "trying like hell" to avoid each other = BS; the scumbag saw him; jumped and clothes lined him, and grabbed and twisted his head for good measure....

boy what a great attempt at avoidance...

your in the minority. We want retribution when wronged
- vandymeer23

Can’t believe I’d be in the minority by wanting winning over retribution.

The only guy on this team that has given me any encouragement that he could be a leader and physical player is John Hayden. The rest of the team is just playing out the string for the season and who knows what's being said behind the closed doors of the dressing room and executive office.

Keith is playing like he just doesn't give a crap. To me its mental with him - i.e. get this season over with so I can get outta here.
- RickJ

.

I have been saying all season that for Keith to play at the top of his game - on his toes as the the tv guys said today - he needs “ protection”. Keith is a “Rover”. He has simply got to know what his partner will do which has been impossible this year. Seabrook and Hammer were his partners, players who would sacrifice their offence to cover the ice defensively. Oesterle and others have been terrible partners as Keith, and everyone else, has no idea what these players will be doing. They are constantly out of position and this is the only thing that is consistent. Keith has been worried constantly and he hasn’t just played instictively all season.

This is on Q and Ulfie. I believe it is time to clean house maybe finding a role for Dineen. If the Hawks are going to torture me further having Q back Ulfie must go - he is awful, the D has been awful.

Enzo...without significant change to this roster the Hawks "One Goal" next season will again be a lottery pick. If that's the choice being made this club will be pushing the cap while scraping the barrel bottom for points.

Could be an ugly decade ahead.
- ArlingtonRob

Yep. I just don't see Bowman as a shrewd enough GM to put together a Cup contending roster given the production from massive contracts in Toews, Seabrook and Saad.

Can’t believe I’d be in the minority by wanting winning over retribution.
- StLBravesFan

Were not making the playoffs. And even if we were I want both. You can't let teams walk all over you

From Lazerus: "A league source said not to expect any supplemental discipline for Marchand, because the contact was deemed accidental. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said it was two guys “trying like hell” to avoid each other. Marchand was given a minor penalty for interference. Adding insult to injury, the Bruins scored a shorthanded goal during the penalty."

Typical coach speak protecting his guy: "trying like hell" to avoid each other = BS; the scumbag saw him; jumped and clothes lined him, and grabbed and twisted his head for good measure....

boy what a great attempt at avoidance...
- bogiedoc

Given the above, the boys MUST come out smoking tomorrow. That was a deliberate attempt to injure on Marchand's part and the league then poked a finger in the Blackhawks' eye.

Edit: there is a difference between pissed off and pissed on. The boys were pissed on today.

Were not making the playoffs. And even if we were I want both. You can't let teams walk all over you
- vandymeer23

There has to be a happy medium between old school caveman and skilled smurf. And I think it is along the lines of a team sticking together with different skills and not being afraid of getting their noses dirty. These guys have the cleanest noses in the league. Today was an example of one team not thinking, but knowing they could run the other team out of the building. And despite the younger players trying hard producing a bit and Bereube playiing decent, the game today was an example of that.