SAAD did 48 EV goals in Columbus he is on pace for 17 here. I think we all knew the pan would put up points but more assists an PPG and we all thought that SAAD back with Teows would do even better then his EV avg. 26 at this point would tie him for 5th in the league.

Not 31 points, I figured he'd wind up with around 50, but it was a bad trade at the time and, well, still is.

Got drummed out of here for saying so at that point, though.
- BINGO!

People want to be nostalgic about the Cup Wins. Saad was another guy who had his play inflated by being on a line with Marian Hossa or Patrick Kane, exclusively. Artemi Panarin playing with a rookie center and a cycle of wingers who are far less talented than Kane or Hossa, has been a part of 70+ goals scored for CBJ. What is laughable about Bowman is that he claims to want to make the team "tougher" to play against last summer. Trades for Saad, trades for Murphy, signs Bouma and Wingels and plays Hayden early in the year. Fast forward to now and Bouma/Wingels are gone, the Hawks only physical player with skill (Hartman) is traded to a division rival, Hayden is just now called back up, and Saad/Murphy both suck. It would have been more beneficial to dump Hjallmarsson for a 2nd round pick. Now the Hawks are stuck with another overpaid 3rd pair defenseman in Connor Murphy. Stan Bowman has done a great job of assembling 3rd pair/AHL quality defenseman in high numbers....Seabrook, Murphy, Oesterle, Rutta, Gustafson, and Kempny are all NOT Top 4 quality this year. Bowman has GOT TO GO!

People want to be nostalgic about the Cup Wins. Saad was another guy who had his play inflated by being on a line with Marian Hossa or Patrick Kane, exclusively. Artemi Panarin playing with a rookie center and a cycle of wingers who are far less talented than Kane or Hossa, has been a part of 70+ goals scored for CBJ. What is laughable about Bowman is that he claims to want to make the team "tougher" to play against last summer. Trades for Saad, trades for Murphy, signs Bouma and Wingels and plays Hayden early in the year. Fast forward to now and Bouma/Wingels are gone, the Hawks only physical player with skill (Hartman) is traded to a division rival, Hayden is just now called back up, and Saad/Murphy both suck. It would have been more beneficial to dump Hjallmarsson for a 2nd round pick. Now the Hawks are stuck with another overpaid 3rd pair defenseman in Connor Murphy. Stan Bowman has done a great job of assembling 3rd pair/AHL quality defenseman in high numbers....Seabrook, Murphy, Oesterle, Rutta, Gustafson, and Kempny are all NOT Top 4 quality this year. Bowman has GOT TO GO!
- EnzoD

On Fire You Are!!!!

On Fire You Are!!!!


- z1990z

I'm jazzed up at the state of my favorite sports team moving forward due to the incompetence of the GM. I did not expect a 4th Cup, but I did hope for a longer run of playoff/competitive teams after 2015. There is no reason that a GM should get a pass for the amount of mistakes he has made with contracts, prospect management (including drafting of defense-man), salary cap management and "hockey trades".

Brandon Saad has 31! THIRTY ONE POINTS! and it was essentially a straight up swap Panarin for Saad!! I hate to encourage you but OMG what an atrociously bad trade. When you factor in the Swedish Sieve Forsberg....wow. Connor Murphy is also (frank)ing awful. He is a slug and cannot skate well enough to defend Top 6 NHL forwards effectively. The Panarin and Hjallmarsson trades SHOULD seal Stan Bowman's fate. However, I do not have faith in the MGMT to pull the plug on Bowman, ONLY because of who his father is...which is very wrong.
- EnzoD

McD was the enabler of Bowman and should be held accountable. How many points was Kane deprived of because of inept management? Oh yeah, he's a happy camper alright.

I'm jazzed up at the state of my favorite sports team moving forward due to the incompetence of the GM. I did not expect a 4th Cup, but I did hope for a longer run of playoff/competitive teams after 2015. There is no reason that a GM should get a pass for the amount of mistakes he has made with contracts, prospect management, salary cap management and "hockey trades".
- EnzoD

Its a multi-layer mess. Bowman has alot to do with it, but Q is on the hook as well.

McD was the enabler of Bowman and should be held accountable. How many points was Kane deprived of because of inept management? Oh yeah, he's a happy camper alright.
- Savoy

If you get a chance, listen to the interview with John Davidson, President of hockey operations for the Blue Jackets on Sportsnet.ca. Unlike McDonut, Davidson lives and breathes hockey and knows everything about his club from a purely hockey related point of view.

Can you imagine Davidson putting a Dunkin Donuts apron on Torts for a photo op?

If you get a chance, listen to the interview with John Davidson, President of hockey operations for the Blue Jackets on Sportsnet.ca. Unlike McDonut, Davidson lives and breathes hockey and knows everything about his club from a purely hockey related point of view.

Can you imagine Davidson putting a Dunkin Donuts apron on Torts for a photo op?
- Dieselhead

#TimeForSomoneToGo

My bet is Kane goes to Vancouver, SJS or back to Buffalo
- Slofire94

E. Kane contact Vancouver's GM directly year's ago before he re-signed with Winnipeg to try to convince him to offer sheet him.

Conversation ended quickly. Mostly because offer sheets at are and Vancouver didn't want to be the "bad guy" to the newly re-formed Winnipeg franchise and trying to steal one of their best players.

If you get a chance, listen to the interview with John Davidson, President of hockey operations for the Blue Jackets on Sportsnet.ca. Unlike McDonut, Davidson lives and breathes hockey and knows everything about his club from a purely hockey related point of view.

Can you imagine Davidson putting a Dunkin Donuts apron on Torts for a photo op?
- Dieselhead

The internet takes no prisoners.....

Brandon Saad has 31! THIRTY ONE POINTS! and it was essentially a straight up swap Panarin for Saad!! I hate to encourage you but OMG what an atrociously bad trade. When you factor in the Swedish Sieve Forsberg....wow. Connor Murphy is also (frank)ing awful. He is a slug and cannot skate well enough to defend Top 6 NHL forwards effectively. The Panarin and Hjallmarsson trades SHOULD seal Stan Bowman's fate. However, I do not have faith in the MGMT to pull the plug on Bowman, ONLY because of who his father is...which is very wrong.
- EnzoD

That trade doesn´t look good now but I think it´s too early to tell. I believe Saad is product of this years Hawks. I think he is more of a complement player than making others better around him. Still biggest disappointment to me this year of any Hawks player. I didn´t expect anything from Anton Forsberg and he showed even less than expected.

But if you think Panarin would´ve make this team any better you are fooling yourself. He is not that useful without a puck and can´t play any pk. Sure his presence would´ve made pp more dangerous but that´s it. Let´s see what kind of contract he´ll demand after next season and you know his time with Blackhawks would´ve ended sooner or later. One player this team misses the most is Hossa imo and even he couldn´t make this mess a lot better.

The internet takes no prisoners.....


- EnzoD

Pissed off Q finally gets a chance to vent:
'God you're f'ing slow'

That trade doesn´t look good now but I think it´s too early to tell. I believe Saad is product of this years Hawks. I think he is more of a complement player than making others better around him. Still biggest disappointment to me this year of any Hawks player. I didn´t expect anything from Anton Forsberg and he showed even less than expected.

But if you think Panarin would´ve make this team any better you are fooling yourself. He is not that useful without a puck and can´t play any pk. Sure his presence would´ve made pp more dangerous but that´s it. Let´s see what kind of contract he´ll demand after next season and you know his time with Blackhawks would´ve ended sooner or later. One player this team misses the most is Hossa imo and even he couldn´t make this mess a lot better.
- MjulQvist

Panarin is an impact player at 5v5 as much as he is a threat on the PowerPlay. I liked (past tense) Brandon Saad as a player, but you hit the nail on the head...he is a complementary player, not an ELITE Quality player like Panarin. Would you rather have Saad for $6mil and 30ish points, or Panarin for $8mil and 70+ points?? You need to score goals to win hockey games, and Panarin creates 2x the goals that Saad does. How about that all world defense from Saad last night when he watches Mackinnon put a pass through his skates for a wide open goal??

Panarin is an impact player at 5v5 as much as he is a threat on the PowerPlay. I liked (past tense) Brandon Saad as a player, but you hit the nail on the head...he is a complementary player, not an ELITE Quality player like Panarin. Would you rather have Saad for $6mil and 30ish points, or Panarin for $8mil and 70+ points?? You need to score goals to win hockey games, and Panarin creates 2x the goals that Saad does. How about that all world defense from Saad last night when he watches Mackinnon put a pass through his skates for a wide open goal??
- EnzoD

You think Saad is going to score 30 points every year now? What about his 55 goals with Columbus in two seasons. Panarin scored six more than him with Hawks.

For the bolded one..I wouldn´t put too much weight on efforts by any Hawk player in last 10 or so games. It doesn´t matter anymore and you can see it.

good god, I hate everyone here...

I know its been a bad season, but jesus H with the belly aching and crying about Stan and Saad.

Then there's 2 pages full of knob slobbin Panarin.

Enough already.

Also, i'll be back tomorrow to check for any Hawks news updates like usual, even if you guys annoy me.

I still like the Saad for Panarin trade. It was designed to be a hockey trade. Columbus certainly got the better of it so far.

I remember late in Game 4 last year when a pred gave Panarin a two handed stick shot across the face. No pushback, and it occurred after the game was out of reach.
Now this year, the Marchand hit and the Schenn hit. Both caused disabling injuries. No pushback.

The 'Hawks need to END this strategy STAT,or they're going to see more disabling injuries.

good god, I hate everyone here...

I know its been a bad season, but jesus H with the belly aching and crying about Stan and Saad.

Then there's 2 pages full of knob slobbin Panarin.

Enough already.

Also, i'll be back tomorrow to check for any Hawks news updates like usual, even if you guys annoy me.
- BlazinMike

Gotta love the people who complain about other people complaining. Go Blaze another one Mike, you're cranky.

McD was the enabler of Bowman and should be held accountable. How many points was Kane deprived of because of inept management? Oh yeah, he's a happy camper alright.
- Savoy

Sorry but I haven't even started on How much Saad makes vs how much Panarin is going to make vs production vs how much money Bowman will have to spend. Now, Panarin does not penalty kill OMG what a crime......does Kane penalty kill? Should Panarin play every position at once like some guys seem to think Saad must do? I hear Panarin's a pretty fair goalie. Panarin may not be a generational talent but he's a lot closer than Saad will ever be and yes he does play some defense. Please continue to totally ignore the facts and never ever look at Panarin's plus minus vs Kane's plus minus because Panarin can't play defense according to the more prejudiced on this board and stats (FACTS) kept by the NHL always lie don't they.

Gotta love the people who complain about other people complaining. Go Blaze another one Mike, you're cranky.
- EnzoD

Contrary to popular belief, i don't touch the stuff. Nothing against it, just doesn't appeal to me.

i fully realize the irony of my post as well. Does not invalidate it though. I know everyones a fan here and are pissed, its just kinda worrisome that everyone is STILL so mad about the SAME damn things (except the Danault trade, that was a legend of a bad deal).

You guys got mental issues, man.

You think Saad is going to score 30 points every year now? What about his 55 goals with Columbus in two seasons. Panarin scored six more than him with Hawks.

For the bolded one..I wouldn´t put too much weight on efforts by any Hawk player in last 10 or so games. It doesn´t matter anymore and you can see it.
- MjulQvist

Not only that, but if you look at last year. With CBJ Saad had 20 5v5 goals. Panarin has 15 this year with CBJ. Last year at 5v5 CBJ scored 53 goals while Saad was on the ice while giving up 32. This year with Panarin so far 52 goals for and 33 against. Pretty similar effectiveness when they are playing at 5 on 5.

Panarin will contribute more on the power play. Saad contributes more on the PK. Their situations are different but the player's value is still comparable. Saad had a down year, in part because of his line's lack of finish but still the point was made many times, he was more a replacement for Hossa's minutes because the Hawks figured someone like Alex Debrincat was also going to be contributing goals.

Sorry but I haven't even started on How much Saad makes vs how much Panarin is going to make vs production vs how much money Bowman will have to spend. Now, Panarin does not penalty kill OMG what a crime......does Kane penalty kill? Should Panarin play every position at once like some guys seem to think Saad must do? I hear Panarin's a pretty fair goalie. Panarin may not be a generational talent but he's a lot closer than Saad will ever be and yes he does play some defense. Please continue to totally ignore the facts and never ever look at Panarin's plus minus vs Kane's plus minus because Panarin can't play defense according to the more prejudiced on this board and stats (FACTS) kept by the NHL always lie don't they.
- Savoy

Panarin plus 17 with 68 points while Sadd minus 8 with 31 points. My how very fricking inconvenient for Saad over Panarin blinders on believers. Now who doesn't play defense?

Some of the most effective defense I've seen... is keeping the puck in your own teams possession... something Panarin (and Kane) do really well.

Panarin plus 17 with 68 points while Sadd minus 8 with 31 points. My how very fricking inconvenient for Saad over Panarin blinders on believers. Now who doesn't play defense?
- Savoy

I don't think anyone is arguing who has more points, but you can't deny that the players are playing in different situations and that their fit in the team does make a difference. Hindsight will always be 20-20 but after a hot start things didn't gel for Saad-Toews-Panik as a unit and the Hawks as a team have dropped the ball. The trade was made, debating it and complaining about it won't change anything. Panarin will earn his fat $$$ after next year and life will go on.

Panarin plus 17 with 68 points while Sadd minus 8 with 31 points. My how very fricking inconvenient for Saad over Panarin blinders on believers. Now who doesn't play defense?
- Savoy

Saad 31 points minus 8 Richard Panik 26 points plus 4. About the same now what?

The flip side of the coin and some perspective on who could replace Q and why behind the bench (hint: it's not because the person is objectively a better coach than Q).

https://blackhawkup.com/2...ho-might-be-the-best-fit/

Some snippets

The other thing an organization must understand is that neither the general manager nor the coach can be successful without working in sync with the other. That’s why you see so many new GMs hire a new coach even if the prior coach had been successful. They need a person completely committed to their shared vision.

For example, a coach focused on a speed game needs the organization, led by the general manager, to acquire fast players. Or let’s say the GM embraces a youth movement (due to signing exorbitant no-trade contracts on non-effective veterans), but the coach prefers playing veterans. You end up having two of your most impactful young players, Vinnie Hinostroza and Alex DeBrincat, averaging less than 12 minutes a game. It doesn’t work.

...

The question for Bowman and the Blackhawks organization is if they feel a new voice in the room can bring this roster back to championship form. I personally don’t believe a team can win without a more gritty style. The Blackhawks are an easy team to play against, and that might be due to all the hockey that was played these past 10 years. Or it could be due to some veteran players not being pushed by the head coach and just cashing a check, which rubs off on the younger players..

Are any of these coaches better than Quenneville? Probably not. Is the new coach of the L.A. Kings, John Stevens, better than Sutter? Doubtful, but his impact this year has been huge. He implemented a more offensive system and brought the Kings back to life. Both Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown are having career years. It’s due to a new coach, not a better coach.