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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Almost Over
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fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Apr 3 @ 10:48 AM ET
I am not convinced that Q is such a genius HOF coach. Sitting TT and Vermette in the first 2 games of 2015 playoffs against Nashville would for sure have costed them that cup, if not for incredible luck: 1) Weber going down with injury; b) Darling extreme heroics, being hot at the right time. He keeps trotting likes of Mashinter, Bollig and Tattoo over obviously better and more skilled players, and appears to be stuck in dead hockey era mindset. Can find similar examples from previous years, when the team was so stacked it was hard to lose with it.
Bowman contracts have been terrible starting with Bickell and all the way to Runblad.
I'd say keep them both, team is such a mess they need several years of being on the bottom till we start enjoying good hockey and not just goalie wins.

- vshun


He's not Greg Popovich who is probably the best coach in all of modern sports. But certainly comparable to a Phil Jackson. Manages egos, gets all the players to buy into the system and it is really tough to argue with all of the wins. Even with those teams in STL that he had. He got 20 goals out of Victor freakin Stalberg lol.

Winning a Cup is pretty difficult, especially since a hot goalie can cause all manner of havoc and get you through a round or two. And all coaches have their quirks but give Q a team that is deep upfront and can score a lot of goals and they are more than likely going to be incredibly fun to watch and go deep in the playoffs.

And they have the money to totally stack the roster next year.
stonefire
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Prague
Joined: 10.22.2006

Apr 3 @ 10:57 AM ET
If Q does go, who do you think replaces him?
- z1990z


Don & Tony Granato, Sheldon Keefe, Todd Reirden, Jim Montgomery, Dan Bylsma and there is also Darryl Sutter
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 3 @ 11:01 AM ET
Don & Tony Granato, Sheldon Keefe, Todd Reirden, Jim Montgomery, Dan Bylsma and there is also Darryl Sutter
- stonefire


Major changes if D Sutter coach
Bylsma - no thank you
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Apr 3 @ 11:04 AM ET
If they fire Q at the end of this season I could also see the Hawks talking to Barry Trotz or Phil Housley potentially.
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Apr 3 @ 11:11 AM ET
They going to need a guy who can do a lot with a little. Dave Tippett comes to mind. I've said in the past to give Dineen a chance to call shots without any interferrence so I'll stick with that.
Stan_Bowman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.27.2017

Apr 3 @ 11:12 AM ET
They going to need a guy who can do a lot with a little. Dave Tippett comes to mind. I've said in the past to give Dineen a chance to call shots without any interferrence so I'll stick with that.
- 6628


You do not want Tippet here
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

Apr 3 @ 11:15 AM ET
While Highmore was here i listened on the car radio more than saw him play..i know scouts were trying to decide if he had talent after 20 + tallies in Rockford. His reputation out of junior was as a surprise guy who worked hard, would go in high traffic areas.

So what exactly bothers you about Highmore?
This is not a critique..just asking

- jhawk59

he's a career ahl player too. Not physical enough for a 4th liner not a top 6 in the nhl and not a great shut down defender. He's just a filler.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Apr 3 @ 11:21 AM ET


you have to remember that McDonough is really calling the shots at the end of the day.

- Justin Lowe


Herein lies the core problem - wrong guy in the wrong role, who joined the right team already built at the right time - who gains false credibility as the guy in the job during the halcyon years.

Winning = revenue, not messaging and marketing. At best, they are an adjunct to financial success. No amount of spin messaging, public service work, or charitable giving will replace a winning product on the ice to drive revenue and interest.

Without a hockey guy running the show, the brand will be without value to the consumer.
Jance
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 03.25.2015

Apr 3 @ 11:22 AM ET
Don & Tony Granato, Sheldon Keefe, Todd Reirden, Jim Montgomery, Dan Bylsma and there is also Darryl Sutter
- stonefire


I just threw up a little bit.



By a little bit I mean a lot, gallons upon gallons.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Apr 3 @ 11:26 AM ET
They going to need a guy who can do a lot with a little. Dave Tippett comes to mind. I've said in the past to give Dineen a chance to call shots without any interferrence so I'll stick with that.
- 6628


If McD nukes Q, expect him to hire a guy who takes orders before taking charge.
wonthecup10
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 02.05.2008

Apr 3 @ 11:27 AM ET
If only one of them goes, I guess it has to be Q. Stan never picked him to be his coach, only the assistants changed over the years. It is unfair to judge a GM while he has never had his own choice of a coach. And if a new GM inherits Q again, that is another rift in the making.

With that being said, I think Stan needs to go. I am still undecided on Q, there is too much we don't know about his relationship with the core and you are hardly going to pickup a better coach from somewhere else. But maybe the time has come.

- stonefire


Watch Barry Smith find his way behind that bench if Q leaves.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 3 @ 11:29 AM ET
Vinnie is getting a bit long in the tooth...time to deal him for some youth.



Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Apr 3 @ 11:31 AM ET
I have been hearing all along that Q will be gone.

It's unfortunate but what a hell of a run to date for the HOF coach.

I'm not sure it's the right move, but my opinion has been that a new era will begin the second this season ends. Whether that is big changes to management or the roster.

If Q is gone, I think it would best to also dismiss Stan Bowman, however, you have to remember that McDonough is really calling the shots at the end of the day. So between McD, Scotty, Stan and whomever else is in the room... they share in their wins and losses (with the team, drafting, trades, etc.) ... that's just how this team is set up and has been set up for the last decade with this regime.

We can blame or praise Stan, but at the end of the day, he's mostly an order taker.

- Justin Lowe


So what would the chances of dropping McD be? Three straight subpar years and this one at the bottom of the division with this "structure". Several on this board have said that the Hawks seem to be begging people to renew season tix. Secondary market is apparently a joke as well.

If they drop Q and leave everything else the same, I don't think much would change with the final results.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Apr 3 @ 11:38 AM ET
So what would the chances of dropping McD be? Three straight subpar years and this one at the bottom of the division with this "structure". Several on this board have said that the Hawks seem to be begging people to renew season tix. Secondary market is apparently a joke as well.

If they drop Q and leave everything else the same, I don't think much would change with the final results.

- Chunk


You are absoultely right.

If I were Rocky, I fire McD, bring a hockey guy in (prior successful GM) to reevaluate the bloated management matrix, and get a staff in there who can select and develop players well. Get rid of the CEO role altogether.

Sooner the better so the draft goes well.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Apr 3 @ 11:50 AM ET
he's a career ahl player too. Not physical enough for a 4th liner not a top 6 in the nhl and not a great shut down defender. He's just a filler.
- vandymeer23


LOL. A guy who hasn't played a full year of professional hockey? Wow. That is a preposterous set of expectations.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 3 @ 11:55 AM ET
You are absoultely right.

If I were Rocky, I fire McD, bring a hockey guy in (prior successful GM) to reevaluate the bloated management matrix, and get a staff in there who can select and develop players well. Get rid of the CEO role altogether.

Sooner the better so the draft goes well.

- Return of the Roar

1) They do have a growing list much longer and as good or better -- of prospects. First fairly high choice this year, should get a good player

2) Business speak: McDonough made Rocky a lot of money through marketing and his hires won three Cups. I am sure Rocky has faith that this will turn around. But Bowman better have a better prepared coach/players and playing better or i truly believe Stan could go too along with Scotty. You cannot pull fleece over the face to cover up should the team be pushed around and loose too often. My guess is that Bowman makes some good moves but not maybe enough or as good as he could. I do not see a major signing f/a other than the college goaltender and he comes cheap.
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Apr 3 @ 11:57 AM ET
If they fire Q at the end of this season I could also see the Hawks talking to Barry Trotz or Phil Housley potentially.
- breadbag



Trotz could be worth a look. This team still has scoring talent, but he would instill that stifling D his teams are known for. Might also preach that physical element we don't have. And yes, we still need D help.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Apr 3 @ 12:01 PM ET
1) They do have a growing list much longer and as good or better -- of prospects. First fairly high choice this year, should get a good player

2) Business speak: McDonough made Rocky a lot of money through marketing and his hires won three Cups. I am sure Rocky has faith that this will turn around. But Bowman better have a better prepared coach/players and playing better or i truly believe Stan could go too along with Scotty. You cannot pull fleece over the face to cover up should the team be pushed around and loose too often. My guess is that Bowman makes some good moves but not maybe enough or as good as he could. I do not see a major signing f/a other than the college goaltender and he comes cheap.

- jhawk59


There are no 19, 88, 2, 7 prospects anywhere in the system. The team is collapsing from the top, and littered with low to middling prospects at the bottom which at best net you maybe one or two top six guys and some servicable grunts to fill out the league minimum contract tiers. And that is only after a few more years of development.

The trouble from the business side is that the fleece has been draped over this team for three seasons in a row now, and its an emperor’s new clothes situation today. The radical change should be made now.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Apr 3 @ 12:07 PM ET
1) They do have a growing list much longer and as good or better -- of prospects. First fairly high choice this year, should get a good player

2) Business speak: McDonough made Rocky a lot of money through marketing and his hires won three Cups. I am sure Rocky has faith that this will turn around. But Bowman better have a better prepared coach/players and playing better or i truly believe Stan could go too along with Scotty. You cannot pull fleece over the face to cover up should the team be pushed around and loose too often. My guess is that Bowman makes some good moves but not maybe enough or as good as he could. I do not see a major signing f/a other than the college goaltender and he comes cheap.

- jhawk59


I understand your second point, but at the same time they have to realize that all the teams that have "bounced back" have done it by bringing in new ideas (coach and GM), drafting incredibly well, and making key FA signings.

I was never a fan of establishing a "core". I think it is short sighted. Find and pay good hockey players that fit your scheme. Trying to hold onto the past only keeps you there.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Apr 3 @ 12:10 PM ET
Don & Tony Granato, Sheldon Keefe, Todd Reirden, Jim Montgomery, Dan Bylsma and there is also Darryl Sutter
- stonefire


No to either Granato, don't know Keefe or Reirden. Montgomery could be nice. Absolutely not on Bylsma, saw enough of his act in Buffalo. They could use him on the PP though, he's very good at that. I'm not thrilled with Dineen or Ulf.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Apr 3 @ 12:11 PM ET
I understand your second point, but at the same time they have to realize that all the teams that have "bounced back" have done it by bringing in new ideas (coach and GM), drafting incredibly well, and making key FA signings.

I was never a fan of establishing a "core". I think it is short sighted. Find and pay good hockey players that fit your scheme. Trying to hold onto the past only keeps you there.

- Chunk


The teams that have bounced back are run by hockey guys - not marketing guys. That is why I think the answer lies there.

But absent being able to move vets past their prime locked into large deals with NMCs limits even a good hockey guy’s ability to make the needed moves to right the ship. A new CBA is key to making the needed changes.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Apr 3 @ 12:17 PM ET
Fire Stan, make Q assistant GM. Bring in someone who's willing to work with Q on personnel decisions.

Bring in Bylsma or a coach with proven PP success multiple years, as assistant.

Fire strength and conditioning coach, bring in someone who will get everyone back in peak shape. Everyone but Kane looks weaker and slower than previous years. Have them work with a Registered Dietitian to remove any traces of BS fad diets.

jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 3 @ 12:22 PM ET
Fear this will lead to football discussion, but whom do you think drafts the more impact player with high #1, Bears or Blackhawks? Whom do you have more faith to draft well?

A one word answer is all that is necessary (at least for myself) but some will want to expound.
.Bears or Blackhawks. Bulls drafting is spotty....might they have an early pick too.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Apr 3 @ 12:25 PM ET
Fear this will lead to football discussion, but whom do you think drafts the more impact player with high #1, Bears or Blackhawks? Whom do you have more faith to draft well?

A one word answer is all that is necessary (at least gor myself) but some will want to expound.
.Bears or Blackhawks. Bulls drafting is spotty....might they have an early pick too.

- jhawk59


Depends on who makes the pick for the Hawks.
stan-ley-cups
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hawkeytown, IL
Joined: 02.27.2015

Apr 3 @ 12:53 PM ET
Don & Tony Granato, Sheldon Keefe, Todd Reirden, Jim Montgomery, Dan Bylsma and there is also Darryl Sutter
- stonefire


DITKA!
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