He is pretty much 2nd to only George S. Halas as a coaching icon in Chicago.

No other coach is close. And as much as I liked Ditka, it's a JOKE to put him in class with Q. Ditka was a clown, a commercial commodity...Q coaches hockey and wins championships. Had Ditka been less a fool and more the coach he was in the early days WHO KNOWS...2 or 3 more Super Bowls. Instead he blew it.

Papa Bear will forever be #1, but Stasche has cemented his legacy. A third Cup closes the deal.
- kwolf68

Six championships in 8 years - aren't we forgetting someone?

Phil Jackson would like a word.
- mohel

Oh poop. LOL.

I totally forgot about Phil...but you can excuse me I hope since I haven't seen an NBA game in 15 years.

But seriously, the NBA is a joke. Look what happened with Cleveland...they are a dumpster fire, they add one player (albeit a good one) and they go to the top.

Phil had MJ. yes, Philly was a great coach, but WAY easier to win with MJ in the NBA than the Cup.

To me...3 Cups is at least = to 6 NBA rings.

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks. So very glad they were able to push past the Ducks last night, not so much because I love the Hawks - which I do - but more because I don’t appreciate the kind of play the Ducks bring. Their fixation on ‘wearing down’ the Hawks d-parings turned out to be futile, to the extent that puck possession became secondary which ultimately brought them to their knees. The Hawks dominated at the dot during the 1st period, allowing Q to control matchups - he has become the master at that.

Let’s face it, the Hawks play beautiful hockey, the Ducks play rugby on skates. Maybe Kesler is giving his career decision a second thought this morning.

I appreciate this blog a ton; I have a much better appreciation of the game and its many subtleties.

well a new narrative has stared: what the ducks hit hard strategy couldn't accomplish the speed of the bolts will...

and for sure those top 4 dmen will get exhausted chasing the bolts all series....Ok...

the bolt bottom six is really nothing special...my guess is that q and the hawks will find a way keep the triplets under control....

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks. So very glad they were able to push past the Ducks last night, not so much because I love the Hawks - which I do - but more because I don’t appreciate the kind of play the Ducks bring. Their fixation on ‘wearing down’ the Hawks d-parings turned out to be futile, to the extent that puck possession became secondary which ultimately brought them to their knees. The Hawks dominated at the dot during the 1st period, allowing Q to control matchups - he has become the master at that.

Let’s face it, the Hawks play beautiful hockey, the Ducks play rugby on skates. Maybe Kesler is giving his career decision a second thought this morning.

I appreciate this blog a ton; I have a much better appreciation of the game and its many subtleties.
- Wagsman999

Kesler had nothing to do with it. Chicago was actually 1 of the 2 teams he wanted to go to. A deal could not be worked out. For as much as all of us hate Ryan Kesler, he wanted to be in Chicago.

I do not like him in the least, he is a total punk, but he's one hell of a hockey player and had he ended up in Chicago he would have gone from a "punk" to "our punk".

Kesler had nothing to do with it. Chicago was actually 1 of the 2 teams he wanted to go to. A deal could not be worked out. For as much as all of us hate Ryan Kesler, he wanted to be in Chicago.

I do not like him in the least, he is a total punk, but he's one hell of a hockey player and had he ended up in Chicago he would have gone from a "punk" to "our punk".
- kwolf68

True. But, I will take Richards and Vermette. Much easier to cheer for.

True. But, I will take Richards and Vermette. Much easier to cheer for.
- hawk35

No argument. I am glad it worked out the way it did:

1-Didn't cost us TT +
2-Salary cap would be even more strapped or we'd have lost Kesler for nothing
3-We beat the team he went to anyway
4-Your point (the cheer aspect)

I do like Richards and AV. They are doing a great job in their roles. Richards is going to be a major player in the SCF in my view.

Kesler had nothing to do with it. Chicago was actually 1 of the 2 teams he wanted to go to. A deal could not be worked out. For as much as all of us hate Ryan Kesler, he wanted to be in Chicago.

I do not like him in the least, he is a total punk, but he's one hell of a hockey player and had he ended up in Chicago he would have gone from a "punk" to "our punk".
- kwolf68

Very true. He is a tremendous hockey player. Just a total punk of a human being. Him and Perry both. Can't thank the Hawks enough for beating that team. justice was served.

Very true. He is a tremendous hockey player. Just a total punk of a human being. Him and Perry both. Can't thank the Hawks enough for beating that team. justice was served.
- Woodysdemise

I do hate him so much, going back to his Canucks days. He is such a superb tool of epic proportions.

He's an obnoxious, arrogant putz. He has foot-in-mouth disease, is/was a diver, and a whiner. He's a detestable player the way he conducts himself, BUT...when he's playing hockey to the best of his ability he's tremendous. Strange player.

They touched on it a bit during the nbc broadcast but I don't think the media really appreciates the work quenville did during these final few games, especially game 7.

Being able to control the matchups he wanted in a game where he didn't have last change says a lot. Two really skilled teams and very bright coaches going head to head, should be a good one.

Florida traded away their 3rd round pick in next years draft so they won't have the picks to do it

Buffalo, I don't think, would risk it. They are young and probably have snore r year or two without making the playoffs (even with saad). Having an Eichel, E Kane, and Saad line-up is a nice group to build around though.
- BearsnHawks

Fwiw, Murray spent quite a bit of time haggling with the pens over Bylsma's compensation to make sure they didn't have to give up their own 3rd rounder next year.

"Still just 27 years old, Chicago's Jonathan Toews added to his reputation on Saturday as one of the best clutch players of all time, and one of the game's best leaders. Canucks fans were indignant when their team got bested by a group of Blackhawks youngsters back in 2009 and 2010 but it's clear now that Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and company are building a body of work that is truly legendary."

Just blogged here, by Carol Schram, Nucks Blog

Coming from a Vancouver Canuck writer, about as complimentary as it gets. Thank Carol!

What a load of crap! You lose, you reset, and you move forward. That's why you don't win game 7's. It's in your heads. It's the intangibles that make a champion. JJ said it at the beginning, it's the experience of being a champion!
- arh777

Like missing the playoffs the following year.

"Still just 27 years old, Chicago's Jonathan Toews added to his reputation on Saturday as one of the best clutch players of all time, and one of the game's best leaders. Canucks fans were indignant when their team got bested by a group of Blackhawks youngsters back in 2009 and 2010 but it's clear now that Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and company are building a body of work that is truly legendary."

Just blogged here, by Carol Schram, Nucks Blog

Coming from a Vancouver Canuck writer, about as complimentary as it gets. Thank Carol!
- hawk35

Oh, Don't mention to John Tanner that she referred to "clutch" and "Leadership".

Interesting timing.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...-could-return-to-the-nhl/

Valid observation to an insincere post.
Jason has a solid piece today on the King's front office displeasure. He is a solid blogger. Something tells me Lombardi will right the ship. Just tell him to ignore his father in law (Pulford).

Do they know who the other players were that went to Vegas with Stoll? Something tells me Lombardi will clean house and make examples of a few. Honestly, didn't like the way the officiating blew that series last year but like Lombardi and the Kings in general. Always rooting for Daryl on some level.
- tredbrta

Classless comment.
Glad you don't represent all Hawk fans.

Phil Jackson would like a word.
- mohel

Phil, Q, Ditka, Hurricane Ditka - Chicago Stache'd Coaching Legends

Often mentioned Thibs should grow a mean stache to join the ranks but never did and see what happened? Maddon, you've been put on notice

Phil, Q, Ditka, Hurricane Ditka - Chicago Stache'd Coaching Legends

Often mentioned Thibs should grow a mean stache to join the ranks but never did and see what happened? Maddon, you've been put on notice
- Assman22

Ditka was a legend for his personality. He left a lot on the table. Totally lost his focus....

-Poorly handled the Flutie/Tomzack situation
-Poorly handled the strike (the "real Bears" comment)
-Was stubborn and obtuse.
-Badly out-coached by Gibbs and Walsh in playoff games.
-His demeanor while endearing while the team was winning became a circus joke
-More interested in commercials than coaching it appeared

Ditka WAS a great coach in the early days. But once he "became a star" he lost his way. His idiocy was further realized in New Orleans.

There is absolutely NO reason the Bears didn't win at least another Super Bowl between 85 and 90. That team was a GREAT football team. Got to 1, and 1 only. A lot was left on the table. A dedicated Ditka maybe gets another one, but he was no longer a football coach by 1987 or so, he was a 'personality'.

McMahon was also an idiot. He divided the locker room when the QB battle became Flutie v Tomzcak. Had that team come together they'd have run the Redskins off the field. Instead they got taken by the Redskins TWICE at HOME no less. The Bears were the better football team, yet Gibbs was the better football coach than Ditka.

Ditka's passion was always there...his focus sadly was not.

well a new narrative has stared: what the ducks hit hard strategy couldn't accomplish the speed of the bolts will...

and for sure those top 4 dmen will get exhausted chasing the bolts all series....Ok...

the bolt bottom six is really nothing special...my guess is that q and the hawks will find a way keep the triplets under control....
- bogiedoc

Q will take a game or two to figure out best match-ups, then pounce. That's the only thing I can think of for Game 5-7 dominance. The coaching staff takes a couple of games to scout and then...BAM. Whatever they do just works.

Like missing the playoffs the following year.
- quackup

I'll eagerly take what the kings have provided us over the last 4 years. 2 Championships and a conference final. Hell, our least successful year over that 3 year stretch matched the ducks high point this year. Been a true treat to sit back and watch a more talented, worthy hockey team in the Hawks oust an entitled, delusional bunch of ducks players ( mainly just Perry and Kesler to be fair , as I actually like getzlaf, fowler etc) . And in the most devastating of fashions as well. 3 straight years of being a single win away from advancing to the next round only to succumb on home ice when it mattered most. It's been a real treat for us Kings fans.

Like missing the playoffs the following year.
- quackup

You always can tell the weakness of an argument when you have to change the content of said argument. Just face the facts, you guys are a good team. You're just not a champion. [/img]

First of All - Congratulations to the Blackhawks - they are the better team.. no question about it - Deeper / smarter / more skilled / speedier -
I thought it would go 7 .. It did / Brad R. was much better than I thought he would be -
I thought Anderson would be a little better than Craw - He wasn't -
Q just had more options to mix and match his forwards than Bruce did -
the thing is - when you keep the Hawks top players off their A game you must win those games... because when they have their A game you won't beat them - Ducks were able to do that 3 times ... Ultimately though - Hawks were able to capitalize on their opportunities more often ....
Duncan Keith is the closest thing to Scott Niedermayer that I have seen with his timing, and uncanny ability to control flow, avoid punishing hits, just a great player - How the hell the NHL gave a Norris to Subban & Karlsson over him is a GIANT injustice - That's east coast bias !
Hoss / Shaw / TT and to a lesser extent the other forwards really got going in the latter part of the series and Ducks could not match that depth -
Beauchamin was bad the last few games -- he has played his last game as a Duck I would think - I thought Bruce would go with Fowler / Lindholm in 6 & 7 when it was apparent that the speed was becoming a huge factor in favor of Hawks -
As a duck fan I like the future D but they need a wing sniper and better goal tending as Anderson was abused and let in some vanilla soft goals in latter stages of series -
I Like the Hawks in 6 over Tampa - for the same reasons they beat the Ducks -
I didn't like the fact Perry did not meet the press after the loss - A very weak move - you got beat - stand and answer the questions -

I'll eagerly take what the kings have provided us over the last 4 years. 2 Championships and a conference final. Hell, our least successful year over that 3 year stretch matched the ducks high point this year. Been a true treat to sit back and watch a more talented, worthy hockey team in the Hawks oust an entitled, delusional bunch of ducks players ( mainly just Perry and Kesler to be fair , as I actually like getzlaf, fowler etc) . And in the most devastating of fashions as well. 3 straight years of being a single win away from advancing to the next round only to succumb on home ice when it mattered most. It's been a real treat for us Kings fans.
- Woodysdemise

First of All - Congratulations to the Blackhawks - they are the better team.. no question about it - Deeper / smarter / more skilled / speedier -
I thought it would go 7 .. It did / Brad R. was much better than I thought he would be -
I thought Anderson would be a little better than Craw - He wasn't -
Q just had more options to mix and match his forwards than Bruce did -
the thing is - when you keep the Hawks top players off their A game you must win those games... because when they have their A game you won't beat them - Ducks were able to do that 3 times ... Ultimately though - Hawks were able to capitalize on their opportunities more often ....
Duncan Keith is the closest thing to Scott Niedermayer that I have seen with his timing, and uncanny ability to control flow, avoid punishing hits, just a great player - How the hell the NHL gave a Norris to Subban & Karlsson over him is a GIANT injustice - That's east coast bias !
Hoss / Shaw / TT and to a lesser extent the other forwards really got going in the latter part of the series and Ducks could not match that depth -
Beauchamin was bad the last few games -- he has played his last game as a Duck I would think - I thought Bruce would go with Fowler / Lindholm in 6 & 7 when it was apparent that the speed was becoming a huge factor in favor of Hawks -
As a duck fan I like the future D but they need a wing sniper and better goal tending as Anderson was abused and let in some vanilla soft goals in latter stages of series -
I Like the Hawks in 6 over Tampa - for the same reasons they beat the Ducks -
I didn't like the fact Perry did not meet the press after the loss - A very weak move - you got beat - stand and answer the questions -
- dozerD10

One of the best posts from an opposing fan in some time. Well done.

While there are a couple players on your team we are no fans of here, many of your guys did endear themselves to us in this post-season.

Stay strong, the Ducks have a great team and will be back strong next year. It's still a very young team with a nice blend of skill and grit.

Kudos on a great season and for being a worthy opponent.

First of All - Congratulations to the Blackhawks - they are the better team.. no question about it - Deeper / smarter / more skilled / speedier -
I thought it would go 7 .. It did / Brad R. was much better than I thought he would be -
I thought Anderson would be a little better than Craw - He wasn't -
Q just had more options to mix and match his forwards than Bruce did -
the thing is - when you keep the Hawks top players off their A game you must win those games... because when they have their A game you won't beat them - Ducks were able to do that 3 times ... Ultimately though - Hawks were able to capitalize on their opportunities more often ....
Duncan Keith is the closest thing to Scott Niedermayer that I have seen with his timing, and uncanny ability to control flow, avoid punishing hits, just a great player - How the hell the NHL gave a Norris to Subban & Karlsson over him is a GIANT injustice - That's east coast bias !
Hoss / Shaw / TT and to a lesser extent the other forwards really got going in the latter part of the series and Ducks could not match that depth -
Beauchamin was bad the last few games -- he has played his last game as a Duck I would think - I thought Bruce would go with Fowler / Lindholm in 6 & 7 when it was apparent that the speed was becoming a huge factor in favor of Hawks -
As a duck fan I like the future D but they need a wing sniper and better goal tending as Anderson was abused and let in some vanilla soft goals in latter stages of series -
I Like the Hawks in 6 over Tampa - for the same reasons they beat the Ducks -
I didn't like the fact Perry did not meet the press after the loss - A very weak move - you got beat - stand and answer the questions -
- dozerD10

very well written post. the ducks have a very good team... just not as good as a hawks team that has excelled at puck possession and a fast/skilled game over the last five years. And couldn't agree more in regards to the Perry criticism. For such a gifted player he is every bit as much of a punk as he is a supremely talented hockey player. He more than any other reason is why I pull so hard against the Ducks. I Like Geztlaf, fowler etc. solid clean players who play the game the way it should be played. Perry is a tool of the highest order and wilts away once he's been broken. Opposite of Getlaf, who, despite his lackluster play the last couple games owns up to his mistakes and answers the bell time and again.