Yesterday. Apparently the Toronto fans booed him.
- DarthKane

Really?!?!

Now this is just my opinion, but what I think Rocky needs to do is stop the bleeding, he needs to tell McD , that he is firing Stan Bowman after the season, he will not let Stan Bowman make any major deadline trades for fear he may screw them up, ride out the season, name a president in charge of hockey operations who can also function as the general manager and let him bring in his own coach starting next season.
Now I know I will get flak on this one but he is right in the organization and well respected amongst the National Hockey League family,
My pic would be Eddie Olczyk, he has all the connections in the world, and like I just said is very well respected, and let him make all the decisions from the coach and if he wants to name a day-to-day general manager if he does not want to do it himself. So be it, and uncle John just concentrate on marketing, ticket sales and all the other stuff and stays out of the hockey end.
Like John said at the press conference when Coach Q was let go ,that Run is over today is a new day, will it should be the same thing for Stan Bowman and his dad, that run is over and we are turning the page.

So bowman gets a pass saying this a playoff team so they lied to us but we as fans already knew this wasn't a playoff team. So Justin does bowman get fired?
- Scott1977

He's heading that way. If it happens, I believe it will be in the offseason.

Colliton was his hire as well and McDonough will be evaluating him on that.

Obviously, it's more on the construction of the team, but who knows what's happening behind the scenes. If Colliton can't show improvement by the end of the year, McD could use that as ammo to fire Stan.

Exactly. Yeah, this decline happened extremely fast. I don’t get how a core grew of champions just throw up their hands and basically say I give up.

They(Kings) look disinterested every night they play. Not sure how exactly the hawks look but I can’t imagine anything different.
The only player that looks competitive every night would be doughty. His interviews, he even mentions this team is pretty much giving up.

I just hope they sell as many players off as possible come the draft. It’s sad to say but it needs to happen
- KINGS67

I don’t see a lack of interest from the Hawks yet, and I stress yet. The glaring issue right now is a lack of cohesion, or singular purpose. The young players seem unsure of what to do on a consistent basis and the vets seem stymied because there are too few players for them to “rif” off of on the ice. A typical sequence for the Hawks right now is Kane on the ice, double or triple shifting, and a bunch of wide-eyed rookies looking to get him the puck instead of making a play. Defense colaspes on Kane and then the play fissiles out. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I don’t see a lack of interest from the Hawks yet, and I stress yet. The glaring issue right now is a lack of cohesion, or singular purpose. The young players seem unsure of what to do on a consistent basis and the vets seem stymied because there are too few players for them to “rif” off of on the ice. A typical sequence for the Hawks right now is Kane on the ice, double or triple shifting, and a bunch of wide-eyed rookies looking to get him the puck instead of making a play. Defense colaspes on Kane and then the play fissiles out. Wash, rinse, repeat.
- Chief4Feathers

Yeah. Sounds just like LA, except I pretty know they are disinterested.

I’ve been watching hockey and the kings for 20 years. I’ve never been this disappointed in a kings team. I usually record all the games. Now I just expect them to lose. Sad I know but it’s the truth. The only thing I look forward to in the games is that the kids do well.

If Phaneuf can get traded twice Seabrook can get moved once.

Me too. Especially seeing how effective the Vegas 4th line is. The Hawks didn't have an answer for it, why not try to use their own with the same strategy.
- Justin Lowe

Justin, I agree also, but sorry that Martinson kid he’s useless, he’s just a big body and I do not think he’s a good fighter like Ryan Reeves or any remotely tough like Ryan Reeves, he is one of about five or six Current players on this team that I think would not be on any other National Hockey League clubs. I just posted a couple of minutes ago what I personally would like to see Rocky due at the end of the season.

Sadly I don't think Stan and McD are going anywhere which means this team is going to get a lot worse. The architect of this mess is Bowman and sure we can b-tch and moan about the cap but who handed Seabrook that ridiculous contract?

The continual bad trades and offseason signings going back to the Leddy deal. Make no mistake Stan has put this team squarely where it is. This didn't happen overnight. It's been a consistent gutting over time - Phil Danault anyone...or how bout TT as a sweetener for Bicks. How bout your first signing after winning the Cup in 15 - not a real defenseman but David Rundblad. Then you look at some of the stellar free agents Bowman has brought in and its no surprise this team has lost 17 out of 20.

And now you look at what's at Rockford and here and yikes which speaks volumes about Bowman's drafting acumen. Its too bad the Hawks don't play in the Swedish league maybe then their new coach would have a chance.

I think the even bigger concern has to be if they do move out some of the core do you really trust Stan to get value back based on what we've seen over time...? Good luck with that.

Scandella is hurt right now and from what I've seen on the Sabres subreddit is rather slow. I don't think Botteril is necessarily shopping him, I'd rather take a 1st and nothing else.
- ObeseOprah

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, probably the first they picked up from the Sharks. The problem for Buffalo is they’re up against the cap.

If Phaneuf can get traded twice Seabrook can get moved once.
- fattybeef

That’s a good damn point. Bad contract and a bad attitude to go along with it. Seabs contract may be a burden, but he’s a gamer and a good locker room leader by all accounts. There may be a GM or two who sees him as a need and figures a way to make his contract work.

Connor Murphy on his view from the sidelines:

“I feel comfortable,” he said. “It’s hard, because I’ve only had a few practices, so I haven’t been able to see too many of the details. But when it comes down to it, when you watch the differences in our games lately, it’s not so much about systems as it is about your compete level and your play and your confidence. That’s how you win games. Systems help, but as you see in some of these games that we’ve lost or given up early leads, it comes down to your compete and your desire and your will and wanting to win. And that trumps the systems. Or the systems take care of themselves when you’re working hard.”

Far too many of the guys talking about a lack of compete. You know you have a less than NHL ready roster so you just give up?
- pdx2ord

What can players say? That the Coaches are Morons and the Systems are a Mess? No. Murphy comes close though saying if you work crazy hard, that you can trump the systems. However, why would you ever need to trump great systems?

The FO putting Colliton in there instead of a guy like Hitchcock (as an example, not that I wanted him)...allows the FO to put their stamp in the locker room.

I guarantee that Mc-Blunk-man (combo of McDonough, Blunk and Bowman) is now in the locker room, giving their line combos, etc. - with front office flunkies Granato and Smith nodding along the way.

When Q was there - and any coach with winning history - would tell the front office to F-off and let them manage the team - as they should. Anyone that's ever been involved in hockey from peewee on up will tell you once a "board" decides they want to be involved in the day to day on ice operations (solely for their ego, like this)...then it's a disaster.

The absolute best case scenario the Hawks can hope for is this -

Get the number 1 pick and get Hughes.
Sign Panarin - for Kane's happiness. And for this, keep Anisimov.
Keep Keith. If the young D coming in is any good, who do you want them learning from? Jeremy Colliton or Don Granato? Or Duncan Keith? You learn 1000000x more from a guy that's playing/been there and done that virus lip service from guys who haven't done anything at the NHL level.

If they can move Seabrook and Crawford, fine. Get rid of Gustafson Ruuta as well for anything.

But somehow get a top 12 next year of

Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Saad - Toews - Hughes
Debrincat - Strome-Perlini
Hayden-Kampf-Kahun

Maybe Kahun, Sikura or someone gets moved with Seabrook. Try to get a solid Dman back in moving Craw/Seabrook

But have a D of -
Keith- Joki
Forsling-Murphy
Boqvist - find a Vet

Sadly I don't think Stan and McD are going anywhere which means this team is going to get a lot worse. The architect of this mess is Bowman and sure we can b-tch and moan about the cap but who handed Seabrook that ridiculous contract?

The continual bad trades and offseason signings going back to the Leddy deal. Make no mistake Stan has put this team squarely where it is. This didn't happen overnight. It's been a consistent gutting over time - Phil Danault anyone...or how bout TT as a sweetener for Bicks. How bout your first signing after winning the Cup in 15 - not a real defenseman but David Rundblad. Then you look at some of the stellar free agents Bowman has brought in and its no surprise this team has lost 17 out of 20.

And now you look at what's at Rockford and here and yikes which speaks volumes about Bowman's drafting acumen. Its too bad the Hawks don't play in the Swedish league maybe then their new coach would have a chance.

I think the even bigger concern has to be if they do move out some of the core do you really trust Stan to get value back based on what we've seen over time...? Good luck with that.
- DK002

DeBrincat and Saad were both good drafts. Kruger. Kamf is at least a decent bottom 6 player. They've done a pretty good job drafting tbh.

Their pro scouting has been bad but I thought they did well with the Strome deal.

Giving Gus Rutta and Manning money perplexes me unless they are just supposed to be place holders.

Now this is just my opinion, but what I think Rocky needs to do is stop the bleeding, he needs to tell McD , that he is firing Stan Bowman after the season, he will not let Stan Bowman make any major deadline trades for fear he may screw them up, ride out the season, name a president in charge of hockey operations who can also function as the general manager and let him bring in his own coach starting next season.
Now I know I will get flak on this one but he is right in the organization and well respected amongst the National Hockey League family,
My pic would be Eddie Olczyk, he has all the connections in the world, and like I just said is very well respected, and let him make all the decisions from the coach and if he wants to name a day-to-day general manager if he does not want to do it himself. So be it, and uncle John just concentrate on marketing, ticket sales and all the other stuff and stays out of the hockey end.
Like John said at the press conference when Coach Q was let go ,that Run is over today is a new day, will it should be the same thing for Stan Bowman and his dad, that run is over and we are turning the page.
- wonthecup10

Eddie is an idiot lol. He should not be a gm

Sadly I don't think Stan and McD are going anywhere which means this team is going to get a lot worse. The architect of this mess is Bowman and sure we can b-tch and moan about the cap but who handed Seabrook that ridiculous contract?

The continual bad trades and offseason signings going back to the Leddy deal. Make no mistake Stan has put this team squarely where it is. This didn't happen overnight. It's been a consistent gutting over time - Phil Danault anyone...or how bout TT as a sweetener for Bicks. How bout your first signing after winning the Cup in 15 - not a real defenseman but David Rundblad. Then you look at some of the stellar free agents Bowman has brought in and its no surprise this team has lost 17 out of 20.

And now you look at what's at Rockford and here and yikes which speaks volumes about Bowman's drafting acumen. Its too bad the Hawks don't play in the Swedish league maybe then their new coach would have a chance.

I think the even bigger concern has to be if they do move out some of the core do you really trust Stan to get value back based on what we've seen over time...? Good luck with that.
- DK002

What has Leddy done with the NYI? Last time I checked they still haven't won a SC with him on the team. Do you ever think, maybe that was the best deal for Leddy?

Exactly. Yeah, this decline happened extremely fast. I don’t get how a core grew of champions just throw up their hands and basically say I give up.

They(Kings) look disinterested every night they play. Not sure how exactly the hawks look but I can’t imagine anything different.
The only player that looks competitive every night would be doughty. His interviews, he even mentions this team is pretty much giving up.

I just hope they sell as many players off as possible come the draft. It’s sad to say but it needs to happen
- KINGS67

You guys have some pieces that I like: Vilardi, Peterson, Kempe, Kupari. Them plus Kopitar/Doughty are a solid foundation. Plus you have way better assets to deal out to teams desperate at the deadline: Carter, Toffoli, Martinez, Muzzin, Phaneuf, Brown, Clifford, Thompson.
I don't know if some of those bigger names will waive but who knows. I'm afraid that even if the Hawks and Kings combined for a super team we'd still not be good enough, but just for sh$ts and giggles:
Saad-Kopitar-Kane
Debrincat-Toews-Brown
Strome-Carter-Toffoli
Kahun-Thompson-Clifford

Keith-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez
Jokiharju-Phaneuf

Quick
Crawford

The FO putting Colliton in there instead of a guy like Hitchcock (as an example, not that I wanted him)...allows the FO to put their stamp in the locker room.

I guarantee that Mc-Blunk-man (combo of McDonough, Blunk and Bowman) is now in the locker room, giving their line combos, etc. - with front office flunkies Granato and Smith nodding along the way.

When Q was there - and any coach with winning history - would tell the front office to F-off and let them manage the team - as they should. Anyone that's ever been involved in hockey from peewee on up will tell you once a "board" decides they want to be involved in the day to day on ice operations (solely for their ego, like this)...then it's a disaster.

The absolute best case scenario the Hawks can hope for is this -

Get the number 1 pick and get Hughes.
Sign Panarin - for Kane's happiness. And for this, keep Anisimov.
Keep Keith. If the young D coming in is any good, who do you want them learning from? Jeremy Colliton or Don Granato? Or Duncan Keith? You learn 1000000x more from a guy that's playing/been there and done that virus lip service from guys who haven't done anything at the NHL level.

If they can move Seabrook and Crawford, fine. Get rid of Gustafson Ruuta as well for anything.

But somehow get a top 12 next year of

Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Saad - Toews - Hughes
Debrincat - Strome-Perlini
Hayden-Kampf-Kahun

Maybe Kahun, Sikura or someone gets moved with Seabrook. Try to get a solid Dman back in moving Craw/Seabrook

But have a D of -
Keith- Joki
Forsling-Murphy
Boqvist - find a Vet
- PatShart

I think Hitchcock was only coming out of retirement to coach the Oilers as he lives close to Edmonton. That’s what I heard at least. Because I’m like, WTF Blake why didn’t you hire hitch?

Hawks need to move Seabrook and Keith before they're forced to protect them again in the next expansion draft due to their NMCs.

You guys have some pieces that I like: Vilardi, Peterson, Kempe, Kupari. Them plus Kopitar/Doughty are a solid foundation. Plus you have way better assets to deal out to teams desperate at the deadline: Carter, Toffoli, Martinez, Muzzin, Phaneuf, Brown, Clifford, Thompson.
I don't know if some of those bigger names will waive but who knows. I'm afraid that even if the Hawks and Kings combined for a super team we'd still not be good enough, but just for sh$ts and giggles:
Saad-Kopitar-Kane
Debrincat-Toews-Brown
Strome-Carter-Toffoli
Kahun-Thompson-Clifford

Keith-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez
Jokiharju-Phaneuf

Quick
Crawford
- ObeseOprah

Pretty sure that team will beat the leafs 7/10 times due to defense lol.

Those fans can’t grasp the fact that you need a defense in the playoffs. They think because they’re steam rolling teams with their offense in the regular season will take them all the way. IT MIGHT. But I think they need to shore up defense.
Kopitar with Kane 🥰🤤

The FO putting Colliton in there instead of a guy like Hitchcock (as an example, not that I wanted him)...allows the FO to put their stamp in the locker room.

I guarantee that Mc-Blunk-man (combo of McDonough, Blunk and Bowman) is now in the locker room, giving their line combos, etc. - with front office flunkies Granato and Smith nodding along the way.

When Q was there - and any coach with winning history - would tell the front office to F-off and let them manage the team - as they should. Anyone that's ever been involved in hockey from peewee on up will tell you once a "board" decides they want to be involved in the day to day on ice operations (solely for their ego, like this)...then it's a disaster.

The absolute best case scenario the Hawks can hope for is this -

Get the number 1 pick and get Hughes.
Sign Panarin - for Kane's happiness. And for this, keep Anisimov.
Keep Keith. If the young D coming in is any good, who do you want them learning from? Jeremy Colliton or Don Granato? Or Duncan Keith? You learn 1000000x more from a guy that's playing/been there and done that virus lip service from guys who haven't done anything at the NHL level.

If they can move Seabrook and Crawford, fine. Get rid of Gustafson Ruuta as well for anything.

But somehow get a top 12 next year of

Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Saad - Toews - Hughes
Debrincat - Strome-Perlini
Hayden-Kampf-Kahun

Maybe Kahun, Sikura or someone gets moved with Seabrook. Try to get a solid Dman back in moving Craw/Seabrook

But have a D of -
Keith- Joki
Forsling-Murphy
Boqvist - find a Vet
- PatShart

No. Why? Because this team needs D...in a big way. If you want to win, you have to put better D on the ice than the above. Unless you are looking at outscoring your opponents? I can't tell you how many times the current D corps has hung Ward or Crawford out to dry. They will score, the talent is there. The defense has to, y'know, play defense. And that group above, outside of an aging Keith, Joki and possibly Murphy is either not good or not ready.

Bigger picture - the defence corps is probably the most important part of any NHL team. Who the hell is coaching this group now - JC, Barry Smith or more likely nobody? Dineen and Mike Kitchen must be laughing their asses off watching this on ice nonsense. Gus wouldnt get away with what he does out there on any other team in this league.

Please just bring in somebody like Larry Robinson or John Paddock.
- RickJ

This is part of why I think Stan has to go NOW! This was not not thought out at all and really a disservice to Colliton. They really didn’t put him in a position for success.

I don’t know who he can go to, but he needs someone outside of the organization that he can talk with. Stan said he can pick his own assistants at the end of the season. He should be working on that sooner rather than later.

Pretty sure that team will beat the leafs 7/10 times due to defense lol.

Those fans can’t grasp the fact that you need a defense in the playoffs. They think because they’re steam rolling teams with their offense in the regular season will take them all the way. IT MIGHT. But I think they need to shore up defense.
Kopitar with Kane 🥰🤤
- KINGS67

Keith & Crow to Tor for Anderssen, Gardiner, and Marner.

No. Why? Because this team needs D...in a big way. If you want to win, you have to put better D on the ice than the above. Unless you are looking at outscoring your opponents? I can't tell you how many times the current D corps has hung Ward or Crawford out to dry. They will score, the talent is there. The defense has to, y'know, play defense. And that group above, outside of an aging Keith, Joki and possibly Murphy is either not good or not ready.
- CanOCorn

Ummmm. They wont be good next year. Only hope is signing Karlsson and that isnt happening. Gonna be 2-3 years anyway you cut it.

Keith & Crow to Tor for Anderssen, Gardiner, and Marner.
- powerenforcer

I mentioned Doughty for Marner for poops and giggles and they got so mad LOL

Potash posted this and I found it quite interesting. He's been a big opponent of the Q firing/JC hiring, but seems the record of mid season replacements has been a 60/40 proposition, even for those, like Sullivan, that everyone points to as prime examples of why you would want to make a change.



I've admittedly become more skeptical after initially being a big fan of JC as the replacement. I liked what I'd heard about his development chops and how the players spoke of him. I liked his positive energy. I liked that he was going to erase the "country club" arrogance and how he seemed to recognize this team would need more practices together to make it work with all the new guys. Thought he would be perfect for a young, developing team. What the effect has been on the vets and watching him coaching them on the bench makes me wonder if it was a bridge too far, at least for now.
- pdx2ord

Don't forget that the Sullivan rebirth of the Pens that season was also in large part due to having guys like Rust, Guentzel, Sheary and Murray all come up with him - NHL ready, on ELCs, and Crosby and Malkin were healthy again.