I've said this on here before, but I wonder if Rutta has been playing hurt. When a D loses the routine races for icing as often as he has, I have to wonder, because a D like that never would have made the NHL to begin with, otherwise.
- 333inthe3rd

Probably why he was undrafted. For every Panarin homerun signing there's a ton of Rutta/Tikonov guys who never really had the talent level to succeed in the NHL.

I told myself I wouldn't dive deep into the draft as early this year. Now here we are, the draft is six months away and it's already the only thing we have to look forward to.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Right now we have an 18.5% chance at the top pick, and 49% chance at top three.

We will truly be the worst if we start to 'lose at losing', meaning we start to win meaningless games that bump our draft position back and make the rebuild that much longer.
- ObeseOprah

Ahhh... but this is inevitable. I can imagine us winning like 10 of 12 to end the season. By that point teams will be starting their second string goalies, opposing players will take it easy and opposing coaches resting players against us.

It's a place holder signing. Allows for players to develop as needed in Rockford. At least that seems to be the theory, anyway, this year's disaster not withstanding.
- 333inthe3rd

One would think, but it's also at odds with the message that the team has been pumping out. Unless management actually understands where the team is at and is just flat out lying to everybody about what they believe.

The Hawks would get nothing for compensation since he was fired. Although, I believe, if he signs a new contract with another team, the Blackhawks do not have to pay him for the rest of what is owed on his current Blackhawks contract.
- spudrock512

Yep.

I did some digging around it and I think they canned the compensation on coaches Jan 1st 2016. They basically wanted the policy in place to compensate teams for active coaches and personnel that move not terminated ones, so they ended up just removing it.

I look forward to one thing, The Probert Movie. I am checked out of this Hawks season already.
- nickmo2699

Looks amazing!

I don’t think most of us are laying the blame on Jeremy-
He was thrown to the Wolves with two interesting assistants - and a broken lineup.

The choice to hire Colitan is a reflection on Management & goes to the core of their credibility.
George McPhee built the Capitals and managed the draft for Vegas- nice body of work!

When he needed to hire a coach he took an experienced leader with a track record of success with young players-

The Hawks would get nothing for compensation since he was fired. Although, I believe, if he signs a new contract with another team, the Blackhawks do not have to pay him for the rest of what is owed on his current Blackhawks contract.
- spudrock512

I think the Hawks would be responsible for the difference between Q's new contract and the remaining dollars on his current Chicago deal.

Somehow, the league office would get involved to "make sure" that the new deal was reasonable - the new team couldn't sign him for $1, for instance....

Yep.

I did some digging around it and I think they canned the compensation on coaches Jan 1st 2016. They basically wanted the policy in place to compensate teams for active coaches and personnel that move not terminated ones, so they ended up just removing it.
- breadbag

Thanks to all. Not what I was hoping.

I got it. Hawks realize they made a mistake by hiring Colliton. They demote him, bring Q back as active coach, they send him to Philly.

Yaremchuk, still circling, lol. Stu Grimson has a gig on NHL Network, hire him for some team toughness.
- Davewn

Yup. Good ole number 7/15.

Here is some fodder for those looking forward to the draft. Yaremchuk was taken by the Hawks in 1982 at #7 overall. They passed on guys like Dave Andreychuk, Murray Craven, Ken Danako.

The higher the better but, there are no guarantees.

The Leafs badly need a defenseman or two that can win puck battles, win races to loose pucks and generally know how to play without the puck. Without bolstering their defense the leafs run the risk of not having the team balance to win a cup. Next season the Leafs are going to be in cap hell especially if they don't lock up Marner and Matthews and they get offer sheeted. Keith would give the Leafs that two way defender they need and should the Hawks help the Leafs by eating salary it may make a trade attractive to the Leafs. Also Babcock has always loved Keith and a team that has a legit chance at the cup may persuade Keith to waive his NMC.
- paulr

I know Babcock would take Keith in a heartbeat but the cap hit although reasonable by today's numbers is a long term commitment at a time when they still have to sign Mathews, Marner, Gardiner. Keith might just be a tough fit for them.

The other thing is the Leafs probably would prefer a big right hand shot D man.

I think the better fit for Keith is Winnipeg. He would thrive in their system playing 2nd pairing with Myers or Buff or even Trouba.

I know Babcock would take Keith in a heartbeat but the cap hit although reasonable by today's numbers is a long term commitment at a time when they still have to sign Mathews, Marner, Gardiner. Keith might just be a tough fit for them.

The other thing is the Leafs probably would prefer a big right hand shot D man.

I think the better fit for Keith is Winnipeg. He would thrive in their system playing 2nd pairing with Myers or Buff or even Trouba.
- RickJ

The number isn't too bad, it's the term that's a big issue. Four more years is a lot to commit to for a 35 year old defenseman, especially one that's on pace for another year of mediocre at best production and a career high in PIMS.

The UC was a morgue last night. 90% of the seats were filled, but it was without question the quietest crowd I have seen since 2007-08 season.

It is easy to see why.

This front office has tripled down on a philosophy about the game of hockey that is pure fallacy - that it is all about speed - and scouted and signed guys that not only have no hands and/or no physical aspect to their game, but maybe not so surprisingly - not very fast either.

So now you have a group as a whole that is the collective result of years of ineffective drafting and player development, and we have the Chicago Icehogs.

Observations confirmed last night:

1. Fortin and Hayden don't have what it takes.
2. If 19, 88, 20, 12 or 17 don't score, it's definitely a loss.
3. After seeing many games during the run, this team has NO energy or urgency
4. Devoid of a meaningful forecheck - rely too much on fancy pants blind passes
5. Whether Crawford or Ward, it's 40 SOG against, and they need to GAA under 2 or they lose. Unsustainable.

I can't believe I paid ANY money to see this last night.

To those who think we should give a pass for the past accomplishments, in the real world of results for investment, bring the past in one hand and success in the other and see which one gets you eggs from the grocery store.

Many Hawk fans should rightly feel ripped off this season - promises of having a playoff caliber team, keeping Q long enough to not shake season ticket customer confidence, and over committing to a philosophy and roster of the wrong type to be successful in the NHL going forward.

Now they have set up Colliton to fail with a roster of players and prospects unsuited for the NHL, and two front office goons as their eyes and ears on the rink.

Hard not to think that the bullpoop that goes on in the front office has not in fact soured potential free agents, coaches and GMs from considering Chicago as a destination organization.

Rocky, we love ya man for what you did in the run era, but it's time to blow it up if a return to preeminence is a goal of yours. Launch McD and the entire FO. Start over.

The Leafs badly need a defenseman or two that can win puck battles, win races to loose pucks and generally know how to play without the puck. Without bolstering their defense the leafs run the risk of not having the team balance to win a cup. Next season the Leafs are going to be in cap hell especially if they don't lock up Marner and Matthews and they get offer sheeted. Keith would give the Leafs that two way defender they need and should the Hawks help the Leafs by eating salary it may make a trade attractive to the Leafs. Also Babcock has always loved Keith and a team that has a legit chance at the cup may persuade Keith to waive his NMC.
- paulr

I wouldn't mind the leafs getting Keith, but Zaitsev would have to the other way as part of compensation.

Looks amazing!
- Justin Lowe

No release in US though, JL. All the canadian posters get first crack at the film December 14th I believe.

The number isn't too bad, it's the term that's a big issue. Four more years is a lot to commit to for a 35 year old defenseman, especially one that's on pace for another year of mediocre at best production and a career high in PIMS.
- BINGO!

Keith may be an odd duck personality wise but one thing he definitely is is a competitor. These PIMs and incidents are born of frustration and disdain with what has gone on with the team (or at least that's what I want to believe). At this point in a great career, winning championships is what guys like him want. Its hard to soar like an eagle when you are flying with a bunch of turkeys like he is now.

The Leafs badly need a defenseman or two that can win puck battles, win races to loose pucks and generally know how to play without the puck.
- paulr

So why would they make a deal for any of our D guys if these are things they need?

I know Babcock would take Keith in a heartbeat but the cap hit although reasonable by today's numbers is a long term commitment at a time when they still have to sign Mathews, Marner, Gardiner. Keith might just be a tough fit for them.

The other thing is the Leafs probably would prefer a big right hand shot D man.

I think the better fit for Keith is Winnipeg. He would thrive in their system playing 2nd pairing with Myers or Buff or even Trouba.
- RickJ

I know that Keith would get us a great return, but I still really can't stomach losing him. We're already the worst team in the NHL, losing Keith makes us the worst by a country mile, and makes it that much harder to recover in the coming years.

Buffalo and Edmonton did 'full tear down' rebuilds where they sold off everyone of an value (Miller, Pominville, Vanek, Regehr, Roy, Gaustad, Ehrhoff, Sekera, etc.). This made their hole to climb out of that much deeper. They got great pieces over the next couple years (Eichel, Reinhart, Ristolainen) but none of it mattered because those guys couldn't carry a team of AHLers to any kind of success. It wasn't until they restarted their rebuild with Botterill that they became relevant again. You don't have to have zero talent to be in last place and get a top pick. Once your new top 4-5 guys are ready, you need to have a solid supporting cast so these guys have someone to lean on.

Buffalo added Hutton, Skinner, Okposo, Berglund, Sobotka, and a few more to finally have a full roster of NHL players plus the kids. Now they're playoff contenders.

If the Hawks sell off ALL of our talent, it'll make the rebuild much much longer. I'd like to keep around most of this core or at least Keith and Kane, they will keep the team relevant and be great pieces for when our next wave of top talent hits (Boqvist, Beaudin, our 1st round this coming draft).

The UC was a morgue last night. 90% of the seats were filled, but it was without question the quietest crowd I have seen since 2007-08 season.

It is easy to see why.

This front office has tripled down on a philosophy about the game of hockey that is pure fallacy - that it is all about speed - and scouted and signed guys that not only have no hands and/or no physical aspect to their game, but maybe not so surprisingly - not very fast either.

So now you have a group as a whole that is the collective result of years of ineffective drafting and player development, and we have the Chicago Icehogs.

Observations confirmed last night:

1. Fortin and Hayden don't have what it takes.
2. If 19, 88, 20, 12 or 17 don't score, it's definitely a loss.
3. After seeing many games during the run, this team has NO energy or urgency
4. Devoid of a meaningful forecheck - rely too much on fancy pants blind passes
5. Whether Crawford or Ward, it's 40 SOG against, and they need to GAA under 2 or they lose. Unsustainable.

I can't believe I paid ANY money to see this last night.

To those who think we should give a pass for the past accomplishments, in the real world of results for investment, bring the past in one hand and success in the other and see which one gets you eggs from the grocery store.

Many Hawk fans should rightly feel ripped off this season - promises of having a playoff caliber team, keeping Q long enough to not shake season ticket customer confidence, and over committing to a philosophy and roster of the wrong type to be successful in the NHL going forward.

Now they have set up Colliton to fail with a roster of players and prospects unsuited for the NHL, and two front office goons as their eyes and ears on the rink.

Hard not to think that the bullpoop that goes on in the front office has not in fact soured potential free agents, coaches and GMs from considering Chicago as a destination organization.

Rocky, we love ya man for what you did in the run era, but it's time to blow it up if a return to preeminence is a goal of yours. Launch McD and the entire FO. Start over.
- Return of the Roar

Good and spot on! One further 56,44,29,24,84,64 are not NHL players on ANY team. They need to go back to their overseas beer league. There is a reason why none of these guys were drafted. But yet this illustrious GM thinks he can create the next Edmonton Oilers dynasty out of garbage. Agree with the previous poster that said Panerin is a once-in-a-lifetime hit in a situation like that.

Keith may be an odd duck personality wise but one thing he definitely is is a competitor. These PIMs and incidents are born of frustration and disdain with what has gone on with the team (or at least that's what I want to believe). At this point in a great career, winning championships is what guys like him want. Its hard to soar like an eagle when you are flying with a bunch of turkeys like he is now.
- RickJ

Yeah they're not minor penalties that he's racking up due to being slow or anything, which is a positive.

But that kind of frustration is... not great.

Who is the first member of the core to request a trade?
- TJYTJY

Keith..

Who is the first member of the core to request a trade?
- TJYTJY

Kane. Only one left with upside and winning attitude. I think CC retires after his contract is up.

Need to think about what it takes to build around him, because there are none like him in our pipeline.

Fire Stanley Bowmen and hire Eddie Olczyk as GM at the end of the season.
- Bruno53

No.

Kane. Only one left with upside and winning attitude. I think CC retires after his contract is up.

Need to think about what it takes to build around him, because there are none like him in our pipeline.
- Return of the Roar

I don't think Kane would request a trade, not after all the support the organization has shown him. I don't think any other the core will request a trade, some of them may accept a trade but I don't believe they will ask for one.

What thehawks lack is a shaw bolland and tom wilson type player. A puck moving d ma who could go end to end and push the d back and of couse a competent gm. So what happens no one knows but if i was gm i be taking calls on everyone. Going forward a new hockey President GM scounting staff so we will see how things turn out in the coming months but one thing is very evident changes need to happen starting with management down.

I know that Keith would get us a great return, but I still really can't stomach losing him. We're already the worst team in the NHL, losing Keith makes us the worst by a country mile, and makes it that much harder to recover in the coming years.

Buffalo and Edmonton did 'full tear down' rebuilds where they sold off everyone of an value (Miller, Pominville, Vanek, Regehr, Roy, Gaustad, Ehrhoff, Sekera, etc.). This made their hole to climb out of that much deeper. They got great pieces over the next couple years (Eichel, Reinhart, Ristolainen) but none of it mattered because those guys couldn't carry a team of AHLers to any kind of success. It wasn't until they restarted their rebuild with Botterill that they became relevant again. You don't have to have zero talent to be in last place and get a top pick. Once your new top 4-5 guys are ready, you need to have a solid supporting cast so these guys have someone to lean on.

Buffalo added Hutton, Skinner, Okposo, Berglund, Sobotka, and a few more to finally have a full roster of NHL players plus the kids. Now they're playoff contenders.

If the Hawks sell off ALL of our talent, it'll make the rebuild much much longer. I'd like to keep around most of this core or at least Keith and Kane, they will keep the team relevant and be great pieces for when our next wave of top talent hits (Boqvist, Beaudin, our 1st round this coming draft).
- ObeseOprah

I am with you on that - crater the team completely and they dig themselves a 5 year hole to crawl out of.

And I am sick and tired of hearing how these 19 and 20 year old defenceman and pee wee size forwards are going to step in next year and fix things on the blueline. It rarely ever happens that way, more times than enough a team ruins the kid by rushing him into competition he isn't ready for.