How exactly could people have been complaining for 10 years when most regular posters here joined the site AFTER 2014......??
- EnzoD

D is right. During 2010 to 2015 posters here were pissed at everything from Savard and Tallon getting fired to McD getting hired from Chelsea dagger to Corneileson to Leddy being moved in favour of Oduya to Q not playing rookies like Hayes, Pirri and Lalonde to Handzus and Rozsival being on the team. And through all that the Hawks were winning cups and certain posters seemed more bitter about trivial nonesense than the fact the Hawks had the best run the franchise had ever seen.

>>>I’m hearing the Hawks management is finally admitting that this is not a playoff team and that means more changes.<<<

wow...well i am impressed...i wonder what changed their mind
- bogiedoc

Just propaganda, we like our team lol

To those of you advocating drafting a guy with more 'size' than Hughes, I think you need a bit of a reality check.

Check out the top couple of search results for 'NHL 2019 Top Prospects': https://www.google.com/se...&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I seem to recall another undersized consensus #1 draft pick from 11 years ago, I can't remember his name though. I haven't really paid attention since that draft, but I'm sure that guys like Turris, van Reimsdyk, and Voracek have had much better careers than the undersized guy. Their size let's them win anything they want, and we can't have more smurfs on the team.

To those of you advocating drafting a guy with more 'size' than Hughes, I think you need a bit of a reality check.

Check out the top couple of search results for 'NHL 2019 Top Prospects': https://www.google.com/se...&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I seem to recall another undersized consensus #1 draft pick from 11 years ago, I can't remember his name though. I haven't really paid attention since that draft, but I'm sure that guys like Turris, van Reimsdyk, and Voracek have had much better careers than the undersized guy. Their size let's them win anything they want, and we can't have more smurfs on the team.
- ObeseOprah

On this site it seems the size of a player is a cure for ED issues.

To those of you advocating drafting a guy with more 'size' than Hughes, I think you need a bit of a reality check.

Check out the top couple of search results for 'NHL 2019 Top Prospects': https://www.google.com/se...&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I seem to recall another undersized consensus #1 draft pick from 11 years ago, I can't remember his name though. I haven't really paid attention since that draft, but I'm sure that guys like Turris, van Reimsdyk, and Voracek have had much better careers than the undersized guy. Their size let's them win anything they want, and we can't have more smurfs on the team.
- ObeseOprah

Even on a team full of Tarzan's it's good to have a couple Jane's...

Draft the Jane's high, develop the Tarzan's

Why doesn’t Toews just step up the level of leadership

Sure, he’s playing well, but shouldn’t he be leading the rest of the team?

Mark Messier leadership awards don’t grow on trees. Wasn’t his leadership the sole reason for those 3 cup wins?

One would have thought so.... “Top 100 player of all time”

Why doesn’t Toews just step up the level of leadership

Sure, he’s playing well, but shouldn’t he be leading the rest of the team?

Mark Messier leadership awards don’t grow on trees. Wasn’t his leadership the sole reason for those 3 cup wins?

One would have thought so.... “Top 100 player of all time”
- RoloTahmasee

See I was right! The Hawks problems aren't related to lack of talent, it's all about lack of leadership!

Why doesn’t Toews just step up the level of leadership

Sure, he’s playing well, but shouldn’t he be leading the rest of the team?

Mark Messier leadership awards don’t grow on trees. Wasn’t his leadership the sole reason for those 3 cup wins?

One would have thought so.... “Top 100 player of all time”
- RoloTahmasee

Nice to see your copy/paste skills are tip top...

How exactly could people have been complaining for 10 years when most regular posters here joined the site AFTER 2014......??
- EnzoD

I rounded up.

Why doesn’t Toews just step up the level of leadership

Sure, he’s playing well, but shouldn’t he be leading the rest of the team?

Mark Messier leadership awards don’t grow on trees. Wasn’t his leadership the sole reason for those 3 cup wins?

One would have thought so.... “Top 100 player of all time”
- RoloTahmasee

umm his leadership had great talent, skill and competitive will to lead with those teams....not so much with this group three years later...

he alone can't lead goals into the net during the pp or lead an AHL caliber blueline that makes more mental unforced errors than physical errors...

Nice to see your copy/paste skills are tip top...
- Chunk

As Elbows said the first time around, don't feed the troll.

Quick update on our new guy Dylan Strome:

4 points in 7 games

-5 so far with a 49.2 Corsi and 48.6 Fenwick, which is higher than his teammates' average scores.

Faceoff percentage is down to 43% after 78 draws.

Time-On-Ice is up over a full minute above his career average, he's getting 14:43 so far.


In my opinion, a lot of his stats have been dragged down by game score effects, meaning that because the Hawks have trailed almost their entire time with Strome on the team that this has shifted the way the team plays. Teams without the lead generally take more chances, give up better opportunities, and lose the advanced stats battle. Strome's below average fancy stats seem a bit misleading considering these factors. He also starts 58% of his shifts in the Defensive Zone, surprising for a young guy.

To me he's looked above average, but needs to fix his skating and give a complete effort the whole game. His hands and creativity are there, but today's ice has zero time/space, you have to win that yourself with your feet.

Quick update on our new guy Dylan Strome:

4 points in 7 games

-5 so far with a 49.2 Corsi and 48.6 Fenwick, which is higher than his teammates' average scores.

Faceoff percentage is down to 43% after 78 draws.

Time-On-Ice is up over a full minute above his career average, he's getting 14:43 so far.


In my opinion, a lot of his stats have been dragged down by game score effects, meaning that because the Hawks have trailed almost their entire time with Strome on the team that this has shifted the way the team plays. Teams without the lead generally take more chances, give up better opportunities, and lose the advanced stats battle. Strome's below average fancy stats seem a bit misleading considering these factors. He also starts 58% of his shifts in the Defensive Zone, surprising for a young guy.

To me he's looked above average, but needs to fix his skating and give a complete effort the whole game. His hands and creativity are there, but today's ice has zero time/space, you have to win that yourself with your feet.
- ObeseOprah

Sounds about right. For me, I think he has been fine, just isn't gonna win many races for position or to loose pucks. He looks like he can make plays with skilled guys, but he isn't gonna be the guy to carry a line.

Quick update on our new guy Dylan Strome:

4 points in 7 games

-5 so far with a 49.2 Corsi and 48.6 Fenwick, which is higher than his teammates' average scores.

Faceoff percentage is down to 43% after 78 draws.

Time-On-Ice is up over a full minute above his career average, he's getting 14:43 so far.


In my opinion, a lot of his stats have been dragged down by game score effects, meaning that because the Hawks have trailed almost their entire time with Strome on the team that this has shifted the way the team plays. Teams without the lead generally take more chances, give up better opportunities, and lose the advanced stats battle. Strome's below average fancy stats seem a bit misleading considering these factors. He also starts 58% of his shifts in the Defensive Zone, surprising for a young guy.

To me he's looked above average, but needs to fix his skating and give a complete effort the whole game. His hands and creativity are there, but today's ice has zero time/space, you have to win that yourself with your feet.
- ObeseOprah

In terms of possession stats - wouldn't it be that teams that are behind take more shots (on net or not) than - teams that are ahead tend to play more "prevent defense" than aggressively going after the net - so that the "fancy stats" (I'm assuming you mean possession stats) would tend to be better for the trailing team?

In terms of possession stats - wouldn't it be that teams that are behind take more shots (on net or not) than - teams that are ahead tend to play more "prevent defense" than aggressively going after the net - so that the "fancy stats" (I'm assuming you mean possession stats) would tend to be better for the trailing team?
- StLBravesFan

I think you are right in terms of how possession will normally shake out, but I think ultimately, when all things are equal. Hawks are ultimately not a great possession team, so I think that is a factor.

Hawks 5v5 Corsi - Trailing by 1 goal 26th in the League
Hawks 5v5 Corsi - Trailing in general 23rd in the League.

7 Games is a small sample size, but for Strome as a Hawk, he has 5v5 Corsi about 48.66% and the team as a whole has been 48.48% in that same span. So he is pretty much on the team average.

Keith-Jokiharju
Forsling-Boqvist
Murphy-Seabrook

I don't care who you put in the forward group, those 6 defenders aren't getting you into the playoffs. They would need to lose Seabrook at minimum and add TWO top 4 D-men if you want to have a shot at a quick rebuild. The next generation of D-men won't be ready for 3-4 years and that's assuming all of them make the jump which likely won't happen.

$$$ Free agent -Jokiharju
$$$ Free agent - Boqvist/Murphy
Keith-Forsling

That might get you in the playoffs depending on who the 2 FA's are and/or what you have to give up to trade for them.

In terms of possession stats - wouldn't it be that teams that are behind take more shots (on net or not) than - teams that are ahead tend to play more "prevent defense" than aggressively going after the net - so that the "fancy stats" (I'm assuming you mean possession stats) would tend to be better for the trailing team?
- StLBravesFan

You're right, sorry I don't know what I was thinking. http://thecomeback.com/pu...ead-improve-trailing.html

I guess we can just read into his relative corsi and fenwick and get some hope from there. The eye test has also helped us see the chances he creates with DBC and Kane. Plenty of near misses.

I'm fine with a full rebuild. Move Keith, Crawford and Seabrook (fantasy) and tank. If they get overwhelmed with an offer for Toews or Kane, move them too.

3 Cups is more than they produced the first 40+ years of my life. I can wait a few more.

On this site it seems the size of a player is a cure for ED issues.
- paulr

Hughes has Patrick Kane level talent, and might be a better skater....drafting Kane at #1 seems to have worked out pretty well, eh??


That being said, less that 1 in 5 odds to land Hughes even if the Hawks continue to be the worst team in the league. If they do lose the lottery, there are some big boys slotted from 2-4 in most mock drafts.

Kaapo Kakko 6'4" 207lbs
Kirby Dach 6'4" 185lbs
Dylan Cozens 6'3" 176lbs

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

Thank you for this post.

I canceled my season tix last year - not because I couldn’t take losing or a rebuild, but because I was starting to feel like a sucker handing this front office $15k annually for a load of BS in return.

I do feel bad for a lot of working people who will be impacted by diminished crowds at the UC. Their paychecks/tips will take a hit long before the real culprits feel any pain.

I'm fine with a full rebuild. Move Keith, Crawford and Seabrook (fantasy) and tank. If they get overwhelmed with an offer for Toews or Kane, move them too.

3 Cups is more than they produced the first 40+ years of my life. I can wait a few more.
- howiehandles

I agree with you 100%, but it appears to me that they are tanking just fine with all those guys playing LOL

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

Great post man.

It's going to be a long road back to prominence unless many essential moves are made with this roster. And it will take an outside hire to oversee that, not Bowman.

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

I don't know where you're getting "giving the FO a pass for past accomplishments".

Maybe you're confusing it with people actually recognizing that something was actually accomplished and winning 3 Cups ain't easy and giving credit where it was due.

I don't see too many people on here who would have an issue with Rocky hitting the reset button on the FO.

On the other bolded part...that's total speculation that feeds your narrative on McDonough. Even, with the recent downturn, the color of money's still green. Maybe the days of guys taking sweetheart deals for a shot at a Cup are gone (a la Richards), but wave enough of it in front of a player's face and the player generally follows.

Also, if the FO was as big of a poop show as some of y'all like to think it is, I think it would actually get reported on vs. simply speculated on in the inter webs.

D is right. During 2010 to 2015 posters here were pissed at everything from Savard and Tallon getting fired to McD getting hired from Chelsea dagger to Corneileson to Leddy being moved in favour of Oduya to Q not playing rookies like Hayes, Pirri and Lalonde to Handzus and Rozsival being on the team. And through all that the Hawks were winning cups and certain posters seemed more bitter about trivial nonesense than the fact the Hawks had the best run the franchise had ever seen.
- paulr

Quick update on our new guy Dylan Strome:

4 points in 7 games

-5 so far with a 49.2 Corsi and 48.6 Fenwick, which is higher than his teammates' average scores.

Faceoff percentage is down to 43% after 78 draws.

Time-On-Ice is up over a full minute above his career average, he's getting 14:43 so far.


In my opinion, a lot of his stats have been dragged down by game score effects, meaning that because the Hawks have trailed almost their entire time with Strome on the team that this has shifted the way the team plays. Teams without the lead generally take more chances, give up better opportunities, and lose the advanced stats battle. Strome's below average fancy stats seem a bit misleading considering these factors. He also starts 58% of his shifts in the Defensive Zone, surprising for a young guy.

To me he's looked above average, but needs to fix his skating and give a complete effort the whole game. His hands and creativity are there, but today's ice has zero time/space, you have to win that yourself with your feet.
- ObeseOprah

I think it's a fitness thing and though he has been working with a skating coach I dont known that he has paid enough attention to endurance.

I think a summer around DeBrincat (who is a gym rat and built like a fire hydrant) and Kane will help get him closer to where he needs to be.

Some of it is growing into his body. I think you dont see a "finished" product until hes closer to 25 but hes going to be very good when he gets there. Maybe not dominating but a solid 2 pivot for sure.