Wasn't / isn't Colliton supposed to be a very good player-development coach - taking young players and turning them into professional hockey players? Wasn't that supposed to be his forte at Rockford?

If so - since he's here and not going anywhere for a while - let's see how it plays out the rest of this season and next (because, as I've said before, I think he's here at least thru next season
- StLBravesFan[as is his boss and his boss' boss]) with a full summer, evaluation tournaments, and training camp to work with.

Haven't seen much improvement anywhere or with any player, but probably unfair to make any final judgment at this time.

That was pretty much the point I was trying to make. Z3 was strong in his opinion of Colliton (and he is entitled to it, and ultimately he could be very right). I was just saying that of the coaches that were out there and available, who would be doing that much better? What, do we get to 7th place in our division and cling to the hope of a playoff spot?

My biggest gripe is the timing of the move. If they were this close to firing Q, do it in the offseason and let the new guy get some work in. Not to mention, you then are not dropping a bomb on the whole team that they have to sort through mentally.

10 rows off the glass for $38 last home game......Tick Tock Stan and McD!
- EnzoD

That's worse than Anaheim prices, and they can't draw when they are good!!

Well said.

Compare McD to Cubs president Theo Epstein. You think Theo doesn’t understand the importance of marketing too? But the vital, absolutely critical difference is that Theo is a proven professional when it comes to player evaluation and roster construction of his respective sport. Doesn’t mean he’s right all the time - mistakes will happen. But you’re never left thinking that he doesn’t know what he’s doing when it comes to putting together a baseball team.

Just think if Stan had someone like that to professionally consult with as they navigate trying to continually improve the Hawks roster? Or better yet, just think if the Hawks had the hockey equivalent of Theo Epstein and Jud Hoyer in their front office? Would we still question decisions? Absolutely. But we wouldn’t have this constant nagging suspicion that the front office is professionally incompetent.

Even during the peak of the Hawks success, NO ONE thought McD was key in making that happen - he just helped to maximize the results financially.
- Chief4Feathers

To all you armchair G.M.s here that think they know better - this is from Pierre LeBrun on The Athletic today.....

Let me start with a conversation I recently had with a rival NHL GM who couldn’t believe the arrows Stan Bowman has been taking. The GM said Bowman doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the way he finessed the cap and re-modeled the Hawks numerous times en route to three Cups. His point was that what’s happening now is just reality for championships teams in the cap era. Looks at Pittsburgh and Los Angeles this season as well. You pay a price for winning too long. You re-up your core with deserved yet cap-challenging contracts. It gives you so much less leeway. You can’t miss on top draft picks. Anyway, I’m just passing this on because the GM in question said the Hawks would be crazy to fire Bowman.

In any case, the first thing you need to figure out is what does Hawks ownership want? I think it was clear when they made the coaching change that ownership and upper management wants to try to stay competitive and not go Full Monty on the rebuild. That’s fine as long as you recognize how much more difficult that is. Not everyone gets to come out of that approach looking like Boston. You need to draft as good as anybody for it to work.

Secondly, there needs to be a heart-to-heart with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. “Do you guys want to stick around for this reset/remodel of the franchise?” As an example, it’s clear to me that Carey Price endorsed what Marc Bergevin was doing last summer. He understood the reset the Habs were doing but believed that he would be part of it and help keep the Canadiens competitive through it and hopefully it wouldn’t be long before they came out of it an elite team. The jury is out on whether that last part happens in Montreal but at least there’s an understanding from the franchise player of where things are at. So unless it’s already happened, I think that’s a conversation you have with agent Pat Brisson along with Kane and Toews. Really it all has to start there before you look at next steps.

And 0 playoff series wins. Please, regular season doesn't mean anything.
- powerenforcer

It means an awful lot if you can't make the playoffs.

10 rows off the glass for $38 last home game......Tick Tock Stan and McD!
- EnzoD

What are the chances we DON'T re-start the "tick tock" chant.

We went through it six or seven years ago.

It was annoying then.

The intervening years haven't made it more enjoyable.

Who say's no first...

Tor:
Keith

CHI:
Kapanen
Tor 1st or 2nd (depending on how valued Kapanen is; hard to see him not getting an offer sheet this offseason though)
Hainsey (If in season, buyout to resign for the min for the rest of the year)
Brown (Either ends up a 4th liner, in the AHL, or is a buyout at worst an expiring contract to help the cap going forward)

Who would that be? Hextall? What did Hextall do? He took over in 2014 and they lost in the first round of the playoffs twice and missed the playoffs the other 2 years. This season they are 1 point from worst in the east. Definitely NOT impressive.

I'm sure there are plenty of Asst. GM's who would love a shot, but that doesn't really fit your description of someone with a proven record.
- TheTrob

He helped put together the Kings starting in 06

Who say's no first...

Tor:
Keith

CHI:
Kapanen
Tor 1st or 2nd (depending on how valued Kapanen is; hard to see him not getting an offer sheet this offseason though)
Hainsey (If in season, buyout to resign for the min for the rest of the year)
Brown (Either ends up a 4th liner, in the AHL, or is a buyout at worst an expiring contract to help the cap going forward)
- Savetheembers33

Toronto.

Toronto.
- BINGO!

I would think so because of how well Kap is playing but I'd like to hear your reasoning

Does anyone have a sound rationale why Colliton was not allowed to pick his assistants, but Stan has said at the end of the year he will be able to pick his assistants? What gives?

It makes no sense and it made walking into this situation 1000 times worse.

If he can pick them at the end of the year, why not let him from the get go?
- hereismike1

Bowman is using a quality I call, "Listening with his tongue." Which means he is always talking to the crowd, guaging their reactions, and will backtrack or move forward, depending on the way the crowd reacted.

Sorry if it's been posted already, JJ rails on the fallacy
of Stan and Mcd, its good

https://www.the-rink.com/...as-no-clothes/#post-10685
- gazza53

100% - JJ has got it pegged. McD is a fraud.

Yeah I just don't see it happening. I'm sure they would love to make something like that happen but Nylander for Colton Parayko makes A LOT more sense IMO

Yeah, I wasn't "going at you" or anything more so those who are shutting it down that he could come here. We wouldn't trade for him. It's going to happen through FA. It would suck to lose him for nothing, but if you're in a Playoff spot and have a chance to win a round or two you gotta try and go for it for your fanbase. Try like hell to sell him on the fact that he's going to be a main part of what you're doing and get to the ultimate goal and then when he walks you sell your fanbase that you gave it your all to keep him and you look for a piece or pieces to fill the gap and maybe improve your team
- Savetheembers33

I know.
I agree with what you say. I like the Parayko trade proposal.

Watching a Hawk game has become just laughable. It's to the point I watch to see how bad they can be.

I wonder if, with the dismissal of coach Q, the vets with NMC/NTC's were also told or asked, if you want out we'll try to accommodate you.

I mean, how else to explain it? Diminishing skill set I can understand but, come on. The lack of effort and basic hockey knowledge displayed is astounding.

And for those who are now comparing the Hawks to the 74/75 Caps who had 8 wins, remember there was no OT back then. Those were 8 regulation wins. Hawks are currently sitting at what, 5?
- Rota's Rooter

True that -however even not at the 50% of the season point -there have been some really impressive losing streaks - and a lot of these happen when the team coughs up nice leads - my personal favorite is spotting the other team 3 goals.

Reading your post, I am not at all sure that we disagree on anything .... it is pretty sad, really ...

-Thought of another promo ... let the fans (in reverse all-star ballot fashion) vote for the night's scratches. And then the rule is that they then have to hype that up on the website ... just like they used to with OTL's (back when the team was able to make it to OT) ... 'Point Taken' (Yay!!! sounds more marketable than when those happened when they might have coughed up a lead ... I sorta remember those days ... back when they had leads.

Did the Caps in 74/75 ever have leads? It might be something I might have to be jealous of ... I might have to look it up - I might be missing out :D

Toronto.
- BINGO!

Of course you'd say that!

Tuevo for Matthews?

I would think so because of how well Kap is playing but I'd like to hear your reasoning
- Savetheembers33

Keith is locked up for too long to give up so many assets for, especially of that type of value.

You're asking for 3 roster players and a 1st or 2nd round pick for a 35 year old defenseman. That's a lot of depth to lose for one guy, let alone one with that much term at that age.

Of course you'd say that!

Tuevo for Matthews?
- EnzoD

Where do I sign?

Where do I sign?
- BINGO!

Only if Toronto throws in Marner too

But I agree with you man, Keith does not have nearly the value that people here think. Have you not been watching him play the last 18 months?? -30 last year and evern worse this year......35 years old and signed for 5 more years.....

Craig’s List: Kakko, Hughes set for World Junior clash

https://www.tsn.ca/craig-...ld-junior-clash-1.1225187

8-2-1 with the Oil, Hawks shoulda hired Hitch.

Craig’s List: Kakko, Hughes set for World Junior clash

https://www.tsn.ca/craig-...ld-junior-clash-1.1225187
- walleyeb1

If the Hawks end up with the Russian Podkolzin, they will not be dispapointed. He's a stud and the Datsyuk-ian comparison is accurate from the games I watched him play over the summer....

Just stopping back in here... wow. People are grumpy 'round here.

For those popping in from other teams... if you read my stuff, you'll know that I (and most on here) are SUPER grateful for the 3 recent cups.

This Blackhawks team is now not very good. I personally am covering this team from the perspective of "what went wrong" and "how can it get better".

I'm probably one of the most optimistic bloggers in Blackhawks nation for the most part.

With all of that being said, there are some great conversations happening as well. We'll get through this together gang!
- Justin Lowe

Great point Justin - adding some context.

In my own case I look at this as basically, some coaching tutorials. I'm a guy usually way older than guys on my teams, playing in a 'non-traditional' hockey environment (I guess Australia counts as that - although in my own experience, Kansas City was actually less of one than capital cities here).

So it is mostly about, ok, what would I tell guys at the development level here (we're talking novice hockey)... because guys do tend to try to emulate things (ok probably no one is going to be paying a lot of attention to Chicago here at this point - but they were all over the place not too long ago).

Anyways ... yeh some of the stuff that happens has been really head scratching material.

Someone said that this result here 'is on everyone'... frankly that is a bit harsh on the beer vendors.
but I think I understand the sentiment.

Keith is locked up for too long to give up so many assets for, especially of that type of value.

You're asking for 3 roster players and a 1st or 2nd round pick for a 35 year old defenseman. That's a lot of depth to lose for one guy, let alone one with that much term at that age.
- BINGO!

I see what you mean, but Hainsey would be bought out and then would likely resign with them (if done in season) and I don't think Brown would be a deal breaker for the Leafs more so a way to help offset some cap for them that they could go out and replace at the Deadline.

It really breaks down to Kapanen and a 1st or 2nd for Keith who yes is up there in age but I think most would agree would be VERY good for a true Playoff contender as a #2-4 D-man. Also could be the replacement for Gardiner once he likely leaves in FA.

I'd be shocked if Kap doesn't get an offer sheet this offseason and Toronto can't match it. Hawks of course could always throw some pieces back but I figured something to that affect could be a solid deal for both sides.

I can definitely see why Toronto would pass on it though

I’ve said many times that trade will eventually go down as the single worst trade in the history of our franchise. That one move alone should have been enough to get Bowman fired.
- SimpleJack

Maybe in the short term - as in until Panarin wants the seven figure payday - which is now coming after this season.

NO WAY this team could (or should) carry ANOTHER seven figure contract and have anything left for the rest of the roster.

Yeah I thought it was VERY interesting as well. I think because he is SO talented scoring already at age 18 that maybe they think for his own good and development he'd be better off at forward. The Hawks thinking has to be that if you have a guy who can score, pass, and stick handle as well as a forward and play above the 18-19 Hawks D level then you have a hell of a player on your hands. Basically EK 2.0 which as we all know has been the comparison. I think you might as well keep him at Defense right now and let him continue to develop his game all around and see where it goes. If he gets to a point where he's just lighting up the league you give him a shot in the NHL as a D-man and maybe bump him up at forward here or there to see where he'd excel at
- Savetheembers33

I'm speculating that the transition from D to F is much
easier than F to D, correct? If so stay the course, let him
develop more D skills and see how the hand plays out

If the Hawks end up with the Russian Podkolzin, they will not be dispapointed. He's a stud and the Datsyuk-ian comparison is accurate from the games I watched him play over the summer....
- EnzoD

My only concern is actually getting him to sign a contract AND reliving the painful days of drafting Russian guy after Russian guy and touting him as "the next big thing" only to have him flame out (we're already close to that with how the team is playing lol)