To make the games more fun to watch. Tap pause on your remote when the opponent is in the Hawks zone. It is incredible how often you see two defensemen in the same corner. Also as likely is that one of the points is totally uncovered. Eddie O pointed this out in the telecast last night. It is unbelievable the positioning by the whole team in the defensive zone.

Side note - I think Hayden thinks he is a center. Because he is always in the high slot in our defensive zone, instead of covering the point or point.
- -Doh-

Funny being that’s his natural position. Which also begs the question, where is the center that’s supposed to be in the high slot???

On a positive note, I'm excited to see what Sikura and Dahlstrom can do at the NHL level. Time to find out if some of these guys can show that they have the potential to be NHL players or not. Not saying throwing guys in the deep end when they aren't ready is the right thing to do, but if a guy like Dahlstrom has been in Rockford for four years it's time to see what he can do.

What's the worst that can happen? The team is already playing like crap. I'd like to see them at least play like crap while some of the young kids can show what they can do so we have a better idea for the future of this team

I get your 2nd point. However, the thing with your 1st point is that if Colliton continues to fail and for some reason gets canned, then the Hawks are out 2 good to great coaches and not just one in Q.

Your point about firing Q and naming Colliton coach before the season started may have helped. Not fully but part of a better plan.

Another solution would have been to let Colliton continue in Rockford for at least another season. Or name a different interim coach and have him as an associate.

Alas, doesn’t matter anymore. Decisions already made.
- AEL_Fox

You're making an assumption that Colliton is a good coach. I'm not sure yet, and I'm not sure the Blackhawks think so. This time was an opportunity that if he proved brilliant, they would know that they had something really special. Time will tell, and with the direction for this season, Colliton has plenty of time. That's a good thing for all the parties.

If you think it's bad now , there's probably a key injury or two upcoming to make your hair stand up even straighter. The entire Blackhawk situation should surprise nobody.

Interesting article from NBC Sports about Adam Boqvist's development as a Player.

https://www.nbcsports.com...ving-force-london-knights

Two most interesting parts from it...

The Blackhawks and the Knights have had discussions about moving Boqvist to FORWARD because of his high end offensive skill and the hole in his game currently being his defensive play BUT the Hawks want to keep him on the backend as they see him being a major difference maker for the Franchise there.

Also, even with his recent hot streak for them there is talk that he could possibly use another year in the OHL to develop his strength and defensive play. Brian Campbell has been working with him and several other Hawks D prospects as well to help develop them.

I would hope that he hits up Joki and trains with him to make the same kind of strides he did this past offseason to possibly make the jump next with a strong training camp.

You're making an assumption that Colliton is a good coach. I'm not sure yet, and I'm not sure the Blackhawks think so. This time was an opportunity that if he proved brilliant, they would know that they had something really special. Time will tell, and with the direction for this season, Colliton has plenty of time. That's a good thing for all the parties.
- jam10sugar

For clarity on my part, I was referring to him being a good coach in the minors and Sweden.

Assuming you are referring to his NHL coaching credentials, yes agree that his strength and effectiveness are TBD. His current output could be due to his inexperience, management throwing him to the wolves, and/or being a puppet as his assistants pull the strings.

I have faith he will be a good NHL coach. He’s just not in a good situation presently.

Except Bednar had coached in NA for like 13-14yrs before earning a NHL gig
- PatShart

Paul Maurice was 28 when he became an NHL coach, Scotty Bowman was 33. Plenty of coaches have come into the league at young ages and/or with minimal coaching experience and had success.

How much of these issues are because of Colliton and how much because the roster is just deficient. For years we have heard about the various players who couldn't make it here with the Hawks because they couldn't pick up Q's system, but now we are expecting players, especially young players, to just step in and make adjustments to a new system/philosophy and there be no growing pains?

You can see the hesitation in games. Players are thinking about where they "should" be instead of just reacting. That's why you are seeing two d-men chasing the puck, or forwards out of position, lost coverage, etc. You are asking some of the guys who have played in one system more or less for the last 10 years to now change the basis of their D coverage and expect no pain. It's just not going to happen.

We obviously won't agree, but 2 NHL players, 2 prospects who are still young enough to develop, a 1st, a 2nd, and probably another 2nd, still isn't "nothing".

I'm not advocating they trade Keith and I'm not sure they will want to move him (given the looming possibility of recapture penalties coming back on the team) but he would get them something for sure. You aren't gonna get a sure-fire superstar in return, but you get building blocks 100%.
- breadbag

All things considered, Ottawa got a reasonable return for Karlsson. They had made him a $10M/yr offer on a new deal and it was declined (to Melnyk's delight probably). Everybody in the league knew that so one of the better Dmen in the league was out there with the Send just hoping for a decent return. All considered, not too terrible.

Obvious to all of us, the Hawks play in their own zone has been terrible. This is not a solution, but could help ......... improve their play in the neutral zone

If they make it harder for teams to enter their zone, maybe it would be easier to pick up a man, when puck is in their zone .... plus ....... turnovers in the neutral zone, Hawks could quickly go on the attack and hopefully keep the puck in the offensive zone longer than they have. Still need to "play a 200 ft game" but maybe "shorten those 200 ft". Other teams skate freely through the neutral zone, almost at will against the Hawks. Also, you want to start strong in the first period .... booming hit in the neutral zone open ice early in the game .... send a message EARLY

Lots on this board have called firing Q a mistake but to me it looks like part of a deliberate attempt to have the best chance at Jack Hughes.

Chicago has no depth anymore. By getting rid of Q the hawks can start losing enough to be a bottom dweller, the vets get restless and more open to waiving NMC and being traded for picks. Team saves a few dollars for a few years.

Toronto did this a few years back when firing Carlyle (they were still in playoffs when he was fired) He was replaced by a long time loyal to Toronto coach but was obviously not their long term guy. A difference is the top players in that draft were deep with Mathews, Laine, Aho, Tkachuk, Pulujarvi etc. and leafs guaranteed themselves top 2. This years franchise player part of the draft is only Jack Hughes.

The rebuild is on, it started on the down low with a controversial decision to move a proven coach out and replace with a raw rookie. GM didn't tell the players and didn't tell the fan base, but it's on.

It's not the coaches fault. Coaches don't play. What coach could win with this group of too many incompetent players? Not even Belichick if he was a hockey coach.

Justin, you are right, Hawks probably don't sink to the bottom with Q still here. Conversely, they don't go anywhere either. Keeping him would have resulted in the ground hog day of prior 3 years.

So while this has been ugly and frustrating, it is part of the process.

The vaunted core are dealing with their first adversity in 10 years. Its a humbling process.

For clarity on my part, I was referring to him being a good coach in the minors and Sweden.

Assuming you are referring to his NHL coaching credentials, yes agree that his strength and effectiveness are TBD. His current output could be due to his inexperience, management throwing him to the wolves, and/or being a puppet as his assistants pull the strings.

I had faith he will be a good NHL coach. He’s just not in a good situation presently.
- AEL_Fox

He was not a good coach in Sweden. He only ever coached Tier 2 Swedish Beer League. Never coached a second in the top League. Of the 4 seasons 3 were poor. He has admitted didn’t even know if team would survive. Then coached Rockford riding assigned veterans that had no future with the organization to a few play-off wins. Didn’t develop young players.

I’ve asked before does anyone think that any other team had him as a Head Coach candidate? OF COURSE NOT! His hiring was ridiculous. Rocky might as well have lit his BBQ with the $1.4M - at least then the money would have served a purpose. Colliton’s hiring has made the Hawks a Laughing Stock.

All things considered, Ottawa got a reasonable return for Karlsson. They had made him a $10M/yr offer on a new deal and it was declined (to Melnyk's delight probably). Everybody in the league knew that so one of the better Dmen in the league was out there with the Send just hoping for a decent return. All considered, not too terrible.
- RickJ

That puts the return for Keith at a second and or a third and a mid level prospect...

Really worth it?

For what it’s worth, my boss was traveling this week and when I saw her today she said she saw Q in the TSA line at the airport and she said he “looked happier than any Hawks fans right now.”

He was not a good coach in Sweden. He only ever coached Tier 2 Swedish Beer League. Never coached a second in the top League. Of the 4 seasons 3 were poor. He has admitted didn’t even know if team would survive. Then coached Rockford riding assigned veterans that had no future with the organization to a few play-off wins. Didn’t develop young players.

I’ve asked before does anyone think that any other team had him as a Head Coach candidate? OF COURSE NOT! His hiring was ridiculous. Rocky might as well have lit his BBQ with the $1.4M - at least then the money would have served a purpose. Colliton’s hiring has made the Hawks a Laughing Stock.
- Z3Hawk

👍👍👍

Well...firing everyone COULD "put out the fire." It could also pour gasoline on it.
- CanOCorn

Not a risk if you hire professional people. Get rid of Bowman. Don’t even have to go outside organization as Kelley obviously a very astute man. Could replace Colliton, Granato and Smith with basketball coaches and have more professionalism.

That puts the return for Keith at a second and or a third and a mid level prospect...

Really worth it?
- fattybeef

not if that's the return

So Sikura gets the callup what...two days after his coach in Rockford says he needs at least a year in the AHL to prepare so that he doesn't get sent back down again and crush his confidence??

More of the same - belief in so so or not ready yet prospects being difference makers.

The problem starts UP FRONT. NO FORECHECK. So the play is ALWAYS in the D zone. Teams have no respect for what offense the Hawks do have, so they freely activate their defensemen and just pound them in the D zone.

Now they play man coverage and guys get crossed up on top of not clearing the crease, not winning board battles, and not having anything construable as a breakout.

When they do breakout they can't pass well, and they can't win 50/50s on the N zone boards.

When they do get in the O zone, they immediately pass cross ice and lose possession, or they play the perimeter and do very little but keep away until someone gets hit on the boards. NO one is ever in the slot - high or low.

WPG was playing with them last night. For those who say size has little to do with today's game need only re-watch last night's game and see how many of the Hawks were pummeled, muscled or rag dolled off of the puck. To the point where they didn't even try to engage in many cases.

Spoiler alert - Dylan Sikura and Carl Dahlstrom, or anyone else in any part of the organization fixes none of this.

If you think it's bad now , there's probably a key injury or two upcoming to make your hair stand up even straighter. The entire Blackhawk situation should surprise nobody.
- Savoy

We better all hope this DOESN'T happen. Little Stanley and McEgo will use it as a crutch to explain away the poor record, at least from that point on. They kind of did that with Crawford's situation last year. They both need to be gone.

Not a risk if you hire professional people. Get rid of Bowman. Don’t even have to go outside organization as Kelley obviously a very astute man. Could replace Colliton, Granato and Smith with basketball coaches and have more professionalism.
- Z3Hawk

Have you noticed the dumpster fire with the other Tenant of the UC?

Interesting article from NBC Sports about Adam Boqvist's development as a Player.

https://www.nbcsports.com...ving-force-london-knights

Two most interesting parts from it...

The Blackhawks and the Knights have had discussions about moving Boqvist to FORWARD because of his high end offensive skill and the hole in his game currently being his defensive play BUT the Hawks want to keep him on the backend as they see him being a major difference maker for the Franchise there.

Also, even with his recent hot streak for them there is talk that he could possibly use another year in the OHL to develop his strength and defensive play. Brian Campbell has been working with him and several other Hawks D prospects as well to help develop them.

I would hope that he hits up Joki and trains with him to make the same kind of strides he did this past offseason to possibly make the jump next with a strong training camp.
- Savetheembers33

Of note (and accuracy might be off) but Boqvist is listed by the OHL at 6 foot and 181 lbs. If accurate, that isn't bad for a guy with his talents, if he can take to heart the skills he needs to defend well enough. He definitely wasn't strong enough in camp, but still so young.

Interesting article from NBC Sports about Adam Boqvist's development as a Player.

https://www.nbcsports.com...ving-force-london-knights

Two most interesting parts from it...

The Blackhawks and the Knights have had discussions about moving Boqvist to FORWARD because of his high end offensive skill and the hole in his game currently being his defensive play BUT the Hawks want to keep him on the backend as they see him being a major difference maker for the Franchise there.

Also, even with his recent hot streak for them there is talk that he could possibly use another year in the OHL to develop his strength and defensive play. Brian Campbell has been working with him and several other Hawks D prospects as well to help develop them.

I would hope that he hits up Joki and trains with him to make the same kind of strides he did this past offseason to possibly make the jump next with a strong training camp.
- Savetheembers33

They have a fair amount of prospects tearing up the juniors and NCAA so there isnt an absence of skill there.

They'll be bad this year. Not gonna get better. I hope there are some things to build on to keep JC around but. Win the lottery or at least get a top 5 pick and they now have a log jam of talented defenders banging on the NHL door.

You have Young Henri a year ahead of the other guys and Seabrook and Keith to help steady Bovqist and Beaudin. A fitter Strome who can skate closer to 20 mins before getting gassed and Delia ready to take Crawfords job for cheap.

Boqvist is going to be a steal at 8 and breathe a whole lot of life into the franchise. Top that with a lottery pick and they go from being medicore to next years Avalanche. Its gonna be fun when its not this season anymore lol.

We better all hope this DOESN'T happen. Little Stanley and McEgo will use it as a crutch to explain away the poor record, at least from that point on. They kind of did that with Crawford's situation last year. They both need to be gone.
- BobP.

For 10 years I have read why McDonough is bad for the Hawks. I really don't understand why some posters think this way? I get why some believe Bowman should be replaced but why do somew people feel McDonough needs to be fired?

That puts the return for Keith at a second and or a third and a mid level prospect...

Really worth it?
- fattybeef

the 1 diff is 'Keith is cost controlled at a #2-3 defensemen. Karlsoon is rental that is going to be the top paid d in the league. that said we are not going to get a huge return for Keith IMO. over the last 22 games we have gotten 9 points. that is not only bad that is historically bad stretch for the league over the last 10 years. if we play that way the rest of the way we would end up with under 45 points. the last time a team scored under 48 points was in 19 years ago. what I'm saying is we are not close to being a playoff team, so when we might be kieth will be 2-3 years older and will not be a top 3 D anymore and we also would not be able to move him.