I think the culmination of the drafts 5 to 6 years before mcd got here is responsible for the vast majority of the fortune Rocky has made. I don’t care how brilliant mcd thinks he is or what rocky believes, it was the players that generated the money. Mcd walked into a situation where the players were ready to flourish and we same the 3 cups in 6 years results.

I would argue that any competent marketing guy could have accomplished almost as much. Did mcd add value? Sure he did. But it was the on-Ice talent that drove the rebirth, not mcd.
- Spec41971

Love this post. In any business where a rich distant owner hires a guy who micro-manages something he doesn't quite understand the workings of and priortizes sales and not actual production is a disaster waiting to happen. In my opinion the run of 3 cups over almost a decade attests to how good the hawks team actually was keeping the ball rolling for that long before running out of steam.

Here is a tip for JC.. want to get this team rolling? F'n simplify everything. High pressure across the board. If we have to dump/chase for a while? Fine. If we have to play a trap system? Fine. Nobody gets a free look. Forwards need to attack the points. D need to remember they hold a stick and to clear out the damn blue paint. Get them involved physically and the emotion meter will peg.

Good gawd its not rocket science. If we cant win games on the score board, at least let teams know they played a hard fought game. Hit someone. Get some edge. Chirp. Separate people from the puck. Park 2 guys in front of the net LA style for the power play and hammer away. Its become dumb. Just dumb the way this team is playing.

I can't stand McDonagh, but he would likely be able to select a new team president/GM to take over. They need someone with proven draft success, and someone who can manage a cap well without getting fleeced in trades.

Hextall has had bad press since his firing, but his retool of the Flyers the last 5 years has been impressive.

There's likely multiple assistant GMs of successful teams who are just in need of a shot.
- ObeseOprah

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.

I would like Rocky to fire Stan and McD, put Q back at coach move colliton to assistant coach and hire a hockey GM. You are already paying for Q and Colliton can learn and possibly take over for Q when Rocky does the right thing and promote Q to the front office.

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.
- breadbag

From what I've heard, can't remember where, he's about an inch or two shorter and about 20 pounds lighter but who knows. If he can play smart and make good plays that's all that will matter as his body matures

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.
- fattybeef

I'm much more in your camp of thinking that there ARE pieces on this team that can be apart of a good team as soon as next year. Especially with some talent infusion from our Farm System and a (hopefully) at least Top 3 pick.

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

Not defending Colliton, but was there a coach available that you believe would have gotten better results that Q when fired? From all indications, Hitchcock would only go to Edm (not sure if he would have made much of a difference either).

He'll put on 15 pounds of muscle and keep growing, he's barely 18. I think most of us gained 20-30 pounds between 17-20 ages.

I'm really hoping they don't start trying him at forward, that could mess with his head and really start getting fans riled up as 'he can't hack at D, what a wasted pick!'
- ObeseOprah

Yeah I think the best move is to keep him on the backend and continue to let him develop his game and mature physically as well. Hopefully a continued strong season, with a Joki type offseason, and a strong training camp he could be on the ice opening night next year. However, if its best for his development to spend another year in OHL I'm fine with that

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???
- walleyeb1

The center is supposed to take the 3rd forward on the other team, while the defensemen take the first two guys in deep. The center becomes in essence a 3rd defender down low against the other team's offensive line. The wingers are supposed to cover the points but they also sag into the center of the ice to help since most goals are scored in the area in front of the net.

So you wouldn't always expect to see the defensive center in the high slot. A lot of times they battle for the puck against the boards behind the net. This is something Schmaltz was terrible at, as good as he is using his speed to steal the puck from behind, he was really bad at defending down low.

I would like Rocky to fire Stan and McD, put Q back at coach move colliton to assistant coach and hire a hockey GM. You are already paying for Q and Colliton can learn and possibly take over for Q when Rocky does the right thing and promote Q to the front office.
- ShamRockShark

Why do you think Q deserves to be promoted to the front office?

I think the culmination of the drafts 5 to 6 years before mcd got here is responsible for the vast majority of the fortune Rocky has made. I don’t care how brilliant mcd thinks he is or what rocky believes, it was the players that generated the money. Mcd walked into a situation where the players were ready to flourish and we same the 3 cups in 6 years results.

I would argue that any competent marketing guy could have accomplished almost as much. Did mcd add value? Sure he did. But it was the on-Ice talent that drove the rebirth, not mcd.
- Spec41971

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.

He is a native of Canada. He could play in Europe, but he is not from there. He is only 21, so I am not ready to write him off just yet.
- -Doh-

And Tommy Wingels is from Evanston and playing in Switzerland. The point is 21 y.o or not, he's not that good and probably never will be.

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

Hextall deserves credit for unwinding a cap-strapped team and replenishing their prospect pool, particularly on D. Never was able to solve the goalie situation, ironically.

And Tommy Wingels is from Evanston and playing in Switzerland. The point is 21 y.o or not, he's not that good and probably never will be.
- Rota's Rooter

I think the Hawks lead the league in guys who will leave the team only to never play in the NHL again. Fortin never would have played in the NHL, and rightly so, if not for how bad we are this year.

Wingles is now out of the league and won't be back most likely. Just the last two seasons there must be ten guys.

McD has increased the value of the franchise by tens of millions in a number of ways. I can see why Rocky would be reluctant to fire him. Of course a winning hockey team has been a huge factor.

McD has a voice and some influence in hockey personnel decisions. So does Rocky, Scotty, the coach, scouts, assistant GM's, etc.. But at the end of the day Stan makes the final call. That probably is true in almost every organization.

At the end of the day McD is not calling the shots regarding trades, signing and draft picks.

McD was not a hockey guy. But in business it is not unusual to bring in an executive with no experience in that industry. A CEO of a chemical company could be hired as a CEO of a wood business.
- -Doh-

I ll give that McD restructure the hawks as an organization but a winning team and a entertaining team brings fans to the stadium. McD cares about the image and how the hawks are viewed he has very little to none hockey acumen. Rocky is very wise and smart business man he knows how to make money bringing McD on was smart and to help but in the end rocky is the one making the money.

He is a native of Canada. He could play in Europe, but he is not from there. He is only 21, so I am not ready to write him off just yet.
- -Doh-

I would agree. He's a guy who needs a year or two in Rockford to develop some finish to his game. He has the speed for this league, but he needs to have more to offer than just that otherwise he'll likely be a guy who ends up in Europe

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

Have you not paid attention to the Flyers last couple of drafts?
Sanheim
Two homeruns with Provorov and Konecny in 2015
Carter Hart and Wade Allison in the second round of 2016
Nolan Patrick and Morgan Frost in 2017

The Flyers have sucked so far this season, but make no mistake they will be cup contenders for the next handful of seasons.

He also signed Coutourier to a $4.8 deal that does til 2021. He fleeced two 2nd rounders out of Bowman for Kimmo. Ghostisbehere for $4.5. Lecavalier and Schenn for Jordan Weal 3rd round pick.
Grossmann and Pronger for Sam Gagner 2016 3rd/4th.
Coburn for Gudas a 1st round pick and 2015 3rd round pick.

He's not perfect, but man is Philadelphia's pipeline well stocked. Plus they still have top talent on the team with Giroux, Voracek, Coutourier, Ghost, Provorov.

I would agree. He's a guy who needs a year or two in Rockford to develop some finish to his game. He has the speed for this league, but he needs to have more to offer than just that otherwise he'll likely be a guy who ends up in Europe
- Savetheembers33

super fast, but just runs out of runway and then gives up the puck -really doenst know what to do with the puck

Justin,

Maybe i missed it from you or others in the 'know' but how is Rocky feeling? he has to be livid!!!! i am really perplexed that we havent heard much from him...last night was an absolute joke. we were constantly out of position...two guys battling for a puck on the boards, losing that battle and Jets guys waltzing to the slot time after time. we just puck watched that entire 1st period.

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

Not advocating either way to keep Boqvist as a D-man or shift him to forward but do find it interesting that some of the brilliant hockey minds in the Hunters are suggesting the move to forward while the questionable head-scratcher Blackhawks management is saying stay the course with Boqvist on the blueline.

Justin Lowe: Quenneville was the Last Straw

When I heard the news that Joel Quenneville was fired by the Chicago, I was sad/angry/confused, but when those emotions subsided, I was excited. I was excited for Jeremy Colliton to get in there with a fresh voice and thought that this was the beginning of a new Hawks team.

Maybe not?
- Justin Lowe

Trade Saad and Anisimov while you still can(10.5M)!!! Kunits and Rutta can walk if nobody makes a trade offer. Ward will be off the books too (5M for those three). If Keith is to be traded, it better be a hefty return, because he can't be replaced by anobody on this roster. Seabrook would be a great contract to shed, but not sure if he would be tradable, even if you eat 50% of his cap hit. Otherwise, you will likely get a quality prospect, and could target EK, Stone, Panarin in the offseason.

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
- chuckdahammer

I agree with this strategy. Some teams call it "shrinking the ice" so the other team has less real estate to play with. Pressure early and often: start with the O-zone blue line, then the neutral zone, then the D-zone blueline. If all else fails, then keep the team to the perimeter and be physical as much as being a stick checker.

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.
- fattybeef

Love the optimism. I have similar faith that the team can be back into playoff contention within a few years if many of the things you described happen. Lots of ifs, of course, but each wish list item is still realistic until proven otherwise.

It may be his natural position, but I do not see him playing center in the NHL.

The center that is supposed to be there is often right next to Hayden in the high slot or scrambling to cover Hayden's man at the point or a long the boards. Once one man leaves his position, the other 4 have to adjust. Sometimes it is required, but often it is a lack of discipline.

If the Dmen and wingers just held their position instead of chasing the puck the defense as a whole would greatly improve.

The centers (Toews, AA, Kruger, Kampf and more recently Strome) do a decent job of defending when they do not have to cover for defenders or wingers that have abandoned their position to chase the puck.
- -Doh-

As another poster mentioned, simplify the system and what you described is one way to do it. The D-men need to guard the net and not stray far at all. When they go chasing, they tend to go to areas where a player can't score from anyway so defend the high percentage shot areas instead and let the center and wingers take the boards, corners, and points.

Trade Saad and Anisimov while you still can(10.5M)!!! Kunits and Rutta can walk if nobody makes a trade offer. Ward will be off the books too (5M for those three). If Keith is to be traded, it better be a hefty return, because he can't be replaced by anobody on this roster. Seabrook would be a great contract to shed, but not sure if he would be tradable, even if you eat 50% of his cap hit. Otherwise, you will likely get a quality prospect, and could target EK, Stone, Panarin in the offseason.
- bikeguy99

He doesnt help our defensive woes. They need to make the Keith and Seabrook move so that they can outwardly announce this season is a fail. It will go a lot further with the fan base as well.

super fast, but just runs out of runway and then gives up the puck -really doenst know what to do with the puck
- glennjpawlak22

Mhmm been to a few games and seen how fast he is and if that kid can ever learn to stickhandle enough to finish he could be a very good bottom six player in this league to bring energy to a game