The Hawks defense might be better, but defensively they are not. I can't count how many times the Hawks have the puck just inside their blueline, and not only can they not compete a pass, but they can't get it out of the zone. Seems to me that once a forward senses the defenseman is going to gain control, they fly out of the zone, Looking for the "stretch" pass/ breakaway. The gaps between the defenseman and forwards are horrible. There is no support. I also don't have enough fingers (and I have a full compliment of them) where I see a defenseman with the puck, and all the forwards being over 15 feet away from the puck.

I guess the trip to So. Cal. was taxing, took the Hawks 57 minutes of playing time to show some energy. This has not only been a problem this year, but the past few years. At some point its not just the coach, but it is the leadership in the room. Isn't that one of the reasons they brought Shaw back?, because the last couple of years the locker room has been too quiet/laid back.

Hawks need a change of culture, starting at the top, and I am sorry to say, the core needs to go, or at least a couple of them, and bring in new faces.

BTW, if it is true that Keith's contract says he has to play power play, what are the ramifications to the Hawks if he doesn't?

The Hawks defense might be better, but defensively they are not. I can't count how many times the Hawks have the puck just inside their blueline, and not only can they not compete a pass, but they can't get it out of the zone. Seems to me that once a forward senses the defenseman is going to gain control, they fly out of the zone, Looking for the "stretch" pass/ breakaway. The gaps between the defenseman and forwards are horrible. There is no support. I also don't have enough fingers (and I have a full compliment of them) where I see a defenseman with the puck, and all the forwards being over 15 feet away from the puck.

I guess the trip to So. Cal. was taxing, took the Hawks 57 minutes of playing time to show some energy. This has not only been a problem this year, but the past few years. At some point its not just the coach, but it is the leadership in the room. Isn't that one of the reasons they brought Shaw back?, because the last couple of years the locker room has been too quiet/laid back.

Hawks need a change of culture, starting at the top, and I am sorry to say, the core needs to go, or at least a couple of them, and bring in new faces.

BTW, if it is true that Keith's contract says he has to play power play, what are the ramifications to the Hawks if he doesn't?
- LAHawk

I know you said “if”, but does anyone really think that’s in his contract (signed 10 years ago, BTW) - or that it was even part of the negotiations back in 2009? And didn’t Gus mostly replace him on the PP last season?

Glad you consider me a friend because I have the same questions.
- StLBravesFan

I answered....and had a few questions back.

Who else did the Hawks interview for the HC job?

Was the FO ever sending Barry Smith down to attempt to monitor Q/be in the locker room?

Did the FO tell Q he had to fire assistant coaches at times?

Ok, the Blues last year had a veteran coach as an asst coach and elevated him last year. And they had the least amount of points in mid january. Then go on to win the cup. So things should fall right into place.
- 6628

And they brought Larry Robinson down from the front office to fix the defense. Maybe we should call on Ambassador Chelios to do the same.

A lot of posters want JC fired. If that happens, do you want Stan to choose the next coach after his failure of selecting Colliton?

Sort of like having the Bears GM Ryan Pace select the next Bears QB after spending 20M on free agent Glennon who lasted as starter for about 5 games then drafted wonder boy Trubisky as the next franchise QB.

Anyway I think Bowman will not fire JC, will give him the rest of the season to get his system implemented, hope things gel and that the 2nd half of the season is similar to last year's 2nd half.

It's a gamble on Stan's part because I think he knows his job is on the line if there is no turn around. If the Hawks do not make the playoffs this year, I expect some front office changes next Spring and Summer.

Reading tea leaves? Seeing the trend of the last staff and transition to this one. Players who have had success now look completely lost - as if all they're doing is thinking on the ice versus reacting and cant even break the puck out. Usually (and speaking of my own experience both playing and coaching) that happens when players are getting too many different voices and not having 1 direction . Then you see what...4-5 coaches now behind the bench during games. Why? And, was it made up when the FO was sending Barry Smith down to try to tell Q what to do? Asking for your same friend who sees what he wants to see as well. Also, who did JC beat out when interviewing for the job? Same friend wants to know that too!!

But...its probably more because Seabrook sucks, Toews doesnt care and Keith is a selfish jerk. That would make more sense.
- PatShart

My friend thinks the root cause of the Hawks has more to do with the fact they won 3 cups, because they won those cups they picked later in the draft, they moved many picks and prospects to stay cap complaint and to try to continue to win with the ‘core’. By the way those core players have some hard mileage on them playing into June most years where the hard hockey is played. They also played additional hard games in the Olympics. And the biggest dilemma is the core players are still the Hawks best players.

The good news is the Hawks are stocking piling prospects and appear to have some good ones ready to go in the next few years. The bad news for impatient fans is the retool or rebuild is not going to happen overnight. But if the “McD the meddler” is the better narrative for you, keep posting it.

a look at the rest of nov and its GULP!

NUCKS, PENS, LEAFS KNIGHTS, PREDS, SABRES, CANES, BOLTS, STARS BTB, AVES BTB

12 gmes vs teams over .500 with speed and skill...

no way this teams gets to .500 with this schedule; expecting some nasty blow outs here and all said and done a record of 7-14-5..

My friend thinks the root cause of the Hawks has more to do with the fact they won 3 cups, because they won those cups they picked later in the draft, they moved many picks and prospects to stay cap complaint and to try to continue to win with the ‘core’. By the way those core players have some hard mileage on them playing into June most years where the hard hockey is played. They also played additional hard games in the Olympics. And the biggest dilemma is the core players are still the Hawks best players.

The good news is the Hawks are stocking piling prospects and appear to have some good ones ready to go in the next few years. The bad news for impatient fans is the retool or rebuild is not going to happen overnight. But if the “McD the meddler” is the better narrative for you, keep posting it.
- paulr

Will do!

Tell me about Pittsburgh...when they went dormant after hiring Mike Johnston (who was in completely over his head)...then brought in a competent Mike Sullivan. How did that work out/turn the tables when some thought they needed to trade Malkin, Crosby played his worse under him...(get this, because he was being played in different roles/was lost)?

Asking for myself. Also...good to see you cant answer my questions back.

From SCHockey, an update on Hawks college prospects

https://www.secondcityhoc...wise-alex-vlasic-josh-ess

My friend thinks the root cause of the Hawks has more to do with the fact they won 3 cups, because they won those cups they picked later in the draft, they moved many picks and prospects to stay cap complaint and to try to continue to win with the ‘core’. By the way those core players have some hard mileage on them playing into June most years where the hard hockey is played. They also played additional hard games in the Olympics. And the biggest dilemma is the core players are still the Hawks best players.

The good news is the Hawks are stocking piling prospects and appear to have some good ones ready to go in the next few years. The bad news for impatient fans is the retool or rebuild is not going to happen overnight. But if the “McD the meddler” is the better narrative for you, keep posting it.
- paulr

Same as the Kings, 2 cups, but they replaced their president of hockey ops, the general manager, on their 3rd coach after Sutter, and have the same roster/salary cap issues as the Hawks.

Neither approach is working in the near term. Although I am now calling for regime change, is that because it gives the appearance that they are fixing what is broke?, and not that your hockey operations has suddenly forgot how to run a franchise?

Will do!

Tell me about Pittsburgh...when they went dormant after hiring Mike Johnston (who was in completely over his head)...then brought in a competent Mike Sullivan. How did that work out/turn the tables when some thought they needed to trade Malkin, Crosby played his worse under him...(get this, because he was being played in different roles/was lost)?

Asking for myself. Also...good to see you cant answer my questions back.
- PatShart

Good point about Pittsburgh. But let’s not forget a few minor points. Crosby went through a series of concussions and wasn’t himself for a few years, the depth of the team was second rate and yes a coach, Sullivan, was able to get the most out of a healthy Crosby and renewed depth, including a sniper disguised as a prospector Phil Kessel. Yes coaches are important and the right coach with the right team makes a difference, see Sullivan or Q, but a coach is only as good as the team he has. This Blackhawk team isn’t a good team.

a look at the rest of nov and its GULP!

NUCKS, PENS, LEAFS KNIGHTS, PREDS, SABRES, CANES, BOLTS, STARS BTB, AVES BTB

12 gmes vs teams over .500 with speed and skill...

no way this teams gets to .500 with this schedule; expecting some nasty blow outs here and all said and done a record of 7-14-5..
- bogiedoc

Some thing/s are directly impacting their desire level. Have no clue what is going on behind the scenes. Get that rectified, and the Hawks will be okay, IMHO. Hawks are glacially slow when it comes to running a self-diagnostic. Empty seats are just around the corner. Decisions will eventually be made. Let's just hope they make the right ones.

And they brought Larry Robinson down from the front office to fix the defense. Maybe we should call on Ambassador Chelios to do the same.
- LAHawk

I'm not sure if Chelli can make a difference as a coach, but if morale is an issue then problem solved. Why not try it at this point if he is willing to give it a shot.

Good point about Pittsburgh. But let’s not forget a few minor points. Crosby went through a series of concussions and wasn’t himself for a few years, the depth of the team was second rate and yes a coach, Sullivan, was able to get the most out of a healthy Crosby and renewed depth, including a sniper disguised as a prospector Phil Kessel. Yes coaches are important and the right coach with the right team makes a difference, see Sullivan or Q, but a coach is only as good as the team he has. This Blackhawk team isn’t a good team.
- paulr

Except those concussion issues were several season before Johnston got there and the issues of Crosbys poor play had more to do with how he was being utilized, not concussions or injury.

Johnston was fired and it was pointed out how he was utilizing players (and news flash, the players....Crosby himself...told this to the GM).

And watching this team...it looks the same, IMO.

So feel free to pass along my thoughts to your friend as you see fit

I'm not sure if Chelli can make a difference as a coach, but if morale is an issue then problem solved. Why not try it at this point if he is willing to give it a shot.
- 6628

If HE wants to give it a go, please allow him the decency to hand pick his own assistant coaches.

Except those concussion issues were several season before Johnston got there and the issues of Crosbys poor play had more to do with how he was being utilized, not concussions or injury.

Johnston was fired and it was pointed out how he was utilizing players (and news flash, the players....Crosby himself...told this to the GM).

And watching this team...it looks the same, IMO.

So feel free to pass along my thoughts to your friend as you see fit
- PatShart

We’ve gotten off track here. Let’s go back to my friend’s original question, how do you know McMeddler is going into the room and meddling? And how do you know JC allows him to meddle?

Except those concussion issues were several season before Johnston got there and the issues of Crosbys poor play had more to do with how he was being utilized, not concussions or injury.

Johnston was fired and it was pointed out how he was utilizing players (and news flash, the players....Crosby himself...told this to the GM).

And watching this team...it looks the same, IMO.

So feel free to pass along my thoughts to your friend as you see fit
- PatShart

One other big thing about the Pittsbugh situation - the HOF owner who knows a thing or 2 about hockey was watching closely from his private box and he didn't like what he was seeing. And there was no way he was going to trade Crosby or Malkin to make things better. So the junior coach got launched.

We’ve gotten off track here. Let’s go back to my friend’s original question, how do you know McMeddler is going into the room and meddling? And how do you know JC allows him to meddle?
- paulr

See my previous posts....its happened in the past with Q. With both coming in the locker room and making him fire coaches while sending Smith in at different times to "monitor"

Who else interviewed for the Hawks coaching job?

Lots of options:

Pete Chiarelli
Tim Murray
Tom Rowe
Jacques Martin
Paul Fenton

You pick one.
- RickJ

Mark Hunter

See my previous posts....its happened in the past with Q. With both coming in the locker room and making him fire coaches while sending Smith in at different times to "monitor"

Who else interviewed for the Hawks coaching job?
- PatShart

By the looks of things, Elmer Fudd and Moe Howard. Heard Elmer took the news hard.

Reading tea leaves? Seeing the trend of the last staff and transition to this one. Players who have had success now look completely lost - as if all they're doing is thinking on the ice versus reacting and cant even break the puck out. Usually (and speaking of my own experience both playing and coaching) that happens when players are getting too many different voices and not having 1 direction . Then you see what...4-5 coaches now behind the bench during games. Why? And, was it made up when the FO was sending Barry Smith down to try to tell Q what to do? Asking for your same friend who sees what he wants to see as well. Also, who did JC beat out when interviewing for the job? Same friend wants to know that too!!

But...its probably more because Seabrook sucks, Toews doesnt care and Keith is a selfish jerk. That would make more sense.
- PatShart

They’re all just guesses so the speculations you post and attribute to other posters at the bottom are just as silly as the one you posted with such matter of factness, in the first place.

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but I haven’t read through all the previous stuff.

The pre game show on NBC Chicago had some stats. As I recall, Kane last year was amongst the lowest dump in % among forwards. His dump ins have increased significantly this season.

If the coach is taking away the strength of one of the most dynamic players in NHL history, you have to question what the hell the coach is doing.

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but I haven’t read through all the previous stuff.

The pre game show on NBC Chicago had some stats. As I recall, Kane last year was amongst the lowest dump in % among forwards. His dump ins have increased significantly this season.

If the coach is taking away the strength of one of the most dynamic players in NHL history, you have to question what the hell the coach is doing.
- scottak

Ive noticed that, why the hell would you have Kane dumping and trying to then win board battles. Oh, wait, thats the 'SYSTEM' give it time to perfect

Scotty Bowman is 86 years old, and he’d do a better job behind the bench than JC. How’s his health?

Ive noticed that, why the hell would you have Kane dumping and trying to then win board battles. Oh, wait, thats the 'SYSTEM' give it time to perfect
- glennjpawlak22

If JC receives the pink slip, does this automatically imply Stan is gone? To read this board you would surely think so. Why would that have to be the case? Hell, everyone on the planet has been known to make a mistake or three. Make a coaching change. If it doesn't change the negative culture, feel free to oust Stan at the end of the year. Paralysis of the analysis writ large. Why not roll the dice, as opposed to crying over lost money, already spent?