You mean you dont like hearing about Bill Lupendowski from Beecher, Il celebrating his 87th birthday...while there is a 2 on 1 developing?

I’m off of the Lehner bus - not as far off as some, but....

At the most important time of the season - fighting for a playoff spot - he’s gone 1-3-1 with 4+2+4+4+6=20 goals against and a .889 save percentage. In 33 games, he’s given up 4+ in 9 games, and two or less in only 14 - less than half.

Bad defense? Yeah - atrocious at times. He’s seeing 35 SOG per game - a lot - but “only” a little less than 5 above the league average.

Make a save.

An average - at best - goalie who should get an average - at best - contract.

Thanks. Honestly. I don’t remember on khabby. Guy was very good in making key saves in 09 run but he was done at that point.

As much as niemi gets roasted he was very good vs San Jose where nabokov wasn’t. Crawford got screwed in 09-10 by that whole thing with niemi and waivers.

Yeah that’s why at times I just rip the hawks for the broadcasting crap. Old foley and tallon were great. A little grab ass that was justified if a guy got blasted in the nuts but that was the bar. I love national tv Eddie o. Hawks telecasts at times are too rah rah. Catering to a demographic they will never own completely while alienating their core one.

I don’t need to hear about cookies. Or 3:33 in the 3rd. I’d prefer a non bs approach and break down plays that I likely missed and why they happened. They need to ramp up the seriousness of the telecast....a lot. If that makes any sense.
- SteveRain

I’m with ya. Tallon actually had a pretty good sense of humor and paired with Pat’s announcer voice, the two played off each other well.

A lot of it changed when the Hawks split the radio and tv broadcasts. Once that happened, Foley no longer had to devote the entire cast to calling the game and as a result he’s now free to do his open mic night bits and Harry impersonations along with Edzo.

When they stick to calling the game they’re good but get away from it too often.

Earlier you mentioned hated players. I’ll add Potsy to the list. Bum.

Murray traded the 3rd or 4th overall pick for a decent dman in Brian McCabe and then Mike Smith made that deal look even worse when he traded McCabe for Karpovtsev.

You mean you dont like hearing about Bill Lupendowski from Beecher, Il celebrating his 87th birthday...while there is a 2 on 1 developing?
- PatShart

Lmao. Absolutely not.

Honestly they probably need to do more analytics. I don’t fully understand it but it would
Help educate Fans instead of dumbing down the entire broadcast.

80s it was the oilers
90s it was the wings leafs and occasional north stars and blues
00s didn’t really matter. Not until late

08-12 it was Vancouver
13 and on...I don’t really have one.

I get the “Detroit sucks” but only facing them twice a year that is going to die off. Much like the leafs.

Weird thing for me is that I still hate the damn leafs more then the wings. Maybe it’s the overhype the Canadian media sheds on them but every year they got bounced under “the greatest coach ever” in Babcock, I would enjoy it. Guy never won a series there and there gm has burried them in a cap hell that no other gm thought was possible.

I do miss the back to back sat/sun games. Always led to some good fight vs the blues wings or north stars. Don’t recall as many vs Toronto.

Back when you had a Legit home ice advantage as each rink had its own character. Stadium, met center, arena, maple leaf gardens and the joe. Fun times.

Now it’s all cookie cutter stadiums and rave music blasted at 150 decimals.
- SteveRain

From 2009 to 2012 The Canucks overtook the Leafs as my most hated team but it's back to the Leafs. Growing up in the Toronto area I had to endure Leaf fans everyday. Listening to how great a team they were, how great Dougie Gilmour, Wemdell Clark, Mats sundin and (frank)ing Tie Domi were. Add to that the continual, to this day, whining about how Cary Frazer stole the Series against LA that happened almost 30 years ago. And if the team wins four games in October the stupid fans are planning (frank)ing parade routes. It's insanity and here they are, "the world's greatest hockey team" without a cup win in 53 years. Oh well I guess one good thing was when the Raptors won the NBA championship they already had a million parade routes to choose from.

Your second paragraph is way off. The team was stocked in 2010, but most of the depth had to be purged due to Cap Management. You can blame some of that I suppose on Bowman as Asst GM but Dale was the one that gave Soupy silly money to come here and same with Khabibulin. I’ll give him somewhat of a pass on those as it was kind of necessary due to Dollar Bill, Pully and company running the franchise into the ground and Chicago not really being on the top of any pending UFA’s list.

Once that happened though, the depth was gone and replenished while Bowman was GM, whether it wad trades for players like Oduya, Frolik, Zus, Desjardins or Vermette or FA signings like Rozy or Richards or draft picks like Shaw, Saad or TT.

I don’t know why the Stan hater crowd always conveniently chooses to minimize what happened under his watch just because the last few years have been bad, but whateves.
- HawkintheD

I'll concede on your last point it's easier to look back and past judgement . However it's also easy to point out Stan took over a young talented team and more than not his decisions where shortsighted . Their was no need to trade big buff after 2010 he could have easily held onto him for the remainder of his contract and found a way to keep a guy that talented on this team.

Stan was able to tinker around the edges to add in depth pieces , but in doing so he handed put contracts knowing the teams cap problems to guys who he should have either traded or let walk.

Bickell putting aside his unknown illness at the time , Bickell was always a 4th line mediocre player , who had a lucky playoff run , knowing he had cap issues he should have let him walk , he would not have had to give a young promising star in Tevo, or Seabrook he should have let him walk and test free agency if another team made a offer so be it if not Stan would have then had leverage to resign him on better terms.

Kane and toews contracts while I don't played down their impact or contributions , Stan had a market price with Crosby and Malkin to work with instead he ponied up more money that it was expected to hurt Chicago's future .

Loyalty is great but it's still a business and being a responsible GM doesn't mean over paying guys or screwing guys but finding a sweet spot .

I’m with ya. Tallon actually had a pretty good sense of humor and paired with Pat’s announcer voice, the two played off each other well.

A lot of it changed when the Hawks split the radio and tv broadcasts. Once that happened, Foley no longer had to devote the entire cast to calling the game and as a result he’s now free to do his open mic night bits and Harry impersonations along with Edzo.

When they stick to calling the game they’re good but get away from it too often.

Earlier you mentioned hated players. I’ll add Potsy to the list. Bum.

Murray traded the 3rd or 4th overall pick for a decent dman in Brian McCabe and then Mike Smith made look even worse when he traded McCabe for Karpovtsev.

- HawkintheD

Great post about their announcing style pre and post. It’s not a slam against McDonough or blunk but they need more education during games. Eddie o is a treasure chest and very rarely tapped into.

The 10s were long over due They made up for the habitual 80s oilers nut shot or rare flames one in the Campbell final.

Mid 90s wings and avs. What could have been in 95 if chelios leg wasn’t numbed by mistake. Probably win that series. Loved roenick and roasting Roy was priceless.

Btw. Bobby hull has the worst hair piece know. To man. Just give up and rock the dome.

From 2009 to 2012 The Canucks overtook the Leafs as my most hated team but it's back to the Leafs. Growing up in the Toronto area I had to endure Leaf fans everyday. Listening to how great a team they were, how great Dougie Gilmour, Wemdell Clark, Mats sundin and (frank)ing Tie Domi were. Add to that the continual, to this day, whining about how Cary Frazer stole the Series against LA that happened almost 30 years ago. And if the team wins four games in October the stupid fans are planning (frank)ing parade routes. It's insanity and here they are, "the world's greatest hockey team" without a cup win in 53 years. Oh well I guess one good thing was when the Raptors won the NBA championship they already had a million parade routes to choose from.
- paulr

Haha. Well said.

That 1994 series made me hate mike gartner which I didn’t think was possible.

I can still close my eyes and see Paul yzerbart in the slot and seeing potvin lunging nhl 1994 style and making that glove save.

Losing roenick was stupid. Guy has/had a huge mouth but I loved him. Hit. Scored. Clutch. What a series 94 was. Gary suter and amonte back to back hat tricks. Loved that group. That’s why when roenick cried postgame in 2010 after they beat Philly you could see how much he still loves Chicago. They need to retire 27.

If they can retire magnusson they can retire 7,27,28 and 30.

Great post about their announcing style pre and post. It’s not a slam against McDonough or blunk but they need more education during games. Eddie o is a treasure chest and very rarely tapped into.

The 10s were long over due They made up for the habitual 80s oilers nut shot or rare flames one in the Campbell final.

Mid 90s wings and avs. What could have been in 95 if chelios leg wasn’t numbed by mistake. Probably win that series. Loved roenick and roasting Roy was priceless.

Btw. Bobby hull has the worst hair piece know. To man. Just give up and rock the dome.
- SteveRain

I saw that thing last night when they showed him in the crowd and was hoping someone nearby would rip it off his head.

Don't forget the Minnesota North Stars. Secord vs Dino Ciccarelli, Basil McRae etc.
- boilermaker100

and Dave Manson and Shane Churla.
Dave goes to the Commissioners office for a hearing on his suspension from a fight.
Dave, you need to explain why you were biting Churla. Dave says, I HAD to bite him, he was gouging out my eye !! Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars...now THAT was the best rivalry !!

FFS....

Crosby's contract are up the exact same cap amount percentage when he signed it as Toews and Kane's did.

The difference is, the cap rose significantly for a while after Sid signed his and not as much during the Toews and Kane era

FFS....

Crosby's contract are up the exact same cap amount percentage when he signed it as Toews and Kane's did.

The difference is, the cap rose significantly for a while after Sid signed his and not as much during the Toews and Kane era
- PatShart

This was the worst mistake Bowman made.

1st- Seabrook extension because Bowman projected the cap wrong
2nd- Having to trade Panarin for a cost controlled Sad because of mistake 1 and 2.



Brutal

Haha. Well said.

That 1994 series made me hate mike gartner which I didn’t think was possible.

I can still close my eyes and see Paul yzerbart in the slot and seeing potvin lunging nhl 1994 style and making that glove save.

Losing roenick was stupid. Guy has/had a huge mouth but I loved him. Hit. Scored. Clutch. What a series 94 was. Gary suter and amonte back to back hat tricks. Loved that group. That’s why when roenick cried postgame in 2010 after they beat Philly you could see how much he still loves Chicago. They need to retire 27.

If they can retire magnusson they can retire 7,27,28 and 30.
- SteveRain

Could they give 7 the Maggie/Pilote treatment and split it between Hull, Espo, Martin, Sanipass, Chelios and Seabs?

FFS....

Crosby's contract are up the exact same cap amount percentage when he signed it as Toews and Kane's did.

The difference is, the cap rose significantly for a while after Sid signed his and not as much during the Toews and Kane era
- PatShart

Your absolutely correct regarding how the salary cap hasn't risen in the toews Kane era the way it needs to in order for teams to stay competitive and keep up with even basic salary demands .

As a example your above avg player say your depth guys make on avg anywhere between 1.5 and 2.8 million if your cap only rises on avg 2.6 to 3.0 million their isn't a ton of room to work with.

Could they give 7 the Maggie/Pilote treatment and split it between Hull, Espo, Martin, Sanipass, Chelios and Seabs?
- HawkintheD

They should.

2,7,19,81,88 for sure. 50 is debatable.

7,27,28,30 for me previously.

Big believer in retiring numbers. All those guys deserve it. Huge parts of generations of fans teams and put up numbers deserving so.

and Dave Manson and Shane Churla.
Dave goes to the Commissioners office for a hearing on his suspension from a fight.
Dave, you need to explain why you were biting Churla. Dave says, I HAD to bite him, he was gouging out my eye !! Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars...now THAT was the best rivalry !!
- MadHatter

Manson vs Stevens at center ice was the best fight I’ve seen by a hawks player.

McSorely cs probert at the joe where they went around the entire rink is the greatest fight. Ever.

Ray emery destroying anyone is also a great view. Rip.

This was the worst mistake Bowman made.

1st- Seabrook extension because Bowman projected the cap wrong
2nd- Having to trade Panarin for a cost controlled Sad because of mistake 1 and 2.



Brutal
- mrpaulish

I don’t think they projected the Cap wrong when Seabs signed. They unfortunately didnt own a crystal ball that could tell them his game would fall off a cliff a year or two after the deal started.

The money on that deal wasn’t actually horrible but it’s at least three years too long.

Panarin was a great find by the Euro scouting staff but even without the Seabs deal, I’m not sure how you’d have three guys on a team taking up 40% of the entire Cap.

Gotta let it go man. I loved dale as I grew up with his color commentary and hatred for Kerry Frazier. Yet he hasn’t been part of the hawks since July of 2009. 2 decades ago.

Bowman did a very good job rebuilding around the core after the cap purge. Wins 3 cups if not for a fluke bounce of leddy and ass hat bolig running his mouth to Williams in game 7.

If everyone hasn’t read it go read powers last article. Direct quote from McDonough about how the team is exactly where they expected it to be. So they realize they are in rebuild. So all this speculation about bowman being fired needs to end. It isn’t happening baring a 180 from McDonough and wirtz. At least not in the foreseeable future.

No point debating it further. Everyone had a hand in getting the hawks to cup contenders. Smith dale Stan savard quenneville. All helped mold and shape the roster. With bowman and q having the most impact.
- SteveRain

I hardly ever agree with what you write but this is put perfectly. I'm surprised that no one else has noticed that the price of winning has come due and this is it. Everyone was all for going for it at the time and who cares if the Hawks are bad in the future. Well that time is now and people are tantruming about it.

I'll concede on your last point it's easier to look back and past judgement . However it's also easy to point out Stan took over a young talented team and more than not his decisions where shortsighted . Their was no need to trade big buff after 2010 he could have easily held onto him for the remainder of his contract and found a way to keep a guy that talented on this team.

Stan was able to tinker around the edges to add in depth pieces , but in doing so he handed put contracts knowing the teams cap problems to guys who he should have either traded or let walk.

Bickell putting aside his unknown illness at the time , Bickell was always a 4th line mediocre player , who had a lucky playoff run , knowing he had cap issues he should have let him walk , he would not have had to give a young promising star in Tevo, or Seabrook he should have let him walk and test free agency if another team made a offer so be it if not Stan would have then had leverage to resign him on better terms.

Kane and toews contracts while I don't played down their impact or contributions , Stan had a market price with Crosby and Malkin to work with instead he ponied up more money that it was expected to hurt Chicago's future .

Loyalty is great but it's still a business and being a responsible GM doesn't mean over paying guys or screwing guys but finding a sweet spot .
- Taylorst1

First, Crosby’s dollar value of his contract is greater than Toews/Kane the AAV is less because he signed under the old CBA, his contract is spread out over 10 years. I am happy that Crosby is back healthy, but how did that contract look when he was having those concussions?

Second, it sounds like you would rather Stan make the team in his mold and trade away the core so he could win with his team. I am glad he didn’t. How many GM’s have done that to not so good success. One of Stan’s best moves little talked about was when Wilson signed Hammer to an offer sheet, and although in cap hell, he matched and let Wilson have Niemi. How different would the Hawks have been if he let Hanmer walk, which quite a few were urging Stan to do.

Third, your the GM, you keep Buff, who do you launch, because of cap constraints. Also Buff wanted to be a defenseman, I guess he then plays with Hammer and the Oduya trade never happens?

I hardly ever agree with what you write but this is put perfectly. I'm surprised that no one else has noticed that the price of winning has come due and this is it. Everyone was all for going for it at the time and who cares if the Hawks are bad in the future. Well that time is now and people are tantruming about it.
- GPHawksfan

Haha. Thanks.

Yep. Going to be a slow climb back. Landing lottery picks helps expedite that.

Time to trust the process. As hard as it may be because we as fans want immediate gratification. The party had to end at some point.

Manson vs Stevens at center ice was the best fight I’ve seen by a hawks player.

McSorely cs probert at the joe where they went around the entire rink is the greatest fight. Ever.

Ray emery destroying anyone is also a great view. Rip.
- SteveRain

There was a good one in the 80’s I think where a double bill broke out and Manson was beating the poop out of Shane Churla or Richard Zelmak and I think it was McGill was beating the crap out of Basil McRae.

Thanks. Honestly. I don’t remember on khabby. Guy was very good in making key saves in 09 run but he was done at that point.

As much as niemi gets roasted he was very good vs San Jose where nabokov wasn’t. Crawford got screwed in 09-10 by that whole thing with niemi and waivers.

Yeah that’s why at times I just rip the hawks for the broadcasting crap. Old foley and tallon were great. A little grab ass that was justified if a guy got blasted in the nuts but that was the bar. I love national tv Eddie o. Hawks telecasts at times are too rah rah. Catering to a demographic they will never own completely while alienating their core one.

I don’t need to hear about cookies. Or 3:33 in the 3rd. I’d prefer a non bs approach and break down plays that I likely missed and why they happened. They need to ramp up the seriousness of the telecast....a lot. If that makes any sense.
- SteveRain

The stars broadcast team is about the best to watch. They aren't homers and call the game objectively. They make light of stupid things the stars players do sometimes but not to an annoying degree

First, Crosby’s dollar value of his contract is greater than Toews/Kane the AAV is less because he signed under the old CBA, his contract is spread out over 10 years. I am happy that Crosby is back healthy, but how did that contract look when he was having those concussions?

Second, it sounds like you would rather Stan make the team in his mold and trade away the core so he could win with his team. I am glad he didn’t. How many GM’s have done that to not so good success. One of Stan’s best moves little talked about was when Wilson signed Hammer to an offer sheet, and although in cap hell, he matched and let Wilson have Niemi. How different would the Hawks have been if he let Hanmer walk, which quite a few were urging Stan to do.

Third, your the GM, you keep Buff, who do you launch, because of cap constraints. Also Buff wanted to be a defenseman, I guess he then plays with Hammer and the Oduya trade never happens?
- LAHawk

It’s funny how many of Bowman’s moves are very subtle yet very important. Unfortunately many fans can’t understand or refuse to acknowledge this. Many GMs would have come in to put a mark on the team so everyone sees it is theirs. Bowman didn’t do this he realized what he had and tinkered with some minor moves. And today fans don’t appreciate this and dismiss him and worship Talon.

You bring up great points in how Bowman identifies who was important and who weren’t as important to ensure the team had more opportunities to compete for, and in the case of 2013 and 2015, win championships.

I hardly ever agree with what you write but this is put perfectly. I'm surprised that no one else has noticed that the price of winning has come due and this is it. Everyone was all for going for it at the time and who cares if the Hawks are bad in the future. Well that time is now and people are tantruming about it.
- GPHawksfan

Well said. Not sure why some people here continue comparing contracts of guys who have maybe won one Cup vs when Stan was re-upping players who had two under their belt.

There is a greater cost for winning.

Not being rude here , I'm not sure what your trying to make as your point?

Stan took over as GM, he was gifted a young deeply talented team and stocked with young talented depth and a soon to be hall of fame head coach,

Stans had since Chicago's last cup enough time to have put together a product worth watching especially with having a young core toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook, but his actions involving trades , contracts that he himself created put this team into a downward spiral.

I'm sorry but Stans decision yo fire coach Q with the roster he gave him and turn around a hire a guy whom is inexperienced and the same age as the core players shows in Chicago's record.

Stan maintained this team but in doing so he made more awful choices than positive ones.
- Taylorst1

What a short memory we have. After 2010 season half the team was gone. Had to decide between Hjalmarsson and Niemi, had to decide on who to trade and who not to. Trading Campbell and his $7 million contract was brilliant. Trading for Oduya was outstanding, i really didn't think they had another cup run in them after 2010. All this talk about what a great gm Holland was/is look at that Red Wings team, yikes. Since 2017 they shifted their priorities and started going young. Honestly i like a lot of their young pieces especially on the back end.

I know many get on these young forwards including myself but patience is required as Ag said once these boys become men it'll be a different team.

Btw he did Q a favor by firing him. JC is here to develop and if they happen to win great, i truly believe this