I think the fans should boycott the UC to force the front office to speed up the rebuild. I think this soft rebuild will continue until Kane, Toews and Keith leave or retire.

Feels very half-assed to me.

I think if he could go back in time Shanahan would rethink the Dubas Hunter decision
- paulr

When does MLSE start questioning Shanahan?

Cups are a good measure.

For long-term success, you could look at playoff runs:

Pittsburgh has made the tournament every year 12 years, including this season.
Washington has made the playoffs 11 times in 12 years.
Boston has made the playoffs 10 times in 12 years.
Chicago has made the postseason 9 times in 12 years.

You could make the case that the other three have been more successful and consistent over time.
- StLBravesFan

Pens had a downturn in the middle of their run. Caps are in theirs now, not near as long as Hawks. Bruins have done well, and have one Cup.

We'll see how they all do when their big guns' production slips.
- mohel

Even with the "down years" each team had they never hit the level the Hawks have over recent years. When they had their down years they took that time to make the necessary changes (GM, Coach, players) to get back on tract sooner rather than later.

They all will more than likely hit the wall the same way the Hawks and Kings have too. The point is that they've maximized the window of time they had with their star players to give them a chance to win every year.

I'm not expecting us to be the elite in the Final Four every year again like we were during our run. But they should be competing to get in every year and have a shot at things going right to go on a run again

Gus has been traded. What can we keep an eye out for ? Let's watch if our goals against improves for the remainder of the season, and how our overall defense responds, and we can watch the goals against for Calgary and how much it changes. If Gus is on their power play unit #1 or #2, how does Calgary do ? Will be interesting to watch. Lehner has been traded. How will he fare in Vega$ ? Hope he does well. Where will he sign in the offseason ? Will he get the big contract ? How much $$$. How many years ??
- MadHatter

You are free to do what you like, but Gus and Lehner are no longer on this team. Even if they do play lights out, there is/was no indication that they would have been able to do the same here.

I'm of the mind that as soon as a guy is traded, he is no longer of consequence to the team.

Pens had a downturn in the middle of their run. Caps are in theirs now, not near as long as Hawks. Bruins have done well, and have one Cup.

We'll see how they all do when their big guns' production slips.
- mohel

Is no one going to mention the Bruins having 3 consecutive 1st Rd picks and getting bupkis out of them?

Scott Foster!
- powerenforcer

WINNER!!!

I think the fans should boycott the UC to force the front office to speed up the rebuild. I think this soft rebuild will continue until Kane, Toews and Keith leave or retire.

Feels very half-assed to me.
- catrisc

Do you think boycotting the UC will cause Toews, Kane, Keith to waive their NMC's? They get paid whatever the attendance is. And if they do trade them, and Stan gets 60 cents on the dollar, you won't be whining because Stan didn't get fair value?

Caps are in a downturn? They could win the East!

Boston has a lot of good, young, talent including their best player who is mid 20's. THe thing about all three teams you mentioned: They all have good Head Coaches. THe Hawks dont. They have solid GM's, the Hawks don't.
- nickmo2699

Their run, not their downturn. They haven't had to rebuild a core yet. The Pens have yet to rebuild their core. Boston is the closest, imo, but still get very good production from the initial core.

Where's the team who replaced a core on the fly without a long term drop?

When does MLSE start questioning Shanahan?
- LAHawk

Are they making money?

Are they making money?
- mohel

Hand over fist

Even with the "down years" each team had they never hit the level the Hawks have over recent years. When they had their down years they took that time to make the necessary changes (GM, Coach, players) to get back on tract sooner rather than later.

They all will more than likely hit the wall the same way the Hawks and Kings have too. The point is that they've maximized the window of time they had with their star players to give them a chance to win every year.

I'm not expecting us to be the elite in the Final Four every year again like we were during our run. But they should be competing to get in every year and have a shot at things going right to go on a run again
- Savetheembers33

That's fine if that's your goal. Mine is to be a Cup contender again. That was fun. Making the playoffs this year and getting smoked in the 1st round does nothing for me.

Even with the "down years" each team had they never hit the level the Hawks have over recent years. When they had their down years they took that time to make the necessary changes (GM, Coach, players) to get back on tract sooner rather than later.

They all will more than likely hit the wall the same way the Hawks and Kings have too. The point is that they've maximized the window of time they had with their star players to give them a chance to win every year.

I'm not expecting us to be the elite in the Final Four every year again like we were during our run. But they should be competing to get in every year and have a shot at things going right to go on a run again
- Savetheembers33

I'm with you on what they should do going forward. The problem is right now the Hawks are reaping what they've sown for going for it in 16 and 17. They lost Danault, and their 1st and 2nd round picks for Ladd, Wiese, etc. They have gotten some good young players recently (ADB, Dach, Boq, etc) they are just not ready yet.

Is no one going to mention the Bruins having 3 consecutive 1st Rd picks and getting bupkis out of them?
- Elbows15

Nah...that doesnt matter

Seemed when PITT got rid of their idiot coach and brought in a "retread" in Mike Sullivan...they magically became better

Cassidy spend several years coaching in the minors, and as an assistant (to Trent Yawney here in CHI) and actually paid his dues/learned the ropes prior to becoming a good NHL coach

Hawks truck out this clown and cant figure out why players arent hitting their potential

Maybe play your 3 best centers as the 3 best centers on the team would be a start? Taking a slow, 1 dimensional center like Strome...who had 51pts in 59gms as a CENTER...maybe play him back at center?

Maybe put the 3 horrible offensive players in Kampf, Highmore and Carpenter where they all belong...on the 4th line (and keep them there)?

Nah...that doesnt matter

Seemed when PITT got rid of their idiot coach and brought in a "retread" in Mike Sullivan...they magically became better

Cassidy spend several years coaching in the minors, and as an assistant (to Trent Yawney here in CHI) and actually paid his dues/learned the ropes prior to becoming a good NHL coach

Hawks truck out this clown and cant figure out why players arent hitting their potential

Maybe play your 3 best centers as the 3 best centers on the team would be a start? Taking a slow, 1 dimensional center like Strome...who had 51pts in 59gms as a CENTER...maybe play him back at center?

Maybe put the 3 horrible offensive players in Kampf, Highmore and Carpenter where they all belong...on the 4th line (and keep them there)?
- PatShart

Hello, Shart. Just wanted to note that I thought you had some excellent posts in the last few days. I'll agree to disagree on the depth of JC's idiocy (I don't think now is time to worry about him - that'll be when they're better for me).

Hopefully this does not ruin your day.

Do you think boycotting the UC will cause Toews, Kane, Keith to waive their NMC's? They get paid whatever the attendance is. And if they do trade them, and Stan gets 60 cents on the dollar, you won't be whining because Stan didn't get fair value?
- LAHawk

Nah time to rebuild. As Rocky said, "Winning heals all." We'll all get over the sentimental connection to these guys as soon as we make the playoffs.

Hello, Shart. Just wanted to note that I thought you had some excellent posts in the last few days. I'll agree to disagree on the depth of JC's idiocy (I don't think now is time to worry about him - that'll be when they're better for me).

Hopefully this does not ruin your day.
- mohel

What. The. Fuc...

Is no one going to mention the Bruins having 3 consecutive 1st Rd picks and getting bupkis out of them?
- Elbows15

Yes that was a MAJOR screw up for them, but they were able to hit in other areas so it gets overlooked. It doesn't matter how many picks you have as long as you hit on them.

That's where Ottawa is at with the ridiculous amount of draft picks they have now. That's great, but you have to pick the right guys.

What. The. Fuc...
- PatShart

Sorry, dude..... lol.

That's fine if that's your goal. Mine is to be a Cup contender again. That was fun. Making the playoffs this year and getting smoked in the 1st round does nothing for me.
- mohel

I think you're misinterpreting what I'm saying because we have the same idea in mind. I'm not talking about barely being a WC team and getting smoked in the 1st round every year just getting into the Playoffs to be in the Playoffs. I'm talking about actually being competitive with teams in the West and fighting for division titles again. The goal should be to get in every year because once you are you have a chance at winning a Cup. Being at the level we used to be at is EXTREMELY unlikely to happen again. Blow up the team and trade everyone. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Winning a cup with Kane and Toews is possible with the right moves being made, but that is being wasted doing the same thing every year and hoping for the best because it worked five years ago.

We both want the same thing. We all do. Whether or not we think it can be done with both Kane and Toews still being around is debatable. Whether we want it or not that's likely not going to change. However, having a new voice with new ideas and connections in the league might make that more possible.

I'm with you on what they should do going forward. The problem is right now the Hawks are reaping what they've sown for going for it in 16 and 17. They lost Danault, and their 1st and 2nd round picks for Ladd, Wiese, etc. They have gotten some good young players recently (ADB, Dach, Boq, etc) they are just not ready yet.
- Chunk

Agreed and once again my theme is that goes at the feet of one GM Stanley Bowman.

Nah...that doesnt matter

Seemed when PITT got rid of their idiot coach and brought in a "retread" in Mike Sullivan...they magically became better

Cassidy spend several years coaching in the minors, and as an assistant (to Trent Yawney here in CHI) and actually paid his dues/learned the ropes prior to becoming a good NHL coach

Hawks truck out this clown and cant figure out why players arent hitting their potential

Maybe play your 3 best centers as the 3 best centers on the team would be a start? Taking a slow, 1 dimensional center like Strome...who had 51pts in 59gms as a CENTER...maybe play him back at center?

Maybe put the 3 horrible offensive players in Kampf, Highmore and Carpenter where they all belong...on the 4th line (and keep them there)?
- PatShart

Strome at center? Nah have him play dump and chase as a winger. Teams won't expect it!

Turn Dcat into a puck carrying/play making forward too instead of goal scorer. That will really catch teams off guard!!!

Might as well put Carpenter as Kane's center and Saad on his wing so he has less options to pass to since no one on his line can shoot the damn puck.

Boq has the best point shot on the team. Lets have him not on PP1 and when he is tell him not to shoot every time.... (he should have multiple shot attempts on every PP. You want teams to respect the point shot then he needs to be there shooting the puck).

Heres a fun fact....

The Amazing Steve Yzerman traded a much better Ben Bishop to LA for 33yr old G Budaj, a young Dman in Cernak and a 7th round pick

Where idiot Stan got a bad, but young G in Subban but a 2nd round pick and a young Dman as well for Lehner

So how exactly did they Hawks get fleeced as some think? Or assume they should have gotten more

Yes that was a MAJOR screw up for them, but they were able to hit in other areas so it gets overlooked. It doesn't matter how many picks you have as long as you hit on them.

That's where Ottawa is at with the ridiculous amount of draft picks they have now. That's great, but you have to pick the right guys.
- Savetheembers33

And then develop them....

Nah...that doesnt matter

Seemed when PITT got rid of their idiot coach and brought in a "retread" in Mike Sullivan...they magically became better

Cassidy spend several years coaching in the minors, and as an assistant (to Trent Yawney here in CHI) and actually paid his dues/learned the ropes prior to becoming a good NHL coach

Hawks truck out this clown and cant figure out why players arent hitting their potential

Maybe play your 3 best centers as the 3 best centers on the team would be a start? Taking a slow, 1 dimensional center like Strome...who had 51pts in 59gms as a CENTER...maybe play him back at center?

Maybe put the 3 horrible offensive players in Kampf, Highmore and Carpenter where they all belong...on the 4th line (and keep them there)?
- PatShart

To your point, when the Hawks brought in Coach Q he wasn't this amazingly highly regarded coach in the league. He was a good coach who had success in St. Louis and Colorado. His message was received and respected among the players and it took them to the next level. Obviously this wasn't the only piece, but it was A PIECE of the puzzle to help them win.

Bringing in a successful respected coach could have made a difference with this team but we'll never know.

Instead we're trying to understand why JC is making some of the choices that he does with the roster

Heres a fun fact....

The Amazing Steve Yzerman traded a much better Ben Bishop to LA for 33yr old G Budaj, a young Dman in Cernak and a 7th round pick

Where idiot Stan got a bad, but young G in Subban but a 2nd round pick and a young Dman as well for Lehner

So how exactly did they Hawks get fleeced as some think? Or assume they should have gotten more
- PatShart

Don't you dare use logic and previous trades as example here pal!