Well winning the draft lottery and picking 2nd last year kind of helps
- BetweenTheDots

That and other than their one Cup appearance since '95, where they essentially earned the right to lose to the Hawks or the Kings, they're still sitting on like two Cup wins in the last 70 years.

They look like they'll be an exciting team but Tampa Bay's a pretty good reminder of how hard it is to actually win.

Theo, I've worked for one of the 10 largest companies in the world for the last 31 years. One of our guiding principles is 'Respect for people'. That goes for both our customers, and our associates.

Another pillar is communication. I know EXACTLY what our company is doing, and why we are doing it. I may not always agree, but there is mutual respect. Gone is the day when employees can be treated like mushrooms, kept in the dark and covered in sh8t.

You don't treat people like the core is being treated. Not if you want your organization to be respected around the league. I thought that's what Rocky was interested in. I may have been wrong.
- scottak

Good thoughts, thanks for sharing. Btw, I'm going to steal that, "Gone is the day when employees can be treated like mushrooms, kept in the dark and covered in sh8t" line.

I've worked for organizations that communicate well and others that suck majorly at it. It's not fun working for the latter.

That last part is key. It's not about making sure the players get their way. Rather, it's about making sure they know what's going on now and in the future (i.e. a plan) so they're not blindsided.

The players, coaches, or whoever don't need to agree and many are naturally going to dissent. If management doesn't expect that fact, then they are naive.

And it's not that you have to ask every single player "Is it okay if we trade Saad?" but more so letting them know before the trades happen that changes are on the way and this is the reasoning.

Again, did this happen? Maybe, maybe not. Doesn't sound like they did according to what the core, especially Toews, had to say.
- Theo Fox

I don't think they were contacted until after the fact last year on Maatta, deHaan, Smih, Carpenter and Lehner either?

I didn't say they got nothing. But a first and a kid like Jost was absurd is all I was saying
- GPHawksfan

Who said that? I didn't. All I said was a first plus at the TDL, but never went into specifics or teams to target.

I don't think they were contacted until after the fact last year on Maatta, deHaan, Smih, Carpenter and Lehner either?
- rpeters01

That sounds correct according to what we know.

At the end of the day, if management chooses not to communicate with the players to some degree or other, then that's on them.

I just think it would be naive for management to think that the players are going to be cool with the transactions and be on board wholeheartedly with whatever the plan is.

And maybe management simply doesn't care what the players think. I personally don't like that approach but management also may not care what a fan like me thinks.

I think he's harder to play against than Carpenter. Does he kill penalties?
- rpeters01

He does.

Who said that? I didn't. All I said was a first plus at the TDL, but never went into specifics or teams to target.
- HawkintheD

It was said by others on here. That return specifically.

I don't think they were contacted until after the fact last year on Maatta, deHaan, Smih, Carpenter and Lehner either?
- rpeters01

I think that's a bit different, though, yes? I mean, they'd been told that the team was trying to be competitive and those trades/signings (excluding Smith) fall in-line with that plan.

Now you've got the team shedding vets without any communication that the plan has shifted to a full rebuild. The FO doesn't have to communicate with the core about that, for sure, but when the players have so much power (due to NMC and respect with the fans and in the NHL), imo it's always best err on the side of keeping them in the loop, even if just high level.

He does.
- Elbows15

We have an opening for that job.

Good thoughts, thanks for sharing. Btw, I'm going to steal that, "Gone is the day when employees can be treated like mushrooms, kept in the dark and covered in sh8t" line.

I've worked for organizations that communicate well and others that suck majorly at it. It's not fun working for the latter.
- Theo Fox

This was probably just an internal slip up - Interim President Danny Wirtz was very busy interviewing people to take his place on a permanent basis and just as he was about to fax Toews, Seabs, Kane and Keith some info about team plans going forward he realized his machine was out of paper. Which of course is Stan's fault.

Somewhere McD is smiling like a Cheshire cat.

I think that's a bit different, though, yes? I mean, they'd been told that the team was trying to be competitive and those trades/signings (excluding Smith) fall in-line with that plan.

Now you've got the team shedding vets without any communication that the plan has shifted to a full rebuild. The FO doesn't have to communicate with the core about that, for sure, but when the players have so much power (due to NMC and respect with the fans and in the NHL), imo it's always best err on the side of keeping them in the loop, even if just high level.
- L_B_R

Putting it out there could definitely weaken an already weak position.

According to the rumour mill the Jets are on the verge of moving Jack Roslovic. He’s the type of young forward Stan should target.

That sounds correct according to what we know.

At the end of the day, if management chooses not to communicate with the players to some degree or other, then that's on them.

I just think it would be naive for management to think that the players are going to be cool with the transactions and be on board wholeheartedly with whatever the plan is.

And maybe management simply doesn't care what the players think. I personally don't like that approach but management also may not care what a fan like me thinks.
- Theo Fox

And if I recall Coach Q was blind sided by the Panarin/Saad and Hammer/Murphy trades. Based on the playing time he afforded Fleischmann, Wiese and Daley after their trades it looked like he wasn't involved in those trade discussions either.

Wonder if Colliton knew about these recent moves ahead of time?

According to the rumour mill the Jets are on the verge of moving Jack Roslovic. He’s the type of young forward Stan should target.
- DarthKane

Looking for a top for left hand D in return.

Clifford signed with the Blues, in case anybody still worried that he would sign here.

That last part is key. It's not about making sure the players get their way. Rather, it's about making sure they know what's going on now and in the future (i.e. a plan) so they're not blindsided.

The players, coaches, or whoever don't need to agree and many are naturally going to dissent. If management doesn't expect that fact, then they are naive.

And it's not that you have to ask every single player "Is it okay if we trade Saad?" but more so letting them know before the trades happen that changes are on the way and this is the reasoning.

Again, did this happen? Maybe, maybe not. Doesn't sound like they did according to what the core, especially Toews, had to say.
- Theo Fox

Excellent post

Theo....if you were the other GM, would you definitely expect to get a trade done without sacrificing your best prospects?
- jhawk59

This was part of a longer post of yours but just wanted to focus on the question you posed to me.

In response, yes, but the other GMs should also expect that is what trade partners are going to be asking.

Sakic in this case has the right to protect his assets he finds most valuable and willing to part with the rest.

Bowman also has the right to say no to a trade if the other GM isn't willing to part with what is coveted.

Apparently Zadorov and Lindholm were sufficient in Bowman's eyes and possibly the Avs were the only team willing to listen on offers.

Did Bowman have to make the deal now? Could he have said "thanks but no thanks" and wait to find another deal later? Or is he expected to slash payroll by a certain date no matter the return?

As I predicted yesterday, Stan has lost the core. This is not how you treat future HOFers, who have made your franchise valuable. .
- scottak

Do you think Stan lost the core the last week or this is just the cherry on top? ...... One thing the core can say is Stan treated them like his children and as HOFers when it came to paying them and giving them term.

If he'd have taken the Stevie Y way of doing things the core would not have the money and term they have but would probably still be real contenders for the cup.

Because Stan over-took care of the core he's now in a position as a desperate cornered dog.

I think that's a bit different, though, yes? I mean, they'd been told that the team was trying to be competitive and those trades/signings (excluding Smith) fall in-line with that plan.

Now you've got the team shedding vets without any communication that the plan has shifted to a full rebuild. The FO doesn't have to communicate with the core about that, for sure, but when the players have so much power (due to NMC and respect with the fans and in the NHL), imo it's always best err on the side of keeping them in the loop, even if just high level.
- L_B_R

Very sensible

That sounds correct according to what we know.

At the end of the day, if management chooses not to communicate with the players to some degree or other, then that's on them.

I just think it would be naive for management to think that the players are going to be cool with the transactions and be on board wholeheartedly with whatever the plan is.

And maybe management simply doesn't care what the players think. I personally don't like that approach but management also may not care what a fan like me thinks.
- Theo Fox

Lidstrom did have Holland's ear. He didn't make personnel decisions, but he did get to offer his opinion on the direction the team should go.

I think that's a bit different, though, yes? I mean, they'd been told that the team was trying to be competitive and those trades/signings (excluding Smith) fall in-line with that plan.

Now you've got the team shedding vets without any communication that the plan has shifted to a full rebuild. The FO doesn't have to communicate with the core about that, for sure, but when the players have so much power (due to NMC and respect with the fans and in the NHL), imo it's always best err on the side of keeping them in the loop, even if just high level.
- L_B_R

It’s also just a matter of simple respect - for your co-workers (in this case, players, coaches) and clients-customers (the fans). I think you give out as much information as you can without compromising the plan or giving away secret details.

As an aside - I wonder how much they informed Colliton about these moves - remember Quenneville and the Hjalmarsson deal?

EDIT TO ADD: the last already noted by Boilermaker.

I think it's less about the core's feelings but about the reputation of the team. The Hawks have always been a highly rated organization with players but they've taken some hard hits over the years starting with ousting Q, a well-liked coach, and now upsetting core that won them a lot of cups. Even though all the moves are necessary - it is time to start rebuilding, possibly past time - it's not great to have those star players speaking out against the org.

A simple heads up to Toews, Keith, and Kane right before they make the announcement about Crawford likely prevents these types of interviews and heads off any pot stirring from the press. That's it. It's not required, it's definitely a courtesy but also one that makes good business sense if only to keep the employees quiet and reputation intact.
- L_B_R

As always, making sense and articulating it better than I did. While I do feel for them as human beings, I think the public complaining about Stan's negotiations approach from several star players and, now, the Captain talking disrespect is not likely to help them in the UFA / Euro market. Welcome back!

Putting it out there could definitely weaken an already weak position.
- rpeters01

You can time it so that Toews know before Lazarus.

Obviously where Bowman needs to upgrade. The hardest for him is to get this type of player. A major trade, a significant free agent sign, or a draft choice (probability more that it is a first or second round) is where we fetch this power forward.

Bowman rearranged the deck but he did get the type style dman we need. If one of our non pro dmen (prospects: thinking more about Moberg long-term away or some collegiate guys) is able to move into an NHL job and actually plays a style similar or about the same as Zadorov, then maybe Zadorov could be dealt in a package deal for a top six bruiser.
- jhawk59

Don't think Cole Moberg fits that uber-physical defender persona. Of all the defensemen in the piepline, really the one that fits that persona is the newest and very latest one to be drafted in 2020 7th rounder Louis Crevier.

Crevier has the tools and size but still a longshot to make the team or be anything else but the next Viktor Svedberg or Simon Danis-Pepin.

We got fleeced. Wtf are you doing Stan?