Ah, no.

Unless you believe Barry Trotz is a moron. Barry says systems don't matter much, it is about commitment to the system chosen. JC has not been able to get the boys to commit to defense, or cannot effectively teach the system.

C'mon man, quit with the misrepresenting.
- mohel

What else do you need to hear?!??!

An ex player said they, players, don’t know who to pick up in the zone and leave guys wide open.

Jesus Christ. Are you related to JC?

And If the players quit, the new narrative, the. Why did they battle back against Colorado, and New Jersey?

I’m dying to hear this spin

Jc hasn’t taught these guys anything and the mass confusion happens each and every game. Have elbows pull up one of his fancy charts and show you how many ample grade A chances opposing teams get because the hawks as a unit, forwards and defense, have zero clue what and who is responsible for what.

Sorry. Going to take andrew Shaw’s take on this vs guys on a blog who refuse to ever admit when they are wrong. No wonder why so many others stopped posting here. Time to join them myself.

I agree it is a dumpster fire right now. I said above I would get a new coach.

Howver, players should never quit. Imo.
- mohel

I don't believe the players have quit imo I just think they have no idea what system is being runned and how it's being implemented. It looks like mass confusion on the ice alot of the time. Not only this past 3 games but since JC has arrived. And seems JC us not willing to adjust his systems so this is what we got.

That's been my question for a while - IF the guys on the ice have no idea what they are supposed to be doing (which appears to be the case, and was backed up by Shaw's comment yesterday), have they gone as a group above JC's head to make that clear? I cannot / will not believe they enjoy what is happening, and if they see a way to make it better, would they not do that? Would be especially meaningful coming from the guys who've played under other, successful coaches.
- pdx2ord

Why were the results better last year (especially the 1st half of the season) with considerably less talent? Did last year's guy understand better what they were supposed to do?

What else do you need to hear?!??!

An ex player said they, players, don’t know who to pick up in the zone and leave guys wide open.

Jesus Christ. Are you related to JC?

And If the players quit, the new narrative, the. Why did they battle back against Colorado, and New Jersey?

I’m dying to hear this spin

Jc hasn’t taught these guys anything and the mass confusion happens each and every game. Have elbows pull up one of his fancy charts and show you how many ample grade A chances opposing teams get because the hawks as a unit, forwards and defense, have zero clue what and who is responsible for what.

Sorry. Going to take andrew Shaw’s take on this vs guys on a blog who refuse to ever admit when they are wrong. No wonder why so many others stopped posting here. Time to join them myself.
- SteveRain

Never mind, Rainman. Not worth conversing with someone who either doesn't read what is written or simply lies about it.

Why were the results better last year (especially the 1st half of the season) with considerably less talent? Did last year's guy understand better what they were supposed to do?
- mohel

No clue - maybe trying to get the more-talented players, who may play largely on instinct at this point in their careers, to adopt a completely new way of playing, is causing them to overthink in game? "Them" being the guys we need to perform or we're toast.

Seemed to be what happened frequently with the leftovers from Q's reign during JC's first year. His second year, he had a lot of returning faces.

I'm rarely in favour of cleaning out a coaching staff early in a season, especially with so many new additions to the roster. But it may be time after these 3 starts.

At the very least I would relieve Brookbank of his D duties and bring in Jacques Martin - the world's most boring man. But he sure knows how to evaluate and coach NHL blue liners. 2 Cups in Pittsburgh with some very mediocre defenceman.
- RickJ

I'd happily accept boring and knowledgeable. Jacques Martin a great consideration. (Assuming he might be interested). Think his asking price would be considerably more than what Brookbank is receiving. As the saying goes....Pay me now, or pay me later.

I don't believe the players have quit imo I just think they have no idea what system is being runned and how it's being implemented. It looks like mass confusion on the ice alot of the time. Not only this past 3 games but since JC has arrived. And seems JC us not willing to adjust his systems so this is what we got.
- Scott1977

Yep, wrote the same earlier. He's also not made lineup and playing time decisions based on defensive performance.

Never mind, Rainman. Not worth conversing with someone who either doesn't read what is written or simply lies about it.
- mohel

Keep deflecting all you want. It’s what you and your crew do as well as anyone in society. Oh and bash and gang up on anyone who calls you all out on your bullpoop.

What once was a fun blog with multiple takes is now a blog who’s narrative is controlled by a minute amount of posters and anyone who refuses to bend to their style is ridiculed and bullied into submission.

To those who continue to post contrary to the pack of 50+ males acting like a pack of pms 13 ur old girls….god speeds. Not worth the aggravation to me any longer. I’ll miss the interaction with some of you that’s been on going since 2007 over at the daily herald under Sassone but this is just crazy.

Theo, suggest you figure this out before your posting to a few amount and are eventually cat fished by these guys when they don’t like your style. Can’t trust a snake(s) no matter who they try to charm.

I agree it is a dumpster fire right now. I said above I would get a new coach.

Howver, players should never quit. Imo.
- mohel

I agree Mo, but we can’t be surprised by a little less drive in that environment, that’s just human nature.

What else do you need to hear?!??!

An ex player said they, players, don’t know who to pick up in the zone and leave guys wide open.

Jesus Christ. Are you related to JC?

And If the players quit, the new narrative, the. Why did they battle back against Colorado, and New Jersey?

I’m dying to hear this spin

Jc hasn’t taught these guys anything and the mass confusion happens each and every game. Have elbows pull up one of his fancy charts and show you how many ample grade A chances opposing teams get because the hawks as a unit, forwards and defense, have zero clue what and who is responsible for what.

Sorry. Going to take andrew Shaw’s take on this vs guys on a blog who refuse to ever admit when they are wrong. No wonder why so many others stopped posting here. Time to join them myself.
- SteveRain

Many of the guys no longer posting here were complaining as the Hawks were winning cups. Quite frankly they were idiots and their comments couldn’t be taken seriously.

With all the fan pressure, JC will probably be gone. But this is the exact same problem that was here in the last two seasons under Q. Most Defensemen unable or unwilling to play defense. Most Forwards unable or unwilling to play defensively. There’s no reason for me to think another coach is fixing that.

Bowman raised expectations this off-season by abandoning the rebuild and bringing in Jones and MAF. And Jones doesn’t bring what the team needs most, strong defense.

Let’s say the Hawks win the next five games, they won’t be as good as they appear and they are not as bad as the last three games. My biggest concern other than the forwards not playing defensively is that in 180 minutes of regular time I’ve only seen the team play three minutes with intensity and passion in the last three minutes of the Jersey game.

No clue - maybe trying to get the more-talented players, who may play largely on instinct at this point in their careers, to adopt a completely new way of playing, is causing them to overthink in game? "Them" being the guys we need to perform or we're toast.

Seemed to be what happened frequently with the leftovers from Q's reign during JC's first year. His second year, he had a lot of returning faces.
- pdx2ord

But for sure this season's issues are not on the more talented players getting worse results than last year's less talented players under the same coach and horrendous system....

Keep deflecting all you want. It’s what you and your crew do as well as anyone in society. Oh and bash and gang up on anyone who calls you all out on your bullpoop.

What once was a fun blog with multiple takes is now a blog who’s narrative is controlled by a minute amount of posters and anyone who refuses to bend to their style is ridiculed and bullied into submission.

To those who continue to post contrary to the pack of 50+ males acting like a pack of pms 13 ur old girls….god speeds. Not worth the aggravation to me any longer. I’ll miss the interaction with some of you that’s been on going since 2007 over at the daily herald under Sassone but this is just crazy.

Theo, suggest you figure this out before your posting to a few amount and are eventually cat fished by these guys when they don’t like your style. Can’t trust a snake(s) no matter who they try to charm.
- SteveRain

I'll converse with you all day, as long as you actually read what I wrote, and don't lie about what I've said. It ain't hard.

It must be...
Jones doesnt bring strong D....Kane quits....Keith was selfish...Toews is disgruntled/not a team player if he won't play JC's system...

Amazing how they ever won anything in their careers. They all were driven to win/be labeled leaders....all until now when the decide to stop what made then successful

This is why a guy like Kris Bryant is in SF - and will thrive elsewhere and everyone else wonders how/why in the he-ll he isn't a lifetime Cub.

Its interesting that Keith as he aged/declined....kept getting saddled with 18yr olds. Whether it was Joki, Boqvist, Mitchell, etc


Yet now Mitchell, Beaudin, Galvas - all older/more experienced under the teacher JC - can't get #6min....ahead of Gus.

I thought it was Q who hated young players and couldn't develop them...and handpicked Gus is taking ice time from all those prospects

Gus must not be a quitter.

I agree Mo, but we can’t be surprised by a little less drive in that environment, that’s just human nature.
- Angotti

I agree with that, Lou. Just seems more like an effort to get rid of the coach, which I'm not a fan of. As I wrote above, I'd give the players what they want. Of course, they may not like the new guy much.

Many of the guys no longer posting here were complaining as the Hawks were winning cups. Quite frankly they were idiots and their comments couldn’t be taken seriously.

With all the fan pressure, JC will probably be gone. But this is the exact same problem that was here in the last two seasons under Q. Most Defensemen unable or unwilling to play defense. Most Forwards unable or unwilling to play defensively. There’s no reason for me to think another coach is fixing that.

Bowman raised expectations this off-season by abandoning the rebuild and bringing in Jones and MAF. And Jones doesn’t bring what the team needs most, strong defense.

Let’s say the Hawks win the next five games, they won’t be as good as they appear and they are not as bad as the last three games. My biggest concern other than the forwards not playing defensively is that in 180 minutes of regular time I’ve only seen the team play three minutes with intensity and passion in the last three minutes of the Jersey game.
- paulr

And Toews, Dach and McCabe.

Its interesting that Keith as he aged/declined....kept getting saddled with 18yr olds. Whether it was Joki, Boqvist, Mitchell, etc


Yet now Mitchell, Beaudin, Galvas - all older/more experienced under the teacher JC - can't get #6min....ahead of Gus.

I thought it was Q who hated young players and couldn't develop them...and handpicked Gus is taking ice time from all those prospects

Gus must not be a quitter.
- PatShart

I can’t stand Gus but I prefer him on the Hawks right now to those guys you mentioned. None are NHL ready and none need to be in Chicago during theses trying times. Look how many posters are already calling Dach a bust, the kids you mentioned don’t need that additional pressure along with what is becoming a circus.

I've never been a big fire JC fan but I think he needs to go now before it's too late. It doesn't appear there is a defensive scheme that works.

A few thoughts from watching last night:

Toews was -3 but on 2 of the goals, Kurashev didn't rush back and on the other, had his back to the shooter, missing his man.

Jones looks good when he has the puck. He weaves and is fluid. He's not the biggest problem we have and he's not a defensive D-Man.

DeHaan is terrible. Lots of hesitation. I'd rather him on the 3rd pairing.

DKat has not played well in these past 3 games. He's made quite a few ill-advised passes.

I like how Khahira and Entwhistle play. Their line with Gaudette played well as a fourth line.

I'd say sit Kurashev and insert Strome in the line-up for the next game.

And Toews, Dach and McCabe.
- mohel

Very true. I actually had meant to add that, had expectations not been raised, I think the fans would be a little more calm and dare I say rational. This is a very average team at best but it seems some fans thought it was going to be a contender.

I've never been a big fire JC fan but I think he needs to go now before it's too late. It doesn't appear there is a defensive scheme that works.

A few thoughts from watching last night:

Toews was -3 but on 2 of the goals, Kurashev didn't rush back and on the other, had his back to the shooter, missing his man.

Jones looks good when he has the puck. He weaves and is fluid. He's not the biggest problem we have and he's not a defensive D-Man.

DeHaan is terrible. Lots of hesitation. I'd rather him on the 3rd pairing.

DKat has not played well in these past 3 games. He's made quite a few ill-advised passes.

I like how Khahira and Entwhistle play. Their line with Gaudette played well as a fourth line.

I'd say sit Kurashev and insert Strome in the line-up for the next game.
- Popsghostly

You hit the nail on the head! A coach is only as good as his players and so far his players haven’t been good. And it’s probably best for everyone to release JC now.

Its interesting that Keith as he aged/declined....kept getting saddled with 18yr olds. Whether it was Joki, Boqvist, Mitchell, etc


Yet now Mitchell, Beaudin, Galvas - all older/more experienced under the teacher JC - can't get #6min....ahead of Gus.

I thought it was Q who hated young players and couldn't develop them...and handpicked Gus is taking ice time from all those prospects

Gus must not be a quitter.
- PatShart

Hello, Shart. Glad to see you back lately.

Why was Keith saddled with the kids? Because he was still the best defensive player on the Hawks. That's not JC's doing. I imagine if Keith played fewer minutes against lower QoC, this board would certainly not blamed JC.

Opponents have scored 13 goals in the 3 games - 12 were 5x5, 1 was 3x3.

I’m only going by memory here (and we all know how tired a 76 year old memory can be), but it seems that a large majority of the goals were scored off of the rush, not off of a 5x5 setup.

I’ve also had the opinion that the zone clears, outlet passes, and transition are much better than most of last seasons - they get bogged down trying to enter the ozone and setting up (they still have no 5x5 setup or cycle game). But the are doing a better job of clearing the dzone.

The breakdowns are coming in the neutral zone, not getting back, losing the opponent in the chaos of transition. And the goalies not being as helpful as they could be in bailing the skaters out. And not being able to put a bad play behind them, not being able to quickly adjust to opponent aggressive play to start a game, leading to several goals in succession (the 3 and 4 first period goal streaks).

If I’m correct, I think it puts just as much onus on the players - especially the team leaders - as it does on the coaches (not that I think Colliton is the answer).

Very true. I actually had meant to add that, had expectations not been raised, I think the fans would be a little more calm and dare I say rational. This is a very average team at best but it seems some fans thought it was going to be a contender.
- paulr

Just like during the Cup run!

Opponents have scored 13 goals in the 3 games - 12 were 5x5, 1 was 3x3.

I’m only going by memory here (and we all know how tired a 76 year old memory can be), but it seems that a large majority of the goals were scored off of the rush, not off of a 5x5 setup.

I’ve also had the opinion that the zone clears, outlet passes, and transition are much better than most of last seasons - they get bogged down trying to enter the ozone and setting up (they still have no 5x5 setup or cycle game). But the are doing a better job of clearing the dzone.

The breakdowns are coming in the neutral zone, not getting back, losing the opponent in the chaos of transition. And the goalies not being as helpful as they could be in bailing the skaters out. And not being able to put a bad play behind them, not being able to quickly adjust to opponent aggressive play to start a game, leading to several goals in succession (the 3 and 4 first period goal streaks).
- StLBravesFan

And strangely the penalty kill has been outstanding.

Hello, Shart. Glad to see you back lately.

Why was Keith saddled with the kids? Because he was still the best defensive player on the Hawks. That's not JC's doing. I imagine if Keith played fewer minutes against lower QoC, this board would certainly not blamed JC.
- mohel

But now these kids can't even get 6th D minutes?

WTH were they doing in the lineup in the first place?

And not you, but Galvas is 22 and was playing in pro leagues. Mitchell is 22/will be 23 in season.

Zero point in Gus on this roster.

And "what up". It'll be short lived again as I was watching the "free games" on TV vs buying the package still.

There are just so many red flags with this coach and his mismanagement