It's too late to turn back now. Bowman has backed this team into a corner and they will be knocked out no matter what happens. Let's go back a short while ago...signs Kane and Toews to 10.5 million contacts each. Kane was/is worth it...Toews despite great leadership and faceoff capabilities, he was NEVER worth it. Signed Seabs to a ridiculous contract...to move his contract we took on a small, aging unproductive and over paid player in Johnson...signed Bickell to a ridiculous contract and then to move him we gave up Teuvo...traded a MVP candidate in Panarin for a former player who was never worth his money...traded a young defender for a middle aged defender (Jones) and then gave him a RIDICULOUS contract. Someone mentioned asking Kane and Toews if they would like to waive NM clauses and go elsewhere, this will bring up more issues since we will have to either retain salary or take back another big poor contract or even worse give up a young player and do one of the aforementioned. NO ONE will take Jones off our hands. Fleury will play this year and walk not that that will be a loss since he never was going to consider staying...Lehner would have been a better keeper. THIS TEAM IS IN SUCH DISARRAY AND I HAVEN'T EVEN MENTIONED THE POOR COACHING. Watch a game and count how many times we pass the puck to a player who is so completely covered that it ultimately turns the puck over to the opponent. Count how many times we send the puck around the boards behind the net only to have it go directly to an opponent. Count how many times the goalie plays the puck behind the net only to do the same thing, send it to an opponent. Count how many dump ins are NOT retrieved by a Hawk player in BOTH the offensive and defensive zones. I have never been so sure of anything in my life, this team as it is playing now, with the coaching staff as is WILL NOT EVEN SNIFF THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING IN THE PLAYOFFS LET ALONE BE CUP CONTENDER.

What floor is it on?
- Angotti

Please Lou, don’t be drawn to the dark side.

You maybe right and the whole thing from top to bottom needs to be re-evaluated and possibly blown up and replaced.

I am curious however where you got the ability to look at someone and determine their intellect and competence? It’s an ability I sure wish I had.
- paulr

Hello Paul, hope you and yours are healthy and staying well.
Surely continuing stressful times for everyone.

Re the bolded above, probably as a result of "carrying a bag" for over 40 years of my adult professional life selling professional services. Seen too many people over the years with that "deer in the headlights/clueless look in their eyes/faces. Whenever that happens, only not-so-good outcomes usually follow.

When they showed that view of the bench/coaches towards the end of the game on ESPN, that's exactly what I saw, that blank look in their eyes like they had no clue of what had happened or had been happening and no idea of how to move past.

Please Lou, don’t be drawn to the dark side.
- paulr

Not there yet, but a change or two needs to be made. I would start with Colliton and Gus, that would make my day. I was never against Colliton, but I don’t see another option at this time other than to release him of his coaching duties.

I'd like to see Kurshev sit for at least one game. He hasn't done much in the first four games. I missed the first period but that poor pass by Borgstrom in third period soured me on him so he could sit too.

I'd like to see Strome and/or Gaudette in on Thursday's game. I think JC still needs some more tinkering with lines.

I'd like to see Kurshev sit for at least one game. He hasn't done much in the first four games. I missed the first period but that poor pass by Borgstrom in third period soured me on him so he could sit too.

I'd like to see Strome and/or Gaudette in on Thursday's game. I think JC still needs some more tinkering with lines.
- Popsghostly

I'm 100% on sitting Kurashev. I've been big on him since he first arrived in Hawks training camp a couple/few seasons ago, but seems like he has a sophomore slump going on right now. Just not effective very often.

I'd like to see Kurshev sit for at least one game. He hasn't done much in the first four games. I missed the first period but that poor pass by Borgstrom in third period soured me on him so he could sit too.

I'd like to see Strome and/or Gaudette in on Thursday's game. I think JC still needs some more tinkering with lines.
- Popsghostly

Borgstrom did make a mistake, no doubt, but to me he was the best forward the first 2 periods. And he does have a great set of mitts. Probably the only forward willing to go into the greasy areas all game.

Even Crawford?
- mohel

Yikes...

If even Crawford couldn't help, they are doomed.

Meanwhile in Montreal, Les Canadiens off to a 0-4-0 start. Bergevin turned down an extension over the summer. Does he want out or was he gambling his team would be a Cup contender again and get a bigger contract? Of course it's early in the season and Montreal like the Hawks have plenty of time to turn their seasons around. However, if not on both counts, does Montreal can Bergy and if Stan survives, does he bring him in as the new GM?

Borgstrom did make a mistake, no doubt, but to me he was the best forward the first 2 periods. And he does have a great set of mitts. Probably the only forward willing to go into the greasy areas all game.
- LAHawk

True. That second goal was such a backbreaker still feeling bitter.

Meanwhile in Montreal, Les Canadiens off to a 0-4-0 start. Bergevin turned down an extension over the summer. Does he want out or was he gambling his team would be a Cup contender again and get a bigger contract? Of course it's early in the season and Montreal like the Hawks have plenty of time to turn their seasons around. However, if not on both counts, does Montreal can Bergy and if Stan survives, does he bring him in as the new GM?
- boilermaker100

Only if he cuts his hair.

This is beyond winning and losing. They need to bring someone in who actually can teach hockey 101. This team does so many of the little things wrong it's next to impossible to string a solid 60 minutes together. My favorite is the 3 guys behind the goalie net, WTF. So many have scored from there. Irresponsible passes across center ice in your own end. This is what happens when a staff doesn't seem to care or understand center ice in your own end is the most important real estate to protect. How as a professional coach you can justify playing Gusto after that 1st goal. No consequences i guess

Only if he cuts his hair.
- Popsghostly

He can go to Colliton's stylist.

JC got a healthy dose of boos during the intros last night. Tickets are easy to come by now. Has to be only a matter of time before he's gone. They ran into the hot goalie in the first, and it all started unraveling as soon as the Isles scored that first goal, with it starting to snowball after the second. After the third goal, the booing started in earnest. We can talk about systems and line combos and D pairings all day, but the mentality has to change, and JC has been here long enough to be blamed for the current team mentality.

There was a play last night with Toews where he saw a loose puck near his own blue line, and in days of old, he pounces on it and gets a breakaway chance. For whatever reason, his reaction was a little slower, or he was a bit tentative, and he had to back off because he wasn't going to get there first. Tough to see that.

This is beyond winning and losing. They need to bring someone in who actually can teach hockey 101. This team does so many of the little things wrong it's next to impossible to string a solid 60 minutes together. My favorite is the 3 guys behind the goalie net, WTF. So many have scored from there. Irresponsible passes across center ice in your own end. This is what happens when a staff doesn't seem to care or understand center ice in your own end is the most important real estate to protect. How as a professional coach you can justify playing Gusto after that 1st goal. No consequences i guess
- BetweenTheDots

They only gave up 4 high danger chances the whole game. So sorry that talking point does not fly for last night's game. Islanders capitalized on theirs, the Hawks did not capitalize on the Isle's, case in point ADB's breakaway. I was more upset the Hawks went back to playing soft in the offensive end. They went back to the Globetrotter weave offense, when a good shot opportunity happened, Sorokin had no traffic in front.

I'm also beginning to believe Lankinen>MAF

I'm also beginning to believe Lankinen>MAF
- BetweenTheDots

I agree here too.

MAF was left out to dry on many of the goals but hasn't been the difference maker he was brought in to be. He made some highlight reel saves so far but let in a few softer ones and also got caught behind the net on one of his goals.

Lankinen on the other hand has played steady hockey in his one outing... Errr... more than one if you include when MAF was pulled.

They only gave up 4 high danger chances the whole game. So sorry that talking point does not fly for last night's game. Islanders capitalized on theirs, the Hawks did not capitalize on the Isle's, case in point ADB's breakaway. I was more upset the Hawks went back to playing soft in the offensive end. They went back to the Globetrotter weave offense, when a good shot opportunity happened, Sorokin had no traffic in front.
- LAHawk

Things like high danger scoring chances and 5 on 5 scoring chances only matter when they make JC look bad. To Dots, those things are not relevant today. Check back with him next game to determine whether they are again relevant.

It's too late to turn back now. Bowman has backed this team into a corner and they will be knocked out no matter what happens. Let's go back a short while ago...signs Kane and Toews to 10.5 million contacts each. Kane was/is worth it...Toews despite great leadership and faceoff capabilities, he was NEVER worth it. Signed Seabs to a ridiculous contract...to move his contract we took on a small, aging unproductive and over paid player in Johnson...signed Bickell to a ridiculous contract and then to move him we gave up Teuvo...traded a MVP candidate in Panarin for a former player who was never worth his money...traded a young defender for a middle aged defender (Jones) and then gave him a RIDICULOUS contract. Someone mentioned asking Kane and Toews if they would like to waive NM clauses and go elsewhere, this will bring up more issues since we will have to either retain salary or take back another big poor contract or even worse give up a young player and do one of the aforementioned. NO ONE will take Jones off our hands. Fleury will play this year and walk not that that will be a loss since he never was going to consider staying...Lehner would have been a better keeper. THIS TEAM IS IN SUCH DISARRAY AND I HAVEN'T EVEN MENTIONED THE POOR COACHING. Watch a game and count how many times we pass the puck to a player who is so completely covered that it ultimately turns the puck over to the opponent. Count how many times we send the puck around the boards behind the net only to have it go directly to an opponent. Count how many times the goalie plays the puck behind the net only to do the same thing, send it to an opponent. Count how many dump ins are NOT retrieved by a Hawk player in BOTH the offensive and defensive zones. I have never been so sure of anything in my life, this team as it is playing now, with the coaching staff as is WILL NOT EVEN SNIFF THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING IN THE PLAYOFFS LET ALONE BE CUP CONTENDER.
- Chisoxhawk

imo as long as bowman and company and the current coaching staff is here hawks will be in the bottom 10 of the league for the foreseeable future. Same mistakes by the gm and coaching staff continue to happen and until rocky and Danny Wirtz get their head out of the sand this what the fans will get. Some people will agree with me some won't. It's my opinion if Kane is dealing with an injured then sit him same for towel. But change needs to happen hawks will be mired in mediocre or worse.

Borgstrom did make a mistake, no doubt, but to me he was the best forward the first 2 periods. And he does have a great set of mitts. Probably the only forward willing to go into the greasy areas all game.
- LAHawk

Borgstrom fine just a learning curve skill talent and willingness is there just needs time to develop.

This post is to give everyone a heads up that any derogatory terms used in a post will be flagged.

To be clear, this is in response to a post in the message board for the previous blog regarding Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. It's each person's right to not like someone else or to disagree with them but please don't use derogatory terms.

I have contacted the poster via private message.

I agree here too.

MAF was left out to dry on many of the goals but hasn't been the difference maker he was brought in to be. He made some highlight reel saves so far but let in a few softer ones and also got caught behind the net on one of his goals.

Lankinen on the other hand has played steady hockey in his one outing... Errr... more than one if you include when MAF was pulled.
- Popsghostly

How was he in the 2nd half of last season? League average or under.

This post is to give everyone a heads up that any derogatory terms used in a post will be flagged.

To be clear, this is in response to a post in the message board for the previous blog regarding Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. It's each person's right to not like someone else or to disagree with them but please don't use derogatory terms.

I have contacted the poster via private message.
- Theo Fox

Is it still okay to call the Hawks a pack of lavender sniffers?

How was he in the 2nd half of last season? League average or under.
- mohel

He was no Malcolm Subban in the shootout

This post is to give everyone a heads up that any derogatory terms used in a post will be flagged.

To be clear, this is in response to a post in the message board for the previous blog regarding Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. It's each person's right to not like someone else or to disagree with them but please don't use derogatory terms.

I have contacted the poster via private message.
- Theo Fox

Not a big fan of Lightfoot at all (probably the worst Chicago mayor in my time) but agree with your actions on that one Theo.