Load up the top 6.
Debrincat Dach Kane
Hagel Toews Kubalik (they have some history)

Make the 4th line all sandpaper.
Khaira Entwistle Carpenter (Hardman)

Pick a 3rd line from
Johnson Borgstrum Gaudette Kurashev Strome

That may be too easy and make too much sense for Colliton.

Load up the top 6.
Debrincat Dach Kane
Hagel Toews Kubalik (they have some history)

Make the 4th line all sandpaper.
Khaira Entwistle Carpenter (Hardman)

Pick a 3rd line from
Johnson Borgstrum Gaudette Kurashev Strome

That may be too easy and make too much sense for Colliton.
- Ztra

I’m not directing this at you, but do the line combos matter anymore? I doubt that JC will find the magical combination to make things better and set the team on a 10 game winning streak.

Load up the top 6.
Debrincat Dach Kane
Hagel Toews Kubalik (they have some history)

Make the 4th line all sandpaper.
Khaira Entwistle Carpenter (Hardman)

Pick a 3rd line from
Johnson Borgstrum Gaudette Kurashev Strome

That may be too easy and make too much sense for Colliton.
- Ztra

This would then put thebonusbon him to match lines - which he has shown that heneither does not want that, or isn't very good at it.

The next option, would be to balance lines then roll them - which he does sporadically like last nightm

But then put your best 12 players out there on 4 balanced lines. Have the lines make some sort of sense.

But having both Carpenter and Khaira in the lineup, doesnt make much sense, to me

But apparently he and his staff sold it to Stan and the players either need to buy in, get shipped out....or look like this and absorb the criticism

Shame to me the players are put into this situation, along with this front office situation - but, what can you do. The sellouts are stopping and fans are booing.

Meanwhile, good on Q taking FLA to the next level. For a guy that some assumed players didnt like and HE couldn't coach young players, he continues to excel.

This would then put thebonusbon him to match lines - which he has shown that heneither does not want that, or isn't very good at it.

The next option, would be to balance lines then roll them - which he does sporadically like last nightm

But then put your best 12 players out there on 4 balanced lines. Have the lines make some sort of sense.

But having both Carpenter and Khaira in the lineup, doesnt make much sense, to me

But apparently he and his staff sold it to Stan and the players either need to buy in, get shipped out....or look like this and absorb the criticism

Shame to me the players are put into this situation, along with this front office situation - but, what can you do. The sellouts are stopping and fans are booing.

Meanwhile, good on Q taking FLA to the next level. For a guy that some assumed players didnt like and HE couldn't coach young players, he continues to excel.
- PatShart

What does it matter if you put your 3 best forwards out there since the design in the back end almost always produces breakouts with 2 forwards and 1 dman once the opponent can generate any kind of pressure in our own end.

https://twitter.com/ClayT...-draws-laughable-crowd%2F

wow look at those huge crowds. probably all at the hawks game oh wait.....

While the team's a mess right now it's apples to oranges. You're taking a 6 game sample size and comparing it to an 82 game one where there were stretches of both good play and bad.

I think this year's team is better on paper but it hasn't translated on ice. Will it?

Idk but that's why they play them. Also not sure how much worse things have to get but in the Athletic it sounds like Stan has no intention of moving on from JC unless things get really bad.
- HawkintheD

Maybe a reporter should ask SB his definition of "really bad"

https://twitter.com/ClayTravis/status/1450932703835136000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1450932703835136000%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outkick.com%2Fwnba-champion-chicago-skys-parade-draws-laughable-crowd%2F

wow look at those huge crowds. probably all at the hawks game oh wait.....
- SaskHawkFan

Ouch

The good news, the Blackhawks are only 2 points behind COL, the favorite to win the Western Conference.

So they’ve got that going for ‘em, which is nice.

I’m not directing this at you, but do the line combos matter anymore? I doubt that JC will find the magical combination to make things better and set the team on a 10 game winning streak.
- DarthKane

Who ya got: Torts or Crawford as a JC replacement?

We can complain about systems and coaching all you want, but to completely absolve the players o this is malpractice.

Its hard to believe this team could play this bad, in spite of the absolute inept coaching and systems.

No, you’re the one getting bent. I never once stated the reason the hawks failed was because of him. Seth Jones was a horrible decision to make him our #1 dman. I believe I have been carrying that narrative since he was trade to us.

And yes the team was better last year without him. So, I believe I have proven my point.
- Diamondhands

NO it was NOT better last year without him....but keep singing that narrative all you want.

While the team's a mess right now it's apples to oranges. You're taking a 6 game sample size and comparing it to an 82 game one where there were stretches of both good play and bad.

I think this year's team is better on paper but it hasn't translated on ice. Will it?

Idk but that's why they play them. Also not sure how much worse things have to get but in the Athletic it sounds like Stan has no intention of moving on from JC unless things get really bad.
- HawkintheD

Dont bother...1 of many who continue to think that any time ANYTHING goes wrong for the Hawks it's because of Jones....who outside of the Colorado game, has been pretty solid and what I expected. And that Colorado game.....the entire team was horse crap.

Pretty comical this on going narrative on this blog regarding Jones.

Kane is still playing with an injury from last season. Don’t you remember.

Toews will probably never be himself again.

Lastly, as I explained in the previous post (should be directly above this one) I don’t blame Jones for the teams disastrous start but we were better last year without him. Also, his constant failing was not worth the trade which analytics clearly stated.
- Diamondhands

Then analyze the team and stop going after one skater.

Jones has just had two pretty good games - he seems to be settling in after starting out as poorly as everyone else.

Kane’s injury, whatever it is - yes - it didn’t get better while he played thru it last season, it didn’t get better after a summer off, it hadn’t gotten better playing with it this season….Maybe surgery is required, maybe surgery isn’t possible and it will never get better….In any case, he’s not providing his expected production.

Same with Toews - no points in 5 games. If his past is much better than his probable future, perhaps he shouldn’t be playing top-6 center minutes.

Kubalik is 0+0=0skating 5x5 (he has a 6x5 goal)
Dach is 1+1=2 (the only meaningful 5x5 goal so far)
Entwistle is 1+0=1
Murphy is 1+0=1
Hagel is 0+2=2
Kane, Gustafsson, Jones each have 1 assist 5x5
Toews and deBrincat have bupkis 5x5

If this year’s team is worse than last year’s (and it shouldn’t be), it’s absurd to think that’s it’s because of Jones, as you imply.

Then analyze the team and stop going after one skater.

Jones has just had two pretty good games - he seems to be settling in after starting out as poorly as everyone else.

Kane’s injury, whatever it is - yes - it didn’t get better while he played thru it last season, it didn’t get better after a summer off, it hadn’t gotten better playing with it this season….Maybe surgery is required, maybe surgery isn’t possible and it will never get better….In any case, he’s not providing his expected production.

Same with Toews - no points in 5 games. If his past is much better than his probable future, perhaps he shouldn’t be playing top-6 center minutes.

Kubalik is 0+0=0skating 5x5 (he has a 6x5 goal)
Dach is 1+1=2 (the only meaningful 5x5 goal so far)
Entwistle is 1+0=1
Murphy is 1+0=1
Hagel is 0+2=2
Kane, Gustafsson, Jones each have 1 assist 5x5
Toews and deBrincat have bupkis 5x5

If this year’s team is worse than last year’s (and it shouldn’t be), it’s absurd to think that’s it’s because of Jones, as you imply.
- StLBravesFan

Well...according to sources per some beat and national guys....Bowman is 100% safe and JC is safe unless things get "really bad".....so we can stop asking what it will take to fire JC...it's not happening, and this is where things get aggravating as a fan.

100% OK with the rebuild we saw and while they were tough to watch...at least we knew the direction.

Then....out of panic, and I'm 100% certain said panic was due to a lack of ticket sales and STH....they make some aggressive moves, not jones as much, but Johnson, and Fleury....and their hard on to deal Shaw's contract.....we are back in a Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox mindset where you just continue to band aid a sinking ship with recognizable names to not alienate your fan base.

Yes, only 5 games....but it would be 1 thing to be losing each game like they did vs New Jersey vs the other 4 where 90% of the 3rd periods didn't mean a thing.

Remarkable direction for a franchise that seems to be completely lost right now ON the ice.....

Question - is the defense bad because Bowman (or his scouts) do not know how to pick dmen or Colliton's system? But there is always the team defense concept. My answer: at the moment, it is a combination of both. But in essence, it is Stan. i do not recall one dman that has worked out for Stan, except John O and maybe Rozival. That is it. This is related to draft picks and free agents for 11 years. they road Brent, Keith, and Hammer for a long time (pre Stan).

Question - is the defense bad because Bowman (or his scouts) do not know how to pick dmen or Colliton's system? But there is always the team defense concept. My answer: at the moment, it is a combination of both. But in essence, it is Stan. i do not recall one dman that has worked out for Stan, except John O and maybe Rozival. That is it. This is related to draft picks and free agents for 11 years. they road Brent, Keith, and Hammer for a long time (pre Stan).
- Topshelf2010

I think that's fair to question.....

If they were rushed up, or drafted too high, or not developed....most of the D men he has acquired that have panned out have been via trade or UFA......I am racking my brain to think of some kid they drafted and developed who began a pillar on the back end since 2010....

Who ya got: Torts or Crawford as a JC replacement?
- Assman22

Doesn't matter who it is, the board will be complaining about some line combo or roster decision within minutes.

But, just for the fun of it, I'd love to see Torts.

NO it was NOT better last year without him....but keep singing that narrative all you want.
- SteveRain

Is that really any different than the "nothing is Seth's fault" narrative you sing?

Is that really any different than the "nothing is Seth's fault" narrative you sing?
- mohel

DO I sing that narrative....please advise and show me where I have stated Jones is NOT to blame.

I said he was bad vs Colorado....

But nice try though spinning words again....always can count on you. Keep it up. One day it may work.

Doesn't matter who it is, the board will be complaining about some line combo or roster decision within minutes.

But, just for the fun of it, I'd love to see Torts.
- mohel

Same. Chicago loves their hot-headed coaches

Then analyze the team and stop going after one skater.

Jones has just had two pretty good games - he seems to be settling in after starting out as poorly as everyone else.

Kane’s injury, whatever it is - yes - it didn’t get better while he played thru it last season, it didn’t get better after a summer off, it hadn’t gotten better playing with it this season….Maybe surgery is required, maybe surgery isn’t possible and it will never get better….In any case, he’s not providing his expected production.

Same with Toews - no points in 5 games. If his past is much better than his probable future, perhaps he shouldn’t be playing top-6 center minutes.

Kubalik is 0+0=0skating 5x5 (he has a 6x5 goal)
Dach is 1+1=2 (the only meaningful 5x5 goal so far)
Entwistle is 1+0=1
Murphy is 1+0=1
Hagel is 0+2=2
Kane, Gustafsson, Jones each have 1 assist 5x5
Toews and deBrincat have bupkis 5x5

If this year’s team is worse than last year’s (and it shouldn’t be), it’s absurd to think that’s it’s because of Jones, as you imply.
- StLBravesFan

Well, it does indeed appear that the board has already decided that this team is worse than last year's. Considerably worse. So, following board emotion....errrr logic...If that is the case, Jones was the major addition brought in to make them better. If the team is worse, he has to be part of the reason.

Of course, the team might be better than last year, and Seth could be a reason for that.

In the words of the great Orval Tessier:

Chicago players need "heart transplants"

This all smells of the Wirtz's losing money during the pandemic and being cheap/cutting costs

All the "re-org", getting rid of off ice product. Hiring this cheap staff rather than paying a competent one...all while being valued at 1.36 billion

They won't trade 19&88 as they are the only draw to the stadium at this point.

They'll lock up 12 long term to the 10mil dollar deal and the next 10yrs will be the McD/Cubs blueprint of marketing, marketing, marketing.....when it was winning that matters

Same. Chicago loves their hot-headed coaches
- Assman22

They just need somebody who is going to hold veterans accountable for mistakes. Want to change the culture of losing? Start holding EVERYONE accountable for bone headed mistakes.

Exhibit A...2-1 game late in the 2nd and a guy who has been scratched since the preseason takes a lazy, dumb offensive zone penalty......leads to another NECESSARY penalty or else it was a back door tap in...and boom.....3-1 heading into intermission.

perfect time to bench Strome for at least a shift, if not multiple...yet there he is skating around.

that to me is a perfectly OK to question Collition on. Strome isn't a rookie....it's not a teaching moment....he knows better, and should have been held accountable.

DO I sing that narrative....please advise and show me where I have stated Jones is NOT to blame.

I said he was bad vs Colorado....

But nice try though spinning words again....always can count on you. Keep it up. One day it may work.
- SteveRain

Maybe re-read your posts, Chief. Somebody says something negative about Seth, and you react like he's your relative.

C'mon man.