When Toews says that there is success when they play the way JC wants them to play; does that mean the players don't grasp the system or don't want to commit to playing it?
- mohel

That "when" in his statement was telling

Brookbank is a disaster as defensive coach. The Hawks lack at every metric of defensive play since he has been the D coach. We need actual coaches and not internal promotions or fun names fans recognize. Colliton is arguably a top five worst coach in the league, maybe he’ll be good some day but he refuses to adapt his awful man to man system. It’s no surprise that Keith wanted out after three years of trying this euro league nonsense, and Seabrook also probably has few fond memories of ‘the system’. I’ll give him credit for having any system at all, because Ulf Samuelsson was a pure embarrassment who thought maybe 80s goon play was a viable option.

When you have 3 one-dimensional slow D men, one retread who couldn’t stop a curling rock, and whatever Stillman is becoming, you can’t afford to chase guys out to the blue line and leave the crease unattended. Our forwards aren’t going to cover for Murphy when he skates 2 mph to the blue line and falls. These pylon dmen would actually be effective and staying in their zone and guarding the net front, but Colliton thinks otherwise. Get a real coach like Julien or Boudreau, and dump all the rest besides Crawford and Waite.
- ObeseOprah

Interesting take. Ulf was a Q guy, as was Kitchen and lets not forget all the heat they took as the D coach. I tend to agree that a combination whatever system JC is trying to run and the inability of Brookbank to teach or adjust to anything seems to be a major issue. I think under a competent coach the structure can change to be very effective with the personnel they have. Jones, Murphy, McCabe and DeHaan are all NHL quality defenseman. Since JC has come in, how many maybe quality defensemen have been jettisoned. Jokiharju and Boqvist are the obvious ones, Rutta and Kempney seem to have been serviceable Dmen for Cup teams.

At some point if Bowman believes that he is providing NHL level talent, and it is not living up to expectations then the coach(s) have to go.

That "when" in his statement was telling
- pdx2ord

Which means?

via GIPHY

- DarthKane

TBH, I’d rather see Kurashev and/or Gaudette over Carpenter, give the kids a chance to show if they are keepers or not. Actually Kurashev is a keeper (IMHO), they need to find out what they have in Gaudette.

Firstly, good to see you posting again. I haven't seen your distinctive Naruto avatar in a while.

Personally I wouldn't retain Brookbank either and prefer they just clean house with the coaches. If they are to do an internal hire, do it for the interim basis only which is why I wouldn't mind King.

The assistant and player development staff in Rockford can hold down the fort well enough if King is temporarily reassigned, i.e. Sorensen, Coyne-Schofield, Campbell, and Kunitz.
- Theo Fox

Haha yeah it’s been a long time. Glad to see the familiar faces are still here. The website has somehow gotten worse, but what can you do. I’m going to the game tonight, might wear my Hartford Quenneville jersey… for the historical ramifications if they lose.

I have no problem with Bergevin, but what exactly has he won in his 10 years in MTL?
- TheTrob

Pass on Bergevin he been trying to rebuild the Habs for 10 years caught lightning in bottle last season but now seeing what Habs really are Unbalanced like the hawks.

Thank you Theo for a fine read.

Excluding Marc Crawford (who I would not want to be the next coach), who do you think would be named the next coach? Do you think a GM would be named first so he can pick his coach? With some of the negative press the organization has had, do you think they might go in the direction of hiring a minority coach just to counter some of that bad press? Or possibly a coach with Native American ties?

If I had my choice, I would like then to hire an experienced NHL GM and let him hire his coach. But no one from the organ-I-zation has asked me yet.
- powerenforcer

We have an experienced GM with 2.5 cups. What other GM can say that? What other GM has not made mistakes? The Stan argument is nauseating.

TBH, I’d rather see Kurashev and/or Gaudette over Carpenter, give the kids a chance to show if they are keepers or not. Actually Kurashev is a keeper (IMHO), they need to find out what they have in Gaudette.
- Angotti

Hello, Lou. I see and agree with your point. I do see one good possibility, though. Perhaps Kurashev and Gaudette are sitting a game may indicate that they are not doing things the way the coaches want them done. If so, I'm good with it. If it is just a random thing to shake things up, then I'd rather see both.

TBH, I’d rather see Kurashev and/or Gaudette over Carpenter, give the kids a chance to show if they are keepers or not. Actually Kurashev is a keeper (IMHO), they need to find out what they have in Gaudette.
- Angotti

I'd rather see Carpenter driving a school bus. When it comes to hockey he's not very good.

How about Chris Lamoriello, Lou's son. he currently is assistant GM of the Isle's, been a scout, director of player personnel. Obviously, the lineage is there, plus he has been successful on his own.
- LAHawk

But is rocky and Danny Wirtz going to fire bowman is the big question even though bowman should've been gone awhile ago but that's a different conversation. Or will the Wirtz fall into that bears bulls and white Sox predicament in which hold to certain management personnel for too long. Imo if the hawks don't make the playoffs and finish in the lower half of the league again then its time to clean house. We will know by Thanksgiving where this team is and where they are going.

Pass on Bergevin he been trying to rebuild the Habs for 10 years caught lightning in bottle last season but now seeing what Habs really are Unbalanced like the hawks.
- Scott1977

Are you making a case for Stan?

I know he's not popular but I would think Marc Crawford would get consideration as at least the interim and wouldn't doubt if Derek King gets bumped up from Rockford to be an assistant in Chicago if not possibly on the short list for interim.

The Trob mentioned this in another post how Sheldon Brookbank and Tomas Mitell are in charge of the defense. Brookbank also helps with the PK but Crawford manages both special teams which so far this young season are strengths.

If Jeremy Colliton gets canned, I would imagine at least Mitell goes with him, too. Brookbank could get preserved especially if Crawford is retained.

This isn't to say I would want Crawford long term.

Outside the organization, eagle50 mentioned Ted Nolan. He would be one to consider. People rave about him yet he's been on some proverbial "do not hire" list for whatever reason.
- Theo Fox

Not a fan if king just my opinion so pass for me.

But is rocky and Danny Wirtz going to fire bowman is the big question even though bowman should've been gone awhile ago but that's a different conversation. Or will the Wirtz fall into that bears bulls and white Sox predicament in which hold to certain management personnel for too long. Imo if the hawks don't make the playoffs and finish in the lower half of the league again then its time to clean house. We will know by Thanksgiving where this team is and where they are going.
- Scott1977

The sad part is that if the hawks are out of it by Thanksgiving, they can’t gain anything by losing more games. They traded their first round pick for next year for Jones. Maybe they can get something at the deadline for Fleury, de Haan, and a few others but I doubt anyone brings back a first. Not sure what bums me out more, when Stan trades a first round pick the year before that draft, or when Stan trades a first round pick a couple years after they’re drafted. Teuvo, Jokiharju, Boqvist, Danault, Schmaltz… [Baby Come Back starts playing louder]

Are you making a case for Stan?
- mohel

God no I think both are about equal as gm over the last 5 or so years just keep spinning there wheels. We're retooling we're going for it just endless cycle.

We have an experienced GM with 2.5 cups. What other GM can say that? What other GM has not made mistakes? The Stan argument is nauseating.
- rpeters01

I don't disagree. Peter Chiarelli won a Cup as GM of the Bruins but I think most here wouldn't want him anywhere near the GM role.

I haven't heard much about the post Keith/Seabrook era.

SJones McCabe as stalwarts but not always on the ice together, is the two dmen whom could attempt to replicate the act those long time Blackhawks left

Until some kids on defense progress farther in the devopmental curve, the fond memories of strong defensive efforts is locked away in the corner of our brain. I really liked Boqvist but he appears fragile and susceptible to injury.

In a different.subject area, I had posted that the price tag is too high and the calibre of players received is arguably no better than our current collection. You have to give good insofar as receive good player. Bowman is not trading another first round and doubtful he wod trade DeBrincat, Dach, Kane or Kubalik. So if we get anyone I expect a veteran dman

TBH, I’d rather see Kurashev and/or Gaudette over Carpenter, give the kids a chance to show if they are keepers or not. Actually Kurashev is a keeper (IMHO), they need to find out what they have in Gaudette.
- Angotti

I don’t think Strome, Gaudette, Kurashev or Borgstrum are 4th line types. So rotating Carp in for Hardiman is ok by me. A 4th line of Carpenter, Entwistle, Khaira is not even in the top 10 on the list of the Hawk’s many problems.

I think you are correct.

(I am in Hollywood right now.LA Hawk)
- wiz1901

I'm so sorry to hear that.

The sad part is that if the hawks are out of it by Thanksgiving, they can’t gain anything by losing more games. They traded their first round pick for next year for Jones. Maybe they can get something at the deadline for Fleury, de Haan, and a few others but I doubt anyone brings back a first. Not sure what bums me out more, when Stan trades a first round pick the year before that draft, or when Stan trades a first round pick a couple years after they’re drafted. Teuvo, Jokiharju, Boqvist, Danault, Schmaltz…
- ObeseOprah[Baby Come Back starts playing louder]

That pick is lottery protected. Could come in handy the way this season is developing.

We have an experienced GM with 2.5 cups. What other GM can say that? What other GM has not made mistakes? The Stan argument is nauseating.
- rpeters01

Isn't Stan President or something like that? GM position is vacant.

I don’t think Strome, Gaudette, Kurashev or Borgstrum are 4th line types. So rotating Carp in for Hardiman is ok by me. A 4th line of Carpenter, Entwistle, Khaira is not even in the top 10 on the list of the Hawk’s many problems.
- Ztra

Although I’d like to see Kurashev develop into a good top nine forward, he also brings what is needed on the fourth line, so I respectfully disagree there. As far as Strome, Gaudette, and Borgstrom, I do agree with your statement.

Hello, Lou. I see and agree with your point. I do see one good possibility, though. Perhaps Kurashev and Gaudette are sitting a game may indicate that they are not doing things the way the coaches want them done. If so, I'm good with it. If it is just a random thing to shake things up, then I'd rather see both.
- mohel

That’s a fair statement if indeed that’s the plan. If JC is just shaking things up, then I no likey.

I know he's not popular but I would think Marc Crawford would get consideration as at least the interim and wouldn't doubt if Derek King gets bumped up from Rockford to be an assistant in Chicago if not possibly on the short list for interim.

The Trob mentioned this in another post how Sheldon Brookbank and Tomas Mitell are in charge of the defense. Brookbank also helps with the PK but Crawford manages both special teams which so far this young season are strengths.

If Jeremy Colliton gets canned, I would imagine at least Mitell goes with him, too. Brookbank could get preserved especially if Crawford is retained.

This isn't to say I would want Crawford long term.

Outside the organization, eagle50 mentioned Ted Nolan. He would be one to consider. People rave about him yet he's been on some proverbial "do not hire" list for whatever reason.
- Theo Fox

A ton of rumors that went back and forth on why he's not been back in the league. He took two god awful teams to the playoffs (Buff, NYI) but had huge gaps in NHL employment. Most of the issues seem to stem form the fact that he doesn't seem to work well with any of his GM's. He's cited racism in the past, and he's been on the receiving end of it at times during his coaching career (mostly in the minors).

He also kind of took a poop on Hasek when he was coaching Buffalo which didn't sit well with many GM's.

We have an experienced GM with 2.5 cups. What other GM can say that? What other GM has not made mistakes? The Stan argument is nauseating.
- rpeters01

All GM's make mistakes. A lot depends on what you determine is success. Is making the playoffs considered success? Does a GM have to win a Cup to be considered successful? Lets say building a team to make the playoffs is considered successful. The Pengiuns have made the playoffs 15 straight years, next closest are the Caps and Preds at 7 years.

The Penguins have won 3 Cups and changed GM's multiple times in the last 15 years. Poile has been GM of the Preds since their inception (25 seasons) and was GM of the Caps for 15 seasons and has never won a cup with either.

So what defines a good GM, is the 3 cups (2.5) they have won under Stan a strong enough case to erase missing the playoffs for multiple years since the last one. Or, has Stan always been an idiot living off the prior regimes of Smith and Tallon (because we can all see what they have accomplished since)

Which means?
- mohel

I asked the question a couple of blogs ago after his quote was published - if the team wins "WHEN" it buys in and commits to the system, does the losing indicate they have either 1) not bought in, or 2) not committed? Either/and is a major concern.

Last blog I quoted the Isles' story on how they were able to turn it around under Trotz and wondered what element(s) were problematic or missing in this team (e.g., do we have several players who are too individually-focused?) that was/were preventing us from making that cultural shift. You can't change culture by mandate, so what do we lack that is keeping us from having a winning mentality?