When I say paralyzed I mean by the team's direction since the NSH sweep. They are all in, they are then rebuilding, they are back to all in and now StanBow says despite last offseason's moves they are still rebuilding.

To any OUTSIDER these are the ramblings, put into place in practice, by an empowered madman. Now was Stan told to do a, b and c? Who knows but the end result is a directionless franchise.

I think most would agree any plan, even one that fails, is better than a fickle constantly changing plan.

Hawks are not gonna win a cup in the next 2-3 yrs but the cupboard is not bare. Look at the CLB rebuild! In one day just moving a Jones they jump the line 2-3 yrs. It does not have to be a 5-6 yr slog.
- Mr Ricochet

I’m no more happy than you about the way the Hawks abandoned the rebuild but I’m also really dismayed by the Jones trade and signing. That trade put the hawks in a bad place to rebuild and in their salary cap structure for an OK defenseman who is weak defensively.

Now imagine had the Hawks traded Kane, Toews, Seabrook and Keith in 2016? Can you imagine the return in draft picks and prospects because everyone of those players was more valuable in 2016 than Jones was last summer. Now Mr. Ricochet, be honest, had Bowman traded the core in 2016 would you have been on board or would Bowman have been a madman or a visionary?

And speaking of madman. Words like that distort any civil debate or discussion. No one in hockey, except possibly Aldrich, is a madman. And nothing Bowman did was the right thing for many on this site no matter what he did. I don’t like many of his moves but I liked many others. Many of the Posters who dislike Bowman do not give him credit and that stagnates any productive discussions.

In Hawks on-ice news


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
No sign of Kane, Toews, Stillman, Khaira or Borgstrom — the 5 guys on the COVID list — at Blackhawks morning skate.

This is a plum job in a very large city and an extremely valuable Original 6 market to the NHL and TV. We aren't talking about the f'n Coyotes, Panthers, Blue Jackets or Predators here. This calamity is up there with major inflicted damage if suffered by the Rangers, Leafs, Bruins, Habs markets.

You can be sure NHL Head Office will have their say and Bettman will be involved in assisting Rocky to find best fit. Money will be no object in doing the necessary things to repair the brand.

John Davidson is exactly the right type of guy. He would be my first choice.
- RickJ

Excellent context. Guess I knew but really didn't put it together the importance of the Hawks to the league. It really is in the league's best interest for the Hawks to be a competitive franchise, at least.

In that context never put together the league would/might "counsel" Rocky on how to proceed. It seems so simple to hire an experienced hockey guy to construct the plan and hire hockey people to carry that out. So simple one fears it won't happen that way.

Would Rocky and Danny know how to conduct a search for a Davidson type and even know that getting a top experienced hockey mind is Step 1? I really don't know but after reading your thoughts on the league maybe helping them along I feel better that it may happen and the right guy is hired.

It is beyond horrible why the Hawks are thrust into a new chapter in their existence but a true chance to lay the foundation for a 20 yr run of significance. A monumental chance to do the right thing.

Anyway I believe John Davidson is back with the Finn GM in CLB.

Run it back with Dale and bring it Torts. Let’s go!

Just a few comments:

** Good lord, what a horrible situation, just unbelievable
** Internal investigation was the best thing the Hawks could have done. Had this come from outside Hawks may be looking at much stiffer penalties. The current penalties seem very light
** Q is likely not long for it, he too should be terminated if allegations are true
** Disappointed any of these men (Bowman, Q, whoever) were allowed to "step down". They should have been FIRED and maybe Q will be. Then, good.
** How much did the players know about this? I am reading some disturbing things. If they knew, then the Cup IS tainted
** I disagree that addressing this in 2010 would have hurt the team's chances to win the Cup. Had the Hawks met it head on the moment allegations surfaced, you quickly get in front of it, fire the video guy and press charges. You keep the steamroller rolling while ALSO maintaining your integrity

And off the beaten path again
** I am NOT blaming the victim, but it's kinda weird to me a "Video Guy" could force a pro hockey player into a sexual situation. Hockey players are supposed to be badass. Imagine trying to force Bob Probert into something like that? I know not everyone is as tough as he was, but it's just odd a pro hockey player can be forced into this. Reminds me of the BS that happened at Penn State, college football players are some sturdy boys, can't believe they didn't pummel that scumbag coach. And yes I understand that "power" is not always meant to be physical, and psychological power can be just as, even more, detrimental. This just underscores my ignorance.

In the end this has all but ended the NHL season for Hawks fans. I am contemplating cancelling my Center Ice. I hope the organization finds a great GM who 1) can restore integrity to the organization, 2) build an organization from the ground up.

I am also ending my vendetta against Bowman, he is not worth it, an entitled hack who got to where he was because of his last name. I am also done speaking of Coach Q with reverence, he's as much of a scumbag as the rest of them. Truly sad.

And lastly, as I mentioned Penn State, their legendary coach Joe Paterno was mixed up in much the same way Bowman and Q were mixed up in this scandal. It was a black stain on the PSU program, but they rose from the ashes and are now back to being a prominent program again. So this too shall pass and the hawks will, one day, become a great team again. Hopefully this time without the slime.
- kwolf68

Stopped reading there.

I'm not racist but
I respect freedom of speech but
I'm not blaming the victim but

Nobody cares about what you think of the victim, it's not you and you weren't there.

While I agree, an interesting piece in the Athletic illustrated that Stan was trying to plan a rebuild in 2018 but McIsaac was vehemently against it, to the extent of ‘we’ll all be fired!’ Or something similar.

This is the kind of thinking that prevents organizations from having a healthy self awareness that they’re no longer a cup contender. It makes me wonder if this last offseason wasn’t another McIsaac directed move. With the logic that the rebuild was over after just one season and the win now mode being on. It’s really sad to me that we gave up Boqvist and two firsts, which would be some really potent pieces… to chase and then overpay Seth Jones, despite how much I like him. If we had kept the rebuilding mindset I think all of us die-hard fans would be on board. Usher along this next wave of talent while letting the vets we have eat the hard minutes. Instead we have this and no first round next year, as if we’re 6-0.

I’m no more happy than you about the way the Hawks abandoned the rebuild but I’m also really dismayed by the Jones trade and signing. That trade put the hawks in a bad place to rebuild and in their salary cap structure for an OK defenseman who is weak defensively.

Now imagine had the Hawks traded Kane, Toews, Seabrook and Keith in 2016? Can you imagine the return in draft picks and prospects because everyone of those players was more valuable in 2016 than Jones was last summer. Now Mr. Ricochet, be honest, had Bowman traded the core in 2016 would you have been on board or would Bowman have been a madman or a visionary?

And speaking of madman. Words like that distort any civil debate or discussion. No one in hockey, except possibly Aldrich, is a madman. And nothing Bowman did was the right thing for many on this site no matter what he did. I don’t like many of his moves but I liked many others. Many of the Posters who dislike Bowman do not give him credit and that stagnates any productive discussions.
- paulr

There's an article in the Athletic by Lazerus and Powers, quoted both by me and pdxord last night about how Bowman floated the idea of a selloff to his staff at the 2018 entry draft. MacIsaac, described by the authors as McD's eyes and and ears in hockey operations, vehemently shot it down.

So obviously Bowman's hands were tied and McD had the final say on the team's direction. Of course, being the President he had that authority, so the result from 2016 to 2019 was to keep the stars around, tinker around the edges of the roster, hope to play winning hockey and keep fannies in the UC's seats.

Then last year McD is gone, Stan is promoted and he says he is starting a rebuild.

Now this past off season he takes a different tack. Was he afraid that he would be implicated in the scandal when it came to light in early 2021, decided to bolster the team, and hope for a winner on the ice to justify his employment? Or he did he think that McD would be the fall guy and he would be safe?

Excellent context. Guess I knew but really didn't put it together the importance of the Hawks to the league. It really is in the league's best interest for the Hawks to be a competitive franchise, at least.

In that context never put together the league would/might "counsel" Rocky on how to proceed. It seems so simple to hire an experienced hockey guy to construct the plan and hire hockey people to carry that out. So simple one fears it won't happen that way.

Would Rocky and Danny know how to conduct a search for a Davidson type and even know that getting a top experienced hockey mind is Step 1? I really don't know but after reading your thoughts on the league maybe helping them along I feel better that it may happen and the right guy is hired.

It is beyond horrible why the Hawks are thrust into a new chapter in their existence but a true chance to lay the foundation for a 20 yr run of significance. A monumental chance to do the right thing.

Anyway I believe John Davidson is back with the Finn GM in CLB.
- Mr Ricochet

Ricco, so far I like the steps that Danny Wirtz has done. He did start shuffling the deck when he came in, he promoted Stan while saying that a new GM would be bought in eventually. I think this lawsuit and investigation put on hold a lot of his off-ice changes. Like Rocky brought in a change when he took over, I think Danny will also. He sure has strengthened the analytics area, and brought in and let go some new scouts. I can see Kyle Davidson staying as GM, and hiring a "hockey insider" as a co-gm or assistant. He has a pretty impressive resume in running Wirtz beverage, starting new ventures under the Wirtz umbrella and is active in charities and other community projects. Trying to keep my tinfoil hat and sunglasses on through this cloudy period

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/team/danny-wirtz

I will watch the game tonight, but will refrain from looking at the blog until after the game. The last thing I need to hear tonight is the fire JC crowd, team has no structure, another line rush with a defenseman with the 2 forwards etc. The Hawks have much bigger problems, than to harp on the firing of the coach, which will happen at some point in this process.

Ricco, so far I like the steps that Danny Wirtz has done. He did start shuffling the deck when he came in, he promoted Stan while saying that a new GM would be bought in eventually. I think this lawsuit and investigation put on hold a lot of his off-ice changes. Like Rocky brought in a change when he took over, I think Danny will also. He sure has strengthened the analytics area, and brought in and let go some new scouts. I can see Kyle Davidson staying as GM, and hiring a "hockey insider" as a co-gm or assistant. He has a pretty impressive resume in running Wirtz beverage, starting new ventures under the Wirtz umbrella and is active in charities and other community projects. Trying to keep my tinfoil hat and sunglasses on through this cloudy period

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/team/danny-wirtz
- LAHawk

Impressive resume but who would name one of their children Juniper?

Any stats people out there know if this will be the first game without both Kane and Toews (if neither clears the protocol) of the era?

Run it back with Dale and bring it Torts. Let’s go!
- Assman22

Might as well bring back every former Hawk player, too!

In Hawks on-ice news


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
No sign of Kane, Toews, Stillman, Khaira or Borgstrom — the 5 guys on the COVID list — at Blackhawks morning skate.
- LAHawk

Why is this news? Isn't this expected? News would be that they are at the skate.

Stopped reading there.

I'm not racist but
I respect freedom of speech but
I'm not blaming the victim but

Nobody cares about what you think of the victim, it's not you and you weren't there.
- Not_Yan

Dumb take by you.

Why is this news? Isn't this expected? News would be that they are at the skate.
- powerenforcer

Why would it be expected? You assume they all failed COVID protocol this morning? Have you heard of false positive tests?

Impressive resume but who would name one of their children Juniper?
- boilermaker100

Wasn’t Bill known to be a big gin drinker?

I read here yesterday that players are immune.
- mohel

Players would be immune assuming they did not participate. Managers not. If you noticed, the lawyer basically said Stan was the only executive who cooperated, pardon my paraphrase. For Stan in 2010 his first year, his bosses knew, "in the jungle there's a thing called self preservation." Unless you've been through one of these things everyone here makes it sound so easy, it's not. You never know who will have your back, what others will say and what will finally shake out. You're young, early to middle of your career and have a family to support.

Wasn’t Bill known to be a big gin drinker?
- HawkintheD

He could always get a free bottle of Bombay Sapphire. to go along with his Crown Royal Scotch and Grey Goose vodka

Why would it be expected? You assume they all failed COVID protocol this morning? Have you heard of false positive tests?
- LAHawk

Why would they still be on COVID protocol if they tested negative. I don't want to argue with you, but the silly rules say you have to quarantine if you have or have been around someone who tested positive.

Would recommend everyone read the report, as difficult as it is, so you can sift through the claims being made and demands for more heads out in the press, blogosphere, and social media.

The thing that is least clear is the players' involvement, although they seem to be the primary target (other than Q and Chevy) now that the FO heads have rolled. We have no idea who knew what and when. We don't know who did the harrassing, when and where it happened,, who witnessed it or how they reacted if they did. Given the player's history with the team, hard to know how much happened in Rockford, and how much up with the big club.

We have Boynton and Sopel who took the opportunity to speak to the press early on and paint a bleak picture. During the deposition, it sounds like they couldn't back up or wouldn't give specifics on the stories they told the press. Seems clear that if "everyone knew" it wasn't until the next Summer's training camp. Were their memories faded after 11 years? Were they trying to paint themselves in a better light than the rest of the team given how bad it was? Who knows.

Zawaski and Neveau (fans first, journalists second) lost their over-loving minds on their podcast last night and I can't blame them. Zawaski spent a bunch of time railing about Toews and how he can never look at one of his favorite players the same way again. That he should be stripped of the Captaincy, no statue, no retired numbers, etc. I ​definitely understand that gut reaction. But, stepping back, based on all the stories of Toews taking care to look out for the rookies and make sure they are OK, about thanking the cleaning staff at the UC after the 2013 cup, about reaching out to Ben Smith to tell him that even though he wasn't there for the win, he was still part of it, etc. etc., it doesn't seem in character that he would participate in or hear a prospect getting harassed like that and not say something like "Cut that poop out...he's your teammate!"

Of course, we just don't know. Based on what is in the report, it's clear there were at least a few a-holes on the ice between Rockford and Chicago. Unless and until we know more about how the harassment played out and how each individual was engaged, I can't say what I think should happen to each player who was there at the time. One thing is for sure, the happiest hockey day in many of their lives is now forever tainted.

Any stats people out there know if this will be the first game without both Kane and Toews (if neither clears the protocol) of the era?
- Popsghostly

Have heard that it is the first without both of them, outside of any that might have been played during Olympics?

Sadly I don’t think this is over!!! I fear some, even many players knew of it. What’s worse is some (unfounded) comments suggesting some players joked on the victim. Not good!

Why would they still be on COVID protocol if they tested negative. I don't want to argue with you, but the silly rules say you have to quarantine if you have or have been around someone who tested positive.
- powerenforcer

I'm assuming Kane is still testing positive and/or is symptomatic. Sounds like the others have yet to have three negative tests, so just not good news all around.

Any stats people out there know if this will be the first game without both Kane and Toews (if neither clears the protocol) of the era?
- Popsghostly

No I don’t believe it is. I think back in 2013 or 2014 there were a handful of games towards the end of the season where both were out. Didn’t matter too much with all of the other talent.

Pdx...I didnt want to copy your post, but rather spot on

To now go after Toews and Kane based on nothing but speculation doesn't make sense.

IF there was some words/things "said" by players on ice/in dressing rooms ...IMO, they can
have those conversations as men amongst themselves

Zawaski can go F himself