1st song of the encore
- 6628

He has nicely moved from teen axe-master to an outstanding blues (and blues-rock) musician.

He has nicely moved from teen axe-master to an outstanding blues (and blues-rock) musician.
- StLBravesFan

I've seen him three times now and never heard him sing, but last night he sang five or six newer songs.

And per my post on the last blog late last night, check out the Ally Venable Band. Opening act was great, standing O at the end of their set. Huge voice and excellent blues guitar. Her hands were almost as quick as KWS's hands.

We really missed seeing live music. If ever at the Arcada in St. Charles the best seat is the 1st row in the balcony.

I've seen him three times now and never heard him sing, but last night he sang five or six newer songs.

And per my post on the last blog late last night, check out the Ally Venable Band. Opening act was great, standing O at the end of their set. Huge voice and excellent blues guitar. Her hands were almost as quick as KWS's hands.

We really missed seeing live music. If ever at the Arcada in St. Charles the best seat is the 1st row in the balcony.
- 6628

Just like at the old Stadium - best seats - first row 2nd balcony.

This year the team added Toews, Dach, S. Jones, McCabe, Flower and Tyler Johnson. Yet, this year's team has been far worse than that team. Same bad coach for both teams. And, that team was still better than this one even after Lanky returned to average. They should've improved; they got worse.
- mohel

Actually the Hawks only won 5 times in regulation in their last 22 games last year. One of those was Columbus and one of those was Detroit. You lost 8 of your top 14 scorers from last year's team. I feel that this year's team play is on a par with last years team with worse goal tending. Also even before the first game many on this site were saying the Hawks could get off to a slow start because of 10 new players (and that was with the expectation that Fleury would be decent and not suck like he has).

Lankinen in net tonight.

@TalkinHawkey
Kyle Davidson states that the #Blackhawks will stick with Derek King as the interim coach for the remainder of the year & begin a search for their next coach in the offseason.

Well, that answers that..either not thrilled with the options on the market now, or looking to preserve cash in a lost season.
- pdx2ord

Act in haste, repent in leisure. They probably want to assess (and maybe change) some of the talent before choosing a new coach. There is no rush. I think bigger questions are:
- Do they have the right Rockford Coach now?
- Can Davidson improve the team and/or acquire assets in season?

Act in haste, repent in leisure. They probably want to assess (and maybe change) some of the talent before choosing a new coach. There is no rush. I think bigger questions are:
- Do they have the right Rockford Coach now?
- Can Davidson improve the team and/or acquire assets in season?
- -Doh-

Unless King pulls off the impossible and gets this team to the playoffs, I believe he will be back in Rockford to start next year. I would also think that save for some moves to pick up picks and higher level prospects, they will wait to make the fundamental moves on the roster until a new coach is chosen. Davidson is on record saying he will be using both analytics and "old-fashioned" evaluation, and I think that mindset would lend itself to letting a new coach have some input into the type of players he covets.

Unless King pulls off the impossible and gets this team to the playoffs, I believe he will be back in Rockford to start next year. I would also think that save for some moves to pick up picks and higher level prospects, they will wait to make the fundamental moves on the roster until a new coach is chosen. Davidson is on record saying he will be using both analytics and "old-fashioned" evaluation, and I think that mindset would lend itself to letting a new coach have some input into the type of players he covets.
- Chunk

Well let's just see how it goes.

For me baby steps, be more competitive for 60 minutes for now

Let's try to give up 3 goals or less a game for now.

I might misrepresent the statement, but i think Davidson said something along the lines of just because Bowman and i worked together doesn't mean we have the same philosophies. This was very nice to hear.

Well let's just see how it goes.

For me baby steps, be more competitive for 60 minutes for now

Let's try to give up 3 goals or less a game for now.
- BetweenTheDots

Baby steps strategy is fine as long as it includes a win over Preds tonight. Let’s just say the Preds and their fans are not my favorite by any means.

Well let's just see how it goes.

For me baby steps, be more competitive for 60 minutes for now

Let's try to give up 3 goals or less a game for now.
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah! OK!

I’ll give you two weeks before you’re calling for someone’s head

Yeah! OK!

I’ll give you two weeks before you’re calling for someone’s head
- paulr

If you haven't figured out our by now, really don't care what you think

But continue to take my inventory for me, i really appreciate it.

Unless King pulls off the impossible and gets this team to the playoffs, I believe he will be back in Rockford to start next year. I would also think that save for some moves to pick up picks and higher level prospects, they will wait to make the fundamental moves on the roster until a new coach is chosen. Davidson is on record saying he will be using both analytics and "old-fashioned" evaluation, and I think that mindset would lend itself to letting a new coach have some input into the type of players he covets.
- Chunk

Have no idea how he will do with the interim tag, but I am supporting King if for no other reason than he grew up a few blocks from where I did in Hamilton, albeit a few decades later. Its a tough town, most of the collars are blue; no admiration for the pretty boy Floyds of Toronto.

Despite inexperience behind an NHL bench, King has plenty of inter-NHL experience and exposure from his lengthy playing days. Something that Colliton didn't have.

Head & Asst Coaches he played for: Al Arbour, Pat Quinn, Rick Wilson, Rick Green, Lorne Henning and yes, Q.

Some players he was teammates with: Ray Ferraro, Bryan Trottier, Chris Pronger, Ron Hextall, Pat Lafontaine, Matts Sundin, Wendel Clark. Probably getting plenty of messages of support.

That sh$t means something to current NHL players. Playoff possibilities are negligible,King is going to let his offensive horses run, take a look at kids if he thinks they have earned a look. This team will play better, they can't be worse.

If you haven't figured out our by now, really don't care what you think

But continue to take my inventory for me, i really appreciate it.
- BetweenTheDots

Your reply tells me exactly how much you don’t care about what I think.

Have no idea how he will do with the interim tag, but I am supporting King if for no other reason than he grew up a few blocks from where I did in Hamilton, albeit a few decades later. Its a tough town, most of the collars are blue; no admiration for the pretty boy Floyds of Toronto.

Despite inexperience behind an NHL bench, King has plenty of inter-NHL experience and exposure from his lengthy playing days. Something that Colliton didn't have.

Head & Asst Coaches he played for: Al Arbour, Pat Quinn, Rick Wilson, Rick Green, Lorne Henning and yes, Q.

Some players he was teammates with: Ray Ferraro, Bryan Trottier, Chris Pronger, Ron Hextall, Pat Lafontaine, Matts Sundin, Wendel Clark. Probably getting plenty of messages of support.

That sh$t means something to current NHL players. Playoff possibilities are negligible,King is going to let his offensive horses run, take a look at kids if he thinks they have earned a look. This team will play better, they can't be worse.
- RickJ

I’ll be happy to see the first forward who refuses to back check, or the first defenseman who follows the other defenseman behind the net, sit for a period. Then when they do it the second time, spend a game or two eating popcorn in the press box. That will fix the dumb mental mistakes really quickly.

I’ll be happy to see the first forward who refuses to back check, or the first defenseman who follows the other defenseman behind the net, sit for a period. Then when they do it the second time, spend a game or two eating popcorn in the press box. That will fix the dumb mental mistakes really quickly.
- paulr

Agree, need more accountability.

I’ll be happy to see the first forward who refuses to back check, or the first defenseman who follows the other defenseman behind the net, sit for a period. Then when they do it the second time, spend a game or two eating popcorn in the press box. That will fix the dumb mental mistakes really quickly.
- paulr

Just give me a date for when Gus gets sent to the press box. Can't happen soon enough.

Glad to see King get the chance to coach the remainder of the season. If they improve under his leadership, I can see him keeping the job. As posted before, he’s clearly put in the time as an assistant in Juniors and an asst. & HC in the AHL.

If moving Carpenter to center the 4th line is his 1st move, I like him already.

As for the rebuild/retool, it may happen quicker than we think. The Hawks only have 14 skaters on one-way contracts signed for next season:

Forwards: Kane, Toews, DeBrincat, Hagel, Khaira, Hardman, Entwistle, T.Johnson, Borgstrom, Connolly

Defensemen: Jones, McCabe, Murphy, Stillman

No goalies, although Soderblom is signed to a 2 way deal

Maximum flexibility, and lots of guys playing for their next contract. If the new GM moves wisely, they can totally remake the roster between now and the start of next season. I’m kinda looking forward to the remainder of the season and next off-season.

Just give me a date for when Gus gets sent to the press box. Can't happen soon enough.
- RickJ

Trouble is there are so many mistakes made by so many players I’m not sure Gus won’t have some company there

.... If ever at the Arcada in St. Charles the best seat is the 1st row in the balcony.
- 6628

Arcada?! I remember watching films there ... actually I remember St Charles when there weren't any other theaters there. (Yes I am aware it hasn't been that for a number of years) ... still ... (I don't think they ever opened up the balcony in those days.)

Arcada?! I remember watching films there ... actually I remember St Charles when there weren't any other theaters there. (Yes I am aware it hasn't been that for a number of years) ... still ... (I don't think they ever opened up the balcony in those days.)
- SC116

Guy named Ron Onesti has done a hell of a job with that building.

Guy named Ron Onesti has done a hell of a job with that building.
- 6628

Yes. He's doing a similar thing with the Des Plaines Theatre. I believe that place just had it's 1st live show a couple of weeks ago.

Have no idea how he will do with the interim tag, but I am supporting King if for no other reason than he grew up a few blocks from where I did in Hamilton, albeit a few decades later. Its a tough town, most of the collars are blue; no admiration for the pretty boy Floyds of Toronto.

Despite inexperience behind an NHL bench, King has plenty of inter-NHL experience and exposure from his lengthy playing days. Something that Colliton didn't have.

Head & Asst Coaches he played for: Al Arbour, Pat Quinn, Rick Wilson, Rick Green, Lorne Henning and yes, Q.

Some players he was teammates with: Ray Ferraro, Bryan Trottier, Chris Pronger, Ron Hextall, Pat Lafontaine, Matts Sundin, Wendel Clark. Probably getting plenty of messages of support.

That sh$t means something to current NHL players. Playoff possibilities are negligible,King is going to let his offensive horses run, take a look at kids if he thinks they have earned a look. This team will play better, they can't be worse.
- RickJ

Nice post Rick, I totally agree with your assessment. Although King hasn’t coached in the NHL, he has a ton more credibility than Colliton. The fact that he already moved (according to pre-skate) Carpenter to the fourth line is a feather on his cap, hopefully he’s taken off the PP as well, although he may not want to make that change right away.

Have no idea how he will do with the interim tag, but I am supporting King if for no other reason than he grew up a few blocks from where I did in Hamilton, albeit a few decades later. Its a tough town, most of the collars are blue; no admiration for the pretty boy Floyds of Toronto.

Despite inexperience behind an NHL bench, King has plenty of inter-NHL experience and exposure from his lengthy playing days. Something that Colliton didn't have.

Head & Asst Coaches he played for: Al Arbour, Pat Quinn, Rick Wilson, Rick Green, Lorne Henning and yes, Q.

Some players he was teammates with: Ray Ferraro, Bryan Trottier, Chris Pronger, Ron Hextall, Pat Lafontaine, Matts Sundin, Wendel Clark. Probably getting plenty of messages of support.

That sh$t means something to current NHL players. Playoff possibilities are negligible,King is going to let his offensive horses run, take a look at kids if he thinks they have earned a look. This team will play better, they can't be worse.
- RickJ

Wow this is really interesting, great find

Have no idea how he will do with the interim tag, but I am supporting King if for no other reason than he grew up a few blocks from where I did in Hamilton, albeit a few decades later. Its a tough town, most of the collars are blue; no admiration for the pretty boy Floyds of Toronto.

Despite inexperience behind an NHL bench, King has plenty of inter-NHL experience and exposure from his lengthy playing days. Something that Colliton didn't have.

Head & Asst Coaches he played for: Al Arbour, Pat Quinn, Rick Wilson, Rick Green, Lorne Henning and yes, Q.

Some players he was teammates with: Ray Ferraro, Bryan Trottier, Chris Pronger, Ron Hextall, Pat Lafontaine, Matts Sundin, Wendel Clark. Probably getting plenty of messages of support.

That sh$t means something to current NHL players. Playoff possibilities are negligible,King is going to let his offensive horses run, take a look at kids if he thinks they have earned a look. This team will play better, they can't be worse.
- RickJ

As always Rick, impressed with your hockey knowledge

Thanks for the insight.