I think KD clearly stated publicly that the Hawks are in a rebuild at the TDL. Whether he wants to be a part of that is between him, his agent and management.

I took Johnny's comment the other day as saying he doesn't know what is expected of a team captain on a rebuilding team. I'm assuming (maybe incorrectly), that Johnny may only know how to captain a winning team.
- Rota's Rooter

That's completely fair to say and assume. That's why I don't understand why it is a some sort of surprise that Toews wants to know what the GM expects.

If I ping a exec that is I dunno lets just say 2 people above my current manager in the corporate structure and say "I don't understand my role" that would be pretty unacceptable.

Even if I was an earner - lets say most sales at the company but been out of the top sales person slot the last 3 years - If I bypass my sales manager, regional manager and go straight to the CEO about not understanding my role or what is expected of me then that makes me an ass hole at the worst or a dumbass at a minimum.

A GM doesn't owe the players anything aside from here's the overall vision and direction. Maybe Toews (and possibly others) having his arm up Bowmans behind was part of the problem.
- fattybeef

Please don't confuse corporate America where they can fire you for sneezing the wrong way and someone who has union support and a guaranteed contract, they can say whatever they want

One of, if not THE, face of the franchise for the last 13 years, three time SC winner, all the other poop, plus fully controls the decision of whether he is traded somewhere or not. If not KD, who should he have gone to? King? The interim coach who may or may not be his coach next year?

KD is his current manager.
- Chunk

Why does he have to go to the press first? Why didn’t he go to KD and ask, and if he was still in the dark say I had a meeting and I still do not know what is expected of me.

Why does he have to go to the press first? Why didn’t he go to KD and ask, and if he was still in the dark say I had a meeting and I still do not know what is expected of me.
- LAHawk

Who says he did go through the press first?

Please don't confuse corporate America where they can fire you for sneezing the wrong way and someone who has union support and a guaranteed contract, they can say whatever they want
- BetweenTheDots

They can say whatever they want as long as Main Street print and social media approves.

5-on-5 high danger chances: 10-7 CHI

That’s without C Jones and Gus, not surprised. Let’s see what happens with Gus tomorrow. Not currently a fan of De Haan and McCabe, but I’d rather have them
on the ice instead of C Jones and Gus. TBH, I’d rather not have any of the four next year.

I'm on the same page with Chunk on this, especially with the last year of his contract coming up.
- Popsghostly

I think Ztra might have been onto something after reading the latest Ben Pope article on Toews. To me, it reads more like someone who is infamous for holding his teammates accountable (you'll know what I mean if you read that Athletic profile on what it's like to play with him) being reined in and/or the subject of complaints from his teammates when he does take them to task. If Kane and Toews truly are the only voices in the room pushing their team to work harder and be better, that's a character problem that runs deep.

There's also that element of him struggling with adapting to a losing team which we've seen in other stories.

“Across the board, these last few outings have been pretty embarrassing,” Toews said Thursday before the Hawks faced the Sharks. “The effort wasn’t there. There’s no connection in our team game. There’s no valuing what we have and what we get to play for our fans.”

Interim coach Derek King tried to downplay it as simply a “grumpy” day for Toews, but he also understands where he’s coming from.

“I do understand . . . it’s not easy for him [and Patrick Kane], where they’re at in their careers,” King said. “It’s not fun, especially when guys . . . are used to winning, used to winning [Stanley] Cups. They’re used to having strong teams and everybody pushes everybody. Now it’s a little different because they’re the voices. There’s nobody else around them helping with the voice. So I can see the frustration setting in at times.”

Toews also grumbled about the Hawks’ coaching staff repeatedly reminding players not to mentally check out.

“We’ve had meeting upon meeting on this subject,” he said. “We get to play for the Blackhawks in front of 20,000 people in Chicago. Why would you check out ever? I don’t think that should be an issue.”

King didn’t agree with that Toews complaint quite as much.

“They are leaders, [and] they should understand why we’re having meeting after meeting: It’s because we’re a young team,” King said. “A lot of players need to know what’s going on. They need it pointed out to them. I’m sure when they were winning Cups, you didn’t have to have any meetings because, ‘There’s the puck; go get it,’ and they just played. We don’t have that luxury.”

Maybe the full intention is to burn that first year. If he was playing well and not getting overwhelmed he stays, if not he goes back down? Who knows.
- Chunk

It also may indicate:

a) Toews next hawk contract is much smaller or non-existent.

b) Debrincat's going to be offered offered a deal less than Toews, and they feel that IF the cat takes them to arbitration, he ain't getting any 10.5 million.

c) During Reichel's second contract, he is still a restricted free agent, and unless he has melted the ice with fiery showings, he is not getting big dollars, just like Kirby Dach at the end of this year.

If I ping a exec that is I dunno lets just say 2 people above my current manager in the corporate structure and say "I don't understand my role" that would be pretty unacceptable.

Even if I was an earner - lets say most sales at the company but been out of the top sales person slot the last 3 years - If I bypass my sales manager, regional manager and go straight to the CEO about not understanding my role or what is expected of me then that makes me an ass hole at the worst or a dumbass at a minimum.

A GM doesn't owe the players anything aside from here's the overall vision and direction. Maybe Toews (and possibly others) having his arm up Bowmans behind was part of the problem.
- fattybeef

I am you with that Toews statement to the press was like he was trying to say something but it went off the rails to infer something else.

It sounds like he wanted to know why he was never playing with set linemates?

(Maybe b/c if he's not with Kane or the 'cat he is playing with mediocrity?)

Or maybe, "is my new job for the rest of my deal not to attempt to be the old me but the teacher out there?"

Who says he did go through the press first?
- BetweenTheDots

Johnny told the press he'd like to talk with KD about how to be the Captain of the team now. So, pretty clear he went to the press first. Did KD tell the press Johnny wants to talk but KD don't wanna? No. So Johnny raised it in the press.

As fatty said, it's pretty clear, even to fans, what the Hawks are doing. poop, even you know it.

I am you with that Toews statement to the press was like he was trying to say something but it went off the rails to infer something else.
- wiz1901

Yea its not like the press won't seize on opportunity to create controversy?

Or omit something?

Maybe the full intention is to burn that first year. If he was playing well and not getting overwhelmed he stays, if not he goes back down? Who knows.
- Chunk

Maybe they want his first contract to expire before he gets “too good” making his next contract more affordable

Maybe they want his first contract to expire before he gets “too good” making his next contract more affordable


- Ogilthorpe2

Hey, it worked with Dach.

7 year old doing the Michigan, damn that's impressive

Big afternoon game for the Hawks. I’ll say the Hawks will win 5-3 with 3 points from Strome.

Big afternoon game for the Hawks. I’ll say the Hawks will win 5-3 with 3 points from Strome.
- DarthKane

Poor kid lost his puppy, that sucks

Poor kid lost his puppy, that sucks
- BetweenTheDots

Bummed me out.

I know it's difficult with injuries, but I'd really like to see at least some consistent defensive pairings next season. Hard to learn your partners tendencies when you keep reshuffling the line ups

If rather see Regula on the PP than Jones and Gusto for now

If rather see Regula on the PP than Jones and Gusto for now
- BetweenTheDots

Regula is having a strong game defensively today. He’s got a couple key blocked shots already.

Personally hoping they add no outside parts and head into 2022-23 with these guys to begin:
Still man Seth Jones, Vlasic & Murphy, Regula, c jones & McCabe plus injury auditions.

Unlike many you I do not play make up the lines but below was to help me concentrate through the roster:
Enstwhistle - Johnson- Lafferty /// cat - strome - Kane. /////Johnson- toews Raddysh //// kachouk - Reichel - soderholm

Olczyk keeps building up McCabe, but I don’t see it, all I see is a bunch of pizzas.

Personally hoping they add no outside parts and head into 2022-23 with these guys to begin:
Still man Seth Jones, Vlasic & Murphy, Regula, c jones & McCabe plus injury auditions.

Unlike many you I do not play make up the lines but below was to help me concentrate through the roster:
Enstwhistle - Johnson- Lafferty /// cat - strome - Kane. /////Johnson- toews Raddysh //// kachouk - Reichel - soderholm
- wiz1901

Galvas and especially Mitchell should replace C Jones. I want to push for them both, maybe by Christmas after other youngsters on blueline have.become "more comfortable." At that time trade Murphy

C Jones should play regularly at Rockford. If steady then recall him.

Olczyk keeps building up McCabe, but I don’t see it, all I see is a bunch of pizzas.
- Angotti

Yea he is another bad signing, hopefully after this year deHaan and Gusto are gone, and in a year or 3 him and Murphy become the 3rd pairing for this team.

Yea he is another bad signing, hopefully after this year deHaan and Gusto are gone, and in a year or 3 him and Murphy become the 3rd pairing for this team.
- BetweenTheDots

I can see the Hawks bringing Gus back next season.