So its waite’s fault?! Really?
- LFS

Do you think the Hawks have had such outstanding goaltending over the past 8 years that this is the biggest organization strength?

They have turned over almost everyone except him and Goodman.

You seem to have a lot of passion for the Hawks, do you ever feel that your passion is not being reciprocated?

Does it feel like the owner's son hired a first time GM who hired a first time coach who has a coaching staff with mostly first time assistants? Nobody has hired anyone below them who is a threat.

Does it seem to be one of the most valuable NHL franchises with the least experienced leadership?

In many ways yes, but it adds some portion of dilemma where I think now you at least have to contemplate adjusting your original plan.


Do you do anything different since you got him? Does this increase your odds of doing something wrong?

Don't get me wrong, its a great thing, and KD keeps saying they'll stick to their plan.

The rebuild is a pretty intriguing storyline. Front office got a bit lucky. Normal rebuilds aren't this exciting to the fan base.
- vabeachbear

I think a GM has to always be ready to switch gears in a rebuild. He also has to have different plans for what if scenarios. Not switch directions but have different avenues to get to the ultimate destination.

Having the ability to draft Bedard this means one less trade of1st round picks for a top 6 forward entering his prime who we would have to pay.

Sorry but I'm going to respectfully disagree with you Chunk. I just can't trade a 24 yr old 2 time 40 GOAL SCORER for a gamble top 10 pick in Korchinski. All articles claimed that he was the guy they wanted at #7 so if the 6th rounder turns out better than KK, this organization is in trouble. He has to be top 2 minimum or KD
has some explaining to do.....OR..... find a way to bring DeBrincat back and make him part of the Core like he was when he was here.
- Hawkytalk

Not to dismiss Cats ability, but i think he only scored 27 goals this year? Was that the minus Kane affect? He's a good player but if we get a top 4 dman out of it i consider it a draw, if he turns out to be a top pairing dman we win the trade.

Sorry but I'm going to respectfully disagree with you Chunk. I just can't trade a 24 yr old 2 time 40 GOAL SCORER for a gamble top 10 pick in Korchinski. All articles claimed that he was the guy they wanted at #7 so if the 6th rounder turns out better than KK, this organization is in trouble. He has to be top 2 minimum or KD
has some explaining to do.....OR..... find a way to bring DeBrincat back and make him part of the Core like he was when he was here.
- Hawkytalk

Interesting. My biggest issue with ADB was that he is an outstanding complementary piece, but not a main piece. Obviously, you need to score goals, but I want to see true 200' players as the main attraction. Unless you have a Kane or Bedard, guys that are truly exceptional offensively, I want to see more guys that understand how to read the play and anticipate what is going to happen defensively as well as put up points.

I get your point about KK. I just think the total picture is more important that looking at the specific returns on individual trade.

Do you think the Hawks have had such outstanding goaltending over the past 8 years that this is the biggest organization strength?

They have turned over almost everyone except him and Goodman.

You seem to have a lot of passion for the Hawks, do you ever feel that your passion is not being reciprocated?

Does it feel like the owner's son hired a first time GM who hired a first time coach who has a coaching staff with mostly first time assistants? Nobody has hired anyone below them who is a threat.

Does it seem to be one of the most valuable NHL franchises with the least experienced leadership?
- stevefrmglencoe

Considering the road cones that the Hawks have put on the ice for much of the past 8 years, I think the goaltending has help up quite well. Corey and Robin were praised for the results they were able to put up behind that mess.

It wasn't goaltending that sank the Hawks the past 5-8 years. It's been either aging or lackluster play by the team in front of it. I'm not saying that NO fault can be put at the feet of the goalies, but it is far from the main reason.

It is easy to ask all these doubting questions one year into a rebuild because they are obviously bad.

My latest Laviolette diatribe was related to what Toronto should do now. They have had amazing talent for 6 or 7 years. Keefe has been 95 games over .500 in his 4 years. I don't know if they can trade their way out of this but a hard coach could change everything here. 3 of the 4 core guys are among the top forwards in the game. A hard coach might be able to get them to stop trying to win 5-4 during the regular season and be ready for the playoffs when you have to win 3-2.

As for the Hawks coaching staff, I don't think it is expereinced enough. Richardson is a first time coach. The assistants are Kevin Dean, who was an assitant for many years in Boston. Derek Plante is in his first NHL job. Derek King has been on an NHL bench for 1.5 years. Jimmy Waite has been the goalie coach here since 2014, they did win the Cup in his rookie coaching season since then they have not won a playoff round besides the bubble since.

I have heard that the two most important coaches are the head coach and goalie coach. Head coach makes all the touch decisions and because goaltending is so important the goalie coach has a large influence.

This staff would have been understandable if they were in a typical rebuild but the world has changed. It needs to be beefed up quickly. Let's see what Davidson does here.
- stevefrmglencoe

Jon Cooper had a couple years of AHL experience before getting the head job in TB. I'm not sure what else LR would have to show in his first season to demonstrate that he is a competent coach. He had a one-legged Kane, about 30% of Toews, the rest of the forward group is largely forgettable. The D was made of largely fringe to 3rd pair guys and there were more players in/out of the lineup, traded, called up/sent down than I can remember.

What were your expectations for this staff/team at the beginning of the year? What is the difference between a "typical" rebuild and what the Hawks are doing and why would that necessitate a different coaching staff type?

Jon Cooper had a couple years of AHL experience before getting the head job in TB. I'm not sure what else LR would have to show in his first season to demonstrate that he is a competent coach. He had a one-legged Kane, about 30% of Toews, the rest of the forward group is largely forgettable. The D was made of largely fringe to 3rd pair guys and there were more players in/out of the lineup, traded, called up/sent down than I can remember.

What were your expectations for this staff/team at the beginning of the year? What is the difference between a "typical" rebuild and what the Hawks are doing and why would that necessitate a different coaching staff type?
- Chunk

I was actually thinking about him since Steve has a man crush on Laviolette. Maybe I'm one of the few but i think LR and his demeanor, the style of play and how he expects his players to play are a refreshing change from JC.

I was actually thinking about him since Steve has a man crush on Laviolette. Maybe I'm one of the few but i think LR and his demeanor, the style of play and how he expects his players to play are a refreshing change from JC.
- BetweenTheDots

Would rather have LR and his 20 year NHL playing experience and numerous coaches and ahl and nhl coaching experience than veteran coaches Sutter, Torts, Gallant, Boudreau.

Do you think the Hawks have had such outstanding goaltending over the past 8 years that this is the biggest organization strength?

They have turned over almost everyone except him and Goodman.

You seem to have a lot of passion for the Hawks, do you ever feel that your passion is not being reciprocated?

Does it feel like the owner's son hired a first time GM who hired a first time coach who has a coaching staff with mostly first time assistants? Nobody has hired anyone below them who is a threat.

Does it seem to be one of the most valuable NHL franchises with the least experienced leadership?
- stevefrmglencoe

Goaltending has not been a strength of the organization. No one is saying that. But a coach has to have talent to work with. Have the hawks had great goaltending that has been weakened by waite? Please.

Goaltending has not been a strength of the organization. No one is saying that. But a coach has to have talent to work with. Have the hawks had great goaltending that has been weakened by waite? Please.
- LFS

How long has Waite been with the team, 8/9 years?

I figured we all agree that the "goalie era" in the NHL is over?
If your D is developed your goalie has to be solid in my opinion, no need to be a Hasek,Belfour,Brodeur type.

Niemi,Raanta,Darling all looked good behind Keith,Seabs,Hammer and Soupy/Oduya.

Crow was definitely a level above those guys,but it even took him a few seasons to get going.

I was actually thinking about him since Steve has a man crush on Laviolette. Maybe I'm one of the few but i think LR and his demeanor, the style of play and how he expects his players to play are a refreshing change from JC.
- BetweenTheDots

Hopefully LR is the long term solution at head coach, and not just this generation's version of Denis Savard.

He worked as an AHL head coach,and had a few go arounds as an NHL assistant coach. I don't think there is much more for him to prove at an assistant level.

Maybe he isn't cut out to be an NHL head coach. I think we'll learn a lot this season. How he handles Bedard should give us a better indication of what kind or head coach he can be.

Interesting. My biggest issue with ADB was that he is an outstanding complementary piece, but not a main piece. Obviously, you need to score goals, but I want to see true 200' players as the main attraction. Unless you have a Kane or Bedard, guys that are truly exceptional offensively, I want to see more guys that understand how to read the play and anticipate what is going to happen defensively as well as put up points.

I get your point about KK. I just think the total picture is more important that looking at the specific returns on individual trade.
- Chunk

You are right about the team lacking enough two way players. The team had guys who are offensive minded that cheat offensively and don't play solid D. The team also had guys who were responsibly defensively, but lack offensive upside. Not enough of the guys that can do both, because the defensive guys just get nothing done and the offensive guys get beat 5v5 because they can't outscore their medicore D.

I think Jon Cooper is a heck of a coach if/and when he is available...

How long has Waite been with the team, 8/9 years?

I figured we all agree that the "goalie era" in the NHL is over?
If your D is developed your goalie has to be solid in my opinion, no need to be a Hasek,Belfour,Brodeur type.

Niemi,Raanta,Darling all looked good behind Keith,Seabs,Hammer and Soupy/Oduya.

Crow was definitely a level above those guys,but it even took him a few seasons to get going.
- captainserious

Tell that to Bob and the Panthers.

I think Jon Cooper is a heck of a coach if/and when he is available...
- wiz1901

Cooper is a great coach but I’m intrigued to see how Richardson does.

Goaltending has not been a strength of the organization. No one is saying that. But a coach has to have talent to work with. Have the hawks had great goaltending that has been weakened by waite? Please.
- LFS

Good point. I always like Delia and thought he might stick. I did not see enough of the 10 games he won this year in Vancouver to comment if it was a fluke or he has gotten better away from Waite.

Both Stauber and Stalock stole games this season so perhaps there is more to Waite than I see.

Jon Cooper had a couple years of AHL experience before getting the head job in TB. I'm not sure what else LR would have to show in his first season to demonstrate that he is a competent coach. He had a one-legged Kane, about 30% of Toews, the rest of the forward group is largely forgettable. The D was made of largely fringe to 3rd pair guys and there were more players in/out of the lineup, traded, called up/sent down than I can remember.

What were your expectations for this staff/team at the beginning of the year? What is the difference between a "typical" rebuild and what the Hawks are doing and why would that necessitate a different coaching staff type?
- Chunk

Accurate comments for sure. I can't tell if you are comparing Cooper's resume to Richardson's. Cooper had been a head coach for 12 seasons by the time Tampa signed him and he had won Championships at every stop along the way. In 11-12 his team won 28 in a row and the Calder Cup in Norfolk. Richardson was head coach in Binghampton for 4 years and the team got worse each year. Never won a playoff round. To be fair the rosters weren't stellar the last two years and he did promote guys to the NHL.

As for my expectations on the coaching, with a depleted and depleting roster, I expected a guy to pull out everything in his coaching arsenal to try to win despite the GM. I don't want to repeat myself but I thought he was weak early in the year with the no time out in Dallas while they scored 4 straight and not pulling the goalie at home a few games later. I thought the PP was incredibly predicatable and through most of the season the first unit was staying too long without accomplishing anything. Mid point of the season when Reichel was recalled he barely played and didn't get any powerplay time. Yes I can find things to complain about anywhere and if I watch other teams as much I might see similar things. But this team is the one I am passionate about and it is no coincidence that the two Hall of Fame quality coaches we have seen here recently took the team the farthest.

The reason I think everything has changed is because the kid coming is special. Up till now he's been the best of his generation and the Hawks better not F it up by not surrounding him with the best coaches available. Making the playoff comes down to a point here or there and there a guys out there that have proven they can do it.

Accurate comments for sure. I can't tell if you are comparing Cooper's resume to Richardson's. Cooper had been a head coach for 12 seasons by the time Tampa signed him and he had won Championships at every stop along the way. In 11-12 his team won 28 in a row and the Calder Cup in Norfolk. Richardson was head coach in Binghampton for 4 years and the team got worse each year. Never won a playoff round. To be fair the rosters weren't stellar the last two years and he did promote guys to the NHL.

As for my expectations on the coaching, with a depleted and depleting roster, I expected a guy to pull out everything in his coaching arsenal to try to win despite the GM. I don't want to repeat myself but I thought he was weak early in the year with the no time out in Dallas while they scored 4 straight and not pulling the goalie at home a few games later. I thought the PP was incredibly predicatable and through most of the season the first unit was staying too long without accomplishing anything. Mid point of the season when Reichel was recalled he barely played and didn't get any powerplay time. Yes I can find things to complain about anywhere and if I watch other teams as much I might see similar things. But this team is the one I am passionate about and it is no coincidence that the two Hall of Fame quality coaches we have seen here recently took the team the farthest.

The reason I think everything has changed is because the kid coming is special. Up till now he's been the best of his generation and the Hawks better not F it up by not surrounding him with the best coaches available. Making the playoff comes down to a point here or there and there a guys out there that have proven they can do it.
- stevefrmglencoe

Well then Steve keep worrying about the direction the Blackhawks are going in, you must have missed the years JC was coaching.

Cooper is a great coach but I’m intrigued to see how Richardson does.
- paulr

The Hawks have a ton of issues and items they need to put some worry into. They have two items they don't need to waste 2 secs thinking about going forward;

1. Who to take with the #1 pick

2. Worry about their coach. This past season should tell you that.

I was actually thinking about him since Steve has a man crush on Laviolette. Maybe I'm one of the few but i think LR and his demeanor, the style of play and how he expects his players to play are a refreshing change from JC.
- BetweenTheDots

God yes!!!! Watching Colliton's Hawks made me want to gouge my eyes out. I could watch Luke's Hawks.

Accurate comments for sure. I can't tell if you are comparing Cooper's resume to Richardson's. Cooper had been a head coach for 12 seasons by the time Tampa signed him and he had won Championships at every stop along the way. In 11-12 his team won 28 in a row and the Calder Cup in Norfolk. Richardson was head coach in Binghampton for 4 years and the team got worse each year. Never won a playoff round. To be fair the rosters weren't stellar the last two years and he did promote guys to the NHL.

As for my expectations on the coaching, with a depleted and depleting roster, I expected a guy to pull out everything in his coaching arsenal to try to win despite the GM. I don't want to repeat myself but I thought he was weak early in the year with the no time out in Dallas while they scored 4 straight and not pulling the goalie at home a few games later. I thought the PP was incredibly predicatable and through most of the season the first unit was staying too long without accomplishing anything. Mid point of the season when Reichel was recalled he barely played and didn't get any powerplay time. Yes I can find things to complain about anywhere and if I watch other teams as much I might see similar things. But this team is the one I am passionate about and it is no coincidence that the two Hall of Fame quality coaches we have seen here recently took the team the farthest.

The reason I think everything has changed is because the kid coming is special. Up till now he's been the best of his generation and the Hawks better not F it up by not surrounding him with the best coaches available. Making the playoff comes down to a point here or there and there a guys out there that have proven they can do it.
- stevefrmglencoe

You provide a different point of view. I hope you continue to do so because differing views are great. That said....some of said views are out there....

Accurate comments for sure. I can't tell if you are comparing Cooper's resume to Richardson's. Cooper had been a head coach for 12 seasons by the time Tampa signed him and he had won Championships at every stop along the way. In 11-12 his team won 28 in a row and the Calder Cup in Norfolk. Richardson was head coach in Binghampton for 4 years and the team got worse each year. Never won a playoff round. To be fair the rosters weren't stellar the last two years and he did promote guys to the NHL.

As for my expectations on the coaching, with a depleted and depleting roster, I expected a guy to pull out everything in his coaching arsenal to try to win despite the GM. I don't want to repeat myself but I thought he was weak early in the year with the no time out in Dallas while they scored 4 straight and not pulling the goalie at home a few games later. I thought the PP was incredibly predicatable and through most of the season the first unit was staying too long without accomplishing anything. Mid point of the season when Reichel was recalled he barely played and didn't get any powerplay time. Yes I can find things to complain about anywhere and if I watch other teams as much I might see similar things. But this team is the one I am passionate about and it is no coincidence that the two Hall of Fame quality coaches we have seen here recently took the team the farthest.

The reason I think everything has changed is because the kid coming is special. Up till now he's been the best of his generation and the Hawks better not F it up by not surrounding him with the best coaches available. Making the playoff comes down to a point here or there and there a guys out there that have proven they can do it.
- stevefrmglencoe

Not necessarily comparing resumes but just the fact he didn’t have any NHL experience which is what I thought you were alluding to with the calls for a guy like Laviolette.

I tend to looks for trends and bigger picture as opposed to specific instances. By no means did I think LR did everything right. He’s noted that himself several times in interviews. What I really liked about LR is that he was able to get a variety of types of players to play together with some semblance of structure. Not only that he did so on a team with two HOF leaders clearly on their way out and declining. I don’t think it can be overstated how difficult it can be to get the rest of the team to get their crap together when the on ice leaders are not fully engaged. Additionally, he put guys in positions to succeed and progress through the year which we saw in Katchouk, Reichel, AA, Lafferty, heck, even C.Jones was playing better as the year progressed.

I don’t think you are saying the Hawks are pushing for a playoff spot next year because of Bedard? I think the only real failure by the Hawks would be not properly surrounding him with a complementary team which will take a lot more time.

You provide a different point of view. I hope you continue to do so because differing views are great. That said....some of said views are out there....
- mohel

I’m digging it as well. Makes me challenge my own views and refine them a bit more (or at least reinforce them from a new perspective). That said… there will be no dissection here! Fall in line or get out.

Good point. I always like Delia and thought he might stick. I did not see enough of the 10 games he won this year in Vancouver to comment if it was a fluke or he has gotten better away from Waite.

Both Stauber and Stalock stole games this season so perhaps there is more to Waite than I see.
- stevefrmglencoe

The point i was trying to make is that all the coaching in the world doesnt matter if there is nothing there to work with. I agree that a team doesnt need a dreyden or brodeour to win a cup but only s goslie who can make key saves at key points in the course of a game. I think Crow was one. I dont see anyone currently in the organization who has that ability… i may be wrong.

Accurate comments for sure. I can't tell if you are comparing Cooper's resume to Richardson's. Cooper had been a head coach for 12 seasons by the time Tampa signed him and he had won Championships at every stop along the way. In 11-12 his team won 28 in a row and the Calder Cup in Norfolk. Richardson was head coach in Binghampton for 4 years and the team got worse each year. Never won a playoff round. To be fair the rosters weren't stellar the last two years and he did promote guys to the NHL.

As for my expectations on the coaching, with a depleted and depleting roster, I expected a guy to pull out everything in his coaching arsenal to try to win despite the GM. I don't want to repeat myself but I thought he was weak early in the year with the no time out in Dallas while they scored 4 straight and not pulling the goalie at home a few games later. I thought the PP was incredibly predicatable and through most of the season the first unit was staying too long without accomplishing anything. Mid point of the season when Reichel was recalled he barely played and didn't get any powerplay time. Yes I can find things to complain about anywhere and if I watch other teams as much I might see similar things. But this team is the one I am passionate about and it is no coincidence that the two Hall of Fame quality coaches we have seen here recently took the team the farthest.

The reason I think everything has changed is because the kid coming is special. Up till now he's been the best of his generation and the Hawks better not F it up by not surrounding him with the best coaches available. Making the playoff comes down to a point here or there and there a guys out there that have proven they can do it.
- stevefrmglencoe

I think or GM wont hesitate to make a coaching change if he sees the team stagnating. Agree it is very important to not waste a talent like Bedard as oilers do with mcdavid