And you have precisely hit the nail on the head. Nobody is going to come in and turn this team around and make it a cup contender. Unless, a blockbuster deal is made. It's on the players that are here, and the coaches and management to make this thing work. Somewhere along the line there is a disconnect.
- Gasboy

Really a blockbuster deal is needed to make this team a cup contender??? The same team that is 3 points out of first? If i were an outsider i would think you are talking about the minnesota wild or something. They need role players, that 4-6 dman and F/C that is physical that can kill penalties. They don't need to trade kane for getzalf...........

Relax, take a gulp of Kool Aid and here's something to read.

Blackhawks Loss, the Toews Injury and Some Trade Misconceptions:http://bit.ly/yH8Rnt

Translation of Q. speak and StanBo's tough task.
- Al

Appreciate that Al,now i wont be sleeping the next few days

Really a blockbuster deal is needed to make this team a cup contender??? The same team that is 3 points out of first? If i were an outsider i would think you are talking about the minnesota wild or something. They need role players, that 4-6 dman and F/C that is physical that can kill penalties. They don't need to trade kane for getzalf...........
- Wowo2282

I hope your right, but I can't see how a couple of secondary players turn this ship around. We have tried five different guys from the minors. Are two cast offs from a non playoff team going to be any different?

Really a blockbuster deal is needed to make this team a cup contender??? The same team that is 3 points out of first?
- Wowo2282

Where they are now is irrelevant. It's how they get another 40 points in the last 32 games, where 20 of them are on the road.

And here is who is on their schedule:

VAN x2, STL x3, DET x2, NSH x3, LA x2, DAL x2, CBJ x2, MIN x2, SJS x1, NYR x1, ANA x1, PHX x1, OTT x1, WAS x1, TOR x1, NJ x1, EDM x 1, CAL x 1, COL x1, PHO x1.

Are there 40 points for the Hawks in that schedule?? I don't think so.

So, in essence that isn't a trade you would want/expect Bowman to make for your #1 draft choice of a couple years ago, right? The kind of player you describe sounds like Sami Lepisto, who at any time can be found on the waiver wire or via trade for a 7th round pick.
- RickJ

I was thinking something better that Lepisto. Lepisto doesn't exactly strike me as the type of player you march out on the PK, or block shots, or lay big hits. I think you're right in the fact on any good day you can find a player like Lepisto sitting on the waiver wire or as someone who could be had for a 7th round pick.

Given the way things are over-valued, I think the question becomes do you trade Olsen for someone I described above, or hold onto Olsen because he could be that same defenseman I decribed above in a year or two? That leads to how management feels about this team. Is there enough here now to make a serious run? And if there is, what does Bowman have to give up to get the help the team needs to push it over the top?

You're probably right on the goalies. Like I say, hopefully it doesn't come to that at all. The best thing for this team and organization is Crawford getting back to what we seen last season.

The interesting thing about Ben Bishop in St. Louis is that he is in a weird RFA spot where if he doesn't play 15 games in the NHL this season, he becomes a UFA this summer but if he does, he gets one more year of RFA.

I doubt that happens in St. Louis. If another team can take him (Tampa Bay is my guess) they can play him for the remainder of the season and get another year of RFA out of him

Bob Mckenzie wrote about it the other day and he said he is NHL ready. 6'7" athletic and apparently outplayed both Halak and Elliot in camp this season.
- pri$ey

That I did not know. Given that infomation, I'd almost bet he's a free agent after the season, given the play of Halak and Elliott this season. I don't see Bishop getting into 15 games this season for the Blues.

Everyone (Philco, I'm looking at you!) can blame Leddy on the 2nd goal. Fact is, he had his guy contained and the kicking of the puck out front was a nice play. The f-up on that play was in fact O'D's -- #6 was in front and decided, based on how these guys are practicing and are coached, that it LOOKED like Leddy would control the puck and push it in back of our net.

So what does old #6 decide to do, with the Nashville player in the high slot at the time? Yep, he VACATES the front of the net to get a puck that never gets there. Now you and I know that you CANNOT score from behind the net (unless of course, you have old Cristobal Huet in between the pipes).

Regardless, #6 leaves his spot in front of Crawford, where he clearly could have either deflected that kicked puck, intercepted it or at the very least, blocked the shot. Instead, #6 ends up behind the net where no one is going to score from, and the Nashville player is left wide open.
- savvyone-1

Well if he rings it around OD needs to be there. I would be more concerned with the forwards standing on the blue line looking to go yard instead of helping a player under obvious pressure.

Relax, take a gulp of Kool Aid and here's something to read.

Blackhawks Loss, the Toews Injury and Some Trade Misconceptions:http://bit.ly/yH8Rnt

Translation of Q. speak and StanBo's tough task.
- Al

What flavor is the Kool-aid today, and what is it laced with?

What flavor is the Kool-aid today, and what is it laced with?
- EKolb13

I think Jonesville Special flavor might be called for given the way many felt last night.

IMO, Crawford takes the rest from the All star break and comes back with the first start after.. If he doesn't play well, it's Emery until Emery can go no more.
- pri$ey

I'll second that motion.

I'll second that motion.
- Beaver-Warrior

Because that will fix everything.....


They are 24th in the entire NHL in goals against. It's NOT a goalie problem.

I think Jonesville Special flavor might be called for given the way many felt last night.
- NewToHockey

I had hoped for something that gave a great high with a fuzzy and warm feeling. I wasn't looking for the instant death stuff.

Before the Front Office takes your suggestion and starts making the changes you are a proponent of, probably best to analyze what the problem(s) is. Where do they start with this group?

Part of the Roster,Of No Value to Anybody Else: John Scott, Sami Lepisto, Andrew Brunette, Sean O'Donnell

Injured: Sharp, Toews, Carcillo

Basically Rookies Playing Full Time: Kruger, Leddy, Hayes, Shaw, (now add Smith and Pirri)

Significant Performance Issues: Kane, Crawford, Montador

Totally MIA: Bickell, Frolik

The cream is starting to rise to the top. Based on the above, the Hawks are just not as good as Detroit, St.Louis, Vancouver or Nashville. That's a fact.

Seems like alot of fixing to be done with not much time to do it.
- RickJ

I agree with your take except for Kane & Frolik. Kane should be listed as MIA and Frolik should be at most, listed with Performance Issues. Frolik knows there's three zones and actually back checks unlike a certain 6 million dollar man..

Because that will fix everything.....


They are 24th in the entire NHL in goals against. It's NOT a goalie problem.
- Return of the Roar

You're right, let's wait till he has a total melt down.

What flavor is the Kool-aid today, and what is it laced with?
- EKolb13

Reality

Hang tight, have a few beers. Just because we don't hear anything doesn't mean SB & Co are not trying. 'Hawks don't tip their hand too often.

Reality

Hang tight, have a few beers. Just because we don't hear anything doesn't mean SB & Co are not trying. 'Hawks don't tip their hand too often.
- blackhawk24

I'll pass on the booze. I agree with you on the rest.

I just gagged up the Kool Aid after reading it....
- bogiedoc

Sorry, but better to realize now than when everyone else catches on a month from now....

Not easy for StanBo.

What flavor is the Kool-aid today, and what is it laced with?
- EKolb13

Use something strong, but just sip.

Reality

Hang tight, have a few beers. Just because we don't hear anything doesn't mean SB & Co are not trying. 'Hawks don't tip their hand too often.
- blackhawk24

"Trying" has nothing to do with it....I fully believe they are trying all out.

O'Donnell needs to retire. The guy has absolutely no business being in the top 6.

Please retire over the break ya old phony.

Really a blockbuster deal is needed to make this team a cup contender??? The same team that is 3 points out of first? If i were an outsider i would think you are talking about the minnesota wild or something. They need role players, that 4-6 dman and F/C that is physical that can kill penalties. They don't need to trade kane for getzalf...........
- Wowo2282

They'll be 5 out after the Wings win again tonight.