Let me be the first...

...the "other" FA's can go F themselves.
- ArlingtonRob

So can Q, Stan, Rocky, and anyone else responsible for making them feel that way.

Let me be the first...

...the "other" FA's can go F themselves.
- ArlingtonRob

Rocky just kicking back while mcD ousted Tallon was a HUGE mistake... This would not have unfolded this way had he been smart and loyal to the guy he should have. So here we are... We have A GM who doesn't really understand much about fielding a balanced roster, a coach who has shown he can't make it out of the first round with 5 of the best players in the league, and an owner who oversaw the dismissal of the GM who built us a Cup winner.. That was fast

Rocky just kicking back while mcD ousted Tallon was a HUGE mistake... This would not have unfolded this way had he been smart and loyal to the guy he should have. So here we are... We have A GM who doesn't really understand much about fielding a balanced roster, a coach who has shown he can't make it out of the first round with 5 of the best players in the league, and an owner who oversaw the dismissal of the GM who built us a Cup winner.. That was fast
- ilinkhawk

Well, the good news is, I'm hearing he realizes it.

On paper, I give the players a 8.5 out of 10. On paper, they're one of the best teams in the league. But the paper doesn't include the coaching or management, both of which score in the -3 range on the 10 scale. I'm so depressed. Hopefully the faithful at the convention really let the brass hear it.
And great blog, JJ. One of your best.

I'm surprised by the blog today JJ, and in a good way.

McDonough doesn't get enough blame for the stunt he pulled not only getting Tallon removed, but also Rick Dudley.

This is the egomaniac team pres. who's in commercials promoting the team. When's the last time someone saw that?

As you wrote, they better wake up before a guy like Toews becomes a FA, and decides he would love to play back home in Winnipeg, and Kane really gets that chance to play in Buffalo. Things are not heading in the right direction.

I can't tell you how many arguments that I've gotten into with people about how little Bowman has received in return for his assets post Stanley Cup. and how his hands were tied. Yeah, he needed to dump some salary, but he was also selling high on some of those guys, but StanBo was selling at a garage sale. A player like Buff had ridiculously high value after his playoff run. We've seen a guy like Holmgren deal a couple of all stars recently, and make the team even better. Remember those words about how the Campbell money could be reallocated to boost the roster for a playoff run? I didn't expect Malkin or Crosby to be picked up, but Oduya and Morrison, and that's it?

It pains me to write this, but I hope they miss the playoffs, and Rocky finally wakes up and lops the head off the front office monster. It all starts with McDonough, I've been saying it ad nauseum for a long while. They guy has a terrible reputation, ask his former employees. Smart bosses hire people who know what they're doing, and stay out of the way. Don't just fill the roles underneath them with lap dogs. In fact, weren't there rumors that StanBo was the one truly responsible for the FA tenders a few years ago, but Tallon took the fall? Chevy, Berg, Dudley, Tallon. Some pretty solid hockey people there.

He gets far too much credit for his time with the Cubs. That's a team that started drawing well when they, big surprise here, starting winning a bit in 1984. As well, being ahead of the game with a superstation and HC certainly helped.

I don't expect the team pres. to be a hockey genius. Just smart enough to get the f*** out of the way, and let the real experts do their job. Not hire a puppet glad to have the role, and apparently intimidated and overwhelmed in it as well.

Sorry for the novel, but I'm just pissed at what's been happening. I didn't expect Parise or Suter, but at least a 2c.

Well, the good news is, I'm hearing he realizes it.

- John Jaeckel

Realizing it is one thing, having the stones to do something meaningful about it is another thing altogether.

With many selling points in their favor, incredible that they could not grab the elusive 2c. I was hopeful and naive that Stan could pull something, anything, off. Instead of chasing down Marty and Zach and Ryan, I would have preferred a concentrated effort on a 2c. Instead, we got a meandering, scattershot summer. Our only hope this season, shortened as it may be, is winning in spite of the deluded staff. But that is too much to hope for in this parity driven NHL. They can keep their frigging bobbleheads...put someone on the ice winning draws and forechecking. Sickening.

On paper, I give the players a 8.5 out of 10. On paper, they're one of the best teams in the league. But the paper doesn't include the coaching or management, both of which score in the -3 range on the 10 scale. I'm so depressed. Hopefully the faithful at the convention really let the brass hear it.
And great blog, JJ. One of your best.
- Blackhawks928

Thx pal

If there is a negative response i hope comcast has the stones to show it on tv live and not break away for a commercial!
ps, great blog JJ! someone please e-mail it to mr. wirtz& mcdonough!

Well, the good news is, I'm hearing he realizes it.

- John Jaeckel

But then how could he let this summer happen?

I'm surprised by the blog today JJ, and in a good way.

McDonough doesn't get enough blame for the stunt he pulled not only getting Tallon removed, but also Rick Dudley.

This is the egomaniac team pres. who's in commercials promoting the team. When's the last time someone saw that?

As you wrote, they better wake up before a guy like Toews becomes a FA, and decides he would love to play back home in Winnipeg, and Kane really gets that chance to play in Buffalo. Things are not heading in the right direction.

I can't tell you how many arguments that I've gotten into with people about how little Bowman has received in return for his assets post Stanley Cup. Yeah, he needed to dump some salary, but he was also selling high on some of those guys, but StanBo was selling at a garage sale. A player like Buff had ridiculously

It pains me to write this, but I hope they miss the playoffs, and Rocky finally wakes up and lops the head off the front office monster. It all starts with McDonough, I've been saying it ad nauseum for a long while. They guy has a terrible reputation, ask his former employees.

He gets far too much credit for his time with the Cubs. That's a team that started drawing well when they, big surprise here, starting winning a bit in 1984. As well, being ahead of the game with a superstation and HC certainly helped.

I don't expect the team pres. to be a hockey genius. Just smart enough to get the f*** out of the way, and let the real experts do their job. Not hire a puppet glad to have the role, and apparently intimidated and overwhelmed in it as well.
- howiehandles

Who is to blame? The team president that runs around telling everyone what to do in a business he has never been in? Or the owner that allows that to happen?

Well.... Maybe Kompon will figure it out in Chicago?

But man, he was terrible... He tried to blame it on the players, but really his system was just awful... Loves trying to pass the puck into the net... Bad enough that 3 power plays in the 5 minute major that won us the cup wasn't enough to save him his job.

Most of the time we'd have rather just run 2 minutes off the clock than go on the PP, just huge momentum killers.



Good luck...

But then how could he let this summer happen?
- StLBravesFan

Zactly.

Who is to blame? The team president that runs around telling everyone what to do in a business he has never been in? Or the owner that allows that to happen?
- ilinkhawk

Good point.

Dad Bill would have been burned at the stake by now. Wonder if the luster is starting to wear off of Rocky yet. Maybe it takes one more year before people start to focus more on him.

Well.... Maybe Kompon will figure it out in Chicago?

But man, he was terrible... He tried to blame it on the players, but really his system was just awful... Loves trying to pass the puck into the net... Bad enough that 3 power plays in the 5 minute major that won us the cup wasn't enough to save him his job.

Most of the time we'd have rather just run 2 minutes off the clock than go on the PP, just huge momentum killers.



Good luck...
- bluecoconuts

His umbrella formation is upside down. LOL.

Well.... Maybe Kompon will figure it out in Chicago?

But man, he was terrible... He tried to blame it on the players, but really his system was just awful... Loves trying to pass the puck into the net... Bad enough that 3 power plays in the 5 minute major that won us the cup wasn't enough to save him his job.

Most of the time we'd have rather just run 2 minutes off the clock than go on the PP, just huge momentum killers.



Good luck...
- bluecoconuts

Again, we already have his two mentors coaching our team, I don't expect it to be any worse, or better. Status quo.

But then how could he let this summer happen?
- StLBravesFan

I'm not sure. At some point, he has to be able to trust his people to make smart decisions and act on them.

- southernhawk

Today was the final straw. When Philly is suddenly a garden spot for nhl payers, you know you have problems here. Its all about management, and Philly schooled Stanley the last two days.

But then how could he let this summer happen?
- StLBravesFan

I'm not sure. At some point, he has to be able to trust his people to make smart decisions and act on them.

Well.... Maybe Kompon will figure it out in Chicago?

But man, he was terrible... He tried to blame it on the players, but really his system was just awful... Loves trying to pass the puck into the net... Bad enough that 3 power plays in the 5 minute major that won us the cup wasn't enough to save him his job.

Most of the time we'd have rather just run 2 minutes off the clock than go on the PP, just huge momentum killers.



Good luck...
- bluecoconuts

I get a coach on the hot seat wanting his guys, but I keep hearing the guy Kompon is most compared to is Kitchen. Yikes. It's gotta say something when the Stanley Cup winners don't want you, and no one even bothers to interview you for a head coaching job.

With many selling points in their favor, incredible that they could not grab the elusive 2c. I was hopeful and naive that Stan could pull something, anything, off. Instead of chasing down Marty and Zach and Ryan, I would have preferred a concentrated effort on a 2c. Instead, we got a meandering, scattershot summer. Our only hope this season, shortened as it may be, is winning in spite of the deluded staff. But that is too much to hope for in this parity driven NHL. They can keep their frigging bobbleheads...put someone on the ice winning draws and forechecking. Sickening.
- HealthyScratch1

There's the rub. I don't think this will matter much since the CBA debacle is lookin' bleak. I was naive in thinking the NHLPA and Owners would never risk the good will that 's been building.

Unless the players cave completely...my gut tells me this is gonna be a long, and increasingly nasty lockout.

But I'm looking on the bright side....if the NHL is damaged by this lockout...

...this may be Bettman's last stand. A guy can hope anyhow.

Good point.

Dad Bill would have been burned at the stake by now. Wonder if the luster is starting to wear off of Rocky yet. Maybe it takes one more year before people start to focus more on him.
- howiehandles

I have said it before and I will again now: the front office infighting this summer is not terribly different than the Peter Wirtz/Tallon vs. Pully/Bryan Sutter nonsense of ten years ago.

One way in which Rocky—thus far—does not differ from Dollar Bill is in having a crowded and contentious boardroom.

I have said it before and I will again now: the front office infighting this summer is not terribly different than the Peter Wirtz/Tallon vs. Pully/Bryan Sutter nonsense of ten years ago.

One way in which Rocky—thus far—does not differ from Dollar Bill is in having a crowded and contentious boardroom.
- John Jaeckel

Nothing wrong with having people with a different point of view, but seems like a lousy way to do business if its as bad as has been described. Dysfunction even.

Good point.

Dad Bill would have been burned at the stake by now. Wonder if the luster is starting to wear off of Rocky yet. Maybe it takes one more year before people start to focus more on him.
- howiehandles

It's more than started, he's fully tarnished in my eyes. I lump him right in with McD, Stan , and Q as far as blame goes. If he can't/won't see it , (frank) him too.