Kevin Hayes didn't exaclty have a ringing endorsement from his brother... Jimmy.

Huge factor in that decision.
- Justin Lowe

Maybe Jimmy shouldn't have sucked. Aircraft carrier made quicker turns than him. Meh on Kevin Hayes. AA and him are pretty much the same players except AA is a professional and Hayes is still an immature doofus.

Respectfully, REALLY..you don't think there is a disconnect on this team. It is not just losing, it is how they lose that tells me there is a problem. Motivation etc....that is on the Coach.

That is one mans opinion.
- TrueGrit

Make that two and I am sure many more
There has to be a different approach now with discernable less talent, more kids, the falling back of Seabrook, Toews, even Keith. Factor in less in return when measuring the replacement for Hossa and Hjalmarsson. Kruger is gone, too.

So yes, it is fair to say may it be our expectations were too high. We are going to have to get used to it. One ray of hope is to trade into the top five overall at the draft, but the price is too high and Bowman probably wants to draft two guys, one goid, the other ok it the too five pick would have been a stud.

Bowman couldn't see that way......his way and we will suffer longer. Oh btw will the PP ever be transformed. Are you kidding?

But what about all the endorsement dollars in Chi-town? Maybe Bob Rohrman can hook him up with a Chevy Cruze
- Dieselhead

That is one of the best diesel! Along with this stupid TV commercial that John McDonagh put out several years ago, and as a long time season ticket holder I’m going to send a letter to their marketing department regarding so, basically the commercial stated this isn’t your fathers BLACKHAWKS anymore, it’s yours now, targeting the 20 somethings with deep pockets, as far as ticket sales, well I would bet that a good portion of those “20 somethings, are not diehard fans like the rest of us but rather saw a quick way to make some money, and now you watch that 15,000 deep season tickets waiting list probably will dwindle down the zilch, and if Stan Bowman does not do a good job come this June you will probably have a season ticket base back down to about 7 000. Meanwhile a lot of fans like myself, or you want to say “dad “have been there well over 30 years and will still continue to support the team. My point is how do you like that egg all over your face John! Going to be interesting from here on out probably till almost August.

Don’t know if you are in the region, but they got these guys working in food shelters, serving Dunkin’ Donuts, and probably a lot of other stuff trying to pacify the fans, how about a cut in ticket prices if you have another bad season next year Rocky? This is just my opinion that is all have a good day boys!

Would have been a perfect tank night for us had the Wings won. But they tried. Montreal and Buffalo 2 points. Canucks/ Rangers 3 point game.
Speaking of Detroit, I watched the 3rd period of that one because I was interested in the result. At 37 Zetterberg was the best player on the ice. What skill and drive! If Toews can be playing at level at that age no one will be complaining about his contract.

Kevin Hayes didn't exaclty have a ringing endorsement from his brother... Jimmy.

Huge factor in that decision.
- Justin Lowe

yeah, that's right, I remember that. they thought Jimmy should have been playing, he got flipped for Versteeg when Kevin was still in college. They Hayes boys thought they were the Sedin twins.

Would have been a perfect tank night for us had the Wings won. But they tried. Montreal and Buffalo 2 points. Canucks/ Rangers 3 point game.
Speaking of Detroit, I watched the 3rd period of that one because I was interested in the result. At 37 Zetterberg was the best player on the ice. What skill and drive! If Toews can be playing at level at that age no one will be complaining about his contract.
- 67hawks

Yes we would - if only to carp at Bowman.

In Elliotte Friedman's most recent 31 thoughts:

4. One exec on Vegas eating 40 percent of Derick Brassard’s salary. “I can’t believe the NHL let it happen, but I wish I’d thought of it.”

Yet the NHL continues to penalize us on Hossa's contract which was perfectly legal when it was signed. Watch this loophole get closed this summer. Will the NHL back date the ruling for the Pens? Probably not!

In Elliotte Friedman's most recent 31 thoughts:

4. One exec on Vegas eating 40 percent of Derick Brassard’s salary. “I can’t believe the NHL let it happen, but I wish I’d thought of it.”

Yet the NHL continues to penalize us on Hossa's contract which was perfectly legal when it was signed. Watch this loophole get closed this summer. Will the NHL back date the ruling for the Pens? Probably not!
- 67hawks

Proof enough that that ruling was designed for 1 team in mind? The league even allowed Pronger to retire without any penalty. (And yes, when he was hired by the league he was retired as a player).

Montreal 63 games 24-29-10 58 points
Edmonton 63 27-32-4 58
NY Rangers 64 28-30-6 62
Detroit 63 26-27-10 62
Chicago 63 27-28-8 62

We are sitting in the ninth lottery position. The bottom standings are tight. Losing all 3 during this swing through California would put us in a nice spot.

You know what also irritates me about this Q argument is, besides Toews Kane Seabrook Keith and Crawford oh yeah and Saad who has Q coached longer than 3 years on this team?

If Q lost the core than honestly what the hell is wrong with the core, tired of winning Stanley Cups, or is it to hard now?

It's called TALENT. the next wave of kids, who have to learn Q's system

And I don't know about anybody else here but if I was called up to the Blackhawks and playing for a coach who has 3 rings, I would try to be a sponge because I know as an athlete sure I wanted to be personally successful but more than anything else I wanted to win.

I think LA's comparison is a good one, things they have in common, played a ton of hockey from 2010 to 2017. Had to trade, let go, reshuffle on the fly for the last 8 years. With Q here next year this team will be better than this year since they will have a longer off season and the core getting slapped with reality that they have to work harder in the off season.
- BetweenTheDots

I don't think that the core is disregarding what Q has to say. My point is more his teaching/gameplan has gone as far as it can go with this team.

Chicago, under Quenneville, had a great style of play. Kill teams with speed and finesse. They thrived under it and teams couldn't compete. Yea, they're fast, but we'll break them. Good try ANA. Problem is, teams are planning/changing their game plan to beat them. They've been doing it for 8+ years and Hawks are not making the necessary changes. As an outsider with no idea what goes on in practice, it feels like he is preaching the same game plan over and over. Bowman is trying to change the team, but Q doesn't seem willing to change. Which is why some talented players may be a healthy scratch or traded.

Getting to the core, they're listening. They're playing the game they were told to play, but every game they play will become less and less effective. This could be an added explanation of the decline of several players.

So why not change the coach? Not that he's not a good coach, but someone needs to take this team (and embrace what was learned under Q), and add their spin to it. You can only learn so much from a coach, until you're just playing the same every game. I bet the core would lie on the tracks for Q, it's not that they're not listening. Just how much more can Q improve their game when preaching the same game play?

Just my view on it, I could be completely, 100% wrong haha.

Of the ‘Hawks remaining 19 games, only three games (Buffalo, Carolina, and Vancouver) are games the ‘Hawks should be favored in.

Multiple games against the likes of the Jets, Bruins, and even the Blues will help this team tank.

Kevin Hayes didn't exaclty have a ringing endorsement from his brother... Jimmy.

Huge factor in that decision.
- Justin Lowe

I would have kept Jimmy around longer. Was traded way to quickly. He got 12 games over two seasons. For giggles... a possible third line now could be Vesey Hayes and Hayes. Hmmmmm

Montreal 63 games 24-29-10 58 points
Edmonton 63 27-32-4 58
NY Rangers 64 28-30-6 62
Detroit 63 26-27-10 62
Chicago 63 27-28-8 62

We are sitting in the ninth lottery position. The bottom standings are tight. Losing all 3 during this swing through California would put us in a nice spot.
- 67hawks

I am optimistic that we can go 0-3. Surprising to see the Rangers and Habs struggling badly. With the NHL and its man crush on east coast teams, I would not be shocked to see the Rangers come up with the #1 pick.

Proof enough that that ruling was designed for 1 team in mind? The league even allowed Pronger to retire without any penalty. (And yes, when he was hired by the league he was retired as a player).
- powerenforcer

Agreed plus the Hawks are still dealing the Hossa contract which was allowed at the time he signed it. How shortsighted is the NHL to penalize the Hawks for it? Chicago is a major market and ratings gold for the league so let’s put the screws to them. Not that they should get special treatment if they broke the rules but why penalize them for what was an allowed contract.

Of the ‘Hawks remaining 19 games, only three games (Buffalo, Carolina, and Vancouver) are games the ‘Hawks should be favored in.

Multiple games against the likes of the Jets, Bruins, and even the Blues will help this team tank.
- TommyHawk

Unless Hartman was a cancer in the locker room and the team comes out and runs the table now that he's gone!!!

Unless Hartman was a cancer in the locker room and the team comes out and runs the table now that he's gone!!!
- BlazinMike

Heard on multiple occasions, not only did Hartman knock over the Q Kool Aid Cooler, but also pissed in it.....

Of the ‘Hawks remaining 19 games, only three games (Buffalo, Carolina, and Vancouver) are games the ‘Hawks should be favored in.

Multiple games against the likes of the Jets, Bruins, and even the Blues will help this team tank.
- TommyHawk

Two of those are not gimme's as Buffalo has been playing very well lately knocking off teams better than the Hawks. Vancouver has been owning us lately too.
The only thing we have to worry about are the late season ones involving playoff bound clubs with locked in positions. Often they rest players and just go through the motions preventing injury.

Unless Hartman was a cancer in the locker room and the team comes out and runs the table now that he's gone!!!
- BlazinMike

It is more likely that they sleep walk the rest of the way considering that a lot of their energy (in Hartman and Wingels) has been removed.
I am hoping for blowout losses providing enough stench under Q's raised nose to prompt him to want to leave on his own this summer.

News:
Tampa signed 20 yr old Quebec Junior League stand out
Barre - Boulet. He is the leading scorer in the league this season 104 pts in 57 gp and posted 14 34 ptst in
20 playoff games last spring.

Views: DK if Bowman was watching this kid. I have read that Blackhawks are scouting Europe etc al again this year. When you do not have a top very high choice it is almost a crapshoot that you can draft a future core piece. Does anyone know if an offer was made to this kid? There is room for him if your scouts have done due diligence. An organizational contract could easily be loped off. Even an NJL player if this kid is so great.

Perhaps teams like Tampa and Pittsburgh see opportunity and already is planning for another expansion draft.

Meanwhile I sure hope that the big center they grabbed from Toronto does not turn out more like A Creighton.

I would have kept Jimmy around longer. Was traded way to quickly. He got 12 games over two seasons. For giggles... a possible third line now could be Vesey Hayes and Hayes. Hmmmmm
- z1990z

yeah, I would have tried to send someone else for Versteeg and keep Jimmy to see if he could bring in Kevin behind him. With the cap situation, the Blackhawks lost some assets along the way for minimal on-ice return. that sucks.

You're kinda in the minority on this one. I think most fans are realizing that Coach Q is part of the problem as well, and would rather flip him or Bowman than flip over the entire roster.
- Murph76

They can’t really flip the roster. All contracts are guaranteed, so the only way to get out from under them is to trade a body. Too many contracts that other teams won’t take or which if flipped, only allow you to ge a similar player. Think there is no choice than to flip management, and I would opt to replace Q, and I have been a huge supporter of his. Just believe that the time has come to move on and give the same players a new voice behind the bench.

News:
Tampa signed 20 yr old Quebec Junior League stand out
Barre - Boulet. He is the leading scorer in the league this season 104 pts in 57 gp and posted 14 34 ptst in
20 playoff games last spring.

Views: DK if Bowman was watching this kid. I have read that Blackhawks are scouting Europe etc al again this year. When you do not have a top very high choice it is almost a crapshoot that you can draft a future core piece. Does anyone know if an offer was made to this kid? There is room for him if your scouts have done due diligence. An organizational contract could easily be loped off. Even an NJL player if this kid is so great.

Perhaps teams like Tampa and Pittsburgh see opportunity and already is planning for another expansion draft.

Meanwhile I sure hope that the big center they grabbed from Toronto does not turn out more like A Creighton.
- jhawk59

Are we now going to come down on Stanbo for every FA that another team signs?

yeah, I would have tried to send someone else for Versteeg and keep Jimmy to see if he could bring in Kevin behind him. With the cap situation, the Blackhawks lost some assets along the way for minimal on-ice return. that sucks.
- matt_ahrens

I never thought the Hawks cared all that much about Kevin Hayes. Trading Jimmy Hayes showed this. You don’t come out with nothing in such a situation.

I never thought the Hawks cared all that much about Kevin Hayes. Trading Jimmy Hayes showed this. You don’t come out with nothing in such a situation.
- Z3Hawk

I believe Hayes was relatively vocal about his plans to leave the organization. Why would you give up any asset whatsoever for a player you can get by waiting for him to break his contract?

Buffalo illustrates this perfectly with the Vesey situation. They sent a second to Nashville, and they weren't able to sign him.

That and Kevin Hayes has not exactly been an all-star player. Namestnikov will probably replace him on the second line by the end of the season. Hayes is in his fourth season, and he has never broken the 20-goal mark.

There is a reason he was only re-signed to a $2.6 million deal...

Make that two and I am sure many more
There has to be a different approach now with discernable less talent, more kids, the falling back of Seabrook, Toews, even Keith. Factor in less in return when measuring the replacement for Hossa and Hjalmarsson. Kruger is gone, too.

So yes, it is fair to say may it be our expectations were too high. We are going to have to get used to it. One ray of hope is to trade into the top five overall at the draft, but the price is too high and Bowman probably wants to draft two guys, one goid, the other ok it the too five pick would have been a stud.

Bowman couldn't see that way......his way and we will suffer longer. Oh btw will the PP ever be transformed. Are you kidding?
- jhawk59

There are simply more good players to draft now. Drafts are generally deeper. Trading up to the very top spots is one thing. Trading up just to trade up is another. Once you get past the very first picks there is sometimes little to choose for the rest of the First Round even falling into the Second Round. Scouting plays huge roll. Sometimes there is even little to choose at the top - this year by all reports there are a couple of players that are seen as above the rest.

Regarding Q you have to analyze him in the present and recent past. Two years ago - First Round exit - 7 games, Last Year - First Round exit - 4 games - This Year - Very Poor Season. You can’t just say he’s won 3 Cups. The NHL has changed - recent failures indicates Q has not kept up. The huge problem is we can’t and couldn’t keep Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook young forever. Each year is precious and we have wasted 3.