been beating themselves all year...why change now..

0-19-3 when giving up 4 or more goals..
- bogiedoc

Foley would spin this and say they are just 19 games under .500.

One suggestion: Entire Hawks coaching staff and team study the Bruins' PP and see if they can't make some adjustments to mimic.
- pdx2ord

That’s what they should have been doing all season long. Both the PK and the PP seem to be static in the sense that once they get set at the beginning of the year, the scheme does not change. I don’t understand why they are constantly looking at what is working around the league on both units and aghast the Hawks scheme to what is successful. Also don’t quite understand why they don’t adjust the scheme of both units to better match up the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents

I guess doing this would require that they practice once in a while. I guess that’s s no-go with Q.

And I suppose on moral grounds you wouldn't want Marchant playing for the Blackhawks?

Give me a rat like Marchant, Brendan Gallagher, Leo Komarov or Andrew Shaw any day of the week. And I will give you back 2 Brandon Saads in return.
- RickJ

I would take him in an instant. As a government official whose name I can’t recall once said: “ He may be a dictator, but he is our dictator.”

I would take him in an instant. As a government official whose name I can’t recall once said: “ He may be a dictator, but he is our dictator.”
- Spec41971

It was Roosevelt talking about the dictator of Nicaragua, Anastasio Somoza.

“Somoza may be a son of a b!tch, but he’s our son of a b!tch.”

Shaw and Bolland were cheap, but I don't remember them putting guys on IR, with the exception of Bolland giving Mike Richards a concussion.

You guys want Kane to be Captain how come he did not go after Marchand?

Nice 4 minute penalty Patricia

Trade his lazy overpaid .....

I would take him in an instant. As a government official whose name I can’t recall once said: “ He may be a dictator, but he is our dictator.”
- Spec41971

Well, you just have not watched enough hockey my friend. Bettman would have a field day if Marchant ever put on a Blackhawk jersey.

as i have said before: am looking forward to the end of season what comes out about him, what the hell is bugging him...he has made more offensive and defensive errors this year than in the previous 3 or 4 combined...

have not seen one hit or anything close like he laid on a pred in game 4 when it didn't matter..

i have heard about a "prideful group", well that may be true but the only ones i see showing it are a few of the young guys and an overwhelmed goalie tandem getting lit up everynight
- bogiedoc

only 4 more weeks!

John Hayden was just called up.

So Blackhawks went with 8 d all year.... now have 6 for the rest of the year?

I don't even know anymore.
- Justin Lowe

any chance they have their eye on an NCAA player to join the team for a few weeks? If they have limited number of transactions with Rockford, that might make some sense. I can't come up with anything else unless they are planning to go with 4 forwards and a D-man once in a while. Given the current state of blue line play, why not?

WTH... The more I watch it the more disgusted I am with this team and its lack of MANHOOD!!!!


- z1990z

Blackhawks should recall Tootoo for tomorrow's game.

Chara is still pissed about 2013. Big Z is 40 years old and playing better hockey than both Keith and Seabrook this year. Why is that? The Core has gotten fat and lazy with their big money and past glory. Need to move Seabrook, Keith or Toews to change the culture in the room moving forward.
- EnzoD

I'm really curious to see what happens, mostly because it doesn't seem like much can happen anytime soon. Even if it could, I don't trust Stan to make it happen.

What exactly was his plan this year?
- Have Panik and Hartman improve on last year's career years
- Put Saad on Toews' LW so Toews will play like he did five years ago
- Put a Blackhawks sweater on Sharp again and he will go back a few years too
- DeBrincat will replace Panarin's scoring
- Assume 2 & 7 also find the fountain of youth
- The AHL blue line will be fine
- No need to replace Hossa or Kruger
- Sign Bouma and Wingels to make the team "hard to play against"
- have a couple of NHL cast-offs compete for the backup goalie position
- if it doesn't work, blame Q

I'm really curious to see what happens, mostly because it doesn't seem like much can happen anytime soon. Even if it could, I don't trust Stan to make it happen.

What exactly was his plan this year?
- Have Panik and Hartman improve on last year's career years
- Put Saad on Toews' LW so Toews will play like he did five years ago
- Put a Blackhawks sweater on Sharp again and he will go back a few years too
- DeBrincat will replace Panarin's scoring
- Assume 2 & 7 also find the fountain of youth
- The AHL blue line will be fine
- No need to replace Hossa or Kruger
- Sign Bouma and Wingels to make the team "hard to play against"
- have a couple of NHL cast-offs compete for the backup goalie position
- if it doesn't work, blame Q
- matt_ahrens

what you see and who stan signed is what they are next year: bad

what you see and who stan signed is what they are next year: bad
- bogiedoc

Murphy and Debrincat+ for Ekblad and Bjugstad. And some lottery luck to get Tzchuk at 4-6.

And it's amazing how fans like you tell a story to fit your own narrative that just isn't true.

And talk about revisionist history - you people think Hartman is some star in waiting.

Let's talk fact - and this comes from someone that actually knows what was going on with him.

Hartman was a 30th overall pick - yes a first rounder, but not what you would call a "blue chip" prospect.

He spent a few underwhelming years at Rockford - his highlight reel film was starting trouble that lead to almost bench clearing brawls whenever they played the Wolves. He was considered an undisciplined and inconsistent player in the AHL, and it carried over to the NHL.

So let's move forward to his first year with the Hawks. Yes, he scored 19 goals his first season with the team, but let's be honest - how many of them were empty netters - I remember at least 4. And we are talking about a player with only 31 points in 76 games - not exactly lighting up the world.

Now we fast forward to last summer - when he decided to drop 10+ pound - so he could increase his speed game. He spent the summer practicing with Kane and Hinostroza - again, not the type of player they needed him to be.

Hawks management saw him as a Shaw replacement - someone that would agitate around the net, but is that what we really saw from him this year?? I saw a player too small and weak to be what was expected of him. I saw a player that disappeared for most of the season - and that was not on the coaches, or the G.M. - that was all on Ryan Hartman.

Most people here saw him as some kind of power forward in waiting - at around 180 pounds - I just don't get it. Even if he did throw his body around, we are not talking about hits that would leave many marks on the opponent.

So can we please get past this player??? He was an average 3rd-4th line player - and if he continues with the attitude in Nashville, he will be looking for his third team this summer.
- dahawks8819

Seems a lot of team were interested in what you call an average 3rd-4th liner. But then that doesn't fit your narrative.

If the Hawks management was trying to pigeonhole hole Hartman into a Shaw clone, then they are dumber than I thought. Even after being jerked all over the line-up he still was on pace to meet or exceed his production from last season even with Q's head game with him.

As for most of the rest of you spewing, none of itis remotely factual.

Murphy and Debrincat+ for Ekblad and Bjugstad. And some lottery luck to get Tzchuk at 4-6.
- EnzoD

So a couple of players with some serious injury concerns. Ekblad is one more concussion from some serious issue for his future. Bjugstad has already had major surgery on his back at least once.

A power forward in my opinion plays a heavy game no matter what. Shaw scored when nobody else could because he was without fear even though he could not be classified as a power forward. With respect to all posters, Hartman picks his spots and is not the answer for a power forward gig. In my opinion Shaw was much more valuable than Hartman. I'm not going to speculate as to how long a players career is going to be, but i think Hartman can be replaced more easily than not. Shaw not so much.
- 6628

No one ever called Hartman a power forward. Or a star in the making for that matter.

Great news!! Only a grade 1 sprain/strain then!!!

Marchand still can go (frank) himself the dirty ugly rat.
- EnzoD

Great news would be duclair never playing for the Hawks again. He sucks.

Great news would be duclair never playing for the Hawks again. He sucks.
- TTtime

Yeah he's nothing special, but you never want to see guys seriously injured....especially from a rat like Marchand being a scumbag. As for Murphy, he's a 3rd pair Dman IMO and I'd much rather have Huberdeau or Trochek but that's not realistic. Unlike Stan Bowman, I don't think icing the same blue line next fall is a recipe for success. Ekblad is a stud. I'd move Debrincat for a stud Dman.

Great news would be duclair never playing for the Hawks again. He sucks.
- TTtime

Another great move by Bowman after he overpaid __________ insert Hawks player name here. I'm not a DuClair 'flavor of the month' fan...but that was another garbage play by Marchand who's had a career full of them.

And Sage to your comment I'd like to think we'd take winning over meathead retribution. I think the point is this team never has any pushback and its demoralizing. Hossa to me was the most egregious one. The Hawks were worried about a lousy instigator after one of if not their best player was laid out in a cheap shot for the ages and taken off on a stretcher.

Yet to your point you look at the Hawks Ducks series in 15...where the Hawks were pounded by the Ducks, but refused to retaliate and won a thrilling series 4-3.

It'll be interesting to see if the Hawks have any push back today on home ice against the Bruins (who I still see losing to the Bolts in the playoffs).

Another great move by Bowman after he overpaid __________ insert Hawks player name here. I'm not a DuClair 'flavor of the month' fan...but that was another garbage play by Marchand who's had a career full of them.

And Sage to your comment I'd like to think we'd take winning over meathead retribution. I think the point is this team never has any pushback and its demoralizing. Hossa to me was the most egregious one. The Hawks were worried about a lousy instigator after one of if not their best player was laid out in a cheap shot for the ages and taken off on a stretcher.

Yet to your point you look at the Hawks Ducks series in 15...where the Hawks were pounded by the Ducks, but refused to retaliate and won a thrilling series 4-3.

It'll be interesting to see if the Hawks have any push back today on home ice against the Bruins (who I still see losing to the Bolts in the playoffs).
- DK002

i am with both of you...i despise meathead hockey and fighting; however the league, the gms, the coaches and the players continue to allow it and act as if it just part of the game...it isn't...

to end it would take strong changes to the rules and enforcement which none of the above mentioned have the will or the guts to move on this;

1. strict call of penalties for slashes and cross checks; post whistle pens are an immediate double minor

2. call more 5 min majors

3. fights: automatic 5 for fighting and 10 misconduct with possible ejection

4. coaches and organizational accountability; tired of coaches looking the other way or downplaying on ice thuggery by THEIR players and then razing holy hell when the OTHER GUY does it.

i understand the refs have to make tough judgement calls with respect who started what when..

only way to end this is to make players and teams feel the pain in playing time, $$, and goals against...

Based on the roster assembled by Bowman and the recent questionable signings it would appear that this is his team now and that Q has lost his power and is gently getting shown the door. Q's system doesn't fit the aging core and the small young forwards. The core themselves were never tough players who responded to liberties taken against the team and to rely solely on a kid like Hayden isn't reality while Murphy can't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. Nobody else comes to mind. The Hawks always seemed to have a role player who would respond. Guys like Mayers, Bollig and Tootoo were there who played the game yet knew when to step up and be that guy who responded when the team needed that lift. Back in the old school days, the Hawks teams weren't always that good but never had teams rubbing their noses in it. The Secords, Behn Wilsons, Mansons and Proberts, among others, made damn sure of that. Sure the game has changed but team morale always remains the same. This is not a world class team anymore who impose their will through pace and skill. We need men to sit beside the boys to let them know that nobody will take advantage of our team. Personally I don't think I've ever seen a Blackhawks team this soft. The team looks demoralised and for a tough, blue collar city like Chicago it's not a good look when you're losing and getting beat up.

Based on the roster assembled by Bowman and the recent questionable signings it would appear that this is his team now and that Q has lost his power and is gently getting shown the door. Q's system doesn't fit the aging core and the small young forwards. The core themselves were never tough players who responded to liberties taken against the team and to rely solely on a kid like Hayden isn't reality while Murphy can't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. Nobody else comes to mind. The Hawks always seemed to have a role player who would respond. Guys like Mayers, Bollig and Tootoo were there who played the game yet knew when to step up and be that guy who responded when the team needed that lift. Back in the old school days, the Hawks teams weren't always that good but never had teams rubbing their noses in it. The Secords, Behn Wilsons, Mansons and Proberts, among others, made damn sure of that. Sure the game has changed but team morale always remains the same. This is not a world class team anymore who impose their will through pace and skill. We need men to sit beside the boys to let them know that nobody will take advantage of our team. Personally I don't think I've ever seen a Blackhawks team this soft. The team looks demoralised and for a tough, blue collar city like Chicago it's not a good look when you're losing and getting beat up.
- walter34

Q certainly looks and sounds like a beaten man

Q certainly looks and sounds like a beaten man
- bogiedoc

Being expected to turn a chicken sh$t roster into an award winning chicken salad will get to every coach in any sport.

i am with both of you...i despise meathead hockey and fighting; however the league, the gms, the coaches and the players continue to allow it and act as if it just part of the game...it isn't...

to end it would take strong changes to the rules and enforcement which none of the above mentioned have the will or the guts to move on this;

1. strict call of penalties for slashes and cross checks; post whistle pens are an immediate double minor

2. call more 5 min majors

3. fights: automatic 5 for fighting and 10 misconduct with possible ejection

4. coaches and organizational accountability; tired of coaches looking the other way or downplaying on ice thuggery by THEIR players and then razing holy hell when the OTHER GUY does it.

i understand the refs have to make tough judgement calls with respect who started what when..

only way to end this is to make players and teams feel the pain in playing time, $$, and goals against...
- bogiedoc

This is great. I'd change #3 a bit though. Name just one other team sport, on any level, where this isn't an automatic ejection. I can't either, because there isn't one. In high school sports, it's an ejection for not only that game, but more as well.

That said, i still hope somebody "deals" with Marchand today. Talented player, so one has to ask what disconnect goes on in that jags brain to make him play the way he does. Totally unnecessary.

And let the rebuild begin. Hopefully without Stan and Q.

i am with both of you...i despise meathead hockey and fighting; however the league, the gms, the coaches and the players continue to allow it and act as if it just part of the game...it isn't...

to end it would take strong changes to the rules and enforcement which none of the above mentioned have the will or the guts to move on this;

1. strict call of penalties for slashes and cross checks; post whistle pens are an immediate double minor

2. call more 5 min majors

3. fights: automatic 5 for fighting and 10 misconduct with possible ejection

4. coaches and organizational accountability; tired of coaches looking the other way or downplaying on ice thuggery by THEIR players and then razing holy hell when the OTHER GUY does it.

i understand the refs have to make tough judgement calls with respect who started what when..

only way to end this is to make players and teams feel the pain in playing time, $$, and goals against...
- bogiedoc

I am all for this. Additionally any player whom intentionally or not delivers a check which causes a concussion, is suspended with pay until the concussed player returns to game action.

A good clean check normally does not cause a concussion. Running a player means you better be careful how hard and your technique is proper. For the good of the game and in all due respect to the enormous cost and time to develop, draft, develop players yet more, this investment by familes/players and the teams who draft them is too greatly impacted by one bad check.

Therefore my admonition above is a tough measure but is necessary to police and preserve the game. I emphsize again: Players nowadays will not and cannot police the game themselves. I enjoy aggressive forechecking but in moderation with controls so as to preserve more the beauty of the game and the health of its players.

I will not go off on a tangent about the effect of ripping off fans in ticket prices (expensive) then they are denied the opportunity to see a player perform due to some uncontrollabke jerk like Marchand is iresponsible.

I'm really curious to see what happens, mostly because it doesn't seem like much can happen anytime soon. Even if it could, I don't trust Stan to make it happen.

What exactly was his plan this year?
- Have Panik and Hartman improve on last year's career years
- Put Saad on Toews' LW so Toews will play like he did five years ago
- Put a Blackhawks sweater on Sharp again and he will go back a few years too
- DeBrincat will replace Panarin's scoring
- Assume 2 & 7 also find the fountain of youth
- The AHL blue line will be fine
- No need to replace Hossa or Kruger
- Sign Bouma and Wingels to make the team "hard to play against"
- have a couple of NHL cast-offs compete for the backup goalie position
- if it doesn't work, blame Q
- matt_ahrens

Matt the ship has sailed regarding this season being Q’s fault, as Q has himself admitted this season is his fault. He has admitted that although “consistency” is his favourite word it was his constant personnel moves that prevented the Hawks from having any. So let’s stop the if only the great Q had different players to work with arguments.

It is interesting that Sullivan in Pittsburgh couldn’t care less who his players are. Lose Letang - doesn’t matter. Have a patchwork poor D - doesn’t matter. Injuries and problems with goalies - doesn’t matter. Underperforming forwards - doesn’t matter. Kessl fighting with Malkin - doesn’t matter. Sullivan just wins 2 Cups in a row anyway, one when he took over the team during the season.

However, as poster chunk argues Q’s poor Hawks are not the same team as last year. We lost Hossa. I was a fan of Hoss too but I was always objective concerning his contributions. He worked hard, played D and chipped in offensively. However, at the end of the day he was not an All-Star scoring 40+ goals, 80+ points and his Cap hit killed the team.

TVR was mentioned. Are you kidding me? TVR was a pilon who never had any idea what to do in the D-zone. He was no contact as well. He was Oesterle before Oesterle was Orsterle.

Panarin - please enough already. He was not a 40, 50 goal scorer. Stop re-writing history as if he was a 2nd Kane - he wasn’t and isn’t. In this trade we got Saad who kills penalties and is a great offensive asset not used properly by Q. Also we got our present #1 goalie. Saad started the year on fire offensively. Q must take responsibility that he ground Saad and the whole team into the ice with his chaotic coaching. However, Saad showed us how good he could be.

“An effective Panik” - priceless. So even if the player is still on the team Q gets a pass if the player if not “effective”. Perfect.

Hartman - ??????. Well he was with the team almost the entire season so this must actually be another “effective Hartman” argument - please.

Hjalmarsson - well it is not as if we received nothing for Hammer. We received the Captain of the USA World Championships’ team in return. That Q treated him like garbage is on Q.

Then there is “An effective Keith and Seabrook” argument. Again please. It was Q and Ulf who ruined Keith this year. Keith has always been a “Rover” his entire career. He requires a stable partner who knows how to play defence. Instead he played almost all of the season with unstable D-Men who were constantly caught out of position. Keith became a babysitter which is exactly the role Seabrook has been forced to play for years now. It is not easy and Seabrook has done it for years. However, again all this chaos is on Q.

Crawford and Darling - see Sullivan. Instead of playing an even tighter defensive game to help out the inexperienced goalies the Hawks continued to play Ulf’s/Q’s reckless offensive pressure System leaving the goalies constantly facing break-always and 2 and 3 on ones, even 2 and 3 on zeros. This is completely 100% on Q.

Then someone else added Campbell, Oduya and Kruger. Well Soupy would admit himself that he didn’t have a great season last season. I wanted him to come back because I thought he’d be better but he believed he was done. Oduya - ?????? He was a total negative. Kruger - ?????? - do a “where is he now” and realize he was already there last year.

So let’s pretend for a moment that Sullivan is the Hawks’ coach this year not Q. Do the Hawks make the play-offs even with the player changes? Yes the Hawks do easily. What about under Gallant? Obviously yes. Q simply does not measure up.

Also remember what I actually posted. I previously said that the Hawks had more than enough talent this year to make the play-offs easily. There were some changes - so what? Every team has them. The Hawks have been coached terribly this year - that is why they are not in the play-offs. Even in successful years I always begged for Q to get out of the way of the players and just let them play. This year he completely refused and along with Ulf the team became a clown show. An embarrassing clown show.