Sorry Enzo. Just saw this.

Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus

J-F Berube gets the start tomorrow. Joel Quenneville said the intention was to give Collin Delia one start (he got two because of Forsberg's injury) as a "reward" for playing well in Rockford. They want him back there playing

Jonathan Toews not cleared to play tomorrow.


- Chunk

Toews not playing is not surprising...the odds were high he was done for the year when they were eliminated despite this DTD BS Q peddles. with him not going to the worlds my play him at all...whats the point

If they fire Q at the end of this season I could also see the Hawks talking to Barry Trotz or Phil Housley potentially.
- breadbag

despite justin's inside info...i still doubt they flat our fire Q. Maybe he resigns (doubtful also) or they mutually agree to "part ways".. no way you flat out dismiss a coach with his credentials and resume...

however if they do...one helluva of wake up call for the "hollow" core

looking forward to another hot mess on ice v the blues...hawks have been more awful than usual after 3 or more days rest this...it like they forget how to play and compete over those 3 days

despite justin's inside info...i still doubt they flat our fire Q. Maybe he resigns (doubtful also) or they mutually agree to "part ways".. no way you flat out dismiss a coach with his credentials and resume...

however if they do...one helluva of wake up call for the "hollow" core
- bogiedoc

Indeed. In spite of their success, our equal (at least), the Pens, made a change because it was totally warranted. That took BALLS. It was posted earlier that in our glory years we struggled with work ethic and motivation post cup which we did. Q was blessed with talent and still struggled to maintain the hunger in his teams. The talent overcame, nonetheless. That's not the case any longer. It's still a feat that they pulled off their last cup win. Keith was otherworldly or otherwise we'd be looking at 2. Its all so precarious even with supreme talent.

I have been hearing all along that Q will be gone.

It's unfortunate but what a hell of a run to date for the HOF coach.

I'm not sure it's the right move, but my opinion has been that a new era will begin the second this season ends. Whether that is big changes to management or the roster.

If Q is gone, I think it would best to also dismiss Stan Bowman, however, you have to remember that McDonough is really calling the shots at the end of the day. So between McD, Scotty, Stan and whomever else is in the room... they share in their wins and losses (with the team, drafting, trades, etc.) ... that's just how this team is set up and has been set up for the last decade with this regime.

We can blame or praise Stan, but at the end of the day, he's mostly an order taker.
- Justin Lowe

I'd keep Q, but firing him wouldn't be the worst decision this front office has ever made. There isn't anyway to prove this really, but I think it would be better to fire him next season or next off season. Here's why:

1. The best chance to have a good year next year is if 2, 7, 19, 20, 50, and 88 all have bounce back season.
2. Having Q at the helm is the best chance for 2, 7, 19, 20, 50, and 88 to have bounce back seasons
3. There is an outside chance the CBA gets reopened after next season and a chance the renegotiation includes compliance buy outs - that means one or two of the old core who don't bounce back enough can be let go.
4. The possibility of the compliance buyout means the old core is more tradable at next year's TDL if next year doesn't work out
5. If 1 & 2 happen next year, keeping Q beyond next year might be the best thing for the team.
6. If 1 & 2 don't happen, and 3 & 4 do happen, then the new coach gets a much fresher start with a group of guys that'll be around for a while, without the ghosts of Cup's past

Stop whining about whiners and post something that isn’t a whine.
- StLBravesFan

This is the perfect whine. Worthy of a fine bottle of wine for creativity.

Justin, you're doing a great job, don't get me wrong, but how do you know McD is calling the shots? In terms of protecting lil' Bowman (that's his call ultimately) or on-ice personnel (not his call!!)? There seems to be a ton of speculation, unless you have a mole in the organization. Goes without saying if he cans junior than so goes senior, and then he's in Ted Phillips' territory. Remember we have (or had) the preeminent hockey mind in Scotty. Now we have to find a replacement for Scotty and then a GM. It can be done, but it's daunting. Hockey minds and quality GMs (Yzerman, etc) haven't won Cups. I think that Q should go, and that's more realistic than the nuclear option of canning the Bowmans, that I also think is warranted, though unlikely.
- Lysiak

Hey Lysiak - appreciate the kind words.

I know for a fact that John McDonough calls the shots. I will add a caveat to say that he calls the shots on larger shifts with this team, not the day-to-day smaller moves.

The "too many cooks in the kitchen" issue that the Hawks front office has been criticized of over the years (by other team's GMs and hockey insiders) is a direct correlation of this.

He's not protecting Stan, he's extremely controlling of his product and that's the only way he operates. I've heard him say that from his own mouth... he doesn't hide the way he conducts his business.

Don't shoot the messenger, just passing on what I know.

I have been hearing all along that Q will be gone.

It's unfortunate but what a hell of a run to date for the HOF coach.

I'm not sure it's the right move, but my opinion has been that a new era will begin the second this season ends. Whether that is big changes to management or the roster.

If Q is gone, I think it would best to also dismiss Stan Bowman, however, you have to remember that McDonough is really calling the shots at the end of the day. So between McD, Scotty, Stan and whomever else is in the room... they share in their wins and losses (with the team, drafting, trades, etc.) ... that's just how this team is set up and has been set up for the last decade with this regime.

We can blame or praise Stan, but at the end of the day, he's mostly an order taker.
- Justin Lowe

Justin,
If this is indeed true, then Rocky needs to address this in the next few weeks. Otherwise i fear all of us are in for a far more protracted period where the Hawks are mired in their current state.

I can still recall JJ talking about this very issue here what seems like(and probably is) years ago. Where it was strongly suggested that on ice decisions were made for reasons other than good hockey sense, and that the chain of command from Mc Ego on down made front office decision making difficult at best. Especially when dealing with trades. "Too many cooks in the kitchen" as i seem to recall.

I've said this a few times already, but if i was Rocky Wirtz, no one in this Or-gan-I-za-tion right now would not be expendable for the right return. From Mc Ego on down. At this point no exceptions.

Also, i keep reading here about Towes' physical demise. He's what, 29??? When i was in my late 20's- early 30's, i was in the best shape of my life. Very physical job and still worked out a lot. Yea, i know, all the games, etc. etc. I don't buy it. Something is either wrong physically, or between the ears, or both. Lately i've sometimes wondered if this core perhaps has been overvalued by everyone . Maybe it was the supporting casts in 2010, '13, and '15 that were the true catalysts of those Cup wins. And that the "Core" is being exposed a bit now. Don't really know. i'm just a fan. And it was an incredibly fun ride. Like most here, i just hate to see it go down in such a manner as we have witnessed in the last 3 seasons.

Stop whining about whiners and post something that isn’t a whine.
- StLBravesFan

lol the hypocrisy is laughable. I love the shmucks who NEVER post anything other than complaints about other posters. Do you not see the counterintuitive and completely unproductive nature of complaining about others you perceive to complain too much? (frank)ing shmucks. Meanwhile, Hawks need to lose 3 straight or they could drop to the 10 spot in the lottery.i

I'd keep Q, but firing him wouldn't be the worst decision this front office has ever made. There isn't anyway to prove this really, but I think it would be better to fire him next season or next off season. Here's why:

1. The best chance to have a good year next year is if 2, 7, 19, 20, 50, and 88 all have bounce back season.
2. Having Q at the helm is the best chance for 2, 7, 19, 20, 50, and 88 to have bounce back seasons
3. There is an outside chance the CBA gets reopened after next season and a chance the renegotiation includes compliance buy outs - that means one or two of the old core who don't bounce back enough can be let go.
4. The possibility of the compliance buyout means the old core is more tradable at next year's TDL if next year doesn't work out
5. If 1 & 2 happen next year, keeping Q beyond next year might be the best thing for the team.
6. If 1 & 2 don't happen, and 3 & 4 do happen, then the new coach gets a much fresher start with a group of guys that'll be around for a while, without the ghosts of Cup's past
- matt_ahrens

Genuinely curious why you believe this?

Common reason tossed around on here for moving on, in addition to three disappointing years in a row, is that coach's messages go stale. If it has gone stale with anyone, it would be with that group.

lol the hypocrisy is laughable. I love the shmucks who NEVER post anything other than complaints about other posters. Do you not see the counterintuitive and completely unproductive nature of complaining about others you perceive to complain too much? (frank)ing shmucks. Meanwhile, Hawks need to lose 3 straight or they could drop to the 10 spot in the lottery.i
- EnzoD

I’m really torn...beat the Blues and keep them out of the playoffs or lose and improve the Hawks draft position?

I’ll go with the third option. Beat the Blues and win the draft lottery.

Genuinely curious why you believe this?

Common reason tossed around on here for moving on, in addition to three disappointing years in a row, is that coach's messages go stale. If it has gone stale with anyone, it would be with that group.
- pdx2ord

My belief is that the past three years have been the result of 1) loss of talented players without comparable replacements, and, 2) decline in play of the top players. I don't think the head coach or the system has had much to do with the decline in play with the possible exception of the power play.

Those guys know what has happened with the roster over that period of time. Toews and Kane know who their line mates have been. Keith and Seabrook know who they've been paired with on D. Crawford knows who has been playing in front of him.

They also know that their games have declined and they need to step it up next year. They know Q, they know if they do their part, he'll do his. If the front office does theirs and improves the roster, then a comeback can happen all around next year.

How is a new coach going to get 2, 7, 19, 50, or 88 to play better than Q can? Or play a different style or system? I just don't see it. They've been around too long. They'll play better if they have strong offseasons and if they have better teammates next season.

My belief is that the past three years have been the result of 1) loss of talented players without comparable replacements, and, 2) decline in play of the top players. I don't think the head coach or the system has had much to do with the decline in play with the possible exception of the power play.

Those guys know what has happened with the roster over that period of time. Toews and Kane know who their line mates have been. Keith and Seabrook know who they've been paired with on D. Crawford knows who has been playing in front of him.

They also know that their games have declined and they need to step it up next year. They know Q, they know if they do their part, he'll do his. If the front office does theirs and improves the roster, then a comeback can happen all around next year.

How is a new coach going to get 2, 7, 19, 50, or 88 to play better than Q can? Or play a different style or system? I just don't see it. They've been around too long. They'll play better if they have strong offseasons and if they have better teammates next season.
- matt_ahrens

Call me crazy but I genuinely hope Keith, Seabrook, Toews, Kane and Crawford are all on the team next season. My wish is that the team doesn’t need to rely on them as much, that’s all. Hopefully the likes of DeBrincat, Schmaltz, Saad, Hinostroza, Hayden and Sikura can all play a more prominent role up front next season. Same with Murphy and Forsling on the back-end. Crawford just needs to be semi-healthy in combination with Stan finding a quality backup.

I know for a fact that John McDonough calls the shots. I will add a caveat to say that he calls the shots on larger shifts with this team.
- Justin Lowe

Then God help us all.

One needs only to see how empty the UC is in such a short time after success to know how hard this franchise is going to fall.

Winning fills seats, sells jerseys and booze. Not “the brand”. No video montage, bobblehead release, retired player last shifts, or tired annoying goal song is going to be able to save the day.

So if I am Rocky, I have to ask myself if McD has what it takes to rebuild a winner.

If the front office has a reputation of having too many cooks in the kitchen that causes internal problems as well as external problems in dealing with other teams, it seems to me change has to start there.

Why? Because the last three years have proven that this management system doesnt work when the talent of five plus years ago has faded into mediocrity at best.

Do you have any idea how long it will take even with a well run front office of brilliant hockey minds to get back to a team that is as deep as the 2010 squad was? Im going to say more than five years.

Hey Lysiak - appreciate the kind words.

I know for a fact that John McDonough calls the shots. I will add a caveat to say that he calls the shots on larger shifts with this team, not the day-to-day smaller moves.

The "too many cooks in the kitchen" issue that the Hawks front office has been criticized of over the years (by other team's GMs and hockey insiders) is a direct correlation of this.

He's not protecting Stan, he's extremely controlling of his product and that's the only way he operates. I've heard him say that from his own mouth... he doesn't hide the way he conducts his business.

Don't shoot the messenger, just passing on what I know.
- Justin Lowe

Justin and all,

Long time lurker, really, I think first time poster. Love the updates and the banter, both positive and negative.

2 questions I have are:

#1 If you fire Q, who are you going to replace him with? I'm sure skins on the wall mean a lot to players, in terms of respect and all, so if Q is gone, who can actually get that respect from the 'core' and actually get them to perform at an acceptable/career standard level?

#2 If you fire Stan, what actual good, qualified GM would take the job? I doubt that any quality GM wouldn't want to be a part of McDonough's committee of decision makers.

It just seems like we're screwed either way..

Portland beat Spokane 3-1 to win game 7 and move onto the second round of the WHL playoffs where they’ll meet Everett. The wait for Jokiharju continues. Hopefully Portland goes far, it’s great experience for Jokiharju.

My belief is that the past three years have been the result of 1) loss of talented players without comparable replacements, and, 2) decline in play of the top players. I don't think the head coach or the system has had much to do with the decline in play with the possible exception of the power play.

Those guys know what has happened with the roster over that period of time. Toews and Kane know who their line mates have been. Keith and Seabrook know who they've been paired with on D. Crawford knows who has been playing in front of him.

They also know that their games have declined and they need to step it up next year. They know Q, they know if they do their part, he'll do his. If the front office does theirs and improves the roster, then a comeback can happen all around next year.

How is a new coach going to get 2, 7, 19, 50, or 88 to play better than Q can? Or play a different style or system? I just don't see it. They've been around too long. They'll play better if they have strong offseasons and if they have better teammates next season.
- matt_ahrens

Makes sense and thank you for the explanation. I'm not as confident as you that could/would happen, but this is just as likely to work as the other solutions being discussed.

https://www.aubreymarcus....ation-with-jonathan-toews

"3x Stanley Cup Champion, 2x Gold Medalist, Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews drops in for his virgin podcast to discuss his favorite topic: Expanding human consciousness. An interesting insight into the mind of a leader playing at the highest level of the game, but still humbly on the quest for optimization."

https://www.aubreymarcus....ation-with-jonathan-toews

"3x Stanley Cup Champion, 2x Gold Medalist, Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews drops in for his virgin podcast to discuss his favorite topic: Expanding human consciousness. An interesting insight into the mind of a leader playing at the highest level of the game, but still humbly on the quest for optimization."
- EnzoD

Here's hoping he's beginning to realize the optimization of steak and potatoes sometime in the last two years.

Toews represents inconsistency. Some games he shows up in certain ways as a positive contributor yet more often he is soft or invisible. He shies away from contact. We have enough guys smaller and not battling hard for pucks along boards. For that much coin and you do not know how his body is holding out game to game. I would rather a prospect take his place for far less money
Use the saving on a push back gritty forward
we are lacking. And or a new goaltender.

If he was an investment piece you would want better assurance. He is not going to retire unless he slips a lot.
- jhawk59

Toews will be fine. STOP playing him with the Paniks & STONE HANDS Saad of the world.

Coach = Kirk Muller or Tony Granato
GM = Brian Lawton

Panarin > Kane
Tallon > Bowman

Players that must go:
Kane & Seabrook (package)
Murphy
Saad = STONE HANDS
Duclair
Forsberg = HORRID
Highmore = AHL at best
Sharp
Jurco
Osterle

Neverminding that even Panarin wasn't able to score with Kane on Toews' line -- says something... not sure what - maybe Panarin was dogging it then

https://www.aubreymarcus....ation-with-jonathan-toews

"3x Stanley Cup Champion, 2x Gold Medalist, Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews drops in for his virgin podcast to discuss his favorite topic: Expanding human consciousness. An interesting insight into the mind of a leader playing at the highest level of the game, but still humbly on the quest for optimization."
- EnzoD

I had to look up who Aubrey Marcus was. CEO of Onnit.
https://g.co/kgs/MUveKr

Hey Lysiak - appreciate the kind words.

I know for a fact that John McDonough calls the shots. I will add a caveat to say that he calls the shots on larger shifts with this team, not the day-to-day smaller moves.

The "too many cooks in the kitchen" issue that the Hawks front office has been criticized of over the years (by other team's GMs and hockey insiders) is a direct correlation of this.

He's not protecting Stan, he's extremely controlling of his product and that's the only way he operates. I've heard him say that from his own mouth... he doesn't hide the way he conducts his business.

Don't shoot the messenger, just passing on what I know.
- Justin Lowe

That marketing was more important than the hockey
product is not surprising $$$$were/are all that count
a long drought is highly likely unless McD is canned,
been sayin that for quite some time.

Then God help us all.

One needs only to see how empty the UC is in such a short time after success to know how hard this franchise is going to fall.

Winning fills seats, sells jerseys and booze. Not “the brand”. No video montage, bobblehead release, retired player last shifts, or tired annoying goal song is going to be able to save the day.

So if I am Rocky, I have to ask myself if McD has what it takes to rebuild a winner.

If the front office has a reputation of having too many cooks in the kitchen that causes internal problems as well as external problems in dealing with other teams, it seems to me change has to start there.

Why? Because the last three years have proven that this management system doesnt work when the talent of five plus years ago has faded into mediocrity at best.

Do you have any idea how long it will take even with a well run front office of brilliant hockey minds to get back to a team that is as deep as the 2010 squad was? Im going to say more than five years.
- Return of the Roar

The first thing I remember McD saying is "well, we have to win, bit if we do....."
No poop. That just supports my posting numerous times over the last decade that hockey should be the first priority and not marketing. The commish is all about harvesting money, but he isn't in charge of winning anything.

It should be obvious that when they have (frank) you talent they can do whatever they want. But now it's back to the same old grind. One quote you see all the time from a hall of fame coach is "play the right way". Well now they have to manage the right way. If hockey is the vehicle they want to drive to the bank they better get back to taking care of the hockey first.

Roar, I think your post is outstanding.

Hey Lysiak - appreciate the kind words.

I know for a fact that John McDonough calls the shots. I will add a caveat to say that he calls the shots on larger shifts with this team, not the day-to-day smaller moves.

The "too many cooks in the kitchen" issue that the Hawks front office has been criticized of over the years (by other team's GMs and hockey insiders) is a direct correlation of this.

He's not protecting Stan, he's extremely controlling of his product and that's the only way he operates. I've heard him say that from his own mouth... he doesn't hide the way he conducts his business.

Don't shoot the messenger, just passing on what I know.
- Justin Lowe

So if McD calls the shots would he have to approve some of the questionable contracts that Stan handed out? He did the same thing when he was running the Cubs and was responsible for that crazy contract they gave Alfonso Soriano.