Z3, usually when I read your posts, I chuckle to myself because of how different your points of view are compared to the vast majority on this board. When people are optimistic, you're pessimistic. When people are pessimistic, you're optimistic. Just constantly going against the grain, which leads to a lot of disagreements/arguments and for that I commend you.

With this post, I couldn't agree with you more. Great post. It's completely asinine for people to assume that just because everything that could have went wrong last season, we'll see a repeat of that this season if things (specifically, roster) changes aren't made.

I am so much more optimistic heading into this season than I was heading into last season, and that's with the roster intact as is.

The FOCAL issue at hand here is absolutely Q and the madness that lies within his system. It wouldn't be fair for me to simply suggest that he rode the coat tails of the insanely talented groups he had from 2010-2013. He absolutely played an integral part in getting the team to where they were. However, I felt that after what happened in 2014, it all went downhill from there. Yes, the team won it all in 2015, but I think that the core carried the team. They were thoroughly outplayed against Anaheim and Tampa Bay in my honest opinion, and Q failed to adjust. Fortunately, the 'Hawks talent outweighed the Ducks and Lightning efforts. In the ensuing years since, it's been letdown after letdown after letdown because of the madness that is known as Q's blender. Consistent juggling of lines, overthinking matchups, trying to get cute with strategy, just absolute chaos and the lack of urgency coupled with a lethargic effort in 2017 led to many believing in the 'Hawk demise. Bowman felt a need to "shake things up" thinking there was a problem with the talent on the roster, but in reality it was the systems that have consistently failed over the last couple of seasons and lack of adjustments that have led to such horrid results.

Even though the results last season were obviously disappointing, I thought that the team dominated many games. They outplayed their opponents in more games than they didn't, even if the results indicated otherwise.

I want this team to be given one more shot. Everything that could have went wrong last season did. Bounce back from even HALF the players that had down years last year would be HUGE for this team.

But first and foremost, we need Q, Ulf, Dineen, and Granato to get the message from upstairs of "win or else..." No more of this lax attitude. Accountability NEEDS to occur. Let your players develop. Let your players see consistent ice time. Let your youth take on more responsibility. Enough of the line flopping and d-pairing shuffling.

Do I think this team needs a couple of additions? Sure, of course I do. I want to see a top-four d-man added, more bottom-six firepower, and a dependable goalie should Crawford go down, but I firmly believe that the pieces are here for this team to contend next season.

Saad, Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Schmaltz are entrenched in the top-six. I expect Saad and Toews to bounce back, and that will only help the other three out.

I expect continued growth out of the likes of Hinostroza, Sikura, and Hayden as they get more comfortable playing at the NHL level, and will be key middle-six players. Bring in a veteran for the bottom-six who can play the heavy, gritty, defensive game and can add toughness.

Saad - Toews - Hinostroza
Debrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hayden - Ejdsell - Sikura
Wingels/Roussel - Kampf - Martinsen/whoever

I want CONTINUITY of defensive pairings. Let Goose, Rutta, Forsling, and Murphy see EVERY DAY ice time without being sent to the press box after making mistakes. That's exactly WHY we saw the issues we did last year out of the backend. Players were too focused on NOT making mistakes rather than being comfortable and just playing the way they are capable of playing. Bring in a top-four d-man to give Keith that partner he deserves rather than having an AHL'er like Oesterle bringing Keith down.

Bring in someone like de Haan, and let Seabrook FINALLY play with Keith, regardless of age or how much they have in the tank.

Keith - Seabrook
de Haan - Murphy
Goose - Rutta
Forsling

And finally, hope and pray that Crawford can truly come back healthy, because if he is, he absolutely WILL be capable of carrying this team in time of need, and we're fortunate to have an elite goalie who DOESN'T choke when it matters most. Bring in a capable veteran back-up who can take over if Crawford goes down if you don't think Forsberg can develop his game.

This team doesn't need wholesale changes. As reiterated over and over in my post, this team just needs consistency. It needs a system that caters to the talent that the team DOES have, and less on the outdated, stubbornly implemented system that refuses to adjust.

We have the talent to win. Especially in this market where players WILL be grossly overpaid due to the increasing cap, it's especially important that Stan doesn't go crazy now that he finally is out of cap hell.

Plugging holes in is key, but blockbuster changes for the sake of them is NOT going to help as long as Q and Ulf and Dineen refuse to cater to the talent that they already have.
- TommyHawk

Tommy Hawk - very nice post. I agree that the Hawks had many games that they actually dominated but ended up losing undermined by poor Coaching decisions and poor Coaching systems. Many forget this fact. As a fan I drifted between frustration and outright embarrassment. Someone posted in the recent past concerning how the Hawks had uncustomarily blown leads and failed to capitalize on dominant play. There is much to work with especially if you envision that the Hawks will attempt to address weaknesses over the summer. I’m optimistic too but the Coaching Staff must set the team up for success not failure. Must use commom-sense and let the player’s play.

Do you think Q was looking at STL or COL coaches when he lifted the Cup 3 times the past 9yrs?

Or maybe looking at all the armchair coaches and GMs who all know a "better way" if doing it from their couch while he produces in real life?
- PatShart

Are you suggesting that STL and COL were not fair with Q and did not give him a fair chance so they can be spited? Seems weak. It is also weak to suggest that “armchair coaches and GMs” can’t have insightful critical analysis. Who can then? - just other real coaches and GMs? I think Rocky would disagree. I think Q coached like a Clown last year. I don’t have to be a Chef in a restaurant to recognize poor food. I can be independently knowledgable about food. In the same way I don’t have to be a Coach in the NHL to recognize poor coaching - and whew were the Hawks ever poorly coached last year.

NO, that's not obvious and it won't be for a couple years.
- kwolf68

They drafted well - very good prospects with very good potential.

Now they have to develop those skaters well.

Two different skills.

NO, that's not obvious and it won't be for a couple years.
- kwolf68

10-4 Wolfie. But a lot of hockey people really really like the Hawks draft im saying.

It's surprising to me that I am labeled some kind of doom and gloom pessimist when we are talking a last place team that hasn't won a playoff series since June 2015. The key players that made the Hawks great are either gone (Hammer, Hossa, Oduya, Sharp), injured (Crawford) or severely in decline (Toews, Keith, Seabrook). The team isn't close IMO, and you are well within your rights to disagree. Hope I'm wrong, but for the gamblers on the board, safe money is on the Hawks missing the playoffs again (barring major changes in personnel and performance).
- EnzoD

Not doom and gloom just reality.

Some don't like the truth as it stings but fact of the matter is that the likes of Toews, Seabs, Keith or CC isn't winning the team any more cups. At this point these players are no longer difference makers and changing some of the side pieces such as Faulk, Bernier or the likes will change little in that respect. As well their large contracts versus the return is indeed what is hampering this team.

Its the unenviable decline that was coming. The team will be great again one day, I just don't think it will be in the next couple of years.

Not doom and gloom just reality.

Some don't like the truth as it stings but fact of the matter is that the likes of Toews, Seabs, Keith or CC isn't winning the team any more cups. At this point these players are no longer difference makers and changing some of the side pieces such as Faulk, Bernier or the likes will change little in that respect. As well their large contracts versus the return is indeed what is hampering this team.

Its the unenviable decline that was coming. The team will be great again one day, I just don't think it will be in the next couple of years.
- Hawkster

This is why I would not be disappointed if Bowman lays back for a few days after July 1. A lot of guys will get overpaid. And you are correct that one player like that will not make a big enough difference for us. I would lay back and pick up the bargains after the others blow their cap space (Eric Staal is a good example).

Ironically the big names want to go to the teams which have a good chance to win. Yet they immediately handcuff these same teams with their huge contracts. Whoever signs Tavares will have to sacrifice depth (some immediately) to accommodate his contract.

*NEW* blog up: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=93633

Are you suggesting that STL and COL were not fair with Q and did not give him a fair chance so they can be spited? Seems weak. It is also weak to suggest that “armchair coaches and GMs” can’t have insightful critical analysis. Who can then? - just other real coaches and GMs? I think Rocky would disagree. I think Q coached like a Clown last year. I don’t have to be a Chef in a restaurant to recognize poor food. I can be independently knowledgable about food. In the same way I don’t have to be a Coach in the NHL to recognize poor coaching - and whew were the Hawks ever poorly coached last year.
- Z3Hawk

Same as the idiotic thought that Kempny wants to rub it in Q or anyones face they won the cup after they get traded.

It's a business. And they're pros. They can handle being traded.

So Q was a "clown" last year with a mish mash of players. Fine. What was he the year before when he won the west with what was called "smoke and mirrors"? How can he not get credit for 50 wins and winning the west with "smoke and mirrors"? Isnt that good coaching?

Of course not. Or his 3 cups....because "anyone can win with those rosters" argument

Anytime credit is due to Q or Stan, then some BS excuse comes with "anyone can win" or "smoke and mirrors", or it was Dale's team. Some moronic immeasurable excuse or reasoning MUST be the reason they won. But Kempny is now some Norris candidate or Daley was amazing and Q screws poor, poor players then yeah...I think just because everyone can watch the game doesnt mean everyone knows the game. I eat for but would be a horrible food critic. I'm aware of that and wouldn't pretend to know that. So, not a good analysis. Sorry

Not doom and gloom just reality.

Some don't like the truth as it stings but fact of the matter is that the likes of Toews, Seabs, Keith or CC isn't winning the team any more cups. At this point these players are no longer difference makers and changing some of the side pieces such as Faulk, Bernier or the likes will change little in that respect. As well their large contracts versus the return is indeed what is hampering this team.

Its the unenviable decline that was coming. The team will be great again one day, I just don't think it will be in the next couple of years.
- Hawkster

Some of you guys really confuse opinion with fact.