Justin Lowe: Maybe the Blackhawks Do Have a Plan There has been some recent chatter about the Hawks actually having a plan that they just aren't divulging to the public – a REBUILD.

I subscribe a little bit to this but would like to also play devil's advocate, while offering a different theory.

First-

Thanks Justin for more info

So what I heard is a widely known hall of fame coach had to watch an expansion team to figure out relentless is a good thing.

My biggest concern is this. There will be alot of growing pains with this new roster. Will Q allow that? Will he set the lines and let em play? If this was the plan then the Hawks should have moved Q and Stan out and brought in a young HC to work with this rebuild. Lets hope for the bounce back season for 19, 20, 2 and 7. And a healthy CC.


And a Happy 4th Of July to you all.

Thanks JL, and happy 4th. Be safe everyone.

Justin, are you hearing anything about Hossa and Ott, because I see that situation as a very good fit. Is the movement og Karlsson the domino that alows that move to happen?

Why would they move out Q and Bowman? Who is available that is better? Nobody, change for the sake of change doesn't mean it will work. How many GMs and coaches out there have 3 cups? Ken Holland, Lou, both Bowmans and Q that's it.

If you are rebuilding then these signings kind of make sense or at least a few of them. If you got a good feeling you are going to be in a dog fight all year to make the play offs then you hope kunitz and ward play ok and become trade chips at the deadline for stock piling picks needed for rebuilding. Every year there is a contender looking for an experienced nhl back up or 1b for a cup run or cheap experienced depth ? Both those guys can likely be moved for more then they are worth at the deadlin. Not going to get you a haul but maybe an additional third and fourth to go fishing with at the draft....

So what I heard is a widely known hall of fame coach had to watch an expansion team to figure out relentless is a good thing.
- 6628

Agreed.....and sorry JL but I'm not buying it just yet. Let's see what kind of training camp our HOF coach runs to get this team IN SHAPE for "relentless". To me that is laughable since his team's have never been able to play a 60 minute game in the regular season. His teams have played HO HUM hockey for years to conserve energy, and banked on their HOF talent to win. It has worked, however, that same talent is older now.

You really think Kane, Toews, Keith, and Seabrook are going to play "relentless" hockey now because Quenneville has seen the light of VGK ?? I'll believe it when I see it. Sorry but I'm not a believer in Quenneville, his systems, his blender, his philosophy, nor his new found enlightenment. His voice will not be heard, even as he tries to sell it.

Good post, exactly what i have been thinking about, since the middle of march.
They have been acting desperate.

Thanks Justin.

Part of me wants to believe there is a bigger plan here, but with the Hawks lack of transparency it’s hard to see it.

I’m usually a glass half full kind of guy (when I’m not being sarcastic) but I have to admit that my positivity is starting to run out.

Agreed.....and sorry JL but I'm not buying it just yet. Let's see what kind of training camp our HOF coach runs to get this team IN SHAPE for "relentless". To me that is laughable since his team's have never been able to play a 60 minute game in the regular season. His teams have played HO HUM hockey for years to conserve energy, and banked on their HOF talent to win. It has worked, however, that same talent is older now.

You really think Kane, Toews, Keith, and Seabrook are going to play "relentless" hockey now because Quenneville has seen the light of VGK ?? I'll believe it when I see it. Sorry but I'm not a believer in Quenneville, his systems, his blender, his philosophy, nor his new found enlightenment. His voice will not be heard, even as he tries to sell it.
- Hawkytalk

Thank you........ This is what Stan said in public? Hawks are gonna be relentless? That's beyond rich.

So it's official, they pivoted from last offseason's message of younger, faster, harder to play against?


Roster Resource NHL
‏ @NHLRosters
23h23 hours ago

Based on current roster projections, the five oldest teams are:

1. Detroit
2. Los Angeles
3. NY Islanders
4. Minnesota
5. Chicago


Maybe they do have a plan Justin, but maybe not too.

I'm with Stan. I like our team.

Mr. Lowe said: In my opinion, though, I think the Hawks are too competitive and proud as an organization to slide any further. I think Stan and Co. do have a plan and we will see that come to life after 2-3 upcoming trades.

I say: more than pride, Rocky likes money - the $2MM plus per game that comes in during the tournament.

He and McDonough are not looking for a rebuild - they’re looking for a playoff spot and possible first round win.

I don’t think what they’ve done so far gets them to that - not with Nashville and Winnipeg in the division, St. Louis getting O’Reilly, Bozak and Schenn down the middle, a much improved last season Colorado picking up Grubauer, Cole, Dallas maybe getting Karlsson - and all were better than our heroes were last season.

Thanks Justin.

Part of me wants to believe there is a bigger plan here, but with the Hawks lack of transparency it’s hard to see it.

I’m usually a glass half full kind of guy (when I’m not being sarcastic) but I have to admit that my positivity is starting to run out.
- DarthKane

That's because it's old and stale. Your mind may want to believe otherwise but if you've watched this club for the last couple yrs your eyes tell you different, that it's just stale.

Glass 1/2 full? Indeed a couple young players up and promising. The best the pipeline has looked in 10 yrs......

But absolutely crippling anchor contracts of older players with term who just can't play will hang over anything positive along with idiotic messaging, alleged dysfunctional decision making at the top, no coherency between GM and coach as well as coach and GM decisions we won't rehash are still in charge throws a wet diaper on hope. ...... I'll throw Mark Kelley into the mix as being looked at real hard soon if not already.

If you are rebuilding then these signings kind of make sense or at least a few of them. If you got a good feeling you are going to be in a dog fight all year to make the play offs then you hope kunitz and ward play ok and become trade chips at the deadline for stock piling picks needed for rebuilding. Every year there is a contender looking for an experienced nhl back up or 1b for a cup run or cheap experienced depth ? Both those guys can likely be moved for more then they are worth at the deadlin. Not going to get you a haul but maybe an additional third and fourth to go fishing with at the draft....
- Shampoo

Except, according to Capfriendly, both Ward and Kunitz got NMCs.

The goal is to make the playoff's..Once your in anything can(and does) happen(Caps-Vegas final?) But as stated..The improvement of the other western teams, And progression of their youngsters(Yes, Other teams have budding superstars as well, And coaches who will play them) Looks to me like the Hawks have an extremely, Tough uphill battle just to make the dance. Even with a bounce back year from the core!

Why would they move out Q and Bowman? Who is available that is better? Nobody, change for the sake of change doesn't mean it will work. How many GMs and coaches out there have 3 cups? Ken Holland, Lou, both Bowmans and Q that's it.
- ger68

How many coaches and GM's out there that finished in last place last yr and still have their jobs? Trotz still have his job after winning a cup LAST yr?

Brandon Manning is terrible. Any time a guy is called a "glue guy" it means he's not good. He works hard and is willing to get punched in the face, but he's realistically a 7D. Good for him getting the deal though.

Mark Letestu would be a nice signing for the HAWKS right about now . I think Q will be on a short lease this year , and if he not on board with a rebuild then he wil be let go and the kid from Rockford will be brought in . The HAWKS will try and be good but if they are not and Q is let go they will take a dive this year for Hughes and the rebuild will be in full next summer with a couple of core moved at all cost including Hossa ..

How many coaches and GM's out there that finished in last place last yr and still have their jobs? Trotz still have his job after winning a cup LAST yr?
- Mr Ricochet

Tortz voluntarily left after Washington wouldn't commit to five years for a new deal with him with a hefty raise

He didn't get fired

Thanks Justin.

Part of me wants to believe there is a bigger plan here, but with the Hawks lack of transparency it’s hard to see it.

I’m usually a glass half full kind of guy (when I’m not being sarcastic) but I have to admit that my positivity is starting to run out.
- DarthKane

Same here. Whole lotta ifs in Justin’s excellent analysis. I’d like to believe it’s true, but still feels to me like even if everything aligns they are still only treading water next year.

Mr R - just to clarify you believe the Hawks would look to replace Stan with Kelly? If they are truly rebuilding it would make sense to put your best judge of talent in that position - like Kikalinen in Columbus. Does Q stay or get replaced by Colliton (or is it too soon for him) or who?

Cam Ward signing gets even better...per Cap Friendly twitter:
CONTRACT UPDATE

It was initially reported that Cam Ward had a No Trade Clause included in his $3M deal with the #Blackhawks

It is in fact a No Move Clause. Why is that relevant? In addition to blocking a trade, a NMC prohibits waivers or assignment to the minors without consent

https://twitter.com/capfr.../1014497570310246401?s=21

Thank you........ This is what Stan said in public? Hawks are gonna be relentless? That's beyond rich.

So it's official, they pivoted from last offseason's message of younger, faster, harder to play against?


Roster Resource NHL
‏ @NHLRosters
23h23 hours ago

Based on current roster projections, the five oldest teams are:

1. Detroit
2. Los Angeles
3. NY Islanders
4. Minnesota
5. Chicago


Maybe they do have a plan Justin, but maybe not too.
- Mr Ricochet

No, Q was quoted as saying that about a month ago.

Cam Ward signing gets even better...per Cap Friendly twitter:
CONTRACT UPDATE

It was initially reported that Cam Ward had a No Trade Clause included in his $3M deal with the #Blackhawks

It is in fact a No Move Clause. Why is that relevant? In addition to blocking a trade, a NMC prohibits waivers or assignment to the minors without consent

https://twitter.com/capfr.../1014497570310246401?s=21
- Marlowe

Outstanding find Marlowe.
For anyone that doesn't think Stan is in WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY over his head, that should be further proof.

Pay Ward MORE than the other FA goalies AND make sure you are unable to move that salary or bury it in AHL. Perfect. Just more proof that Stan is a bumbling idiot and it is due to his Dad's legacy that he has GM role.

Well, when Rocky is tired of having no playoffs providing revenues, maybe something will change. Until then, I'm sure we're going to hear all about "playing the right way, playing with pace, being tougher to play against . . . ."

Yep.

No, Q was quoted as saying that about a month ago.
- 6628

Sigh. If Q can change it up it would be nice. You know - instead of trying to force what he has in the way of talent to fit his mold/systems, what if he built a system that actually fit the talent he has? I know you aren’t a Q fan, but at the moment he’s what we got.