Justin Lowe: Back to Basics This blog is a two-pronged approach to getting back to the basics.

Firstly, how the Blackhawks can get back to the basics of winning hockey. What will it take to get back to championships level? A rebuild? A Justin Faulk?

Nice blog, Justin

I'd like to have Faulk on the blueline, but it sounded like that deal may not happen since the Canes want Saad in return...guess we'll have to just wait and see.

Nice blog, Justin

I'd like to have Faulk on the blueline, but it sounded like that deal may not happen since the Canes want Saad in return...guess we'll have to just wait and see.
- Hank3Henshaw

Yep - that, and I think there are a few teams that are willing to give up more for him.

I think he's a guy the Leafs overpay for.

They need to stop trying to win the way they did in the past.

Don’t go trying to find the next Hjalmarsson and Oduya. Just find competent D-men that know how to play the position.

Don’t try to find the next Shaw or Bolland, or Buff, find forwards that will play the system and be predictable. Obviously certain attributes are great to have, but they can’t be stuck in the past.

Each team changes every season, so what you did last year isn’t going to work the same as it didn’t before.

Great blog once again,
For me it was Larmer.
When he came into the league,I was a young fan living in Winnipeg.
Sure I liked the Jet's but just as much as the other teams!
But Larmer for some reason..turned the corner for me and made me a Hawk's fan.
Loved watching Eddie...Doug...Savard...Murray and Bannerman with that sweet mask.
Then when Zhamnov came to Winnipeg...for some reason he became my favorite player along with Larmer.
Just a beauty of a player...if only he had the heart to go with that skill,but oh well.
So I followed the Hawks and also Zhamnov.
I have an unhealthy collection of Zhamnov memorabilia lol
From his rookie to his last day's in Boston.
I miss that guy.
But I digress...
I was jacked when Larmer got his cup in NY.
And when Zhamnov went to the Hawks...I was thru the moon!
I have been bleeding Red since then.
We had some lean years....
My only real regret from those lean years is that Daze didn't get a cup.
With all the Hawks from Manitoba on the team,those cup years...it was interesting being a Hawk's fan in Winnipeg.
Then when the Jet's came back...I bought season ticket's only to see my Hawks.
I sell all the other ticket's...hell even the playoff tickets
My buddies think I'm nuts but whatever.
You do what you gotta do for your team.
I'm okay with a couple lean years coming up..
I just want them to compete.
GO HAWKS!

They keep claiming to not really know Crawford's situation, but you know they do, they just don't want to comment in his stead. I expect he will be at the convention and give his honest assessment of where he is.

So, I'm thinking a healthy Crawford, you try to swing a couple deals to get the top 4 D and another center. Otherwise rebuild and see if you can get it done while Kane has a couple more years left in the tank.

As far as being a Blackhawks fan goes, it's in the blood. My parents used to go to games on dates back in the 40s and 50s. I'm from the south side originally and was watching Mikita and Tony O on TV when I was 4 or 5 years old. Bobby had just gone to the WHA when I started watching games. I grew up watching Savoir Faire invent the spin-o-rama, and the rest is history.

I don't like the Hawks, for obvious reasons, just when the Canucks were ready to compete these kids from Chicago come outta nowhere and become a mini dynasty....like WTF man

However, I like to read all the blogs and that was a good one Mr. Lowe.

Started off as a Mite at Park Ridge (Northern Express) , since 5 years old watched the Hawks road games on TV with the Dad and Brother. Listened to the home games on the radio. Remember being heart broken while watching “Hawk Vision” losing the 1992 SCF. The logo is the best. Growing up in school there was literally no one else that played hockey , most clubs had 1 team per level. After the Mighty Ducks movie came out everyone had 2 teams per level (Mites - Midget) .
When the Hawks were bad , post the Roenick Larmer Belfour Hasek departures I allowd myself to cheer for 1 Eatern US team (NY Rangers) and 1 Canadian team (Toronto Maple Leafs) , mostly made these choices based off of uniforms.

As far as these Blackhwks are concerned its not the loosing of last season that i hate so much its just they were so boring to watch. So lethargic , pushed around by everyone and awful goaltending. Crawford is probably the most important player for 2018-2019.

See y’all later. We’re “Off to Cottage” as apparently some Canadians say. Anyone know anything about Oro-Medonte Ontario ?

Where is this team in 3, 5, 10 years

It's way too hard to tell. I think they have a set of 3 year plans depending on how this season goes. One to rebuild and the other to compete. They need a few guys to bounce back, and a few more to step up.

The problem with needing centers and dmen is they are in high demand. Most additions through FA will be overpriced. Anything reasonably priced will be bottom pairing/ bottom 6 guys which won't put this team over the hump. The Hawks are currently in the future they mortgaged. They are in a tough spot, but I think standing pat was the right move for now.

They need to stop trying to win the way they did in the past.

Don’t go trying to find the next Hjalmarsson and Oduya. Just find competent D-men that know how to play the position.

Don’t try to find the next Shaw or Bolland, or Buff, find forwards that will play the system and be predictable. Obviously certain attributes are great to have, but they can’t be stuck in the past.

Each team changes every season, so what you did last year isn’t going to work the same as it didn’t before.
- Chunk

Agreed Chunk.

It's a new era. Start playing and planning for it.

Faster, smarter and more "relentless".

I don't like the Hawks, for obvious reasons, just when the Canucks were ready to compete these kids from Chicago come outta nowhere and become a mini dynasty....like WTF man

However, I like to read all the blogs and that was a good one Mr. Lowe.
- LeftCoaster

Appreciate you reading and stopping by to comment, sir (even though you're a Canucks fan, ha).

Started off as a Mite at Park Ridge (Northern Express) , since 5 years old watched the Hawks road games on TV with the Dad and Brother. Listened to the home games on the radio. Remember being heart broken while watching “Hawk Vision” losing the 1992 SCF. The logo is the best. Growing up in school there was literally no one else that played hockey , most clubs had 1 team per level. After the Mighty Ducks movie came out everyone had 2 teams per level (Mites - Midget) .
When the Hawks were bad , post the Roenick Larmer Belfour Hasek departures I allowd myself to cheer for 1 Eatern US team (NY Rangers) and 1 Canadian team (Toronto Maple Leafs) , mostly made these choices based off of uniforms.

As far as these Blackhwks are concerned its not the loosing of last season that i hate so much its just they were so boring to watch. So lethargic , pushed around by everyone and awful goaltending. Crawford is probably the most important player for 2018-2019.

See y’all later. We’re “Off to Cottage” as apparently some Canadians say. Anyone know anything about Oro-Medonte Ontario ?
- mrpaulish

Nice! Love the story Mr. Paulish.

Enjoy the cottage... that's a nice area you're heading. Horseshoe Valley?

Great blog once again,
For me it was Larmer.
When he came into the league,I was a young fan living in Winnipeg.
Sure I liked the Jet's but just as much as the other teams!
But Larmer for some reason..turned the corner for me and made me a Hawk's fan.
Loved watching Eddie...Doug...Savard...Murray and Bannerman with that sweet mask.
Then when Zhamnov came to Winnipeg...for some reason he became my favorite player along with Larmer.
Just a beauty of a player...if only he had the heart to go with that skill,but oh well.
So I followed the Hawks and also Zhamnov.
I have an unhealthy collection of Zhamnov memorabilia lol
From his rookie to his last day's in Boston.
I miss that guy.
But I digress...
I was jacked when Larmer got his cup in NY.
And when Zhamnov went to the Hawks...I was thru the moon!
I have been bleeding Red since then.
We had some lean years....
My only real regret from those lean years is that Daze didn't get a cup.
With all the Hawks from Manitoba on the team,those cup years...it was interesting being a Hawk's fan in Winnipeg.
Then when the Jet's came back...I bought season ticket's only to see my Hawks.
I sell all the other ticket's...hell even the playoff tickets
My buddies think I'm nuts but whatever.
You do what you gotta do for your team.
I'm okay with a couple lean years coming up..
I just want them to compete.
GO HAWKS!
- DixieDog

Amazing. I still need to go to Winnipeg to catch a game.

I have mentioned previously AND LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE Chicago begins rebuild in earnest once Toews and Seabrook performance slips bad enough to become third line and or heavy decision to healthy scratch. Presently both want to collect at least a couple more years on unfair contracts, an overpay from Stan.

Truth is Stan should have negotiated a team buy out in the let's say third year where the player received a handsome amount as a buy out. If it is only a money issue and therefore helps future cap relief, this is a win win or players whose NHL servitude has worn them down (or there may also be concussion concern coupled with style of play).

When exactly both players succumb is not yet discernable, but may be more of a revealing nature once we view their performance this season

A third core piece, D Keith, can likely still be white valuable if he had a correct pair and you can lift his spirit bt having a competitive team. Frspiye whomever else might be addition on the blueline, Keith should retain his #1 slot on this team as youngsters transition on to the blueline crew.

In the event acouple veterans help.- one on defense, the goaltending is solid, a couple kids or through trade we find some grit and size in the lineup, and someone replaces the outdated coach Q, then Keith most likely has the wherewithal to elevate his level of play, make that key bone rattling check, stiffle a fast on rushing attack although he may be a bit slower than a few years ago.

Man the auto correct sucks if you use a phone. Constantly mis guesses or changes words.

Great blog once again,
For me it was Larmer.
When he came into the league,I was a young fan living in Winnipeg.
Sure I liked the Jet's but just as much as the other teams!
But Larmer for some reason..turned the corner for me and made me a Hawk's fan.
Loved watching Eddie...Doug...Savard...Murray and Bannerman with that sweet mask.
Then when Zhamnov came to Winnipeg...for some reason he became my favorite player along with Larmer.
Just a beauty of a player...if only he had the heart to go with that skill,but oh well.
So I followed the Hawks and also Zhamnov.
I have an unhealthy collection of Zhamnov memorabilia lol
From his rookie to his last day's in Boston.
I miss that guy.
But I digress...
I was jacked when Larmer got his cup in NY.
And when Zhamnov went to the Hawks...I was thru the moon!
I have been bleeding Red since then.
We had some lean years....
My only real regret from those lean years is that Daze didn't get a cup.
With all the Hawks from Manitoba on the team,those cup years...it was interesting being a Hawk's fan in Winnipeg.
Then when the Jet's came back...I bought season ticket's only to see my Hawks.
I sell all the other ticket's...hell even the playoff tickets
My buddies think I'm nuts but whatever.
You do what you gotta do for your team.
I'm okay with a couple lean years coming up..
I just want them to compete.
GO HAWKS!
- DixieDog

Zhamnov is one of the smoothest players I have ever seen in live action. He takes a lot of unwarranted heat from fans and that is mainly because he was traded for the popular JR.
I got hooked on the Hawks watching Bobby Hull and his big slap shot on grainy black and white rural television.

I think the hawks need some work. Granted, the kids look pretty decent, but I feel that our speed for the most part, is gone and role players have been filled w/ guys who cannot skate, i.e. Oduya comes to mind. Where we used to dominate, having a shutdown defense, we no longer. Remember when people thought Crawford sucked, because he had the best 6 defenders in the league? But also remember when our role players were thought to be top 6 forwards? Bolland, Bickell and Eager come to mind? That is no more, not one team wants our trash so to speak, but at the same point do you blame them?
Becoming a hockey fan started when I was a kid, I am not sure when, but I'm almost certain it was w/ the Hawks getting swept by the then North Stars. I loved the uniform, and i loved it even more when they went to the black jerseys, both the 3rd and the winter classic. What I really enjoyed when i was younger before the jerseys was the tenacity of the hawks, stu grimson in my mind could knock out mike tyson. Mike Peluso had fists of steel, then Roenick and good ole number 99 changed the landscape. Roenick became my favorite because he could skate, he wasn't afraid to hit, and could score. If Roenick was a song, it would be one by the band Lamb of God, where The Great One would be a symphony written by Beethoven or John Williams. The first time I saw him it was magic. I loved it. That was what made me love hockey, number 99. What made me love the Blackhawks was the fact that they were the Legion of Doom in the NHL world. They had the spikes, they had no problem beating you up, and winning. When the Hawks were bad, I enjoyed going to the games for cheap, and often just went to go see other teams, the Avs, and a few others. My goal now, is to get my little ones into it. Maybe not playing, just because it's up to them, but at least enjoying the show of a game, and seeing how fast it is in reality. Sorry this is long winded, but I've enjoyed hockey most of my life, and i've never been asked what has made me a hockey or hawks fan. thanks for reading.

Guessing they’ve talked to Waddell and the rest of Trashers 2.0 about Faulk/Hossa, but the Canes will need their cap space pretty soon for the young pups. Problem is the Hawks don’t have another young, promising Teuvo-like player to send us to take on the Hossa contract 🤔 that’s the issue at hand. #ThanksAgain

Went to my first Hawks game in March of 1988 my cousin who is also die hard Blackhawk fan took as soon as I walk into The Chicago Stadium I was hook then started watching the game best thing in the world I thought to myself. Still have the game ticket. Hawks vs. Whalers loss 2-1. Ever since then die hard Blackhawk fan and hockey fan.

How do the hawks move Hossa's contract without giving up young future assets?

Why haven't hawks signed a center lesteu or grant need help down the middle?


If hawks traded AA could they get a 2nd and 3rd for him and if so use those picks as part of a trade for a center top 4 d or move Hossa's contract?


Here is a question to Justin and the panel would trade Debricant for a top 4 dman not saying Faulk or Myers I wouldn't trade him for either of those 2 but Trouba yes, your thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Justin good blog today. Yes I'm glad some of the vitrol has diminished, but it's not so much that the followers of this blog expect the Hawks to win every game or take home the SC every year, but the fan that cares about his team expects an effort from both the players and management to justify his loyalty.
For a number of years the Hawks could play 30 to 40 minutes per game and win most of them, because they could out talent the opponent. That ship has sailed for over 2 years now, but the lethargic opening period, the perimeter play, the hockey stick ballet in their own end, the over used line blender, the non-informative talks with Stan, the drafting of smurf after smurf while Winnipeg and Dallas get bigger, and Kane still doesn't have a center problems remain. To the point when these issues are acknowledged by management, nothing changes; they're gonna trot out the same team with a few over hyped additions and past their prime players whose glory days were when I was young. This is how Dollar Bill did it for decades. Is Pully going coach them when Q gets fired?
Step one is be honest with the fans. If you're rebuilding on the fly say so. Step two is to stop Stanbo from handing out NMC/NTC's.( he just did it again with both Kunitz and Ward) Step 3 is realize that strength up the middle is what won those 3 cups, ignoring that glaring weakness contributed to the demise. Step 4 is that goaltenders need to see the puck to stop it. Smurf dmen in abundance isn't a path to success especially with the trail to the WCF being run through Winnipeg. Step 5 is coaching. Cap issues force every team to roster rookies and less than complete NHL'ers because they had to pay their stars crazy money or risk losing them to another team. Q needs to get on board with this or stay out of the D-coach's way. Kepney proved to be a valuable asset to Washington this year, yet couldn't gain the trust of Q. Step six is skills coaching. Why can't guys like Anisimov learn to take a draw? He has size, strength. Step seven Stanbo can't let a player's agent decide who is on his roster and who isn't. The Saad circus is an example of that. Hawks should of had both Panarin and Saad for the 2016 season.

how long before Colliton is coaching the Hawks?

I have mentioned previously AND LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE Chicago begins rebuild in earnest once Toews and Seabrook performance slips bad enough to become third line and or heavy decision to healthy scratch. Presently both want to collect at least a couple more years on unfair contracts, an overpay from Stan.

Truth is Stan should have negotiated a team buy out in the let's say third year where the player received a handsome amount as a buy out. If it is only a money issue and therefore helps future cap relief, this is a win win or players whose NHL servitude has worn them down (or there may also be concussion concern coupled with style of play).

When exactly both players succumb is not yet discernable, but may be more of a revealing nature once we view their performance this season

A third core piece, D Keith, can likely still be white valuable if he had a correct pair and you can lift his spirit bt having a competitive team. Frspiye whomever else might be addition on the blueline, Keith should retain his #1 slot on this team as youngsters transition on to the blueline crew.

In the event acouple veterans help.- one on defense, the goaltending is solid, a couple kids or through trade we find some grit and size in the lineup, and someone replaces the outdated coach Q, then Keith most likely has the wherewithal to elevate his level of play, make that key bone rattling check, stiffle a fast on rushing attack although he may be a bit slower than a few years ago.

Man the auto correct sucks if you use a phone. Constantly mis guesses or changes words.
- jhawk59

You would be best to define what you mean by 'rebuild'. If you mean tear it down completely and operate for a few years like the Buffalo Sabres or Arizona Coyotes striving for 31st place, you can forget that happening.

The Hawks are retaining their draft picks, drafting and developing players internally. Whether you agree with that strategy or not, that's whats happening until further notice.

And by the way, unless it is a compliance buy out, buying out players on big contracts to get rid of them isn't very good fiscal strategy most of the time. On the salary cap it commits the team to double the remaining length of the existing contract. I don't think anybody would want to see Toews or Seabrook on the cap hit books for 10 or 12 years. So it isn't 'just money.'

Great read Justin . I to am a Ontario boy ,southern style . And their are not a lot of HAWKS fans in this area ,mostly Toronto Detroit bums . But have found the few HAWKS fans around here are incredibly loyal . I became a HAWKS fan in the late sixty around 5 or 6 years old . Pat ( Whitey ) Stapleton was the biggest reason , local boy . I fell in love with the sweaters and the great characters on the team back then , Mikita Espo Hulls Chico Maki Nesterenko Magnuson Jimmy Pappin .Tony mask was unforgettable . Bill White and Whitey on the blue line in the 72 series .Playing the Canadians for the CUP in 70 71 ,game 7 heart break . All great stuff . I feel incredibly lucky to be here and see 3 cups by the boys now , and the greatest era of HAWKS hockey ever . And thing they do now is gravy .. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

how long before Colliton is coaching the Hawks?
- BlazinMike

I hope today ...

I began watching hockey the season after my Bar Mitzvah year - so 1958-59 - Hawks were middle of the old original-6 pack, made the playoffs, out in the first round for the next couple of years - until 1961, beating Montreal and then Detroit.

It really was a different game back then. Much slower - no stretch passes because of the red-line offsides, so fewer breakaways, slapshot just coming in - curved sticks still a couple of years away, IIRC.

Player padding was a bit better than cardboard, but not much, I think - so shot blocking was not nearly as dominant as now. Goalies - no masks, much less equipment (they looked more like normal people in the net), stand-up stance with much more stick work and leg kicks - More saves because of goalie skill rather than bouncing off of equipment. The glove was like a Trapper's mitt for first basemen - not the stiff huge gloves they have today.

And fighting - much more than today. Everyone off the bench to get in the fight. Today 3x3 hockey is almost completely for the OTs - back then, many times, half the game would be 3x3 because of massive numbers of penalties after fights - 4/5/6 skaters in each penalty box.

Overall, the game is much better today - faster, more up and down, better skaters, better conditioned athletes on the ice. I would change a couple of things - protective equipment, especially on goalies - don't like to see the equipment being a reason for saves (especially the glove - not sure why they can't dramatically reduce the size of it - not a protection issue, I wouldn't think).

Why did I start with hockey? I never played any organized hockey (not much around back then), but growing up in Winnetka, we had a couple of hockey rinks (flooded park district tennis courts) so we would play our version of "pond hockey" in the winter.

No pro basketball in town until the Packers / Zephyrs (became the Bullets, now the Wizards) came in a couple of years later, so after the Bears would finish in December, hockey became the sport to watch in the winter.

And the Hawks were becoming exciting with Hull, Mikita, Hall, Pilotte, Nesterenko, Litzenberger, etc. all young and beginning to make some noise.

And the season would be over in mid-April - JUST when baseball (which was the important sport) began.

Great read Justin . I to am a Ontario boy ,southern style . And their are not a lot of HAWKS fans in this area ,mostly Toronto Detroit bums . But have found the few HAWKS fans around here are incredibly loyal . I became a HAWKS fan in the late sixty around 5 or 6 years old . Pat ( Whitey ) Stapleton was the biggest reason , local boy . I fell in love with the sweaters and the great characters on the team back then , Mikita Espo Hulls Chico Maki Nesterenko Magnuson Jimmy Pappin .Tony mask was unforgettable . Bill White and Whitey on the blue line in the 72 series .Playing the Canadians for the CUP in 70 71 ,game 7 heart break . All great stuff . I feel incredibly lucky to be here and see 3 cups by the boys now , and the greatest era of HAWKS hockey ever . And thing they do now is gravy .. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

When the Golden Jet and the Blackhawks were in town for a Saturday night game, the streets around Maple Leaf Gardens were a crazy place from 12:00 noon on. People had no chance of getting a ticket, just hoped to see Hull or Makita or Glenn Hall out for an afternoon walk. Standing room only under the end blues if you got lucky.

And then the teams would take the train back to Chicago for a Sunday night rematch at the Chicago Stadium - the greatest arena to listen to a game from on radio as a kid. The Leafs would almost always lose. And Foster Hewitt would always say the announced crowd is 16666 but there isn't a soul under 20000 in here.