If the Hawks keep scoring 3+ goals per night, even if they average 4.5 Goals Against, it will be an entertaining year.
- EnzoD

Entertaining in more ways than one...

@Tramyers_NHL
Q on Crawford maybe returning around Oct. 18 (vs. ARI): "If all goes well, that could be a perfect scenario. But you never know if there’s a bump or two in the road. But after this weekend together, we’ll see how he handles that and we’ll get a better idea on picking a date."

Quenneville said it was "not likely" that Crawford returned before that Oct. 18 date. And again, he admitted that even that date is optimistic.

Cam Ward will start vs. the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

To be fair, Hjalmarsson did miss half a season last year and his effectiveness wasn't impressive.
- breadbag

Yet he was still able to sign a decent 2-year contract extension in June at $5MM AAV. Just think what the terms would have been if he had a solid, injury-free season last year.

Yet he was still able to sign a decent 2-year contract extension in June at $5MM AAV. Just think what the terms would have been if he had a solid, injury-free season last year.
- AEL_Fox

Personally, I'm not sure he would have gotten much more money, but in my opinion he probably would have earned more term, if he wanted it. I hope he does well this year.

This is a bad team. The goaltending is horrible. They are too slow. The defense is bad and there isn’t enough scoring. They will finish in the bottom 5 in the league. The Jack Hughes sweepstakes.

You guys are so flattering. Who won the office pool as to when I would post next? Paul had an extra monitor installed at the office and hired a kid to monitor the site.

I am not missed...that is fine...I do not really miss the echo chamber - ground hog day posts ad nauseum.

What did Q win before he got here? Richard...that is what he won.

For such smart dedicated fans, it is confounding the amount of people who do not realize that players win cups, not coaches.

The Cannucks were the Hawks of the mid eighties. Great team, they even got to a final, but were stuck behind the most talented team in hockey the Hawks. In the 80s the Hawks chased the Oilers. Your point means nothing.
- TrueGrit

As usual, you missed my point.

I did not say the Hawks won because of Q. My examples showed that teams with great talent can and will fail with the wrong coach behind the bench.

But thanks for playing. Keep trying, one day you might get it.

Personally, I'm not sure he would have gotten much more money, but in my opinion he probably would have earned more term, if he wanted it. I hope he does well this year.
- breadbag

Me too. I know many people are against bringing back former Hawks, especially when they are on their last leg and barely standing a lot of times, but I can see Hjalmarsson signing a sweatheart deal to end his career in Chicago. I'm not advocating for this to happen but it won't surprise me if it does occur.

Respectfully, you are making my case. Of course talent means a lot. The idea that Babcock was the worst coach? Kind of crazy talk. In case you have not noticed Hockey Canada does not let Q close to any national coaching opportunities.

I have said this many times in the past, which gets lost in all my hyperbole, but at the end of the day, if you are not able to get all the players to buy in, it is much more efficient to change the coach then 20 plus players.

Coaches, and all managers in any walk of life, are drawn to the challenge of taking whatever resources they are given and maximizing the organization objectives/goals.

It appears that many coaches have dealt with far more adversity in losing key players for extended periods of time, and still finding a way to keep their teams competitive (making playoffs). Hawk fans go thru extended mental gymnastics every year to "just know" that Toews has some injuries that will require multiple off season surgeries... and that Q's hands are tied.

My comment is centered, not on the fact that the hawks have fallen back in the pack, it is just in how they have done it. Clearly, regardless of talent, there is a disconnect in how this team competes night in and night out. That, to me, is a reflection of the coach.

While I knock Q, I will not take away what has been accomplished. Pro sports is what have you done for me lately. Contorting our minds and wishing for yesteryear, wastes the current opportunity in front of us. Before you trade your core, switch the coach and the message. Reinvigorate the group before its too late.
- TrueGrit

Actually, in case you did not notice, at the most recent Canada Cup, Q was the coach that ran Team Canada's defense. He was the first coach I believe that Babcock reached out to to help coach the team. Also, he was named as head coach for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2004 IIHF World Championship.

But yes, Canada must really think he's bad......I get that you don't like Q, but at least limit your criticisms of him to reality.

This is a bad team. The goaltending is horrible. They are too slow. The defense is bad and there isn’t enough scoring. They will finish in the bottom 5 in the league. The Jack Hughes sweepstakes.
- ger68

But is it a hopeful team?

Can you find NO joy in watching the young players mature and develop into - well, we don't know what, yet, do we?

Can you not be somewhat excited about seeing the remaining core - who brought us three championships - try to recapture some of their past glories?

Can you not at least enjoy taking part in the Q / Bowman death watch on this glass-half-empty (of cyanide) play-house?

Can you not let Cornellison get you up for the beginning of games? (He doesn't do it for me, but that's just me.)

But is it a hopeful team?

Can you find NO joy in watching the young players mature and develop into - well, we don't know what, yet, do we?

Can you not be somewhat excited about seeing the remaining core - who brought us three championships - try to recapture some of their past glories?

Can you not at least enjoy taking part in the Q / Bowman death watch on this glass-half-empty (of cyanide) play-house?

Can you not let Cornellison get you up for the beginning of games? (He doesn't do it for me, but that's just me.)
- StLBravesFan

we are playing in the Winter Classic this year....thats something

@Tramyers_NHL
Q on Crawford maybe returning around Oct. 18 (vs. ARI): "If all goes well, that could be a perfect scenario. But you never know if there’s a bump or two in the road. But after this weekend together, we’ll see how he handles that and we’ll get a better idea on picking a date."

Quenneville said it was "not likely" that Crawford returned before that Oct. 18 date. And again, he admitted that even that date is optimistic.

Cam Ward will start vs. the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
- L_B_R

Thanks for sharing. The news on Crawford is getting better all the time. I figured that was an optimistic date, but still I would think late Oct or early Nov. Keep Crawford away from every bump in the road and Rise Against concerts.

Thanks for sharing. The news on Crawford is getting better all the time. I figured that was an optimistic date, but still I would think late Oct or early Nov. Keep Crawford away from every bump in the road and Rise Against concerts.
- I Am The Breadman

Didnt nashville run him every opportunity during that '15 playoff run?

This is a bad team. The goaltending is horrible. They are too slow. The defense is bad and there isn’t enough scoring. They will finish in the bottom 5 in the league. The Jack Hughes sweepstakes.
- ger68

And that's what they said about Vegas last year, let the team decide who they are.

The discussion concerning bringing Panarin back to Chicago is ludicrous. Hawks’ management did not want him and does not want him back. Figure it out - Bowman gives out No Movement and No Trade clauses like candy but didn’t give Panarin either. Traded him right after signing him to exact same money Saad making. Signed him to trade him. Management had long list of reasons for trading him. Panarin is selfish - ultimately cares only about himself and not his team. You are seeing that in Columbus. Columbus is apparently a nice place for elite players like Seth Jones but not Panarin.

Finally, let’s deal with the issue of Panarin’s chemistry with Kane. Hawks traded Panarin in spite of this. Management wanted him gone.
- Z3Hawk

'Management had a long list of reasons for trading him. Panarin is selfish.'

Please elaborate how Panarin is selfish. The guy received 4 Hart Trophy votes last season, that's 3 more than Sidney Crosby. Guess how many Hawks got Hart votes: zero.
Panarin had more Even Strength points than Toews had points. He had more points than anyone on the Hawks. He dragged Columbus's crappy offense into the playoffs and was huge for them before the Washington steamroller turned on. He got Byng votes, so I'm not sure how many d-bags get those. The guy elevates every player who gets put on his line, and the numbers unanimously show that. With Panarin on your team, you will win more games, period. The bitter posters on here who try to sour grapes hogwash the Panarin trade are nuts. This player is an elite player and there are 30 other teams in the league who'd kill to have him. Point per game last year, nearly point per game in his career in the playoffs, 57% Corsi AND Fenwick (not easy).

Panarin is an elite forward to old-school 'no stats' fans as well as analytics based fans. I'd trade anyone not named Kane or Keith to get him back, but why on earth would he come back to a team that shipped him out to get the band back together (again)?

He's almost certainly not coming back, and it's another check in the 'loss' column for Stan. If you don't understand the value of Panarin, you might have a worse eye for talent than Peter Chiarelli.

This is a bad team. The goaltending is horrible. They are too slow. The defense is bad and there isn’t enough scoring. They will finish in the bottom 5 in the league. The Jack Hughes sweepstakes.
- ger68

And that should be the goal as an organization. Lose as many games as possible to gain the best possible future asset in the upcoming draft. Any other strategy is only further holding us back and prolonging the spell of mediocrity.

Didnt nashville run him every opportunity during that '15 playoff run?
- glennjpawlak22

My memory is foggy. Game 1 they did, Darling stepped up to the plate and won that game. Then maybe the next 2 or 3. Then lost the job and Crawford all the way from there. Don't quote me on that because I'm not 100% sure.

And that should be the goal as an organization. Lose as many games as possible to gain the best possible future asset in the upcoming draft. Any other strategy is only further holding us back and prolonging the spell of mediocrity.
- SimpleJack

The problem with our organization is that there is no plan. This feels like a too many cooks in the kitchen scenario.

Didnt nashville run him every opportunity during that '15 playoff run?
- glennjpawlak22

I'm sure the Predators did to one extent or other. That's part of their M.O.

Not part of the Nashville series but this is one of my favorite Crawford moments when he went after Fabbri who crashed his net.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9Kz9yloKY

Need to see more of that -- teammates sticking up for each other. Loved how Roszival came in to take on Fabbri. Slow to get there but I blame that on Rosy's age and not the fire in his belly. Rosy was one of the more physical Hawks no matter his skill level.

And that's what they said about Vegas last year, let the team decide who they are.
- BetweenTheDots

The Vegas comparisons really need to stop. We’re two entirely different teams. They have much more team speed and depth at forward and defense. They play an entirely different style.

The problem with our organization is that there is no plan. This feels like a too many cooks in the kitchen scenario.
- I Am The Breadman

I agree, we seem to be wishy washy on going all out for one more playoff push or simply going all in on a rebuild. Having unmovable contracts like Seabs and Toews is making the commitment towards rebuilding very difficult...

I'm sure the Predators did to one extent or other. That's part of their M.O.

Not part of the Nashville series but this is one of my favorite Crawford moments when he went after Fabbri who crashed his net.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9Kz9yloKY

Need to see more of that -- teammates sticking up for each other. Loved how Roszival came in to take on Fabbri. Slow to get there but I blame that on Rosy's age and not the fire in his belly. Rosy was one of the more physical Hawks no matter his skill level.
- AEL_Fox

Great moment. Take a knee, Fabbri ... oh wait ...

My favorite with Crawford was when he bumped his helmet into Quick's and tried shaking out of his glove and blocker like he was ready to fight.

Hammer was falling apart? So what would you call Murphy, who is out 2 months minimum with back surgery?
- EnzoD

Ok, poor choice of words in terms of his health, but after the abuse from blocking shots it's not like his best days were ahead of him and I think his play was also trending downward.

I think when people talk about the Hawks getting the short end of the stick in that trade, a lot of it is in large part the memory of how great Hammer was vs what he actually was when they traded him.

Living Rent Free in the heads of so many.

It was 2014 that I began questioning Q, if you want to get your facts straight.

Hawks have not won a playoff game in 2 and half years....but by all means keep glossing over it...they are no closer to winning one now than in spring of 2016,
- TrueGrit

I thought it was 2015 where they weren't close and all the other teams had caught the Hawks and passed them by.

The Vegas comparisons really need to stop. We’re two entirely different teams. They have much more team speed and depth at forward and defense. They play an entirely different style.
- SimpleJack

The Hawks roster is one of the slowest in the NHL. The Vegas roster last year was one of the fastest.

Remember when the Hawks teams won because of depth? There is no depth now. I agree the comparisons needs to stop. If this Hawks team goes anywhere it will be because the big name players tap into the fountain of youth.

Would anyone from our bottom 6 even make the Vegas roster?

The Vegas comparisons really need to stop. We’re two entirely different teams. They have much more team speed and depth at forward and defense. They play an entirely different style.
- SimpleJack

SimpleJack - you are totally missing the point. What the last few seasons has shown has been that Q cannot change his gameplan. I hear people say "The Blackhawks just don't have any talent" Well, the making of a great coach is the ability to get the talent out of the players. Put a system in that takes advantage of the players. Here is where Q has failed. No denying he is a great coach ()when his team can run his system), but a coach needs to be able to adapt.