No , you trade Gus and Beaudin for Poehling and ??? To Montreal, Nothing wrong with Koekkoek, he’s a young kid and was a high pick.Let him develop here. If this is the way the team is going to go young, would like to see a whole stable of these kids. As long as they give an effort and show up and play on a nightly basis. Glad to see they are changing their strategy because they do not have a heavy team to chase down loose pucks in the corner , Skating, and the transition game is there strong point.
- wonthecup10

Why Poehling, slated in the NHL as a third line center, we are pretty strong at center (Toews, Strome, Dach, and Kampf), I would rather they try and get Primeau the goalie prospect.

Stan might like to do that as well takes two to trade.
- rpeters01

It takes 3 - have to add the player deciding to give up his NMC (ok - 4 - include the player’s agent).

Of more interest to me, when Murphy comes back, do you send Bovquist down, or do you put KKKK on waivers?
- LAHawk

It all depends on how JC plans to deploy Boqvist. Rockford is a better option than the press box. If JC plans to sit somebody else so Boqvist can play then great. From a roster # point of view they don't need to send anyone down but from a cap perspective they do.

It all depends on how JC plans to deploy Boqvist. Rockford is a better option than the press box. If JC plans to sit somebody else so Boqvist can play then great. From a roster # point of view they don't need to send anyone down but from a cap perspective they do.
- DarthKane

true...KK needs to clear waivers and he probably won't...

only way bokie stays past the sabre game is if murphy return is significantly delayed or another dman goes down..

they are eating one year of dachs elc and I don't think they want to eat another

Last year - 40-50 games at 100 point pace. BOD sez....forget that noise, small sample, still suck, look what happened at the end when out of the race. Ignore the results, they say.

This year - 10 games is plenty of time to make a determination that the GM and Coach need to go, and that the vets must go.
- mohel

Colliton coached his 82nd game for the Hawks last night- essentially a full season's worth. His record is 35-35-12, for a grand total of 82 points. How many times is an 82 point season going to make the playoffs? Would anyone consider 82 points anything but a failed season? They were a disaster defensively last year and are this year as well with upgraded personnel. Paraphrasing Bill Parcells, "you are what your record says you are."

true...KK needs to clear waivers and he probably won't...

only way bokie stays past the sabre game is if murphy return is significantly delayed or another dman goes down..

they are eating one year of dachs elc and I don't think they want to eat another
- bogiedoc

Does that apply to Boqvist since he is in the AHL?

Colliton coached his 82nd game for the Hawks last night- essentially a full season's worth. His record is 35-35-12, for a grand total of 82 points. How many times is an 82 point season going to make the playoffs? Would anyone consider 82 points anything but a failed season? They were a disaster defensively last year and are this year as well with upgraded personnel. Paraphrasing Bill Parcells, "you are what your record says you are."
- Davewn

Only have 4 slow NHL dmen playing, why the opponents 3 forwards are hounding the puck in our own end.

Game 9 for is vs buffalo on 11/17... that is the window for murph's return..

they are not going with 8 dman with bokie sitting...gus and seabs are not going to be sitting or traded...

odds are bokie goes back after or before the sabre game...
- bogiedoc

....And, in more ways than I can count, that would be a dirty shame. As if our D-core is so stellar, that we can't find a place for him. In any event, can we all decide to keep this guy around? Think he's gonna be a star.

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus

Jeremy Colliton on how Dominik Kubalik handled being a healthy scratch:

Murphy has been skating past few days

If Hutchinson is in the Leafs net on Sunday even the Ice Hogs would have a chance.
- RickJ

Depends on which Hawks' team shows up to play. He'll look like Rogatien Vachon if we put up another San Jose effort.

I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but you should really let this go. Every single one of the "core" have a NMC. They control almost every aspect of where and when they go. Not to mention, most of them have stated publicly that they have no desire to leave and want to help the Hawks get back to prominence. You cannot wave a magic wand (or bring in a new GM) and all of a sudden, POOF the vets say "OK I'm gone".

Also, no one here is celebrating anything more than the fact that they played better and won LAST NIGHT. Every comment has said "it was a good win, but".

Finally - and I'm not sure if this was just hyperbole on your part - but this team was not win two and lose 7 last year. They had a brutal start to the season (into Dec) and played much better the second half of the year before sputtering out the last 2 weeks.
- Chunk

Hey chunk I don't see your comment in any way negative towards me.

Some of my last part of my comment was a bit hyperbole but pretty close to facts. I know this because my eyes their record and other posters have pointed out the same arguments.

You can't argue that this teams record or play is better, in fact Chicago has regressed under colliton, and when you compare coach Q record up until his firing last year the team had a better record and no problem scoring goals compared to JC.

I know we all share different opinions and some have more patience or belief , but that said I'd bet that I'm not the only person out here who feels that when you make a head coaching change then follow up with upgrading the roster you should see or expect results/improvement right away.

As long and grueling as the hockey season is , no team can truly afford to lose a great amount of games which equal points and expect to than turn things around including their play/chemistry and mental state and go on a run and make the playoffs.

Regarding the core and their NMC nothing is impossible if both parties agree change is for the best of both player and team.

We saw Seabrook comment last week that hinted his frustration and potential to being traded.

That all I was trying to convey

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus

Jeremy Colliton on how Dominik Kubalik handled being a healthy scratch:


- pdx2ord

We also have to remember that Kubalik has never faced an NHL type schedule before. He played 55 games last year, including playoffs. A one game time-out is not such a bad thing. It worked for Nylander.

Only have 4 slow NHL dmen playing, why the opponents 3 forwards are hounding the puck in our own end.
- BetweenTheDots

Great point - how many times did i notice Seabs or DeHann tracking a puck to the corner, only having a super quick Vanc FWD lap our D man and control said puck with ease. huge part of why we get stuck in our zone forever....D men are SLOW!!!!

Colliton coached his 82nd game for the Hawks last night- essentially a full season's worth. His record is 35-35-12, for a grand total of 82 points. How many times is an 82 point season going to make the playoffs? Would anyone consider 82 points anything but a failed season? They were a disaster defensively last year and are this year as well with upgraded personnel. Paraphrasing Bill Parcells, "you are what your record says you are."
- Davewn

Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement for Colliton.

Why would you take a coach's record over two different seasons and draw any conclusion? The Blackhawks and every other team in the league change so much over the summer that you are essentially dealing with 20-40% new teams every year (save for a few consistent ones).

You are correct in saying that "you are what your record says", but we are also looking at a rookie head coach who took over for a failing (the last two years at least) HOF coach mid season. You have to take things in context. It also isn't like Colliton had any leverage to say "Fire Q and hire me". He was offered the holy grail for a hockey coach (the NHL) and as anyone would, he accepted it. He has overseen the team playing very well and very poorly. I'm not going to poop can a guy who I essentially don't know much about.

We don't know what he can do over an 82 game season, because he has yet to coach for a full one.

Colliton coached his 82nd game for the Hawks last night- essentially a full season's worth. His record is 35-35-12, for a grand total of 82 points. How many times is an 82 point season going to make the playoffs? Would anyone consider 82 points anything but a failed season? They were a disaster defensively last year and are this year as well with upgraded personnel. Paraphrasing Bill Parcells, "you are what your record says you are."
- Davewn

I agree with Bill. But, you seem like a fair person....would you really consider this roster the same as last year's? And are you certain that the changes to the system implemented this year were JC'S alone? Or do you think he was told to put in this system?

Also, I think it would be fair to do the same 82 game analysis about 10 games from now. The 1st 10 games or so after Q was fired were a bit of a mess, given feelings toward Q.

....And, in more ways than I can count, that would be a dirty shame. As if our D-core is so stellar, that we can't find a place for him. In any event, can we all decide to keep this guy around? Think he's gonna be a star.
- gabriel

Gabriel I agree boqvist will be a star and I've been impressed with his play , he also brings a lot of speed which has been missing and on the power play his shots seem to create scoring chances.

Their are a lot of teams right now looking for defenseman it would ve great if Stan could make a bold move

I agree with Bill. But, you seem like a fair person....would you really consider this roster the same as last year's? And are you certain that the changes to the system implemented this year were JC'S alone? Or do you think he was told to put in this system?

Also, I think it would be fair to do the same 82 game analysis about 10 games from now. The 1st 10 games or so after Q was fired were a bit of a mess, given feelings toward Q.
- mohel

Whoever decided that the dump and chase should be used should be fired.

Side note. I miss the pic of Stan Bowman riding the unicorn and shooting rainbows. Whoever has that sitting around please bring it back.

Oh...Please, please, please.....don't let the Leafs blow out the hawks. I will be hearing the Leafers crow for days if not weeks. They are not QUITE there yet, but getting almost as insufferable as those freakin' Habbers.

At least, if we gotta lose....make it a nice 6-5 or 5-4 game. Something to keep the buzzards at least a little in check!!!!!


- hawk35

Just take a picture of 3 Stanley Cups with you

Whoever decided that the dump and chase should be used should be fired.

Side note. I miss the pic of Stan Bowman riding the unicorn and shooting rainbows. Whoever has that sitting around please bring it back.
- bhawks2241

If they can't cleanly get the puck out of their own zone, they really don't have a choice with 4 defenders in the neutral zone. I guess it's a better idea to turnover the puck and constantly have odd man advantages coming at your own goalie?

It's also a good habit to get into when you're winning in the 3rd period until Drake tried to do too much

Does that apply to Boqvist since he is in the AHL?
- bhawks2241

very good question...i assumed it is the same for him as dach...but dach was onlu jrs eligible...

he had an entry level slide...it seems the 9 game rule does not apply to him...he is in his 1st year of his 3 year ELC...

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/adam-boqvist

Gabriel I agree boqvist will be a star and I've been impressed with his play , he also brings a lot of speed which has been missing and on the power play his shots seem to create scoring chances.

Their are a lot of teams right now looking for defenseman it would ve great if Stan could make a bold move
- Taylorst1

Think old Stan has a full plate right now. If they end up sending Boqvist down, it will be in part, an attempt to showcase Gus. Gus' play the last couple of games, hasn't looked nearly as bad as before. Funny how that works out, isn't it? Sending Bo back down isn't the end of the world. But, you should have a legit reason for doing so.

I know many count how many shots against and some nights they give up so many, i don't like it either but I'd rather they give up 50 shots on goal with defenders in front of the goalie as opposed to 7 to 10 breakaways or 2 on 1s in a game like they did the last couple of years.

If they can't cleanly get the puck out of their own zone, they really don't have a choice with 4 defenders in the neutral zone. I guess it's a better idea to turnover the puck and constantly have odd man advantages coming at your own goalie?

It's also a good habit to get into when you're winning in the 3rd period until Drake tried to do too much
- BetweenTheDots

I don't see teams clogging the neutral zone or playing a trap style like the Preds used to. I am not saying don't ever dump and chase but designing your offensive scheme around it is absurd.

The Hawks were willingly dumping the puck in. This isn't something they were forced to do. Dump and chase is necessary at times. It is not a system that the Hawks are designed to play or a system they should be using. It should only be used as a tool to counter what certain teams are doing.

I have no problem with the Hawks dumping the puck in to get a change or because it is the only option. Watching guys repeatedly dump it in, like the Sharks game, because someone is coaching them to do that is the issue.

I also think a lot of the odd man rushes we saw last year were do to D-men being overly aggressive in the offensive zone and terrible turnovers in the offensive zone.

There shouldn't be many odd man breaks through the neutral zone if the forwards are carrying the puck. The d-men should still be further back in coverage and not all the way up the ice activated already.

Good morning, Wolfie. There's likely to be some ups and downs in the future because they're still a team with a lot of new players trying to fit together.

Also, I gave you a shout out at the end of last blog. Hope you're well.
- mohel

Ahh, I missed it Mo! Thanks and am very well though depressed as I did Christmas shopping today. My bank account not over joyed.