Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks lose, again but get another shot at Dallas I’m back from Mexico and ready for some Blackhawks talk.

Actually, I’m ready for a Blackhawks regulation win. That will make the talk much more digestible.

Chicago did play the Dallas Stars really well on Saturday. This is a Stars team that has been on absolute fire as of late, posting a 13-1-1 record in their last 15.

Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks lose, again but get another shot at Dallas
I’m back from Mexico and ready for some Blackhawks talk.

Actually, I’m ready for a Blackhawks regulation win. That will make the talk much more digestible.

Chicago did play the Dallas Stars really well on Saturday. This is a Stars team that has been on absolute fire as of late, posting a 13-1-1 record in their last 15.
- Tyler Cameron

Great piece, TC. Hope you had a great vacation. Glad to have you blogging again.

I hope for another solid effort, but 2 regulation points for the boys this time. I'm really excited for Highmore again.

Lehner is the only Hawk I have respect for. Man, you guys are really digging deep to find positives. Need to see to see long term improvement for me to get excited.

Welcome back. Hawks have a busy week. Hope they can get on a roll.

Lehner is the only Hawk I have respect for. Man, you guys are really digging deep to find positives. Need to see to see long term improvement for me to get excited.
- GlennL

Anyone have thoughts on what happens if the Hawks do not make the playoffs......management , coaches, players .

Anyone have thoughts on what happens if the Hawks do not make the playoffs......management , coaches, players .
- GlennL

They have 59 games left and are eff3ctively only a point out of a playoff spot.

Seems absurd to be thinking about what happens if....

Anyone have thoughts on what happens if the Hawks do not make the playoffs......management , coaches, players .
- GlennL

Real fast Glen, and I sound like a broken record, Colliton and Bowman Gone! Problem is they have a team president that would not even begin to understand how to hire their successors. So let’s just hope they turn it around and it’s all for not.
I am with Robin Lehner, I hate the freaking shoot out, never stay for one, it is a gimmick, to get Joe public interested in the game. It’s terrible that two goalies play their ass off for 60 minutes and then it’s decided by what they call a lottery shoot out. Like playing driveway hockey. Would love to see them have three on three for 10 minutes. I guarantee you someone will score within 10 minutes with three on three. It takes them longer to play the five minute overtime and do the freaking shoot out,Instead of playing three on three. If it ends in a tie that each team gets a point. Need to keep some tradition in hockey.

So, we’re just past the 20 game mark. Many here wanted to wait that long before evaluating the team, and the head coach. So, what do we have?

5v5, from Natural Stat Trick

29th in Corsi for 46.50%
29th in xGoals for 45.90%
29th in scoring chances for 45.70%
29th in high danger SC for 45.18%

2nd in save percentage 93.87%

The roster has been significantly upgraded from last season, through trades, FAs and a heck of a draft pick at #3. Nice job Stan!

But, they continue to get out-shot & out-chanced. It’s been better lately, but ‘better’ doesn’t put fannies in seats at the UC. Missing the playoffs is not an option for this organization, if they want to remain relevant, both in Chicago, and in the NHL.

It’s time for Stan to admit his mistake, and relieve Colliton of his duties. JC has clearly has shown no ability to be a HC in the NHL. He’s had over a year to figure it out. And, the NHL is not a developmental league for head coaches.

Fire JC, promote Marc Crawford, and this team makes the playoffs this season.

So, we’re just past the 20 game mark. Many here wanted to wait that long before evaluating the team, and the head coach. So, what do we have?

5v5, from Natural Stat Trick

29th in Corsi for 46.50%
29th in xGoals for 45.90%
29th in scoring chances for 45.70%
29th in high danger SC for 45.18%

2nd in save percentage 93.87%

The roster has been significantly upgraded from last season, through trades, FAs and a heck of a draft pick at #3. Nice job Stan!

But, they continue to get out-shot & out-chanced. It’s been better lately, but ‘better’ doesn’t put fannies in seats at the UC. Missing the playoffs is not an option for this organization, if they want to remain relevant, both in Chicago, and in the NHL.

It’s time for Stan to admit his mistake, and relieve Colliton of his duties. JC has clearly has shown no ability to be a HC in the NHL. He’s had over a year to figure it out. And, the NHL is not a developmental league for head coaches.

Fire JC, promote Marc Crawford, and this team makes the playoffs this season.
- scottak

Just playing Devil's advocate, but if Marc Crawford is the answer, wouldn't he still be in Ottawa?

Just playing Devil's advocate, but if Marc Crawford is the answer, wouldn't he still be in Ottawa?
- powerenforcer

They have just as many points as the hawks. Since we are so focused on the standings now.

So, we’re just past the 20 game mark. Many here wanted to wait that long before evaluating the team, and the head coach. So, what do we have?

5v5, from Natural Stat Trick

29th in Corsi for 46.50%
29th in xGoals for 45.90%
29th in scoring chances for 45.70%
29th in high danger SC for 45.18%

2nd in save percentage 93.87%

The roster has been significantly upgraded from last season, through trades, FAs and a heck of a draft pick at #3. Nice job Stan!

But, they continue to get out-shot & out-chanced. It’s been better lately, but ‘better’ doesn’t put fannies in seats at the UC. Missing the playoffs is not an option for this organization, if they want to remain relevant, both in Chicago, and in the NHL.

It’s time for Stan to admit his mistake, and relieve Colliton of his duties. JC has clearly has shown no ability to be a HC in the NHL. He’s had over a year to figure it out. And, the NHL is not a developmental league for head coaches.

Fire JC, promote Marc Crawford, and this team makes the playoffs this season.
- scottak

You do realize that the Panthers tried to run a team by using analytics, fancy stats and i believe it was a disaster

Just playing Devil's advocate, but if Marc Crawford is the answer, wouldn't he still be in Ottawa?

Yes and he is a terrible coach.

Yes and he is a terrible coach.
- gifman

556 wins in the NHL, 8 playoff appearances & a Stanley Cup.
Your definition of terrible is different than mine.

556 wins in the NHL, 8 playoff appearances & a Stanley Cup.
Your definition of terrible is different than mine.
- scottak

He won a Cup over 20 years ago so while he has won one it was in an entirely different league.

I agree with you.

556 wins in the NHL, 8 playoff appearances & a Stanley Cup.
Your definition of terrible is different than mine.
- scottak

Why isn't he still with the Sens then? I just think he is a retread.

Real fast Glen, and I sound like a broken record, Colliton and Bowman Gone! Problem is they have a team president that would not even begin to understand how to hire their successors. So let’s just hope they turn it around and it’s all for not.
I am with Robin Lehner, I hate the freaking shoot out, never stay for one, it is a gimmick, to get Joe public interested in the game. It’s terrible that two goalies play their ass off for 60 minutes and then it’s decided by what they call a lottery shoot out. Like playing driveway hockey. Would love to see them have three on three for 10 minutes. I guarantee you someone will score within 10 minutes with three on three. It takes them longer to play the five minute overtime and do the freaking shoot out,Instead of playing three on three. If it ends in a tie that each team gets a point. Need to keep some tradition in hockey.
- wonthecup10

I have to agree with you rhere.

Why isn't he still with the Sens then? I just think he is a retread.
- powerenforcer

So was Q when the Hawks hired him. How’d that work out?

I agree about Kubalik. Actually I would like to see him play with a playmaker like Nylander on Toews line. Nylander has worked pretty hard. He has shown signs of effort and progress with spotty results. Kubalik might be the playmaker that gets Toews and Nylander going. He also is responsible defensively and good along the boards. He has a wicked shot.

ADB Strome Kane
Nylander Toews Kubalik
Saad Kampf Shaw
Carpenter Highmore Dach (pick a center)

556 wins in the NHL, 8 playoff appearances & a Stanley Cup.
Your definition of terrible is different than mine.
- scottak

Your own definition should be enough for you to realize why he shouldn’t be a coach.

So was Q when the Hawks hired him. How’d that work out?
- scottak

Q wasn’t a retread and he hadn’t won a cup until he was hired here. Crawford is old school, very old school. He doesn’t have a clue how to coach against the new nhl and Q is also in the same boat.

My thoughts on the impact of the McDonough discussion with Colliton is a hot topic on this hockey blog. There is an immediate disdain and emotionalism similar to the failure of key players and the head coach of the Bears. In fact, you could even extend fault for early season turbulence in team performance to the respective GM. The GM's did hire the coach and bring aboard much of the talent. The GM"s also inherited some of the talent and have been able to shape the roster.

Obviously it is egg on the face of Colliton & Bowman regarding the trouble adjusting and accepting the new system. Colliton and Bowman had a plan with structure and it basiclly blew apart. It is really irrelevant if the system works better after Bowman adds the sort of skill and willing players in years ahead It is irrelevant that Carolina or anyone plays a nearly identical system with much better success (success as in cohesive team effort and the W/L record) .

It matters how you play and whom you have on the roster once not just a couple but several prospects have taken someone's job and both Seabrook and Toews are not dragging us down

Starting to go off on another tangent, so....

I know fans can line up an argument pro and con as to the Bowman/Colliton fate

To be as objective and honest - and I do not think some fans are willing to be objective if it means honest appraisal too - means to report or call it how you see it even when it may not be what you want to see happen

You can line up the pro con discussion by stating good and bad decisions and trades and we could debate each if your journal entries seemingly forever

But really if you are in the tied that believes this team is hard pressed to make the playoffs this year or next, then Colliton staying put is not a problem. As long as he has the team playing a style condusive to the talent and willingness if his soldiers, then Colliton can stay.

As for Bowman, he has to find a new too line center irregardless if whether both Strome and DeBrincat would be part of the crew that stays. Toews and Seabrook remain usable parts but neither is worthy of top line top minutes. When this team turns the corner to .500 hockey with a promising future, both of them should be tail lights. Keith might stick around but you know that the dman prospects and Dach are the future. A lot of really promising bottom line players could compare to the 2010 team...a team whose character players on bottom lines outplayed and were clutch performance based.

Carlsson and Entwhistle are two of those type and both should be fan favorites

I postpone the Bowman and Colliton decision until some point after next season. Then we might learn if the GM and coach is favorable to lead the new kids. Or is McDonough thinking he needs a Trotz type who can get more out of his players. And would MacIssac be elevated to GM?

Welcome back, Tyler! Hope you had fun south of the border. Well, I guess that's two borders for you, actually.

I like your suggestion of trying Kubalik with Toews. Pair them with Saad and give that a go for a bit as 8 and 20 have had great chemistry this season.

Saad - Toews - Kubalik
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Nylander - Dach - Shaw
Carpenter - Kampf - Highmore
Smith

Or swap Dach with Kampf if sheltering Dach is still part of the development plan.

Hey Rainer, I made the call the first time I saw Crawford play that he would play in the NHL. And while I'm not as confident making this call as I've only seen this guy play a couple of times, but I have been impressed with Tomkins down on the farm. Big guy, moves well, blocks shots and makes saves. I don't know anything about him other than he was impressive to me when I saw him.
- 6628

From the last blog:

Although it doesn't matter in the end as far as acquisition status but it would be great to see Tomkins succeed and rise from the pack as the eventual backup for the Hawks within say two seasons. He's the only draft pick of the Rockford trio as Delia and Lankinen are free agent signeees.

Agree with your assessment of Tomkins. Small sample size but he's been strong so far in Rockford. Still a lot to prove to even be a consistently reliable AHL netminder but so far so good.

If a good coach is solely defined by his win loss record 20 years ago, why was Babcock fired, or why isn’t Hitchcock still coaching.