Tyler Cameron: Thoughts on where the Blackhawks go from here There has been more information and assumptions coming out since the firing of John McDonough.

I didn't offer my opinion on McDonough yet, so let me offer that, as well as take a look around as to what may be coming in Chicago.

First- good morning to everyone!

Rumor has it that Duncan Kieth will retire and become the next president. This way his salary will move into operations.

Rumor has it that Duncan Kieth will retire and become the next president. This way his salary will move into operations.
- Tee56

Not Seabrook?

Read somewhere where the Hawks are behind the analytics curve. Would the new head of hockey operations be a younger guy ala Kyle Dubas or the hockey equivalent of Theo Epstein? Not familiar enough with anybody who would fit that description.

The eye test will always be an important part of the equation. People rip on Tallon, but his GM time was interrupted for a couple of years by a pure advanced stats guy who undid the whole works. Tallon then got promoted back to GM and had to start all over again. I hope the hawks don't make what I would consider a mistake like that. My respects to LBR no matter.

A lot of successful execs are tyrants. They can be great to work for but it can also get really old really fast. It was probably just time for a change.

I could see them not making any decision unless he was informed about it or approved it. That seems pretty standard for the role\type.

Probably also means they won't resume BAU activities for a while and have the time to do a re-org with out having to half ass it. Meaning it'll be some time before the stadium is open or that games actually start.

Honestly, losing a job is a huge bummer but its nice to have something to talk about and speculate on other than this (frank)ing virus.

Read somewhere where the Hawks are behind the analytics curve. Would the new head of hockey operations be a younger guy ala Kyle Dubas or the hockey equivalent of Theo Epstein? Not familiar enough with anybody who would fit that description.
- boilermaker100

Duncan Keith is currently enrolled at DePaul University taking the online Master’s Data Science & Analytics class.

The eye test will always be an important part of the equation. People rip on Tallon, but his GM time was interrupted for a couple of years by a pure advanced stats guy who undid the whole works. Tallon then got promoted back to GM and had to start all over again. I hope the hawks don't make what I would consider a mistake like that. My respects to LBR no matter.
- 6628

Its like anything else, have to have balance. Numbers are meaningless without context and confirmation bias is just as problematic. Tough job when you actually have to do it.

Tallon biffed some high picks himself and threw around some money recklessly too.

Its like anything else, have to have balance. Numbers are meaningless without context and confirmation bias is just as problematic. Tough job when you actually have to do it.

Tallon biffed some high picks himself and threw around some money recklessly too.
- fattybeef

I liked Tallon and like some, give him, Stan and even Mike Smith credit for having a hand in three Cups.

The bolded though is something that tends to get ignored when people try to make it an either/or when discussing the Dale vs. Stan thing.

Tyler Cameron: Thoughts on where the Blackhawks go from here
There has been more information and assumptions coming out since the firing of John McDonough.

I didn't offer my opinion on McDonough yet, so let me offer that, as well as take a look around as to what may be coming in Chicago.
- Tyler Cameron

Great write up Tyler!

Will be interesting to see which way the team goes. Another thing that was mentioned the other day in the Zawaski interview was that over the past two years, nearly 30 employees left the UC/Wirtz org as a result of McD.

At some point you can't ignore turnover like that. A couple people go and you can rationalize they weren't a good fit. When that many people leave in somewhat condensed time period there are usually bigger issues.

As has been mentioned in a few places, all options should be on the table.

I do think it was funny that the McMeddling that was oft alluded to here by the previous blogger as early as 2011/2012 was apparently more of a recent phenomenon as described in the Score interview with JZ. So it turns out JJ was right...just not at the time.

Thanks Tyler, very interested to hear who you think will be in the running for the next position.

I have always been an outsider when it comes to believing Bettman likes the Chicago franchise, so I will play along with that concept this once. What if something like this happened: Bettman talked to Rockey and said - "Hey Rocky, you know I put you guys in all these showcase games and you $hit the bed every time. You guys have to start winning these games, or I will stop scheduling the Blackhawks in these showcase games. Do you understand?" So he is now cleaning house, top down.

Read somewhere where the Hawks are behind the analytics curve. Would the new head of hockey operations be a younger guy ala Kyle Dubas or the hockey equivalent of Theo Epstein? Not familiar enough with anybody who would fit that description.
- boilermaker100

Gotta be careful. Has any Cup winner been with a pure analytics guy as the GM? Not to my knowledge. Like 6628 said, the Panthers kicked Tallon to the side for a purely numbers guy and it blew up in their face, then they brought him back.

I think that analytics can support what the eyes already tell you, and I also believe that if used correctly they can help to gain clarity and focus around players effectiveness and roles.

I think that most are in agreement that McD made huge improvements to the way the Hawks were perceived and in the how they ran the organization. There may have been a time early on in his tenure where player acquisitions (Campbell, Huet) were made because they were trying to change the perception. Once they became successful on the Ice and were able to sustain success over a period of years, the player decisions based on marketing needed to stop. In addition, a bloated chain of communication proves to be a detriment, Bowman to MacIsaac to McDonough maybe to Rocky, slowed communication as well as maybe caused wavering because of varying ideas/thoughts.

It was time to get a Hockey guy in charge of Hockey decisions, and a business guy in charge of the marketing/business side. I imagine we will eventually find out the full story of why the change happened at this specific point in time.

Thanks Tyler, very interested to hear who you think will be in the running for the next position.

I have always been an outsider when it comes to believing Bettman likes the Chicago franchise, so I will play along with that concept this once. What if something like this happened: Bettman talked to Rockey and said - "Hey Rocky, you know I put you guys in all these showcase games and you $hit the bed every time. You guys have to start winning these games, or I will stop scheduling the Blackhawks in these showcase games. Do you understand?" So he is now cleaning house, top down.
- powerenforcer

PE, your ability to turn everything into some grand Bettman conspiracy is legendary.
Bettman doesn't care who wins or loses those games. He only cares about the Bottom line. Money talks. The Hawks are one of the best draws in the league. Based on the $'s they bring in, Bettman would have no problem scheduling them in one of those games every year. Make it like the Lions or Cowboys always playing on Thanksgiving, the Hawks are always playing in a Winter Classic/Stadium Series game.

Tyler fantastic follow up and insight. IMO change has and is needed and long overdue. What mc D and company accomplished from 07-15 was amazing. However missteps after Chicago's 2nd cup ensued which has put the team into limbo.

Regarding Stan and JC fate IMO mc D had the ultimate say and he opted to protect Stan instead of the business .


I just hope whatever direction Rocky envisions for this teams structure they bring in the best possible person from the outside who has the necessary pedigree and hockey acumen and allow this person to make whatever changes are needed including trading away toews or Kane.

Thanks Tyler, very interested to hear who you think will be in the running for the next position.

I have always been an outsider when it comes to believing Bettman likes the Chicago franchise, so I will play along with that concept this once. What if something like this happened: Bettman talked to Rockey and said - "Hey Rocky, you know I put you guys in all these showcase games and you $hit the bed every time. You guys have to start winning these games, or I will stop scheduling the Blackhawks in these showcase games. Do you understand?" So he is now cleaning house, top down.
- powerenforcer

Not likely. That's way, way too small for these kinds of decisions. The NHL is big, big business, and goes way beyond the competitiveness of one game, or one series of games. Additionally, because it is a big business, Bettman is extremely unlikely to meddle in the affairs of any individual team, unless that team was in serious financial trouble, such as when the league briefly took operational control of the Buffalo Sabres in 2004.

Great write up Tyler!

Will be interesting to see which way the team goes. Another thing that was mentioned the other day in the Zawaski interview was that over the past two years, nearly 30 employees left the UC/Wirtz org as a result of McD.

At some point you can't ignore turnover like that. A couple people go and you can rationalize they weren't a good fit. When that many people leave in somewhat condensed time period there are usually bigger issues.

As has been mentioned in a few places, all options should be on the table.

I do think it was funny that the McMeddling that was oft alluded to here by the previous blogger as early as 2011/2012 was apparently more of a recent phenomenon as described in the Score interview with JZ. So it turns out JJ was right...just not at the time.
- HawkintheD

He was a lot more right on this subject than a lot of guys here would like to believe right from the get go.

Tyler fantastic follow up and insight. IMO change has and is needed and long overdue. What mc D and company accomplished from 07-15 was amazing. However missteps after Chicago's 2nd cup ensued which has put the team into limbo.

Regarding Stan and JC fate IMO mc D had the ultimate say and he opted to protect Stan instead of the business .


I just hope whatever direction Rocky envisions for this teams structure they bring in the best possible person from the outside who has the necessary pedigree and hockey acumen and allow this person to make whatever changes are needed including trading away toews or Kane.
- Taylorst1

oh pray tell, please share what missteps were made in 13 that put the team in "limbo"

Thanks Tyler, very interested to hear who you think will be in the running for the next position.

I have always been an outsider when it comes to believing Bettman likes the Chicago franchise, so I will play along with that concept this once. What if something like this happened: Bettman talked to Rockey and said - "Hey Rocky, you know I put you guys in all these showcase games and you $hit the bed every time. You guys have to start winning these games, or I will stop scheduling the Blackhawks in these showcase games. Do you understand?" So he is now cleaning house, top down.
- powerenforcer

C'mon man that's just crazy to consider even for you. Bettman doesn't care who wins or loses. It's all about the Benjamin's. Nevermind the nonsense.

Great post Tyler - hang a star on that one.

If the decision has been made to split hockey and business operations, it's a choice other teams have made and sports franchises are nothing if not herd animals. The hierarchical reshuffle sounds like a good idea though, I think. I suppose it depends on getting the right people in the right spots - 'doh. It will be interesting to watch the necessary interaction between the two intra-team organizations.

I hope the next president of hockey operations is someone from outside the Hawks "family". A new mindset is needed - the "One Goal" era must be re-cataloged from "current status" to "memory status". The new president must have a good hockey mind with enough self confidence and self awareness to do the job that is needed without feeling the need to mark his territory when he arrives for the sole purpose of announcing the new big dog is in town.

The interesting times a just a keep on a rolling along.

McDonough did a great job on the operational side of things but lets not forget the special consultant Scotty Bowman, a great hockey mind from years 2008 thru 2015. There’s your master mind on the Hockey side.

He was a lot more right on this subject than a lot of guys here would like to believe right from the get go.
- 6628

Maybe/maybe not. Respect your opinion and the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. I also know there were quite a few fabricated trade rumors fed by posters here that he ran with, and I'm sure more than some of the faithful would like to believe.

Maybe/maybe not. Respect your opinion and the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. I also know there were quite a few fabricated trade rumors fed by posters here that he ran with, and I'm sure more than some of the faithful would like to believe.
- HawkintheD

Malkin is on his way to Chicago as we speak.

Tyler Cameron: Thoughts on where the Blackhawks go from here
There has been more information and assumptions coming out since the firing of John McDonough.

I didn't offer my opinion on McDonough yet, so let me offer that, as well as take a look around as to what may be coming in Chicago.
- Tyler Cameron

If it's true the front office was as bad as you say it was, hahaha hahaha, i never knew this. They could of hired a green marketing major straight out of school and upgraded the entire FO. What a poop show, i guess that in itself explains the restricted free agent debacle which probably led to McD having more oversight, aka baby sitter

I wonder if they had a difference of opinion like Toronto and Uncle Lou about signing Tavares.