Keith paid before Cups, right?
- jimnhlnut

keith signed his big 13 year extension during the 2010 cup year; went into effect 2010-11 at 5 mil cap hit....very cap friendly deal at the time and now..

if he opted for a shorter term deal...no question he would be up around 7-8 mildo and that would have changed alot of the roster personell strategy and action 3-4 years ago...

Lets be clear about the most important thing - this is no expansion team of past NHL work, like the Washington Caps, NYI, Ottawa Senators or Oakland Seals.

This team has some real talent on its first year roster - William Karlsson, Alex Tuch, Colin Miller, Neal, Marchessault and MA Fleury. And to boot, the absolute best defenceman they have is playing in the minors and is really p$ssed off about it - Shea Theodore.

I'm glad they are competitive and weren't built by being given the first pick in the draft and that player was forced to play many years with 22 other no talent stiffs.

What the NHL should really be embarrassed about is not the Golden Knights but rather the Arizona Coyotes and the abysmal state of their officiating league wide.
- RickJ

that is another good point...the coyotes have been floundering for year despite the 2012 WCF appearance which they road with mike smith having a career year...

a huge embarassment....the land of where contracts go to get burried

Thinking there could be a shakeup if the Hawks don't beat Colorado. Rockford shuffle, minor trade. Anything to breath life into this team. The defence looks shaky while the offence stagnant. Looks like the same system with a different roster not to mention the vets, that are used to that same system, are older now and slower. Q's system is based on pace which was dominant up until about 3 years ago. The roster has changed and the league has caught up now. Time for changes.

Did not watch the game, but another loss to a division rival. Unless the goal is to simply make the playoffs, this team needs significant changes to be even close to a true Stanley Cup Contender. Also, rumors this morning that Anaheim is going to push hard to acquire Evander Kane. Kane is a guy the Hawks should target to add speed, physicality, and goal scoring to this anemic offense.

Know more in my little finger than you will in a lifetime.

You nhave kids? WOW somebody done messed up.

- Goalie-33

STFU....PHUCKING IDIOT!!!!!

Did not watch the game, but another loss to a division rival. Unless the goal is to simply make the playoffs, this team needs significant changes to be even close to a true Stanley Cup Contender. Also, rumors this morning that Anaheim is going to push hard to acquire Evander Kane. Kane is a guy the Hawks should target to add speed, physicality, and goal scoring to this anemic offense.
- EnzoD

I don’t think the answer is acquiring another forward. The roster has enough talent, but for some reason they’re just not putting it all together. I’m a big time Q supporter, he’s one of the best coaches in the game, but I’m starting to wonder if his time is up in Chicago. No coach lasts forever, fresh blood behind the bench and a fresh approach may be a better way to jumpstart the team.

I don’t think the answer is acquiring another forward. The roster has enough talent, but for some reason they’re just not putting it all together. I’m a big time Q supporter, he’s one of the best coaches in the game, but I’m starting to wonder if his time is up in Chicago. No coach lasts forever, fresh blood behind the bench and a fresh approach may be a better way to jumpstart the team.
- DarthKane

We saw the Hawks completely dominate two teams who will be competing for the Eastern Conference title, but they have been outplayed almost every game since then. Is it a talent issue, a motivation/effort issue, or a combination of both? I'm with you on Q...I named my dog Coach Q FFS he's been a big part of this mini-dynasty run. But, at what point does Bowman realize that bigger shakeup is needed (to save his own job)? It's one thing to lose games, it's another to lose them bc of a team lacking motivation and cohesion as a group.

I don’t think the answer is acquiring another forward. The roster has enough talent, but for some reason they’re just not putting it all together. I’m a big time Q supporter, he’s one of the best coaches in the game, but I’m starting to wonder if his time is up in Chicago. No coach lasts forever, fresh blood behind the bench and a fresh approach may be a better way to jumpstart the team.
- DarthKane

This is what I´ve been thinking too..

Did not watch the game, but another loss to a division rival. Unless the goal is to simply make the playoffs, this team needs significant changes to be even close to a true Stanley Cup Contender. Also, rumors this morning that Anaheim is going to push hard to acquire Evander Kane. Kane is a guy the Hawks should target to add speed, physicality, and goal scoring to this anemic offense.
- EnzoD

Anaheim has young defensemen whom Buffalo should target. In fact, Colorado should also speak with Bob Murray. Perry and Getzlaf have been around the block many times and their wheels have mileage for a style they prefer - at least Getzlaf once did. Landeskog and or Duchene ought to land them one good young defenseman plus a good prospect. That is a lot to offer, but Avalanche is not going to win with all the offensive studs.....Edmonton learned that lesson the hard way. It was not just McDavid, although he has a lot to do with their turn around

Carolina is competitive because they have a deep set if young defensemen. They just blanked Toronto.

Sure would be great to see the young guys develop in Chicago.

Have you noticed that Forsling anticipates and plays with speed. Kempny is more reactionary. You have to play meaningful minutes to improve and sometimes that means NHL.The Blackhawks need to step back for a year and not worry about playoffs, but that is unacceptable to McDonough.

Queeneville will not get the players to play with the pace they have at times in past years. There are other problems too. If Dineen took over, is there really any long term changes going to happen. Well if he can go to McDonough then he can change the power play. Because if it has anything also to do with players and their mindset + refusal to stand in front of the net....this can change. It takes a tough - minded new coach not afraid of Bowman, to implement changes.

Others closer to the team can contribute additionally why the HOF coach by December will resign or be fired.

STFU....PHUCKING IDIOT!!!!!
- BGKarras

You CHEERLEADERS make sure to wash your uniform before tonights game.

Make sure Mommy irons it for you too.

Dumbs**ts

ZERO clue!

This is what I´ve been thinking too..
- MjulQvist

Wondering what affect Dineen may have. This includes if some ROCKFORD forwards get opportunity.

Kane needs to lead this team. If the lines cannot be cohesive, bring in kids who will work hard. And skate well.

Wondering too the Samuelson effect with Queeneville gone

We saw the Hawks completely dominate two teams who will be competing for the Eastern Conference title, but they have been outplayed almost every game since then. Is it a talent issue, a motivation/effort issue, or a combination of both? I'm with you on Q...I named my dog Coach Q FFS he's been a big part of this mini-dynasty run. But, at what point does Bowman realize that bigger shakeup is needed (to save his own job)? It's one thing to lose games, it's another to lose them bc of a team lacking motivation and cohesion as a group.
- EnzoD

Cannot disagree with this. Also I feel Kane should mean more to the team success. Hartman and DeBrincat not helping enough.

Thinking there could be a shakeup if the Hawks don't beat Colorado. Rockford shuffle, minor trade. Anything to breath life into this team. The defence looks shaky while the offence stagnant. Looks like the same system with a different roster not to mention the vets, that are used to that same system, are older now and slower. Q's system is based on pace which was dominant up until about 3 years ago. The roster has changed and the league has caught up now. Time for changes.
- walter34

Spot on

This is what I´ve been thinking too..
- MjulQvist

The entire Central has spent the better part of the last decade building teams to beat the way the hawks play. The system needs to change. Q should be given a chance to show he can alter the way he plays, if not he should be replaced. One big indicator is the pp, it has to change. Get kane off the boards and don't allow the team the perimeter option. Put Kane at the back with Keith, do something different with him. Surprise the other teams cause at this rate, and looking at the some of the competition in the Pacific, thus team could be in realtrouble come spring. They need to do something this year, something new to set up the next 3 or 4 seasons when they're going to have some cap room to make moves.

You CHEERLEADERS make sure to wash your uniform before tonights game.

Make sure Mommy irons it for you too.

Dumbs**ts

ZERO clue!
- Goalie-33

this kinda of bashing is so ignorant and pointless...please move along

Everything here is very sad.

Sad

You CHEERLEADERS make sure to wash your uniform before tonights game.

Make sure Mommy irons it for you too.

Dumbs**ts

ZERO clue!
- Goalie-33

You provide nothing but BS....No one cares about your temper tantrums.
Stop your nonsense Make sure your bottle of milk is room temperature...

I read that Keith had an egregious turnover in the defensive zone slot that led directly to the Preds 1st goal less than 1 minute into Period 2. Again, if we are going to grill rookies like Forsling, Debrincat, Rutta, ect...then the veterans need to be held accountable too (By Q and the fans)

I read that Keith had an egregious turnover in the defensive zone slot that led directly to the Preds 1st goal less than 1 minute into Period 2. Again, if we are going to grill rookies like Forsling, Debrincat, Rutta, ect...then the veterans need to be held accountable too (By Q and the fans)
- EnzoD

Terrible pass - he passed it to a place where he thought an Indianhead sweater was - and possibly should have been - but no Blackhawk within a 3-days ride - only Jarnkrok.

Grill him and hold him accountable, but you don’t sit him like you would Debrincat, Rutta, etc - the young players you sit to teach them the correct play - Keith knows it was a bad mistake, you don’t have to teach him.

Terrible pass - he passed it to a place where he thought an Indianhead sweater was - and possibly should have been - but no Blackhawk within a 3-days ride - only Jarnkrok.

Grill him and hold him accountable, but you don’t sit him like you would Debrincat, Rutta, etc - the young players you sit to teach them the correct play - Keith knows it was a bad mistake, you don’t have to teach him.
- StLBravesFan

Maybe he misses a shift? I think this is the fundamental issue with this Head Coach and veteran group of players. Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook are above reproach for Q (at least it appears that way from the outside looking in). When Kane doesn't cover his point man 2 weeks ago and his guy walks in to score, Kaner should miss a shift. When Keith sets up the Preds for an easy goal, he should sit for a shift. Coaches ALWAYS have favorites, no matter the level of hockey we're talking about. But, the lack of consequences for lazy/bad play by Veterans sends a bad message down the lineup, and is not a good way to motivate the rest of your team to play the right way (with intensity, attention to detail, and accountability).

accountability.
- EnzoD

good post

I appreciate what you do Mr. Jaeckel. You're a good writer and you taught me a lot about hockey and the blackhawks over the years. I don't miss many of your blogs.

Good luck with your next gig.
- kinigitt

Thx King and I learned from you and many others:

the-rink.com, goes live Wednesday

I'm largely just a lurker on this board with the occasional comment, but I have to say it is sad to hear that JJ is leaving hockeybuzz.

These last ~8 years of Blackhawks hockey have been truly unbelievable. It has been a blessing to witness this run of success, and few fans of other franchises will ever get to have an experience similar to what we have seen in the Kane/Toews era.

For me, this hockeybuzz community has been an important piece of my "fandom" over the years. The amount of knowledge of the game that the people on this board have is spectacular, and has made being a Blackhawks fan all that much more enjoyable. Without the activity of this board over the years, my experience as a Blackhawks fan would not have been as enjoyable as it has been.

Although I know the Blackhawks still have a wealth of talent and could make a run at it over the next couple of years, the news of JJ leaving just aligns all too well with the reality that all of us fans are experiencing that perhaps our team is truly sliding into the inevitable mediocrity that we have portended through the years of success.

In short, to me, JJ leaving hockeybuzz feels like an end of an era.

So JJ, I wanted to say thank you for creating this awesome community through your consistent coverage of the Blackhawks over the years, and I for one will certainly be following you as a reader to your new gig!

The one silver lining is that I will not have to deal with Hockeybuzz on mobile anymore, which has been an incredible pain in the A$$!
- LaheysBRandy

Thx buddy, you know where to find me.

the-rink.com, goes live Wednesday
- John Jaeckel

We will miss you here, but appreciate you there.

keith signed his big 13 year extension during the 2010 cup year; went into effect 2010-11 at 5 mil cap hit....very cap friendly deal at the time and now..

if he opted for a shorter term deal...no question he would be up around 7-8 mildo and that would have changed alot of the roster personell strategy and action 3-4 years ago...
- bogiedoc

Shame Stan didn't sign the wonder twins to those same extensions...we'd certainly have more depth right now...