Hawks embarrass themselves in the playoffs two straight years, Bowman sees red and calls for big changes, big changes result in a sub 500 team 1/8 into the season. They can talk about "big picture" all they want but things have to be getting tense in the front office right about now.

There sure appears to be a hush job of pulling the fleece over the eyes of the public as far as internal matters and it may be both on and off ice. You know the speech made about proud to be a Blackhawk and how well paid they are, great city, etc al.

Seems Stan has not got enough of the right pieces for Q to win with. Seems Q cannot win if he has to stay with the same old coaching and the issues with his coaching come to light now that the team is not as good.

I am not sure Stan is responsible for all those bad contracts. He has done some good, some bad as GM. But Q is behind the times and if he cannot motivate the veterans - which is part of his job description- whether he feels set up or whatever - then he has to go. We are merely witnessing a game of charades and as fans we are getting ripped off

Part and parcel to this mess, btw, is the all to sudden fall of Seabrook and Toews. They will never be what they once were (those two).

The only way up is with kids and rebuild. Which is not pleasant sounding to McDonough. This is not a pretty situation. Petty maybe.
- jhawk59

Your not sure STAN is responsible for all the bad co ntracts????

Yikes

Your not sure STAN is responsible for all the bad co ntracts????

Yikes
- Goalie-33

So what's the solution? Trade for picks, rebuild for 5 years, get pasted accidentally-on-purpose to get that sweet sweet lottery pick? Go through 3-5 coaches in the meantime (some heads have to roll for the lack of revenue generation), maybe a GM or two. And end up mediocre like Montreal?

Hard to see a way out of this that doesnt involve players playing their way out of it.

So what's the solution? Trade for picks, rebuild for 5 years, get pasted accidentally-on-purpose to get that sweet sweet lottery pick? Go through 3-5 coaches in the meantime (some heads have to roll for the lack of revenue generation), maybe a GM or two. And end up mediocre like Montreal?

Hard to see a way out of this that doesnt involve players playing their way out of it.
- kinigitt

Trades. The only way to get rid of some of these bad contracts. Going to have to trade 19-7-38-50 & maybe 2 along with lesser players to teams that have some cap room or trades that the salaries are close.

But that means Bowman would have a clue on a decent trade.

Again this is ALL HIS MESS!

Riiiight.

Trades. The only way to get rid of some of these bad contracts. Going to have to trade 19-7-38-50 & maybe 2 along with lesser players to teams that have some cap room or trades that the salaries are close.

But that means Bowman would have a clue on a decent trade.

Again this is ALL HIS MESS!
- Goalie-33

As annoying as you are, i have to admit i agree with pretty much every word you say lol

So what's the solution? Trade for picks, rebuild for 5 years, get pasted accidentally-on-purpose to get that sweet sweet lottery pick? Go through 3-5 coaches in the meantime (some heads have to roll for the lack of revenue generation), maybe a GM or two. And end up mediocre like Montreal?

Hard to see a way out of this that doesnt involve players playing their way out of it.
- kinigitt

Why are you against rebuilding? I dont get it...

So what's the solution? Trade for picks, rebuild for 5 years, get pasted accidentally-on-purpose to get that sweet sweet lottery pick? Go through 3-5 coaches in the meantime (some heads have to roll for the lack of revenue generation), maybe a GM or two. And end up mediocre like Montreal?

Hard to see a way out of this that doesnt involve players playing their way out of it.
- kinigitt

How about move the aging core guys at the deadline for young nhl ready talent. I'd still like to see what this team could do under an offensive minded head coach before it came to that, but if this team is on the outside looking in come the trade deadline and no coaching switch has been made, then yes you have to look at moving the guys with the most value to get the most value. 19 and 7 have to be gone. Can you imagine the return Toews alone would land you at the deadline? Teams overpay all the time for garbage players, imagine what he could fetch. Although trying to find a playoff team with enough cap room for him might prove to be difficult.

There is still a lot of talent on this team, young talent at that, and I don't think a complete rebuild would be necessary if they moved the right guys.

well it appears more than a few want to throw forsberg under the bus...

the guy faced 90 shots in his first 2 games out with a .930 and 2 OT losses...
so he has a tough game and its ship him out too...not yet

How about move the aging core guys at the deadline for young nhl ready talent. I'd still like to see what this team could do under an offensive minded head coach before it came to that, but if this team is on the outside looking in come the trade deadline and no coaching switch has been made, then yes you have to look at moving the guys with the most value to get the most value. 19 and 7 have to be gone. Can you imagine the return Toews alone would land you at the deadline? Teams overpay all the time for garbage players, imagine what he could fetch. Although trying to find a playoff team with enough cap room for him might prove to be difficult.

There is still a lot of talent on this team, young talent at that, and I don't think a complete rebuild would be necessary if they moved the right guys.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

I get what you're saying and I don't disagree... The problem is other GMs aren't nuts or stupid. Not when it comes to trading with Bowman anyway. They know what they have and they know that the Hawks have to put fire-sale tags (due to big contracts) to get their assets.

So you get rid of the bad contracts. But you don't get much in return. That's a rebuild, in my eyes.

How about move the aging core guys at the deadline for young nhl ready talent. I'd still like to see what this team could do under an offensive minded head coach before it came to that, but if this team is on the outside looking in come the trade deadline and no coaching switch has been made, then yes you have to look at moving the guys with the most value to get the most value. 19 and 7 have to be gone. Can you imagine the return Toews alone would land you at the deadline? Teams overpay all the time for garbage players, imagine what he could fetch. Although trying to find a playoff team with enough cap room for him might prove to be difficult.

There is still a lot of talent on this team, young talent at that, and I don't think a complete rebuild would be necessary if they moved the right guys.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

oh sure 10.5 mildo, 3 cup winning centers at 29 get traded all the time at the trade deadline....that suggestion is absurd...

trade deadline deals are close to a 100% for expiring contracts with draft choices or prospects going the other way...seabs and toews aren't going anywhere this year...

Maybe Stan can bring back David Rungblad

Or Kimo Timonenn

Danault trade looking good

Ladd trade looking good

Jurco trade looking good

Connor Murphy trade looking good

Gave up Tevo to dump Bickell contract

Seabrook Contract looking good

Toews contract looking good

AA contract looking good

Yet you guys blame coach Q


88 plays more PP minutes than anyone & has "1" assist this year on PP


- Goalie-33

Off to bed with you - no dinner for baby - and no binkie either!!!!

Mark Lazerus‏Verified account
@MarkLazerus
Artem Anisimov on how to fix the power play: "Shoot the puck, retrieve the puck, shoot again."

i like that plan...worth a try instead of pass the puck, pass the puck and look for the damn back door and screw up a cross ice pass

oh sure 10.5 mildo, 3 cup winning centers at 29 get traded all the time at the trade deadline....that suggestion is absurd...

trade deadline deals are close to a 100% for expiring contracts with draft choices or prospects going the other way...seabs and toews aren't going anywhere this year...
- bogiedoc

Just cause they aren't doesn't mean they shouldn't. You'd rather let Toews have 3 straight mediocre years and kill his value, while also allowing Seabrook to continue his pylon impression for the rest of the year and then come away with nothing? They'll be screwed for the next 10 years if they don't act while these guys still have some value. Toews is not worth his contract, Seabrook is not worth his contract, but teams will overpay for those guys if they are in cup contention. Take it while you can.

Someone on Reddit (going by the user name "Patrick Kane") posted this excerpt from Ken Dryden's book where he discusses what it's like being on a team and in the heads of players who have won three Cups and are facing a decline. Very interesting.

https://imgur.com/a/YFfy9

oh sure 10.5 mildo, 3 cup winning centers at 29 get traded all the time at the trade deadline....that suggestion is absurd...

trade deadline deals are close to a 100% for expiring contracts with draft choices or prospects going the other way...seabs and toews aren't going anywhere this year...
- bogiedoc

What happens when Toews, Seabrook, and Keith all retire as Blackhawks and they have no more cups to show for it. Because they absolutely are not going to win another cup when Toews is only giving you 60ish points a year at his 10.5 hit, and Seabrook is flat out awful. Thats almost 18 million in space right there. Saads hit is what? 6 mil per year? And roughly the same point totals as Toews....you could go get two top 6 forwards and a top pairing D man for that. They would already be a better team.

You cannot let these guys just fade off on the hawks or they're going to be left with no additional cups won and nothing to show for it. UNLESS they start playing to what their contracts are worth. It's that simple.

silver jet??


- bogiedoc

It seems like everybody who played in the NHL back then looked like they were 40 years old.

We’ve been spoiled, the last seven/eight years have really been something and I for one am glad I lived to see it. It’s been truly special a great run!

well it appears more than a few want to throw forsberg under the bus...

the guy faced 90 shots in his first 2 games out with a .930 and 2 OT losses...
so he has a tough game and its ship him out too...not yet
- bogiedoc

Not sure why but his NHL record prior to coming here was pathetic and it might be worse now

Mojo? Or what? Maybe he just sucks

Someone on Reddit (going by the user name "Patrick Kane") posted this excerpt from Ken Dryden's book where he discusses what it's like being on a team and in the heads of players who have won three Cups and are facing a decline. Very interesting.

https://imgur.com/a/YFfy9
- pdx2ord

Scary. So scary it might be true.

Even scarier: no answers in that chapter

We’ve been spoiled, the last seven/eight years have really been something and I for one am glad I lived to see it. It’s been truly special a great run!
- walleyeb1

Agree completely...

...but it sure is frustrating watching the sun set on the Golden Age of Blackhawk hockey. And in particular, watching the rather rapid decline of HOF players we all expected to remain in their prime for several more years.

F' it...bring on a lottery pick.

Trades. The only way to get rid of some of these bad contracts. Going to have to trade 19-7-38-50 & maybe 2 along with lesser players to teams that have some cap room or trades that the salaries are close.

But that means Bowman would have a clue on a decent trade.

Again this is ALL HIS MESS!
- Goalie-33

Not only are you a whiny little child, but you are also a moron.

Seriously, you bring NOTHING to the conversation - you are as clueless as you are obnoxious.

Now go take your nappie, and let the adults speak!!!!

NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! TAKE THE CLUE!!!!!!

Not only are you a whiny little child, but you are also a moron.

Seriously, you bring NOTHING to the conversation - you are as clueless as you are obnoxious.

Now go take your nappie, and let the adults speak!!!!

NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! TAKE THE CLUE!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

Anybody else find this ironic?

Not only are you a whiny little child, but you are also a moron.

Seriously, you bring NOTHING to the conversation - you are as clueless as you are obnoxious.

Now go take your nappie, and let the adults speak!!!!

NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! TAKE THE CLUE!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

I have kids older than you.

Did you fit in your cheerleader uniform or did your Mommy wash & shrink it??

Zero chance you or this Hawks team win anything.

Zero just like your Hockey resume

Why are you against rebuilding? I dont get it...
- SimpleJack

It’s not us that would be against a Cubs-like rebuild - it’s the casual fan, who would stop buy8ng the sweaters and hats and...tickets.

Which means Rocky and McDonough would be against it - not wanting to return to those good old days before Toews and Kane.

The Cubs could go through Epstein’s rebuild without losing much support or revenue. As the fifth team in a five-team market (ok - 6 team market if you include the Fire, which almost no one does) - the franchise couldn’t afford to do that without the Wirtz family putting in instead of taking out.

They’re gonna milk this group as far as they can.