Critical point for the ticket buying fan or those spending money to watch on cable. I'm with you, so many games where the on ice product is stale and boring to watch. And it is a problem that has spread in the NHL because the key to winning is lock down defensive hockey that chokes the best talent and stifles their creativity. And then guys like Joe Pavelski gets lauded for how he is handling McDavid in the playoffs or admiration for Dubinsky for what he does to Crosby.

The guys that are considered the best coaches all want to follow a similar defensive script - Julien, Trotz, Boucher, Deboer, Carlyle, Tippett, Sutter and Babcock. At least Babcock admitted he hasn't been able to control a lot of his players and what they are doing and where they are going on the ice.
- RickJ

And then we get back to the size of the surface. Yes lock down, slow down, clog, obstruct hockey can and does win hockey games especially if your side has inferior talent.

We all know the remedy to this is an Olympic size surface and we all know NHL arenas will never refit due to costs. Or play with 8 skaters and we know that won't happen either. ........So here we are with coaches paid to win hockey games, not to entertain, doing whatever will help their side win and too often that's play slow it down hockey. And here we are with world class speed/skill not able to show you that speed/skill.

Ticket buying fan? Man I came home Thursday night and paid to watch USHL Muskegon in an elimination playoff game vs Dubuque and DVRed the Hawks in their elimination game!! .....Incredibly skilled, fast, up tempo, all out effort hockey that I can take to the bank and it means zero to me I'm watching 2-3-4-5 future NHLers.

Think I'm 5 years tired of a PP that only sets up for a cross ice one timer, a passive PK, maybe see 2 periods of effort, 4 across the blueline and the Hawks refuse to dump, Foley not knowing 1/2 the other team, shout-outs to who gives a f*$@, Eddie's old lady's cookies, how great a guys they are at Hawk Ford?

Yea, for this fan it's stale and has been.

Thanks.
Thought provoking post.
Michael Jordan and Walter Payton were both notorious "practice every bit as hard as you play the game" guys.

My best construction on this year's team is, there were at least 2 guys playing through injuries that would have shelved mere mortals. When Suppan slew-footed Toews, Toews landed almost directly on his lower back and you could tell he was in extreme pain....it took him a few seconds to recover enough to slash back. (Side prediction: Suppan hurts Nashville somewhere in the playoffs this year with bumholery).
Between Keith, Anisimov, Seabrook and Hammer (and quite possibly Panarin) - my guess is they were all limited as well by injury. And not the usual dings hockey players always play through.
And with Toews, Keith and Seabrook most likely all carrying over these injuries from 2016, well, that is sobering. That's the C and both A's....and that's gotta impact the room.
- 35Tony0

We hope that has a lot to do eith the fall.

We cannot be sure that any of them does not have career threatening injuries. Chronic back issues which may or may not be askin to Bolland - esque.

However when you loose puck control way of playing and the team, overall, is loathe to step up and play that physical, hard nosed every puck each play contested.....well then a team gives up.

Nashville took away second chances as well. But if Bowman adds just one tough battling top six and inserts Kempny and his style regularly, this team has bounce back ability to at mini.um win one playoff contest.

Even without Crawford and even a lesser version of Seabrook + Keith we can still win a playoff game!

Panik and Hartman need to step up. Schmautz has to be stronger and smarter. Toews has to be reasonably healthy. THE PP HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AND MUST IMPROVE FACE OFF Percentage.

All this to have a chance in the hard nosed style which is playoff hockey.

It is difficult to fathom players suddenky quit on Q. There was no big rift. But while the Pp is a joke and is on Q to fix the strategy there - or be fired - so too for Bowman and Bowman to accept SOME additiinal size and snarl must accomoany their fast skill preferance.

I know that we were physical as needed in Cup years. Aside from adding one more tough up front and on the blueline, there has to be at least a couple players willing to wack and hack the way it is done on Toews.

I do not know how Bowman addresses each of the issues. I can only suggest how to find top talent, is move into the highest tier of bluechip prospects. Because where else is that bluechip player corning from.

Our pipeline probably contains only a couple prospects who migbt prove special. Better add enough toughness for them to play with. Obviously Oduya, Campbell gone. Kruger and Crawford distinct possibility or probability? With Keith injury status and Seabrook slower, moving Hammer is asking a lot. Panerin - if so, then what is the return? And pray DeBrincat or Fortin can step up and help to bridge the scoring you just traded.

But this is what professional sports with long seasons is turning into. NBA teams rest their stars during the regular season because they want them fresh for the playoffs. It's a huge problem for the paying customer.
- DMCsPulledHammy

Yes, but when you look for the trade off of rested players for the tournament and they play sluggish hockey the fan gets the worst of both worlds.

No doubt the long season is unreasonable for spirited hockey every night.

I wonder if Panik will be back. He didn't sound so sure today, which is understandable given his contract situation.

I want Panik back at a reasonable-fair rate, he provided some great grit that was otherwise lacking in the team. But I would not over-pay for the the guy or commit to a long term deal (2-3 years max).
- DarthKane

or yet another NMC

or yet another NMC
- grinder10

This is a HUGE off season for Stan/Q and the Hawks. Have to make the right decisions.

This is a HUGE off season for Stan/Q and the Hawks. Have to make the right decisions.
- z1990z

IMO, if the Hawks want to reward a guy with extra $...fine. But that shouldn't come with a NMC too. A la carte...one or the other except for the most extreme cases. They seem to be overly generous with them

Stan's comments are good. He sounds motivated. I will wait to see how he manages things and will root for the best.
- kwolf68

Totally agree

And then we get back to the size of the surface. Yes lock down, slow down, clog, obstruct hockey can and does win hockey games especially if your side has inferior talent.

We all know the remedy to this is an Olympic size surface and we all know NHL arenas will never refit due to costs. Or play with 8 skaters and we know that won't happen either. ........So here we are with coaches paid to win hockey games, not to entertain, doing whatever will help their side win and too often that's play slow it down hockey. And here we are with world class speed/skill not able to show you that speed/skill.

Ticket buying fan? Man I came home Thursday night and paid to watch USHL Muskegon in an elimination playoff game vs Dubuque and DVRed the Hawks in their elimination game!! .....Incredibly skilled, fast, up tempo, all out effort hockey that I can take to the bank and it means zero to me I'm watching 2-3-4-5 future NHLers.

Think I'm 5 years tired of a PP that only sets up for a cross ice one timer, a passive PK, maybe see 2 periods of effort, 4 across the blueline and the Hawks refuse to dump, Foley not knowing 1/2 the other team, shout-outs to who gives a f*$@, Eddie's old lady's cookies, how great a guys they are at Hawk Ford?

Yea, for this fan it's stale and has been.
- Mr Ricochet

You just summed up hundreds of hours spent in my life... in one paragraph...

It's funny because it's true... but it's also very sad.

IMO, if the Hawks want to reward a guy with extra $...fine. But that shouldn't come with a NMC too. A la carte...one or the other except for the most extreme cases. They seem to be overly generous with them
- grinder10

Panik (IMO) is the type of player they need more of. Size, wheels and the ability/will to engage. 22 goals is not bad for a guy buried in the Leafs system.

You folks analyzing what Bowman said - what else was he going to say? It's the second year in a row they've had a first round exit. He couldn't say anything different. Nothing he said today shocked nor surprised me.

Toews and Panik will not play in the tournament.

We hope that has a lot to do eith the fall.

We cannot be sure that any of them does not have career threatening injuries. Chronic back issues which may or may not be askin to Bolland - esque.

However when you loose puck control way of playing and the team, overall, is loathe to step up and play that physical, hard nosed every puck each play contested.....well then a team gives up.

Nashville took away second chances as well. But if Bowman adds just one tough battling top six and inserts Kempny and his style regularly, this team has bounce back ability to at mini.um win one playoff contest.

Even without Crawford and even a lesser version of Seabrook + Keith we can still win a playoff game!

Panik and Hartman need to step up. Schmautz has to be stronger and smarter. Toews has to be reasonably healthy. THE PP HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AND MUST IMPROVE FACE OFF Percentage.

All this to have a chance in the hard nosed style which is playoff hockey.

It is difficult to fathom players suddenky quit on Q. There was no big rift. But while the Pp is a joke and is on Q to fix the strategy there - or be fired - so too for Bowman and Bowman to accept SOME additiinal size and snarl must accomoany their fast skill preferance.

I know that we were physical as needed in Cup years. Aside from adding one more tough up front and on the blueline, there has to be at least a couple players willing to wack and hack the way it is done on Toews.

I do not know how Bowman addresses each of the issues. I can only suggest how to find top talent, is move into the highest tier of bluechip prospects. Because where else is that bluechip player corning from.

Our pipeline probably contains only a couple prospects who migbt prove special. Better add enough toughness for them to play with. Obviously Oduya, Campbell gone. Kruger and Crawford distinct possibility or probability? With Keith injury status and Seabrook slower, moving Hammer is asking a lot. Panerin - if so, then what is the return? And pray DeBrincat or Fortin can step up and help to bridge the scoring you just traded.
- jhawk59

Who in the pipeline is going to be "Special"? To me special means a prime time 1st/2nd line big time contributor. DeBrincat is the only player in their system who MIGHT fit that bill.

Panik (IMO) is the type of player they need more of. Size, wheels and the ability/will to engage. 22 goals is not bad for a guy buried in the Leafs system.
- z1990z

Panik's been quite the add...pretty easy to see even upon his first couple of games. He's only gotten better and become more important outside of the core

Hartman with cast on his right hand - something he was playing through...

You folks analyzing what Bowman said - what else was he going to say? It's the second year in a row they've had a first round exit. He couldn't say anything different. Nothing he said today shocked nor surprised me.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I disagree to a certain extent. Previously he would highlight how close the margin was between winning and losing, extol the virtues of their beloved core, and speak of the talent coming in the prospect pipeline.

His comments now were more candid and contrite. However, talk is cheap - so we'll have to wait and see what actually occurs as a result of this playoff beat down.

I disagree to a certain extent. Previously he would highlight how close the margin was between winning and losing, extol the virtues of their beloved core, and speak of the talent coming in the prospect pipeline.

His comments now were more candid and contrite. However, talk is cheap - so we'll have to wait and see what actually occurs as a result of this playoff beat down.
- Chief4Feathers

He had zero choice but to say what he said today - nothing he said today should have been a surprise to anyone. Had he come out and said what you stated above - after two first round exists, including a most embarrassing one this year - people would have questioning his mental capacity.

This comment by Patrick Kane will even further endear himself to Nashville fans...

Patrick Kane: "A team like that, you kind of hope they don't win. I don't know if that's necessarily the best way to watch hockey games."

Panik's been quite the add...pretty easy to see even upon his first couple of games. He's only gotten better and become more important outside of the core
- grinder10

Yep, and some thought the guy was a bum before ever putting on the jersey..... You know he'll bring effort and play the body. Few Hawks can/will do that. Add he's a plus skater with 50 point skill and I guarantee there are more than a few teams that would like to have him.

Yep, and some thought the guy was a bum before ever putting on the jersey..... You know he'll bring effort and play the body. Few Hawks can/will do that. Add he's a plus skater with 50 point skill and I guarantee there are more than a few teams that would like to have him.
- Mr Ricochet

He will be gone. Q is already mandating JO and Rozy get new deals.

He had zero choice but to say what he said today - nothing he said today should have been a surprise to anyone. Had he come out and said what you stated above - after two first round exists, including a most embarrassing one this year - people would have questioning his mental capacity.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Well, I take it as a positive that our GM at least has a grasp on reality and not sticking to some delusional set of talking points - which sometimes happens with our sports managers in this town.

Exhibit A. Bears
Exhibit B. Bulls

I wonder if Panik will be back. He didn't sound so sure today, which is understandable given his contract situation.

I want Panik back at a reasonable-fair rate, he provided some great grit that was otherwise lacking in the team. But I would not over-pay for the the guy or commit to a long term deal (2-3 years max).
- DarthKane

If he isn't back the Hawks are down there only fast big physical wing.

If he isn't back the Hawks are down there only fast big physical wing.
- bhawks2241

And one of the few forwards who showed up

What would be the price tag on Hjarmasonn?

>Toews said in his press comments this AM that he needs to change his off-season training habits from "preparing for playing a 'heavy' game to playing a game of "speed and skill"
>"I need to recapture the speed of my youth,'' said Toews
>(and skill)
>Other than Kane, you can question how much time Toews, Keith, and Seabs have spent on the ice in the summer during the off-season, getting better
>I'm guessing McD was shouting at somebody, "I trusted you motherfers to get it done and you took advantage of me." Kinda like a parent whose kid has a party when they are away and totally trashes the house
>Now McD will want to know what EVERY player is doing to get better and WHY what happened, happened
>And his glare will extend to Bowman and Q, as well
>Will be interesting to see how it all plays out
>Because, as of this moment, this franchise needs to prove on the ice they don't suck as bad as their last playoff series
>And that secondary ticket market just took a big hit -- especially if the Cubs have another deep run
>And doing the same things with the same players (unless they get better) won't change things much

Stan's comments are good. He sounds motivated. I will wait to see how he manages things and will root for the best.
- kwolf68

I for one am very happy to hear those comments . . . . I just wish I could believe them. I don't doubt he's upset they lost, but I'm skeptical about any big "changes" he's going to make. The team is in the situation they are in because of his contract signings, moves and non moves. Now he says he's going to be better. Exactly how does he plan to be better. The fact he had a written statement prepared just makes me wonder if he wasn't instructed to say these things to soothe the fan base and then when the draft comes around and the anger has subsided, it'll be business as usual.

As for him and Q working together, I'm even more skeptical of that. How many times has Stan traded for someone at the deadline or before the regular season, only see that player or players ride the bench or sit in the press box because Q doesn't "trust" them and won't play them and how many times has Stan had to trade someone who was brutal but Q wouldn't stop playing them (John Scott & Brandon Bollig to name a couple of examples of the top of my head).

I just have this feeling we'll hear how they tried to do this or that but it just didn't work out or they were ready to pull the trigger on a trade, but the other team backed out. Stan has his work cut out for him because he has a lot of aging veterans with big money contracts who can dictate where they want to go with their no trade clauses. He should have been better a couple of years ago. Going to be a tough time for him to be better now with both hands tied behind his back.