A new coach with a "Get After 'Em" cattle prod will do wonders.
- z1990z

I don't think it's all coach. I think this team is aging, slowing down, losing...Shaw, Bolland, Frolik, Ladd, Leddy, Saad, Browuer, Byfuglien, Sharp, etc...was BOUND to catch up with them.

And while people speculate on injuries, I wonder about chemistry in the room. A few have alluded to the salary situation impacting chemistry.

Whatever the case, Rosy, Oduya and Campbell are done in Chicago. Kruger and Crawford are probably the next salary cap casualties. I think Kruger and Crow can be replaced (Kero and Darling), but not sure. The already aging core gets one year older and there doesn't appear to be a Saad V2.0 on the rise (ie, a guy who can dominate that makes 900K).

Does Q deserve blame? Damn right..wtf was that lineup he cobbled together last night? You roll out Vinnie in Game 2 after having him in Rockford for a month and roll out Kempny in game 4 after he hadn't played but 2 games in a month.

It's gonna be hard to replace Q and bring in a guy who can command respect....

Crawford, TVR and Panarin

for

Cam Ward ($1 mill retained), Noah Hanifin, Brock McGinn, 2nd

Ouch!!!

Have you been carrying that burden for 7 years?

Nice win, enjoy it, glory & winning are fleeting in a parity league, we can only wish we can be as successful as the Hawks for as long as they have.
- Kevin R

Thx Kevin. Class post.

Please cut yourself some slack. Hindsight is 20/20. The team gave you enough data to overcome your initial instincts. No more, no less. No one should fault you for changing your mind.
- hpk90

Ha, no worries and thanks hpk. Cynical JJ is back with a big club.

Crawford, TVR and Panarin

for

Cam Ward ($1 mill retained), Noah Hanifin, Brock McGinn, 2nd
- BINGO!

I wouldn't make this trade, but it's also not a bad starting point.

I don't think it's all coach. I think this team is aging, slowing down, losing...Shaw, Bolland, Frolik, Ladd, Leddy, Saad, Browuer, Byfuglien, Sharp, etc...was BOUND to catch up with them.

And while people speculate on injuries, I wonder about chemistry in the room. A few have alluded to the salary situation impacting chemistry.

Whatever the case, Rosy, Oduya and Campbell are done in Chicago. Kruger and Crawford are probably the next salary cap casualties. I think Kruger and Crow can be replaced (Kero and Darling), but not sure. The already aging core gets one year older and there doesn't appear to be a Saad V2.0 on the rise (ie, a guy who can dominate that makes 900K).

Does Q deserve blame? Damn right..wtf was that lineup he cobbled together last night? You roll out Vinnie in Game 2 after having him in Rockford for a month and roll out Kempny in game 4 after he hadn't played but 2 games in a month.

It's gonna be hard to replace Q and bring in a guy who can command respect....
- kwolf68[/quote]




Not really... listen, do as I say or go enjoy the 11th row. Find the right new HC. Will be fine.

>posted this one the other blog in response to 6628 & Rick J
>I think Lavy studied how Winnipeg played the Hawks the first 4 (?) games this year in the regular season -- believe the Jets won the first 4 games and the Hawks barely scored at all
>Then Lavy probably had some video sessions with his players and said -- "OK, you are Jets player X, etc. -- play the way he did against the Hawks."
>Agree on Q: a players' coach who can ride a great thoroughbred -- and I think being a players' coach caught up with him -- and Bowman -- who "trusted" this core too much
>The Hawks D have had terrible habits since most of last year, but they certainly do not appear to have been corrected.
>Some include: the pairings -- having #2 and #4 together and #4 on his right side -- you can count on one hand the number of forehand direct passes #4 made each game to a forward
>Keith's refusal to actually take all the open ice given to him and instead stand still with the puck, Keith's inability to skate with the puck for more than 3 strides
>The D constantly getting too wide in their own zone -- outside the dots -- when passing the puck D to D -- so easy to forecheck when a Dman is near the boards
>There's a ton more D stuff, but F it
>The inept PP and PK
>The pathetic team face-off ability
>PP, PK, Face-Offs can all be "coached up"
>This was a total org-an-I-zation fail -- something is indeed very wrong
>When players do not play for each other and stick up for each other
>The only player I would absolutely not trade is Patrick Kane
- SnapitUpstairs

Keith may still be injured/limited. The Hawks need to assess whether the debilitation is permanent or its a longer term recovery (not unusual with knees).

John, We don't call it "spin" when we all (including you) bought into the team just ten days ago.

Most folks on this blog seem to completely forget all but the last four games. There is a larger body of evidence that this team is a credible, talented and competitive team that simply did not play with the same grit and determination, from coach to goalie, as the other team.

BECAUSE WE DID NOT SUDDENLY BECOME SLOWER AND LESS TALENTED THAN THE PREDS AND HALF THE LEAGUE OVERNIGHT.

The answer is in the locker room and the dysfunction within. This simply does not happen with a team of this pedigree so we need to know why and flesh it out.
- busmaster

DING DING DING. This 100%. For whatever reason it is, they didn't put it all out there and didn't bring the effort. Does the core not really care after 3 cups and millions of dollars?

I wouldn't make this trade, but it's also not a bad starting point.
- kwolf68

I figure there's negotiating to be done, probably some extra picks or things to go each way, but I do think it's the right kind of deal for both teams.

Seeing a lot of fire Q talk. Not sure whether that is the right thing or not.

What I do know is the organization has put themselves in an equally tough spot with ever having to move on from him like the popular highly marketed players. He gets announced like the starters every night at the UC...

I figure there's negotiating to be done, probably some extra picks or things to go each way, but I do think it's the right kind of deal for both teams.
- BINGO!

thing is I DO like both those guys you offered up, but don't know how much upside McGinn has (though I'd LOVE to get him, he'd bring some edge we need)...and wonder why Canes would want to part with Hanifin, wasn't he like the best defensive prospect in all of hockey at one time?

What does your gut say JJ? Does Q stay as HC?

I completely understand our defense situation. Not pretty.

And the Preds have a terrific defensive corps led by one of the most underrated players in the league.

But you really think Johansen or Forsberg are franchise players? In Nashville's case yes, but they aren't the best players on most teams in the NHL.
- TommyHawk

He does, no one else does. I've seen plenty of Ryan Johansen, including the way he played himself out of Columbus. Closer to Mike Ribeiro than Mike Bossy.

They're a good and balanced team, regardless.

A lot of questionable moves supposedly made by Bowman but is he making the moves or does the roundtable have the final say. Q makes a lot of decisions based on his system which is dictated on pace. With all the hard miles, age and complacency this is just not that team anymore. Can Q evolve and work with Stan to change the system with the cupboard bare and the core aging. Just cannot see it. I think one of them takes the fall.
- walter34

Impoertant question. IMO, the roundtable and Bowman are the same thing.

DING DING DING. This 100%. For whatever reason it is, they didn't put it all out there and didn't bring the effort. Does the core not really care after 3 cups and millions of dollars?
- breadbag

Whether they care or not this core is aging, it's obvious and the ironic thing is as they get older they are asked to do more, because the supporting cast is no longer near as good. Thats the irony...pay for past success, ship off credible complimentary pieces and ask high priced vets who COULDN'T even do it by themselves 5 years ago to NOW do it by yourself.

This team is older and slower. Goaltending has masked the decline over the last two years. Yes, when the top 4 or 5 guys get hot they roll off and look good, but it's tough to sustain.

Everyone plays "what if". So do I. What if Shaw had not gotten traded and was still here. If he didn't get suspended during the series, and was not thrown out during the last game, I have to believe he suckers someone in the handshake line. Not that all that is right, but he wouldn't take a ass whooping without doing something. All their attitude seemed to leave with Andrew Shaw.
- 6628

Certainly seems the last vestige of it went with him

thing is I DO like both those guys you offered up, but don't know how much upside McGinn has (though I'd LOVE to get him, he'd bring some edge we need)...and wonder why Canes would want to part with Hanifin, wasn't he like the best defensive prospect in all of hockey at one time?
- kwolf68

Noah still only just turned 20. Thing is, the Canes need another impact forward and we have a ton of young D men. Hanifin is the one we are most able to trade for help in the immediate future without gutting our current NHL roster.

He's going to be a great defenseman. We need a great forward now.

McGinn is a solid 3rd liner. Works like hell. Probably won't score a bunch, but he'll bust his ass every night. Kills penalties.

We just really need average or better goaltending and another 20 goals per year.

Keith may still be injured/limited. The Hawks need to assess whether the debilitation is permanent or its a longer term recovery (not unusual with knees).
- John Jaeckel

Did he look injured in that third period? At least until the Hawks went down 2-0. He looks disinterested to me. For 13 minutes last night he was Norris Trophy Winner Duncan Keith. I think pride took over for a moment. I hope I am totally reading this wrong, but not all warriors can fight every war.

Enjoy taking it up the arse by whichever team you face next. You need legitimate superstars leading the way to win in this league. Whether it's Toews, Kane, Keith, Kopitar, Doughty, Crosby, Malkin, Bergeron, Chara, etc.

Preds don't have a single one. Enjoy this victory because it'll be be the highlight of your season. Making it to the WCF is an accomplishment for the Preds in itself. Can the Preds win more than one series in the playoffs? Lol let's hope so.

Frank off and take your mustard colored sweater elsewhere. Your cousin is calling for you to come back to bed.
- TommyHawk

Rinne played like a superstar, does that count?

/not a preds fan

I get talking sh!t during a series, but once it's over, let that crap go. Guess that comes with inexperience.
- cap1681

To quote the late, great Walter Payton, when asked why he didn't do end zone celebrations:

"act like you've been there before."

Rinne played like a superstar, does that count?

/not a preds fan
- murTor

Pretty sure PK Subban is a superstar but hey, whatever.

JJ, these past few blogs have been incredible. Hawks fans should feel fortunate to have you. Keep up the great work!
- duxcup07

Wow, thank you. Tell Eklund, haha!

Noah still only just turned 20. Thing is, the Canes need another impact forward and we have a ton of young D men. Hanifin is the one we are most able to trade for help in the immediate future without gutting our current NHL roster.

He's going to be a great defenseman. We need a great forward now.

McGinn is a solid 3rd liner. Works like hell. Probably won't score a bunch, but he'll bust his ass every night. Kills penalties.

We just really need average or better goaltending and another 20 goals per year.
- BINGO!

Yea I like both the guys, but we're now down two top 6 wingers. And Ansimov probably shouldn't be centering any top 2 lines, but maybe he could move to wing on the top 6 or center a defensive minded third line.

A trade such as what you offer, which is interesting at start, would probably signal a larger rebuild in Chicago and I don't think they'll go in that direction. Honestly, I'd take either one of those kids you offered. But subtracting Panarin means we do lose a bunch of points, we gotta find that from somewhere. Nice thinking though Bingo.

This guy looks like he could make some playoff adjustments. Maybe Bernie Nichols can help us out on the power play.

via GIPHY

- Dieselhead

The "Mad Muppet"!

To quote the late, great Walter Payton, when asked why he didn't do end zone celebrations:

"act like you've been there before."
- John Jaeckel

PURE hypothetical here John... Panarin for Duchene straight up. Lose a LW, but gain a guy who can actually wheel and win faceoffs.