Unfortunately there’s really little Rocky can do, buyouts don’t even begin to save anywhere near what’s needed cap wise we’re screwed.

But canning Stan needs to be step one!
- walleyeb1

I think Stan is micro-managed because he was a numbers guy and not a hockey man. I would have to believe all the moves Stan makes are made by committee and rubber stamped. I don't believe he has the autonomy to make his own moves. I think this is known around the league and a reason he was never recipient of any executive award recognition.

With that being said, I think the Bowman name has run its course with this organization and I would not have a problem changing direction from coaching up to get fresh thinking for the team. It is quite conceivable that the Bowmans' (dad & son) and Coach Q's ideology has grown stale.

I think Justin has it right. Justin hypothesized Toews has a back condition that is not bad enough for surgery but he is not the same player because if it. There may also be concussion concern because he has had many. JRoenick blog comment goes one step farther..His observation is Q uses Toews to play like he used to, at least sometimes. Toews himself has not been in good situations to play his new speed game. Toews is in transition and so is the team when counting on some newer young kids. Add it all up and you have to say it is going to be tough to make playoffs
- jhawk59

Chronic? He said last offseason he got too muscle bound lifting... hard to do that if your back is shot. Toews was never the most talented guy. He worked harder than anyone on and off the ice. That’s what made him special. Maybe now it’s simply the case that he doesn’t work as hard he used to for whatever reason. I think the game has changed too. All the younger players really tap into the fitness side at a younger age. Bc of it they are faster and stronger than ever before. Maybe the extra effort off the ice is no longer such an advantage for Toews.

If it’s chronic back look no further than Dave Bolland.... look what it did to his promising career.

You are right....nobody will take Toews contract at 10.5 M but if you keep 3 million and give the other team a couple of IceHogs... Who knows?
- spanky

I thought they showed promise, then the past 2 games had some things not go there way, a team now that can't afford these mistakes.

I'll wait for the new collective bargaining agreement and watch both Toews and Seabrook bought out. So for now sit and sell at the trade deadline and build for 2020

I agree. Q didn't turn into an idiot this year after winning 3 Cups. Head coach is not the problem with this team. TALENT is the problem. The LACK of top end talent.
Tho I DO have to say the coaching on the power play (Dineen?) Is pathetic.
- tompo1015

You just proved a big point. A HOF coach takes a team limited in talent to the SC. an average coach takes a very talented team to 3 SC. The problem is coachhing, Q cannot adjust his game plan, and the league has.

I thought they showed promise, then the past 2 games had some things not go there way, a team now that can't afford these mistakes.

I'll wait for the new collective bargaining agreement and watch both Toews and Seabrook bought out. So for now sit and sell at the trade deadline and build for 2020
- BetweenTheDots

Who are they going to sell?

Maybe Anisimov - could/should be value there - who else?

Panik? I think he would need to have a very good two months to create some value - possible.

Wingels? Yeah, but what would they get back?

Sharp? Probably not much TDL value.

Certainly not Kane or Crawford or Saad - too much value here.

And - IMO - Toews and Seabrook have unmoveable contracts, probably Keith, too.

Who are they going to sell?

Maybe Anisimov - could/should be value there - who else?

Panik? I think he would need to have a very good two months to create some value - possible.

Wingels? Yeah, but what would they get back?

Sharp? Probably not much TDL value.

Certainly not Kane or Crawford or Saad - too much value here.

And - IMO - Toews and Seabrook have unmoveable contracts, probably Keith, too.
- StLBravesFan

Yep, the 'Hawks were brought down into parity with the rest of the league. IMHO, in order to get back into serious Cup contention, Kane will still be elite, but the rest of the high salary guys will either be gone or closer to average NHL level talent. The new blood will be the ones that will have to step up.

Who are they going to sell?

Maybe Anisimov - could/should be value there - who else?

Panik? I think he would need to have a very good two months to create some value - possible.

Wingels? Yeah, but what would they get back?

Sharp? Probably not much TDL value.

Certainly not Kane or Crawford or Saad - too much value here.

And - IMO - Toews and Seabrook have unmoveable contracts, probably Keith, too.
- StLBravesFan

Mostly agree, but not Keith. I think they could move him.

Rutta, Kempny and Forsling aren't choices? If not why?
- gazza53

Ruuta and Forsling both play on the PP.

You just proved a big point. A HOF coach takes a team limited in talent to the SC. an average coach takes a very talented team to 3 SC. The problem is coachhing, Q cannot adjust his game plan, and the league has.
- powerenforcer

Or, the alternative is--Q has done a good job with not much talent.

Some stuff I agree with, like they probably will look to cut bait with players like Patrick Sharp and Richard Panik, probably a group of players will be used in a trade, some of the younger kids, or a guy like Ryan Hartman who is also still young, but I got a funny feeling that there is going to be one or two trade after the holiday season but all this bullpoop about them firing the coach, trading the captain trading Crawford trading Seabrook ECT, ain’t going to happen repeating like someone said it is not in their DNA. Now if they missed the playoffs I guarantee you that Stan Bowman’s job may be in jeopardy moving forward. Lastly, Steve Konroyd said it perfectly yesterday on WSCR, Brandon Saad Is not a teenager anymore he’s making $6 million a year, time to live up to that number 20, by that I mean play somewhat like Al Secord did!Lets see what happens, merry Christmas everyone!

Some stuff I agree with, like they probably will look to cut bait with players like Patrick Sharp and Richard Panik, probably a group of players will be used in a trade, some of the younger kids, or a guy like Ryan Hartman who is also still young, but I got a funny feeling that there is going to be one or two trade after the holiday season but all this bullpoop about them firing the coach, trading the captain trading Crawford trading Seabrook ECT, ain’t going to happen repeating like someone said it is not in their DNA. Now if they missed the playoffs I guarantee you that Stan Bowman’s job may be in jeopardy moving forward. Lastly, Steve Konroyd said it perfectly yesterday on WSCR, Brandon Saad Is not a teenager anymore he’s making $6 million a year, time to live up to that number 20, by that I mean play somewhat like Al Secord did!Lets see what happens, merry Christmas everyone!
- wonthecup10

Would you trade Seabrook for Lucic?

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

Thanks for making these last couple of months a lot of fun. It hasn't been the best season so far, but at least we all have this board to chat and debate when we should be working, doing chores and listening to our spouses. Ha.

No baby yet, so I'll should be back with a boxing day blog.

All the best to you and your families!

Would you trade Seabrook for Lucic?
- Dieselhead

Yes

I agree. Q didn't turn into an idiot this year after winning 3 Cups. Head coach is not the problem with this team. TALENT is the problem. The LACK of top end talent.
Tho I DO have to say the coaching on the power play (Dineen?) Is pathetic.
- tompo1015

Q did not turn in to an idiot, but he is not getting what he could out of this team. And Las Vegas is not doing it on talent....they are doing it on effort and coaching

Yes
- EnzoD

Seabrook has actually looked serviceable the past few games, he's probably close to recovering from whatever was ailing him earlier. Maybe at the TDL the hawks can trade him for a contract that is bad, but not as bad as his.

Would you trade Seabrook for Lucic?
- Dieselhead

I dunno. That's a tough one. Lucic is like 29 or 30 and has 5 years left on his contract for....$6 million per??

On the other hand... he's probably good for 50+ points every year. And he brings a big body on the LW.

I think Stan is micro-managed because he was a numbers guy and not a hockey man. I would have to believe all the moves Stan makes are made by committee and rubber stamped. I don't believe he has the autonomy to make his own moves. I think this is known around the league and a reason he was never recipient of any executive award recognition.

With that being said, I think the Bowman name has run its course with this organization and I would not have a problem changing direction from coaching up to get fresh thinking for the team. It is quite conceivable that the Bowmans' (dad & son) and Coach Q's ideology has grown stale.
- isu83boo

Well before a change could be made McDonough would want McIsaac to fill a possible void. Whether MacIssac would be comfortable taking the reigns - who knows. But if you really look deep into this I do not believe McDonough has a big problem with Bowman.

Sure Bowman has made some bad moves or miscalculated, has gambled and lost. But McDonough is a shrewd and wise business person. You cannot stress enough whose idea and whom kept the core together for two more Cups.

How many other GM's would have succeeded. Some, maybe. In an era nowadays where faster, stronger, bigger keeps getting pushed for, Bowman won by having barely enough if that. Beside that, whom is his replacement/good GM's hanging on trees ready and ripe for picking? I am not so sure.

I have some problems with coach Q, but that is another story too long to include here. Suffuce to say one point though: You do have to admit it might be really against his nature to have to play as many young kids this season. But Chicago had to break in some youth, and [did Bowman infer or tell Q this, then Q bolted out the door/later he saw he had to acquise] if he wanted to keep his job then he had to be open to it.

I have been accused of being a Bowman apologetic and also presenting a straw man argument.

It really boils down to this: if you replace him, who would do a BETTER job. If not for the solid moves last summer, I was leaning toward wanting him replaced. I now think he has identified and has drafted to the needs of the team in one of two critical ways. The way the game is played now, teams need to keep stressing speed yet also some big ornery players; among the large size some whom can play top lines or top dman pairs. See Dallas Stars and New Jersey take notes ....two recent games.

You will have to wait to see how his last few drafts turn out. And he has to absolutely this off season get bigger players and resolve the pp mess. If he does neither by training camp, I will really wonder then if he has a good enough plan as GM

Would you trade Seabrook for Lucic?
- Dieselhead

Hard for me to give an unbiased answer on that one, because I’ve always liked Milan Lucic , i’ve always said he was something like a modern day Al Secord, but it seems his game Has tailed off, he is five years younger than Brent Seabrook, I don’t know that’s a tough one that would probably be a hockey trade if Edmonton truly needs a defenseman of Seabrooks caliber, and we could sure use a left-wing like Milan Lucic , but I think both of those guys have no trade clause , and I don’t think either of them would wave, Lucic is close To his mom and his from Western Canada, and Seabrook I think he has a house load of kids in school and probably a McDonald’s right out his back door so he is set for life.

Hard for me to give an unbiased answer on that one, because I’ve always liked Milan Lucic , i’ve always said he was something like a modern day Al Secord, but it seems his game Has tailed off, he is five years younger than Brent Seabrook, I don’t know that’s a tough one that would probably be a hockey trade if Edmonton truly needs a defenseman of Seabrooks caliber, and we could sure use a left-wing like Milan Lucic , but I think both of those guys have no trade clause , and I don’t think either of them would wave, Lucic is close To his mom and his from Western Canada, and Seabrook I think he has a house load of kids in school and probably a McDonald’s right out his back door so he is set for life.
- wonthecup10

So you're calling Seabrook fat?

The Hawks lost against Dallas and New Jersey because Crawford gave up 7 goals on 29 shots. Dallas game saw TV guys lamenting that the Hawks only generated 24 shots. Well Dallas actually only had 22 shots. 22 shots is a very low number of shots. Against New Jersey Crawford gave up 3 goals on 7 shots before being pulled. Few teams come back from these kind of early deficits in today’s NHL. Forsling is not ready for the NHL - is ALWAYS out of position. Never takes the body, never wins puck battles and is a turnover machine. The 1st New Jersey goal was a complete disaster. Forsling coughed up the puck in his zone. Rutta then made an idiotic effort rather than just getting it out of the zone with Panik also failing to get the puck out. Crawford then gave up a long soft shot from miles out that nobody deflected. Team completely deflated.

Forsling also completely out of position on New Jersey PP goal - his side of the ice completely unguarded. How Kempny or anyone else slots behind Forsling and Rutta is a mystery to me. Thanks Ulf. The Hawks 3 best D-Men are Keith, Seabrook and Murphy - ride them. What sets them apart from Forsling and Rutta is that they will actually try to win the puck, take a body.

Oh and it is OK to talk about Crawford’s deficiencies - hockey people outside Chicago have no problem doing so and do it all the time.

Merry Christmas Justin!
And Merry Christmas to all Blackhawks fans everywhere!

Who are they going to sell?

Maybe Anisimov - could/should be value there - who else?

Panik? I think he would need to have a very good two months to create some value - possible.

Wingels? Yeah, but what would they get back?

Sharp? Probably not much TDL value.

Certainly not Kane or Crawford or Saad - too much value here.

And - IMO - Toews and Seabrook have unmoveable contracts, probably Keith, too.
- StLBravesFan

All I'm saying is they should not be buying at the trade deadline. They have for a long stretch and rightfully so.

There will always be teams that kick the tires on Panik, Wingels Sharp, Kempny and so on.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone

Happy Festivus and Merry Christmas to everyone.

Well before a change could be made McDonough would want McIsaac to fill a possible void. Whether MacIssac would be comfortable taking the reigns - who knows. But if you really look deep into this I do not believe McDonough has a big problem with Bowman.

Sure Bowman has made some bad moves or miscalculated, has gambled and lost. But McDonough is a shrewd and wise business person. You cannot stress enough whose idea and whom kept the core together for two more Cups.

How many other GM's would have succeeded. Some, maybe. In an era nowadays where faster, stronger, bigger keeps getting pushed for, Bowman won by having barely enough if that. Beside that, whom is his replacement/good GM's hanging on trees ready and ripe for picking? I am not so sure.

I have some problems with coach Q, but that is another story too long to include here. Suffuce to say one point though: You do have to admit it might be really against his nature to have to play as many young kids this season. But Chicago had to break in some youth, and
- jhawk59[did Bowman infer or tell Q this, then Q bolted out the door/later he saw he had to acquise] if he wanted to keep his job then he had to be open to it.

I have been accused of being a Bowman apologetic and also presenting a straw man argument.

It really boils down to this: if you replace him, who would do a BETTER job. If not for the solid moves last summer, I was leaning toward wanting him replaced. I now think he has identified and has drafted to the needs of the team in one of two critical ways. The way the game is played now, teams need to keep stressing speed yet also some big ornery players; among the large size some whom can play top lines or top dman pairs. See Dallas Stars and New Jersey take notes ....two recent games.

You will have to wait to see how his last few drafts turn out. And he has to absolutely this off season get bigger players and resolve the pp mess. If he does neither by training camp, I will really wonder then if he has a good enough plan as GM

Like I said, the decision by committee was at fault. John McD & Rocky can't be upset with Bowman for anything because they were involved in all decisions. They would have to be just as upset with the faces they see in the mirror in the morning as they are with Stan. Stan is an organization yes man that says enough good things to the media that suits the upper brass.

The Hawks lost against Dallas and New Jersey because Crawford gave up 7 goals on 29 shots. Dallas game saw TV guys lamenting that the Hawks only generated 24 shots. Well Dallas actually only had 22 shots. 22 shots is a very low number of shots. Against New Jersey Crawford gave up 3 goals on 7 shots before being pulled. Few teams come back from these kind of early deficits in today’s NHL. Forsling is not ready for the NHL - is ALWAYS out of position. Never takes the body, never wins puck battles and is a turnover machine. The 1st New Jersey goal was a complete disaster. Forsling coughed up the puck in his zone. Rutta then made an idiotic effort rather than just getting it out of the zone with Panik also failing to get the puck out. Crawford then gave up a long soft shot from miles out that nobody deflected. Team completely deflated.

Forsling also completely out of position on New Jersey PP goal - his side of the ice completely unguarded. How Kempny or anyone else slots behind Forsling and Rutta is a mystery to me. Thanks Ulf. The Hawks 3 best D-Men are Keith, Seabrook and Murphy - ride them. What sets them apart from Forsling and Rutta is that they will actually try to win the puck, take a body.

Oh and it is OK to talk about Crawford’s deficiencies - hockey people outside Chicago have no problem doing so and do it all the time.
- Z3Hawk

Why Chicago misses playoffs. Could try matching a Forsling type with a partner who will take the body. Really hurts if you are completely no physical. Duncan Keith a joke for years on pp. Well there are more offensive great skaters defensemen in the system. Hopefully more physical than Forsling and Ruuta. But the guys I want to see are not so much the AHL prospects at this position.. it is going to get worse before the team can start to improve. Bowman must bring in a couple of large size forwards who will take the body. Not only 4th line guys. If he does not, IMHO the team will loose more, look even worse, and Bowman the yes organizational man might get fired. Another year of this hockey without seeing through to end of the tunnel, and Q will quit or be fired

But do not say Bowman and Q failed. They won a lot
But the price for winning catches up to a team
Chicago has bern trying to tread water since they beat Tampa for The Cup. Unfortunately because 1) not all of Bowman moves were good; and 2) Q stubbornly in the past has not been willing to break in kids to the lineup.....now as a result the team is spiralling nearly out of control. They will not pull themselves up out of a control...in a quagmire? It really hurts when Toews, in particular is not the same player today. Because the team needs that sort of player.

Sergeant Joe Friday from Dragnet used to say, just the facts, ma'am. Those are the facts my fellow diehard Blackhawk brothers.The truth hurts. How can you see it ant other way