yep their shot suppression has very poor this year...this is where the loss of fearless hammy comes in...the guy took shot after...hawks don't have anyone like that on their roster
- bogiedoc

Agreed....but again....that trade was purely a cap situational move. BAD contracts from the TOP with overpays and NMC's created that trade.
This entire situation starts from the TOP, and ends at Quenneville.

Nope I have been beating this drum since the 1st RD exit against the Blues two years ago were Q Mismanaged his bench and by the time he got it right it was to late . lLast year know answer for the Preds NOT even a attempt to change up his game plan other then to insert a Dman who had been in the press box for 3 months .
There are plenty of coaches out there ,and I think K Dineen could be improvement as more of a teaching coach . But U want to look outside how about D Bylsma or B Hartley J Capuano for veteran coaches .I would not go that way personally .How about K MULLER OR A Oates or even D Tippett given some talent to work with . I would look to a younger coach to breath some life into the room and work with young players .. Like the guy coaching the Marlies Sheldon Keefe ,steal him away from Toronto could me a great move .. There are a world of options out there .Our coach has grown stale ,and his caveman moves don't work into day NHL . AL Secord and D Graham are not going to ride to the rescue anytime soon so don't hold your breath ..
- oldduffman

Totally agree with ya Duff.

We need a coaching change ,it's as simple as that . Coach Stubbornness' on the personnel on the 1st PP his pension for benching kids for 1 mistake lack of practice time not having team ready to play, his old school rain needs to come to a end . Not sure on Hartman last night ,heard before the game he was healthy scratch then after day to day . If he plays Sunday I would bet it was another head scratching bench by Q . This team has teased us with some very good hockey only to revert back to garbage play .I know consistency is tough with young players ,but Q has them looking over their should after every play .I truly believe this team has somewhat quit on this coach . Every coach has a shelf life ,I think Q expired Two years ago . Last in the Div. Two 1st RD. exit .It's time for a change .
- oldduffman

When exactly did Q get stupid? Gee, maybe it happened when he was given inferior talent to play along his aging and slowing core.

What game were you watching Murphy was bad very bad
- ih1682

after getting slewfooted, before that he was good

Actually sad to watch this team.

Las Vegas and expansion team, owning the NHL...without much star power...interesting.

NHL no longer respects, let alone fears blackhawks. A painful truth hawk fans are just beginning to realize.

Coach Q, most over rated coach last 10 years. Give the guy 15 Olympians and he is a genius...because you have...15 olympians.

Hawks struggle, with Star power. Team has no edge and clearly has lost mojo. Just like watching Penguins before Bylsma...and again before Sullivan.

Finding plugging vetrans and grinding games works less and less in NHL. Hawks clearly have defaulted to Q's Brunnette theorem. Give me old slow and predictable.

While it is natural to become frustrated with younger players cutting their teeth, Hawk fans, more than any, seem to discount and give a pass to the players getting a bulk of the ice time who are not getting it done. Leaders lead and make players better around them....From the optics test, does not seem to be working well here any longer.

Anyhow, Happy New Year to all. We will just keep watching the league get younger and faster...and watch Q stubbornly hold on to an era gone by....
- TrueGrit

Despite common wisdom here I could never make myself to believe in Q.
In 2013, almost lost with much superior team to aging but motivated Detroit.
In 2014, was trotting Hanzus as 2nd line center with Kane effectively making him invisible. And when push came to shove, 7th game of WCF, up by 2 goals, appeared to advise their team to play defensively and protect their zone, strategy which backfired when Kings pressed in Hawks zone and tied them and won in overtime. This still hirts.
In 2015, sat down Teravanien and Vermette in favor of plus such as Mashinter first 2 games of playoffs, and obviously that series against Preds did not start well and only after he put them back to play and Weber was injured they were able to overcome Preds. Probanly would have lost to Tampa if not Kucherov broken collarbone and Bishop groin and Johnson broken wrist.
I just cannot believe he brings the best on the team unlike Laviolette and obviously Sullivan or maybe Babcock, perhaps team was that good and won despite of him not because of him. I could be wrong of course so who knows.

I remember a year or so ago the name Jimmy Lodge was brought up as a trade target. Went to an ECHL game here in Jacksonville last night which is tied to the Jets. Lodge was floating around and easily knocked off his skates a lot. Sam Jardine was suited up for the Orlando team and was great skating, but showed a lot of questionable decisions with the puck. The one guy that impressed me though was Jansen Harkins of the Icemen. Finished a nice 2 on 1, played a solid 200 foot game, won about 80% of his faceoffs. I know it was an ECHL game but Harkins looked like a man playing in a peewee league.

When exactly did Q get stupid? Gee, maybe it happened when he was given inferior talent to play along his aging and slowing core.
- tompo1015

I know it. People clamoring for the coaches head are typically the most "positive", ironic as that is. They see no flaws in the team, all great players, just need a new coach and then maybe Seabrook will drink from the fountain of youth at the same time. Q has made a ton of mistakes. If they move on from him, I think it has to be as part of an overall rebuild.

The bottom line is Brent Seabrook is an old broken down war horse. I so love the guy, but this is painful to watch him play in NHL hockey in 2017 anymore. And last night Duncan Keith had a couple of breakdowns you'd expect from a 19 year old rookie D-man, not a 2-time Norris winning veteran.

Aside from the horrific start, the Hawks -at times- were right on pace with Vegas, but that team was coming in on a 2nd of B2B, the Hawks should have carried some play. Both teams were with their backup goalies so no excuse there. The fact is the Knights look like the better team.

Hartman being out hurt. Vinnie was outstanding. Faceoffs were good, the PK was really good on that 2nd kill, after being outshot 14-3, shots were basically even, but the Hawks never tilted the play to them.

Also, did ANYONE notice each time after the Hawks scored a goal the Knights responded, I think every single time they ended up with the next shot. The Hawks were never able to carry the momentum from a goal to take control of the game. Can't tell how much that was the Hawks or the Knights, probably a bit of both. Oh yea, the win over NY as nice as it was, is nothing to be fired up about...Vegas is 10x faster than that team.

As it sits right now Hawks are on the cusp of a lottery pick (I think they are 9th from the bottom in the NHL)....now last place in their division. I think it's pretty safe to say they either need to start winning on a pretty consistent basis or this team is done, I think we'll know by the end of the month.

Nope I have been beating this drum since the 1st RD exit against the Blues two years ago were Q Mismanaged his bench and by the time he got it right it was to late . lLast year know answer for the Preds NOT even a attempt to change up his game plan other then to insert a Dman who had been in the press box for 3 months .
There are plenty of coaches out there ,and I think K Dineen could be improvement as more of a teaching coach . But U want to look outside how about D Bylsma or B Hartley J Capuano for veteran coaches .I would not go that way personally .How about K MULLER OR A Oates or even D Tippett given some talent to work with . I would look to a younger coach to breath some life into the room and work with young players .. Like the guy coaching the Marlies Sheldon Keefe ,steal him away from Toronto could me a great move .. There are a world of options out there .Our coach has grown stale ,and his caveman moves don't work into day NHL . AL Secord and D Graham are not going to ride to the rescue anytime soon so don't hold your breath ..
- oldduffman

I’ll give you Dave Tippit, not a Bad choice. I’m trying to just look at it with out a knee jerk reaction,I guarantee you that the minute Coach Q was out there if he was fired here, another team would fire their coach and hire him immediately.

When exactly did Q get stupid? Gee, maybe it happened when he was given inferior talent to play along his aging and slowing core.
- tompo1015

Ahhh.....he's gotten stupid for years now.

As previously posted, he's done a fantastic job coaching Hall of Famers and Olympians......Great job Q !! For the last 2 + years these same players have aged and outright admitted to " holding back" during the season. Yet he continues to ride them game after game, year after year. I'll give him some credit for at least occasionally trying some new wrinkles....ie...taking Toews, Kane, and Keith off the 1st OT unit and using Schmaltz's speed and another dman occasionally. But, his CUP CORE must be rested occasionally and the youth given more ice time to grow. This is impossible for him to do imo. I believe his thinking is we will live or die with Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook. They will NEVER sit because of the loyalty to their success.

Welcome to the Detroit Red Wings 2.0.

Without change, this organization may not see the playoffs for years.....and they can welcome in a NEW CORE of season ticket holders as well !! Good Luck on that front.

Ahhh.....he's gotten stupid for years now.

As previously posted, he's done a fantastic job coaching Hall of Famers and Olympians......Great job Q !! For the last 2 + years these same players have aged and outright admitted to " holding back" during the season. Yet he continues to ride them game after game, year after year. I'll give him some credit for at least occasionally trying some new wrinkles....ie...taking Toews, Kane, and Keith off the 1st OT unit and using Schmaltz's speed and another dman occasionally. But, his CUP CORE must be rested occasionally and the youth given more ice time to grow. This is impossible for him to do imo. I believe his thinking is we will live or die with Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook. They will NEVER sit because of the loyalty to their success.

Welcome to the Detroit Red Wings 2.0.

Without change, this organization may not see the playoffs for years.....and they can welcome in a NEW CORE of season ticket holders as well !! Good Luck on that front.
- Hawkytalk

The Hawk Cup teams had 4 HOFers playing HOF level hockey. Add inseveral skaters/goalie playing at All-Star levels each year. Add in role players who played within the system, knew what the needed to do, and did it.

At one time, they had what several have called the best captain in team sports to lead in the room, and several other team leaders.

Now - they have one skater playing like a HOHer, one other (wearing the “tools of ignorance”, as they used to call the equipment that catchers wore) playing like an All-Star.

Maybe any coach could have won Cups with the teams that Q had - I don’t know - I kind of subscribe to the theory that it took an Auerbach to mold those old Celtic teams, Jackson to make Jordan, Pippen, et.al. six-time champions....

And maybe Q’s lack of success with lesser teams is showing him to be a mediocre asset, or at least one who should be moved out.

Well, it worked twice for Pittsburgh....

Ray Farrero very complimentary toward Soderlund on the broadcast. He scored their only goal shorthanded.
- RickJ

Yes he was, Ferraro and Miller are my favorite pair to listen to at any level. Ferraro also pointed out that Soderland fits the new NHL mold that a 3rd liner doesn't have to be big to be effective. Kid is smallish with a 5th gear and is quick with a high compete......

No franchise guy here but the kinda guy who helps and makes a team faster and more competitive.

Maybe if Quenneville would utilize an 8 dman rotation instead of 6, Seabrook and Keith would have something in their tanks once in a while. Sit them for rest will ya !! Their play is suffering constantly.

Quenneville is killing this team with his usual stubborness to play the wrong guys. The CORE is the problem. They have gotten older and slower and admittedly taken it easy to save themselves for playoff hockey. That is just plain deplorable !! Look at the difference since Hinestroza and Kampf have been given an opportunity. At least there's effort and intensity. Toews and Seabrook are constantly out of gas and obviously gliding way too often.

This team is going to miss the playoffs and I believe it's on all on Quenneville's
decision making on the over use of the CORE. Play the kids that hustle and allow them to learn. The 3 CUP era of Quenneville and the CORE was fantastic and we all loved it, but it's over.

Cmon Rocky and McD, own up to it a make some hard but obvious decisions.
It's time to rebuild, starting from the top.
- Hawkytalk

The Blackhawks have been hallowed out by the cap. Yes, the core has aged and have a lot of miles on them so they aren't the consistent elite level players they once were, but there is no "next man up" to replace them, there are rookies and sophomores and journeymen, but there is no one better on this team right now that can do what Toews or Keith are doing. Seabrook has been passed on the depth chart by others, but no one person consistently; now it is Oesterle, previously it had been Rutta. Forsling was getting more TOI than him earlier too; so that still makes him the 2nd or 3rd best D on the team.

It's painful to watch. Like Justin wrote on this blog, for this team to get some wins, it requires more guys to play better consistently. It sucks that the salary structure is so top loaded with the top guys aren't producing at that level anymore (mostly Toews and Seabrook) but right now the team is stuck with it.

I don't blame Q. I understand why Stan did what he did at the time with 19 and 88, but in hindsight, a huge over pay versus the cap. The Seabrook deal is inexcusable. I thought so at the time. But I'm less interested in dumping the guy responsible for this mess and more interested to know if they have a plan for dealing with it. If not, then it is time to move on in the front office. I'd like to keep Q if possible.

Yep. Some really good things that happened for the Hawks throughout the game but going back to the theme of this blog were not consistent enough for 60 mins and the scary part was after all that "were in last place talk" last week, didn't look prepared to play at puck drop.

Thought they would have came out flying after 6 games on the road and finally getting home to play in front of their crowd.
- Justin Lowe

Hey Justin, congrats on the baby!!

Never know what a team will bring on the last game of a road trip or first game back. Gone so long they get back home with a week or two of taking care of things they couldn't while on the road.

Hawks came out flat but this is a regular occurrence so I can't blame the road trip on that. Vinny, Kampf, Oesterle, Forsling get a nice look at an NHL game that is played at playoff speed. Helpful in the process.

Win or lose a damn fun game for the fan from the 2nd period on. Wide open full throttle instead of the Hawk 17 pass, east west, easy to play lazy hockey. Beauty one time don't full with the damn thing finishes by Schmaltz and Toews, who had as much compete as I've seen this yr.

One can point to Vegas being an expansion franchise but they are as good as anyone in this league and like it or not are a test for the Hawks strewn with rookies and new guys.

The Hawk Cup teams had 4 HOFers playing HOF level hockey. Add inseveral skaters/goalie playing at All-Star levels each year. Add in role players who played within the system, knew what the needed to do, and did it.

At one time, they had what several have called the best captain in team sports to lead in the room, and several other team leaders.

Now - they have one skater playing like a HOHer, one other (wearing the “tools of ignorance”, as they used to call the equipment that catchers wore) playing like an All-Star.

Maybe any coach could have won Cups with the teams that Q had - I don’t know - I kind of subscribe to the theory that it took an Auerbach to mold those old Celtic teams, Jackson to make Jordan, Pippen, et.al. six-time champions....

And maybe Q’s lack of success with lesser teams is showing him to be a mediocre asset, or at least one who should be moved out.

Well, it worked twice for Pittsburgh....
- StLBravesFan

Let's see - if Rick Tocchet or Tom Rowe or Peter Horachek was coaching Vegas, would they be where they are now? Or if John Cooper or Al Arbour was coaching Buffalo or Arizona, would they be in a playoff spot? What team has Barry Trotz ever made greater than the sum of its player parts?

In the NHL, teams with great players (especially goaltenders) and a depth of very good ones make coaches great, almost always.

Yes, its worked out 2X for the Penguins and Mike Sullivan, until now when their overall talent depth isn't what it was.

And funny how it works, when draft picks get traded to win now and the talent coming thru the system becomes ordinary, a couple years later the coach starts looking like an idiot to armchair hockey brainiacs.

Let's see - if Rick Tocchet or Tom Rowe or Peter Horachek was coaching Vegas, would they be where they are now? Or if John Cooper or Al Arbour was coaching Buffalo or Arizona, would they be in a playoff spot? What team has Barry Trotz ever made greater than the sum of its player parts?

In the NHL, teams with great players (especially goaltenders) and a depth of very good ones make coaches great, almost always.

Yes, its worked out 2X for the Penguins and Mike Sullivan, until now when their overall talent depth isn't what it was.

And funny how it works, when draft picks get traded to win now and the talent coming thru the system becomes ordinary, a couple years later the coach starts looking like an idiot to armchair hockey brainiacs.
- RickJ

Haven't read all the posts but not sure who is saying Q's an idiot or became an idiot. Something's not right and while they have potentially less talent than the last few years, it's not like they're fielding half a forward group of RFD tweeners either.

When the team comes out as flat as it did last night on home ice, at least some of that has to be on the coach.

Haven't read all the posts but not sure who is saying Q's an idiot or became an idiot. Something's not right and while they have potentially less talent than the last few years, it's not like they're fielding half a forward group of RFD tweeners either.

When the team comes out as flat as it did last night on home ice, at least some of that has to be on the coach.
- HawkintheD

If you read the Laz interview with Q, even Q was talking about how he recognizes that all coaches have a shelf life, that he's already outlived the average (especially now), and he wonders if maybe his methods and messages are falling flat.

I was surprised to see him be that introspective. Did tell me he is unsure how to right the ship (and that's not all on him IMO).

Despite common wisdom here I could never make myself to believe in Q.
In 2013, almost lost with much superior team to aging but motivated Detroit.
In 2014, was trotting Hanzus as 2nd line center with Kane effectively making him invisible. And when push came to shove, 7th game of WCF, up by 2 goals, appeared to advise their team to play defensively and protect their zone, strategy which backfired when Kings pressed in Hawks zone and tied them and won in overtime. This still hirts.
In 2015, sat down Teravanien and Vermette in favor of plus such as Mashinter first 2 games of playoffs, and obviously that series against Preds did not start well and only after he put them back to play and Weber was injured they were able to overcome Preds. Probanly would have lost to Tampa if not Kucherov broken collarbone and Bishop groin and Johnson broken wrist.
I just cannot believe he brings the best on the team unlike Laviolette and obviously Sullivan or maybe Babcock, perhaps team was that good and won despite of him not because of him. I could be wrong of course so who knows.
- vshun

I agree with you. Not if he ever was a good coach, but it was more so truthful before the last Cup. His decisions are ofen wrong this season. Even when there is a hint of fair reasoning, Q overextends his punishment or learning lesson, e.g. benching a Hartman. The team needs push back, some vim and vinegar.

As head coach he should have had the infamous discussion with McDonough, not Dineen. It appears that Q rests on his legendary coaching. Impressive record and achievements for sure but nowadays his decisions are wrong. His methods outdated as you mentioned.

Chew on this: how can any coach who wishes to remain head coach allow the travesty of a powerplay to remain ruinous year after year.
Q must have an angel standing over him.

Haven't read all the posts but not sure who is saying Q's an idiot or became an idiot. Something's not right and while they have potentially less talent than the last few years, it's not like they're fielding half a forward group of RFD tweeners either.

When the team comes out as flat as it did last night on home ice, at least some of that has to be on the coach.
- HawkintheD

this team MO all year has been flatness to start games...my gawd giving 20 shots in 1st periods three of 4 games with a lifer khl goalie making his 1st start...and he saved their sorry asses from a couple of those games being complete blow outs...

what the hell is wrong with this team that preaches defense first esp with a rookie goalie....mind boggling...also they fell behind 3-0 and 3-1 and came back...that takes a helluva lot of energy to do that game after game...

John Dietz
@johndietzdh

Q slams stick against sideboards in anger during 2-on-1 rushes. Pissed that defenders were making it too easy for attackers.

Wonder if this means he'll actually park any of the Core giving a less than 100% effort?

Just kidding - I crack myself up

John Dietz
@johndietzdh

Q slams stick against sideboards in anger during 2-on-1 rushes. Pissed that defenders were making it too easy for attackers.

Wonder if this means he'll actually park any of the Core giving a less than 100% effort?

Just kidding - I crack myself up
- pdx2ord

Now that is one display of coaching I like. Not much else to like about his coaching NOWADAYS however

Did Chris Hine leave the Trib?

His Twitter whatever says he’s now the Sports Analytics/ Enterprise reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Did Chris Hine leave the Trib?

His Twitter whatever says he’s now the Sports Analytics/ Enterprise reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- StLBravesFan

Yes, he did. Only semi-experienced people now on the regular beat are Laz and Dietz. Hedger departed for Columbus.

The Hawk Cup teams had 4 HOFers playing HOF level hockey. Add inseveral skaters/goalie playing at All-Star levels each year. Add in role players who played within the system, knew what the needed to do, and did it.

At one time, they had what several have called the best captain in team sports to lead in the room, and several other team leaders.

Now - they have one skater playing like a HOHer, one other (wearing the “tools of ignorance”, as they used to call the equipment that catchers wore) playing like an All-Star.

Maybe any coach could have won Cups with the teams that Q had - I don’t know - I kind of subscribe to the theory that it took an Auerbach to mold those old Celtic teams, Jackson to make Jordan, Pippen, et.al. six-time champions....

And maybe Q’s lack of success with lesser teams is showing him to be a mediocre asset, or at least one who should be moved out.

Well, it worked twice for Pittsburgh....
- StLBravesFan

Great Post. ....in total agreement

I’ve come to grips with this year we’re not making the playoffs. I see this as a year where Stan and company take a good hard look at what we really have and what we need, and try to come up with a game plan on where we go from here.

I don’t think they really gave it an an honest objective look as to where this team was at in the off season. They may have thought they did but they were only fooling themselves!

this team MO all year has been flatness to start games...my gawd giving 20 shots in 1st periods three of 4 games with a lifer khl goalie making his 1st start...and he saved their sorry asses from a couple of those games being complete blow outs...

what the hell is wrong with this team that preaches defense first esp with a rookie goalie....mind boggling...also they fell behind 3-0 and 3-1 and came back...that takes a helluva lot of energy to do that game after game...
- bogiedoc

Ask McDonough. Or Stan. But be honest and put blame where and whom it lies upon. Any attempt to sugarcoat only makes them appear less than willing to accept there is a problem. A few of them quite honestly.

I do not like to see their response torn asunder, but after three Cups they deserve to be ripped if they do not concur that a change in game plan is necessary.

I am ok with the direction Stan took with trades and team building last summer. He better supplement with smart solid draft choices which means retaining his first rounders.

I cannot say with certainty whether Q has lost the room. But fans and owner should no tolerate way too much sleep walking. And both Ruuta and Forsling need a fairly reliable physical dman in their pairing. May result in putting one of them in press box one of or rotate with Oesterle.

Look we know Stan purposely or not but yes the effect was gambling on Toews an Seabrook health. They cannot be relied upon as heavily ever again. I expect Toews' recent play cannot be continued throughout the season. I wish i could be wrong about the captain. Whatver his ills, he has to become secondary and if he ever recovers, hallelujah.