What would you have written if Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook etc. had said screw the Olympics (2), the World Cup, IIHF World Championships, showing up at mid summer conventions etc and given their reason as it will shorten their NHL careers, impact on ice performance for their NHL teams and possibly cause a loss in total lifetime earnings? Would you have glowingly endorsed that at the time?

These guys have played an incredible amount of hockey in relatively short careers. For some of it they earned nothing much. Treads on tires wear down with miles. And maybe, just maybe, their interest in the long 82 game NHL seasons and playoffs has diminished. How many more Cups do they need to prove anything?
- RickJ

Actually I think that’s a big part of the problem. I was actually glad to hear they weren’t going to be participating in this year’s Olympics.

Another thing I noticed last night, any time Toews had the puck on his stick he did not want to go inside the dots. In the first period Cat made a pass between his legs around the left dot and to me it seemed like Toews hesitated to go after it, maybe I'm reading to much into it but it looked like to me he hesitated for a second and the chance of a quality SOG was gone

I think you mean Sox fans.
- HawkintheD

Oh no I mean Hawks fans, they are a tough customer, McDonough will actually have to earn his paycheck if this blows up in management's face

I agree with your toughness definition - and the Blackhawks’ lack of it.

On the defensemen concentrating on offense first - Q keeps talking about how he likes it when they get involved in the offense.

But if that’s the philosophy - and they want defensemen going down low - isn’t there a forward who’s supposed to cover the vacated point? Hard to coordinate, and they still have to pick their spots, but - everyone down low is not ideal.

And it would help to get a big goalie save when that happens - like Forsberg at the end of the second against the Stars after Keith’s TO, and Glass last nite after Osterlie’s gamble. Tough shots - ok - saveable each - make a damn save when you team needs you to have its back.

It’s not just the save percentage / goals against average for goalies - it’s not just the goals they give up - but the ones they don’t save at important times. That’s what great (even just good) goalies do.
- StLBravesFan

Exactly, this has been a big part of this year’s problems. I don’t know how many times we’ve been totally out of position with three forwards down low and a Dman pinching.

Honesty I was really really really disappointed with Dahlstrom not throwing his weight around last night. Just a couple solid checks last night would of been nice.

Another thing I noticed last night, any time Toews had the puck on his stick he did not want to go inside the dots. In the first period Cat made a pass between his legs around the left dot and to me it seemed like Toews hesitated to go after it, maybe I'm reading to much into it but it looked like to me he hesitated for a second and the chance of a quality SOG was gone
- BetweenTheDots

We can all agree that something is very different with Mr. Toews these days. He looks thin. Almost too thin. If he was a tri-athlete fine. Hockey player? No! I know he is on the Onnit fitness plan. Same as Keith. Its either this new training plan or has a significant injury that is preventing him from training/lifting like he wants to. The guy was a tank. A guy who could go to the corner. Scrum and win the puck and then attack the net.

He is a shell of who he used to be. I also know the human body can only do so much and then it breaks down. That could be it too and that is fine. He needs to be smart and realize he is only 30 with his whole life ahead of him.

Guess we are all getting old.

Honesty I was really really really disappointed with Dahlstrom not throwing his weight around last night. Just a couple solid checks last night would of been nice.
- BetweenTheDots

Nope. Not the Q MO. That is one of things I would like to see changed. Turn these guys loose. Dont go out of your way to hit, but if its there!?

Hit that guy geezus. That and all the other crap we are seeing with this team like that PP screams of new HC needed.

Honesty I was really really really disappointed with Dahlstrom not throwing his weight around last night. Just a couple solid checks last night would of been nice.
- BetweenTheDots

Sadly, being a non-physical 6'4" 230+ pound blueliner is Dahlstrom's m.o. and I'd guess management knows this. This could be his downfall if other similar young defenders can do the same as him with decent defense, puck-moving ability, and minimal offense BUT can bring grit and physicality. Tuulola, Hillman, and Gilbert come to mind. Not saying any of them will ever pan out but they at least add a physical game to their overall play.

Kane is being forced the puck at all most no regard. He is taking unneeded hits. Last night Stevie K stated that a veteran like Kane will take a hit to make a play - THAT HAS NEVER been Kane's MO nor should it be. The teams overall lack of testicular fortitude may serve to speed up Kanes down fall as well. They don't have to out hit a team but really who is afraid of anyone on the team?
- riozzo

There is no Panarin or similar to take away at least some of the other team's focus on Kane. Bowman failed to replace Panarin's presence on Kane's line and Panarin's 80 point contribution. How Bowman could possibly manage to lose Panarin while he knew he was losing Hossa at the same time is plain sickening. The team can't score enough you say? Blame the GM. No defense? Blame the GM.

What would you have written if Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook etc. had said screw the Olympics (2), the World Cup, IIHF World Championships, showing up at mid summer conventions etc and given their reason as it will shorten their NHL careers, impact on ice performance for their NHL teams and possibly cause a loss in total lifetime earnings? Would you have glowingly endorsed that at the time?

These guys have played an incredible amount of hockey in relatively short careers. For some of it they earned nothing much. Treads on tires wear down with miles. And maybe, just maybe, their interest in the long 82 game NHL seasons and playoffs has diminished. How many more Cups do they need to prove anything?
- RickJ

I think that is the root issue. The core has won it all, and no longer trains hard enough in the summer or puts it on the line in season. If that's the case, a complete tear down and sending out one of 2, 7, 19 or Q is necessary. Cannot have "leaders" who don't give a (frank) and are just showing up to collect a paycheck the next 6 years. Fans are completely within their rights to complain and criticize the players for teams they support with their hard earned cash. Toews will make more money in a single game than 90% of Hawks fans in a full year. Lack of desire to "prove themselves" the rest of their career isn't a good enough excuse. Lazarus can blow it out his ass. Nobody HATES Jonathan Toews, we simply expect more, and rightfully so.

Oh no I mean Hawks fans, they are a tough customer, McDonough will actually have to earn his paycheck if this blows up in management's face
- BetweenTheDots

I hear you and I was kidding though the statement's not wrong.

I agree though, his job was that much easier with a team annually contending for Cups.

I think that is the root issue. The core has won it all, and no longer trains hard enough in the summer or puts it on the line in season. If that's the case, a complete tear down and sending out one of 2, 7, 19 or Q is necessary. Cannot have "leaders" who don't give a (frank) and are just showing up to collect a paycheck the next 6 years. Fans are completely within their rights to complain and criticize the players for teams they support with their hard earned cash. Toews will make more money in a single game than 90% of Hawks fans in a full year. Lack of desire to "prove themselves" the rest of their career isn't a good enough excuse. Lazarus can blow it out his ass. Nobody HATES Jonathan Toews, we simply expect more, and rightfully so.
- EnzoD

Thank you... I wonder what happened to him?

which is unfortunate. bowman should go. this is his mess. the contracts given to their core. getting bent over on trades time and time again. an inability to draft and develop NHL defensemen.


I don't think firing Q would be the the right thing to do the more I think about it.
- frafra

I agree with your point on Bowman, however respectfully disagree on Q. The country club atmosphere with no practices is what the core grew accustomed. Unfortunately, I don't believe Q can just turn it around and become super demanding. He is stuck with several core players. He is too emotionally invested in the core that won the cups with him. As long as cup core players are here, because of that investment, I don't believe he can do what is necessary to maximize the yield from the players on this roster.

I think that is the root issue. The core has won it all, and no longer trains hard enough in the summer or puts it on the line in season. If that's the case, a complete tear down and sending out one of 2, 7, 19 or Q is necessary. Cannot have "leaders" who don't give a (frank) and are just showing up to collect a paycheck the next 6 years. Fans are completely within their rights to complain and criticize the players for teams they support with their hard earned cash. Toews will make more money in a single game than 90% of Hawks fans in a full year. Lack of desire to "prove themselves" the rest of their career isn't a good enough excuse. Lazarus can blow it out his ass. Nobody HATES Jonathan Toews, we simply expect more, and rightfully so.
- EnzoD

Does anybody really know what's going on inside the building and team? If you had won championships with a group of guys and then had a new group of 11 or 12 players come in who weren't near as good wouldn't you get frustrated and aggravated. Human nature.

That's one thing I give Sidney Crosby massive credit for - he's like a machine that keeps running no matter the people or circumstances going on around him. He doesn't seem to care who he plays with, just likes to play and win. I believe that to be great at anything - hockey, golf, whatever, you have to be anal like that.

How will season ticket renewals be if this continues?
- TJYTJY

You have to ask? They went down after last year. I was one of them after 15 years. The renewals come out next month. I think this year's renewals will be impacted much worse than last year. You have to remember, they are one of the most expensive tickets in the NHL.

Well, apparently Columbus would not want Saad back:

@Aportzline I know bad timing for this Q but would CBJ consider bringing back Saad he’s the first name I heard that I thought might move the meter for the Jackets.

Aaron Portzline @Aportzline (Athletic writer for CBUS)
Nope.
- pdx2ord

Columbus has there own problems. So Panarin is their top scorer! The team is in the crapper. Last year with Saad, they were one of the top teams in the league. Not saying either player was/is the reason for the team's play. I don't know why they wouldn't want Saad back. Have the BlueJackets turned on Torts this fast?

Honesty I was really really really disappointed with Dahlstrom not throwing his weight around last night. Just a couple solid checks last night would of been nice.
- BetweenTheDots

We don't do that here.

If it does happen on rare occasion, it shocks the other team into a fight challenge.,

Pass

[quote=Colbyboy]If this group plans to go through the motions the next 27 games I say the Team needs to sort out who’s in and who’s out with playing hard- aggressive in your face hockey the rest of the way this year.

Hawks owe the Fans this

-Bring up half the boys in Rockford for the last 25 games, these guys will play their guts out
- Put Crawford on ice
- Send Toews to Mexico and tell him to figure out if Hockey is in his future
- Give Q a leave if Abscense as he’s clearly fed up and he’s Toxic for the Kids
- Send Seabs to a fitness camp or Mexico if you can’t move him at the Deadline
- Trade Anisimov and anyone else who translates into picks
- Play Forsberg 20 of the last 27
- End the Glass experiment and bring in a Goalie from the Farm
- Start the search for President of Hockey Operations -

We don't do that here.

If it does happen on rare occasion, it shocks the other team into a fight challenge.,
- 67hawks

I see how the Hawks forwards are timid with a physical defenseman, at 225 or 235? It's a weapon for him, he really needs to assert himself and show forwards you come into my space be ready to pay the price. If he is going to be a soft 225 or 235 see ya.

I think that is the root issue. The core has won it all, and no longer trains hard enough in the summer or puts it on the line in season. If that's the case, a complete tear down and sending out one of 2, 7, 19 or Q is necessary. Cannot have "leaders" who don't give a (frank) and are just showing up to collect a paycheck the next 6 years. Fans are completely within their rights to complain and criticize the players for teams they support with their hard earned cash. Toews will make more money in a single game than 90% of Hawks fans in a full year. Lack of desire to "prove themselves" the rest of their career isn't a good enough excuse. Lazarus can blow it out his ass. Nobody HATES Jonathan Toews, we simply expect more, and rightfully so.
- EnzoD

How about we get away from the concept of a “core”. Sign guys for 3 years max unless they are truly a generationally talent (like Kane). Makes guys a lot more palatable for trades and we can get away from being locked into bad contracts for 3-4-5 years.

The notion of locking anyone up for multiple years past their 30th birthday seems absurd to me (even if it is simply a way to work around the cap).

I think what Laz means more it that people actually HATE these players now. I'm not happy with the decline since the last cup, and I agree with what you mean. but to actually HATE any of these players for what they have given us fans is ridiculous. I would be open to trading any player if it would make us better in the future. And after they all leave and move on to other teams, or whatever the rest of their life entails, I will always be thankful for the 3 cups and the happiness they brought us.
- spudrock512

I have written many times that I reserve the word “hate” for people like child abusers. Hate has no place whatsoever in being a hockey fan. I will always cherish the 3 Cups that our Hawks won recently as I would think most, if not all, fans do. However, there may be some fans who go overboard.

I would never defend anyone that would say he or she hates a player or coach. However, to be highly frustrated by this year’s Hawks is not the same thing. The Hawks this year simply don’t seem professional. By way of example - do I hate Toews? - of course not. Would I like him to actually earn his 10.5M - absolutely.

Columbus has there own problems. So Panarin is their top scorer! The team is in the crapper. Last year with Saad, they were one of the top teams in the league. Not saying either player was/is the reason for the team's play. I don't know why they wouldn't want Saad back. Have the BlueJackets turned on Torts this fast?
- isu83boo

Look what they have down the middle of the ice. Not much and that's why they have so much trouble scoring. William Karlsson's season in LV has to be a complete shock to them.

I was baffled by that one too. Edmonton couldn't say "Yes" fast enough. They would immediately gain cap space with 2 ELC contracts with high upside. Cap room to re-sign Nurse who is a better defenceman, a sniper to play with McDavid which they lack, and a future PP quarterback (again something they need going forward with this young group).
The reasons Edmonton jumps all over this are the same for us not making this deal. We are rebuilding and should not be trading young assets for a defencemen with questionable ability. I watch the Oilers enough to see that Klefbom is not an impact defenceman. The Oilers are struggling with their current lineup as much as we are.
- 67hawks

Agreed - Oilers agree in a heartbeat.

Maybe he needs a wooden stick like Foley has been talking about.
- hpk90

Some of Toews passes were so bad it was shocking. Five feet wide of an open player just a few feet away? I seriously wondered if he needed contact lenses.