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.
- Z3Hawk

Agreed. I understand how people get so worked up about it though. First, they are used to certain players playing at a very high level. Second, it is very frustrating (infuriating) when said players look inept, or disinterested (especially when shelling out hundreds of dollars to watch them play).

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

Problem I have with this is Hossa didnt decline early. He was still an elite 2 way guy at 37-38. He took great care of his body. He also had several injuries throughout his career. He also played more hockey than any of the core. He went to back to back finals before coming to the Hawks. I hate this oh the core played so much hockey.... So has Crosby. He’s still elite. Something else is wrong and I think it starts with what Keith Seabs and Toews are doing in the off season. I don’t buy the Toews has a chronic injury. I don’t think the Hawks could keep that secret for 2 years.

Hossa put in maximum effort on and off the ice. Was elite well into his mid 30s...and played more hockey that any of the core. Toews at 29 is a shell of his former self. He can’t even handle the puck. To me that screams off season training issues. Including the decision to slim down.

[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 -
- Colbyboy

Great post, couldn't agree more.


#suckforTkachuk

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.
- AEL_Fox

Where did you obtain that information about Tuulola? I haven't seen MyQvist (unsure the avatar spelling) post for a while. Would like to know how Carlsson and Tuulola have progressed- in what ways - this season. Those two might just show better than all these offensive one way guys like Snuggerud and Dahlstrom. I do not add Gus and Kempny since I do not expect either to be on the team next season.

Osterle is sort of a wild card because I am uncertain how much he might improve. Does anyone truly want to keep Gus around long term? Better than in previous stint but still lacking? Anyone care to talk up Gus, or is that your conclusion too.

Well Stan...keep drafting Smurfs...(of course getting rid of one that was huge offensive upside) .and sub 200lb defensemen. Also have a coach insisting on living off the stretch pass when we are no longer built with that kind of skill. ...also keep bringing back retreads from the glory days.

Just sayin

Summing up posters comments, I would say that fans hate the contracts not the players. There is nothing wrong with their play. The problem is that their pay does not match their play.
- 67hawks

Spot on its the contracts. This team was all heart and gave everything they had every night. Absolutely no bad feelings about players like Toews Seabrook and Keith who aren’t the same players now that they were even 2 or 3 years ago. The cap is the thing I hate the most forcing the Hawks to gut the team 3 times and think of the irony here. After all the years of having an owner ( Dollar Bill) who wouldn’t spend a dime they finally get an owner who was willing to spend but couldn’t.

Gotta take the bad years with the good in the big picture.

The situation with this team could be a lot worse and may become much worse before it gets better. They need to really focus on defensive play protecting their own blue line and coverage around their net.

I think the Hawks are finding out how good they had it with Crawford and Darling in previous seasons. I've been saying since they traded Darling, this team has a big red flag in terms of goal tending after Crawford.

Not saying it is the only problem, but they were at least a playoff bound team when Crawford was playing.

Hawks Record with Healthy Crawford
17-11-3

Hawks Record when Crawford is hurt (2 occasions this season)
7-12-4

Crawford 16-9-2 / 0.929 / 2.27
Forseberg 5-9-3 / 0.910 / 2.95
Glass 3-5-3 / 0.905 / 3.13
Berube 0-0-0 / 0.857 / 2.71

Hawks SV% near the bottom of the NHL since Crawford went down at Christmas. Shooting % too. Hard to win when you don't have legitimate NHL goal tending and your offensive players are slumping. It isn't all on the goalies, but the Hawks don't have the personnel on each line to tighten up defensively. The top line could not convert and the 2nd line is a bad joke defensively.

In those 20 games since Xmas, Only Schmaltz, DeBrincat, Toews, Kane have more than 5 goals.

Schmaltz 9
DeBrincat 7
Toews 6
Kane 6
Hino 5
Oesterle 3
Sharp 3
Saad 2
Hartman 2
Seabrook 2
Duclair 2
Kampf 2
Rutta 2
Gustafsson 1
AA 1

That is not enough to carry a team with below average goal tending. Way too many chances from the outside. You can see a perfect example if you look at Kane, who is given the task of driving the offensive attack. Many shot attempts and shots mostly harmless perimeter attempts.

It feels like all the vets decided they weren't gonna bother trying to pull it off. I think in the end, they wouldn't have enough in the tank to win in front of these goalies.

Just to add to my point above about the team defense.

Blackhawks winning % when leading after 1 period (3rd worst in the league, only better than Arizona and Buffalo)

Blackhawks winning % when leading after 2, 19th

Right down near the bottom in terms of winning games when they score first at 56.7%

Top teams in that Dept

Vegas 91.7%
Tampa 83.9%
Nashville 81.3%
St Louis 79.4%
Dallas Stars 79.3%

All teams that are in the top 10 of the NHL defensively. Gotta get better at holding on to a lead or making teams pay for taking chances.

Where did you obtain that information about Tuulola? I haven't seen MyQvist (unsure the avatar spelling) post for a while. Would like to know how Carlsson and Tuulola have progressed- in what ways - this season. Those two might just show better than all these offensive one way guys like Snuggerud and Dahlstrom. I do not add Gus and Kempny since I do not expect either to be on the team next season.

Osterle is sort of a wild card because I am uncertain how much he might improve. Does anyone truly want to keep Gus around long term? Better than in previous stint but still lacking? Anyone care to talk up Gus, or is that your conclusion too.
- jhawk59

Mr. Ricochet posted an article yesterday about Tuulola:

https://dobberhockey.com/...ndinavian-super-sleepers/

Gotta take the bad years with the good in the big picture.

The situation with this team could be a lot worse and may become much worse before it gets better. They need to really focus on defensive play protecting their own blue line and coverage around their net.

I think the Hawks are finding out how good they had it with Crawford and Darling in previous seasons. I've been saying since they traded Darling, this team has a big red flag in terms of goal tending after Crawford.

Not saying it is the only problem, but they were at least a playoff bound team when Crawford was playing.

Hawks Record with Healthy Crawford
17-11-3

Hawks Record when Crawford is hurt (2 occasions this season)
7-12-4

Crawford 16-9-2 / 0.929 / 2.27
Forseberg 5-9-3 / 0.910 / 2.95
Glass 3-5-3 / 0.905 / 3.13
Berube 0-0-0 / 0.857 / 2.71

Hawks SV% near the bottom of the NHL since Crawford went down at Christmas. Shooting % too. Hard to win when you don't have legitimate NHL goal tending and your offensive players are slumping. It isn't all on the goalies, but the Hawks don't have the personnel on each line to tighten up defensively. The top line could not convert and the 2nd line is a bad joke defensively.

In those 20 games since Xmas, Only Schmaltz, DeBrincat, Toews, Kane have more than 5 goals.

Schmaltz 9
DeBrincat 7
Toews 6
Kane 6
Hino 5
Oesterle 3
Sharp 3
Saad 2
Hartman 2
Seabrook 2
Duclair 2
Kampf 2
Rutta 2
Gustafsson 1
AA 1

That is not enough to carry a team with below average goal tending. Way too many chances from the outside. You can see a perfect example if you look at Kane, who is given the task of driving the offensive attack. Many shot attempts and shots mostly harmless perimeter attempts.

It feels like all the vets decided they weren't gonna bother trying to pull it off. I think in the end, they wouldn't have enough in the tank to win in front of these goalies.
- breadbag

I would not have guessed that Toews and Kane have the same number of goals in the past 20 games but seeing the stats make me reflect and, yeah. Interesting.

Losing Crawford has been a significant loss. Part of that might be psychological, but that does impact the team.

Looking forward to next year, I do think the 2, 7, 15, 19, 20, 50, and 88 can / will play better. I also think a lot of the young guys can take another step forward: 8, 12, 40, 42, 48, 64, 91, etc. I'm curious about Hartman - last year at this time it looked like he and Panik both had positive futures. Now, I'm not sure. Maybe.

But even if everyone plays better, they might be able to make the playoffs but probably not much more unless a few guys are added to the team. If they did add a couple top four guys and a couple top six guys, they could really be in business. Might need to trade some of the guys listed above.

I'm really curious to see what gets done this summer. Will McD, Stan, and Q be back? What moves get made? They might be able to make a mini-comeback next season. Then, the season after might look different than it does now too. Probably the biggest off-season challenge this franchise has faced.

Great post, couldn't agree more.


#suckforTkachuk
- Dieselhead

This is gold lol

Gotta take the bad years with the good in the big picture.

The situation with this team could be a lot worse and may become much worse before it gets better. They need to really focus on defensive play protecting their own blue line and coverage around their net.

I think the Hawks are finding out how good they had it with Crawford and Darling in previous seasons. I've been saying since they traded Darling, this team has a big red flag in terms of goal tending after Crawford.

Not saying it is the only problem, but they were at least a playoff bound team when Crawford was playing.

Hawks Record with Healthy Crawford
17-11-3

Hawks Record when Crawford is hurt (2 occasions this season)
7-12-4

Crawford 16-9-2 / 0.929 / 2.27
Forseberg 5-9-3 / 0.910 / 2.95
Glass 3-5-3 / 0.905 / 3.13
Berube 0-0-0 / 0.857 / 2.71

Hawks SV% near the bottom of the NHL since Crawford went down at Christmas. Shooting % too. Hard to win when you don't have legitimate NHL goal tending and your offensive players are slumping. It isn't all on the goalies, but the Hawks don't have the personnel on each line to tighten up defensively. The top line could not convert and the 2nd line is a bad joke defensively.

In those 20 games since Xmas, Only Schmaltz, DeBrincat, Toews, Kane have more than 5 goals.

Schmaltz 9
DeBrincat 7
Toews 6
Kane 6
Hino 5
Oesterle 3
Sharp 3
Saad 2
Hartman 2
Seabrook 2
Duclair 2
Kampf 2
Rutta 2
Gustafsson 1
AA 1

That is not enough to carry a team with below average goal tending. Way too many chances from the outside. You can see a perfect example if you look at Kane, who is given the task of driving the offensive attack. Many shot attempts and shots mostly harmless perimeter attempts.

It feels like all the vets decided they weren't gonna bother trying to pull it off. I think in the end, they wouldn't have enough in the tank to win in front of these goalies.
- breadbag

great points here...it is not all on glass and forsberg as you pointed out...

1. 2.29 goals for vs central division teams; not gonna win with that scoring even with craw in net and they didn't 4-6-2 with him in net vs central teams
2. last 8 home games 12 goals = 1.5 gpg; definately not going to win
3. since beating the sens 8-2; 24 goals in 13 games or 1.85 gpg = 3-8-2

this puts places alot of pressure on inexperienced netminders

in addition there defense and puck management has been awful with alot of unforced errors, turnovers and def pinches; forsberg and glass have faced alot of high quality shots and dangerous chances...many they stopped..

crawfords performance covered up alot issues for this team the last 2 plus years

they are now exposed big time

I think it's pretty naive to expect some miracle regeneration in physical ability next year from 2, 7 + 19. If anything, it's more likely their play declines even further as they age another year older. Saad and everyone else under 25 years old, without a doubt it's fair to expect improvement. But, will that improvement be enough to get this team out of the basement? Maybe. But without a big change to the defense core, they will be at best a playoff bubble team and not a true contender IMO. It's gunna be a rough few years unless Bowman pulls another Panarin out of his hat (but in Dman form) or can somehow get out from under 7's contract.

Ice Hogs sign Ulf's son Henrik to a PTO. Big center (6'3" 210 lb) but a pretty mediocre AHL career and only 3 NHL games. Former Coyotes #1 pick in 2012.

http://icehogs.com/news/?article_id=6026

I think it's pretty naive to expect some miracle regeneration in physical ability next year from 2, 7 + 19. If anything, it's more likely their play declines even further as they age another year older. Saad and everyone else under 25 years old, without a doubt it's fair to expect improvement. But, will that improvement be enough to get this team out of the basement? Maybe. But without a big change to the defense core, they will be at best a playoff bubble team and not a true contender IMO. It's gunna be a rough few years unless Bowman pulls another Panarin out of his hat (but in Dman form) or can somehow get out from under 7's contract.
- EnzoD

I don't think they (2, 7, 19) will ever be back to where they were, but I do think they all can be better next year than they are this year. Seabrook is the one with the least upside, IMHO. Best case scenario is still uncertain: reopen the CBA, allow teams a compliance buyout or two or three and let Seabrook go before the 2019-20 season. Toews isn't ever going to earn his cap hit under this contract, but it might be better to keep him for a few seasons than absorb the cost of disposition.

I agree about needing to fix the D. I also think they need more high skill talent in the top six; at least one, maybe two. It's hard to win when you don't score.

I don't think they (2, 7, 19) will ever be back to where they were, but I do think they all can be better next year than they are this year. Seabrook is the one with the least upside, IMHO. Best case scenario is still uncertain: reopen the CBA, allow teams a compliance buyout or two or three and let Seabrook go before the 2019-20 season. Toews isn't ever going to earn his cap hit under this contract, but it might be better to keep him for a few seasons than absorb the cost of disposition.

I agree about needing to fix the D. I also think they need more high skill talent in the top six; at least one, maybe two. It's hard to win when you don't score.
- matt_ahrens

I don't disagree, but I think a lack of will is a much more glaring need than lack of skill. Can you remember the last greasy goal this team scored? I honestly can't.
When this team doesn't get opportunities to score off the rush, the offense consists of forwards flipping lots of wrist shots from outside the dots and blocked shots from the point, one and done. Great for Corsi, not for scoring on NHL goalies. The lack of net front presence is pretty glaring and a big reason this team has such a low shooting percentage.

I don't disagree, but I think a lack of will is a much more glaring need than lack of skill. Can you remember the last greasy goal this team scored? I honestly can't.
When this team doesn't get opportunities to score off the rush, the offense consists of forwards flipping lots of wrist shots from outside the dots and blocked shots from the point, one and done. Great for Corsi, not for scoring on NHL goalies. The lack of net front presence is pretty glaring and a big reason this team has such a low shooting percentage.
- Davewn

The power play 2 games ago with AA at the net. To your point not many greasy goals, it sure seems to me that is a dead zone(front of the net) for Hawks forwards. Saad to his credit goes there, so do a few others but as I've said before the Hawks look like boys playing against men most nights.

I think it's pretty naive to expect some miracle regeneration in physical ability next year from 2, 7 + 19. If anything, it's more likely their play declines even further as they age another year older. Saad and everyone else under 25 years old, without a doubt it's fair to expect improvement. But, will that improvement be enough to get this team out of the basement? Maybe. But without a big change to the defense core, they will be at best a playoff bubble team and not a true contender IMO. It's gunna be a rough few years unless Bowman pulls another Panarin out of his hat (but in Dman form) or can somehow get out from under 7's contract.
- EnzoD

About the defence group I agree completely, must happen but hard to make happen.

Have the Hawks slipped so much that they are heading for doormat status in the NHL? No, in the East they could easily compete for at least a wild card playoff spot against teams like Carolina, NYI, NYR, Columbus, NJ, Detroit.

But their problem go forward is playing in the West and specifically the Central Division. Nashville, St.Louis, Winnipeg, Dallas and Minny are all significantly better, deeper teams now and Colorado is rising fast with all of the young players they have coming thru their system. Comparing those teams to what the Hawks have on their roster now, they definitely won't play .500 or better over 26 games a year within the division which means they can't finish in the top 3 for a playoff spot. And the very best they are going to do vs the Pacific is about .500, so where that leaves them is on the outside looking in at the playoffs.

Going to take a very shrewd G.M. to fix it with trades and at the draft table. Think we have one?

The power play 2 games ago with AA at the net. To your point not many greasy goals, it sure seems to me that is a dead zone(front of the net) for Hawks forwards. Saad to his credit goes there, so do a few others but as I've said before the Hawks look like boys playing against men most nights.
- BetweenTheDots

Saad, Hartman, Anisimov - but how often are they there but not in the right position - either setting up (or pushed there by opposing defensemen) off the goalie’s post - not in position to blind the goalie or deflect a shot.

the Hawks don't have the personnel on each line to tighten up defensively.
- breadbag

BB, I like your posts, well thought out. This part, tho, I disagree with -- evidence: see LVK, guys jettisoned by their clubs (for contract reasons, yes, in many cases, but still they didn't feel they were worth keeping). Having played this game for over 50 years (and still playing), playing defense amounts to 1 thing, especially at the NHL level: want-to/desire, along with coaches demanding it. One reason for jettisoning Q is seeing what Gallant has done in Vegas with his cast-offs. It's the reason some here have suggested a return to Iron Mike for a season or two (not that I agree with that) but at least he'd make sure players are accountable.

Pretty easy (if you're a guy like Kempny) to sit in the press box and watch guys like Seabrook and Keith make bad play after bad play and wonder WTF. At some point, when there are such divides in terms of how certain guys are or are not held accountable (or what about Oesterle's ill-advised pinch last game that lead directly to the 3rd goal -- Q didn't sit him 1 minute. There's a few guys I can think of in the past that would have been riding the bench the rest of the game).

Don't for a minute think those guys pulling on the sweater every night don't see stuff like that and over a season, when those things pile up as the losses do, the team in general is lost.

It feels like all the vets decided they weren't gonna bother trying to pull it off.
- breadbag

This one you hit out of the park. You combine the above with what you just posted, and there you have it, right where we are this year.

The entire organization s/b embarrassed regardless of Crawford going out.

Attn: All those who bash the soft non aggressive Blue line guys, especially Rutta and Forsling

Ulfie's son, a Coyotes first round dissppointment, has landed at Rockford. If he ever is recalled some posters here would NOT have .another soft Swede or Finn to lambast.

I'm happy enough reading Justin's blog each early morning with a Weber's Bakery loaded blueberry muffin and MacDonalds hot mocha coffee but it falls short compared to the Athenian Greek skirt steak

About the defence group I agree completely, must happen but hard to make happen.

Have the Hawks slipped so much that they are heading for doormat status in the NHL? No, in the East they could easily compete for at least a wild card playoff spot against teams like Carolina, NYI, NYR, Columbus, NJ, Detroit.

But their problem go forward is playing in the West and specifically the Central Division. Nashville, St.Louis, Winnipeg, Dallas and Minny are all significantly better, deeper teams now and Colorado is rising fast with all of the young players they have coming thru their system. Comparing those teams to what the Hawks have on their roster now, they definitely won't play .500 or better over 26 games a year within the division which means they can't finish in the top 3 for a playoff spot. And the very best they are going to do vs the Pacific is about .500, so where that leaves them is on the outside looking in at the playoffs.

Going to take a very shrewd G.M. to fix it with trades and at the draft table. Think we have one?
- RickJ

I do blame Bowman for some egregious mistakes. But I do also believe he can draft well and NOW he better realize the team needs more size and grit throughout the line up. No more adding skill type. Give Duclair, Sikura an opportunity but sure would like to see Bowman move up in draft and select B Tkachuk.

That said, I do not believe he is at risk now of McDonough wrath. McDonough is no dumb cookie: he knows the team was a band aid approach trying to ride their core for a fourth Cup. The fall out was going to happen and it is near its worse level ....could get really bad if the defense and toughness is not upgraded.

I feel like the handwriting is on the wall as far as Q and both Toews and Seabrook goes. And it is not necessarily all about tension in the room between coaching staff loyalty and Q's coaching/strategy.

I also question the severity of the Bowman & Q rift. It is more on Bowman for stretching out two veterans he did not foresee slipping so badly so fast, as well as Q does not coach youngsters - who make mistakes - as well as veterans. Some of Q's tactics work, some are over the top and antiquated. That itself does not endear him well to Bowman or McDonough. Moreover ? The player's wrath as BB and savvyone discuss.

I predict Q is allowed to resign and finish a lucrative contract scouting as long as he does not wish to leave for other work. This is a classy way to bow out.

And it is a classy way to way to bow out as far at Toews and Seabrook whom eventually will be HUMBLED by their performance. Next year is their last as they will agree to compliance buyout. Neither Seabrook ultra training will allow him to gain much if anthing on his skating AND Toews simply will not want to bulk up again. This fast Toews I am convinced is due to the wear and tear on his body from being whacked and mugged often without team wide retribution over the years. He just cannot take that abuse longer. You don't become a soft player for no good reason

*NEW* blog up: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=90943

I think you mean Sox fans.
- HawkintheD

Ummm, if this were the Sox people would be cancelling season tickets and just not showing up.

The best bad sox season was when it was Farmer and Stone on the radio and all they did was beat up the guys on the field and make sarcastic remarks. It was wonderful.

Hawk has always been Hawk but certainly something special the last few years. Benetti is great to listen to though. Even if the game is going poorly him and Stone make it pretty interesting.

Spending money on washed up guys that Kenny or Jerry were hard for 10 years after their prime became a problem. A lot of sentimental free agent signings as well as front office hires. I think now that they're letting Hahn do his job rather ruthlessly - there are things to be excited about now which is pretty great.

McDonough should go as well, would like a hockey minded guy running the show, not a beanie baby salesmen

Agreed. and HILARIOUS.