So...Stan is an idiot...cant draft, make solid trades, or sign good contracts

Why am I to believe this 33yr old coach is going to be good? He has 0 experience, but is somehow going to have the locker room command, the refs, the bench during games or out matchup lines versus other teams? Based on he coached in Sweden and Stan likes him? Please


They better move Crawford this year and get something for him...and soon. Before he gets hurt again which happens every Christmas when eggnog is back in season
- PatShart

They've done a very good job drafting based on their position the last 3 or 4 years...

I have no problem with a new voice, but it Should’ve been Bowman going too. Q, Colliton, Vince Lombardi, or Scotty Bowman in his prime can’t make this roster a champion. Who built the roster?
- EnzoD

My only thought here is that if they move out Stan right now, they might think they have to cut ties with Scotty as well. I'm sure McD and maybe Rocky value him too much to do so. (yes this is complete conjecture on my part, but I'm grasping at straws here trying to make any sense of the timing here).

lets get this straight...

1. the hawks just canned a player luved HOF coach..
2. future HOF'ers: kane, toews, keith and yes possibly craw went to war for and with this guy for 10 years and have 3 cups..
3. replaced him with a guy who is a peer in age to the above stated vets...

hmmm what could go wrong...

Daniel Carcillo
@CarBombBoom13
The firing of #Quenneville is nothing more than John McDonough, Stan Bowman & Al MacIsaac’s (Hockey Operations) desperate attempt to save their jobs.
There has always been tension between Joel & the above men mentioned.
Barry Smith is best friends with Scotty Bowman
#Blackhawks
- TommyHawk

If CarBomb said this I guess he thought it was important enough to say to cut any ties he has with the Hawks. Lesson to be learned - it is always a good idea to pause and think before tweeting.

This is a fresh start for coaching for the team. After how things have went, I'm glad they got rid of Samuelsson. I think he was 50% of the issue. Stan didn't add a lot that could help the team over the summer, but not all the issues stem from that. The special teams failing to succeed is on the coaches.

I like Q and he is probably the best coach this team has had, but something has to give. This might be the trigger of a deeper rebuild, but I'm interested to see how the team responds Thursday.

Sad day for the Blackhawks.

Q deserved better. His message may have gotten lost after a decade but he didn't deserve to be fired mid season after what he's accomplished here. Bowman made this move to save his @$$ and get "his" guy behind the bench. I give him until the end of the this calendar year for Bowman to get this turned around before he's gotta be let go as well.

Rocky is gonna face a HUGE backlash from the fans after letting Q go. Not a good move from them on the PR front.

Gonna be REALLY awkward in a few months when Coach Q is coaching the Blues to stick it to Bowman and the Hawks. I'd be surprised if the St. Louis isn't already on the phone with him trying to get him to come down and take their team to their first Cup.

Ohh and the kicker...my girlfriend just bought tickets to Thursday game for my birthday...this morning BEFORE the fired him...
- Savetheembers33

True.... unless the Hawks start winning.

Hey crew - obviously my Nick Schmaltz piece is being pushed back.

I will have an update on the Q / Colliton news today.

Stay tuned!!

I should have worded that better. I'm not against him getting the job, I just want him (or whoever takes over) to be in the best position to succeed, and I don't personally see this as such. I like him for all of the reasons you state. I just think there is way to much crap swirling around this team right now.
- Chunk

As usual you got me to thinking, Chunk. What would success look like for Colliton THIS yr? This has got to be a multifaceted answer.

Improved special teams? Young players improving and getting NHL ice time? A defensive system that hides weaknesses and enhances strengths of the personnel? New roles defined, coached up, bought into and executed? Linear organIzation thought from owner thru management to coaches? Wins losses?

What does Colliton success at years end look like to you?

I have no problem with a new voice, but it Should’ve been Bowman going too. Q, Colliton, Vince Lombardi, or Scotty Bowman in his prime can’t make this roster a champion. Who built the roster?
- EnzoD

Can't really argue that. I think Stan is on the clock now, I don't know how much longer he'll last.

I wonder if firing Q opens the door to some of the vets being willing to waive their NTCs? I'm not saying I want any of the core guys dealt (in fact I don't), but I wonder if this will be a bi-product of the move.

Agree with Enzo, props to Q and thanks for 10 years of service to the Chicago hockey community.

Are you suggesting that Colliton’s success in Rockford and in Sweden is inconsequential? Colliton was hired for Rockford because of his success in Sweden. You know that Sweden is sorta known for Hockey too. Maybe you don’t pay attention during the Olympics or other tournaments. Maybe you missed the Sedins, or Lidstrom, or the Draft where Dahlin went first overall - or maybe you missed when the Hawks chose Boqvist. Also you have no business calling Colliton an “idiot” - simply shows you are one.
- Z3Hawk

Yes. I missed the connection that the Sedins, Lidstrom and Dahlin are swedish. Colliton coached in Sweden. Therefore, this guy has a pedigree. My bad.

I think Q was/is the scapegoat for a poor roster. And, that blame goes entirely on Bowman.

Some fans over value the team's players. Your GM should NEVER do this.

Look at the bottom six of the Blackhawks. If you swapped the Hawk bottom six and the Rockford bottom six, would there be any appreciable difference in the won/loss record?

The top six has ONE legit superstar--Kane. Toews, even with a good start to this season, is still a shell of his former self. Saad is a total mystery. Schmaltz is a figure skater, not a hockey player. Kahun is a nice player, but probably shouldn't be on the top line. Probably more suited to a third liner. The Cat is a legit good player.

Look at the blue line. You have MAYBE 3 serviceable defensemen. Joki, Keith and possibly Seabrook. The other 3 are barely NHL quality Dmen.

I see where Barry Smith (YECH) is now gonna be behind the bench as an assistant... To me, that's NOT an upgrade.
- tompo1015

Some of the other guys also looked like garbage. Meh, its been 10 years probably time for a change just for the sake of changes sake.

Would be interesting to see what htey do before the TDL if they can't put it together with the new staff.

Sad day for the Blackhawks.

Q deserved better. His message may have gotten lost after a decade but he didn't deserve to be fired mid season after what he's accomplished here. Bowman made this move to save his @$$ and get "his" guy behind the bench. I give him until the end of the this calendar year for Bowman to get this turned around before he's gotta be let go as well.

Rocky is gonna face a HUGE backlash from the fans after letting Q go. Not a good move from them on the PR front.

Gonna be REALLY awkward in a few months when Coach Q is coaching the Blues to stick it to Bowman and the Hawks. I'd be surprised if the St. Louis isn't already on the phone with him trying to get him to come down and take their team to their first Cup.

Ohh and the kicker...my girlfriend just bought tickets to Thursday game for my birthday...this morning BEFORE the fired him...
- Savetheembers33

Q simply not that important or popular. Winning and competing hard and smart energizes a fan-base not the Coach. Hawks lose, harder to sell tickets - been same Coach though.

Hey crew - obviously my Nick Schmaltz piece is being pushed back.

I will have an update on the Q / Colliton news today.

Stay tuned!!
- Justin Lowe

Rocky needs to keep StanBo onboard long enough to give Schmaltz 8 year x $8mil with a full NTC

Can't really argue that. I think Stan is on the clock now, I don't know how much longer he'll last.

I wonder if firing Q opens the door to some of the vets being willing to waive their NTCs? I'm not saying I want any of the core guys dealt (in fact I don't), but I wonder if this will be a bi-product of the move.
- DarthKane

Joel Quenneville had not had a single season with a record under .500 until he joined the Hawks.

His record was 438-283-77-41. He had only ever missed the playoffs once (in a season where his Avalanche accumulated 95 points).

In 9 playoff appearances, only 3 of those times did the team get knocked out in round #1.

Even this season he was fired with a .500 record.
- BINGO!

No - 6 wins 9 losses - under the old pre-OT rules, the team would have been 3-6-6=12 points in 15 games.

Well, it's the "new" OT system, so yes, 6-6-3, but only 3 of 15 games won in regulation, and only 6 total wins in 15 games.

That's not .500.

Can't really argue that. I think Stan is on the clock now, I don't know how much longer he'll last.

I wonder if firing Q opens the door to some of the vets being willing to waive their NTCs? I'm not saying I want any of the core guys dealt (in fact I don't), but I wonder if this will be a bi-product of the move.
- DarthKane

It could be the start of deeper changes, but it how the vets react will probably be case by case. Some guys will embrace the change and other might lose ice-time they feel they have a right to. I could see it happening that someone will want out if they don't jive well with Colliton.

True.... unless the Hawks start winning.
- DarthKane

Winning is the cure all but they're gonna take a hit for the next month at least for letting Q go. They're gonna have to work very hard to get the fans to buy into this.

I've been listening to ESPN radio all morning at work and all everyone has done, including the host David Kaplan, has said the teams fall is on Stan Bowman NOT Coach Q for putting the team together. Not to say that Q didn't have a part in things, but you can only work with what you are given as we have all debated for years.

Even Eddie O when he came on was shocked and upset by the move. I think the Bowman's are gonna make A LOT of enemies by doing this move.

Rocky needs to get a handle on things at the press conference today before things start snowballing in an even worse way

If I was Chevy I would bounce Paul Maurice and install Q in Winnipeg.
- RickJ

Q would turn the Jets from pretender to contender. Maurice has always been plagued by his team's discipline issues, whether it be bad penalties or their inability to follow a system. Q in Winnipeg may make them a cup contender.

Can't really argue that. I think Stan is on the clock now, I don't know how much longer he'll last.

I wonder if firing Q opens the door to some of the vets being willing to waive their NTCs? I'm not saying I want any of the core guys dealt (in fact I don't), but I wonder if this will be a bi-product of the move.
- DarthKane

AA, Kunitz, Ward, maybe Keith I could see be willing. Perhaps Seabrook as well having to now take orders from his former teammate lol but again who the heck is gonna be willing to take his contract

I'm honestly expecting at least one or two moves in the next week here now with Q out. Bowman can get the guys he wants in the lineup

Serious (non-sarcastic) question here...

For months the consensus here is that Q should be fired. Now that Q has actually been fired why are do many people upset?

Separate the Stan vs. Q argument for a moment and just look at Q's situation. Did Q get the most out of the team he was given? No. Was a change required after a poor start to the season following a season of missing the plays which following an embarrassing first round exit? Yes.

My first choice would have been to keep Stan and Q but improve the roster. My second choice would have been to fired both Stan and Q then start fresh.

From a fan perspective losing Q hurts more than any player the team has traded (even Frolik). I'll miss Q's interviews, amongst other things he was a master of saying nothing while speaking a lot.

I'm looking forward now any interested to see what Colliton can do with the team. I wonder if it will lead to any other moves like Sikura being recalled.
- DarthKane

In the bold def agree with.

They've done a very good job drafting based on their position the last 3 or 4 years...
- fattybeef

They've don a very good job drafting POTENTIAL the past 3 or 4 years.

So far, only Jokiharju and AdB have proven to be good top-6/top-pairing skaters - and the former has only played 15 games.

As usual you got me to thinking, Chunk. What would success look like for Colliton THIS yr? This has got to be a multifaceted answer.

Improved special teams? Young players improving and getting NHL ice time? A defensive system that hides weaknesses and enhances strengths of the personnel? New roles defined, coached up, bought into and executed? Linear organIzation thought from owner thru management to coaches? Wins losses?

What does Colliton success at years end look like to you?
- Mr Ricochet

I have no use for moral victories, or learning experiences. You learn in the AHL. In the NHL it is about wins and losses. From my perspective, Crow and Ward (in a very limited role) are a good tandem. If you can cut down on the number of insanely high danger shots, I think they win you more games than you lose.

The PP and PK have to improve. If they can get to middle of the pack on both, I see that as a win.

My biggest gripe with putting Colliton in there is that you have Barry Smith there as an assistant. I'm sure he is a great guy, but did Colliton have any say in that decision. I want him to have full reign over this team so that he can put his stamp on it. If he swims, great, we have a good coach. I just have this horrible feeling that it will be a mish-mosh of voices and no one really knows who is pulling the strings because everyone up top is trying to save their jobs.

Stan Bowman............ is a salad at a BBQ. Must be nice to have Daddy watching out for you.

Serious (non-sarcastic) question here...

For months the consensus here is that Q should be fired. Now that Q has actually been fired why are do many people upset?

Separate the Stan vs. Q argument for a moment and just look at Q's situation. Did Q get the most out of the team he was given? No. Was a change required after a poor start to the season following a season of missing the plays which following an embarrassing first round exit? Yes.

My first choice would have been to keep Stan and Q but improve the roster. My second choice would have been to fired both Stan and Q then start fresh.

From a fan perspective losing Q hurts more than any player the team has traded (even Frolik). I'll miss Q's interviews, amongst other things he was a master of saying nothing while speaking a lot.

I'm looking forward now any interested to see what Colliton can do with the team. I wonder if it will lead to any other moves like Sikura being recalled.
- DarthKane

I don't disagree with you that coach Q should be or been fired, that should have happened when they got smoked 4 and out . Instead bowman decided to keep the coach and did more damage to this team with his God awful trades , signings , contracts etc.
And it showed last year when this team failed to make the playoffs.


Stan then had enough time to make the necessary moves to acquire nhl caliber players. He chose to waste cap money on garbage , ward , manning, Davidson, Kunitz, he also was the mastermind in hiring coach Q assistants .


The coach is hired based on his record he then has a system which he uses , if he is not given a competent group of players that issue then solely rests on the GMs head.


Stan gave out ridiculous contracts and put together a poop show supporting cast around a group of aging declining highly paid no movement clauses players with a farm system that had a plethora of young talent to a group of young kids who 97% of them will either be bottom pairing guys or 1 or 2 top talent guys.


Stan should have been fired to allow a new GM to come in and do what needs to be done and hire his own coach. Colliton should have been given interim tag not the official head coach.