Wow they actually pulled the trigger on coach Q, can't blame them, too many players on this team don't know what to do, because they're are athletes who happen to be good at hockey.

Can we please simplify everything, station to station, and defenseman last men to leave the dzone, Corey and Ward have seen an onslaught of odd man rushes since CC has come back to the ice.
- BetweenTheDots

With Rutta, Manning and Davidson playing defense it's kind of hard to point to the coach as being the issue.

Wow they actually pulled the trigger on coach Q, can't blame them, too many players on this team don't know what to do, because they're are athletes who happen to be good at hockey.

Can we please simplify everything, station to station, and defenseman last men to leave the dzone, Corey and Ward have seen an onslaught of odd man rushes since CC has come back to the ice.
- BetweenTheDots

Totally agree. Let's hope Colliton can get through to especially Gustafsson on that given that he coached him in Rockford and has a track record of developing Swedes.

I get what you mean, but I'm pretty sure you need at least one of Davidson/Manning to play as we only have seven d-men up right now.
- Chunk

alternate

Who delivers the 3pm presser? Stan or McD?

Was Chabot in the cab video too???
- EnzoD

Yup - front seat IIRC

With Rutta, Manning and Davidson playing defense it's kind of hard to point to the coach as being the issue.
- paulr

You're probably right but it's rare to fire the gm and not the coach.

With Rutta, Manning and Davidson playing defense it's kind of hard to point to the coach as being the issue.
- paulr

I have said this before regarding Gus. Applies to Manning and Rutta too. Are they totally inept concerning the defensive side of the game or is at least part of their problems a function of the idiotic, unsafe, over-pinching D “System” that has been in place. We’ll see - wouldn’t it be great if these players are actually far better than they have shown. Join the rush and pinch only when it is safe to do so. Always defence first. These are not crazy concepts.

With all do respect to Sopel...isn't making money the whole point of PROFESSIONAL sports.
- ArlingtonRob

Maybe Sopels only hope for more money is a job w/Q
wherever he lands

I have said this before regarding Gus. Applies to Manning and Rutta too. Are they totally inept concerning the defensive side of the game or is at least part of their problems a function of the idiotic, unsafe, over-pinching D “System” that has been in place. We’ll see - wouldn’t it be great if these players are actually far better than they have shown. Join the rush and pinch only when it is safe to do so. Always defence first. These are not crazy concepts.
- Z3Hawk

We will find out very soon.

I have said this before regarding Gus. Applies to Manning and Rutta too. Are they totally inept concerning the defensive side of the game or is at least part of their problems a function of the idiotic, unsafe, over-pinching D “System” that has been in place. We’ll see - wouldn’t it be great if these players are actually far better than they have shown. Join the rush and pinch only when it is safe to do so. Always defence first. These are not crazy concepts.
- Z3Hawk

I do have to agree with this. It's so hard to score in the NHL, and this team compounded their own problem by giving up so many odd man breaks.

Who delivers the 3pm presser? Stan or McD?
- glennjpawlak22

for stanbows sake it better be him...if mcd takes the lead...stanbow will not be far behind

I have said this before regarding Gus. Applies to Manning and Rutta too. Are they totally inept concerning the defensive side of the game or is at least part of their problems a function of the idiotic, unsafe, over-pinching D “System” that has been in place. We’ll see - wouldn’t it be great if these players are actually far better than they have shown. Join the rush and pinch only when it is safe to do so. Always defence first. These are not crazy concepts.
- Z3Hawk

I think for Manning, Davidson, and Rutta, the system may be the culprit. Gustafsson, though, plain and simple doesn't play defense and loves to be creating offense. If he's not the puck carrier, he's often the 2nd guy up the ice and will continue to linger at or below the circles in the O zone expecting a forward to cover for him. Drives me crazy.

Justin your blog title and premonition make you look like Kreskin. As this all starts to unfold we will be a long time gaining traction with Stanbo and McBobblehead calling shots. At least if will be able to pick a great seat as the year unfolds in my hockey trip to Madhouse. I'll just have to reflect on the glory days.

With all do respect to Sopel...isn't making money the whole point of PROFESSIONAL sports.
- ArlingtonRob

oh i am sure he thought so during contract negotiations

I have no idea how much input he has had in Rockford, but the Hogs PP has been very good.

I was in the "hoping for the best, expecting another crapstorm" crowd when this season started. I believe there are some very good pieces left on this team. If Colliton can find a way to get them to tighten up defensively, I think the rest of this season will at least be entertaining to watch.
- Chunk

True words. Whatever that D “System” was that appeared after Ulf arrived needs to be quickly thrown in the trash bin. You are so right the Hawks must “tighten up defensively.” If that happens there is at least a chance for better results. Well Scotty seemed to think Smith was a PP guru so we will see how that goes.

Sharper eyes might actually question of whether McD or Bowman had ANY impact at all on winning three Cups.....

I'm going to go with no.
- Return of the Roar

If you believe they had no impact then you are foolish. The #1 argument in their favor is that they HIRED Q in the first place to replace Savard. In addition, they changed the culture of the organization from a laughingstock to one of the most admired in the league, put games on TV, 1st class facilities, treated families and extended families with class. Building a winning organization is more than just the players on the ice, as much as people want to make fun of the ONE GOAL slogan/ads, there is truth to it, and if you think McD and Stan had nothing or only minimal effect you are wrong.

All that being said, yes, Stan has made a mess of this roster and also needs to go, the sooner the better, before he does something stupid like trade one of the core many have been advocating, and putting this team on a 10 year path back to respectability.

I think for Manning, Davidson, and Rutta, the system may be the culprit. Gustafsson, though, plain and simple doesn't play defense and loves to be creating offense. If he's not the puck carrier, he's often the 2nd guy up the ice and will continue to linger at or below the circles in the O zone expecting a forward to cover for him. Drives me crazy.
- AEL_Fox

AEL Gus also worries me, as not only has he not played well defensively, he doesn’t seem to care at all about this side of the game. From the first moment he hits the ice he is thinking offence - his floating and being constantly out of position drives me crazy too.

This does put Bowman under the microscope starting now
- BetweenTheDots

Totally agree between the dots. By. January it will be clearer on who created zero traction with this team and who sold the shop

I think for Manning, Davidson, and Rutta, the system may be the culprit. Gustafsson, though, plain and simple doesn't play defense and loves to be creating offense. If he's not the puck carrier, he's often the 2nd guy up the ice and will continue to linger at or below the circles in the O zone expecting a forward to cover for him. Drives me crazy.
- AEL_Fox

Gus has actually made some good defensive plays this year. He still makes mistakes too, but I think he has been far better defensively than previous years.

I do have to agree with this. It's so hard to score in the NHL, and this team compounded their own problem by giving up so many odd man breaks.
- BetweenTheDots

Seemed Hawks gave up more odd-man breaks in a game than some teams give up over weeks.

Gus has actually made some good defensive plays this year. He still makes mistakes too, but I think he has been far better defensively than previous years.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Totally agree but that's only when he's between the goalie and the forwards

https://www.yahoo.com/spo...blackhawks-182852040.html


"for Bowman to throw Quenneville off the lifeboat now is just opportunism and, as with Rob Blake, a desperate man trying to save a job he probably doesn’t deserve anymore."


YEP!

Gus has actually made some good defensive plays this year. He still makes mistakes too, but I think he has been far better defensively than previous years.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Gotta disagree with this.

https://www.yahoo.com/spo...blackhawks-182852040.html


"for Bowman to throw Quenneville off the lifeboat now is just opportunism and, as with Rob Blake, a desperate man trying to save a job he probably doesn’t deserve anymore."


YEP!
- EnzoD

Enzo - come on - you know Q had to go. It is OK to keep your Q Shrine though.

Dude, I was just being factual here.

You want to go by that, then fine. He's finished under .600 six times since 2005. Only missed the playoffs twice (3 if you include this year, but he only got 15 games so...)

He had been a head coach for a decade before he missed the playoffs even once.

Point isn't that he should have kept his job, just that his career numbers are very, very, very good.
- BINGO!

And he always had very very good teams(3), two of which he didn't win squat with.