Enzo - come on - you know Q had to go. It is OK to keep your Q Shrine though.
- Z3Hawk

I'm fine with the Q change, but Stan Bowman should have been shown the door with him



EDIT: Q will always have a place in my heart. I adopted my first dog in 2013 when they were on the best run to start a season and named him Q.


Coach Q is the black dog..(Eli is my Husky x Great Pyrenees- he's 7 months in that picture LOL)..you can actually see part of my Hawks shoulder ink in this photo LOL

I blame Pulford.
- Larmer

Me too.

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.
- TheTrob

1. Winning fixes a lot. It also hides a lot.

When Rocky decided to be a winner, he spared no expense. Hard to fail when there are no limits to become successful. All McD did was deliver the message that the Hawks were open for winning business.

2. SB has made a mess of this roster for years now. So why isn't he gone too?

He is the second layer of scapegoat between McD and the problems.

3. What accountability does McD have?

An excellent question I think.....

I'm fine with the Q change, but Stan Bowman should have been shown the door with him


- EnzoD

I agree, and that may come soon enough. Question is who gets tabbed as the next GM?. Yzerman isn't coming here, so do they stay within the org and promote one of MacIver, MacIsaac, Kelley, Bernard? I think they have done a decent job of identifying talent, especially considering where they were positioned in the draft. Who do you give the nod to, or who do you get from outside the org.

I agree, and that may come soon enough. Question is who gets tabbed as the next GM?. Yzerman isn't coming here, so do they stay within the org and promote one of MacIver, MacIsaac, Kelley, Bernard? I think they have done a decent job of identifying talent, especially considering where they were positioned in the draft. Who do you give the nod to, or who do you get from outside the org.
- TheTrob

Most importantly, is McD really the guy to make that decision if/when it comes to his desk? Remember - if SB gets canned, Scotty is no longer the McD whisperer.

If the answer is yes, you get another yes man. If the answer is no, then why again is McD in the role he is in?

I'm fine with the Q change, but Stan Bowman should have been shown the door with him



EDIT: Q will always have a place in my heart. I adopted my first dog in 2013 when they were on the best run to start a season and named him Q.


Coach Q is the black dog..(Eli is my Husky x Great Pyrenees- he's 7 months in that picture LOL)..you can actually see part of my Hawks shoulder ink in this photo LOL


- EnzoD

Beautiful Dogs Enzo. Very, very nice. Our family always has a house with animals in it.

I separate Q and StanBo - you have to or your head explodes. I agree with you regarding StanBo. He should also be gone but it wasn’t going to happen - at least not at the same time. He had an atrocious off-season and dating back he has made some moves that were beyond idiotic. He has had a bubble of protection also. Should never have got the job in the first place - others knew more and had more experience. However, when your Father is Scotty GodCoach...

1. Winning fixes a lot. It also hides a lot.

When Rocky decided to be a winner, he spared no expense. Hard to fail when there are no limits to become successful. All McD did was deliver the message that the Hawks were open for winning business.

2. SB has made a mess of this roster for years now. So why isn't he gone too?

He is the second layer of scapegoat between McD and the problems.

3. What accountability does McD have?

An excellent question I think.....
- Return of the Roar

Bingo. This teams success came from winning games and cups. It was the team on the ice that was the major factor in changing the Hawks image, not the front office.

Those of you calling for Q's head, got your wish. But as my grandfather used to tell me, many years ago, be careful what you wish for.

I'm guessing some of you are new to the party, and don't remember the DECADES of terrible coaches this franchise has had, prior to Q.
Craig Hartsburg, Lorne Mollekun, Orval Tessier, Alpo Suhonen, just to name a few.

I'm fine with the Q change, but Stan Bowman should have been shown the door with him



EDIT: Q will always have a place in my heart. I adopted my first dog in 2013 when they were on the best run to start a season and named him Q.


Coach Q is the black dog..(Eli is my Husky x Great Pyrenees- he's 7 months in that picture LOL)..you can actually see part of my Hawks shoulder ink in this photo LOL




- EnzoD

One final note - your Q looks exactly like our Bronte - exactly. We sadly lost her a little while ago.

1. Winning fixes a lot. It also hides a lot.

When Rocky decided to be a winner, he spared no expense. Hard to fail when there are no limits to become successful. All McD did was deliver the message that the Hawks were open for winning business.

2. SB has made a mess of this roster for years now. So why isn't he gone too?

He is the second layer of scapegoat between McD and the problems.

3. What accountability does McD have?

An excellent question I think.....
- Return of the Roar

I think Stan will be gone soon enough, not sure about McD.

If you look at this from Rocky's point of view, McDonaugh has put a heck of a lot of money in Rocky's pockets. For whatever you want to complain about McD, he is a master at marketing and the public persona of the club. Sold out buildings, long season ticket waiting lists, 500% increase in ticket prices, and organization that is valued as one of the top 4 in the NHL, and whose value has climbed from $200mil in 2008 to over a billion today.

The list of people who have had no limits and failed is long.

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

Great question, been thinking the same thing. If its McDonough and not Bowman, it's read between the lines time.

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

Agree that Gustafsson has made some improvement on defense this year and can be effective when he applies himself. But those moments are still fleeting and largely inconsistent. Hopefully Colliton can move the needle more from marginally better defensively to significantly better. Regardless, I still see Gustafsson as a liability more than an asset when it comes to defending.

Most importantly, is McD really the guy to make that decision if/when it comes to his desk? Remember - if SB gets canned, Scotty is no longer the McD whisperer.

If the answer is yes, you get another yes man. If the answer is no, then why again is McD in the role he is in?
- Return of the Roar

McD is in his position because he has made Rocky a s h i t load of money. If you think otherwise you are wrong. At the point when the product declines for long enough that the season ticket list dries up and the stadium is no longer full then changes will be made. You are already seeing the first step in this. Stans firing will be the next step, and McD will follow after.

I think Stan will be gone soon enough, not sure about McD.

If you look at this from Rocky's point of view, McDonaugh has put a heck of a lot of money in Rocky's pockets. For whatever you want to complain about McD, he is a master at marketing and the public persona of the club. Sold out buildings, long season ticket waiting lists, 500% increase in ticket prices, and organization that is valued as one of the top 4 in the NHL, and whose value has climbed from $200mil in 2008 to over a billion today.

The list of people who have had no limits and failed is long.
- TheTrob

Performance under adversity is the true test of one's value. Let's see how McD markets his way out of last place and still fills the coffers.

Those of you calling for Q's head, got your wish. But as my grandfather used to tell me, many years ago, be careful what you wish for.

I'm guessing some of you are new to the party, and don't remember the DECADES of terrible coaches this franchise has had, prior to Q.
Craig Hartsburg, Lorne Mollekun, Orval Tessier, Alpo Suhonen, just to name a few.
- tompo1015

I remember that revolving door of head coaches. And I actually liked Molleken.

Comparing the Coach to the GM is comparing apples and oranges.

The Hawks are taking standard action. First, thank you Q for being part of the best period of Blackhawk Hockey ever. You will forever be a legend in the city and can open up your own restaurant now.

How many of you work in management? When you take the job, do you take it by making disclaimers, or do you take it with the determination to use all available resources to meet company objectives? In the real world managers accept the fact they are not given a loaded deck to win. If that were the case, anyone could manage.

For whatever reason, it is clear that Q's message has fallen on deaf ears. There are plenty of positives, just inconsistencies. That falls on the coach and why he is gone.

Whining about the resources Bowman has given Q is absurd. For 5 years he had the best team from 1 to 23 in the NHL. Without the best talent, Q has not shown the ability to make chicken salad out of chicken .... So fans have a pity party for poor Q, because he does not have 15 olympic players on his team? And it is not the results, it is how they have looked. Fans can handle losing if the team lays it all out there and leaves it on the ice....that has not been the case the last few years.

For those pining for the great rebuild show their arrogance and entitlement. This team is not that bad. Sure they are battling some injuries on blue line etc... but they are similar to most teams in the NHL. I for one am looking forward to them to start playing with some heart and determination for 60 minutes and not like a bunch of entitled cats.

Great question, been thinking the same thing. If its McDonough and not Bowman, it's read between the lines time.
- Hawkytalk

I predict it will be both, will be heavily scripted, and McD will field the tough questions.

Those of you calling for Q's head, got your wish. But as my grandfather used to tell me, many years ago, be careful what you wish for.

I'm guessing some of you are new to the party, and don't remember the DECADES of terrible coaches this franchise has had, prior to Q.
Craig Hartsburg, Lorne Mollekun, Orval Tessier, Alpo Suhonen, just to name a few.
- tompo1015

I've been following the Hawks since '84. I am well versed in bad coaches (I still remember when Amonte was overheard yelling at Graham "let me create!"). Q has been amazing here, but I think it was pretty clear, that he wasn't getting it done recently.

The 1st round exits started to show the cracks.
Missing the playoffs last year (by a longshot) showed some significant issues.
Their play this year is a continuation of the problems that we saw.

How long do you keep doing the same thing and hoping for the best.

I do not absolve Stan of anything here. He has made some blunders, but they just aren't going to drop the two key decision makers for the team on the same day. I expect that if this year plays out similarly as last year, Stan will be let go as well.

And he always had very very good teams(3), two of which he didn't win squat with.
- 6628

Yeah it was Q's fault that Nick Leddy accidentally deflected the puck past Crow in Game 7 after forcing that Game 7 down 3-1 to the potential cup champs....

McD is in his position because he has made Rocky a s h i t load of money. If you think otherwise you are wrong. At the point when the product declines for long enough that the season ticket list dries up and the stadium is no longer full then changes will be made. You are already seeing the first step in this. Stans firing will be the next step, and McD will follow after.
- TheTrob

That is correct sir......whoever has the Dominoes link, please share.

I think Stan will be gone soon enough, not sure about McD.

If you look at this from Rocky's point of view, McDonaugh has put a heck of a lot of money in Rocky's pockets. For whatever you want to complain about McD, he is a master at marketing and the public persona of the club. Sold out buildings, long season ticket waiting lists, 500% increase in ticket prices, and organization that is valued as one of the top 4 in the NHL, and whose value has climbed from $200mil in 2008 to over a billion today.

The list of people who have had no limits and failed is long.
- TheTrob

Agree with your take on McD, love him or hate him. Winning Cups was a major reason why the franchise was turned around and Blackhawks hockey was so exciting again. Yet, McD really does know how to market to the masses (which includes a ton more people who don't necessarily scrutinize the team left and right -- like the likes of us on a hockey message board -- but just enjoy the game for what it is) so he and his marketing arm have played a big role in the resurrection.

And agree with you other perspective that Bowman is likely to go at some point later, with McD a possibility as well. In that order, though. Not surprised that it wasn't a mass upheaval today.

Everyone want to giggle a little and get a strange sense of Deja vu? Take a quick gander at this.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...-thing-going-on/177/95763

Performance under adversity is the true test of one's value. Let's see how McD markets his way out of last place and still fills the coffers.
- Return of the Roar

The NHL is not MLB. McD filled Wrigley for years as the lovable losers, while selling the park and the experience. That won't float with Hockey fans, especially not at the current ticket prices. If this teams craters for any extended period of time, it will be like the late 90's early 00's again, with an empty stadium. You will get crowds of 5-6K of the serious hockey fanatics, but the wagon jumpers and "need to be seens" won't be there anymore. McD will be gone before that happens (hopefully).

stanbow is in one helluva mess which he created:

that presser with him ought to be brutal, they should ask the real hard and obvious questions...

he should not get away cliche platitudes about time for change blah blah..

if Q ends up in the central division...wholly poop

Comparing the Coach to the GM is comparing apples and oranges.

The Hawks are taking standard action. First, thank you Q for being part of the best period of Blackhawk Hockey ever. You will forever be a legend in the city and can open up your own restaurant now.

How many of you work in management? When you take the job, do you take it by making disclaimers, or do you take it with the determination to use all available resources to meet company objectives? In the real world managers accept the fact they are not given a loaded deck to win. If that were the case, anyone could manage.

For whatever reason, it is clear that Q's message has fallen on deaf ears. There are plenty of positives, just inconsistencies. That falls on the coach and why he is gone.

Whining about the resources Bowman has given Q is absurd. For 5 years he had the best team from 1 to 23 in the NHL. Without the best talent, Q has not shown the ability to make chicken salad out of chicken .... So fans have a pity party for poor Q, because he does not have 15 olympic players on his team? And it is not the results, it is how they have looked. Fans can handle losing if the team lays it all out there and leaves it on the ice....that has not been the case the last few years.

For those pining for the great rebuild show their arrogance and entitlement. This team is not that bad. Sure they are battling some injuries on blue line etc... but they are similar to most teams in the NHL. I for one am looking forward to them to start playing with some heart and determination for 60 minutes and not like a bunch of entitled cats.
- TrueGrit

TG, always look forward to your comments. This comment specifically I question because every organizations goal coming into the season is to win the Stanley Cup, or at least get closer to that top of the mountain. While Q definitely has some fault, did you think this team was any better better suited to take a step forward this year? Stan has really dropped the ball on re-configuring this roster. They lack depth both up front and on the back end.