No, Stanbo will re-up Ward with a 2 year, $8M contract and Stan's standard NMC.
- BMWChiFan

"Don't you put that evil on us, Ricky Bobby!" Haha.

Tankathon has us at #2 tonight.
Will Friday's game against the Kings be meaningful only because it may be a battle for the first lottery spot?

Tankathon has us at #2 tonight.
Will Friday's game against the Kings be meaningful only because it may be a battle for the first lottery spot?
- 67hawks

I know it's really early to ask this question, and it might just be silly, but how up in the air is this draft in relation to last draft? I know it's a deep draft, but just wondering if players will continually swap spots or go a lot later like last year? Injuries could happen to screw things up ....

Tankathon has us at #2 tonight.
Will Friday's game against the Kings be meaningful only because it may be a battle for the first lottery spot?
- 67hawks

from 2012 - 2015: the top two teams in the conference and 4 cups...now 15th and 16th in the conference with new coaches and huge roster problems...

like sands through the hour glass these our the daze from winners to losers...

from 2012 - 2015: the top two teams in the conference and 4 cups...now 15th and 16th in the conference with new coaches and huge roster problems...

like sands through the hour glass these our the daze from winners to losers...
- bogiedoc

Watching LA v CGY...LA is big and slow. They will try to bully the Chicago Ballerinas. It’s funny that both teams have the same roster construction...size vs skill, just much much much worse talent lol

Watching LA v CGY...LA is big and slow. They will try to bully the Chicago Ballerinas. It’s funny that both teams have the same roster construction...size vs skill, just much much much worse talent lol
- EnzoD

Agreed Enzo

Agreed Enzo
- GlennL

I miss Secord, Manson, Grimson, even Behn Wilson for their toughness, I know we did not win a cup with them and the game has changed, but how I wish the Hawks had the nads to instill a little fear into the opponent.

olddumbman, STFU
- BMWChiFan

Hey BMW what makes you think you can talk like this to another poster? Just because you are obviously so wrong about Q. Smarten up if that is at all possible. Maybe clear your head and take a drive in your old BMW 320 or 325 that is worth less than $500.00.

I can't quite figure out the logic behind the timing. It was Election Day so they minimized the coverage. They had a few days off so there was some time to adjust. But the upcoming schedule is pretty tough.

The only thing I can come up with is that McD and Stan truly believe the roster is good enough to be winning and the coaching change would do the trick. That's why Stan needs to be fired, maybe McD too.

It would have made a lot of sense to wait as you suggest. Colliton was not dealt a good hand.
- matt_ahrens

Yeah, thinking about it, he has to learn not only the Hawks' individual personalities and skills, but also those of opposing players and the opposition's strengths and weaknesses. It's a lot to take on mid-season.

I just find it sad that your best player is an entitled jerk who beat up a Cab driver over pocket change, is likely a Rapist, you couldn’t score a goal on Home ice your last playoff trip, you might not make the playoffs for Years, your City is cold, overpriced, dangerous, smells and you treat the best Coach you ever had like garbage.


- VopatsRash

And even with all that - I pick Chicago every day of the week - and twice on Sunday.

Now go back to your trailer - and sleeping with your 300 pound wife/sister!!!!!!

I love Toews and Kaner. But when they both signed 11 million four years ago, I knew the other pieces had to be moved. The current dismal powerplay. Two 11 mil players should have that more deadly. Other teams with 2 stars, and at lower salaries make it far superior. I say. Rebuild, and do what is necessary. I still don't think Toews is moveable, but bottom line get that 11 mil hit off the books.

tompo - relax - you have no objectiviy where Q is concerned. Which is fine but relax. However, don’t get confused between missteps StanBo may have made and Q’s arrogance, disdain and poor coaching since the last Cup. In an NHL where the saying “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” absolutely rules, Q was given 4 chances out of respect. After the Blues won against the Hawks in the First Round, in a Series that could’ve been easily won by the Hawks, Q could have been shown the door. The Hawks gifted that Series. After the sweep by the Preds Q could have been shown the door. After missing the play-offs altogether Q could have been shown the door. Instead the Hawks gave him a 4th chance this year. I’m unsure how much loyalty you expect the Hawks to show Q as the Hawks showed lots.

The one thing that was obvious from last year’s play-offs was this - all the play-off teams were beatable and no team was crazy deep. Every coach is beyond criticism if it is an out to simply say “Well the GM didn’t give him enough to work with.” The Hawks have lost their first 2 games under Colliton but the Hawks were not run off the ice. Also, much, if not all of the damage was self-inflicted. The moral is the Hawks are competetive and have been competetive since the last Cup.
- Z3Hawk

"Missteps"?! That's like labeling Dollar Bill's decisions to hardball Bobby Hull into leaving, have Bob Pulford run the Hawks for 30 years, and keep the Hawks' home games off TV, as mere "missteps".

I miss Secord, Manson, Grimson, even Behn Wilson for their toughness, I know we did not win a cup with them and the game has changed, but how I wish the Hawks had the nads to instill a little fear into the opponent.
- GlennL

I noticed in the last game how the opposition attacked our players like rabid dogs whenever our guys (including our stars) came near the blue paint. Crawford does not get that kind of protection. I wonder how many goals that costs us relative to other teams?

I noticed in the last game how the opposition attacked our players like rabid dogs whenever our guys (including our stars) came near the blue paint. Crawford does not get that kind of protection. I wonder how many goals that costs us relative to other teams?
- 67hawks

I agree. It's becoming obvious here too. Other teams have a tenacity we lack, even teams that were bottom tier last year. Sad, but not much left to salvage.

hey stan...maybe we should rethink this team is a playoff contender; I won't tell if you won't tell that we were full of BS.

"Missteps"?! That's like labeling Dollar Bill's decisions to hardball Bobby Hull into leaving, have Bob Pulford run the Hawks for 30 years, and keep the Hawks' home games off TV, as mere "missteps".
- BMWChiFan

You seem to jump to the conclusion that if someone believes it was time for Q to move along that this means such poster must be supportive of StanBo on some level. I have actually been highly critical of many of his moves. None of his moves, by the way, come close historically to the Bobby Hull fiasco. It is also true that certain moves were made in an attempt to give Q what he wanted. The infamous Danault for old veterans and First Round Draft Choice for Ladd easily come to mind.

The Hawks treated Q with respect and class and not with the customary “what have you done for me lately” rule. Gave 4 chances. After the Blues, Preds, missing play-offs and the start of this season. His chances ran out.

I am reading The Breakaway, about the Wirtz family, the Hawks, and....

About half finished, so I don’t have the whole picture yet, but the Blackhawks were a completely dysfunctional organization - not just on the ice, but from a business standpoint.

McD has been in charge of the change to a modern sports franchise - profitable, good cash flow, high value - certainly helped along by some fortuitous actions (high draft picks, etc.) that led to three Cups and a good 8 or 9 year run (depending on how you define “good”).

A franchise that I doubt was worth $200MM (which is the beginning number people reference) is now worth over $1B. McD gets a lot of credit for that - and even f some of us don’t believe that, Rocky does.

McD leaves only on his terms and his timeline.
- StLBravesFan

To have good debates, you have to acknowledge the truth. I'm not a fan, but if you think that McD didn't have anything thing to do with the increasing of value of the Hawks organization than you are just blind.

I don't want him making hockey decisions, but its hard to argue his business success.

To have good debates, you have to acknowledge the truth. I'm not a fan, but if you think that McD didn't have anything thing to do with the increasing of value of the Hawks organization than you are just blind.

I don't want him making hockey decisions, but its hard to argue his business success.
- vabeachbear

The first time I heard McD speak right after he came aboard he prefaced his first sentence with " well, we have to win, but if we do .......'
I credit him for being the pain in Bettman's ass to get the Wrigley outdoor game as well as building the fan wagon. But I'm serious, who the (frank) couldn't market the Hawks when they are on such a roll? Now is when they need a guy who can market the team, and Q getting launched was the first rat off the sinking ship. He's gone because someone had to go under the bus and he had the least clout.

And I absolutely agree that McD shouldn't be making hockey decisions. Hockey first and marketing after that. He said it himself, have to win. How is it that marketing (selling tickets) is more important than hockey decisions. They only sell out the building when they are winning. Hockey makes it easy for marketing, not the other way around. Dammit.

To have good debates, you have to acknowledge the truth. I'm not a fan, but if you think that McD didn't have anything thing to do with the increasing of value of the Hawks organization than you are just blind.

I don't want him making hockey decisions, but its hard to argue his business success.
- vabeachbear

exactly

The first time I heard McD speak right after he came aboard he prefaced his first sentence with " well, we have to win, but if we do .......'
I credit him for being the pain in Bettman's ass to get the Wrigley outdoor game as well as building the fan wagon. But I'm serious, who the (frank) couldn't market the Hawks when they are on such a roll? Now is when they need a guy who can market the team, and Q getting launched was the first rat off the sinking ship. He's gone because someone had to go under the bus and he had the least clout.

And I absolutely agree that McD shouldn't be making hockey decisions. Hockey first and marketing after that. He said it himself, have to win. How is it that marketing (selling tickets) is more important than hockey decisions. They only sell out the building when they are winning. Hockey makes it easy for marketing, not the other way around. Dammit.
- 6628

You're right on the winning being the biggest PR boon of all - always was, always will be. McD and his team deserve a lot of credit for doing the right things to bring in new fans, but the amount and quality of the marketing and rah-rah material has really fallen off, IMO, in the past few years. In addition to winning, those things, like the on-the-road videos with Sharpy, pulled in fans from all over the world. Because they were so good at their jobs, McD lost a lot of his team to other franchises like the Bears, and it shows.

I'm admittedly not a big McD fan. For a PR professional, he's surprisingly inept in a crisis or in down times (e.g., the ND press conference in 2015 and the interviews right after Q was fired). However, I can see why Rocky trusts him and keeps him in place.

Q is gone and whether we agree on that move or not, it's done with and he isn't coming back. Personally I think Stanbo should have gone with him, but it looks like he'll last for at least this season.

Some thoughts on turning the ship around.

1. Ask Keith to accept a trade to Toronto for Nylander's right. Throw in another defenseman like Rutta or Gus. Use the 6.5 to 7.5M cap savings to sign Nylander to a long term contract. That leaves an even bigger gaping hole in the Hawks defense but hopefully Forsling and Murphy can be back on the team soon.

2. Trade off some other parts (Anisimov, Kruger, Manning, Davidson, possibly even Crawford if a team desperately needs a goalie.) at the TDL for picks or prospects

3. These moves should continue the tank for the season and hopefully get a top 3 pick. Hopefully it can turn into Hughes.

4. At the end of the season kick Mcd upstairs and get him out of the on the ice decision making.

5. Move Stanbo out completely or create a do nothing position for him in the organization.

6. Hire a "hockey guy" as team president in charge of all on ice activities.

7. Make a run to sign Panarin if he hasn't been traded and signed by someone else by then. With Crawford and Anisimov gone and with Hossa cap space and assumed further raises in cap, there should be enough to sign Panarin and offer a manageable bridge contact to Schmaltz. How would Panarin, Nylander, Toews, Kane, Schmaltz, Saad, Debrincat, Sikura and a top 3 forward prospect as a top 9?

8. Next year, bring up the kid defensemen and sink or swim with them. Even though Seabs is on his last legs he'll be able to provide some leadership and a steadying influence. Murphy and Joki would still be around too.

9. Delia, Fosrberg, or the guy over in Russia for relatively inexpensive goalies goin forward.

10. Continue to load up the talent pool with pick received from TDL trades.

Q is gone and whether we agree on that move or not, it's done with and he isn't coming back. Personally I think Stanbo should have gone with him, but it looks like he'll last for at least this season.

Some thoughts on turning the ship around.

1. Ask Keith to accept a trade to Toronto for Nylander's right. Throw in another defenseman like Rutta or Gus. Use the 6.5 to 7.5M cap savings to sign Nylander to a long term contract. That leaves an even bigger gaping hole in the Hawks defense but hopefully Forsling and Murphy can be back on the team soon.

2. Trade off some other parts (Anisimov, Kruger, Manning, Davidson, possibly even Crawford if a team desperately needs a goalie.) at the TDL for picks or prospects

3. These moves should continue the tank for the season and hopefully get a top 3 pick. Hopefully it can turn into Hughes.

4. At the end of the season kick Mcd upstairs and get him out of the on the ice decision making.

5. Move Stanbo out completely or create a do nothing position for him in the organization.

6. Hire a "hockey guy" as team president in charge of all on ice activities.

7. Make a run to sign Panarin if he hasn't been traded and signed by someone else by then. With Crawford and Anisimov gone and with Hossa cap space and assumed further raises in cap, there should be enough to sign Panarin and offer a manageable bridge contact to Schmaltz. How would Panarin, Nylander, Toews, Kane, Schmaltz, Saad, Debrincat, Sikura and a top 3 forward prospect as a top 9?

8. Next year, bring up the kid defensemen and sink or swim with them. Even though Seabs is on his last legs he'll be able to provide some leadership and a steadying influence. Murphy and Joki would still be around too.

9. Delia, Fosrberg, or the guy over in Russia for relatively inexpensive goalies goin forward.

10. Continue to load up the talent pool with pick received from TDL trades.
- boilermaker100

If we don't turn things around, and quickly, I'd be for all of these. However, there really is no "upstairs" to which you can send McD. He's already directly under Rocky. However, I would make a push to Bettman about all the good things he might do as head of PR/Marketing for the NHL and see if you can't make that happen.

Q is gone and whether we agree on that move or not, it's done with and he isn't coming back. Personally I think Stanbo should have gone with him, but it looks like he'll last for at least this season.

Some thoughts on turning the ship around.

1. Ask Keith to accept a trade to Toronto for Nylander's right. Throw in another defenseman like Rutta or Gus. Use the 6.5 to 7.5M cap savings to sign Nylander to a long term contract. That leaves an even bigger gaping hole in the Hawks defense but hopefully Forsling and Murphy can be back on the team soon.

2. Trade off some other parts (Anisimov, Kruger, Manning, Davidson, possibly even Crawford if a team desperately needs a goalie.) at the TDL for picks or prospects

3. These moves should continue the tank for the season and hopefully get a top 3 pick. Hopefully it can turn into Hughes.

4. At the end of the season kick Mcd upstairs and get him out of the on the ice decision making.

5. Move Stanbo out completely or create a do nothing position for him in the organization.

6. Hire a "hockey guy" as team president in charge of all on ice activities.

7. Make a run to sign Panarin if he hasn't been traded and signed by someone else by then. With Crawford and Anisimov gone and with Hossa cap space and assumed further raises in cap, there should be enough to sign Panarin and offer a manageable bridge contact to Schmaltz. How would Panarin, Nylander, Toews, Kane, Schmaltz, Saad, Debrincat, Sikura and a top 3 forward prospect as a top 9?

8. Next year, bring up the kid defensemen and sink or swim with them. Even though Seabs is on his last legs he'll be able to provide some leadership and a steadying influence. Murphy and Joki would still be around too.

9. Delia, Fosrberg, or the guy over in Russia for relatively inexpensive goalies goin forward.

10. Continue to load up the talent pool with pick received from TDL trades.
- boilermaker100

. I like the way you think. Boiler. I am with you, any decent GM. Should look at all those options. I'm not holding my breath. But. You are. Right on with pain for huge upside. Hopefully by. Trade deadline in February some of this will come to pass. Certain players will be in HUGE demand on the Hawks.

I love all the business and hockey experts in these threads. You guys are cute.

Q is gone and whether we agree on that move or not, it's done with and he isn't coming back. Personally I think Stanbo should have gone with him, but it looks like he'll last for at least this season.

Some thoughts on turning the ship around.

1. Ask Keith to accept a trade to Toronto for Nylander's right. Throw in another defenseman like Rutta or Gus. Use the 6.5 to 7.5M cap savings to sign Nylander to a long term contract. That leaves an even bigger gaping hole in the Hawks defense but hopefully Forsling and Murphy can be back on the team soon.

2. Trade off some other parts (Anisimov, Kruger, Manning, Davidson, possibly even Crawford if a team desperately needs a goalie.) at the TDL for picks or prospects

3. These moves should continue the tank for the season and hopefully get a top 3 pick. Hopefully it can turn into Hughes.

4. At the end of the season kick Mcd upstairs and get him out of the on the ice decision making.

5. Move Stanbo out completely or create a do nothing position for him in the organization.

6. Hire a "hockey guy" as team president in charge of all on ice activities.

7. Make a run to sign Panarin if he hasn't been traded and signed by someone else by then. With Crawford and Anisimov gone and with Hossa cap space and assumed further raises in cap, there should be enough to sign Panarin and offer a manageable bridge contact to Schmaltz. How would Panarin, Nylander, Toews, Kane, Schmaltz, Saad, Debrincat, Sikura and a top 3 forward prospect as a top 9?

8. Next year, bring up the kid defensemen and sink or swim with them. Even though Seabs is on his last legs he'll be able to provide some leadership and a steadying influence. Murphy and Joki would still be around too.

9. Delia, Fosrberg, or the guy over in Russia for relatively inexpensive goalies goin forward.

10. Continue to load up the talent pool with pick received from TDL trades.
- boilermaker100

I like everything you said....except McDonut is president, there's no job "upstairs" for him. And, I dont want Bowman making those trade decisions.