Justin Lowe: Stan, this is Your Team
Well, this doesn't look good for you Stan.

I know its only two games into Jeremy Colliton's coaching career in the NHL but it doesn't look good.

After a loss to both Carolina and Philadelphia, the pitchforks are out and they are heading Stan's way.

First

Justin Lowe: Stan, this is Your Team

Well, this doesn't look good for you Stan.

I know its only two games into Jeremy Colliton's coaching career in the NHL but it doesn't look good.

After a loss to both Carolina and Philadelphia, the pitchforks are out and they are heading Stan's way.
- Justin Lowe

Justin... can you offer any insight on how Jacob Nilson has played in Rockford? Colliton has coached him in Rockford and Europe, I wonder if he’ll get a look on the 4th line.

Justin... can you offer any insight on how Jacob Nilson has played in Rockford? Colliton has coached him in Rockford and Europe, I wonder if he’ll get a look on the 4th line.
- DarthKane

I've only seen him in one game, but he plays a more physical game. He goes to the net, but doesn't have the best chances/finishes what he creates for himself. As I said, only a one game sample. AEL said that there are good elements that he brings, but isn't as special of a player as he was touted to be.

Justin... can you offer any insight on how Jacob Nilson has played in Rockford? Colliton has coached him in Rockford and Europe, I wonder if he’ll get a look on the 4th line.
- DarthKane

DK - I don't think Nilsson is an option in CHI this year unless things go really sideways.

The Hawks need more talent not another guy like him.

He's a lot like Kampf in ways and I heard the Hawks like Kampf.

Your typical solid write-up, thanks Justin!

You've outlined the possibilities, I hope they try them all, but it isn't pretty.

With this coaching change, it really feels like the season went south in a hurry. It's salvageable, but it's hard to imagine a new NHL rookie coach is going to be able to turn this around any time soon. Was this part of the McD / Stan plan? Did they have a plan? I still can't believe they really thought this was a playoff team if they just promoted Colliton from Rockford. I have nothing against Colliton. I think he'll be a good NHL coach some day. Just maybe not tomorrow. For what it's worth, I don't think Q would have done all that much better with this roster.

We wouldn't trade Schmaltz for Nylander I don't think. They are close friends and played on the Mission together.

Nice post, Justin. Hope you had a nice vacation at the resort. Hope it was sunny as advertised.

Your projected callups from Rockford are on par with what I would suggest: Sikura, Ejdsell, Forsling. If he weren't injured, Highmore should be considered at some point as well.

Like your suggested lineup although I would consider flipflopping Kahun to 3C and Kampf to 4RW. Guess it depends on how strong Kahun is on faceoffs. He is a natural center IIRC.

Schmaltz - Toews - Saad
Debrincat - Anisimov - Kane
Sikura - Kahun/Kampf- Ejdsell
Martinsen - Kruger - Kahun/Kampf

Keith - Jokiharju
Forsling - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook

Crawford
Ward

Hayden and Kunitz as extra forwards and Manning as 7D. Trade Rutta for draft pick(s).

I've only seen him in one game, but he plays a more physical game. He goes to the net, but doesn't have the best chances/finishes what he creates for himself. As I said, only a one game sample. AEL said that there are good elements that he brings, but isn't as special of a player as he was touted to be.
- I Am The Breadman

Nilsson is a feisty checking forward but miscast as a top 6 forward. Mediocre skill. There's too many redundant bottom 6 players like Nilsson and many are better than him and higher on the depth chart as a result: Kampf, Johnson, Highmore. If the Hawks want more sandpaper in the lineup, maybe him or Noel but you sacrifice skill by doing so.

Justin Lowe: Stan, this is Your Team

Well, this doesn't look good for you Stan.

I know its only two games into Jeremy Colliton's coaching career in the NHL but it doesn't look good.

After a loss to both Carolina and Philadelphia, the pitchforks are out and they are heading Stan's way.
- Justin Lowe

I like the late night blog, JL. Good synopsis, and I hope you're enjoying your vacation.

I'm excited to see the call-up floodgates open because ... it can't get any worse. I'm wondering a lot of different things: 1) what is going through JC's head as he learns the team/players, sees continual mistakes on d (that he needs to make players accountable for), and tinkers with lines/pairings? 2) when and what trades are made, and how soon until call-ups are made (is there a limit on that)? And 3) how much of a say so will JC have when it comes to the trades made? SB will want to make sure he saves his job as he is definitely next and needs to stay on good terms with JC as his success behind the bench directly correlates to his own success as gm. JC is a smart guy and will know the areas that need immediate improving.

Nilsson is a feisty checking forward but miscast as a top 6 forward. Mediocre skill. There's too many redundant bottom 6 players like Nilsson and many are better than him and higher on the depth chart as a result: Kampf, Johnson, Highmore. If the Hawks want more sandpaper in the lineup, maybe him or Noel but you sacrifice skill by doing so.
- AEL_Fox

Yeah, I was seeing that, but I wasn't thinking as deep as you were in terms of line placement. I tried to remember exactly what you had said about him ... I was close haha. Thanks for your breakdown, AEL.

Thoughts on Q, Stan, McD, and Colliton:

Someone else posted this before but I wholeheartedly agree: Q wasn't the problem but he was a problem (or part of the problem). Stan isn't the problem but is a problem. McD isn't the problem but is a problem.

To say the wrong person was let go isn't wholly accurate. I think Q just wasn't the coach that is needed for today's Hawks and what will likely be the future team. This doesn't discount his huge contributions over the past decade, not by a long shot.

In a similar vein, the team does need retooling or even rebuilding but I don't trust Stan to make the right choice moving forward. If loyalty to Scotty does exist, it needs to end, too. What has he done lately for the Hawks anyway that makes him so valuable?

And while McD has played a key part in the franchise's resurgence in the City of Chicago and pro sports in general and should continue has marketing prowess, he needs to stick to that lane and let others drive in the coaching and GM lanes.

As for Colliton, I really am rooting for him to develop into the head coach the Hawks need. Yet, I do fear that the team may have gone all in with a possibility that they could screw over the coaching situation for both the Hawks and Hogs. He was ideal for developing prospects in Rockford. That advantage is gone now and there still is a chance he won't succeed leading the big club. If that happens, Colliton gets screwed over and the parent club and farm club are both out of great head coaches.

Fingers crossed for Colliton in Chicago. i think he can do it. And hopefully King and Brookbank can continue prospect development in Rockford with favorable ROI.

Yeah, I was seeing that, but I wasn't thinking as deep as you were in terms of line placement. I tried to remember exactly what you had said about him ... I was close haha. Thanks for your breakdown, AEL.
- I Am The Breadman

You bet. Thanks for the Hogs game notes yesterday. I couldn't watch the game but caught some highlights and boxscore afterward.

You bet. Thanks for the Hogs game notes yesterday. I couldn't watch the game but caught some highlights and boxscore afterward.
- AEL_Fox

It was a tag-team effort. Haha.
You're welcome.

Sadly, it's time to embrace the tank and enter the Jack Hughes sweepstakes.

I also will add I agree, call up some of the younger players and at least see if they'll give you a spark. The Hawks have basically received zero returns outside of DeBrincat, Kane, Toews, and to a lesser degree Saad/Schmaltz.

I would look to trade Anisimov for whatever you can get for him, even just as a salary dump for a prospect or draft pick.

I would consider trading Schmaltz, I think he's a tweener for center and wing. He's not good enough defensively and with faceoffs to be a center, and he's too small and afraid to go into the corners as a winger. I would get whatever you can for him and try to max out your value.

I would strongly consider trading Duncan Keith (Leafs?). At this point, he's not a #1, or probably even a #2. But as a strong #3 on a good team, he can still provide value and leadership. Trade him now (if he will agree) before he becomes even more diminished returns. I think someone would bite on him at the trade deadline.

Trade/release/waive Kunitz, Davidson, and Rutta. Bury Manning as your #7.

Sadly, it's time to embrace the tank and enter the Jack Hughes sweepstakes.

I also will add I agree, call up some of the younger players and at least see if they'll give you a spark. The Hawks have basically received zero returns outside of DeBrincat, Kane, Toews, and to a lesser degree Saad/Schmaltz.

I would look to trade Anisimov for whatever you can get for him, even just as a salary dump for a prospect or draft pick.

I would consider trading Schmaltz, I think he's a tweener for center and wing. He's not good enough defensively and with faceoffs to be a center, and he's too small and afraid to go into the corners as a winger. I would get whatever you can for him and try to max out your value.

I would strongly consider trading Duncan Keith (Leafs?). At this point, he's not a #1, or probably even a #2. But as a strong #3 on a good team, he can still provide value and leadership. Trade him now (if he will agree) before he becomes even more diminished returns. I think someone would bite on him at the trade deadline.

Trade/release/waive Kunitz, Davidson, and Rutta. Bury Manning as your #7.
- Budi1782

Honestly Keith for Nylander would be a pretty good trade for both teams.

Thoughts on Q, Stan, McD, and Colliton:

Someone else posted this before but I wholeheartedly agree: Q wasn't the problem but he was a problem (or part of the problem). Stan isn't the problem but is a problem. McD isn't the problem but is a problem.

To say the wrong person was let go isn't wholly accurate. I think Q just wasn't the coach that is needed for today's Hawks and what will likely be the future team. This doesn't discount his huge contributions over the past decade, not by a long shot.

In a similar vein, the team does need retooling or even rebuilding but I don't trust Stan to make the right choice moving forward. If loyalty to Scotty does exist, it needs to end, too. What has he done lately for the Hawks anyway that makes him so valuable?

And while McD has played a key part in the franchise's resurgence in the City of Chicago and pro sports in general and should continue has marketing prowess, he needs to stick to that lane and let others drive in the coaching and GM lanes.

As for Colliton, I really am rooting for him to develop into the head coach the Hawks need. Yet, I do fear that the team may have gone all in with a possibility that they could screw over the coaching situation for both the Hawks and Hogs. He was ideal for developing prospects in Rockford. That advantage is gone now and there still is a chance he won't succeed leading the big club. If that happens, Colliton gets screwed over and the parent club and farm club are both out of great head coaches.

Fingers crossed for Colliton in Chicago. i think he can do it. And hopefully King and Brookbank can continue prospect development in Rockford with favorable ROI.
- AEL_Fox

I'm hoping to let go of the Q firing tomorrow or the day after that. But for now, an argument could be made that instead of firing Q after losing to the Blues in 7 or the Preds in 4, the team would have been better off firing Stan and hiring a GM who would work better with Q. I generally could understand what Stan was trying to do with his moves but clearly trading Panarin and/or Hammer was not something Q had bought into.

Right now the only reason McD is a problem is because he thinks Stan - or the combo of he and Stan - is the solution. Once he realizes he needs a hockey person to be responsible for the roster now and into the future - and then get out of the way - he'll be fine. He can run the organization and take care of the brand and marketing.

The front office and coaches need to get on the same page in terms of the planning horizon: how long will it reasonably take to get back into Cup contention and then act accordingly.

A good late evening to all you Hawk fans

Tbh I was never a Stan fan not named Makita. Tallon was the architect behind it all. Q was great when he had a vet team that wasn’t showing its age. IMO the timing is good to rebuild. The problem is where to begin & how far to go. The retool by Stan has failed badly. This should result in him getting the axe as well.

Any rebuild brings Toews & Kane & to lesser degree Keith into the discussion. Contracts being the big hinderance requires creativity.

Keith to the Pens would be a good fit for them but not crazy about what the return could be. Leafs is a poor fit for their needs.

Toews would help many teams out East.
NYI Bruins, Florida, Carolina come to mind.

Kane would fetch a kings ransom if shopped.

Looking to the TDL or sooner there are many suitors out there to call up & leak out open for business listening to offers.

Welcome back Justin, hope your vacation was great. Not to beat a dead horse here, but I think the problem extends deep into the players , I believe their is a huge moral and character issue between players.



In my opinion management is not willing to except any blame nor are they being honest with themselves or the team and fans.


Coach Q was a problem but not the main problem, I believe Stan and Mc D are more of a issue then the coach was.


I prefer if any roster changes are to be made a fresh set of competent eyes ( NEW GM ) should be the person who handles that not Stan his moves and contract signings should be questioned and scrutinized.




The good news that can eventually come would be after this team moves out Keith , Seabrook, Gustafson, rutta, murphy , manning and brings up all those young defenseman they believe will be the future.

... I don't know ... Hossa was LTIR last season and effectively nothing was done with any flexibility that may have offered. I don't think signing Cody Franson counted.

And the same thing has happened this year, despite trading Hossa's cap hit -- seems pretty short-sighted and not playing to the full capacity allowed by the sal cap.

Unless of course this sort of thing is actually endorsed by the front office. I don't buy that this line up is good enough by any stretch of the imagination -- so they can feel free to prove me wrong any time they want. Looking forward to it, in fact.

Vancouver has been a great surprise this year. Edmonton is in need of a veteran leader on the back end. I believe both Keith and Seabrook would wave their NTC to go to one of those teams. That would put them closer to their homes and families.

Granted Seabrook would be tough to trade because of his cap hit.

I see short memory bias. Did anyone forget Q mishandling of power play and PK, his treatment of Daley/Kepmny/Leddy you name it defensemen who went to relative success somewhere elsew? What else can Stan do in this situation?
He got him Vermette in 2015 and Q sits him and TT first games against Preds and plays Mashinter and going down in that series 2 to 1 before playing them? Is it Q who almost lost in 2013 to aging but hardworking Detroit team, team who had no business being 3 to 1 over Hawks rosterwise? Lots of luck had to go his way to win in 13 and 15 and when that luck changed he had no chips to play.
Now this year Stan made the roster so bad (what happened to we need to get younger and faster mantra) that no coach can rescue this team anymore, but my point is do not make a hero and victim out of Q and Stan being some villain.

Thoughts on Q, Stan, McD, and Colliton:

Someone else posted this before but I wholeheartedly agree: Q wasn't the problem but he was a problem (or part of the problem). Stan isn't the problem but is a problem. McD isn't the problem but is a problem.

To say the wrong person was let go isn't wholly accurate. I think Q just wasn't the coach that is needed for today's Hawks and what will likely be the future team. This doesn't discount his huge contributions over the past decade, not by a long shot.

In a similar vein, the team does need retooling or even rebuilding but I don't trust Stan to make the right choice moving forward. If loyalty to Scotty does exist, it needs to end, too. What has he done lately for the Hawks anyway that makes him so valuable?

And while McD has played a key part in the franchise's resurgence in the City of Chicago and pro sports in general and should continue has marketing prowess, he needs to stick to that lane and let others drive in the coaching and GM lanes.

As for Colliton, I really am rooting for him to develop into the head coach the Hawks need. Yet, I do fear that the team may have gone all in with a possibility that they could screw over the coaching situation for both the Hawks and Hogs. He was ideal for developing prospects in Rockford. That advantage is gone now and there still is a chance he won't succeed leading the big club. If that happens, Colliton gets screwed over and the parent club and farm club are both out of great head coaches.

Fingers crossed for Colliton in Chicago. i think he can do it. And hopefully King and Brookbank can continue prospect development in Rockford with favorable ROI.
- AEL_Fox

Yes, Foxy - all of this.

I would rephrase it as none of the three is / was the problem, but none is the solution - collectively or individually.

Each performed as required to have the success since 2008-09 - Q coaching a team ready to win to actually win, Stan providing the missing tools for the second three-year run, McD providing the business focus that provided the resources that Q and Stan used to find success.

But I’ve thought since last season that this is more of a rebuild than most others (including Hawk brass) saw - and Q and Stan were not the ones to rebuild.

It will be interesting to see how long management still believes this is a playoff team--no matter if the losing streak continues or they manage to post a few wins soon. Either way, keep hoping that Crawford can find his game a little more, because he would be a valuable trade piece in a couple of months. With 1 year remaining on his contract, does anyone believe he would be with Hawks after that anyway?