Pierre Pilote's grandson posted a short documentary he made about his grandfather. Very well done.

https://vimeo.com/246787964

I think JC's plan to try to turnaround the team is to give each non-core player opportunity and responsibility to play important minutes/make a play. Those who perform will be part of the future; those that don't will soon be pressboxed or in Rockford.
- BMWChiFan

I hope this is the case but I’m worried that Stan/Smith/McD will meddle.

sorry...don't care how exhausted you are you can't lay back in OT and allow your mates to deal with a 3 on 2 where one pass beats 2 guys and game over...

he didn't even attempt to get back into the play...
- bogiedoc

Watch it again. Kane can barely skate but still tried to get back. Kane and Seabrook were both trying to change. They were actually right at the bench and turned around. The whole OT went to heck because of Kampf, who trapped them by not just throwing the puck to some open ice somewhere to allow a change. In 3 on 3 you don’t want to give up the puck but sometimes you simply have to, to allow a change so the team can play on. Kampf, of course, had no business even being on the ice. What do you think Kane was thinking? C must have been rewarding Kampf and his great face-off work. He lost a face-off as clean as I’ve ever seen on the key TT goal. Also if Kampf helps Seabs out with Aho rather than just dancing and skating himself out of the play completely, doing nothing, the goal may have been negated. Tired already of C rewarding poor performance.

I’m excited that the draft is in Vancouver in 2019.
- DarthKane

Don't be. One of the most boring experiences to witness live.

And that was with the 100th anniversary show at the UC.

this team is on track for 72 pts...do you know any 72 pt playoff teams...apparently McD and Stanbow do...
- bogiedoc

(sarcasm) ...but, but, but .... it worked in 1983...(/sarcasm) ...

Seriously though --- I noticed that 3 of the last 2 games Gustafsson lead all defensemen in ice time. (and the other one he was like within a minute)...

for the love of ... why?!?!

Yeah, right after EdZo went to town on Schmaltz for pulling up and losing possession because of it, you see DBC get laid out, but still making a clean cross-ice pass on his way down. Big difference, so I'd like to see DBC up top.
- pdx2ord

What Eddy or Pat says at this point hold little water even if they're right. Spent half the damn broadcast talking about golf. It is a bout as bad as listening to Hawk the last few years.

Anyway they can get Benetti or Len Kasper into the booth? Or maybe both? At least it would be a fun way to drive viewership.

This team just can't sustain any kind of effective pressure, it's all fast break hockey.

I still don't understand why the Hawks won't switch to the aggressive defensive nature the other teams have, we have so much trouble getting the puck out of our own zone and when we do they are right there to challenge the forward receiving the exit pass
- BetweenTheDots

Rutta, Manning, Seabrook and Keith are too slow. The only guys who can do it are Henri and Gus. Davidson maybe has the wheels but isn't very good.

Theyre also changing from the tick tac toe method of zone exits under Q to keep it simple stupid under JC which is an adjustment.

Its pretty amusing how it is always one player or another here. Saad not trying hard enough Schmaltz terrible, Kahun does nothing, trade Jonathan Toews.

They've got 7 or 8 kids trying to figure out how to be pros (and that includes Schmaltz). Three or 4 guys who shouldn't be on the roster (Manning, Davidson, Rutta, Kunitz to start).

It isn't a line up constructed with any kind of strategy or playing style in mind.

In two years they look closer to Carolina (Calgary may be a better comparison same difference, good at D but can't score) with some combination (or all) of Boqvist, Mitchell and Beaudin who project as top two guys. 4 second pairing guys are better than what they have now. And then you have Hillman and Carlsson who at least seem to not be complete idiots and have some mobility.

The Seabrook deal is an absolute anchor right now and not having the right veterans filling out the lower lines is a problem.

Some team has to be stupid enough to take Seabrook (looking at you Edmonton) and regardless of what people think of him there is a market for AA here. You flip Schmaltz + Mitchell + some high picks and throw in Rutta and pay Nylander. Get a lottery pick this year and try again next.

Z3, you call me riled up??? What the hey hey??? Haha
- I Am The Breadman

Breadman I needed a little rant after watching Schmaltz all night - either that or pull my hair out and I’ve got great hair.

Full on BOD mode I see.

Breadman I needed a little rant after watching Schmaltz all night - either that or pull my hair out and I’ve got great hair.
- Z3Hawk

You can tell that Eddie is starting to lose it with this team. He's very frustrated.

He called out Schmaltz last night for serious lack of desire/heart.

You can tell that Eddie is starting to lose it with this team. He's very frustrated.

He called out Schmaltz last night for serious lack of desire/heart.
- Hank3Henshaw

Edzo did call him out. Foley too just a little more subtlely. Statements like “Schmaltz with puck in centre of ice passes to player on the boards.”

You can tell that Eddie is starting to lose it with this team. He's very frustrated.

He called out Schmaltz last night for serious lack of desire/heart.
- Hank3Henshaw

Yeah Eddie is sometimes taking it a bit too far though. At one point he openly bashed John Hayden for not taking a shot from twenty feet out when the defender had his stick within two inches of the puck. It was obviously going to get tipped so Hayden pushed it deep along the boards, which was the right play.

I understand the frustration, though. The team is making a lot of boneheaded mistakes.

Edzo did call him out. Foley too just a little more subtlely. Statements like “Schmaltz with puck in centre of ice passes to player on the boards.”
- Z3Hawk

It was quite telling that he did. As a TV viewer, I appreciate it when Edzo says stuff like that. It helps me learn more about the game.

Additionally, I think this is the risk of playing Schmaltz with Kane and Toews (assuming this is a long term pairing). Schmaltz defers so much to better players that he makes dumb plays like this one instead of being selfish and shooting. He really could have taken a shot on the play in question.

To me, Schmaltz is a player that screams lack of confidence.

It shows in his desire to constantly pass, instead of shoot or drive to the net.

He also shies away from contact/physicality on the regular.

He has a great knack for picking the pocket of opposing players, but has regressed from an overall game standpoint IMO.

Its pretty amusing how it is always one player or another here. Saad not trying hard enough Schmaltz terrible, Kahun does nothing, trade Jonathan Toews.

They've got 7 or 8 kids trying to figure out how to be pros (and that includes Schmaltz). Three or 4 guys who shouldn't be on the roster (Manning, Davidson, Rutta, Kunitz to start).

It isn't a line up constructed with any kind of strategy or playing style in mind.

In two years they look closer to Carolina (Calgary may be a better comparison same difference, good at D but can't score) with some combination (or all) of Boqvist, Mitchell and Beaudin who project as top two guys. 4 second pairing guys are better than what they have now. And then you have Hillman and Carlsson who at least seem to not be complete idiots and have some mobility.

The Seabrook deal is an absolute anchor right now and not having the right veterans filling out the lower lines is a problem.

Some team has to be stupid enough to take Seabrook (looking at you Edmonton) and regardless of what people think of him there is a market for AA here. You flip Schmaltz + Mitchell + some high picks and throw in Rutta and pay Nylander. Get a lottery pick this year and try again next.
- fattybeef

The Schmaltz criticism has a different bite to it. When he won’t take a check or make a check, to make a play or win a puck, there is a problem. Compete is normally something a player brings with him as he grows as a player. Shouldn’t be something coaches or other players have to try to teach. In addition Schmaltz makes insanely dumb decisions on the ice - refuses to shoot from perfect areas - would rather pass to poor areas. In a game there are only so many opportunities and Schmaltz fritters all of his away.

This is not necessarily an easy fix. C has decided to over-reward him with placement with Kane and Toews, and starting OT, and this strategy did not seem to work - at all.

The Schmaltz criticism has a different bite to it. When he won’t take a check or make a check, to make a play or win a puck, there is a problem. Compete is normally something a player brings with him as he grows as a player. Shouldn’t be something coaches or other players have to try to teach. In addition Schmaltz makes insanely dumb decisions on the ice - refuses to shoot from perfect areas - would rather pass to poor areas. In a game there are only so many opportunities and Schmaltz fritters all of his away.

This is not necessarily an easy fix. C has decided to over-reward him with placement with Kane and Toews, and starting OT, and this strategy did not seem to work - at all.
- Z3Hawk

We'll see if C continues to play him there next game. C was clear in his pressers that he was using a "sink or swim" test to see who rises to the occasion. He still put Schmaltz out there in OT, which worries me, but jury is out on whether he or, say, DBC will be line 1 in the next game.

This continued tailspin has really made me realize how much everything was Q's fault...NOT!

Brent Seabrook (frank)ing blows

I’m excited for this playoff run you guys
- EnzoD

A Russian beauty......to big by Stan's standard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrtc2JWvHGU

Just curious if you followed the Hawks when Rocky's dad, Dollar Bill, was alive??
- BMWChiFan

I did and he and bob Pulford where cheap ass , egotistical morons.



Rocky gave this huge speech about shedding the ghost of his father's faults. Well Rocky makes the ultimate final decision, and he is just as guilty for allowing this charade to continue.


Rocky has had enough time to grade Stans performance and over the past 3 years Stans mistakes can no longer be overlooked nor should he get a pass for his accolades Coach Q was fired and his past accomplishments clearly didn't sit well enough to allow him to continue .

Yeah Eddie is sometimes taking it a bit too far though. At one point he openly bashed John Hayden for not taking a shot from twenty feet out when the defender had his stick within two inches of the puck. It was obviously going to get tipped so Hayden pushed it deep along the boards, which was the right play.

I understand the frustration, though. The team is making a lot of boneheaded mistakes.
- Hawks_49

Anyone else think Eddie O sounds like a former head coach who might be a little upset that he didn't get any consideration to replace Q? He sure seems more assertive in criticizing the team's play.

Anyone else think Eddie O sounds like a former head coach who might be a little upset that he didn't get any consideration to replace Q? He sure seems more assertive in criticizing the team's play.
- Larmer

Forget coaching, what about GM (or Asst GM to start)? Isn't his brother in that position with the Canes?

Anyone else think Eddie O sounds like a former head coach who might be a little upset that he didn't get any consideration to replace Q? He sure seems more assertive in criticizing the team's play.
- Larmer

I am thankful he is getting more critical. The on ice talent just is not good enough.

Breadman I needed a little rant after watching Schmaltz all night - either that or pull my hair out and I’ve got great hair.
- Z3Hawk

Hahaha, I hear you. The team's downfall doesn't start or end with Schmaltz though. I think he's still trying to find a way to collect points, and how could you not when your center is Toews and opposite winger is Kane. You can call it lack of confidence or you can call it being a set-up guy, and yes, I know it is frustrating. I said the whole game I didn't like that line Kane and Schmaltz can't play together. I feel there are more players and other areas of team play AND coaching decisions that need to be looked at before 1 player is singled out. Don't get me wrong, I like JC and want to see him have success while he is learning through his baptism by fire, but I'm questioning a lot of player decisions who go onto the ice at critical times ... after they had already shown they make errors in the first critical situation. I think JC is trying to build or instill confidence in players who makes mistakes, and he doesn't bench them a shift to at least talk about what went wrong/should have happened. It makes sense, but he needs to show player accountability, even if it is just for a shift or two. Adb not getting ot play time??? He was one of the 2 goal scorers on a lowe line. Edzo calls it as he sees it. He seems pissed in more than 1 area with this team.