We mostly agree that a hockey guy should be calling the hockey shots. But be careful what you wish for. A lot of old school "hockey guys" are more like members of an old boys club. Colliton is known as an open minded independent thinker of the game and I think that's fantastic. And if SB gets re-assigned or deep sixed all together then the next GM needs to be on the same page as the coach. It was way obvious SB & JQ were not. It's a bummer Dudley bailed. Everywhere he goes teams improve after he's there for a few years.

Nice read Justin
Trade Crow at deadline for picks/ young center
Make Kahun the 3rd line center for extra speed
Waive Kuniz , Davidson
Send down Fortin for more seasoning
Manning the 7th D
Agree on call ups
Play the kids to see what we have and pray for first pick!

The Hawks need to go full rebuild. The smart move would be to trade Kane. Even with his large cap hit, he is still a very valuable all star caliber player that a lot of team would take at full price.

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.
- Taylorst1

Actually only day 1 of my vaca. Just got here.

Will keep you all posted on a couple more blog this week tho. I don't have the kids so I'll actually he able to concentrate. Ha.

Nice read Justin
Trade Crow at deadline for picks/ young center
Make Kahun the 3rd line center for extra speed
Waive Kuniz , Davidson
Send down Fortin for more seasoning
Manning the 7th D
Agree on call ups
Play the kids to see what we have and pray for first pick!
- CTblackhawkfan

I would not do this part.

I would not do this part.
- Justin Lowe

Even if the return were a very good prospect or a first?

I would not do this part.
- Justin Lowe

JL, what parts do you believe would gather the most return if traded during the '18-'19 season? my guess:

Kane (unlikely)
Keith
Crawford
Toews
Schmaltz

Loose change:
Rutta, Manning, Gus, Seabrook

Even if the return were a very good prospect or a first?
- RaleighHawk

If you trade Crawford you are really throwing in the towel. You might as well trade Kane, Keith and the rest because Crow has been the main reason this team has been relatively competitive for the last 5 years.

Also, if you trade him, who replaces him?

The Hawks goaltending depth is not good. Delia might be a solid goalie but so unproven still, we've seen what Forsberg did last year, Lankinen and Nalimov are unknowns as well.

My vote is to keep Crow for as long as you can if you have any hope of winning hockey games.

JL, what parts do you believe would gather the most return if traded during the '18-'19 season? my guess:

Kane (unlikely)
Keith
Crawford
Toews
Schmaltz

Loose change:
Rutta, Manning, Gus, Seabrook
- phantasmo

With Stan at the helm, I can tell you what I think he'll do - which is move guys like Rutta and lower line forwards for limited return.

If it were me, I would try to move Anisimov and even entertain moving Schmaltz for the right price.

I don't think other bigger pieces get moved in-season IMO.

With Stan at the helm, I can tell you what I think he'll do - which is move guys like Rutta and lower line forwards for limited return.

If it were me, I would try to move Anisimov and even entertain moving Schmaltz for the right price.

I don't think other bigger pieces get moved in-season IMO.
- Justin Lowe

That does seem to be much more likely--thanks Justin for all the feedback

We mostly agree that a hockey guy should be calling the hockey shots. But be careful what you wish for. A lot of old school "hockey guys" are more like members of an old boys club. Colliton is known as an open minded independent thinker of the game and I think that's fantastic. And if SB gets re-assigned or deep sixed all together then the next GM needs to be on the same page as the coach. It was way obvious SB & JQ were not. It's a bummer Dudley bailed. Everywhere he goes teams improve after he's there for a few years.
- 6628

The problem is anyone with hockey chops will not work for McDonut as he is a control freak. Dudley didn't bail he left the cesspool that McDonut created. The fish rots from the head down!

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).
- AEL_Fox

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.

I want to give some perspective on this recurring theme.

A lot of you claim to be old time Hawks fans. I don't think you really remember back far enough when you speak of "bad management".

I can take you back to the early 70s - when Bill Wirtz let Bobby Hull walk to the WHL, prompting thousands of season ticket holders turn in their seats. I can tell you that good ole Dollar Bill NEVER forgot that. At the time, he berated the Chicago fan base as disloyal. It prompted several low class moves - the worst in my eyes was firing Coach Reay with a pink slip under the coach's door.

I can also speak of several players meeting him with agents in tow, and Bill refusing to offer a contract, let alone negotiate. He never believed in a player dictating fair market value - you took what he offered, and would be happy to get it.

I fast forward to 2009 - when this piece of work died. Had that not happened, I am certain that Marian Hossa does not sign with the Hawks. And even if that team managed to luck into their first Cup, I seriously doubt that either Kane or Toews sees their 30 million "bridge" deals - which guarantees Cups #2 and 3 would never been realized.

I can also guarantee with Bill still owning the team, assets such as Keith, Sharp and Seabrook would have been sold off for lesser talent and draft picks - much of what some of you are clamoring for now. And he NEVER would have spent up to the cap limits to help this team compete. He took that one with him to his grave!!!!

This franchise would be in full rebuild mode right now - and would go back to being a complete failure in all aspects of a "professional" sports team.

So, whining and complaining about Stan Bowman, and John McDonough for the job done to keep this team in contending conversations for nearly a decade, and the price paid to do so in the Gary Bettman watered down parity era, I wouldn't be so quick to call them out for what's left of this team - after attempting to win multiple Cups. Did they fall short in some years - yes. But don't dismiss the effort. Past management would never have tried in the first place.

Don't care how anybody spins it this is not a playoff team. 7 came losing streak, 27th overall in the league, new coach and we can go on....it will get worse before it gets better.

So what to do?

Fire the coach for starters, knee jerk reaction by a GM grasping at straws even though it was probably time for a change. Is this new guy the one to turn this team around, doubt it.

Owner if he had any chance vision should soon realize Bowman should be next one out and hire someone who can oversee the rebuild of this proud franchise.

At this point and time management has to evaluate the team moving forward and have a realistic approach to where this team stands. As a 27th place team bound for a lottery pick is it a viable option to have two players making 11 million dollars each on your team? Something has to give as this is not the recipe for winning as there are too many holes to fill to have those types of salaries on this team. Either way I believe one will have to go to really boost this team towards a different path. Which one goes... who knows? Kane has better value but to me JT should go as you will have a longer window of quality years with Kane as you will with JT. Time to sell now as he is having a bounce back year.

The rest, if you can move away from the Seabrook contract as he brings little for what he costs, even if you have to retain moneys I believe it's worth while just to get it off the books. Keith and CC I would keep but would move on from Anisimov and Kruger. Schmaltz is a tough one but if kept would not give a lot of money as he still has lots to prove.

Crazy? Yes , no?

Regardless I will still be cheering and watching.

Agree that Ruuta and Kunitz should be jettisoned, but Hayden should be retained because of his age, salary and a playing style that we lack.

Hey Justin Vacation no Kids WTH enjoy !! I know I am a bit of a Stan supporter ,but as you pointed out in this case the crap rolls up hill .If this slide continues and it is a very small sample size . So if the HAWKS decide a new GM is needed . What would you think of Mark Hunter for GM , and do you think he would leave cozy confines of SO for the HAWKS .

Honestly Keith for Nylander would be a pretty good trade for both teams.
- Panarin27

I say that all the time ,but leaf fans up here laugh at the idea .They are a spoiled bunch who brain washed by the constant hype

I want to give some perspective on this recurring theme.

A lot of you claim to be old time Hawks fans. I don't think you really remember back far enough when you speak of "bad management".

I can take you back to the early 70s - when Bill Wirtz let Bobby Hull walk to the WHL, prompting thousands of season ticket holders turn in their seats. I can tell you that good ole Dollar Bill NEVER forgot that. At the time, he berated the Chicago fan base as disloyal. It prompted several low class moves - the worst in my eyes was firing Coach Reay with a pink slip under the coach's door.

I can also speak of several players meeting him with agents in tow, and Bill refusing to offer a contract, let alone negotiate. He never believed in a player dictating fair market value - you took what he offered, and would be happy to get it.

I fast forward to 2009 - when this piece of work died. Had that not happened, I am certain that Marian Hossa does not sign with the Hawks. And even if that team managed to luck into their first Cup, I seriously doubt that either Kane or Toews sees their 30 million "bridge" deals - which guarantees Cups #2 and 3 would never been realized.

I can also guarantee with Bill still owning the team, assets such as Keith, Sharp and Seabrook would have been sold off for lesser talent and draft picks - much of what some of you are clamoring for now. And he NEVER would have spent up to the cap limits to help this team compete. He took that one with him to his grave!!!!

This franchise would be in full rebuild mode right now - and would go back to being a complete failure in all aspects of a "professional" sports team.

So, whining and complaining about Stan Bowman, and John McDonough for the job done to keep this team in contending conversations for nearly a decade, and the price paid to do so in the Gary Bettman watered down parity era, I wouldn't be so quick to call them out for what's left of this team - after attempting to win multiple Cups. Did they fall short in some years - yes. But don't dismiss the effort. Past management would never have tried in the first place.
- dahawks8819

I remember every single bit of this. It was pretty much constant heartbreak.
With the 3 Cup wins and 2 Conference final losses came late in round drafting where even some of those picks were jettisoned to bring in guys for a playoff push.
2018 was the first year in a loooooong time we even had as much as a Top 10 pick.

Big question now is: how quickly can the 'Hawks get back to contention? How quickly can they get back to the playoffs?

Supposedly, Nylander wants term at Draisaitl 💵. ($8.5M per). NO WAY the Hawks can or should trade for him and have to pay that time of 💰.

I don’t know if you could get a bag of pucks for Rutta, right now. If they were lucky, they would put him on waivers and he would get claimed, saving the Hawks money and a roster slot.

Supposedly, Nylander wants term at Draisaitl 💵. ($8.5M per). NO WAY the Hawks can or should trade for him and have to pay that time of 💰.
- hawks2010

And give up assets like Schmaltz for the privilege of overpaying another soft player.

- DarthKane

You know Brian is dead in the comics, right?

Mark Lazerus
‏Verified account
@MarkLazerus

The once-unflappable Blackhawks now get deflated – and defeated – by one mistake, one goal-against. It's a problem.

Duncan Keith: “Well, I don’t think we’re the most confident group in the history of the game, that’s for sure."

whooaa...this kinda says it all

Supposedly, Nylander wants term at Draisaitl 💵. ($8.5M per). NO WAY the Hawks can or should trade for him and have to pay that time of 💰.
- hawks2010

NUTZ to him and that...he can sit out the whole damn season...I would not touch this guy

tell ya hawk management has really screwed the pooch...

what GM is going to come in here take ownership of a young coach he didn't hire...good luck with that

and then they got the Bowman's buddy as their inside guy, Barry Smith, on the bench and in the locker room...

honestly this is hard for me to say cuz losing and watching wretched play game after game sucks...but a complete on ice wipe out is what the hawk management deserves..

as Justin says...Bowman OWNS THIS TEAM...its all his now...

I don’t know if you could get a bag of pucks for Rutta, right now. If they were lucky, they would put him on waivers and he would get claimed, saving the Hawks money and a roster slot.
- hawks2010

Hawks got a pick for Kempny last year, and he wasn't playing. They can get a pick for Rutta, even at over 2 mil. Someone can as always use a Defenseman.