That is the modern NHL. If you do not have speed, you have no chance. Trotz has figured that out.

Barzal is sick, almost makes Kane look pedestrian....
- TrueGrit

Hawks needed to play more physical tonight like they did vs Avs but like a young team they didn't feel like it tonight

Bowman’s off season
- Manning
- Kruger
- Kunitz
- Ward

Moved Hossa with Hinnie
Wow - mind boggling!!!
- Colbyboy

These are all short term placeholder deals, aside from Manning. If there is a plan in place, and I want to think there is, those are standard stopgap measures until it can be implemented. Manning was artfully flipped, as already mentioned, and the other three won't be here next year.

The Bowman deal I can't rationalize on any level is Danault and two 2nds for garbage. There are others I may not completely agree with, but I can at least understand the thinking. Just not this one.

Vinny on a very bad team ,and battling some nagging injuries this year .He is a good extremely fast player who speed and hockey IQ could have been very useful around here . Hartman another player that I believe would have been better served if not stunted by Q Neanderthal coaching techniques .Although Stan did a great job getting a 1st and prospect for Hartman ..

Team is finding it way ,it may be to late this year as the coaching change should have been made in the off season or earlier .
- oldduffman

Respect your opinion but to me Vinny was a Tweener that would never be a top 6 guy on a good team and doesn't have a lot of the tools you want from a bottom 6 guy. He doesn't seem to have the defensive game or much other than speed IMO. Again, just my opinion but I find guys like DeBrincat and Strome have a lot more hockey IQ because they know how to be effective without all that speed. They find the areas on the ice and can read off the other players and Vinny didn't seem to have that in my eyes. Anyway, I know a lot of folks around here liked him, but I think he was over-hyped by Hawks fans.

And Hjalmarsson was a Q player but.....
- BetweenTheDots

That's the point. SB trades Hjalmarsson, and Q press-boxes Murphy.

JC comes in, and Murphy has been very good.

These are all short term placeholder deals, aside from Manning. If there is a plan in place, and I want to think there is, those are standard stopgap measures until it can be implemented. Manning was artfully flipped, as already mentioned, and the other three won't be here next year.

The Bowman deal I can't rationalize on any level is Danault and two 2nds for garbage. There are others I may not completely agree with, but I can at least understand the thinking. Just not this one.
- 333inthe3rd

That, the Timonen trade, and Seabrook's contract are the only moves that I really thought were inexcusable. He's had many other moves that were bad, but at least you could see what he was trying to do.

That, the Timonen trade, and Seabrook's contract are the only moves that I really thought were inexcusable. He's had many other moves that were bad, but at least you could see what he was trying to do.
- tvetter

Agree with this and with what 333 posted. Manning's been flipped and Stan didn't have to give up anything...unless anyone considers Norell something? He currently wasn't even in their top 10-15 dman prospects, and Caggiula might be a player who can add to the bottom 6.

Kunitz, Kruger and Ward are all stopgap as mentioned and likely gone next year. If Crow is done due to health issues, I could see Ward potentially being brought back on a similar deal, maybe less, to back up Delia.

Back to Norell for a second. I believe he, Dahlstrom and Robin Press all came out of the same draft (can't remember which year) where the Hawks took a number of Swede dmen.

Dahlstrom has definitely looked decent with Murphy and with Joker gives you half a decent D-core, whether Keith's still here next year or not.

Lost a game they deserved to lose. The little streak they had wasn't sustainable. Tonight was a total woodshed job, woulda been over sooner if not for this kid they have in goal.
- kwolf68

I completely agree with your point. The real downside is the few games this team will win between now and the end of the season won't even put them into the playoffs , but will surely put them out of any chance at securing a top 3 pick to bring in a Hughes.

With 4 weeks left before trading is haulted Stan really needs to find a way to move either Keith and or Seabrook as well as anisomov.

i'm among the uninformed. Is Devon Toews related to Jonathon??
- BobP.

you're not alone when it comes to this blog....

Respect your opinion but to me Vinny was a Tweener that would never be a top 6 guy on a good team and doesn't have a lot of the tools you want from a bottom 6 guy. He doesn't seem to have the defensive game or much other than speed IMO. Again, just my opinion but I find guys like DeBrincat and Strome have a lot more hockey IQ because they know how to be effective without all that speed. They find the areas on the ice and can read off the other players and Vinny didn't seem to have that in my eyes. Anyway, I know a lot of folks around here liked him, but I think he was over-hyped by Hawks fans.
- breadbag

I was never a fan of funny. IMO he was just someone with speed and no real skill, hockey i.q or bite to his game. Chicago has enough low end guys already on this team.

Kahuan, sikura, Perlini, kampf, Hayden all of them are expendable.

Hayden everyone has this fantasy that we need to give these guys more time , most kids when they come up either are impactful immediately or show strong signs that their developing and will be valuable.


This team needs more skill and size and players who can excel in whatever role their meant to play, shut down , power player , energy , .

the hawks took a beating last night across the board...and spare me the fatigue excuse that was served up by the NBCSN crew.

They just had the Christmas break. 3 days off into the 1/1 game and a travel day to isle game.

Why this team can't start games on time is hitting the absurd end of the spectrum. That first period could easily have been 3-1.

they got (frank)'n out chanced like 25-10. And delia had stop several high quality chances...thats what hawk goalies have to do stop blowouts

the hawks took a beating last night across the board...and spare me the fatigue excuse that was served up by the NBCSN crew.

They just had the Christmas break. 3 days off into the 1/1 game and a travel day to isle game.

Why this team can't start games on time is hitting the absurd end of the spectrum. That first period could easily have been 3-1.

they got (frank)'n out chanced like 25-10. And delia had stop several high quality chances...thats what hawk goalies have to do stop blowouts
- bogiedoc

I'm with you completely on that. They got out chanced badly, knocked over , coughed up the puck . Their power play was non existent.

Delia is the only reason at this point this team is in any game or for that matter the games he played in They won more so because he has been lights out stellar.

Ward I realize is a stop gap but it's time yo let Delia be the main goaltender

trotz plan??...the isles can skate and play an up tempo offensive game...

this is the not the trotz style i remember
- bogiedoc

Limiting a team to (5x5) 2 SOG in the first, and 1 SOG in the third, is.

With 4 weeks left before trading is haulted Stan really needs to find a way to move either Keith and or Seabrook as well as anisomov.
- Taylorst1

They have no value to anyone nor waive their NMC. The best this genius of GM probably will do is to trade Kruger (2 mln retained) for late 3rd pick and then sign him back in summer to 4x4/NMC to compensate for his sacrifice.

I completely agree with your point. The real downside is the few games this team will win between now and the end of the season won't even put them into the playoffs , but will surely put them out of any chance at securing a top 3 pick to bring in a Hughes.

With 4 weeks left before trading is haulted Stan really needs to find a way to move either Keith and or Seabrook as well as anisomov.
- Taylorst1

I don't think Stan needs to do anything at the TDL, it would be nice if he did but I wouldn't expect the big moves now. Any bigger trades will likely happen in the off season.

AA will be dealt at his bonus is paid on July 1, His contract becomes much more attractive for a cash strapped team (i.e. lower cash payout than cap hit). Keith is still the team's best d-man and I don't see him going anywhere. I'm fine keeping #2 and #7 long term, the team just needs to find better d-men to decrease their prominence on the team.

you're not alone when it comes to this blog....
- bogiedoc

Hahahaha, scoundrel.

That is the modern NHL. If you do not have speed, you have no chance. Trotz has figured that out.

Barzal is sick, almost makes Kane look pedestrian....
- TrueGrit

While i agree speed is important, a player who doesn't have speed can carve a niche for himself if he's smart. Joe Thornton, John Tavares and Ryan Oreilly come to mind.

The "modern" NHL will always have sub par skaters who have great hockey understanding. I'll take a slower old school John Tavares over a blazing fast modern Viktor StaHllberg any day. BTW did you notice one of your "modern" players you so adored, Brandon, call me Wayne, Pirri, still can't catch on with an NHL team? I guess every NHL coach is as dumb as Q, huh?

Contrary to your Q hatred, who won 2 cups during the time you wanted him dismissed, he proved he is one of the best coaches EVER. Yes he lucked into a team of incredible skill and depth but he also knew what to do to get the most out of that team. He also got stale in Chicago and it was time for him to go, I doubt he would have had the stomach to coach during a rebuild. A great coach has his team prepared, motivated, disciplined and has a game plan he's able to get the team to buy into. A great coach can also work with young player, veterans, and from differnt cultures. Quenneville scored an A+ in all those areas. His constant line juggling, while annoying, didn't affect the team until later when he no longer had the depth to work with. He also was poor coaching his special teams and he was quick to dismiss players who didn't fit into his system. Every coach has strengths and weaknesses and Q had much more of the former.

I completely agree with your point. The real downside is the few games this team will win between now and the end of the season won't even put them into the playoffs , but will surely put them out of any chance at securing a top 3 pick to bring in a Hughes.

With 4 weeks left before trading is haulted Stan really needs to find a way to move either Keith and or Seabrook as well as anisomov.
- Taylorst1

Don't over estimate this team's ability to finish dead last. With the Coyotes now experiencing a rash of injuries I worry they'll beat the Hawks to the bottom. Right now the Hawks are only ahead of 3-4 teams by just a hair, and all those teams have games in hand.

If there is EVER a time to send out a couple capable veterans for picks/prospects between now and 2/25 is it. I am FAR from a believer in Bowman as he has really hampered this franchise with terrible trades, bad contracts, sweeteners, NTCs, but I DO like his two in-season trades this year so far, thus, I'd like to see what else he can come up with.

He's he GM of my favorite hockey team, I obviously want him to do well.

That, the Timonen trade, and Seabrook's contract are the only moves that I really thought were inexcusable. He's had many other moves that were bad, but at least you could see what he was trying to do.
- tvetter

I was okay with the Timonen trade. He got injured early on (I think at the hands of Reaves), so we never got to see what he was capable of. I think he made Teuvo better, also, and he was a locker room plus for the Cup run. Hade he not had the injury, he would have been an effective third pair solution. And had they not won, they lose a 2nd and a 4th instead of two 2nds.

The Seabrook contract, it is more understandable in the context of not having anybody in their pipeline who could step in anytime soon. It is the result of year after year of failing to draft adequately for the position. That is where I blame Bowman and the front office.

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, the Hawks will wear those black Winter Classic jerseys at 3 future home games....January 22 against the NYI, February 18 versus Ottawa and March 24 against Colorado.

I'm with you completely on that. They got out chanced badly, knocked over , coughed up the puck . Their power play was non existent.

Delia is the only reason at this point this team is in any game or for that matter the games he played in They won more so because he has been lights out stellar.

Ward I realize is a stop gap but it's time yo let Delia be the main goaltender
- Taylorst1

There PP was 1for 2 so 50% is pretty non existent

While i agree speed is important, a player who doesn't have speed can carve a niche for himself if he's smart. Joe Thornton, John Tavares and Ryan Oreilly come to mind.

The "modern" NHL will always have sub par skaters who have great hockey understanding. I'll take a slower old school John Tavares over a blazing fast modern Viktor StaHllberg any day. BTW did you notice one of your "modern" players you so adored, Brandon, call me Wayne, Pirri, still can't catch on with an NHL team? I guess every NHL coach is as dumb as Q, huh?

Contrary to your Q hatred, who won 2 cups during the time you wanted him dismissed, he proved he is one of the best coaches EVER. Yes he lucked into a team of incredible skill and depth but he also knew what to do to get the most out of that team. He also got stale in Chicago and it was time for him to go, I doubt he would have had the stomach to coach during a rebuild. A great coach has his team prepared, motivated, disciplined and has a game plan he's able to get the team to buy into. A great coach can also work with young player, veterans, and from differnt cultures. Quenneville scored an A+ in all those areas. His constant line juggling, while annoying, didn't affect the team until later when he no longer had the depth to work with. He also was poor coaching his special teams and he was quick to dismiss players who didn't fit into his system. Every coach has strengths and weaknesses and Q had much more of the former.
- paulr

All respects for your opinion, but I saw (was at the games) many times the hawks were not ready to play at the start of the game. I think the "we'll just turn on the switch" mentality is lagrely responsible for that. And of course at some point that fails to work anymore. It did work for quite a while, longer than I would have thought for sure. But the point is that it was a common occurence when Q was coach.

Don't over estimate this team's ability to finish dead last. With the Coyotes now experiencing a rash of injuries I worry they'll beat the Hawks to the bottom. Right now the Hawks are only ahead of 3-4 teams by just a hair, and all those teams have games in hand.

If there is EVER a time to send out a couple capable veterans for picks/prospects between now and 2/25 is it. I am FAR from a believer in Bowman as he has really hampered this franchise with terrible trades, bad contracts, sweeteners, NTCs, but I DO like his two in-season trades this year so far, thus, I'd like to see what else he can come up with.

He's he GM of my favorite hockey team, I obviously want him to do well.
- kwolf68

At the end of the day, this is pretty much all that really counts.

the hawks took a beating last night across the board...and spare me the fatigue excuse that was served up by the NBCSN crew.

They just had the Christmas break. 3 days off into the 1/1 game and a travel day to isle game.

Why this team can't start games on time is hitting the absurd end of the spectrum. That first period could easily have been 3-1.

they got (frank)'n out chanced like 25-10. And delia had stop several high quality chances...thats what hawk goalies have to do stop blowouts
- bogiedoc

There is a lot more to the WC then showing up for a game ,having a camera crew follow the team around for a week over Christmas well family and friends are all over the players for their time and tickets . Can't be a normal time for players and even more so for young players who have never experienced anything like that .. Ya but I get it they lost 3 to 2 in OT to rather decent team on a hot streak in their building ,we might well flush the season and call out all the players ..LOL

All respects for your opinion, but I saw (was at the games) many times the hawks were not ready to play at the start of the game. I think the "we'll just turn on the switch" mentality is lagrely responsible for that. And of course at some point that fails to work anymore. It did work for quite a while, longer than I would have thought for sure. But the point is that it was a common occurence when Q was coach.
- 6628

I won't disagree about the "turning on the switch" mentality. It was frustrating to watch until I realized the team was one of the few ever who could actually do it more times than not. I'm sure it drove Quenneville crazy as well.

Don't get me wrong there was plenty to criticize Q about but it's getting tiresome to read some posts dismissing Q as nothing more than some dude void of coaching ability being involved with a team that won three cups.

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, the Hawks will wear those black Winter Classic jerseys at 3 future home games....January 22 against the NYI, February 18 versus Ottawa and March 24 against Colorado.
- boilermaker100

Thank goodness! I can't stand the choir boy collars! I'm curious if the demand for these has died between the down swing by the Hawks and the look of the jerseys. Personally, I loved the Stadium Series jersey worn during their game against the Wild, with the Chicago 4 stars. If they could integrate that into the look of this years WC jersey, it would look sharp.

But hey, what do I know...