Q isnt here anymore. When will the crying or false narrative end that he "ruined young players"?

IT IS NOT A DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE. THEY DO NOT GET PARTICIPATION TROPHIES. SORRY YOU WERE WIRED TO BELIEVE THAT BUT COACHES ARE THERE TO WIN AND WIN ALONE. PLAYERS AT THAT LEVEL WANT TO WIN EVERY GAME NOT TANK.
- PatShart

Thanks for making my point. You hand out passes to Q and others in their decline making excuses for them. If that is not a participation trophy, I do not know what is. Pro sports is a what have you done for me lately kind of thing. IT is pure capitalism.

Professional players in any sport play hard to win, there has been nobody voicing this louder and consistently than I.

What you seem to miss is that nobody is saying he ruined anyone. But it is clear by the success many players have had since leaving, that he was wrong about what players could bring to the team. I will be the first to say, it was his ship and his call. The talented group achieved a lot, but lets not brush over the fact that over the last few years, those decisions had negative affects on the team then (look at their record/performance) and now, as their are holes in the line up that could have been filled by the likes of Kempny and Danualt, who both were given away for Richard.

You are a smart man, think a little past your initial reaction to consider what people are saying. And yes, after doing so you can disagree, but disagree based upon the merits of their arguments, not your oversimplified perception of the argument they are making.

Nice prediction on Talbot last night
- BetweenTheDots

Hahaha, thanks. Ward was the Alpha Cam.

Nice prediction on Talbot last night
- BetweenTheDots

Someone on the Oilers board predicted a 7-2 Hawks win. Pretty close call. The Oil completely imploded but other than the powerplay goals, didn't look that good. Maybe it was the Hawks looked much hungrier.

One negative thing I noticed was Dahlstrom completely bailing out in corners when Lucic/Kassian was going for the puck. Kunitz is a step behind; I would much rather have Perlini playing.

I mean goals from Strome, Kahun, Hayden and Cagguila last night. If you look at the whole league, you will see a lack of secondary scoring on every team not named Tampa or Calgary.
- nickmo2699

Bingo.

And guess what, our secondary scoring is trending up.

Those waiting for Kane to fall off, guess again, the hawks will continue to play and push an up tempo style, which they have more firepower to win more often then not.

Of course we need to tighten up defensively, but the best defense is playing in the other teams zone.

Hahaha, thanks. Ward was the Alpha Cam.
- I Am The Breadman

Btw the Hawks giving up only 27 shots vs the Wild and 31 vs Oil, not bad

Someone on the Oilers board predicted a 7-2 Hawks win. Pretty close call. The Oil completely imploded but other than the powerplay goals, didn't look that good. Maybe it was the Hawks looked much hungrier.

One negative thing I noticed was Dahlstrom completely bailing out in corners when Lucic/Kassian was going for the puck. Kunitz is a step behind; I would much rather have Perlini playing.
- Popsghostly

I hope nobody is blasting their hall of fame coach over there, who was not what that team needed.

They need a JC or the Rangers Coach, Sullivan or Cooper...someone who will not try to stuff a bunch of square pegs into round holes.

Bingo.

And guess what, our secondary scoring is trending up.

Those waiting for Kane to fall off, guess again, the hawks will continue to play and push an up tempo style, which they have more firepower to win more often then not.

Of course we need to tighten up defensively, but the best defense is playing in the other teams zone.
- TrueGrit

Uh oh your starting to sound like Tanner

Have you looked at the Hawks next 10 or 12 games? They play all the other last place teams in the league, plus Detroit twice, Anaheim, Vancouver, and a struggling Columbus team. That's 8 winnable games. They could really start to get into playoff contention.

It's a tough situation for Bowman now. If he is going to sell, he needs to do it quick or they are going to drop out of the top 5 of the draft. Worst case scenario would be to finish like 10th in the conference. You don't make the playoffs, and you end up drafting 9th.
- biskit67

We have to hope one of two things happen. 8-2 or 2-8. Not, 5-5.

If 2-8.....we KNOW we are out, fire sale for picks and prospects....and hope for a Top 3 Draft selection.

5-5.....is a disaster....draft pick screwed, no playoffs....just not good.

8-2, Excitement back, playoff race is officially "On". The only thing I would worry about is management doesnt go "all in" on THIS YEAR and forget what the plan should be. Still be sellers at the deadline, and if we make a run, so be it.

These next 10 games should be fun. Buckle up!!!

Preds get Boyle for a second.

Would Callahan be a good 3C for the Hawks the rest of this year and next year if they could trade AA. Not saying AA to Tampa (that would be dumb).

Let's say the Hawks find a taker for AA for 4th round pick.

Then the Hawks trade someone like Edjsell and that 4th round pick for Callahan and a 2nd round pick. So in essence the Hawks get an expensive 3C, but also get a late 2nd round pick. Callahan is only signed for one more year. Toews, Strome, Callahan, and Kampf would not be too shabby up the middle.

Maybe they could move Callahan next year at the TDL for an additional pick.
- -Doh-

Ryan Callahan has never been a center. He is one of the worst contracts in the league. We just got out of Cap Hell, let's not throw ourselves back in. Callahan gets hurt every single year and is probably not going to be in the league soon. He just got told he would be the 13th forward on the Lightning.

Assistant Coach Callahan: sure
Chicago Blackhawk Callahan: no thanks

Just to temper our enthusiasm:

They have scored 4+7+2+6+6=25=5 per game during this winning streak (non-ENGs). Seven on the PP and 18 5x5.

How sustainable is 5 goals per game - and only one game with less than 4 - and what happens when the goals inevitably dry up a little?

Don't forget - they did lose 5 in a row - and 7 of 8 - before this nice winning streak.

The positive on this front is that they have gotten goals from 11 skaters in these 5 wins - and only 11 (44%) from their top three scorers.

Will they have enough defense - and third-period toughness - to win some 2-1 or 3-2 games when the scoring - both PP and 5x5 - comes back to a more sustainable level?
- StLBravesFan

They have scored 3+ goals in 11 straight games and have not scored less than 2 since November 16. Their offense is unlikely to dry up.

In their last 22 they are 12-6-4. Only three of those 3 games did they score less than 3 (2, 3 times). They went 1-1-1 in those 3 games.

Can their defense continue to show progression? That's the real key, because they still look like a total dumpster fire on defense at times, but the team is showing signs of cohesiveness and are making teams work a bit harder.

Not sure if anyone saw this, but thought it was pretty cool to note:

Jason Lieser
@JasonLieser
Feisty visiting locker room at Rogers Place. Hawks have the music blaring. Heard a lot of clapping and yelling too.


Nice to see this team is definitely beginning to buy in and believe (and have fun).

I hope nobody is blasting their hall of fame coach over there, who was not what that team needed.

They need a JC or the Rangers Coach, Sullivan or Cooper...someone who will not try to stuff a bunch of square pegs into round holes.
- TrueGrit

They are roasting management, which is warranted but no attacks on Hitchcock that I saw on glance.

Oddly though, it seems mostly BINGO!,EnzoD, MapleLeaf posters and Red Wing posters rather than Oiler fans chatting.

Funny seeing all the Connor Murphy love with how much everyone either didn't like him from Day 1 of the trade or wanted to trade him as soon as he had surgery over the summer...this is why you can't judge a guy based on a small sample size. Did we not learn from all the Toews bashing? Lets cool the Saad bashing while we're at it and just let him do his thing...

Interesting win from the Hawks last night. Oilers are not a very good team, in that bubble range that the Hawks appear to be in now as well, but it was good to see the team go down after taking the lead and giving up two PP goals in a row only to fight back and score 4 goals in 3 minutes. Especially considering Hayden was the one to spark it and most of the goals were from our "secondary" scores (not Kane or Toews). While the team didn't look great at times, and the Oilers are who we know they are, they seem to continue to be playing better and better each week that they get more time together and a better understanding of JC's system and what he wants from each player.

Idk where I stand with this team right now. I like seeing them win and play well, but I absolutely do NOT want to see them get a Wild Card spot and end up getting railroaded by Winnipeg or Nashville in the 1st Rd. I don't wanna see them fight for it and end up being just short and end up in no man's land of the 8-15 range of the Draft and have to draft a project player that won't be able to help for a few years. It's a tough place for this team to be in right now.

At least 8 of the next 12 games look like winnable games for the team and crazy as it seems, that'd be enough to put them smack dab in the middle of the Playoff picture. I hope that Stan is smart, and doesn't make a stupid trade. If they just don't find any offers for the guys we think will be traded to be appealing to them then maybe that's the best that they just stand pat and build chemistry. Idk it's gonna be a weird next couple of weeks watching them play

Not sure if anyone saw this, but thought it was pretty cool to note:

Jason Lieser
@JasonLieser
Feisty visiting locker room at Rogers Place. Hawks have the music blaring. Heard a lot of clapping and yelling too.


Nice to see this team is definitely beginning to buy in and believe (and have fun).
- TommyHawk

At least I hope they gel, have fun and get ready for next season. So much of it is confidence and desire to win. I miss when the Hawks were the team with swagger that wanted to win and have fun doing it.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Our draft position: https://media.giphy.com/m...a/hdEAzYiaCjhUA/giphy.gif

Preds get Boyle for a second.
- SoftServe

Good pickup for them, perfect 4th line center for a playoff run

I also like the fact they are sacrificing their bodies more, double digit blocked shots= 30 shots on goal, single digit blocked shots =40 shots on goal. I know there are times shots from the blue line the dmen try to create a clear lane and view of the shot. What was really nice was seeing contested shots between the dots, no free high percentage shots

It a sad day when you quit on your favorite team, under the guise it for the best long term .Tomorrow is not guaranteed folks , never will be . I am cheering for this team till the last shovel of dirt is thrown on the casket , really why not wait till the math nerds say their done . Then you let the balls fall were they will ,with the knowledge your team played hard to the end . I think the Hockey Gods like that stuff ,and they are real , just ask Don Cherry and the Canadian Jr. team . Nothing better then going into the playoffs as a huge underdog ,play with no pressure and tell all the so called experts to shove it . These old guys (their still kids in my 50 plus mind ) gave us some much over the years , we owe them a some respect and support down stretch . GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bingo.

And guess what, our secondary scoring is trending up.

Those waiting for Kane to fall off, guess again, the hawks will continue to play and push an up tempo style, which they have more firepower to win more often then not.

Of course we need to tighten up defensively, but the best defense is playing in the other teams zone.
- TrueGrit

The more I watch, the more I think my comments yesterday were wrong. One more stable 3-4 dman can really make this team a consistent playoof team. Not a contender, but a team in the dance year after year.

Q isnt here anymore. When will the crying or false narrative end that he "ruined young players"?

IT IS NOT A DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE. THEY DO NOT GET PARTICIPATION TROPHIES. SORRY YOU WERE WIRED TO BELIEVE THAT BUT COACHES ARE THERE TO WIN AND WIN ALONE. PLAYERS AT THAT LEVEL WANT TO WIN EVERY GAME NOT TANK.
- PatShart

You are correct in saying that the NHL is not a "development" league in that it is the top level of the sport. However, with the cap being what it is and the contracts that are being doled out, young/inexperienced players in the lineup are an inevitability. To that end, you need to be able to bring people along.

I was never one to say that Q ruined players, or didn't like young guys. He pooped on Daley as hard as he ever did on Leddy, etc. He simply didn't seem to have much leniency for anyone who took a lot of time to grasp his system/play the way he wanted. To be completely honest, that is his right. He has the skins on the wall to prove it. That said, there is a lot of value in being able to get younger players up to speed and playing well in the NHL, and JC thus far seems to have a knack for doing just that.

At least I hope they gel, have fun and get ready for next season. So much of it is confidence and desire to win. I miss when the Hawks were the team with swagger that wanted to win and have fun doing it.
- breadbag

Get ready for next season? They're still thinking about this season !
I posted earlier in the thread how after the game last night when the captain was seeing everyone off the ice, the guys looked absolutely amped! They've bought in. I mean they were blaring "Trophies" by Drake in the locker room after the game per Powers. They're going for it !

It a sad day when you quit on your favorite team, under the guise it for the best long term .Tomorrow is not guaranteed folks , never will be . I am cheering for this team till the last shovel of dirt is thrown on the casket , really why not wait till the math nerds say their done . Then you let the balls fall were they will ,with the knowledge your team played hard to the end . I think the Hockey Gods like that stuff ,and they are real , just ask Don Cherry and the Canadian Jr. team . Nothing better then going into the playoffs as a huge underdog ,play with no pressure and tell all the so called experts to shove it . These old guys (their still kids in my 50 plus mind ) gave us some much over the years , we owe them a some respect and support down stretch . GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

I'm right there with you!

Not sure if anyone saw this, but thought it was pretty cool to note:

Jason Lieser
@JasonLieser
Feisty visiting locker room at Rogers Place. Hawks have the music blaring. Heard a lot of clapping and yelling too.


Nice to see this team is definitely beginning to buy in and believe (and have fun).
- TommyHawk

Saw that!

I remember Versteeg used to be the locler room DJ... wonder who has the honours these days.

Ryan Callahan has never been a center. He is one of the worst contracts in the league. We just got out of Cap Hell, let's not throw ourselves back in. Callahan gets hurt every single year and is probably not going to be in the league soon. He just got told he would be the 13th forward on the Lightning.

Assistant Coach Callahan: sure
Chicago Blackhawk Callahan: no thanks
- ObeseOprah

We're on opposite sides of this argument, but if the team doesn't plan to spend big in FA this coming summer then IF they can acquire some big assets (high draft picks or high end prospects) for one year of an expiring deal like Callahan, why not do it? You could steal a good prospect or two or maybe a high end prospect and a high pick to help you sooner rather than later for helping a cap strapped team out. Two things that could help bring more high end talent to the team sooner rather than later. It all depends on what the team's plan is going to be in FA this summer.