I guess no one wants to write or talk about the fact that STAN BOWMAN WAS JUST HIRED AS TEAM PRESIDENT! Way to go Hawks! The guy who sucks at trades and has no idea wtf he is doing was promoted.
- Hawk4life

The only trade i didn't like recently has been Jokiharu, otherwise i like the draft picks, Dach at 3 was outstanding, prefer Bowman as president of hockey operations rather than McD. I imagine this position was put in place because McD was meddling so the division of power makes complete sense.

The only trade i didn't like recently has been Jokiharu, otherwise i like the draft picks, Dach at 3 was outstanding, prefer Bowman as president of hockey operations rather than McD. I imagine this position was put in place because McD was meddling so the division of power makes complete sense.
- BetweenTheDots

I think this move also makes it easier in the future to name a new GM. Stan retains the President of Hockey Ops and they bring in a full time GM. I honestly could seeing it happen when fans are allowed back in the buildings. Right now having him hold both Pres and GM jobs save some $'s when no revenue is coming in. Once everything is back to "normal", he appoints a GM. The move many saw Danny Wirtz doing is exactly this. Splitting McD's position into Hockey side and Business side. Step one has been taken.

I'll have some thoughts about the Bowman promotion in tomorrow's blog, just want to give more thought than write something impulsively.

Heads up that the entire blog won't focus on this news. Half will cover another topic but the other half will share my thoughts on this.
- Theo Fox

Exactly. You need to be the adult in the room. The rest of us will handle the impulsive jerking of knees.

I think this move also makes it easier in the future to name a new GM. Stan retains the President of Hockey Ops and they bring in a full time GM. I honestly could seeing it happen when fans are allowed back in the buildings. Right now having him hold both Pres and GM jobs save some $'s when no revenue is coming in. Once everything is back to "normal", he appoints a GM. The move many saw Danny Wirtz doing is exactly this. Splitting McD's position into Hockey side and Business side. Step one has been taken.
- TheTrob

That was my thought too, though I didn't really think about the cost savings til you and Dots or someone mentioned it.

Honestly not sure why anyone would have a beef with the team trying to save some coin where they can under these unique circumstances. It's not like they are pulling an Ottawa on the ice though I'm sure some of the posters would prefer that.

I agree that it doesn't hurt to have a fresh set of eyes, but I agree the grass isn't always greener also. I agree with the part about McD trying to keep the band together not being a good thing as well.

And it may seem to some or most people that it's the same old same old. I don't know the chick they hired but there's your new set of eyes. And Danny Wirtz isn't just a business only type like his elders of the previous three generations. He played the game competitively. And what I like most about that is that he played the net. A goalie from the end of the rink has a better view in my opinion. The game is most always in front of him and he can see plays setting up much better than anyone on the either side. I think DW has the potential and is more capable of understanding both sides, hockey and business, of any issue that should arise.

As far a SB is concerned, maybe getting out from under McD is going to give him the jump he needs to be more successful. I have to think he, as well as a lot of others down there, feels like a new man. Time will tell, but I think it's going to be worth a look.
- 6628

Thanks for the post; it all seems reasonable to me. Hard to know who to blame for things (if there is blame to be had - much of the reason for the fall might just that a bunch of great players got old) unless you are in the room. Anyway, Stan's got his chance. We'll see how it goes.

Your point about goalies having a full perspective of the game is something I agree with. In MLB, there seems to be a large proportion of managers who are former catchers who have a similar perch as goalies.

Bench players, too, tend to make good managers as they see a lot of the game from a different lens than everyday players. Terry Francona comes to mind.

The same could be said about role players in hockey.
- Theo Fox

Agree with this. Guys who have to work harder to stick in the show tend to be more open minded and likely to try different things in an effort to stick or advance.

I'll have some thoughts about the Bowman promotion in tomorrow's blog, just want to give more thought than write something impulsively.

Heads up that the entire blog won't focus on this news. Half will cover another topic but the other half will share my thoughts on this.
- Theo Fox

Since I never follow the blog topic, I decide to comment on your tomorrow article today.

I don't think Bowman has ever acted independent, and I am not sure that there are a slew of quality/ available hockey GM types out there that MAKE a difference.

The team wins and loses on the ice, and the GMs just continue to re-create rosters year by year due to the Cap.

Dis any series of moves that a fair / meddling NHL team to a much higher level with new personel that changed the team into a Cup winner?

Did any one hockey move win a Stanley Cup?

Or does drafting well, luck and dedication by the athletes have a lot more to di with it than the non ice part?

Since I never follow the blog topic, I decide to comment on your tomorrow article today.

I don't think Bowman has ever acted independent, and I am not sure that there are a slew of quality/ available hockey GM types out there that MAKE a difference.

The team wins and loses on the ice, and the GMs just continue to re-create rosters year by year due to the Cap.

Dis any series of moves that a fair / meddling NHL team to a much higher level with new personel that changed the team into a Cup winner?

Did any one hockey move win a Stanley Cup?

Or does drafting well, luck and dedication by the athletes have a lot more to di with it than the non ice part?
- wiz1901

I think you are onto it here. Heck, in the cap era a couple of teams have won multiple cups, but there are plenty of not just one and dones, but teams that flash and then disappear. How many GM's can you truly run out there and say, yeah, that guy is gonna make a huge difference. How many times have we seen teams try abnd re-tool because the style of play has changed. The pendulum swings from "skilled teams" to "heavy teams" to "hustle teams", etc. It takes a plan, and sticking to it to get to the top. There are lots of styles to play and lots of ways to win, pick a lane and stay in it, the more you jump from one style to another, the longer it will take to win consistently.

I think you are onto it here. Heck, in the cap era a couple of teams have won multiple cups, but there are plenty of not just one and dones, but teams that flash and then disappear. How many GM's can you truly run out there and say, yeah, that guy is gonna make a huge difference. How many times have we seen teams try abnd re-tool because the style of play has changed. The pendulum swings from "skilled teams" to "heavy teams" to "hustle teams", etc. It takes a plan, and sticking to it to get to the top. There are lots of styles to play and lots of ways to win, pick a lane and stay in it, the more you jump from one style to another, the longer it will take to win consistently.
- TheTrob

To add to this, it cannot be discounted the role of patience in the building of a competitive team. People tend to get real antsy when their team misses the playoffs or loses in the first round a couple years in a row. The reality is that, depending on where you are starting from, it can take 3-4-5 years to build or rebuild depending on the contracts on hand, the draft capital available and development stages of various prospects. Yes, it is they job of the GM to manage all of that, but it is not done in a bubble and there are always extenuating circumstances.

LBR = Faulkner?


red font

@reporterchris

Sources: The NHL could move games involving Canadian teams to the United States in 2021 if its unable to reach agreement with provincial health authorities.

King Henrik sitting out the upcoming season with a heart condition.

@reporterchris

Sources: The NHL could move games involving Canadian teams to the United States in 2021 if its unable to reach agreement with provincial health authorities.
- Theo Fox

@JeffMarek

Back to original divisions then?

To add to this, it cannot be discounted the role of patience in the building of a competitive team. People tend to get real antsy when their team misses the playoffs or loses in the first round a couple years in a row. The reality is that, depending on where you are starting from, it can take 3-4-5 years to build or rebuild depending on the contracts on hand, the draft capital available and development stages of various prospects. Yes, it is they job of the GM to manage all of that, but it is not done in a bubble and there are always extenuating circumstances.
- Chunk

I remember around these parts the cries for Stan's head for the first round outs in '11 and '12.

Equally loud were the calls to trade Wee Paddy Kane because he was little and couldn't fight through checks, wasn't very good defensively, etc...

The Hawks were also being lamented here as a one and done Cup team in 2010 and at the time everyone not named Jonathan Toews should be considered trade bait.

I was guilty of some of that as well, and I know while Stan didn't draft any of the Core, his most vocal detractors never seem to want to give him any credit for identifying who not to trade and sticking with those horses.

Great post though...

I'm more or less on the same page with you. On most things I'm a dyed in the wool traditionalist but I have to say that ads on uniforms isn't one of the things I get too worked up about given the current economic situation.
- EbonyRaptor

Just keep the ads off the best looking uniform in all of sports.

@PierreVLeBrun

Hearing that the Florida Panthers are signing UFA winger Anthony Duclair

Since I never follow the blog topic, I decide to comment on your tomorrow article today.

I don't think Bowman has ever acted independent, and I am not sure that there are a slew of quality/ available hockey GM types out there that MAKE a difference.

The team wins and loses on the ice, and the GMs just continue to re-create rosters year by year due to the Cap.

Dis any series of moves that a fair / meddling NHL team to a much higher level with new personel that changed the team into a Cup winner?

Did any one hockey move win a Stanley Cup?

Or does drafting well, luck and dedication by the athletes have a lot more to di with it than the non ice part?
- wiz1901

Wiz, since we're going off-blog topic, I was wondering if you saw the SCH top 25 under 25 list? While I don't expect a write-up on every player, what would your list look like?

https://www.secondcityhoc...ome-boqvist-dach-mitchell

@PierreVLeBrun

Hearing that the Florida Panthers are signing UFA winger Anthony Duclair
- Theo Fox

1 year @ $1.7 million

Hawk, they are losing their ass right now. Until they can have a full crowd for games I can tolerate it. After that I am on your side.
- 6628

I knew when I posted, that it is inevitable this advertising is going to be done. And we will get used to it. You're right owners need to recoup whatever lost revenue from ticket sales. Despite the owners deep pockets the bottom line is they are not going to accept loosing more money without doing something about it. Well they can't bring back Peter puk or put advertising on the puck. Eh.

@PierreVLeBrun

Hearing that the Florida Panthers are signing UFA winger Anthony Duclair
- Theo Fox

Q will adore him....

To add to this, it cannot be discounted the role of patience in the building of a competitive team. People tend to get real antsy when their team misses the playoffs or loses in the first round a couple years in a row. The reality is that, depending on where you are starting from, it can take 3-4-5 years to build or rebuild depending on the contracts on hand, the draft capital available and development stages of various prospects. Yes, it is they job of the GM to manage all of that, but it is not done in a bubble and there are always extenuating circumstances.
- Chunk

Keeping this Wiz-TheTrob-Chunk stream of consciousness going - I submit for consideration the GM of Nashville (Poehle or whatever his name is) - he was heralded as the gold standard of GM'ing only a few years ago. His crowning achievements were fleecing Washington in the Forsberg trade and getting to the SCF (and losing). Since then the Preds haven't made it out of the second round and didn't make it out of the 2020 play-in round. If he is the greatest thing in GM'ing since sliced bread - what's happened the last 4 seasons? Did he get dumber? Or is it more about the point Wiz made?

Q will adore him....
- mohel

Didn't he love him once already?

Didn't he love him once already?
- GPHawksfan

I didn't want to pry....

Wiz, since we're going off-blog topic, I was wondering if you saw the SCH top 25 under 25 list? While I don't expect a write-up on every player, what would your list look like?
- tvetter

No. 1: C, Kirby Dach
No. 2: RW, Alex DeBrincat
No. 3: C/W, Dylan StromeAdam Boqvist
No. 4:D, Adam Boqvist
No. 5: D, Ian Mitchell
No. 6: LW, Lukas Reichel
No. 7: LW, Pius Suter
No. 8: LW, Alex Nylander
No. 9: D, Lucas Carlsson
No. 10: D, Nicolas Beaudin
No. 11: LW Matthew Highmore
No. 12: LW/RW, Brandon Hagel
No. 13: D, Wyatt Kalynuk

Except for the covid kid, these guys are ready to attempt to be milers

#14 - 21 are guys who must really step in and arrive and take a position
No. 14: C/RW , MacKenzie Entwistle
No. 15: C/LW, Philipp Kurashev
No. 16: Bumper/Wing, Alec Regula
No. 17: LW, Artur Kayumov
No. 18: RW, Andrei Altybarmakyan
No. 19: LW, Antti Saarela
No. 20: C, Evan Barratt
No. 21: LW, Cam Morrison. Meat before feet
These guys are the outside looking in, b/c the time is not here and Chalupa’s competition got much thicker
No. 22: D, Alex Vlasic
No. 23: LW/RW, Michal Teply
No. 24: G, Drew Commesso
No. 25: LW, Matej Chalupa
No. 26: c/w Reese Johnson. His skills tie in with whether the snarl is needed
No. 27: D, Cole Moberg He has the shot now has to put it all together
No. 28: RW, Niklas Nordgren. Injuries
No. 29. LW/RW, John Quenneville. They saw him.
No. 30 RW, Tim Sonderland not there yet
No. 31 D, Chad Krys
No. 32 D, Slava Demin
Wait for it:
No. 33: D, Wyatt Kaiser
No. 34. LW, Landon Slaggert
No. 35: G, Dominic Basse
No. 36: LW, Josiah Slavin
No. 37: D, Michael Krutil
A tricky proposition trying to line up pros, next to mid level readies that the team hasn’t given up on, newer minor pros w upside, a college rookie, and a top pick who has proven nothing but he can catch the virus, lots of smart high iQ players who would need to figure things out quickly play soon.
Except for the covid kid, these guys are ready to attempt to be milers

Keeping this Wiz-TheTrob-Chunk stream of consciousness going - I submit for consideration the GM of Nashville (Poehle or whatever his name is) - he was heralded as the gold standard of GM'ing only a few years ago. His crowning achievements were fleecing Washington in the Forsberg trade and getting to the SCF (and losing). Since then the Preds haven't made it out of the second round and didn't make it out of the 2020 play-in round. If he is the greatest thing in GM'ing since sliced bread - what's happened the last 4 seasons? Did he get dumber? Or is it more about the point Wiz made?
- EbonyRaptor

* also some underperforming players over the years

R Johnsson (lost trade for S Jones)
Colin Wilson
Duschene
Turris
Rhine (playoffs)

Lack of a true #1 center
S Weber lost to Montreal