Something I have said since the beginning of time (just kidding), Campbell's value was in his own zone play as a Hawk. His veteran leadership on the backend, and hockey smarts were what made him so critical. No he wasn't physical at all. Yes, on occasion his bailouts and lack of physical play led to goals. But people severely undervalue the ability to clear your zone with 1 tape to tape pass hitting a man in stride.

I still think it was a good move to trade him to gain some flexibility, but there was a great over-estimation of our current assets. Therein lies the problem.

At least the PK was pretty good. 1 goal on 7 opportunities, thats like what, 83%? And even that one only came with 6 seconds left on it.
- anawrocki

+1

So Quenneville says before the game it's not about revenge its about getting the points with a solid win..

And thats how the team responds..?

I don't have to say anything else.
- pri$ey

I think your comment is suggesting Quenneville should have fired them up more. Here is where you and I differ. The players themselves were the ones schooled and embarrassed before. They were the ones who didn't show up. A coach can only say so much, do so much but at some point, you have to man up as a player and say it stops.

Letting in 9 goals once should never happen ever in a season. Then to let in 8 against the exact team a month later, and watch as some 22 year old puts up 8 points? At some point, the leadership on the ice had to step up and say unacceptable. At some point that killer instinct that made it impossible to put them away in the playoffs had to show some spine. I blame both losses 100% on the players.17 goals in 2 games to the 2nd worst (statistically speaking) team in the NHL?

And as for the complaining from the masses about Gagner being on the ice with 5 minutes left after he had 7 points? I say exactly what my coach used to say to me. If you don't want to be embarrassed, don't let them embarrass you. It's not on them to let up just beause you quit.

Where are all those Hawks fans pulling for Brian Campbell trade?

Trading Campbell was teh worst move StanB has done so far as Hawks GM. The D-core became a train wreck... we saw the signs when Campbell was out in the Cup run. Has he not been rushed back from shoulder injury, Hawks would have been ousted by Preds in R1.

Who cares about the $4.5M in cap space you freed up (Campbell less Montador) and you have now, when you cannot bring in a D-men who adequately would replace BC. In addition, you are paying someone $3.5M skating in Rockford.

Who looks better now? The All-Star Campbell and his $7.1M or D Keith and his $8M? Yes, Keith's cap hit is $5.5m because of few charity years when he is over 40. Over next 5 years, his average salary is $7.8M vs. Campbells $7.1M. Is he that much better? Not since signed that contract.
- Nerko77

You missed the other half. SB didn't put the right guys on the roster. Sure it looked a lot better in Sept/Oct but Keith by himself - in a vacuum like your viewing it - isn't the issue.

Putting Scott out there on D, not having found a better #4/#5 so Leddy can have less minutes in the 3rd pairing, no other guys to QB the PP and lack luster play from Montador and OD all contributed to the defence's issues.

Moving Soupy's contact opened the opportunity to back-fill the roster with more cap-friendly acquisitions and physical players. SB simply missed on too many of his acquisitions.

IMO only ONE of SB's acquisitions have panned out: Jamal Mayers.

OD? Too old.
Lepisto? Q dog-house.
Montador? 3 more years at $2.75M per & he's barely a 6D.
Car-bomb? Premature detonation.
Brunette? I've molasses in January that's faster.

Exactly! Rocky cares. And Rocky will not be spending. He still pays Huet and Olesz. Whay do you think they are looking only at players becoming UFA's.

Salary Cap Space is HUGE only when you can fill it with adequate players! Hawks have $5M in Free Cap Space right now! They are only looking at UFA's after this season. I do not see a player fitting this bill, who can come in here in turn around this D-corps.

I rather am pressed at the Salary Cap Ceiling and have an adequate team on ice, than have $5M in cap space and have a team that has no heart and plays like amateurs.
- Nerko77

Well they are looking at UFAs because those are the players that will most likely be traded at the deadline. They will be cheaper to trade for and because this is what happens at every trade deadline.

Rocky clearly can't care that much if he is paying $8+ mil for players that aren't even on the team. On top of that, Huet's contract is gone after this season so that will be good for Rocky.

Why would he not out up the same numbers? Because Florida has better supporting players than Hawks?

Look back at 2010 1st round playoffs. Look the team w/o Campbell, and then look at team w/ Campbell. If you do not see the difefrence than, I will send you the sample you are asking about.
- Nerko77

What you are referring to is the stabilization that he gave to the 2nd pairing, and thus the entire back-end over the course of a game. I'm in agreement with you on this point, because Nick Leddy does not have the physical maturity or situational awareness (at least under pressure) to provide this type of game.

In a salary cap league, a stabilizing, 2nd-pair d man is worth about half of Campbell's contract or less. It's just a fact. The 'Hawks real blunder was putting too much faith in the kid so early without a decent fall-back plan.

And as far as point production is concerned, He has already exceeded last season's point output as a Hawk in 16 fewer games. He wouldn't put up equal numbers because he wouldn't be the cornerstone of the defense like he is in Sunrise. Thus he wouldn't be an All-Star.

I think your comment is suggesting Quenneville should have fired them up more. Here is where you and I differ. The players themselves were the ones schooled and embarrassed before. They were the ones who didn't show up. A coach can only say so much, do so much but at some point, you have to man up as a player and say it stops.

Letting in 9 goals once should never happen ever in a season. Then to let in 8 against the exact team a month later, and watch as some 22 year old puts up 8 points? At some point, the leadership on the ice had to step up and say unacceptable. At some point that killer instinct that made it impossible to put them away in the playoffs had to show some spine. I blame both losses 100% on the players.17 goals in 2 games to the 2nd worst (statistically speaking) team in the NHL?

And as for the complaining from the masses about Gagner being on the ice with 5 minutes left after he had 7 points? I say exactly what my coach used to say to me. If you don't want to be embarrassed, don't let them embarrass you. It's not on them to let up just beause you quit.
- Lohaus

Nobody here is complaining about Gagner being on the ice every other shift, we are all pissed off because the hawks didn't even bother to show ANY emotion/effort and actually stop the guy. You would think after being completely embarressed by the guy you would lay a body on him, heck take runs at him, or fight somebody. It may sound childish to just go out and fight someone after getting your arse beat, but at least it shows you have some sort of pride or emotion.

I kept telling myself this is unfreakingbelievable i never saw something like this, and yep i was right, the last time someone had 8 points was back in the early 80s

You missed the other half. SB didn't put the right guys on the roster. Sure it looked a lot better in Sept/Oct but Keith by himself - in a vacuum like your viewing it - isn't the issue.

Putting Scott out there on D, not having found a better #4/#5 so Leddy can have less minutes in the 3rd pairing, no other guys to QB the PP and lack luster play from Montador and OD all contributed to the defence's issues.

Moving Soupy's contact opened the opportunity to back-fill the roster with more cap-friendly acquisitions and physical players. SB simply missed on too many of his acquisitions.

IMO only ONE of SB's acquisitions have panned out: Jamal Mayers.

OD? Too old.
Lepisto? Q dog-house.
Montador? 3 more years at $2.75M per & he's barely a 6D.
Car-bomb? Premature detonation.
Brunette? I've molasses in January that's faster.
- blackhawk24

Don't get me wrong.. I have always liked Keith. I am having the problem with him lately, because he looks nonchalant at times with all his behind the back passing (exactly the same as BC at times), yet he is getting No crap from anyone, while BC was blasted day-in and day-out.

What I am trying to say is that Hawks D would be looking much better today if BC ($7.1M) was playing in Hawks sweater, and Montador, SOD, Lepisto, and Olesz (combined $7.5M) did not.

You are right. Campbell move gave him the opportunity. He missed badly. This is why I call Campbell trade was a wrong move.

Why would he not out up the same numbers? Because Florida has better supporting players than Hawks?

Look back at 2010 1st round playoffs. Look the team w/o Campbell, and then look at team w/ Campbell. If you do not see the difefrence than, I will send you the sample you are asking about.
- Nerko77

Campbell is definitely missed no doubt about it. His contract not so much. I didn't have an issue with the Hawks trading him . My issue is with what Bowman did with the cap savings. The biggest mistake was letting Troy Brouwer go. He was their most physical forward who could play on the top two lines lead the team in hits and score 15-20 per year. The second mistake was the guys that he signed. Mayers has been ok but other than that they have not gotten much production from his free agent signings.

What you are referring to is the stabilization that he gave to the 2nd pairing, and thus the entire back-end over the course of a game. I'm in agreement with you on this point, because Nick Leddy does not have the physical maturity or situational awareness (at least under pressure) to provide this type of game.

In a salary cap league, a stabilizing, 2nd-pair d man is worth about half of Campbell's contract or less. It's just a fact. The 'Hawks real blunder was putting too much faith in the kid so early without a decent fall-back plan.

And as far as point production is concerned, He has already exceeded last season's point output as a Hawk in 16 fewer games. He wouldn't put up equal numbers because he wouldn't be the cornerstone of the defense like he is in Sunrise. Thus he wouldn't be an All-Star.
- FredoXV

If you argue that way, why are the corenerstones of Hawks D not All-stars?

Don't get me wrong.. I have always liked Keith. I am having the problem with him lately, because he looks nonchalant at times with all his behind the back passing (exactly the same as BC at times), yet he is getting No crap from anyone, while BC was blasted day-in and day-out.

What I am trying to say is that Hawks D would be looking much better today if BC ($7.1M) was playing in Hawks sweater, and Montador, SOD, Lepisto, and Olesz (combined $7.5M) did not.

You are right. Campbell move gave him the opportunity. He missed badly. This is why I call Campbell trade was a wrong move.
- Nerko77

Hey I liked Soupy too. For $7.1M? Not as much. However ... the move was needed since there was no way the rest of the roster could be back-filled with $500k-$600k players. The problem with this wasn't the Soupy move itself, it's most of the crap SB found to fill the roster.

I really liked the makeup of the team in Oct. Wasn't sure they'd be cup favourites with it but the cap space was there for this trade deadline that wasn't there this time last year. Now the CBA-related $hit came up and it hit the fan.

Bottom line is SB did the first part of fixing the cap issues OK. It's the second part that is an epic fail.

Hope bruno's injury is a long one, bring up hayes or bollig

If you argue that way, why are the corenerstones of Hawks D not All-stars?
- Nerko77

That's a problem, but a separate argument.

With C2 in net...absolutely!!! They need to have Emery in next like yesterday, Crawford's confidence is shot (you could see it when he got pulled yesterday) and this team just plays better in front of Emery. Also, Emery clears his own crease, which you never see Crawford do. I just hope to God whoever they get for Bickell and Frolic cures at least some of what is ailing this team AND at least for the D-Man, they tell the guy to hit every God damn thing that moves...no more of this stick check BS! I know that's probably a pipe dream given our current ultra-soft system, but one can hope.
- Murph76

If Crawford was Carlos Zambrano, he would have retired after last night. My god, that Barker goal was uglier than Cam Barker.

Hey I liked Soupy too. For $7.1M? Not as much. However ... the move was needed since there was no way the rest of the roster could be back-filled with $500k-$600k players. The problem with this wasn't the Soupy move itself, it's most of the crap SB found to fill the roster.
I really liked the makeup of the team in Oct. Wasn't sure they'd be cup favourites with it but the cap space was there for this trade deadline that wasn't there this time last year. Now the CBA-related $hit came up and it hit the fan.

Bottom line is SB did the first part of fixing the cap issues OK. It's the second part that is an epic fail.
- blackhawk24

Exactly... he got a bunch of $500-$600K players at inflated prices...

Agree with most here.

Without getting a top 4 D to play with # 4, I don't know how this team gets out of round 1. Without adding another big, physical D to play with Leddy on the bottom pair, I don't know this team can be taken as contenders. And that's just the D.

Up front, any chance the Hawks can get someone like a Matt Martin from NYI? He'll lay the body on someone and bring some "jam" that is missing from this team.

I have no idea what you do in goal other than ride Emery and see what happens. But if Emery fails, then what? Go get a goalie? Who, and for what?

Agree with most here.

Without getting a top 4 D to play with # 4, I don't know how this team gets out of round 1. Without adding another big, physical D to play with Leddy on the bottom pair, I don't know this team can be taken as contenders. And that's just the D.

Up front, any chance the Hawks can get someone like a Matt Martin from NYI? He'll lay the body on someone and bring some "jam" that is missing from this team.

I have no idea what you do in goal other than ride Emery and see what happens. But if Emery fails, then what? Go get a goalie? Who, and for what?
- Dino_Sucks

I really think Emery will be fine with functional (and deeper) defense in front of him.

I think your comment is suggesting Quenneville should have fired them up more. Here is where you and I differ. The players themselves were the ones schooled and embarrassed before. They were the ones who didn't show up. A coach can only say so much, do so much but at some point, you have to man up as a player and say it stops.

Letting in 9 goals once should never happen ever in a season. Then to let in 8 against the exact team a month later, and watch as some 22 year old puts up 8 points? At some point, the leadership on the ice had to step up and say unacceptable. At some point that killer instinct that made it impossible to put them away in the playoffs had to show some spine. I blame both losses 100% on the players.17 goals in 2 games to the 2nd worst (statistically speaking) team in the NHL? And as for the complaining from the masses about Gagner being on the ice with 5 minutes left after he had 7 points? I say exactly what my coach used to say to me. If you don't want to be embarrassed, don't let them embarrass you. It's not on them to let up just beause you quit.
- Lohaus

100% in agreement with this.

Not one iota of anger, nastiness or displeasure at watching one player rack up points or his coach putting him on the ice every second shift in the last part of the 3rd period.

Whether it is the Boston Bruins of the current era, the Islanders of the 80's or the Red Wings of Gordie Howe's time, somebody with some hutzpah on a good team steps up and sends a message. Punch Gagner in the face, slash Taylor Hall whatever - do something.

No pushback, no guts. Basically the Oilers were laughing at them.

Agree with most here.

Without getting a top 4 D to play with # 4, I don't know how this team gets out of round 1. Without adding another big, physical D to play with Leddy on the bottom pair, I don't know this team can be taken as contenders. And that's just the D.

Up front, any chance the Hawks can get someone like a Matt Martin from NYI? He'll lay the body on someone and bring some "jam" that is missing from this team.

I have no idea what you do in goal other than ride Emery and see what happens. But if Emery fails, then what? Go get a goalie? Who, and for what?
- Dino_Sucks

He would look splendid in Hawks sweater.

Very doubtful Hawks can get him. Would have to be serious overpayment. He makes $850K and is RFA after the season. The only way Islanders move him is if they get a great prospect and/or picks. Not sure what Hawks could offer.

I have to completely disagree.

Two words...Salary Cap.

I would have traded Campbell and a 2nd for a 3rd round draft pick.

Campbell's cap hit was an absolute killer. He needed to be traded. Sure he will be will/is missed...but it was and is the right move when a #3 dman takes up over $7 mil of cap space. Who cares about what the average salary is, the only person who cares about that is Rocky. Keith's cap hit is about $2mil less...that is HUGE.
- HawkFan27

This explanation is total horsesh$t. I'm glad you own a calculator and can rationalize moving out a player of Campbell's ability based on $ alone. Guess what, he was worth the money he was being paid for what he delivered on the ice and the minutes he gobbled up.

A f'n accountant can always rationalize this with a column of numbers on a spreadsheet. "Look Rocky, I can get you 3 or 4 players for the money you are paying Campbell. That's what we should do."

It doesn't work and the fans paying the freight now get to watch talent like Scott, O'Donnell and Montador. Those 3 couldn't carry Campbell's jockstrap and the quality of their play is equivalent to jockitch.

This team literally has no system. It worked in '10 because they were so stacked up and down the lineup, coach Q BARELY HAD TO COACH. The hawks are NOT stacked now. Rookies all over the lineup, and rolling 2 lines on D because the 3rd pairing wouldn't be trusted in to do the team's laundry.

Guess what, nothing is working.

There are problems up and down this roster, and it begins with coaching. The lack of system is f*cking ridiculous. No consistency. No consistency. No consistency. Give me a coach that leads and holds players accountable. PLEASE.
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

This is the best post so far IMO.

Also for a little perspective:

8 expiring contracts on a 24 man roster... That is 33% of team
2 Rookies starting on your "shut down line" which is shutting down nothing
4 Players on the wrong side of 35
1 #3 defender eating major minutes at the ripe age of 20 with one year under his belt
1 John Scott, think the guy is funny as hell but if he is the best option...
1 Bickell, oops

Like I said at the beginning of the year, this is looking like another transition year...

Realistically, unless all the stars perfectly align, with Leddy running the 2nd pairing they are a year or two away from being a serious contender but absolutely have the talent to do damage in the playoffs.

If they wanted to win now they would use the cap space, hire Mike Keenan to run the horses into the ground and it may or may not pay off.

Through two periods, Bickell's PIM time was greater than his TOI. Why did they send Hayes down?
- Ogilthorpe2

I've been on this guy for a long time, but Bickell should never take the ice in the Indian head again. Furthermore, his only fighting major was due to a hit on himself--not sticking up for a team mate. Lazy, uninspired EFFORT (which is my problem w/ him). A passenger or cancer that needs to be removed from the line up. Should be waived--I see no trade value there. I'm no Scott fan, but in comparison, he at least gets props for his effort. Bickell wastes his talent.

Craw definitely can't hold the net, over-committing and out of position in epic proportions.

This team has got to get rid of Stan's passengers as a start to righting the ship. Losing Kitchen probably wouldn't hurt, either.

Have to wonder if Q isn't closer to getting the axe than many of us know. If the GM starts feeling heat, the coach usually goes first.

100% in agreement with this.

Not one iota of anger, nastiness or displeasure at watching one player rack up points or his coach putting him on the ice every second shift in the last part of the 3rd period.

Whether it is the Boston Bruins of the current era, the Islanders of the 80's or the Red Wings of Gordie Howe's time, somebody with some hutzpah on a good team steps up and sends a message. Punch Gagner in the face, slash Taylor Hall whatever - do something.

No pushback, no guts. Basically the Oilers were laughing at them.
- RickJ

Boston got smoked by the second worst team in the league and looked pretty listless last night FYI...

This explanation is total horsesh$t. I'm glad you own a calculator and can rationalize moving out a player of Campbell's ability based on $ alone. Guess what, he was worth the money he was being paid for what he delivered on the ice and the minutes he gobbled up.

A f'n accountant can always rationalize this with a column of numbers on a spreadsheet. "Look Rocky, I can get you 3 or 4 players for the money you are paying Campbell. That's what we should do."

It doesn't work and the fans paying the freight now get to watch talent like Scott, O'Donnell and Montador. Those 3 couldn't carry Campbell's jockstrap and the quality of their play is equivalent to jockitch.
- RickJ

Ummm what?

In terms of the bolded point...of course I can. It is called the Salary Cap. Paying $7.2 mil for a 3rd dman is a killer in the salary cap era. Campbell isn't worth $7.2mil when he is the #3 dman on the team.

We all saw how the team looked last year when the Blackhawks had to sign other people's scraps because they didn't have any cap space and were hampered by some very large contracts.

SALARY CAP.

Boston got smoked by the second worst team in the league and looked pretty listless last night FYI...
- fattybeef

Did you watch the game?

They lost 3 - 0 and put up 47 shots on goal and over 20 of those were in the first period.

That was a win by Cam Ward.

100% in agreement with this.

Not one iota of anger, nastiness or displeasure at watching one player rack up points or his coach putting him on the ice every second shift in the last part of the 3rd period.

Whether it is the Boston Bruins of the current era, the Islanders of the 80's or the Red Wings of Gordie Howe's time, somebody with some hutzpah on a good team steps up and sends a message. Punch Gagner in the face, slash Taylor Hall whatever - do something.

No pushback, no guts. Basically the Oilers were laughing at them.
- RickJ

It's a lot of things. There isn't a more arrogant organization in hockey, then here in Chicago.

Fact is, for everyone pining for Quenneville to be fired....OK....but what about Bowman? What has this ass clown done? He got handed arguably the most talented core in hockey, and if we're going to write off the cup win for Q as "anyone could have coached that team"...well....any idiot could have picked up the pillar of strength in Nick Boynton.

Bowman hasn't done crap. Plain and simple. Great he fixed the cap hell, that HE, yes HE, was a LARGER part of then anyone cares to admit or remember.

He has Stalberg and Jamal Mayers to show for it...and that's it. Frolik, O'Donnel, Carcillo, Scott, Brunette, Morrison? All piles of crap that are used as band aids.

The bottom line is, simple...This team's core is far too talented to have 1 divisional title in the 4 years. This team has been flawed since mid November and all he's added was Morrison, while auditioning rookies. That's not on Q. That's on this disgrace of a GM.

So if we're going to break out the pitch forks and torches to chase Q's mustache out of town, then I'll gladly drag Bowman out of here.