Justin Lowe: Quick 5: Playing the Guys That Want to Play Based on the lineup that Quenneville iced last night in a 5-2 loss vs. the Golden Knights, it's apparent that he is dressing players that he deems earned it. So, if you play well the game before, like really well, expect to get a gold star and maybe even be bumped up the lineup.

The Hawks lose their 7th in a row and look to get back to winning a hockey game tomorrow vs. the Ducks.

First. Editing this document at work is killing me.

Great writeup JL. I agree in that you either build for next year or showcase trade chips.

In response to Toews' post game statement blaming the whole team after last night's game:

Toews needs to qualify his statement by not including those being paid at league minimum. Did he not think that this could happen when he and his buddies were signing those fat contracts? So just suck it up buddy and do not include the Wingels and ADC's of this team in your ramblings.

In response to Toews' post game statement blaming the whole team after last night's game:

Toews needs to qualify his statement by not including those being paid at league minimum. Did he not think that this could happen when he and his buddies were signing those fat contracts? So just suck it up buddy and do not include the Wingels and ADC's of this team in your ramblings.

Agree. Its the "business" of the NHL...you wanted those obscene contracts, how does it (and last place) taste tiger?

Wingels has been the LAST of the Hawks problems.

In the end it may not just be the contracts, there are several highly paid players who are playing just awful hockey, they are no longer productive. But that's probably the coach who has made them feel bad.

I think a complete teardown should happen, but no one will want these (7, 19) players.

Nice write up. Was thinking the same thing about Breadman n Hammer . Saad and Murphy are a waste of 10 million cap space .
If we could have Artie and Hammer to trade this deadline the rebuild would be off to a great start.
Always thought Saad was a little overrated but he has been a disaster.
Hope everyone realize that this rebuild is going to take a long time.
Don't think the Hawks will be able to make any big rebuilding moves until the next lock out and hopefully are able to buy out some contracts .
Feel bad for Toews (ok not too bad 10.5 million hard to feel bad) he is just not the same player and I have to think it's due to injuries he has had. I don't thinkIit's like of effort , these players want to win they just don't lose that.

Wingels and Bouma are out there every night busting a$$.

Seeing Wingels rewarded for his effort by getting some L1 time was very nice.

Wanna know what's dumb?

Q's treatment of Kempny.
The best pair last night was 6 (2nd most TOI for D) and 7 (top TOI for D).
7 got his -1 when he was not paired w/6.

Q's infatuation w/certain guys is beyond bewildering, beyond frustrating. It's to the point that I do hope he gets kicked upstairs. Need a fresh set of eyes and a new voice behind the bench, someone that will come in and evaluate based upon no preconceived notions of various guys.

Just watching 5 and 6 last night -- IMO, upside w/6 is definitely higher. Better skater, faster, better positioning and certainly brings a big shot and ability to handle the puck in the O-zone at the blue line. Lost count of how many times he kept play alive, got shots through, made accurate passes.

As with Q's past trashing or love of certain players that either could do nothing right or nothing wrong, you pressbox a guy 50% of the time for the past 2 years when, had you actually played him and worked with him, he might have been a solid option as either a shut-down defender or paired w/a more shut-down guy, could have been the offensive puck mover you needed.

I'm totally on-board with the #drivefortopfive or the #suckfortkachuk but am having not-so-good thoughts that the current coaching/GM/hockey operations regime will royally (frank) things up.

Oh and BTW, Toews is looking more and more like Jamie Kompon with that gaunt, drawn in visage of his. I don't have time to look but maybe someone can post a few side-by-side images of Toews from circa 2010-2015 and this year. IMO, the difference is dramatic.

Wanna know what's dumb?

Q's treatment of Kempny.
The best pair last night was 6 (2nd most TOI for D) and 7 (top TOI for D).
7 got his -1 when he was not paired w/6.

Q's infatuation w/certain guys is beyond bewildering, beyond frustrating. It's to the point that I do hope he gets kicked upstairs. Need a fresh set of eyes and a new voice behind the bench, someone that will come in and evaluate based upon no preconceived notions of various guys.

Just watching 5 and 6 last night -- IMO, upside w/6 is definitely higher. Better skater, faster, better positioning and certainly brings a big shot and ability to handle the puck in the O-zone at the blue line. Lost count of how many times he kept play alive, got shots through, made accurate passes.

As with Q's past trashing or love of certain players that either could do nothing right or nothing wrong, you pressbox a guy 50% of the time for the past 2 years when, had you actually played him and worked with him, he might have been a solid option as either a shut-down defender or paired w/a more shut-down guy, could have been the offensive puck mover you needed.

I'm totally on-board with the #drivefortopfive or the #suckfortkachuk but am having not-so-good thoughts that the current coaching/GM/hockey operations regime will royally (frank) things up.

Oh and BTW, Toews is looking more and more like Jamie Kompon with that gaunt, drawn in visage of his. I don't have time to look but maybe someone can post a few side-by-side images of Toews from circa 2010-2015 and this year. IMO, the difference is dramatic.
- savvyone-1

Kempny and Leddy could have been a top pairing on this team if we had a coach who knew how to coach behind the bench.

Kempny and Leddy could have been a top pairing on this team if we had a coach who knew how to coach behind the bench.
- Dieselhead

Guess three cups and being #2 coach all-time in wins means he doesn't know how to coach...

Goaltending is a major problem. But IF Crow comes back healthy next year that gets a lot better. I still like Forsberg's form/style. His confidence is shaken. I would send him down to the Rock and let him start almost every game. Bring up Berube. When Crow is healthy Glass goes down (and never comes back).

They need a 1st pairing Dman to play with Keith. Oesterle is too similar to Keith. Left hander, good skater, good puck mover, fairly small by today's standards, not physical and not a shot blocker. Playing together means Keith needs to be the stay at home defender. Something he has never been and a mismatch for his skill set. Put him with a Hammer type or Seabs type (a younger Seabs) and Keith will be ok.

next year defense
1st pairing - ?????? & Keith
2nd pairing - Rutta and Kempny
3rd pairing - Seabs - Oesterle
Subs - Murphy/Forsling
Not terrible.

I think Sharp, Hartman, Wingels, and Kempny should be in the lineup just about every night.

I would give Bowman & Q another season to right the ship.

Wingels is being showcased. We can spin it as 'earned it' and crap, but putting him with better players and on the PP is purely to pump his numbers and show him to other teams.

Guess three cups and being #2 coach all-time in wins means he doesn't know how to coach...


- Hank3Henshaw

Because he has 3 cups and the 2nd most wins all time does not mean he gets a lifetime contract and a pass when his team is stinking it up either.

Wingels is being showcased. We can spin it as 'earned it' and crap, but putting him with better players and on the PP is purely to pump his numbers and show him to other teams.


the better players are certainly not the Top 6 guys or the PP.

In response to Toews' post game statement blaming the whole team after last night's game:

Toews needs to qualify his statement by not including those being paid at league minimum. Did he not think that this could happen when he and his buddies were signing those fat contracts? So just suck it up buddy and do not include the Wingels and ADC's of this team in your ramblings.
- 67hawks

Give it a rest already, Everyone on this board were jumping for joy when the contracts were signed.

next year defense
1st pairing - ?????? & Keith
2nd pairing - Rutta and Kempny
3rd pairing - Seabs - Oesterle
Subs - Murphy/Forsling
Not terrible.

Not good either. Osterle is AHL fodder, Seabrook is washed up, Rutta and Kempny are average at best, Keith is 34, his time is winding down as a top pairing guy.

This group would be among the 10 worst D rosters in the NHL next year, maybe 5 worst.

The team is bereft of talent (especially defensive and center), just moving guys around into new spots isn't changing that fact.

Goaltending is a major problem. But IF Crow comes back healthy next year that gets a lot better. I still like Forsberg's form/style. His confidence is shaken. I would send him down to the Rock and let him start almost every game. Bring up Berube. When Crow is healthy Glass goes down (and never comes back).

They need a 1st pairing Dman to play with Keith. Oesterle is too similar to Keith. Left hander, good skater, good puck mover, fairly small by today's standards, not physical and not a shot blocker. Playing together means Keith needs to be the stay at home defender. Something he has never been and a mismatch for his skill set. Put him with a Hammer type or Seabs type (a younger Seabs) and Keith will be ok.

next year defense
1st pairing - ?????? & Keith
2nd pairing - Rutta and Kempny
3rd pairing - Seabs - Oesterle
Subs - Murphy/Forsling
Not terrible.

I think Sharp, Hartman, Wingels, and Kempny should be in the lineup just about every night.

I would give Bowman & Q another season to right the ship.
- -Doh-

While we all talk about "Goalie Wins", last night is the definition of a Goalie Loss.

All 4 of the goals scored last night on Glass should have been stopped, 3 of them for sure, excepting the Smith snipe.

While the offense is not producing like it should or needs to, it's tough to play a decent game and watch it blow up on soft goals against.

Give it a rest already, Everyone on this board were jumping for joy when the contracts were signed.
- riozzo

Not true. There were a lot of questions about those contracts and how it would impact sustainability over the long term.

Frankly, I could care less about the money, the poopty hockey is what bothers me more. Not once have I complained about Kane, despite his salary, because that dude seems to be getting better, NOT worse.

Give it a rest already, Everyone on this board were jumping for joy when the contracts were signed.
- riozzo

Please exclude me from your "everyone". It was a mistake from day 1.

Because he has 3 cups and the 2nd most wins all time does not mean he gets a lifetime contract and a pass when his team is stinking it up either.
- TheTrob

Q has been let go by other teams before and can be again. If he was such a coaching genius, he would still be with his original team.

Q has been let go by other teams before and can be again. If he was such a coaching genius, he would still be with his original team.
- 67hawks

You are right,
Sincerely Scotty Bowman

This team has issues LONG past the coach. Get real. The defense is one of the worst in all the NHL, no backup goalie and center depth is minimal.

Because he has 3 cups and the 2nd most wins all time does not mean he gets a lifetime contract and a pass when his team is stinking it up either.
- TheTrob

Agreed. But claiming he doesn't know how to coach is ridiculous.

Q has been let go by other teams before and can be again. If he was such a coaching genius, he would still be with his original team.
- 67hawks

Please...

A large percentage of you guys on here are analyitics maniacs, yet, you seem to refuse to acknowledge Q's numbers and love to look the other way when it comes to #19.

Goaltending is a major problem. But IF Crow comes back healthy next year that gets a lot better. I still like Forsberg's form/style. His confidence is shaken. I would send him down to the Rock and let him start almost every game. Bring up Berube. When Crow is healthy Glass goes down (and never comes back).

They need a 1st pairing Dman to play with Keith. Oesterle is too similar to Keith. Left hander, good skater, good puck mover, fairly small by today's standards, not physical and not a shot blocker. Playing together means Keith needs to be the stay at home defender. Something he has never been and a mismatch for his skill set. Put him with a Hammer type or Seabs type (a younger Seabs) and Keith will be ok.

next year defense
1st pairing - ?????? & Keith
2nd pairing - Rutta and Kempny
3rd pairing - Seabs - Oesterle
Subs - Murphy/Forsling
Not terrible.

I think Sharp, Hartman, Wingels, and Kempny should be in the lineup just about every night.

I would give Bowman & Q another season to right the ship.
- -Doh-

Not terrible, but also not good enough. Kempny and Rutta should both be replaced next season. They're not good enough to make a major impact and they're not young enough to be part of the future.

Based on the players the team has now I'd say next year's defense starts with Keith, Seabrook, Murphy and Forsling. Maybe Oesterle makes it as the 7D, but that's about as much as I would play him. That leaves two spots open, I'd either find solid replacements on the trade or free agent market or go with the young guys to see what they have - like Jokiharju or Dahlin *crosses fingers*.

next year defense
1st pairing - ?????? & Keith
2nd pairing - Rutta and Kempny
3rd pairing - Seabs - Oesterle
Subs - Murphy/Forsling
Not terrible.

I think Sharp, Hartman, Wingels, and Kempny should be in the lineup just about every night.


- -Doh-

Sorry, Oesterle is a #7 at best, and even that may be stretching it. Rutta showed promise early, but has really hit a wall. Murphy needs to be playing every day in your top 2 pairings, and Kempny needs to be dressed every night. It's hard to believe Seabrook has fallen as far as he has, but I would challenge him to get in shape in the off season and then give him 1 more year of 3rd pairing minutes to prove he can still play, then hope the CBA re-negotiation will insert some buy-out clauses to allow teams out from some of these contracts.

Forward wise, Sharp is done. Wingels is a solid pro, but neither of them should be blocking any youngsters that need ice time and the opportunity to develop and learn from their mistakes (Hayden). Duclair shows some skill and maybe you give him a chance to prove he finally gets it and belongs. Jurco has a few flashes, but at this point I don't think there is much there to say he needs to be on the roster. Hinostroza plays hard and constantly tries to improve his game, he is a nice lower line piece,