Justin Lowe: Hold Me, I'm Scared That was not the most ideal road trip for the Chicago Blackhawks on so many levels.

The team comes out with a 0-3-0 record putting their losing streak to 5 games.

The Blackhawks now sit at 6-6-3, good enough for 6th in the division. St. Louis sits at just 11 points behind them, however, they are starting to look a little better as of late.

So, what's next?

Justin Lowe: Hold Me, I'm Scared
That was not the most ideal road trip for the Chicago Blackhawks on so many levels.

The team comes out with a 0-3-0 record putting their losing streak to 5 games.

The Blackhawks now sit at 6-6-3, good enough for 6th in the division. St. Louis sits at just 11 points behind them, however, they are starting to look a little better as of late.

So, what's next?
- Justin Lowe

Justin said that (paraphrasing) the coaches continue to tinker without it working especially on the PP.

With all of the recent third period meltdowns (and the previous second period disasters) - it seems that it’s not just the special teams that are failing. Once things begin to go south, they seem unable to correct the ship back to smooth sailing - each error leads to another and to another and to a GA.

Like last season, perhaps it’s time to look at the veteran core (and the old geezers brought in to provide more experienced leadership to a young team). The captain, those wearing the “A’s”, those who have won Cups without letters - they need to take responsibility and accountability for turning things around, too.

Most of the accountability needs to be on the off-ice personnel, but some must be attached to our long-term (and newly-acquired) veterans.

That said - it does appear to be time to strongly look at changes behind the bench, and in the front office.

I don't know about kicking the can down the road or unpopular, but I think at some point you have to look at what is and isn't working.

With the Core bouncing back, which wasn't really anticipated by too many posters here or expected, a retool is still possible.

I think Q should have been shown the door after last season and if it's 2 for 1 and Bowman joins him, that's ok too. Thank both for their service and a truly memorable and historical run for the team...and move on.

As far as Schmaltz goes, I think giving him a long term contract would be a mistake.

I thought for sure both he and DeBrincat would take another step this year. Dinky has but Schmaltz not so much.

With Toews playing like Toews again, you have your 1C, but if there is a deal where you could move Schmaltz plus for a true 2C, I think they'd have to consider it.

With players they signed that you mentioned plus Rutta and the Hossa money . This team could have added (not saying they would have signed) de Haan , traded for Hoffman and probably another bottom six . With the way the core is performing they may have contend for a playoff spot or more .
As it is I don't see a chance at a playoff spot. Central way too strong.

Once again Justin spot on with your analysis. Stan should be the first to go , he brought in the assistant coaching staff as well as all of his trades and signings have done more damage to this teams long term sustainability and success. Id hold onto coach Q and let the new GM decide if coach Q should continue on or not. Stan is responsible for the players the coach has to work with and signings like a 39 year old has been in Kunitz is not the definition of success.



The slim chance to turn this team around with utilizing Kane and toews and Crawford is closing .

Anyone in Rockford is not worth the look or call up.


Real change needs to start with Keith , Seabrook, saad , Anisomov guys who eat up a lot of money and are no longer able to play in those roles.



Think back to cup number 2 Stans biggest move was handzus,,, and instead of upgrading the following year he stayed with a tired horse.

Looking back we fired talon who made a mistake yet was the mastermind that brought in and drafted this teams talent and saw chevalday leave , for a guy who's only knowledge of hockey was his last name bowman. Anyone whom he acquired just plain out blew and he gave ridiculous contracts out without even thinking about the future health of this teams future, drafted poorly and traded blue chip pieces away for nothing while this team got older and slower.

You are so spot on Justin, he acted like an impulsive spending child with an allowance this summer. It was terrible value and all fans knew it. Now we have a ton of defence and a ton of goalies and just that may stigmatize future signings, and other teams sluggish veterans starting the morning with all bran. Basically, if we wanted to shake it up now, it has created an unmanageable mess, even if someone comes on with courage and piss and vinegar to change things

Once again Justin spot on with your analysis. Stan should be the first to go , he brought in the assistant coaching staff as well as all of his trades and signings have done more damage to this teams long term sustainability and success. Id hold onto coach Q and let the new GM decide if coach Q should continue on or not. Stan is responsible for the players the coach has to work with and signings like a 39 year old has been in Kunitz is not the definition of success.



The slim chance to turn this team around with utilizing Kane and toews and Crawford is closing .

Anyone in Rockford is not worth the look or call up.


Real change needs to start with Keith , Seabrook, saad , Anisomov guys who eat up a lot of money and are no longer able to play in those roles.



Think back to cup number 2 Stans biggest move was handzus,,, and instead of upgrading the following year he stayed with a tired horse.

Looking back we fired talon who made a mistake yet was the mastermind that brought in and drafted this teams talent and saw chevalday leave , for a guy who's only knowledge of hockey was his last name bowman. Anyone whom he acquired just plain out blew and he gave ridiculous contracts out without even thinking about the future health of this teams future, drafted poorly and traded blue chip pieces away for nothing while this team got older and slower.
- Taylorst1

The first part of your statement isn't anywhere close to the truth, but it's what you and some others who don't want to give Bowman any credit for any of the Cups choose to trot out there as a narrative.

His biggest moves mostly happened the season/s before: (2012) trading for Oduya, trading Skille to the Builder for Frolik and (2011) drafting Saad and Shaw...or was that '12...can't remember, but either way...

Getting Zus which was blasted here as a nothing move, ended up being a great move for that season. They also signed Rozy to start the season and got some milage out of Nick Boynton as well at the end of the season. In 2013, no one I can recall was icing a better lineup on defense.

Now keeping Zus the following year without getting another center can be questioned but saying his biggest move was adding Zus hardly paints an accurate picture.

edit - my bad, Boynton was 2010, but Leddy was there as a bottom pairing guy (also acquired by Stan for the great Cam Barker...a #3 overall pick by the Builder).

I'll also add he acquired Ray Emery that season who went 17-1 as a starter. That CGY game was Razor's best and preserved the win streak at the beginning of the season.

Justin Lowe: Hold Me, I'm Scared
That was not the most ideal road trip for the Chicago Blackhawks on so many levels.

The team comes out with a 0-3-0 record putting their losing streak to 5 games.

The Blackhawks now sit at 6-6-3, good enough for 6th in the division. St. Louis sits at just 11 points behind them, however, they are starting to look a little better as of late.

So, what's next?
- Justin Lowe

The 6-6-3 record is actually very misleading. The Hawks have played in 15 games, taken 15 opening face-offs. Only 3 times have the Hawks had a lead 60 minutes later. Only 3 times have they won games in regulation. Only 3 times in 15 games were the Hawks better than their opponents in regulation. If that doesn’t scream for coaching changes I do not know what it will take.

Great job Justin, but I fixed a couple things for you!

“When Joel eventually goes, this season, I think starting from scratch would be the smartest decision, meaning when Joel goes, Stan needs to join him. This team is in desperate need of some new direction and getting rid of Coach Q isn't going to salvage this year.”

The first part of your statement isn't anywhere close to the truth, but it's what you and some others who don't want to give Bowman any credit for any of the Cups choose to trot out there as a narrative.

His biggest moves mostly happened the season/s before: (2012) trading for Oduya, trading Skille to the Builder for Frolik and (2011) drafting Saad and Shaw...or was that '12...can't remember, but either way...

Getting Zus which was blasted here as a nothing move, ended up being a great move for that season. They also signed Rozy to start the season and got some milage out of Nick Boynton as well at the end of the season. In 2013, no one I can recall was icing a better lineup on defense.

Now keeping Zus the following year without getting another center can be questioned but saying his biggest move was adding Zus hardly paints an accurate picture.

edit - my bad, Boynton was 2010, but Leddy was there as a bottom pairing guy (also acquired by Stan for the great Cam Barker...a #3 overall pick by the Builder).
- HawkintheD

Stans responsible for the salaries , personnel correct? If every one is being brutally honest looking at the players and salaries the blame squarely rests at Stans feet, he gave out ridiculous contracts Bickell 4 million to a guy whom never scored 20 plus goals a season just because he had a great playoff run, then kept us in cap hell and traded teveo, Leddy traded, Shaw traded . The list of players we traded and assets returned speak volume.


Handzus was a nice rental but he was not a legitimate number 2 center and Stan living in a bubble of the past couldn't see reality.



Stan fired coach Q assistants and brought in this garbage Ulf, dinean whom run the pk and power play both are brutally horrible. He made the choice after getting smoke 4 and out then failing to make the playoffs to keep coach Q and his chance to really improve this team was the signings of Kunitz, ward, manning and Davidson? Anisomov let's be honest he isn't a top 6 guy. Seabrook at his age in his career should have never been given that contract knowing he wouldn't be even half effective to earn that contract and term.


Trading panarin for saad was dumb and even more super star players like that are a diamond in a ruff whom you find a way to keep and pay.



I could go on but Stan should be the first to go then at the end of the season you make a coaching change .

Firing Q is not the answer.

I view keeping Q as another form of kicking that can down the road. I’m of opinion he and Stan both need to go, and take McD with them, if the rumors of his heavyhanded approach to contract and trade decisions are true.

I agree with StL that the core has to own some of what is going on, but I sense they have had a change in both offseason approach and overall attitude for the better. Toews and Seabs apparently both did what was needed in the offseason to improve. Kane continues to train and mentor guys like DBC. Toews brought in that Navy SEAL to help the team review and resolve locker room and other issues. His demeanor in interviews is wholly different than last year’s defeatism and blasé statements. Their attempts to develop a new style of playing to keep up with rest of NHL seem evident for a few games (like early games this year and last and PP mid year last year), then they revert to old schemes. Is that them? The coaching? Both?

Sometimes new leadership, even if not as crendentiaed on paper as the old, reinvigorates a a stagnant organization. True in every industry.

ETA: pretty sure the Asst Coach decisions were collective. Most of the guys have been Q buddies and/or former teammates. Can’t see McD or Stan forcing a coach on Q that he hasn’t handpicked or approved. (Well, maybe except for Granato)

Nice read Justin
Question , does it make sense to blow up team now or wait?
We need another high pick to draft a center !
Do we want to ''just '' make the playoffs or win Stanley cups?
Tough decisions need to be made.
We did waste cap money on Ruttu, Manning, Kuntiz in my opinion, it's going to be a interesting year.

I think despite all the back and forth we ave had the last couple weeks, if you fire one you fire both. I still think 75% of this is on Stan Bowman. But Q has his blemishes as well.

The bottom line, as constructed, this team is not good enough to win anything.

Went and watched my beloved Hawks in Calgary on Saturday. There was hope after they only allowed 3 shots and one goal on the 5 minute powerplay (which lasted longer because they didn't put a guy in the box...who screwed up there?). Then they scored a couple of fortunate goals in the first, added another in the second, and then let Calgary come after them the rest of the night. Although the Hawks continue to try and play the puck possession game, they are not that team anymore! This results in far too many giveaways, bad clears, and overall poor decisions. Instead of making the simple play, be it a dump in, a chip out, or taking a hit, they were continually forcing the play to try and maintain possession. Although I firmly put the structure of this team on Bowman, Q doesn't appear to change his game plan to fit with the talent, or lack thereof that he has been handed.

Whatever happens off ice, the end result has to be a synchronized coaching/management team (even if it still includes Bowman). This disconnect that has existed for several years has helped to sink this team as much as anything else and simply cannot continue.

Stans responsible for the salaries , personnel correct? If every one is being brutally honest looking at the players and salaries the blame squarely rests at Stans feet, he gave out ridiculous contracts Bickell 4 million to a guy whom never scored 20 plus goals a season just because he had a great playoff run, then kept us in cap hell and traded teveo, Leddy traded, Shaw traded . The list of players we traded and assets returned speak volume.


Handzus was a nice rental but he was not a legitimate number 2 center and Stan living in a bubble of the past couldn't see reality.



Stan fired coach Q assistants and brought in this garbage Ulf, dinean whom run the pk and power play both are brutally horrible. He made the choice after getting smoke 4 and out then failing to make the playoffs to keep coach Q and his chance to really improve this team was the signings of Kunitz, ward, manning and Davidson? Anisomov let's be honest he isn't a top 6 guy. Seabrook at his age in his career should have never been given that contract knowing he wouldn't be even half effective to earn that contract and term.


Trading panarin for saad was dumb and even more super star players like that are a diamond in a ruff whom you find a way to keep and pay.



I could go on but Stan should be the first to go then at the end of the season you make a coaching change .
- Taylorst1

Where did I say Stan shouldn't join Q when they start rearranging the deck chairs?

The team was in Cap Hell in part because they were trying to win Cups...which they did two more times while Stan was GM with depth he provided. You can't have it both ways.

If we're being honest, yes, Stan paid for winning...two more Cups, but according to you, all he did was add Handzus, to win that first Cup, not to mention some of the players he acquired in helping win the '15 Cup (Richards, Vermette, Desjardins).

If anyone can't see the forest for the trees, it's clearly you. Who gives a poop whether Zus was a rental or not? Did Stan hold onto him a year too long? Sure. But he got him for a 4th, and he was instrumental whether you choose to acknowledge it or not in winning a Cup.

I was merely addressing your point that would have you believe he had a hand in nothing that contributed to winning the '13 Cup, which as it turns out is pure fiction and revisionist history.

Justin Lowe: Hold Me, I'm Scared
That was not the most ideal road trip for the Chicago Blackhawks on so many levels.

The team comes out with a 0-3-0 record putting their losing streak to 5 games.

The Blackhawks now sit at 6-6-3, good enough for 6th in the division. St. Louis sits at just 11 points behind them, however, they are starting to look a little better as of late.

So, what's next?
- Justin Lowe

Nice points about Bowman. I have been saying the same thing concerning his spending - it adds up. Rutta, Gus, Ward, Kunitz, Davidson, Manning - lots of money tied to just these 6 players. Where is the value? Where is the impact? These players have not made the team better - they have made it worse. All of them are easily replaceable by other players who arguably would perform at a higher level.

Bowman could have used this money,or just some of it, to get 1, 2 or 3 truly impactful players. Bowman could have made trades taking on salary. Instead Bowman spent a lot of money on signings that made no sense at all, completely wasting the available money.

Nice points about Bowman. I have been saying the same thing concerning his spending - it adds up. Rutta, Gus, Ward, Kunitz, Davidson, Manning - lots of money tied to just these 6 players. Where is the value? Where is the impact? These players have not made the team better - they have made it worse. All of them are easily replaceable by other players who arguably would perform at a higher level.

Bowman could have used this money,or just some of it, to get 1, 2 or 3 truly impactful players. Bowman could have made trades taking on salary. Instead Bowman spent a lot of money on signings that made no sense at all, completely wasting the available money.
- Z3Hawk

I think Ward and Gus have been ok. Ward's only signed through this year and Gus's deal for a 5-6 dman is reasonable. I agree on the rest though.

Signing one decent dman or a center could have helped vs the $5M or $6M tied up in Rutta, Manning, Kunitz and Davidson.

For ole time sakes....Deck chairs on the Titanic.

Justin Lowe: Hold Me, I'm Scared
That was not the most ideal road trip for the Chicago Blackhawks on so many levels.

The team comes out with a 0-3-0 record putting their losing streak to 5 games.

The Blackhawks now sit at 6-6-3, good enough for 6th in the division. St. Louis sits at just 11 points behind them, however, they are starting to look a little better as of late.

So, what's next?
- Justin Lowe

Great piece, Justin. The title made me laugh.

You are right where I am. How do you stay positive in a season that looks as poor as last? Last season the young kids came to play, and it was the vets in a slump. This season the vets rebound in a big way, and the young kids are in a slump. Be on the sane page, dammit! Joki has impressed big time, Kahun and Fortin can be something good in a limited role if they finish. What do they got, a goal each? Adb will be big, but he's got to get on the scoring sheet again. Schmaltz ... I'm still holding out buddy. Management/ ass. coaches, I'm fine if they stay this season or go. I get the arguments for both. Just make sure the best replacements take over, not some slobs who inherit a mess and make the mess worse. I'm tired of empty threats from Wirtz. Do what you say ... as a fan, I deserve more. I wonder if any teams fire more after the Kings?

I'm not holding out for a W against Car. I know it won't help either with recalls, but if we continue on the crap trend, it's youngster assessment time.

You forgot to add in signing Rutta and Gus last year for another 3.5 mildo.

For what: Galchenyuk, Patches, Skinner and RoR went for they could have definitely been players there. poop they probs could have flipped Schmaltz for chucky straight up and put 210lbs of goalscoring with Patrick Kane and given their us dev guys a hard on with Saad, Galchenyuk and Kane all on the same line.

For what Karlsson went for they could have absolutely added him and had space to resign him and then flipped one or two of the other kiddos to replenish picks or add forwards.

They've done a good job poaching guys in the early second round or late in the first (Saad, Debrincat, Jokiharju). But otherwise that front office is horrendous and its a shame one of the best coaches in NHL history (even with his faults) is going to get run out of town for their inability to manage the cap and acquire the appropriate assets.

Great piece, Justin. The title made me laugh.

You are right where I am. How do you stay positive in a season that looks as poor as last? Last season the young kids came to play, and it was the vets in a slump. This season the vets rebound in a big way, and the young kids are in a slump. Be on the sane page, dammit! Joki has impressed big time, Kahun and Fortin can be something good in a limited role if they finish. What do they got, a goal each? Adb will be big, but he's got to get on the scoring sheet again. Schmaltz ... I'm still holding out buddy. Management, I'm fine if they stay this season or go. I get the arguments for both. Just make sure the best replacements take over, not some slobs who inherit a mess and make the mess worse. I'm tired of empty threats from Wirtz. Do what you say ... as a fan, I deserve more.

I'm not holding out for a W against Car. I know it won't help either with recalls, but if we continue on the crap trend, it's youngster assessment time.
- I Am The Breadman

For me the positive is some of what you mentioned, like Jokiharju, DeBrincat and Kahun as well as the Core rebounding.

With some of the recent drafts and restocking of the prospect pool, I don’t think things are as big of a mess as some may think...but are Stan and Q the ones to pull them out of the funk is a different story, and I’m not so sure anymore.

For me the positive is some of what you mentioned, like Jokiharju, DeBrincat and Kahun as well as the Core rebounding.

With some of the recent drafts and restocking of the prospect pool, I don’t think things are as big of a mess as some may think...but are Stan and Q the ones to pull them out of the funk is a different story, and I’m not so sure anymore.
- HawkintheD

We gotta get some forwards drafted who can really help this year. We are on the weaker side in that aspect.