Justin Lowe: Missed Opportunity
The Hawks lost 3-1 to the Flyers last night that was a huge wasted opportunity to keep this Cinderella story continuing.

Arizona lost in regulation earlier in the night and with a win, the Hawks could have jumped within 2 points of the last Wild Card spot.

"Looking ahead to the Colorado this weekend, this is a team that has been in an epic nosedive and frankly, that’s been a real surprise to me."

The Avs have not been in an epic nosedive. They are 9-6 in their last 15 games (outscoring their opponents 49-31 during that stretch), and have won 3 in a row heading into Saturday's game.

via GIPHY

AZ, COL, Minn, Van, Edm - Hawks basically have to play better than every one of those teams the remaining 8 or 9 games - and pick up three and four points at least on the first three (I don’t know where the tiebreakers sit).

[quote=Jack Straw]

Hey Jack - very fair. They have turned it around. I was looking at a larger chunk of the season specifically to Jan/Feb. I should have clarified that.

Justin say hawks do miss the playoffs, what happens next do bowman and mcego be shown their walking papers by rocky, they did say this is a playoff team, or one more crack at it to turn it around? Onto the offseason say Hawks end picking somewhere between say 6-9 do the hawks make a pick or use that pick to get a young butting defense to anchor the blueline or years to come, example Truboa. What kind of trades can the hawks make? Who do the Hawks target in free agency? Would like to hear thoughts on these questions not only you Justin aka Tyler but the rest of the panel.

Justin say hawks do miss the playoffs, what happens next do bowman and mcego be shown their walking papers by rocky, they did say this is a playoff team, or one more crack at it to turn it around? Onto the offseason say Hawks end picking somewhere between say 6-9 do the hawks make a pick or use that pick to get a young butting defense to anchor the blueline or years to come, example Truboa. What kind of trades can the hawks make? Who do the Hawks target in free agency? Would like to hear thoughts on these questions not only you Justin aka Tyler but the rest of the panel.
- Scott1977

They aren't getting fired.

They aren't getting fired.
- Elbows15

I figured that but just was a question but they are on the hot seat going into next season. Given they both are getting one more chance at turning the hawks back into a cup contender.

I figured that but just was a question but they are on the hot seat going into next season. Given they both are getting one more chance at turning the hawks back into a cup contender.
- Scott1977

They should be on the hot seat. What have they done to deserve their jobs?

The Hawks should do whatever they can to rid themselves of #2, who was absolutely atrocious last night and directly responsible for Phiilys 2 goals.He wasn't the only one who had a bad game (see#12) but this is the case game in and game out. Interesting that Seabs was the main object of derision the first half of the season, but he's actually been playing pretty well the past 6 weeks or so. I'll take what he's doing over Keiths poor play and decision making any day.

Had to win last night to have any chance of making the playoffs

That was an absolute back breaker that they won’t recover from

For those of you who get the CBS Sports Network on their cable or satellite package, Denver University vs. Minnesota-Duluth is on Friday night at 7:30 central. Opportunity to see Ian Mitchell play for Denver.

Check out the 'Hogs game tonight if you can... should be a good one.

Looks like Forsberg is going for RFD tonight.

--

@JoeyZRadio

Forsberg leads the @goicehogs on the ice for warmups.

No Campbell, Moutree, Highmore, Broadhurst, Nilsson, Olofsson, Knott and Lankinen.

For those of you who get the CBS Sports Network on their cable or satellite package, Denver University vs. Minnesota-Duluth is on Friday night at 7:30 central. Opportunity to see Ian Mitchell play for Denver.
- boilermaker100

Nice. Thanks for the heads up. Some good hockey for Blackhawks fans tonight as we awaiting our Avs weekend.

Justin say hawks do miss the playoffs, what happens next do bowman and mcego be shown their walking papers by rocky, they did say this is a playoff team, or one more crack at it to turn it around? Onto the offseason say Hawks end picking somewhere between say 6-9 do the hawks make a pick or use that pick to get a young butting defense to anchor the blueline or years to come, example Truboa. What kind of trades can the hawks make? Who do the Hawks target in free agency? Would like to hear thoughts on these questions not only you Justin aka Tyler but the rest of the panel.
- Scott1977

Hey Scott - not a chance that Bowman and McDonough are let go IMO.

By all accounts Stan has had a great in-season performance with his latest trades.

It could change, but I would think the Hawks keep their pick. It's the way you build for long-term success.

Trouba would be nice though.

I'll have more on trade and free agent targets in future blogs. I need some content for the off-season, Scott.

They should be on the hot seat. What have they done to deserve their jobs?
- paulr

Winning the Stanley Cup 3 times have bought them some time. I agree heading into this upcoming season they should be feeling a bit uneasy about their job security. I can see Blowman getting canned by Christmas if the team struggles. Mcego will still be here unfortunately just based on his performance of marketing the Hawks and how this teams outside perception has changed.

They aren't getting fired.
- Elbows15

From the last blog. I intentionally wanted to use the wrong form of senile, as it sounded like another word for an innuendo joke. Then I decided to change it as it was a weak joke. You quoted it before the change, not picking up on the joke.

Check out the 'Hogs game tonight if you can... should be a good one.

Looks like Forsberg is going for RFD tonight.

--

@JoeyZRadio

Forsberg leads the @goicehogs on the ice for warmups.

No Campbell, Moutree, Highmore, Broadhurst, Nilsson, Olofsson, Knott and Lankinen.
- Justin Lowe

Here's the IceHogs lineup if you're curious:

@goicehogs

Good guys will roll like so into Milwaukee⛵️

Ejdsell-Holland-Schroeder
Martinsen-T.Sikura-Pelletier
Louis-Johnson-Fortin
McLaughlin-Noel-Watson

Tuulola-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Gilbert
Hillman-Osipov

Forsberg

Given the record and if a 10-#15 pick
I would grimace to miss out on top forwards and the top dman all whom is drafted before #10 overall

But i would go as far as our #1, Keith, a prospect if we get Trouba. Have to start the defence with quality and Keith loss of ability, attitude (which he masks) or whatever causing poor decisions.....has to go. Keith is trying be a good soldier but i think he is having a problem accepting the lousy defense partner he gets paired with. It cramps his style.

I have no proof rather just suspicion on the Keith situation aforementioned. I am willing to live with the combination of veterans and rookies #2 - #6 slots. Actually really interested to see Carlsson great skater big compete level. I would love to see Forsling develop into a reliable third pair. I just don't know if you could convince Dahlstrom or Koekook to sign two way contract.

It is easy to love the good performance seen and very trying to accept both Dahlstrom and Koekook continuing to play quite bad.

Here's the IceHogs lineup if you're curious:

@goicehogs

Good guys will roll like so into Milwaukee⛵️

Ejdsell-Holland-Schroeder
Martinsen-T.Sikura-Pelletier
Louis-Johnson-Fortin
McLaughlin-Noel-Watson

Tuulola-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Gilbert
Hillman-Osipov

Forsberg
- Justin Lowe

#1 line is the skill line
#2 line is the hard working line & Pelletier is the skill player
#3 line is pure speed line offense and defense capable. Has Luis developed enough in Chg organization. He may need to move on. Maybe for his sake & Chg needs organizational roster spots
#4 line is an ECHL level

Good defense, strong goaltending is how they stand tall. Oh and reliance upon Holland to get the big goal

Justin say hawks do miss the playoffs, what happens next do bowman and mcego be shown their walking papers by rocky, they did say this is a playoff team, or one more crack at it to turn it around? Onto the offseason say Hawks end picking somewhere between say 6-9 do the hawks make a pick or use that pick to get a young butting defense to anchor the blueline or years to come, example Truboa. What kind of trades can the hawks make? Who do the Hawks target in free agency? Would like to hear thoughts on these questions not only you Justin aka Tyler but the rest of the panel.
- Scott1977

Hey Scott.....Kudos to your most recent posts as I have been in agreement with you on just about everything.

As for changes at year's end ?

I don't think we'll see ANY movement in management and coaching. I think they all think so highly of themselves that the last 4 years of FAILURES are not anybody fault but merely bad "puck luck" and Corey Crawford injury excuses.....therefore....more of the same next year and they'll give total faith in Stan Bowman re-tooling this team. Especially now that he's made a couple of nice trades in Strome, Perlini, and Caggiula. This summer is absolutely critical in how this team will evolve in the next 5 years. Good moves and they'll be a playoff team next year. Great moves and they will go DEEP next year. Mediocre to poor moves and they'll miss again next year and lose another year of the Kane and Toews window.

If that happens, their Season Reservation Holders and wait list will dissolve immediately. That's a guarantee.
So.....this may be the most important sumner in Blackhawk
Hockey history since Patrick Kane was drafted #1.

Good luck Stan Bowman. This is his make or break summer.

Hey Scott - not a chance that Bowman and McDonough are let go IMO.

By all accounts Stan has had a great in-season performance with his latest trades.

It could change, but I would think the Hawks keep their pick. It's the way you build for long-term success.

Trouba would be nice though.

I'll have more on trade and free agent targets in future blogs. I need some content for the off-season, Scott.
- Justin Lowe

I agree bowman has had a good go of it of late fixed his mistakes and some really good trades. I AM not fan of bowman but have to give credit where credit is due so good for bowman now he needs to build a playoff team not a regular season team still need some physical players a shutdown center top 4 stabilizing d man and vet backup next year big question to me is Perlini can he be a top 6 forward and be consistent enough to stay there. Now I would at the draft shop gust and see what the hawks could get if its not what they want then have him under control for one more year I would not extend him he is a stop gap for boqvist. Biggest target in free agency should 3rd line center and physical forechecking forwards that create hell in the opponent d zone. IMO

I figured that but just was a question but they are on the hot seat going into next season. Given they both are getting one more chance at turning the hawks back into a cup contender.
- Scott1977

Management doesn't have a hot seat. Nothing is their fault remember ? They are a "playoff team" per John McDonough.

Everything will be blamed on the Quenneville transition to JC .......which actually was THEIR FAULT. (In the timing)
AND .....the Cored Crawford injury again.

A soft management group rolls downhill to a soft team on the ice. Sorry to say that but that's what seems to be evident if they stay status quo from atop.

Hey Scott.....Kudos to your most recent posts as I have been in agreement with you on just about everything.

As for changes at year's end ?

I don't think we'll see ANY movement in management and coaching. I think they all think so highly of themselves that the last 4 years of FAILURES are not anybody fault but merely bad "puck luck" and Corey Crawford injury excuses.....therefore....more of the same next year and they'll give total faith in Stan Bowman re-tooling this team. Especially now that he's made a couple of nice trades in Strome, Perlini, and Caggiula. This summer is absolutely critical in how this team will evolve in the next 5 years. Good moves and they'll be a playoff team next year. Great moves and they will go DEEP next year. Mediocre to poor moves and they'll miss again next year and lose another year of the Kane and Toews window.

If that happens, their Season Reservation Holders and wait list will dissolve immediately. That's a guarantee.
So.....this may be the most important sumner in Blackhawk
Hockey history since Patrick Kane was drafted #1.

Good luck Stan Bowman. This is his make or break summer.
- Hawkytalk

Agree with all of this. Add: If Bowman is able to he really ought to try hard to package the middle round #1 and whatever else it takes in exchange for either a #1 able dman or a higher #1

Need to use the #1 to get as a quality player as possible. And i do not feel comfortable drafting a goaltender in round one unless very highly rated. I'll roll dice with Delia (who needs more development) and even Forsberg or Laakinen as insurance BECAUSE next season is a transition season for rookies to begin transition to blueline crew.

It is a long shot for Bowman to acquire a top dman. Emphasis on top dman. A top pair guy.

Those hot shot rookies are going to force a look see. The defense is in shambles and you have to question Keith's comittment and top level performance (as in lack of).

Fine tuning the defensive responsibities of forwards and dmen only improves the team's opportunity to win one incremental step. The compete level must increase. The Gudas Philly game is a prime example of a team failure to respond

Of course the veteran make up on defense is not good either. Cannot fathom them.being a whole lot better. If I were a betting man i would wager that Gus is moved....just when and for what is difficult to gauge.

Winning the Stanley Cup 3 times have bought them some time. I agree heading into this upcoming season they should be feeling a bit uneasy about their job security. I can see Blowman getting canned by Christmas if the team struggles. Mcego will still be here unfortunately just based on his performance of marketing the Hawks and how this teams outside perception has changed.
- BGKarras

Well his Marketing isn't going to keep this season ticket holder for another year if this team fails again next year. It's season long intensity and teamwork with a dedication to dominate at United Center with a playoff run, or this STH and hoards of others will vacate the premises. That's a certainty. FAILURE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AGAIN NEXT SEASON WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES !!