Justin Lowe: Have Colliton and Bowman Turned Things Around in Chicago? The Hawks started last night's game Sloppy… with a capital "S".

There were a lot of ups-and-downs but ultimately the Hawks end with a nice 5-3 victory.

It's been 29 games since Jeremy Colliton took over. I have been watching very closely but knew to properly analyze a coaching change with the significance that this Quenneville to Colliton had, it was going to take about 30 games or so.

I never like being 1st !! Stan biggest mistake was not firing Q sooner ..

I never like being 1st !! Stan biggest mistake was not firing Q sooner ..
- oldduffman

Possibly but there were so many factors that made it difficult to fire the second most winningest coach, the coach of three cup wins and the man who coached the Hawks during the best period of Blackhawk history. I'd argue that Bowman should have started moving the core after the 2015 cup win to prevent the team from getting old at the same time. But again how does he do it? The fans and media would have had a meltdown. To me the biggest mistake Bowman made that he had full control over was re-signing Seabrook to that horrible contract.

Colliton had praised Kunitz pretty nicely in his post game interview. Will we being seeing more of Kunitz ? Should we be seeing more playing time of Kunitz ?

Possibly but there were so many factors that made it difficult to fire the second most winningest coach, the coach of three cup wins and the man who coached the Hawks during the best period of Blackhawk history. I'd argue that Bowman should have started moving the core after the 2015 cup win to prevent the team from getting old at the same time. But again how does he do it? The fans and media would have had a meltdown. To me the biggest mistake Bowman made that he had full control over was re-signing Seabrook to that horrible contract.
- paulr

I think the wise move would have been to bump Q up to "advisor" role and bring Colliton in during the off season. Then you have the chance and practice time to instill some of his system/philosophy that has taken them all time to learn on the fly. I think that would have led to at least a .500 record while working thru some of the personnel changes. That all being said, if they are at .500 is Schmaltz moved?

Great piece Justin. just ashore one as I'm at my retirement gig today but it seems. JC is getting the most out of the entire team and a quick read on necessary moves. I'm sure that teams now know blackhawks are not easy points. JC has compete back in vogue

It was nice to see Keith get one through the uprights!

Justin Lowe: Have Colliton and Bowman Turned Things Around in Chicago?
The Hawks started last night's game Sloppy… with a capital "S".

There were a lot of ups-and-downs but ultimately the Hawks end with a nice 5-3 victory.

It's been 29 games since Jeremy Colliton took over. I have been watching very closely but knew to properly analyze a coaching change with the significance that this Quenneville to Colliton had, it was going to take about 30 games or so.
- Justin Lowe

Agree, JL. A lot of signs for hope and change, but the leapfrogging maneuver doesn't seem possible. I'm always hoping though.....

I saw when Keith scored his goal and came back to the bench, he was talking and laughing with JC. Nice to see that.

Joki-dokey returns, Davidson going down? Forsling?

Forsling would have to go thru waivers if sent down I believe? Think we'll ride 7 d-men with Davidson kicking rocks

Another excellent write up Justin,
Yeah have to give Bowman credit he has made some good moves this year after a horriable off season. Even the Murphy for Hammer trade looking good.
No disrepect to Q but a new direction was needed.

I think the wise move would have been to bump Q up to "advisor" role and bring Colliton in during the off season. Then you have the chance and practice time to instill some of his system/philosophy that has taken them all time to learn on the fly. I think that would have led to at least a .500 record while working thru some of the personnel changes. That all being said, if they are at .500 is Schmaltz moved?
- TheTrob

Q didn't get along with anyone in the FO, why would they bump him upstairs? Time to reload with young top prospects and let the kids play/develop like it's 2008-09 again.

I think the wise move would have been to bump Q up to "advisor" role and bring Colliton in during the off season. Then you have the chance and practice time to instill some of his system/philosophy that has taken them all time to learn on the fly. I think that would have led to at least a .500 record while working thru some of the personnel changes. That all being said, if they are at .500 is Schmaltz moved?
- TheTrob

If Q would "accept" that. He wants to coach still from all that I have heard.

Colliton had praised Kunitz pretty nicely in his post game interview. Will we being seeing more of Kunitz ? Should we be seeing more playing time of Kunitz ?
- StutzBlackhawk

He'll play next game for sure. Past that..m he shouldnt be playing.

JC and Stan need some stick taps.

Via trade - Murphy, Strome, Perlini, Caggiula,
Via draft Joki, Dahlstrom, ADB (Draft pick via trade),
Via FA signings - Kahun, Kampf, Delia, Colliton
On the way - Boquist, Kurashev, Entwistle, Hillman, Beaudin, etc

Created some cap space along the way.

And yes I know he over paid for Seabs and traded Panarin.

And yes I know Uncle Dale drafted Kane, Toews, Crow, Seabs and Keith. Beginning in 1998 as Director of Player personnel, then Asst GM, then GM he also had a hand in making the team so bad for years that they had high draft picks.

Colliton had praised Kunitz pretty nicely in his post game interview. Will we being seeing more of Kunitz ? Should we be seeing more playing time of Kunitz ?
- StutzBlackhawk

My opinion, yes , In the role he was in yesterday, nearly for that locker room and fourth line veteran presence. Let’s face it this is a transition year or whatever you want to call it .There’s no parade schedule for this June. He knows that this is it for him. Let him go out in a decent way.

He'll play next game for sure. Past that..m he shouldnt be playing.
- Justin Lowe

He played great with 91 and 16 last night. He seemed hyped up playing against his former team and the SC honoring. I'm not a Kunitz advocate, but I wouldn't mind seeing that line more. At least, give it a chance.

JC and Stan need some stick taps.

Via trade - Murphy, Strome, Perlini, Caggiula,
Via draft Joki, Dahlstrom, ADB (Draft pick via trade),
Via FA signings - Kahun, Kampf, Delia, Colliton
On the way - Boquist, Kurashev, Entwistle, Hillman, Beaudin, etc

Created some cap space along the way.

And yes I know he over paid for Seabs and traded Panarin.

And yes I know Uncle Dale drafted Kane, Toews, Crow, Seabs and Keith. Beginning in 1998 as Director of Player personnel, then Asst GM, then GM he also had a hand in making the team so bad for years that they had high draft picks.
- -Doh-

Seabrook, Keith, and Crawford were drafted by Mike Smith.

He played great with 91 and 16 last night. He seemed hyped up playing against his former team and the SC honoring. I'm not a Kunitz advocate, but I wouldn't mind seeing that line more. At least, give it a chance.
- I Am The Breadman

Do you like Kruger playing wing though, with Drake playing center? If they see Drake being a center, one of Kruger, AA should be getting dealt at the deadline no?

Do you like Kruger playing wing though, with Drake playing center? If they see Drake being a center, one of Kruger, AA should be getting dealt at the deadline no?
- SoftServe

I thought Krugs was the center ... my bad. Normally, no, I don't like Krugs on the wing, but it was a good line. I think Krugs can be dealt at the deadline, Arty over the summer. I could be wrong.

Justin Lowe: Have Colliton and Bowman Turned Things Around in Chicago?
The Hawks started last night's game Sloppy… with a capital "S".

There were a lot of ups-and-downs but ultimately the Hawks end with a nice 5-3 victory.

It's been 29 games since Jeremy Colliton took over. I have been watching very closely but knew to properly analyze a coaching change with the significance that this Quenneville to Colliton had, it was going to take about 30 games or so.
- Justin Lowe

Six points out of the tournament invitation with 5 teams to pass - plus LAK with a game in hand only 2 points behind them, plus St. Louis with 5 games in hand only 3 points behind - sounds tough.

The thing that's encouraging in this race is that in the West, the Wild Card teams are not exactly tearing the league apart - Dallas is on pace for 92 points, Anaheim is on pace for 86 - the Hawks would need to win 2/3 of the remaining 76 points available to them to get to 90. Very difficult, but not impossible.

Oh, but those 7 teams between them and the final Wild Card spot....

I thought Krugs was the center ... my bad. Normally, no, I don't like Krugs on the wing, but it was a good line. I think Krugs can be dealt at the deadline, Arty over the summer.
- I Am The Breadman

No worries. I agree. Kampf can replace Kruger on the 4th line, and maybe Drake can be that 3rd line gritty center if they decide to keep him at center.
Kahun Caggiula Perlini might be a future 3rd line tandem if Hawks can get one more top 6 forward.

https://www.secondcityhoc...rshev-world-juniors-qmjhl

No worries. I agree. Kampf can replace Kruger on the 4th line, and maybe Drake can be that 3rd line gritty center if they decide to keep him at center.
Kahun Caggiula Perlini might be a future 3rd line tandem if Hawks can get one more top 6 forward.
- SoftServe

The speed of that line would kill. I'm down for that line.

Kunitz didn't look too bad and Hayden and the recently demoted Martinsen haven't shown any reason they should be playing in front of him at this point. As long as he doesn't pull boneheaded penalties like in that Flames?! game, I wouldn't mind playing him.

The speed of that line would kill. I'm down for that line.
- I Am The Breadman

But since they don't have another top 6 forward right now, I would like to see Drake get a shot on that first line with a third line of Kahun Kampf and Perlini.