Let me tackle your point regarding coach Q , sure all coaches make some mistakes or questionable decisions, however comparing JC and Coach Q who is a HOF coach who had amassed a amazing win loss record multiple cups his team achieved is a insult .

Now your other point both statements can be true , Chicago lacks some talent we all agree , but Chicago also has some talent that imo JC is not using a system to benefit his teams strengths and cover its weaknesses, that comes from having the ability as a coach to be willing to adjust
- Taylorst1

Q's teams were all better than the dreck that JC has had to work with.

While I agree with you, it sounds like Chicago is intent on extending his contract from what I've read. My theory and it's only a opinion, but looking at Chicago's salary cap issues , lack of depth unproven youth and many areas to address including their netminder for the future , also the market with head coaches available, who can honestly say Chicago by going out finding a new head coach will magically make them a playoff team.

That's why I think JC is just a placeholder with low expectations and getting into a cap friendly position.
- Taylorst1

I'm not trying to be a pud, but I don't follow any of what you are saying here.

My only contention was that JC is signed for one more year and that I thought there was zero upside extending him before he proves that he is worth it.

You then lay out all of the problems facing the Hawks (and 90% of the rest of the league) and say that getting a new coach won't help, and - per your previous post - no coach worth a darn would want to come to them anyway.

The Hawks have tons of depth. It is just mediocre. They have some unproven youth and some proven. As they all grow they will round into better players.

I expect Suter to be a vast improvement over Nylander.
I expect ADB will return to form (even if rpeters1 trades him).
I expect Dach will make a significant leap next year.
I expect Boqvist to have more confidence to unleash his offense next year.

The Hawks aren't barren. We all have to stop thinking that this is a team in the mold of the 2010, 13, 15 teams. The next championship team will likely look and perform different than they did.

As far as the coach goes, I guess I agree with you that it really doesn't matter a ton right now who the coach is. I'm not enamored with Colliton (especially after the substitutions he made during the playoffs), but I also don't think he is the main culprit for their struggles. They just have a lot of mismatched pieces. You have the vet core that really is just trying for one more kick at the can. You have some mediocre journeymen, and a ton of youth. That does not spell a consistent team.

While I agree with you, it sounds like Chicago is intent on extending his contract from what I've read. My theory and it's only a opinion, but looking at Chicago's salary cap issues , lack of depth unproven youth and many areas to address including their netminder for the future , also the market with head coaches available, who can honestly say Chicago by going out finding a new head coach will magically make them a playoff team.

That's why I think JC is just a placeholder with low expectations and getting into a cap friendly position.
- Taylorst1

He did lead the team over the Oilers?

You also thought Vegas was going to the SC finals.

Not a playoff team with those lines bascially swaping suter for Caggulia othewise its more of the same. The roster needs in imo some significant changes not a major overhaul imo.
- Scott1977

I do think they need more seasoning and, i believe, once they feel like they have enough mature talent to win they will either replace JC or run with him. Wasn’t this the same administration that fired Savard?

He did lead the team over the Oilers?

You also thought Vegas was going to the SC finals.
- BetweenTheDots

I wouldn't break out the champagne just yet because Chicago beat the oilers, the oilers didn't have the level of depth needed to make a deep run .

Yes I had vegas as my pick and I didn't see dallas as a team to make it to the cup, but vegas is a very good team and lots of depth, Chicago isn't anywhere near being considered a contender .

Q's teams were all better than the dreck that JC has had to work with.
- LAHawk

Sure Qs teams in years past where great but after 2015/16 the team dropped off drastically, stan hung coach q out to dry . My guess is if coach q was still around this teams record would be better JC after being named head coach stan brought in strome and last offseason he brought in plenty of fresh faces. More than what Q had the year prior to him getting fired .


When coach q replaced savard they both had the same talent level it was clearly a issue with the coaching staff, likewise JC hasn't shown a consistent record of winning .

The Hawks aren't barren.
- Chunk

No, but they ain't Fertile Myrtle either.

I'm not trying to be a pud, but I don't follow any of what you are saying here.

My only contention was that JC is signed for one more year and that I thought there was zero upside extending him before he proves that he is worth it.

You then lay out all of the problems facing the Hawks (and 90% of the rest of the league) and say that getting a new coach won't help, and - per your previous post - no coach worth a darn would want to come to them anyway.

The Hawks have tons of depth. It is just mediocre. They have some unproven youth and some proven. As they all grow they will round into better players.

I expect Suter to be a vast improvement over Nylander.
I expect ADB will return to form (even if rpeters1 trades him).
I expect Dach will make a significant leap next year.
I expect Boqvist to have more confidence to unleash his offense next year.

The Hawks aren't barren. We all have to stop thinking that this is a team in the mold of the 2010, 13, 15 teams. The next championship team will likely look and perform different than they did.

As far as the coach goes, I guess I agree with you that it really doesn't matter a ton right now who the coach is. I'm not enamored with Colliton (especially after the substitutions he made during the playoffs), but I also don't think he is the main culprit for their struggles. They just have a lot of mismatched pieces. You have the vet core that really is just trying for one more kick at the can. You have some mediocre journeymen, and a ton of youth. That does not spell a consistent team.
- Chunk

No chunk I agree with you. We are both on the same page, I was just pointing out reasons I felt imo as to why Chicago would stick with JC and all the reasons leading up to my opinion. But we both are on the same wave length JC I'm not enamoured with him as well.

In the end Stan is to blame for his hiring decisions of JC , trades , signings , contracts and youth development. And ultimately the teams demise

JC may be the nicest guy in the world, but he has a long history of losing.

Finished 6th or 7th in 3 of his 4 years in Sweden’s Tier 2 league. In his last year, they finished 1st and were promoted to Tier 1.

In his only year in Rockford, 4th in the Central. He rode hot goaltending, and some guys the Blackhawks sent down, to the Conference final, where they lost.

In Chicago, he’s finished 6th & 7th in the Central.

So, his only successful season as a HC was his last year in a Tier 2 Swedish league.

That’s not much of a resume.

And, BTW, in his 3 years in NA, his teams have all been in the bottom half of league GAA.
- scottak

GREAT POST - Im sure this isn't on JC resume under Prior Credentials

Let me tackle your point regarding coach Q , sure all coaches make some mistakes or questionable decisions, however comparing JC and Coach Q who is a HOF coach who had amassed a amazing win loss record multiple cups his team achieved is a insult .

Now your other point both statements can be true , Chicago lacks some talent we all agree , but Chicago also has some talent that imo JC is not using a system to benefit his teams strengths and cover its weaknesses, that comes from having the ability as a coach to be willing to adjust
- Taylorst1

Q was HOF in Florida this year enough to get his boss fired. People would be screaming for JC's head if he missed the playoffs in Chicago with the team Florida has. Gallant also lasted only two years in Florida.

Pass a lot if miles on Clifford rather get younger than older also think leafs bring him back somehow. Still think hawks should go after greenway miles wood or josh Anderson on of those three players in the bottom six would help. Or Chandler Stevenson from vegas size speed has some physically to his game plus can play center and wing.
- Scott1977

I generally agree with what you are advocating for. The risk is what do you have to give up to acquire such players.

Also, the team needs to avoid dressing a bottom 6 that ends up being two 4th lines rather than a distinctive 3rd and distinctive 4th as far as roles and offensive contributions.

Otherwise, a persistent style with relentless forechecking and defensive awareness is key for the bottom 6.

I do think they need more seasoning and, i believe, once they feel like they have enough mature talent to win they will either replace JC or run with him. Wasn’t this the same administration that fired Savard?
- BetweenTheDots

Imo I think your comments have lots of merit to them and history to point to. That was my whole point why I feel JC sticks around , he comes cheap , chicago is far off from any serious contention and when the time is right with more talent , depth and a solid proven young base JC either stays or gets fired. Also bringing in a experienced head coach will probably get you a few more wins but not a team that can seriously challenge for a cip.

Let me tackle your point regarding coach Q , sure all coaches make some mistakes or questionable decisions, however comparing JC and Coach Q who is a HOF coach who had amassed a amazing win loss record multiple cups his team achieved is a insult .

Now your other point both statements can be true , Chicago lacks some talent we all agree , but Chicago also has some talent that imo JC is not using a system to benefit his teams strengths and cover its weaknesses, that comes from having the ability as a coach to be willing to adjust
- Taylorst1

1) Sure they can be, but you said yourself that no experienced coach would want to come to the Hawks and expect to win. Unless my word comprehension has gone to hell, that would mean that you don't think the Hawks have the talent to be competitive under anyone, no?

2) There is a limit to what a coach can do if the players are not willing/unable/don't know how to implement whatever system the coach wants to play.

Sure Qs teams in years past where great but after 2015/16 the team dropped off drastically, stan hung coach q out to dry . My guess is if coach q was still around this teams record would be better JC after being named head coach stan brought in strome and last offseason he brought in plenty of fresh faces. More than what Q had the year prior to him getting fired .


When coach q replaced savard they both had the same talent level it was clearly a issue with the coaching staff, likewise JC hasn't shown a consistent record of winning .
- Taylorst1

But yet coach Q and JC had similar records, yet you blast JC? Nevermind read what you just wrote

Hung out to dry, no more like the salary cap called in its markers.

I do think they need more seasoning and, i believe, once they feel like they have enough mature talent to win they will either replace JC or run with him. Wasn’t this the same administration that fired Savard?
- BetweenTheDots

Technically, no. McD is gone.

Not a playoff team with those lines bascially swaping suter for Caggulia othewise its more of the same. The roster needs in imo some significant changes not a major overhaul imo.
- Scott1977

Scottie murdering me with the pessimism.

I wasn't saying that they were going to be a playoff team with the same group. I was just wondering what others thought about the line changes to try and be more effective overall.

Just for poops and laughs, considering what is on the roster right now, what does everyone (anyone) think about the following:

ADB-Toews-Kane
Saad-Dach-Kubalik
Suter-Strome-Nylander
Highmore-Kampf-Carpenter

Toews and ADB put up a bunch of points together with Kahun a couple years ago.
Dach's line would be the powerful, all-purpose option
I would prefer someone other than Strome to C the 3rd, but overall not terrible. Suter has a quite good all around game to cover for the other two.
and the 4th is the 4th.

I just think Dach centering a more powerful line would be better for his development and the team overall.
- Chunk

Good exercise to do as we wait for the draft and free agency period as well as the fates of Blackhawk RFAs.

I like your 1st, 2nd, and 4th lines but the 3rd line worries me as you have alluded to. Not a bad one if Strome and Nylander step it up and Suter lives up to what he has been billed to be.

But if the versions we saw in the postseason are what we continue to see in 2020-21, then the Hawks are in trouble no matter what lines 17 and 92 end up on.

Q was HOF in Florida this year enough to get his boss fired. People would be screaming for JC's head if he missed the playoffs in Chicago with the team Florida has. Gallant also lasted only two years in Florida.
- rpeters01

Talon was the guy who built Chicago's dynasty , sometimes you cant replicate that same outcome . It wasn't imo coach q who failed him but his tenure after 10myears to draft , develop and put together a successful team his time ran out.

Like any job your resume with accomplishments earn you a opportunity ahead of a unproven new guy.

Coach Q I'm sure would be hired over JC in a heartbeat based on his proven track record.

Theo once again this is some fantastic writing , with lots of facts and examples.


While some people will applaud JC for his perceived mentality of pushing a youth movement, and we should give him more time . I guess my question would be did rocky and stan somehow believe Chicago was truly capable of another cup and after firing coach Q and hiring JC a simple offseason to have a full training camp bring in some fresh faces and chicago is on it's way back to contention? Maybe ,


My guess is with Chicago and the nhl having to deal with the upheaval of the nhl salary cap and future along with a search for a new Team President, JC is probably safe because in all honesty Chicago isn't a playoff team , the core has to many miles on them to carry this team as they did in years past , now it's more of seeing who develops and grows while waiting out the next 3 years of cap hell. No experienced coach imo would want to come to Chicago and be expected to win with this team.

JC record is truly awful if we judge him by his winning results he doesn't show the necessary knowledge to implement a system based on his players talent or lack of talent , his decisions many times lead people to question him more often than not.


For that reason I feel they just settle on JC because its low PR risk and weather the next 3 years
- Taylorst1

Focusing on the bolded paragraph of your post, there needs to be a balance of the youngsters developing, the veterans playing up to their standards, and the team as a whole putting it all together as far as implementing strategies and simply playing smart fundamental hockey.

Colliton and crew (or any other coaching staff) play a big role in all of that but the players have a responsibility, too. Players need to execute.

I do think they need more seasoning and, i believe, once they feel like they have enough mature talent to win they will either replace JC or run with him. Wasn’t this the same administration that fired Savard?
- BetweenTheDots

Good point on seasoning my point i have been trying make imo the team is unbalanced but if no significant changes are made than this what we got and hope strome dcat and nylander upfront take the next steps to improving each individual game. And on d boqvist mithchell need to do the same.

1) Sure they can be, but you said yourself that no experienced coach would want to come to the Hawks and expect to win. Unless my word comprehension has gone to hell, that would mean that you don't think the Hawks have the talent to be competitive under anyone, no?

2) There is a limit to what a coach can do if the players are not willing/unable/don't know how to implement whatever system the coach wants to play.
- Chunk

I think either I wrote my argument incorrect or you misunderstood my point. Chicago has some talent , and I believe that Chicago could win more games but not enough to make any noise if they make the playoffs. Therefore why would any experienced head coach looking at the team and it's well known issues take a job that as of right now even if they exceeded expectations they will still fall far short of the ultimate goal of winning a cup.

That's why JC is just a placeholder

I generally agree with what you are advocating for. The risk is what do you have to give up to acquire such players.

Also, the team needs to avoid dressing a bottom 6 that ends up being two 4th lines rather than a distinctive 3rd and distinctive 4th as far as roles and offensive contributions.

Otherwise, a persistent style with relentless forechecking and defensive awareness is key for the bottom 6.
- Theo Fox

Agree with you fox and what we would have to give up that is where bowman and company have identify areas of need and get creative with signings abd trades.

Good exercise to do as we wait for the draft and free agency period as well as the fates of Blackhawk RFAs.

I like your 1st, 2nd, and 4th lines but the 3rd line worries me as you have alluded to. Not a bad one if Strome and Nylander step it up and Suter lives up to what he has been billed to be.

But if the versions we saw in the postseason are what we continue to see in 2020-21, then the Hawks are in trouble no matter what lines 17 and 92 end up on.
- Theo Fox

I was bored and rarely post lines, so I thought I'd give it a shot and see what all the hubbub was about. Kinda fun.

Yeah, my stomach turned a bit when I typed out that 3rd line, but I've been watching as much tape as is available on Suter and he is amazingly aware of not only what to do, but at diagnosing how other teams are attacking to counter it quickly. I've said my piece about Strome enough times on here. I'd like to replace him, but if not, I'm hoping he (and Nylander) realized where his game has to be in order to be difference makers on the team. It wouldn't hurt if he was on a 1-yr deal...

Focusing on the bolded paragraph of your post, there needs to be a balance of the youngsters developing, the veterans playing up to their standards, and the team as a whole putting it all together as far as implementing strategies and simply playing smart fundamental hockey.

Colliton and crew (or any other coaching staff) play a big role in all of that but the players have a responsibility, too. Players need to execute.
- Theo Fox

I don't disagree with you Theo, also as we have all seen throughout history sometimes a coaching change can be the catalyst that fixes the issue. I still think JC has made plenty of questionable decisions, like playing Quenville as a example or not changing his teams system to more of a trap system.

I wouldn't break out the champagne just yet because Chicago beat the oilers, the oilers didn't have the level of depth needed to make a deep run .

Yes I had vegas as my pick and I didn't see dallas as a team to make it to the cup, but vegas is a very good team and lots of depth, Chicago isn't anywhere near being considered a contender .
- Taylorst1

And lard ass didn't come up with the big save when they needed it. And it wasn't like he was bombarded with shots.