Theo Fox: Skyfall A summary of the Blackhawks continual free fall to 0-5-1 after a 6-3 loss to the Red Wings.

Plus, an update on goalie prospect Dominic Basse.

Bowman should have stuck to the rebuild as many advised. Wasting assets to make a non-contender is always a losing proposition. Fleury can be hot and cold like any goalie though I think he is more extreme than most on that. I'm noticing a number of teams are having sellout streaks ending recently.

This isn't a coaching problem, it's a locker-room thing

Coaching and systems almost don’t matter now, issues run deeper.

It’s a leadership problem. Whoever is supposed to lead this team, they are failing. Head coach looks to be first in line, but lots of blame all around for everyone who sets the tone and direction – coaches, GM, ownership, or the captains. It is a mess right now and it’s difficult to imagine that everybody involved is and can be a part of the solution instead of simply being part of the problem.

Coaching and systems almost don’t matter now, issues run deeper.

It’s a leadership problem. Whoever is supposed to lead this team, they are failing. Head coach looks to be first in line, but lots of blame all around for everyone who sets the tone and direction – coaches, GM, ownership, or the captains. It is a mess right now and it’s difficult to imagine that everybody involved is and can be a part of the solution instead of simply being part of the problem.
- stonefire

Actually it is the coaching and the system. It's so brilliant it affects the defensive zone and the transition to the offensive zone. It makes both weaker.

Teams have figured out how to attack this defense, and it's no surprise to me they end up outnumbered in from of their own goalie, more times times than not

If Kane is still injured, it is time right now to put him on LTIR and let him work through it. I think they need to forget about this season, and just let the young guys play again. Be sellers at the TDL (to get a 1st round pick, everyone is on the trade table), and go next season with new blood behind the bench and at GM.

It's such a contrast right now offense to defense. When the Hawks are shooting, very few rebounds available, goalies are soaking up the shots and not giving much. Pretty much Hawks only get those chances when it's a stuff attempt.

At the other end, MAF is scrambling and lots of rebounds available. Don't get me wrong, not putting it all on MAF, the Hawks are not covering around the net well enough, but we have yet to have a game where goaltending has been ideal. I didn't count, but the Hawks goalies in the last few games have not done well on the pucks along the ice and low. No elevation required.

Well can it get any worse than this?

Well can it get any worse than this?
- kwolf68

yes Bowman can make some more stupid trades to try and right the ship.

yes Bowman can make some more stupid trades to try and right the ship.
- SaskHawkFan

To be honest, I would not even care if he did. The only thing I want to happen is to have a major house cleaning (new coaching staff and a new GM) .

To be honest, I would not even care if he did. The only thing I want to happen is to have a major house cleaning (new coaching staff and a new GM) .
- powerenforcer

I mostly agree with this, but I'd prefer it Bowman not do any more damage than he has already done.

Actually it is the coaching and the system. It's so brilliant it affects the defensive zone and the transition to the offensive zone. It makes both weaker.
- BetweenTheDots

Very simple minded analysis.

I assume you will shortly get your wish, and then you can root for the Hawks again. Once the single issue is resolved, the team will drive for the playoffs! Murphy will become good. Kane and Toews will be healthy and interested. Flower will be young and interested.

By the way, if that rosy scenario happens, I have bad news for you. It will have meant that Stan did put together a winning team. That would suck, eh?

I mostly agree with this, but I'd prefer it Bowman not do any more damage than he has already done.
- kwolf68

Who would you like to see as the GM to return the Hawks to contention?

Who would you like to see as the GM to return the Hawks to contention?
- mohel

Dale!

High school level coach.

No one to blame according to your analysis. Hawks need to move kane and toews somehow.

The problem with this team is talent wise, at best they are a bubble team, but play like the Hawks in the halycon days that could win just playing 10 minutes of trying. Makes my head hurt watching 4 Hawks "protecting the house" only to have one Red Wing out work them and bang in the rebound.

Makes my head hurt to have your Captain lose his man in the defensive zone. Or to have a defenseman signed late because of injuries reverting to what we saw for years as a Hawk previously lollygagging back so a 2 on 2 becomes a 2 on one

Also makes my head hurt when your veteran defensemen makes play's that if made in youth hockey, that defenseman would probably not see the ice for at least the rest of the period. Of course with the Hawks that would probably leave them with 2 defenseman playing the rest of the game.

Makes my head hurt that forwards are supposed to play in the defensive zone too, but "working on there 200 ft. game" makes them automatically Selke award finalists, but in reality are still minus defensively.

Can't wait for 2 years from now, when only 6 current Hawks are under contract, and whoever is GM can really rebuild the roster.

Dale!
- Ogilthorpe2

That would be nirvana!

Very simple minded analysis.

I assume you will shortly get your wish, and then you can root for the Hawks again. Once the single issue is resolved, the team will drive for the playoffs! Murphy will become good. Kane and Toews will be healthy and interested. Flower will be young and interested.

By the way, if that rosy scenario happens, I have bad news for you. It will have meant that Stan did put together a winning team. That would suck, eh?
- mohel

It's never fun to be wrong or gasp, have to root against your own narrative.

I do agree something needs to change and that likely starts with Colliton.

I'm hoping there is at least an announcement today? this week? that JC's been let go.

Will say it again since Wolfie's in the same thread so he doesn't have to backread in other blogs, that I'd have no issue if Bowman is relieved of his GM duties. Whether that means taking on more of an administrative role or being booted that's for the Wirtzes to decide.

While the team is clearly a mess right now, anyone who tells you the roster construction was clearly so poor that this is pretty much what they anticipated...well let's just say they are being somewhat less than honest.

Who would you like to see as the GM to return the Hawks to contention?
- mohel

That's not my job to identify guys, but I find it oddly funny if a player or coach fails to perform they are quickly dismissed, but since 2016 Bowman has been a disaster. Does he hold any accountability AT ALL for the product decline in this time?

Also, the thing about GMs is they can be "good" and "bad", Bowman's good moves like Vermette, Frolik, a couple good draft picks are way overshadowed by the rest of the incompetence, capped off by his most recent, very bad, off-season.

Can he all of a sudden start doing stuff right? Dunno. Mike Smith, who is a hero on this board to many, and dare I say well earned since he really drafted the core group of our Cup teams (Tallon is way over-rated in my view) was a total disaster in Winnipeg. But Smith learned, he changed his MO from going for soft Russian floaters to complete hockey players, and those complete hockey players formed the foundation (along with our lotto players like 88 and 19) of a Cup team.

Who would you like to see as the GM to return the Hawks to contention?
- mohel

Patrick Roy

Not really. Reminds me of five years ago when Ottawa traded their first rounder for Matt Duchene and proceeded to have a catastrophically bad year. Colorado got to use that first and Ottawa had nothing to show at the draft from a fan that crushed what was left of Sens fans spirits. They were then historically bad again and again to draft Tkachuk and Stutzle, and are just now seeing glimmers of contention from their new core.

Patrick Roy
- powerenforcer

I think the Candiens may end up getting him.

The real KICK in the nuts will be the Hawks finish this year with the absolute worst record in the NHL, but finish 2nd in the lottery drawing, a pick that would be transferred to the Jackets.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wonders when the talk begins about Chicago Blackhawks stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews becoming available at the March 21 trade deadline. The duo has two years remaining on their contracts with matching $10.5 million cap hits and full no-movement clauses.

Could Kane be traded for Eichel? Would he want to go home?