Blackhawks Start Well, Still Lose Big
After a brutally unorganized effort in a loss on Monday night, the Blackhawks were back on the ice in Carolina for another try to beat one of the better teams in the league. Collin Delia got the call in net.
The Hawks desperately needed to get off to a good start and they did precisely that. Alex DeBrincat took a takeaway the distance and scored a short-handed goal to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead 6:20 into the game.
DeBrincat’s 27th of the year was big. Six minutes later, a couple young Blackhawks shared a special moment.
MacKenzie Entwistle received a pass from Patrick Kane and flew up the ice. He ripped a shot on net that Petr Mrazek stopped, but left a fat rebound that Mike Hardman slammed home for his first career NHL goal.
On the goal, Hardman and Entwistle became the first Blackhawks to record their first career NHL points on the same play since Oct. 6, 2007 when Kane and (Blackhawks legend) Magnus Johansson recorded their firsts with assists on a Tuomo Ruutu goal.
After 20 minutes, Chicago held a 2-0 lead. They out-shot Carolina 12-8 in the period. Things were going well in the first period with no playoff chances.
Unfortunately, there are three periods in a hockey game.
Nino Niederreiter cut the lead in half 4:32 into the second period. Andrei Svechnikov tied the game 16 minutes into the second. And after two periods, both sides had two goals.
Talent and, more importantly, structure were winning the day for Carolina – again.
Svechnikov gave Carolina a 3-2 lead 4:08 into the third. Adding salt to the wound, Teuvo Teravainen extended the lead to two at 7:19. And Chicago was chasing. Again.
DeBrincat made it interesting at 11:52, ripping home his 28th of the season.
Kane and Ian Mitchell were credited with the assists.
Sadly, as has been the case against the top teams in the division far too often this season, any rally the Blackhawks hoped to have wasn’t enough. Martin Necas and Niederreiter each scored into an empty net in the final three minutes to make the final score 6-3.
So how do we find a silver lining in another multi-goal loss?
Dellia “only” faced 26 shots. Four of them went in, which isn’t ideal, but that’s better than a shot total in the high-30s or low-40s.
Mitchell picked up another assist as well as a hit and blocked shot in 15:26 on the ice. He has a point in all three games since returning to the NHL lineup.
Adam Gaudette skated almost seven minutes more than he had in any game since being acquired from Vancouver. He blocked one shot and had one hit in 18:13. His speed could be an asset in the future. It would be nice to see him spend some more time in the final games in the top six.
Entwistle had a decent night. He only skated 10:03 and won just two of eight at the dot but his speed was noticeable. I’d like to see more of him. But that, of course, requires the coach to put him in the lineup.
Hardman added a team-leading five hits to his first career goal in 10:24. He, too, has been intriguing when given a chance in the lineup.
Dylan Strome had a tough night. He looked completely lost on Teravainen’s goal and wore a minus-five on the night. He did win five of eight faceoffs, though.
After the game, Jeremy Colliton spoke about Kirby Dach being a scratch because of scar tissue in his wrist.
Jeremy Colliton on Kirby Dach: "I don't know exactly what the plan is going to be for the rest of the games. It's not totally unexpected to deal with some scar tissue. Just kind of came to a head today. We'll see what the next few days bring." #Blackhawks https://t.co/VEWtplRgZ2
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) May 5, 2021
Finally, Nikita Zadorov dressed again.
We’re playing children on our team. Chalk it as 1 for us, a great start and then 40 minutes against #1 team in the playoffs coming up. I don’t look for much these final games. Rest Kane and Keith and let the kids play.
O.K,baby steps I guess. As a team they played about 23 minutes of solid hockey. About 4 minutes into the 2nd period the Canes became interested and took over the game. For I guess a developmental reason Colliton decided to bury Hatdman,Entwistle, and Hinostroza on the bench in favor of getting a real good look at Strome and Kamph. Strome of course was lost,horrible,and noticeably lazy on the 4th goal of his minus 5 as he stopped skating and coasted to watch the goal. This entire Defense is a disaster in exiting the zone,d zone coverage,and clearing the net front. The skill and effort level has to go way up by all 6 of them. Great game by DeBrincat,he’s fun to watch. Relegated to 10 minutes of ice time,Entwhistle, Hardman,and Hinostroza were solid,fast,and physical,words usually not associated with this team. All together not good.
.
Well, Tab…ya nailed it. I didn’t hear why Dach was out of the line-up. I’d like to see him with Entwistle and Hagel.
I know Mitchell is a young guy, but, as Troy Murray mentioned, the young guys need to bulk up in the off season. Mitchell is CONSTANTLY muscled off the puck in his own zone. The team has a lot of talent. Small talent. Would SB package some of these kids, looking at you Nylander, Zadorov, Kurashev, & Strome, and get draft picks and/or prospects? I do agree that Zadorov can take a seat and let the Rockford prospects get some game time.
I really like what Hardman and Entwistle bring to the table. Size, speed, and some nasty.
This team lacks real talent and real coaching. The beginning of the year, the PP was really effective. However, teams get film and adjust. The coaching staff didn’t adjust at all. We keep hearing about other teams “structure”. Do the Blackhawks have any? If Keith doesn’t retire, then the team should obtain a top line defenseman and lower Keith to a 2nd line guy. He’s just not good enough, anymore, to be that 1st line guy. Age catches up to all of us. He’s in great shape but he’s 37 y/o.
Who do you all think the Blackhawks should draft or at what position should be a top priority?
Delia was fine, kept then close enough to have a chance. Really nice first but as game wore on their inexperience began to let Canes start dictating the game again. Liked the Murphy Stillman pairing, hope to see more of that in last 3 games. Watching them trying to cover in their own end when opponents step up the pressure is almost the definition of insanity it seems. Entwistle and Hardman definitely have a chance to be part of next year. No doubt Beaudin be back in Thursday but hope he leaves Entwistle in for another or 2 or 3.
I guess nobody expected them do much more than compete for last place overall, hard to be disappointed in the forward depth developed, Kalynuk and Boqvist showed good progression, Stillman nice response after sitting, hope he finishes strong. Beaudin and Mitchell should be ready next year to make bigger impact. Murphy starting to emerge as a leader. Goaltending alot better than we all thought it was heading into year, growing pains are part of the process. Get healthy over summer and few bodies back and another full year to grow and shape roster. I said before season, it’s not where they finish this year but how far they come by end of next year, when most contracts up and re-sign the keepers and in position to make needed acquisitions. Noce to see them a couple of last 3 for morale, with Arizona not picking in 1st round, not liable to change much draft wise, should be a good player there for them.
When we think in terms of Teravainen, it did not appear he was ever going to blossom in Chicago. A case can be made that Q was not a fan. He is good now.
Mitchell may have had a point tonight, but it seemed he was chasing semi-breakaways all night. It’s getting harder not to be negative about Zadorov.
When DeBrincat got the new contract last year, it was making some of us nervous for a while. What a transformation from last year to this year. Granted, last year was an aberration statistically, but even the eye test is far different this year and it’s very good to see. Hagel has not even come close to disappointing yet. Every game he is responsible for at least a couple great plays.
If it’s not time, it is getting very close to it where the Hawks have to move on from Strome. While calling the action, Foley said one time, “And Strome is stripped of the puck” which is unfortunately, not unusual.
I don’t know if Delia was good or bad. How many of those goals were stoppable? It didn’t seem like any of them to me. Does it feel like we are back in goalie purgatory? Lankinen had games early in the season where he was under assault like he has been lately, but he was stopping more of the shots and letting in zero softies. Now he’s letting in a few more goals and some softies have appeared.
Maybe we can gripe about the line blender, but the question still remains as to whether a different coach would be doing excellently with a team where 7 players have scored their first NHL goal this year.
Watching the Hawks was fun earlier in the year. Now, not so much. They were promoting ticket sales pretty hard for the two games against Dallas. Maybe they aren’t selling that great. If that’s the case, it’s probably not because of the virus. It’s because people don’t really want to watch meaningless games to the Hawks. They could play spoiler as Dallas is still in it. The downside to being spoiler is that the hated Preds would get in ahead of Dallas.
It’s been a tough year and the Hawks have a horrible record against the top 4 teams in the division and they’ve had to keep playing them over and over. But they gave us some hope and some thrills throughout the season. The last month, however, has been a grind to watch.
Early in the year the Hawks moved the puck with ease now all they can do is dump and chase. What happened and why have they regressed? Coaching?
Stop playing Dach ….he said he had pain 3-4 weeks ago, now he is hurt … stop playing him before it gets worst .and put another rookie to replace him …
DCat will probably get a 50 goals season in the future . Hey..maybe we can trade him for a second round …or a third round.
If anyone should have been spoonfed 8 minutes a game as a 4th line Center it should have been Dach. The way he was immediately given top line minutes along with playing on both special teams was not a good idea and did nothing to help this kids future. Sit him for the last 3 games.
Why is Keith still in lineup?
old,slow & -12..
Play the kids… Coach needs to go…
Hello McKenzie Enwhisle – I liked his game He’s faster and stronger than I thought and smart – makes the smart little plays like getting the puck deep instead of trying to pass into the centre of the ice where it can get picked leading to an odd man rush – suddenly I can imagine him on next years team and Hardman too
I also think there’s a place for Gaudette
Still don’t like the idea of both Suter and Hino coming back – the small player role is covered by Cat and Kane – maybe one at most and probably to rotate in but perhaps not either – it’ll partly depend on whether Shalunov signs and Borgstrom as well and how much they can contribute and big a pay day they each want
Strome is quite possibly playing himself off the protected list – would they risk losing Gaudette to protect Strome – seems unlikely
Mitchell – wow not good – you’re all missing Boquist aren’t you admit it ; )
OK Wrap – I’ll bite!
No – not missing 27. Not one bit! I like his shot, but that’s about it. His skating – in my opinion – is the worst of all the youngsters. No first step – the absolute ugliest skating technique from a stop I’ve ever seen. No speed to catch anyone. He too is anything but strong on his skates. JC – like him or not – came as close to throwing the kid under the bus the night he got hurt as I have heard JC do to any player on the team all year. Clearly, JC is not happy about his lack of conditioning and his inability to stay healthy, 2 things paramount to his development. 1 is completely within Boqvist’s control to fix – the other not so much. With a wrist fracture that fortunately won’t need surgery, that means about 2 months of not much weight lifting, a project the kid needs to do for the first time in his life by all accounts. That doesn’t bode well for a great summer of bulking up. He will need to be taught lifting technique first, and hopefully he learns that better than he learned skating! He has age on his side, yes, but those other items mean he is well behind a “normal” prospect at this stage of his development in strength and skating. has a great shot and can likely be a force on the PP, but didn’t we trade Gus because he was a substandard defender? At least Gus could skate.
Mitchell looked ummmm, wellllll, ummmmmm BAD tonight. Lol. No doubt about that! I liked him when he came up, but his strength on skates is how should we say in need of work. He chased down players between he and the net knowing he got beat, and his face said it each time. Hard to say if he isn’t reading the play, or lacks the initial foot speed to stay with his guy. But it was obvious and brutal to watch.
Kalynuk looks to be the most mature and best skater of the home grown defensive talent, though becoming a bit more inconsistent, with Stillman looking better than Zadorov to me.
Lankinen has proved beyond a doubt to me to be the best of the 3 tenders. He can sit the rest of the year, or get one start only. Subban and Delia each should get one start and the better player also getting the Monday game if Lankinen sits all 3. I feel the coaches can talk to Lankinen and explain what is going on if they haven’t already.
Good to see a bit of grit coming through the system as has been projected by some on this board. Much needed on the team. Like Hardman at this point and Entwistle had a good start today.
I think Kubalik blossoms with the right linemates (setup man and a grinder – works off of a cycle). I expect him to become a more complete player, while still being a sniper. Skates well, sees the game, smart decisions and bit of a bite when he wants to use it.
As Ian keeps saying – gonna be an interesting summer sorting out the kids.
Wrap, No,not quite there yet in the missing Boqvist Club. This organization is in desperate need of bigger, more skillful, and talented Defensemen who can not only make the correct exit pass but skate the puck out and participate in offensive rushes up the ice. Would also like to see Kurashev,Entwhistle,Barratt,Gaudette,and possibly Johnson as Centers going into next season without the Colliton leash and training wheels on them. Roll the lines and let these guys play their respective regular shifts and 18 minutes a night. Toss in a Hagel here and a Hardman there with a topping of DeBrincat and you have the beginning of a nice team.
Silent, I completely agree with your assessment of Boqvist. I said similar things about him after watching him for a couple of games. This huge improvement that he has allegedly made eludes me. I thought he was getting his shot through and was much more dangerous last year in his 1st 10 games with the Hawks. I would sit Mitchell for the last 3 games. His confidence is shot and he is struggling and chasing the play instead of initiating and controlling the play.
Anybody notice who killed the 5 on 3 penalty?? Big Z, Keith and Kampf. Keith “only” played 24 minutes last night. That one’s for Blind Herman. Mitchell is “Gus Light” who actually is worse playing defense than Gus ever did. Kid Coach said something very interesting last night on the post game when talking about Hardman: He kept talking about his physicality, Is that a signal to the Hawk Cave that he’s tired of the panty waist play of his team and of most of his players?? That was a very dejected team heading off the ice tonight. I’m starting to feed bad for the Kid Coach, I think he sees he’s in a no win situation. Way to go StanBo, you created this mess. Here’s another promotion. Turn off the lights when you’re done.
I nominate Tab (or his photo editor) for the Dickie Dunn award. The pictures he leads with really ‘capture the spirit of the thing’. Monday’s picture of a dejected Kane was worth a thousand words. The glowing Hardman sums up the entire game in one picture. Well done, Tab.
I guess as we can all make of the team and the youngsters what we want to make of them right now. In all likelyhood most of them will continue to get a chance to develop next year or 2 with a sprinkling of new blood as the roster takes shape. Then in a couple of years those that remain through their growing pains will show us what they are or aren’t, be fun to revisit the comments we see now and compare them in another year even.
I have never been Collitons biggest booster but really, i think everybody in the organization is fully aware of lack of physicality and knows some is needed. Just because everything needed wasn’t addressed yesterday doesn’t mean it won’t be, getting it right on the skilled more players first is important and if being a little soft for awhile is what you have to give to get it right, i can live with that as long the results are there long term.
“Oh this young man has had a very trying rookie season, with the litigation, the notoriety, his subsequent deportation to Canada and that country’s refusal to accept him, well, I guess that’s more than most 21-year-olds can handle.”
Hammer, Its amazing that Colliton always provides lip service as to how great physical players like Hardman,Entwhistle,and Johnson play after he restricts them to usually about 8 minutes of ice time and a 1 to 2 game tryout. Actions mean more than words in this league. The best most productive players, should be at the very least , the ones receiving a regular shift without fail especially if you are truly in a developmental phase and are out of the playoffs. Last night Colliton chose to bury Entwhistle,Hardman,and Hinostroza on the bench,even Foley and Olczyk made note of it during the 2nd period, in favor of Strome,Kamph,Suter, who quite possibly will not be part of this teams roster next year, and the usual overplaying of certain forwards. I think the organization and all of us fans have seen the Strome and Kamph shows and know what they do. What message is sent to the rest of the team when you don’t put exciting young players on the ice? When Strome coasts up the ice after losing his check and watches enroute to his MINUS 5 night,what must the young players on the bench be thinking????
Ian, I would be more trusting of your comments if I knew the Blackhawks, Bowman and Colliton had an actual strategy. Or, if they have one, if they shared it with us.
The fact of the matter is that Bowman has a penchant for buying off the scratch and dent rack. He looks for damaged merchandise on the cheap – injury prone players, failed draft picks, etc… That is hardly strategic. That is desperation caused by painting himself into a corner with cap space issues.
He also likes to lord over his head coach – remember him sending Barry Smith to work with the power play unit without Q’s knowledge or consent? He seems to like having a coach he can manipulate, like getting his pet projects more playing time even after they have proven to be a bust.
We’re talking about rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic when it comes to personnel moves at this point.
There is NO strategy IMO.
Welcome 1997-2006 seasons! JC is very close to Alpo. You can say what you want but till this team has no identity and character; they will never come close to 2007-2016.
Tim W. – Colliton has done everything possible to make this team soft – not allowing Murphy to fight against TB, burying the physical players with limited playing time while giving more to the Peter Pan type players – are just a few examples. I will even assert that Zadorov is on a short leash when it comes to his physical game.
Clearly Colliton is a Euro-style, no-check hockey, kind of coach. As Goose points out – Alpo Suhonen 2.0
Colliton would probably be an excellent Head Coach for a women’s Olympic team.
NHL? Not so much.
I will echo others like Robs that Zadorov plays like a rover at times, has he lost interest in playing his position? He will follow players out and they slowly, without urgency make his way back to where he should be. And one more critical comment-the player who looks the most like he should be in Rockford is Mitchell-there have been a few nice surprises this year (e.g. Hagel, Lankinen , Kaynluk, elevated consistent play of the Cat)-but not Mitchell, he looks like he isn’t ready to play at this level which is a bit surprising.
(If Colliton is replaced at least we can start to look at the accountability of the players and stop the scapegoating of the coach, oh I forgot then there will be Bowman)
Shooting from the hip. Go with:
Kane Morrison Hardman
DCat Entwistle Hagel
Vinnie Guadette Kubalik
Strome Suter Kurashev
Beaudin Kalynuk
Stillman Mitchell
Krys Regula
Delia
Parros has to be replaced. Wilson should have gotten minimum 10 games preferably 15.
Looking like #10 a possibility. Chaz Lucius possibly there. At 9 goalie Wallstedt there. I do NOT want to take a goalie that high. We have Commesso.
Also Corson Ceulemans jumping Carson Lambos of Dmen getting picked. Would like to have a separate penalty minutes stat/column for roughing and fighting minutes.
Noonan
Agre that Mitchell should have stayed in Rockford ,Hawks played him and see like many of us that he is not ready for NHL but he had a few nice game .
Like I said at the beginning of the year …let him get to grow in Rockford like Hawks did at the time with Keith . No rush . I prefer to see him start next year in Rockford for a 20-30 games then see iff he join the Hawks or need more game in Rockford.
Almost everybody knows that The NHL is a big step for guys coming from Junior.now Mitchell and a few other kids know what they need to achieve to reach the big team.
Hawks where facing again … The number one team in NHL who have lost only 10 games this year. Really hope to see Carolina win the Stanley Cup .
Just for fun here’s a first draft projection of the Hawks roster by the END of the 21/22 season – so basically a year from now – April 2022
These are not lines and pairings but a depth chart and of course there will likely be a player or two added who is not currently in the system
Cat Toew Kane
Reichel Dach Kubalik
Nylander (Borgstrom or Shalunov) Gaudette
Entwhislte Kurashev Hardman
(Suter or Hinostroza)
Kampf
Keith Murphy
Stillman Boquist
Kalnynuk (Mitchell or Beaudin)
Veteran D man on cheap 1 year deal (unless he’s been traded at TDL)
Lankinen
Delia
JC still coach to many’s displeasure
Bowman still GM – ditto
IMO the forwards are shaping up nicely but the D is definitely going to be a concern until the youngsters improve (hopefully by April 2022 they have somewhat) or Seth Jones (or similar) is acquired as a UFA or this years first round pick becomes a legit top 2 D or Stan pulls a miraculous trade off
I haven’t read any of the posts, I’m in a bit of a hurry but I did want to say that instead of the piling hot emoji of poop, they should just insert a picture of Zadarov. He must go, and he must take Strome with him! I am so tired of the inconsistencies of these two big guys who do nothing for us. In a word – P*******ies!!
Keep Gaudette! What a find!
WIJG, i am not by any means confident in the off ice situation, but as we saw 13 years ago and with a number of teams like Blues, Pens etc. that can be addressed with results in a quick turnaround. If Rocky Wirtz is happy to let Colliton/Bowman handle things next season again, nothing we can do about it. Developing young players and bringing them along has to be done now regardless, before contending can happen. I don’t understand the logic of some who complained for years about lack of talented top 9/4 young players in the system, that now they’re being developed complaing that not enough 4th line/3rd pair type guys are in lineup this year.
Cautionary tale: Gustav Forsling. He looks a lot better now than he did when he played for the Hawks a few years ago. Maturity and experience make a huge difference, especially with d-men. He’s 10 pounds heavier and 4 years older than Boqvist. Having patience isn’t fun but it’s necessary.
Same goes for Mitchell. And Beaudin.
re: the concept of sending Mitchell to Rockford to develop “like Keith” – a) Keith was in Norfolk (they were the AHL affiliate then) and, more importantly, b) how many players have the Blackhawks actually developed with significant time in the AHL? Keith was in the minors 16 years ago! One of the biggest glaring issues with the Blackhawks organization is the lack of players developing in Rockford. The majority of young players who have been solid as NHL rookies have come straight into the league (or spent minimal time in the AHL).
Mitchell needs to learn the NHL game. He needs to develop chemistry with NHL players and learn what he needs to succeed in the NHL. A case can be made for him learning some of that on a pair with Cody Franson in Rockford, but I would have preferred he get 14 minutes a night in the NHL all season. The sample size we’re using to evaluate him right now isn’t big and his time on the ice hasn’t been consistent enough. I think there’s a lot there w/ Mitchell but he needs to learn.
wrap
hagel not on your year from now projection. intended?
tab
point a…. picking nits. who cares what city their ahl franchise is in?
point b…. the ineptitude of their ahl franchises in terms of developing quality players is an indictment of the blackhawks system. it is not an indictment of the desirability of having an ahl team which is properly managed, coached, and is productive.
mitchell and others might have been very well served spending time in a quality ahl environment. the hawks just have not provided one in the last decade and a half.
Wrap
How can you forget the best rookie of the year ?? It’s probably the best rookie we had in past 3-4 years. ..
If anyone watched last night’s game and still believe that either Strome or Zadorov should be protected in the expansion draft then I suggest you schedule an eye exam. Strome just has no concept of how to play defense, particularly against bigger, aggressive forwards. Zadorov is not much better. Those trades have not worked out, time to move on. I would consider protecting Gaudette and would like to see him get significant ice time in the last three games.
Ebony I have had the same thoughts on Gustav Forsling every time I have seen him play this year. He looks a heck of a lot better than any of our young D, and the difference it makes having those games of experience and the physical development from age 20 to age 24 is incredible for a defenseman.
With that and the Teravainen experience in mind, I would argue no one really knows what we have on our hands with the young guys yet. What Dach, Kurashev, Boquist, Mitchell, Baudin, Kalynuk become is contingent on how they physically develop over the next few years and how they continue to adjust to the speed and intensity of the NHL. It is the hardest adjustment to make, and playing at every level, juniors to pro, AHL, etc involves an adjustment, but the NHL is by far the biggest leap.
So patience is required with these young guys.
Our mantra this season is “it’s not about winning – it’s about building”.
Our mantra next season should be “it’s not about winning – it’s about building”.
Our mantra for the 2022/23 season – TBD, but it could still be “it’s not about winning – it’s about building”.
If most things go right in a rebuild it could take as little as a couple years to go from Point-C to Point-B, but it could take longer if players don’t develop as we hope they will.
Deal with it as best you can.
Hereismike1
Totally agree that we have a nice bunch of kids and we need a 2-4 years to see what we have in our hands .
Forsling was bench often with Q in Chicago…now we see the top 4 Dmen with the same coach with more then 20 minutes/ game .
Boqvist ,Beaudin , Mitchell needs more time in Rockford and with the Hawks
No need to play them all in Chicago at 7-8 minutes / game
Better play 15-18 minutes / game in Rockford
Can’t play them all with the big team yet
Patience…..
ebony
your mantras are spot on.
Tab another thing and Mitchell himself said it, the difference in an Nhl schedule. In Ncaa teams play around 3o games on weekends only, with breaks at Christmas and for exams. Then postseason in March is a couple of single knockout tournaments. The condensed schedule over whelmed him trying to cope, likely Kalynuk dealing with that a bit now too. Juniors play a closer to Nhl about a 70 game schedule, alot more condensed then Ncaa. Then to win league need to go through a nhl type of 4 series of best of 7 playoff. Then go to memorial cup after that and play a week long 4 team round robin tournament with a semi and a final. So could end up 30 or more games in post season. That makes adapting to a Nhl schedule dar less of an issue if you’ve already had 3 or 4 years of that in juniors. So alot on these guys plates right now before their Nhl comfort level sets in.
Liking Hardman– reminds me of Bickell w/ even more determination to get to the net.
Liking Gaudette- can actually make plays and has more size than most Hawk Forwards.
Entwistle- looks improved from previous views.
Mitchell- looks overpowered and keeps getting “caught” leaning the wrong way. Gonna need to find a real D stay at home rock to pair him with- otherwise – I am not sure if the kid is ever going to make it… and I am really pulling for the kid- but it seems like 1 step forward — 2 steps back for him. Canes are a top team this year- so there is that.
Sorry should’ve Ncaa play a cou0le of abbreviated playoff rounds too.
Sorry should’ve Ncaa play a cou0le of abbreviated playoff rounds too.
Sorry should’ve said Ncaa play a cou0le of abbreviated playoff rounds too.
Sorry should’ve said Ncaa play a cou0le of abbreviated playoff rounds too.
Sorry should’ve read Ncaa play a cou0le of abbreviated playoff rounds too.
Sorry should’ve read Ncaa play a cou0le of abbreviated playoff rounds too.
To those who noticed – yes my bad I forgot Hagel – I know how could I? I love the guy as everyone else does
revised line up would defintely have Hagel
Cat Toews Kane
Reichel Dach Kubalik
Hagel (Borg or Shal) Gaudette
Entwhisle Kurashev Hardman
Nylander
Kampf
If neither Shalunov or Brogstrom work out by then move Gaudette to C and Nylander up
Who exactly has Colliton “developed”?
When I see guys like Kubalik contribute from the moment they arrive I don’t consider it “development” when they learn a new team’s system.
Sure, there are a lot of works in progress and too soon to tell situations. But Colliton has been here 3 years now.
So, aside from new players learning a new system – which they must do with any team – who has been ‘developed”?
Deman68, goose, mostly everyone else see the same consistent pattern- low on talent and brutal coaching! Why, if ALL of us see this, can’t SB see it too??
Can’t make chicken soup out of chicken poop! No matter how many chairs on the titanic bowman rearranges, the ships going down! See y’all next season!
Dach & Toews- get better!
Delia looked fine, the team in front of him gave up in the 2nd period and was out worked by a huge margin. Entwistle looks better, Hardman is finding his legs, Zadorov looks disinterested, but so does Kane. Season is over and some of these players are on vacation already. Gaudette is a keeper and I think Strome is too.
As for this useless stat on “Hits “…. seriously….if you actually watch a game, these Hits are after the opposing player passes the puck, 2 seconds later you check him….BFD !! You just took yourself out of the play to hit a player without the puck….congrats ! Try hitting him when he has the puck next time. I hate it when announcers make such a point to say….in 10 min of playing time so and so had 8 hits….wow….woopdy doo….any way. That’s my 2 cents worth.
Well John Galt:
I have said the same things about coach JC and Bowman since the year started.
All I heard back was I am negative and my posts are old and tired (Except from Hammer Time, Morrison and a couple others.)
So now you are piping the same song, with the help of Stephanie.
Guess I must not be so old and tired after all.
It is obvious for anyone who chooses to see the pragmatic.
Not the ‘pollyanna’, as someone here once wrote.
6 losses in a row.
Coach Q got the gate after 5.
WIJG, what is development, to me progression, did young players show progression, yes, all of them no obviously that is to be expected. What were your expectations of this team coming into the season, pretty sure you weren’t saying they should be in playoff hunt, it’s not what we see now but what they turn into or don’t that will tell the tale, like it or not though, no matter how you spin it, this team over achieved as a unit on the ice from pre season projections on here and anywhere else pretty much. So in that sense i say Colliton earned a chance next season. My problem is how long or many times do you have to watch an opponent step up the pressure to watch the Blackhawks defend their zone looking like a peewee team out there, and brush off by saying the players are to blame. I don’t mean getting more physical, although that will definitely help, I mean players lost in coverage unsure who to cover or when to switch up. I don’t know what the coaches are telling them as some like to point out but it’s pretty obvious what they are being told isn’t working too good, when opponents create pressure and scrambly play. At what point do you say enough, maybe Colliton can prove us wrong but have my doubts.
John Davidson and Jeff Gorton available, any takers.
PP – The Rangers just fired their President and GM. The CEO was not happy with the lack of progress and missing the playoffs 4 years in a row. He was not happy with the calls by the President and GM to be “patient” while he watched the Islanders and others improve.
I would like facts – who and how – to support the Great Development narrative that Bowman has sold people (many here) on.
I don’t see how crapping on your #1 goalie and not playing him in the most important game of the year is somehow good for development. Nor do I see how shortening the bench for cosmetics (all season long) is is good for development. Where have these things gotten us? Exactly where we would be if Colliton actually did the right thing.
And please, spare me the B.S. that playing time somehow equates to development. Just because uncontrollable circumstances dictated bringing up young players and giving them more ice time than they expected does not mean you have been instrumental in developing them.
And spare me the ‘we mortgaged our future for 3 Cups’ B.S. Boston, Tampa Bay and Pittsburg all won Cups in that era and are contenders this year. They have been able to maintain a high performance standard over the years. Why?
3 more years of ‘wait ’til next year’ might be an acceptable performance standard for some here. Not me!
Ian I agree that NCAA schedules don’t mirror an NHL schedule and needs to be considered-and he is 22 and he should get some slack.
But he’s played (I’m guessing) 30 some games this year, he shouldn’t be overly tired. He looks lost at times and yes playing in the NHL is the best for his progress long term-he just might not be as good as was once thought-it happens.
Overall agree this is the year, and perhaps next to see if we have one Horseman. What was once a possible major bright spot is in question. Although I like what I see of #48
(and still like 27)
Ian, my preseason prediction was 20-30-6. Some of my friends were predicting only 10 wins. Overall, I am pleasantly surprised at how well they move the puck, certain players and how good the goaltending has been.
But, let’s not confuse where we with are with how we got here and where we are going.
It’s like driving a car into a ditch then being glad the radio still works – forget that you have no idea how to get out of the ditch or what it will cost to repair the car.
Jeff Spicoli : Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he’s got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.
Ok so Davidson and Gorton get fired one day after calling out George Parros – something smells fishy
Either the owner was pissed about that or the NHL put pressure on the owner – can’t be a coincidence can it?
If they didn’t want people to tie the two events together then why not wait until the end of the year – fishy I say
I wonder how Strome and Kampf feel after each game knowing they got dominated on the boards each and every shift. After a while, it’s embarrassing to watch. What’s worse is watching this team play “dump and chase” with their small line-up. You have to wonder what is the system and what is that in relation to the overall build?
Parros attending the game at MSG, yeah right had everything to do with teams performance lol. Actually the Rangers weren’t projected to be contender this season on their own projections, what they were going for this season was ahead of schedule. Ghost got 2 games for basically a shove after a goal, league is a joke on this stuff.
WIJG as I said earlier we can make whatever we want of the team and players now, personally i see this being a very good team in a few years. Doesn’t mean everything is perfect right now, always work to do.
Well I guess NYR’s GM wasn’t the next great GM.
They’re not going to fire Stan but I wouldn’t mind Davidson being brought in to give Stan someone who played the game and has executive experience to work with but Davidson will probably hold out for a job with more control anyway
Oh well …
To Tim W. yes I remember that in the game, Enzo was looking around for Hardman. No idea what the kids are thinking now. Wonder what the goalies are thinking??
To Perimeter Player: I’ve been saying the same thing since I’ve gotten here and all I heard back then is “cant help you if can’t see the progress in the rebuild BS. Don’t hear that much now about that, don’t hear anymore “Attaboy Stan you nailed those trades to bring in the Florida guys and the picks”. We could have a 9 game losing streak to end the season. That will go over like lead.
To John Galt: “But that’s a darn good Radio”!!!! “You’ll hear it when we get out of the ditch”!!! LMAO!!!!
Woe is us! Oh the humanity! There’s no hope. There’s nothing but anguish and anger.
Hilarious, in a schadenfreude kind of way. Maybe this offseason won’t be such a bore after all.
Whoever thinks the hawks will be ever contenders with this coach is drinking stanbo kool aide.
Watching the world under 18 tournament games, a 15 year old Connor Bedard dominating it among 17 and 18 year olds. 5 points in Qf against Czechs and 2 goals today against Swedes so far in semis. He will make some team very happy in 3 yrs time.
There’s a lot of excellent comments. This team is young. But…guys like Zadorov and Strome, who I wanted to succeed, are just not cutting it. SB’s strategy of acquisition is more bad than good. Saad is having his usual season. No one wants Zadorov. That speaks for itself. This team has some intriguing talent. Defensemen do take time to develop. Moreso than Offense. Mitchell needs more playing time. Beaudin, Boqvist. These guys are small but talented. Does the team acquire a top tier defenseman? Do they draft a young defenseman? It’s not often that a young draft pick starts, and produces, right away. Can the team use some of these young guys as trade pieces to move up to a spot that matters? I am excited to see this Center that was part of the Florida trade. If the kid works out, it’s a big feather in the Blackhawks headdress. I would really like to get a top tier Defenseman with size, grit, and skill. Yeah…who doesn’t want that? Out.
Young guys have played and gotten experience. They’ve made mistakes, but they are developing. My question is …. are they developing so that they can be used for other teams?
Early in the year there was the older Janmark around, and contributing, and Suter and Kurashev were contributing nicely. Dach wasn’t nearly able to come back just yet. The team had a surprisingly good goaltending performance for quite a stretch from Lankinen. The team had energy, competed on the boards, showed some differences from last season for sure. It looked like the play young, make mistakes, bring ’em along plan was paying early dividends. This was unexpected.
Now, though, the team blows monkey chunks in a number of ways. The energy is less consistent and board battles aren’t won like they were.
Lankinen hit a slump, perhaps not helped by how he was handled by Colliton.
Trade deadline comes and Blackhawks make some moves in the interest of the future. Janmark, who had been a very steady performer is traded for picks, and Dach shows back up and is inserted directly in from the word go …. power play and all.
Guys like Gaudette and Connolly etc show up. Stillman also. They are playing, not young guys. Dach really doesn’t show much in way of production (maybe to be expected but the team doesn’t do well with him in the lineup, to be sure). Hinostroza comes back to provide some grit…which they did need….but now he’s another non-“young guy” playing.
The team pretty quickly exits the playoff hunt, and now there’s talk that Suter will not be on the roster because of his contract status. There’s some doubt about Kurashev. Stillman is signed for three years. I see a lot of posts about guys playing next year who aren’t even on the roster now, as if they “new” young guys coming along are going to be in there getting the job done.
Next year’s roster doesn’t exactly look like 2021 season 2.0. It looks like a mix of older guys again, along with a surprise in Hagel, questions about the defense, and the makings of a team that doesn’t look on paper like it will be ready to be a real playoff contender. The defense is still not very good, with a rotating lineup and a Boqvist that the coach somewhat criticizes for not being durable, when said coach’s career was ended by concussions.
What did this season really accomplish? Is there a goaltender controversy now? Is next year another case of vets and yet to play new guys trying to establish whether they can play in the NHL ….. all over again?
This last third to one half of the season is convincing me that a real plan that’s solid doesn’t exist. Colliton seems to be the least consistent of the bunch, in terms of demeanor, and his moves are strange at times.
I will forever be a Blackhawks fan. Will continue to go to the games. But right now I’m just confused about now and the future.
Big Indian – would you have been confused if the Hawks sucked from the start and battled for dead last because that’s the level of play that’s happening right now
The thing of course that’s caused a change in narrative is that they appeared to be decent at the start off the year when really is was smoke and mirrors or goaltending and a hot PP
Since then other teams including 3 of the top 4 teams in the league in the Hawks division have ramped up the intensity and the Hawks as we all thought before the season started aren’t really very good
I don’t think the Hawks are now playing so much worse than before it’s that the goaltending and PP came back to earth and others teams got serious
But we got some good experience for the young guys identifying some keepers like Hagel and still will get a high draft pick – the plan is working so far
Granted there needs to be continued improvement to continue to say the plan is working but for now isn’t this what everyone wanted – good experience play the young guys get a high draft choice
If things go off the tracks next year JC could lose his job but not so based on this year
We did good have lots to do still to get back. Top 10 draft player this draft is a big piece of the puzzle for that.
The early demise of Seabrook,Shaw,Hossa,Crawford,and Toews certainly expedited this trainwreck that we are now watching. To get through the more than difficult times this organization needed a strong President,G.M and coaching staff to implement a plan that involved rebuilding a team with a strong structure,physicality and size led by a disciplined respected coaching staff. Unfortunately the Chicago Blackhawks have not had the benefit of having any of those things so we now find ourselves wandering around aimlessly hoping that Toews comes back and Dach transforms into 2010 Jonathan Toews and Boqvist magically transforms into a Norris Trophy winner. Hopeless sad times for a once great organization that realistically has not begun to rebuild.
Big Indian actually the year went pretty much as advertised by Bowman in the fall. He said they were continuing what they started last few years, accrued some talent in last 4 or 5 drafts but had none ready to provide depth at Nhl level. They were stepping back for a year or 2 and develop some in Nhl, some in Ahl and try to keep a pipeline in place to sustain them. Also said we would be excited about some of the young players we were going to see this year. Hard to argue that didn’t happen, i know your referring to this year 1 of rebuild talk, but to be honest in any interview i heard Bowman do i never heard him say that, actually he downplayed that saying he wouldn’t call it that but just continuing what they did llst few years. The change in what they were doing was talking to the fans about it and developing depth for Nhl roster this season. As far forwards some good things happened, Debrincat emerging as a real star, Hagel, Kubalik looks like a top 6 guy. Stillman and Gaudette are still fairly young and looking like pieces for future. The defense going to take little longer to see what they can do, not really surprising but another year i,m quite sure will change alot of opinions there. Goaltending was better than expected options there if none of them are no. 1’s then have bring one in this summer like we thought may be thought might happen anyways when season started, no biggie really. Should get a really skilled 1st pick and good chance for more future depth at draft. Reichel and Borgstrom should add to the successful european pipeline scouts there have been supplying. Guys like Hardman and Entwistle along with Altybarmakyan and Barrett should push for ice time next year. Others drafted in last years draft had real promising years this season in Ncaa and Rfd. so pipeline looks on a pretty good track but never enough there. Agree what the team becomes is big thing, but i thought this year was basically what they said we would see in most ways.
Personally without any kind of replacement i like Zadarov around. Maybe there is some kinda long term plan. Games are won and lost on mistakes especially in the playoffs. Zadarov is far from perfect and may have a ways to go….developing?
Schedule is a big deal. Its unfortunate its a short season both ahl .
My biggest concern with development, well maybe not biggest, was use pf taxi squad. Opportunity is available on Blackhawks nhl roster. I dont attend practice so i have no clue.
Strome…even at yhe time of the signing i thought they overpaid him simply to be able to leave him unprotected to Seattle and not be taken. Shhhh?
I have no clue how many teams try to target future chemistry from previous rosters but the Blackhawks pretty clearly are trying to build future from the past, be it borgstrom mitchel or the mike hardman signing, strome slavin as wll?. Or mybe im reading into them too much
Roster slots open no long tem contracts left on this team.
In order to pick 7th!
Hawks. 0-3
LA. 1-3-1
SJ. 1-1-1
Cal. 2-3
Ott. 2-1
Van. 4-4-1
I know 7th is a super stretch but 8th or 9th isn’t as far fetched with an 0-3 finush.
Big Indian (aka Large Indigenous Person) @ Young guys have played and gotten experience. They’ve made mistakes, but they are developing. My question is …. are they developing so that they can be used for other teams?
I have asked this question too. I have asked for facts – who and how – a player, any player, has been “developed”. The best anyone can offer is that they’re getting playing time which, to me is a product of circumstance and not coaching. Others keep pounding the drum of ‘it takes time’. Well, Colliton has been here 3 years and longer if you include time at that incubator of future NHL stars – Rockford.
Again, show me who and how the Great Developer has developed someone.
So using Bowman,s words and philosophy about this year not necessarily being a rebuild,the rebuild began a few years ago and is moving,forward or backward you decide,at glacier speed given the fact that there are no legitimate top line Centers,no power Forwards,No #1 or #2 Defensemen,no NHL Goaltender.no NHL Coaching Staff,and no General Manager, since Bowman was moved up to team President, on this team presently. Man that is a real slow rebuild. Now may be a great time to take the wrecking ball to this organization and start over with qualified hockey management. I guarantee that the rebuild would be expedited to lightning speed comparatively.
Who is John Galt, I also am waiting for the great Colliton projects. I believe we are being told that Boqvist,Dach,and maybe Mitchell are going to be his shining examples. Watching their collective play and factoring in their injury histories I would say that this is about 3 to 4 years down the line if I am to believe what has been written here. I guess Colliton may need a Contract extension to get his developments up to NHL star status. I would have thrown in Hardman,Johnson,Entwhistle, or any other physical player but until I see them for more than 8 minutes a game on the 4th line it is hard to say if they are in the developmental project.
WJIG – everyone across the league raved about Dach’s play in the playoff bubble and Boquist to most objective observers has made significant strides forward this year especially since returning from Covid and DCat has gone from people’s trade wish list to a legit star at 23 years old
I guess you could say JC was just a bystander to all that development or maybe he had something to do with it
I’m not saying that JC is a great coach or even a good coach but to pretend that no development has been made at all by any young players is bending the narrative to suit your own purposes
Cause or Coincidence?
Are the young players simply acclimating themselves to the faster / more physical play of the NHL? Are they simply maturing physically and psychologically? Are they merely adapting to a new system – as they would with any new team? Are they living up to their potential (unlike Nylander and Strome)?
What has Colliton done to improve DeBrincat’s performance? Or, has DeBrincat done that on his own?
I’m looking for something that supports the Great Developer narrative everyone has bought into.
I don’t doubt that Colliton could have something to do with the development of young players, but I need something more than Blackhawk PR and toady reporting before I give him credit.
By what objective standards and comprehensive measurements is Colliton being judged? I’m just curious what people think – both detractors and supporters.
Then, after describing the criteria you use to assess his job performance, give grades for each of the categories supported by evidence.
Ian
Connor Bédard is probably the next Connor McDavid ..the kid had a great season last year at 14 years old 1.75 cm and 82 kilos had 43goals and 84pts in 36 games with WV academy . The kid is really a threat when he touch the ice.
Eligible in 2 or 3 years . No chance Hawks can get him ..
This Hawks will probably be able to get a top 10 pick and it’s a big ? Year, Because not many teams played a normal season so it’s more a guessing year for everybody at this coming draft.
Reichel has 2 goals 5 pts +6 so far in 8 games in playoff .
WIJG – sure cause or coincidence can be a valid question but I’ve given you examples of players who have improved with JC as coach
I could also add Hagel, Kurashev, Lankinen, Kubalik, and to a lesser extent Kalynuk who has practiced most of the year with the Hawks even Beaudin who has shown promise has had practice and training camps with JC
So is it just coincidence that all these players showed positive development – if that’s your position where is your evidence to back that up – not so easy is it to provide evidence on who is responsible for any one players development? – so in the absence of evidence instead we have to assign credit based on who has the job of developing these players just like the President of a company or a country gets blame or credit for how things turn out even if they may not have been personally responsible
I have seen no evidence that I shouldn’t connect player development in the NHL with the coach – the buck stops there – if you have evidence to the contrary please produce it otherwise all we have to go by is the players that are developing and the person tasked with developing them – from the outside looking in there would appear to be a line between the two that says JC can take some credit
If you have inside info that disputes that narrative than let’s hear it otherwise as the the Dude famously said “It’s like just your opinion, man”
ER @ “objective standards”:
2018-19 34 CHI NHL 67 30 28 9 69 .515 6th
2019-20 35 CHI NHL 70 32 30 8 72 .514 7th
2020-21 36 CHI NHL 53 22 25 6 50 .472 6th
Can add volumes of other stats and where the Blackhawks rank poorly in the NHL.
I do not see improvement or an acceptable level of performance. I just hear excuses and contorted rationalizations.
WIJG Blackhawks led the league in rookie games played 277, Detroit who you compared them too had 56, fewest on division and close to fewest on whole league. What does your won lost record mean, that they didn’t have as good a record as teams with rosters who’s players are at the peak of their game. Why don’t you compare apples to apples, what should the record be for a team playing most rookie games be, i’m sure if you wanted you could make an argument if you chose too, that their record was a positive not a negative. Playing and showing progression is the present, time will tell how good these players will be, at least we are seeing them, no chance they develop if you don’t play them. I find it amusing how quick you are to use a meaningless won lost record as proof of failure but want to deny seeing young players play with progression obvious from a number of young players on the ice should be appreciated.
Ian @ “meaningless won lost record”
LMFAO!
WIJG – None of the players I mentioned were here in 18-19 most of them weren’t here in 19-20 so as far as an argument goes for young player development I don’t see the connection
@ER. Interesting question about Colliton. The short answer is that JC is a placeholder for the Hawks while they get their roster sorted out. He is the designated fall guy for Stan while Bowman rebuilds the roster.
If the Hawks current crop of prospects fail to develop into impact players, JC is the fall guy.
If the Hawks do somehow find some diamonds in the rough and develop them, then it’s about wins and losses. If the Hawks don’t achieve their “one goal” JC is the fall guy.
The only thing JC has going for him is that coaching a team like the Hawks is not attractive to a more accomplished coach. honestly what coach in all of NHL history could make this roster, as currently constructed, a contender?
Colliton gets to pad his resume with head coaching experience and that does have cache in the league. His taking this team to a playoff spot (as brief as it was) is impressive and any team with a young eager roster might be interested in bringing JC on to develop them.
Honestly the only thing that would cause JC to be fired prematurely is if Bowman thinks he is stunting the development of his star prospects or if he alienates the entire roster somehow. If Dach can’t develop into a top six center, then JC is gone. Other than that, I think JC is around until the Hawks become a playoff relevant team, that is when the clock starts on JC.
Miro – good post – I agree
The question about who has Colliton developed is interesting. I don’t think there is evidence to say that JC is good at developing players, but by the same token I don’t think there is evidence that says he can’t.
I look at DeBrincat and Kubalik as players who were more established before JC got them. I think DeBrincat took his game to the next level under JCso maybe JC hada small hand in that. But, Kubalik I think is more or less the same guy he was when he got here. Should JC get credit for taking established players and making them better? Eh? Not a lot of evidence that he is doing anything better than any other coach with the same situation, so, no, not really.
Dach and Boqvist are the two best prospects in the system since JC became coach, but neither of them were expected to be in the NHL this soon when they were drafted. Both have made some improvements in the last year and a half, but neither are established NHL players and on better teams would likely be in the minors. DId JC develop them? No. Is it reasonable to expect them to be better than they are right now? Eh, also no. So again, on the one hand, JC didn’t work a miracle and get guys ready before they were expected to, but he also isn’t the reason why they are not ready now.
Strome and Nylander (and Perlini.). These guys were reclamation projects taken from teams who more or less gave up on them. They had lofty expectations from their original teams, but didn’t’ pan out there. The Hawks gambled that given a change of scenery and a new start they could flourish, After a nice start, Strome has regressed and Nylander never really got going, inconsistency was the only thing consistent with his game. So again, JC didn’t’ work any magic on these guys so far, but is it fair to expect him to? Probably Not.
The one place where I did see JC shine a bit was with Hagel, Suter and Kurashev. All guys who had to play above their pay scale and did a nice job of it that likely will help make them better in their bottom six roles going forward. How much of this was JC developing them and how much of it was their natural ability being exposed out of necessity? A little from both perhaps? I think JC had the most influence here, simply because he got these guys to play with such effort for so long this season.
Conclusions? I don’t know, I don’t see a lot of evidence that JC is some kind of miracle worker who is great at developing kids, but I also don’t see a lot guys who were expected to be further along than they are. I guess I would say he was a C student, he didn’t fail at developing the players he had to work with, nor could I say he did better than expected. he did about as well as any other random coach put in this same situation.
I think JC did about as well as anyone else could reasonably be expected to do in this situation with one exception, he got a bunch of underachievers to play above their pay scale for a while. But does he deserve the reputation for developing young talent? I don’t see any evidence of it with this group of players. But to be fair, there is no evidence that he is bad at doing it either. Or rather there seems to be no evidence as of yet that he is preventing players from reaching their potential.
Colliton seems like a guy who is basically keeping the seat warm for the next guy.
Wins and losses, Ebony.
Wins and losses.
1. Colliton has lost more than he has won. OTL and SO losses are still losses.
2. Colliton made the playoffs once in 3 years, with help from a pandemic induced structure which allowed a 12th place team (Chicago ) a shot at it.
Yeah that’s right. Colliton finished 12th.
3. Colliton employs a hybrid man-man defense system. which may work on a big ice surface in Europe, but fails miserably in the NHL game.
Proof is in the numerous, I mean numerous (which we have all seen on our TVs many times) grade A scoring chances for the opposition.
4. AJ Mlescko. Keith Jones, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire, Brian Boucher, Pat Foley, MIckey Redmond, John Forslund, and Ken Daniels (there are more if you want me to mane them) have questioned on the air, some of Colliton’s decisions.
Those 4 points mean bad grades, unless you are from the participation trophy crowd.
IS that enough fact for you?
I am sure John Galt has a host more.
So the objective in a rebuilding year is wins and losses. I guess I’ll have to disagree.
I’m liking the spirited debate that my earlier post, at least in part, helped inspire! Good points on a number of things that I admit make me think twice, or three times, on.
I think a condensed point that I’ll still stand by is that it WAS a surprise the team played well. There was unexpected goalie play etc. But I think it was more than just a fluke. I see players like Suter and Kurashev seemingly regress this second half. To be expected? Perhaps.
I realize that the “rebuild” is not a true bottom up rebuild no matter what anyone calls it. I’m just concerned that if year two of whatever we call it is just a repeat of rotating new guys, without consistent growth with from the guys that were here this season, Then it’s just cycling mediocrity.
Interesting points about Colliton. How long does he stay as a placeholder? Chicago sports have a history of guys being brought in to replace coaches for young teams with talent …. some teams already good, some teams on the cusp (Jackson for Collins, Maddon brought in for Cubs, Q brought in over Savard after the coaching carousel, LaRussa bouncing out Renteria). I’m just a tad disappointed that the success of this year’s team didn’t continue more, because it could have. They lost some key games due to poor effort, reverting to bad habits, and i feel some suspect coaching moves.
Go Blackhawks!
You see what you want to see Ebony.
I gave you 4 facts and Galt gave you many more.
Yet you pick only one and chose to disagree the whole argument.
OK, I’ll play.
To elaborate on the one: Colliton has lost more that he has won over 3 years, not just the ‘rebulding’ year.
Holy Cow. Surely it is not that hard to see. Even for those who choose not to see it.