Bowman: Blackhawks’ Postseason “Unacceptable” (Video)
Here is the text of Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman’s full statement:
“I’ll start off here by saying I’m completely, completely disappointed,” Bowman said. “It’s unacceptable to be where we are today. I’m frustrated, I’m angry. This was a tough, tough loss for us all to take. Standing here April 22 is not the way we expected our season to end. And it’s a complete failure when you measure it against the expectations that we have of ourselves. We did not come even close to reaching the standard we have set over the years here. And that’s unacceptable.
“Any successes that we did experience this year are completely overshadowed by the abrupt ending to our season. It’s not close to good enough for anybody. And I think it’s time right now to take a look in the mirror and face facts. And when you do that, you look at accountability, and that starts with me. I need to be better. There’s no doubt about it.
“I’m going to take a look at all things. I can promise you I will be better. Top to bottom, we need more. This is unacceptable to be where we are today. There will be change moving forward; change comes in many different ways. So the specifics of how we’re going to change things into next year are not really meant for this forum. But I can promise you we need to be better. Joel [Quenneville] is our head coach. He will continue to be our head coach. And Joel and I are going to work together to make sure that this never happens again.”
I like how he said he needs to be better. But curious about his statement re Joel, that he’s coach next year. As if there was a question about that. I’m hoping his 2 assistants are replaced.
as a season ticket holder for the current 8 year run, I am very grateful for what the blackhawks have provided their fans over that span: one of my favorite things about the teams we have fielded over this time is that there was always passion and never quit in the teams and the players. what was really difficult to watch this year was the lack of passion and the almost palpable indifference the team seemed to show as defeat after defeat piled up. it was as tho they thought an 8th seed would just roll over for them.
the lack of net front presence vs st louis last year and nashville this year was telling. no one seemed to want to do the dirty blue collar work that wins cup games and series: anisimov screen for kane was it. we don’t win in 10 without buff reeking havoc on the goalies series after series: same by bickell and others in 13, same by shaw and committee in 15: this is also why our power play was so inept. first we can’t figure out how to enter the zone and when we finally have it in the zone, no net front presence. I put that on the players but also the coaches. no net front presence means you don’t play or even dress: that would get the message across.
I don’t envy the bowmans: they have been magicians in the cap era, but those big contracts with no trade clauses are going to make us endure cap hell for a while longer unless some of these players are willing to be traded.
but finally I return to grateful: I bet no other team will pull off 3 cups in 7 years in the cap era and until my last breath I will remember fondly each of the 3 cup runs especially the magical 17 seconds in boston.
The arrogance by BOWMAN is what is unacceptable. What remains truly unacceptable is trades like SAAD, TEUVO , SHARP and DANUALT for absolutely nothing in return. Not to mention Nick LEDDY!!! Try to list who we have received in those trades? Anisimov who was overpaid while our chartered accountant scoffed at SAAD’s 5 million a year demand? I would take SAAD over panda bear PANARIN and softy ANISIMOV any time of day. The problem has been BOWMAN, PIERRE GAUTHIER and MARK KELLEY. Again, try to name a top defenceman the HAWKS have drafted since HAMMER who was drafted by TALLON?
I’m laughing at Alfonso…. good story.
It is time to fire the BOWMAN family, Pierre Gauthier and Mark Kelley and get a real hockey GM with true talent like RICK DUDLEY. Look at the top players left on this team, all TALON nothing from BOWMAN!!! His drafting is awful but his trades even worse. And now his obsession with free agent US college players is just silly and lazy, smoke and mirros for Hawk fans to digest every summer convention. Unless you dominate as an freshman, the LALONDE, BAUN, MOTTE, HAYDEN and KERO’s of the world are ECHL or AHL players at best!!! What happened to drafting players from CANADA? Still the best hockey nation of the world. Keeping HOSSA and letting go SAAD was a huge lack of vision. Trading TEUVO was stupid! Danault was idiotic. Giving all that cash to KRUGER is plain dumb. So, once again, the arrogance of this morning press conference is scary because if he trades TOEWS, KANE, SEABROOK, KEITH or CRAWFORD then we will relive the PHIL ESPOSITO era. He needs to trade PANARIN and ANISIMOV and get something in return like EVANDER KANE and Wayne Simmonds.
Yes some comments are laughable. Reality is that we as Hawk fans have been somewhat spoiled. Almost everything went our way and three perfect runs were the result in only seven years. Most teams haven’t won three Cups in the past fifty years. This team thrilled us all in so many ways. It has been great by any measure.
At the same time life is always about what have you done for me lately. Clearly the answer there is not enough and it is good to know that Stan clearly believes that. The cap makes it tough for everyone and it is difficult to imagine what can be done given some of the deals Stan put in place for his players. He will have to work that out and only he is in a position to do so.
We should expect his bosses to give him a bit of time because Stan and Joel have earned that. Another result like the past two years in 2018 should leave Stan looking for work because he shouldn’t have the right to continue in the Blackhawk organization.
This summer will be fascinating to watch because the message here from Stan is aligned with what most fans believe – changes are necessary. What we witnessed over the past several days is completely unacceptable
Thank God we have Bowman and not Maiorana. Bowman has been a genius in the cap era. This year’s disappointment was not about a talent shortage. Most teams in the league would kill to have the Hawks core. It was performance by the players. Hawks have relied on being able to kick it into a different gear when needed. Age, heart and the Preds took that gear away. Coaching deserves some blame as well, but Bowman did and has done amazing things to put together the team that has spoiled us.
Bowman is correct — it starts w/ him. No more dead lbs at the back end of the roster, i e Tootoo & Roszival. Bury them in the minors w/ their guaranteed but no cap hit contracts.
As for the youngsters playing regularly in the playoffs, this is on Q. Hayden Hino & Kempny all would have gotten invaluable experience and given the team a better chance, even if they lost the series. Boston is a case in point — they are playing multiple, green rookies that made an impact in their game last night; the guy who scored the tying and winning goals most of us have never heard of, his last name started w/ a K.
Q was forced to show faith and play the rookies (the forwards mainly) during the season; once the playoffs hit, he went back to his comfort level. Facts are facts, the press box scratches and below avg ice team speak for themselves. If memory serves correct, Kempny played (and well) the majority of the games during the 15 out of 17 or whatever it was hot streak.
If Bowman is true to his word, this will change in next year’s playoffs, game 1, 1st Rd.
Bowman has done masterful job maneuvering the cap and finding young talent while not being in the best position in the draft. Claims we should be trading for 1st overall picks are empty that doesn’t happen any more and you have no idea who will get it anyways.
Moves that can be made are Hossa to Vegas in draft, package Paniks rights with Kruger to Colorado for Packard 1m cap hit and future consuderations of draft picks. Crawford to Calgary in package that brings back T.J. Brodie 4.6m cap hit.
Sign Jay McClement for about 1m as a 4th centre he is strong on faceoffs and PK. Then sign another T.J. this time Oshie for 6m cap hit.
Thats about 14.3 cap moved and about 12.6 brought in. Your lineup.
Schmaltz, Toews, Oshie
Panarin, Anisimov, Kane
Hartman, Kero, Hayden/Jurco/Hino
Rasmussen, McClement, Hayden, Jurco, Hino
Keith, Brodie
Hammer, Seabrook
Kempny/Forsling, Van Riemsdyk
Darling/Packard
With Tootoo and Rozival in the picture. Anybody do better
Thats allowing for 3.7 m in bonus overage and assuming players use partial escalator be in 75.5 m range.
P.S. Starting w/ himself, Bowman needs to admit that you cant have a 3rd line center who isnt lockdown defensively anymore w/out a wingman like Frolik, has regressed at faceoffs (vital part of the job requirement) and lastly has scored 5 goals in 110 games the last two seasons. Now that is completely unacceptable.
Q is not blameless in this as well — teacher’s pets. Bowman overpaid Kruger by $2M for the same productivity as Desjardins at the time (ha ha ha ha ha), and last summer, Vermette gets cut, but Qbdoesnt see eye to eye w/ him, so Kruger stays @ $1.4M cap hit more, not to mention the abysmal productivity (or lack thereof) across the board.
3 needs-
1. a big true #2 d-man and another younger puck-moving d-man with decent size (maybe we have the 2nd one?)
2. Another centre that can win faceoffs
3. 2 big, FAST wingers that can forecheck and cause havoc
Again you can’t just wave a wand to do this-it takes luck, balls and sacrifices (and time)
Also a team that works hard every shift, (at least in the playoffs)and takes nothing for granted. Grit over style. (we have some talent already, with more to come)
Bowman isn’t to blame! He’s made a couple of mistakes but ALL GM’s do that.
Every coach has his expiry date-not sure when Q’s is.
Goal is to win a 4th Stanley Cup. Do what ever we need to have one goal accomplished again. Whatever it takes means you do what you have to do.
Tough talk. A little tougher than I actually expected.
The talk about Q being the Coach is an intentional and immediate put to rest on all of the cries that have and would come about him being fired.
Took a look at the list of UFA’s and RFA’s at all positions. The UFA’s are pretty much all older than anybody on the Blackhawks’ roster. A couple of interesting names on the RFA list.
He says that change is coming, but from a personnel standpoint that’s going to be tough. There have to be takers on what you’re selling. People want things to change, but change takes place over time, and really big change might mean not being quite so competitive for a little bit. Does the fan base really, really want that?
Talk centered on accountability as much as change. Probably calling out the vets there.
I’m sticking with the team though. Won’t ever stop. Anyone out there want to give up your season tickets? I’m over 11,000 on the waiting list and have been for a long time. I’ll take yours.
Go Blackhawks!!!!
ONE GOAL will require some deep planning! The 3-5 year plan has to include guys like DiBricant in and some overpaid superstar monachers out! Noonan96 has the right plan- execution needs to happen ASAP to get the ship right for the next 3 Stanley Cups!! All the writing was in the wall this year if one cared to look-!defensive struggles, scoring, timely goal-tending, NO set line for Toews (unacceptable !!) Seabrook, TVR inconsistent, bottom 6 (?WTF-such a screw up?!) And speed, conditioning, adaptability -all lacking and that’s a coaching issue !! I’ve loved the Hawks for 56 years… I’m not going to be satisfied with another 49 year drought!!
Is it just me or… does Bowman (1st photo- ) look a little like Woogie (chris elliot in Something about Mary) … breaking out in Boils over the Stress coming his way???
Yes- this Summer- could/Should be very exciting…
GHall61– YES- “the writing was in the WALL”… SB must not read this blog-LOL
ONE GOAL- I think that was what the Hawks were praying for On Home Ice this year!!!
Ian, the lineups look competitive, however, I would prefer motte over moose, and the net looks week, career backups, I would rather see a more established net minder
PLaying OLD SLOW Dman on a team built on Speed is never gunna work…. Whose Einstein Idea was it to Constantly drop puck back on carrying thru neutral zone. ( kitchens)? Players get to ” do whatever ” they want on ice without Any consequences… Ex.— DUMB passes Instead of SKATING, leading to odd man breaks… Should Never allowing shooter to thread needle to other player on 2 on 1’s….Taking wide angle shots on net and opp. Dman not hugging boards on careem off of corner boards and out… Blah blah blah…. Q just puts ” anyone on ice” …. Thats his matchups…. Pffffffff….
How many times does Panarin get to cough up the puck before SOMEONE tells him or sits him like you sit Hartman when he does it ONE TIME?
I think McDonough read Stan the riot act about how meek the Hawks looked and have flamed out in the first round two years in a row.
It reminded me of when the Giants told Tom Coughlin no more 6-10 football or he was done.
Same script, one more result like that for the Hawks and everybody in power is gone. I think McD told Stan he has given him a blank check and the results are as Stan put it “unacceptable”. I also think he told Stan “you and Joel” fix this right now, or else it’s over. He will find somebody else.
Stan looked shaken, threatened, rattled, scared. Pretty obvious to me his job hangs in the balance.
Chris would love to see Motte with his speed make the grade. Only other goalie option I can think of in that scenario is convince Ryan Miller to take 35+ cap friendly deal and games played bonuses to push. Kruger and Panik for draft choices.
I’m glad Stan realizes how bad this series actually was. I’ll be more encouraged when he starts making tough decisions. The Hawks have GOT to move salary. The Hawk are not moving Toews, Kane, Keith. The Hawks CAN’T move Hossa, because of his cap penalty. Who does that leave? Seabs, Crow, Kruger and Hammer. Let’s hope he moves Kruger who is about as skilled on the offensive end as me. Seabs is the guy to move. The Sabre are looking for a top 4 guy and looking to deal Kane or Reinhart. I’ll take either of those guys to Seabs. Done! Stan it’s time to make some hard decisions
Don’t see where Hossa’s recapture penalty applies to draft only says trades or defections. Defections means player leaving nhl on his own doing the draft is choice of other team . So could be an option as Vegas probably be very happy to take high hit for low salary.
Hjammersuck is a turnover machine… Stands like a statue all the time… Gets hit with the puck more than “blocks”… Constantly icing…. He and Sb can go as well as vanresdyck…. He is never the same since broken knee cap… You guys who think they’re soooooo good—- put yhem on the market —- get back to me on the offers….Pfffffffff
We have to move salary and we have to get stronger at center. How we do both remains to be seen, but it’s crucial. We were horrendous at the dot and paid the price. We are not a possession team without strength down the middle.
And Stan said he needs to be better. Yeah, well, no shit.
Kane and Toews are the two headed marketing monster for this team, they are not going anywhere. If there is any way Bowman can get out from under the Seabrook contract, he should do it. I love the Core guys and would have never believed 12 yrs ago that the Blackhawks would have reached the heights they have. But now there must be change.
Panarin and Seabrook are going to be on the trade block. Panarin because he is one of the only guys with strong trade value. Seabrook because it’s time. Bowman has to find a poor man’s Saad and a Seabrook in his prime type defenseman.
Look for Seabrook to wind up in Edmonton. And Panarin to go to the Islanders or Boston.
Tony – spot on agree.
Why did SB sign Seabs to that contract anyway?????
Seabs- it’s going to take a sweetener ( TT w/ Bickell)… to move that horrible contract… way worse than Bickell deal… at least Bickell was in Peak age/years during his contract… most of Seabs deal… in ever the hill stage… and a lot more $$$ too
OK here we go with trade this guy, trade that guy.
How about Stan sees what the market will bear at the draft ?
Remember back to 2011 when Bowman was(some thought miraculously) able to move Campbell’s albatross contract for Olesz?
Teams at the draft come loaded with currency. Ready to trade some of those picks for established players.
If Stan gets an offer for Nik H or for Seabrook at the draft, by the sound of things today, pretty much everything is on the table. That’s a change from last year when the loss to St. Louis came down to a bounce here or there. This year, a total reality check.
There are going to be plenty of moves for sure. For starters Baun and Motte look like they have a real good chance to make the team. The Black Aces thing was merely a this is who we like and these are the players we see being NHLers.
Campbell and Oduya are pretty much gone.
Stan and company will have to go over each player with a fine tooth comb and decide what their value is to the team, only this time sounds like emotion and cumulative contribution in the past will not carry nearly as much weight.
sorry mike but I repeat, unacceptable is BOWMAN as a GM. He is not a Cap genius. A cap genius is the guy in Pittsburgh who”s pens have played great hockey for 10 years, keeping their style in tact and made trades for players and prospects.
Our GM should blame himself, Pierre Gauthier, and our ridiculous MARK KELLEY.
No need to touch TOEWS, CROW, KANE, HAMMER, SEABS, and KEITH.
TIME to trade PANARIn and his ridiculous contract and bonuses. ANISIMOV’s exaggerated SAAD contract. KRUGER’s idiotic contract that any GM would be fired for. ROSY and TOOTOO for what reason do they even have a contract, DESJARDINS to pasture, RASS back to SWEDEN or ROCKFORD, KERO back to AHL or ECHL, …BIUY OUT HOSSA….send him to VEGAS….whatever..
LET SMUALTZ play centre….. PANARIN for EVANDER KANE, ANISIMOV for DEBRINKAT (5’6″ mouse ) for LOGAN COUTURE, bring back opffence on the back end with GUSTAFSON, POKKA and FORSLING….USE MOTTE on the 4th line…
Fire BOWMAN and his father, and give COACH Q and ultimatum to play young offensive players like SAVARD did which he inherited…
BRING BACK RICK DUDLEY or hire DEAN LOMBARDI and hire SUTTER or DAN BYLSMA.
But watching a geek GM angry ism scary because if will bring us back to 1965 when HAKWS panicked and traded PHIL ESPOSITO, KEN HODGE, and company!!!!
Cant believe Hammer getting bashed?
Waller a great a great one liner earlier
My thoughts, Stan, to make things “acceptable”….I’d keep Darling, trade Crawford, retire Hossa, find 2 great “consistent” line mates for Toews, Trade Van Reimsdyk, Desjardins, Kruger, Tootoo, let Campbell, Roszival and Oduya go; get in Bondra, DiBrincat, Coughlin, Dahlstrom, Fournier, Gilbert, Snuggerud, Peeters and that kid from the KHL who is like the “bread-man”!!
Last thought – Hosea had been great for the team but time has caught up to him and that ridiculous contract!! Keep the sane pay, flip him to management so he can use his knowledge and experience to help a younger team! Leafs have shown that there is no cap on management salaries!!
GHall61… who is the KHL- “Breadman”??? name?
Morning fellow frustrated fans . BIG issue with this team , lack of net front presents gritty wall play ,pressure down low and good cycle . Panarin can score a pretty one timer but thats all he can do ,and in the playoffs he can,t even do that . He is 1 dimensional ,Anismsov brings even less to the table ,Both have Zero Grit and tenacity. Couple that with the fact Q held back or did not even play our rookie North American kids that brought some of that style of play to the table . Hartman was given a short leash due to penalties and basically shamed into not playing that great shit disturbing roll he,s good at . 19 ,88 and 81 played with a complete lack of passion . Our P.P. was an issue all season long and ya know where that takes you come playoff time . Stan is full of shit when he said ,This will never happen again ,.., Or Did he borrow your Crystal Ball Wall? Sad finish to the season .
Hawkhead… kind of agree with Stan is full of shit…
1st – what changes can he make??? lots of NMC, and couple FAT/bad contracts=means he will get fleeced ( No one will take that Seabs deal)… I guess SB could do another Soupy deal… Give up Seabs for- 50% cost guy… that you basically “retire”… BUT- that doesn’t makes Hawks better!!! and why do that contract in first place?
2nd – Toews… Is he Injured still or just starting his Downhill slide from Peak???
If it is latter…. BIG problem!!!
3rd – SB- all year said/knew Hawks would need to play the Prospects… knew there weren’t many options from Cap/NMC… and now suddenly… this will never happen again??? which implies- the Hawks will simply flip switch…. OR Changes are coming… HOW are there options/for Changes now versus several months ago??? Sure- changes will happen this summer… My POINT- meaningless changes… that will not guarantee that this doesn’t happen again…
SB- will need to Grow a pair… and make Hall/Larsson type deal… Not pay someone a prospect and Money to take Seabrook… so Like mentioned by others here… Panarin , maybe Hammer are the only trades SB can make that are win/wins… most other trades will be lost by SB… at least in near future ( he could get some picks that turn out to be “steals”- that turn a trade into a win… But those picks would take time to turn into “saad/shaws)”… So how he predicts- “this will never happen again” is all POLITICS!!!
Maxim Shalunov
No way would I get rid of Panarin. The Hawks are older, slower and less skilled than in the past. Panarin is one of the few skilled finishers on this team. Top 11 in scoring in his second year. I love the fact that Stan put bonus opportunities in his contract. The more bonuses a player achieves the more valuable he is to the team. Would you rather a player did not achieve his bonus and instead be mediocre? As far as Q is concerned he needs to stop with the incessant line blending bs. Anyone who has played organized hockey knows that you build a rapport with linemates over time. Continuity is very important. You get to the point where you know where your linemate will be without even looking. Young players especially need some continuity. Schmaltz and Hartman especially were jerked around all year.
Other than their Blackhawks beat guy, the Chicago Tribune has TERRIBLE hockey insight and reporting. A couple of awful stories in the sports page that would make a lot of us cringe. But here a few things from the players’ mouths untarnished by bad writing and conjecture ….. (David Haugh and Steve Rosenbloom …. both hacks who write dumb articles on every sport).
Toews – Acknowledges problems with game all season long. Physical problems, although not admitting to any specific injury, impacted speed and play down low. Going to change offseason approach mentally and physically to get back to where he wants and needs to be.
Darling – Wants to be a #1 and thinks he has proven it, including play in back to back games. Doesn’t know the landscape and if he’ll be back. Going to talk with the Management and go from there.
Hossa – Plans to come back.
Panik – Not sure he’ll be back and says he really has no idea what his financial value in the league is.
Campbell – Contemplating retirement. If he plays next year he does not want to go anywhere else.
Toews needs to consult Tom Brady and Derek Jeter on how they kept playing at such a high level when it looked like,at times they were physically done.
@Craig Nigrelli
Very different sports when it comes to Brady and Jeter, but your point is taken.
Maintaining a high level physically and very importantly mentally is/was key for both of the two you mention.
Toews discussed working on his physical strength, speed and his finer skills. A parallel to that is Tom Brady in that every year he works in the off season with his long time throwing coach (might even be his old high school coach). They work incessantly on technique, footwork, arm position and angle, choice of velocity and trajectory for the given play/position of the receiver ….. he totally gets the idea of consistency in form so that muscle memory and eyes are wired together.
I truly believe that a problem the Blackhawks had in this last disastrous series, and with the inconsistency in the regular season (despite the 109 points!) was mental edge. Yes, fatigue enters in, but all year long when the Blackhawks weren’t playing well it was this kind of scenario;
Puck is available, in between a Blackhawks player and an opposing player
Opposing player moves his legs and charges toward the puck with stick extended
Blackhawks player leans in with stick extended
Opposing takes puck and moves away with possession
And that scenario could change from period to period, or within a period, depending on what the status of the mindset or dreaded “momentum” was. Maybe it is age to a certain extent in some cases, but the Blackhawks weren’t getting beat 7-0 during those awful playoff games. A little more fire and maybe they are still playing.
I’m not buying the over the hill scenario although I respect the opinions of those who think some players are shot. I think a mental reset, organizationally, is the biggest factor. There are not going to be major moves short of blowing up this team and being bad for a few years, and I don’t think too many major moves could even be made in this salary cap era.
Interesting discussions going forward for sure.
Go Blackhawks!!!!
Other than the absolutely horrific trade of Teravainen i think Bowman has been a very good GM. i thought he put together a great team to try to repeat last year when they lost to st louis. I believe Q botched that series by dressing the wrong people early in the series plus Elliot played fantastic for the blues so they lost with the better team in 7 games. I read Bowmans statement as saying Q is on the clock going forward if he doesnt do better. Whether Tab likes it or not ticket prices matter and at these prices they have to be competitive. Game 2 was a premium hime saturday night playoff game and Q cant get them ready? As Bowman said that is unacceptable! The absolute most that can be said for Q in this series is that if he would have done a good job it wouldnt have mattered. They couldnt even get a game 5 home game. Come on. no excuses Q is on the clock and he should be !
Colorado seems desperate for dmen maybe trade Seabrook there and send Panarin as the sweetener. Get landesgog back and some type of picks for this years draft. Then go out and get Boyle and resign Panik. Lines to be
Landesgog-Toews-dcat
Anisimov ( moved to wing)-8-88
Hartnan-Kero-Hossa
Hayden-Boyle-Panik ( one of the best 4th lines out there)
Are there rules for getting a player to waive a limited/no movement/trade clause? If it’s a financial incentive, does that count against the cap – like bonuses? Anyone know? Tab?
The Russians are coming !Shalunov,Dadonov,kovalchuk,shipachyov Kempney All very possible and bowman biggest problem are the no trade clauses ! To bring back youth, speed, net presence he will dump 2 players with no trade clause . He will pkg it to do it before expansion draft ! He will clear 11 million in cap and go after Russia & draft day to bring youth & speed
Bladz, that’s the way to have another good faceoff and PK guy, a 4th line center with a 4th line caphit. No need for a expensive center to get better at faceoffs.
You trade 7 caphit, you need to add a top 4, a good 2nd pair Defenseman.
One option we haven’t mentioned for faceoffs is that Alexander Fortin who is a winger but took alot of faceoffs this year for Ryoun Noranda and by late January was winning them at an impressive 67% clip. Almost stayed the big squad last could be another reason to keep him up next year.
Well if misery loves company, my Minnesota hockey buddies are furious that the Wild flamed out. At least we have 3 Cups to fall back on. The Coach they dumped, Mike Yeo, came back and beat their new Coach Bruce Boudreau.
Now what for Minnesota? Try again? Tell Parise and Suter to try harder ?
Craig- Good thing the Wild flamed out. I live in the Twin Cities and never would have heard the end of it if the Wild had advanced after the Hawks were swept.
Erie in tough-won first easily lost 2nd in OT to Owen Sound
D-Cat 2nd star in both games
His playoff stats
GP-13
8 g 19 a 27 pts
Tops in OHL
I really hope they develop this kid right- he could make Johnny Goudreau look like a Bantam “A”
I don’t even know why people talk about HUGE roster changeover or that SB and Co. should be fired. First, I would ask this, even after the s..t egg the Hawks layed against the Preds. You are the GM, do your swap Nashville’s roster for the Hawks roster? Second, there is only so much SB can do this summer. Developing the Hawks youth in the Regular season and the playoffs was the right thing to do. I hope it continues.
Were the rookies supposed to win this series for the Hawks?? Of course not. Why complain about them.
I agree with goforfour. The core has the talent but lacked the heart. The core can play with anybody in the NHL but did not. Why, Overconfidence? Maybe. Injuries? Maybe. Too much success? Maybe. But in the end IMO, it was fatigue, both physical and mental. The core could not turn on the switch. Were the rookies supposed to carry the core to the second round? Really?
Every core player on the Hawks knows that when you build a HOF core, the supporting cast depends on them and not the other way around. If I were management I would encourage the “core” to shut down and go home. Stick to a dietary and exercise regimen and come to training relaxed and ready to mentor and play inspired hockey.
Comparisons to Pens is apt, but conclusion is flawed. Pens have been a great team over the last 10 years: 2 cups, 1 final. They would happily trade for our three cups and 2 finals over that same period. Yes, SB went for cups instead of just being a contender every year. Which is exactly what we wanted. It’s time to retool, but I don’t have any remorse and if he didn’t do it, some of these same fans would be calling for him to be fired just the same. Alfonso, I appreciate your passion. I don’t agree with your logic. The Hawks have had a great run because of SB and family, not despite.
Mike- I definitely take Preds- D guys over Hawks… Most are in the peak/primes…
Hawks D-men are past primes!!! 2, 7, Campbell, Oduya, rosey
2nd- Preds- Forwards – are way Bigger/stronger across the board (and most were quicker)… do I take anyone Pred over Kane–NO!!!
Quick glance at weights per player- says – Preds- way bigger… assume stronger…
Going into PO’s the one Hockey round table guy– said- Preds might have the most speed in WC- to challenge Hawks… combine that with Size and effort… And the Hawks/Toews were rag-dolled
Wall, so you are saying you make that swap except for Kane??? Who do the Preds keep?
Mike R- the question was – “do you swap Rosters w/ preds”… My answer was- I swap D rosters w/ Pred’s D guys… Hawk’s D … mostly past their peak years…
Forwards- I didn’t say swap or no swap… Just pointed to the fact – Preds have much Bigger forwards- across the board… and Kane is best forward from either team…
BUT- Preds aren’t just BIGGER/stronger… they are Fast too… Arvidsson, Forsberg, Johansen, Smith and Wilson ( Hartman- reminds me of a Smith/Wilson type… not a “core” player… Not a guy who makes others better- But a real asset and versatile guy… difference Smith/Wilson are older/smarter/more experienced… Hartman- will be there in 2-4 years)
After the Penguins first two SC appearances, Pittsburgh went 6 years without even getting to conference final. Then they reinvented themselves and won a Cup.
Hawks have already done that twice. I have confidence they can get there again. Everybody wants to be fast and tough but you need the personnel. Stan will have to take some risks but he has the chips to make the changes needed.
Mgmt, coaches, players, fans all took a kick to the gut this year. This postseason reminds me of 11-12 when the Hawks got knocked out by the Coyotes (who had a pretty good postseason run by the way). Fans were mad, coaches were changed, you could feel the tension.
Next year they won the Cup.
Funny thing– all year long – Me and friend who play basketball together and talk a lot of hockey… we were amazed on how poorly Preds were playing (yes – had some early injuries)… but we were shocked and thought they would be a “team to beat ” in West…
the more I look at that forward roster… the more i Love size and speed/Make-up…
and More in their Primes- age wise than the Hawks… Hawks have some size coming in Prospects… BUT- are they NHL- type skaters??? NHL IQ??? and how far away from denting the roster???
Bondra- great size, actually straight line speed good, BUT- thought he played pretty dumb/lacked drive in WJ-U20
Knott- meh!
Radke???
Olofsson– I like this kid’s skating/IQ
From- LOVE his skating… does he have the IQ???
Hayden- IQ and heart are there,,, Skating- average
Lastly- even the Best of these guys… might be 2-3 years away… that puts 19/88 in the downside of their careers
Here is a take from Ryan Lambert, If you are a very optimistic Hawks fan don’t even click on the link because you won’t like it. If you are a pessimistic Hawks fan then you will probably agree with most if not all of his article.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/learned-blackhawks-face-new-normal-135923328.html
Kitchen is out
SSHM- good read… writer must be reading this blog… Seabrook= Bad contract!!!
Kitchen rots….. Talks, talks , talks…… Q’s BUDDY……. Does nothing……
My personal opinion is that our system needs to change and that starts with Q. Kitchen is just a fall guy. Q’s response is line blender…sorry but your old school approach has resulted in 2 consecutive first round losses (the last being an ultimate embarrassment). Talk about doubt for the future. Hopefully we’ll see a new approach to fore checking, PP and PK next year. Finally how about less optional practice days and more mandatory practices? Not sure if this is just a rumor or not (or if it’s the norm of the NHL).
Can we force Toews to eat some animal protein- like a Man… that vegan diet is for the birds… literally !!!
Yes- It was Kitchen’s fault that the average starting D man- was TOO old… who could have seen that coming?
@ WALL
No WALL you are I are haters because god forbid we would want the team we both like to move a player with the arrow pointing down. (sorry i’ll get off my soap box now)
I’ve hated Seabs contract since the day it was signed. (Much like Bickell and Kruger) I wanted Seabs gone after the 15 cup or sooner, NOT because I dislike him, or don’t think he is a hell of a player just because of his age and his wear a tear it was not a smart long-term decision to sign him. Not only did SB sign him but signed him to a stupid deal with a no trade. His current deal accounts for 9% of the cap between Toews & Kane. NOT a smart move! Let’s hope Buffalo comes calling for him.
Wall, you miss the point completely. Sure, there are players all over the league you can pick and chose who you would rather have. And obviously you can make a CAP compliant 25 man roster that is better than any team. The question was……..would you swap the Hawks best 25 man roster for Nashville’s best 25 man roster?????
@Southside Thanks for the link. Whether or not fans like it or don’t, it’s fact. Moving salary will not be easy for SB, if it’s even doable at all. Watching the Maple Leafs play yesterday, I couldn’t help thinking that this is a team with a magnificent future, and a team that could use a solid, experienced guy like Seabrook. But for 7 years and at that money? Holy shit we’re in a bind.
Seabs would do nicely in Toronto
I do not think Bowman is capable of changing to meet the new demanding needs. Otherwise he would have done it already.
I agree with ALFONSO MAIORANA 100%. Bowman has done a poor job of navigating the cap issues. Once the cap issues really hit, it has been totally downhill only getting worse at the end of each season.
Bowman and Q have made some terrible decisions trying to capitalize on their core until that core is no longer capable of beating the elite teams as we have seen this season.
Crawford has never been worth what he makes, they lost Sharp, and Sadd due to that. Darling would have done the same job as Cro for a fraction of the price.
ALFONSO MAIORANA is right, it starts with cutting Leddy, Frolik, all the way up to the more modern day cuts and keeping the expensive players they have committed to.
Bowman is being strangled by this cap. There is no other way to look at it. Oh and Q is right in there too helping make these decisions. Sorry but they need to look at themselves.