Rocky Mountain Low: Avs Crush Blackhawks – Again

If Friday afternoon’s blowout loss at home was demoralizing, the flight home from Denver isn’t going to be much better.

Mikko Rantanen returned to the Colorado lineup for the first time since Oct. 21 and Chicago was without Duncan Keith, Dylan Strome and Drake Cagguila.

Jonathan Toews went to the box on his first shift of the night, only 26 seconds into the game. While that could have been a bad break for Hawks, Chicago turned it into a positive. Zack Smith found Brandon Saad streaking up the ice and the Hawks had a 1-0 lead.

That was just about the end of the night for positives for Chicago.

The Avs scored three times in 3:15. Nazem Kadri scored a power play goal with Anton Wedin in the box, then scored an even strength goal 95 seconds later. Nathan MacKinnon scored at 11:08 into the first and the game felt over.

Because it was.

The only other highlight in the first period was Alex DeBrincat whooping Samuel Girard’s ass in a fight with three minutes left. But with DeBrincat sitting for five minutes, a power play opportunity came with lineup challenges Jeremy Colliton didn’t manage well at all.

Chicago finished the first period with 57 seconds of 5-on-3 but Alex Nylander did a terrific job of wasting opportunities. Chicago had a 12-11 shot advantage after 20 minutes but were frustratingly chasing a 3-1 score.

The Hawks opened the second period with a little more than two minutes of power play left and Nylander turned the puck over a couple more times to waste more opportunities to get back into the game.

Joonas Donskoi came out of the penalty box and immediately scored to give Colorado a 4-1 lead.

Less than three minutes later Rantanen made it 5-1 Colorado. After this goal, Colliton decided to change goaltenders. For a spark? Why not.

Robin Lehner, who came in with the best save percentage in the NHL, gave the bench an earful as he departed and Corey Crawford came out to face the firing range for the second time in as many days.

Donskoi scored a second goal within six minutes to extend the lead to 6-1.

Tyson Jost added the extra point two minutes after Donskoi’s goal and it was 7-1 in favor of the Avs.

There was no hope. There were no answers. Chicago was getting whipped up and down the ice.

Dominik Kubalik scored at 11:14 into the second to, as Pat Foley said, bring the Hawks within five. Moral victory? Not on this night.

Chicago allowed four goals in the second period and were credited with six shots on net.

The only thing that was of interest in the third period was whether or not Patrick Kane could extend his point streak to 15 games. He did that while the Hawks had a second two-man advantage late in the third period to make the final score 7-3.

The Hawks got their ass kicked in every aspect of the game. Colorado outscored Chicago 12-5 between Friday and Saturday.

Kane and Jonathan Toews were each credited with five shots on net but they were both minus-three. Toews won only nine of 22 faceoffs but did pick up an assist on Kane’s power play goal.

David Kampf had an assist and won nine of 12 faceoffs. Wedin was plus-one with one shot on net in 10:52 in his NHL debut.

Kirby Dach didn’t have a great night but blocked a shot headed for a wide open cage in the closing seconds of the second period. He skated 14:16 and lost both of his faceoffs.

Calvin de Haan skated 19:07 and was credited with five shots on net. He also led the Hawks with four hits.

Connor Murphy led the Hawks with four blocked shots in 19:48.

The only defenseman over 20 minutes was Erik Gustafsson. He skated 22:04 with one assist and one hit and a few more frustrating turnovers.

Rantanen had four points. Donskoi had four points. MacKinnon had three. Kadri won 10 of 11 faceoffs with his two goals. And Pierre-Edouard Bellemare won 11 of 15 at the dot. The domination was complete for Colorado.

Lehner stopped nine of 15. Crawford made 13 saves against 15 shots.

The Hawks get St. Louis on Monday.

125 thoughts on “Rocky Mountain Low: Avs Crush Blackhawks – Again

  • November 30, 2019 at 10:49 pm
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    About as ugly as it can get.

  • November 30, 2019 at 10:55 pm
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    Nit much good in that game. Bad news is they get them again in a couple of weeks for 2 more games in another 5 game division teams stretch, Blues again, Jets and Wild round that one out.

  • November 30, 2019 at 10:58 pm
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    The entire game, Rantanen was out-hustling the Hawks.

    Feels like the scene from Spaceballs:

    – “They’ve got ludicrous speed.”
    – “And what do we got, a Cuisinart!?!?”

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:00 pm
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    The organization turned around after drafting Toews with a 3rd pick and Kane with a 1st. We just picked Dach with a 3rd and it looks like we may be in the running for a 1st this year – so maybe history can repeat itself….

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:00 pm
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    Please see and refer to my prior, repetitive and wholly accurate posts re Bowman and the coach Bowman carefully and meticulously selected to replace Queneville.

    In addition to the players, the referees have no respect for the coach — who has the emotions of a mannequin — as well.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:05 pm
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    Is the Colliton experiment over? If not now then when? This clown is not what this team needs , if nothing else make a change and see what happens. Totally unacceptable play, fired Q for less than this.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:09 pm
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    The Hawks are in no way bad enough to be in the running for the #1 pick. They’ll be back in the 8-14 range again this year because the bottom of the league is so awful.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:09 pm
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    Wonder what Lehner yelled at Toews upon exiting game.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:13 pm
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    It’s time for a full talent evaluation overall.
    One of the criteria is the next person overseeing that, must have no connection to the three Hawks Stanley Cup wins. Somebody who is truly objective with no connection to the past.

    On the ice :
    Nylander = Rundblad.
    Wedin = Tony Salmalainen.
    Koekkoek =Bryan Muir
    Gustafsson =Burke Henry/Michal Sykora.

    Just awful everywhere.

    And lastly, if they kept stats for spinning and falling down because his edges suck = our Captain, Drive What Kane and Toews Drive, Number 91 Jonathan Toews.

    No longer listed as a top 25 Center for a reason. The NHL does not rank 3rd line grinder Centers. They should rank Ref Chirping because he would be #1. A Whiner and the rest of the league knows that. #Sad

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:15 pm
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    I thought they needed a minimum of 4 points from these last 4 games to even pretend to be in the playoff race

    It looks like the pretending is over – the only thing left to do is change the coach but I don’t think SB will do that by himself so he may have to be forced by Rocky or simply shown the door along with JC

    Agree with a comment from earlier that this is the Hawks without spectacular goaltending – not pretty

    JC managed to screw up the biggest strength of the Hawks – their goaltending by not keeping the Lehner/Crawford rotation in tact

    I know there’s a lot more to these losses than that but to me it’s symbolic of how JC doesn’t have a read on his own team

    Without a change it’s gonna be a wasted season

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:24 pm
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    Hopefully a new coach who gives up pretending the Nylander trade was a steal, and sends him to Ahl where he belongs. Then gives Kubalik a decent chance to see what he can really do for starters, be an improvement. Also be taking a step in right direction.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:26 pm
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    @Craig – Toews falling down while on the PK in the COL zone with the Hawks up 1-0 with no one checking him then swiping the puck up ice to create a 4 on 2 for the Avs which eventually turn into the game tying goal says it all about his contributions this year – not nearly good enough

    He’s supposed to be the team leader = here’s an idea – play better!

    You have to wonder if there’s a disconnect between captain and coach because he can’t seem to play his best for JC unless of course this is his best and then they’re really screwed

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:28 pm
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    At least when the Hawks used to routinely get demolished by the 1980s Oilers 10-2 and 9-1 every time they played, there was some type of on ice response and a response by the coaching staff.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:32 pm
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    A hint to Coach Colliton,1-3-1 in the neutral zone and zone coverage in the offensive zone choking off the middle of the ice and slot area.Inform your wandering minstrels masquerading as Hockey players-DO NOT CHASE INTO CORNERS.Que Orval Tessier,s Heart Transplant Speech.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:34 pm
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    Stan Bowman, how do you put together a roster this inept, that must take a lot of skill on your part. Get some new scouts who understand the new NHL. I don’t see too many positives right now with this roster. I think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. I got that line from Mike Babcock when he first came to Toronto.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:37 pm
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    The season is essentially lost — again. This early. The ONLY semblance of a chance to go on ridiculous hot streak is to relieve the coach of his duties. By doing that — for the betterment of the organization, i e his employer — the general manager would be admitting he made the wrong choice (by a landslide) in hiring him in the first place. Not to mention the manner in which it went down which was wholly unfair to the new coach who didn’t, doesn’t and never will have a clue how to coach an NHL team in all facets/aspects.

    Where are the days where I used to post and complain about Bollig’s ice time or even dressing for games? Those were good problems to post about. Speaking of one of Q’s past pets, how is it Florida is playing pretty well (w terrible goaltending to boot) w a roster that is certainly no better than and compared to the Hawks from 1 thru 18.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:38 pm
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    Wraparound. Totally agree. Saad had scored and hit the cross bar, then Toews goes for a $10.5 Million tilt a whirl and wipes out, the play goes the other way. He was completely untouched. Just Brutal.

    The boat is leaking and Toews is driving.

    One more thing : maybe the Hipster Coach could show a bit more emotion. Everything in Hawkland does not appear to be “chill”, except for him.

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:43 pm
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    Ian – great point re Nylander. He scored two goals in one game a while back, other than that mush. Maybe he will become a good player, I don’t know, but what we do know is for now he belongs in Rockford.

    Also, what is the Hawks record when Koekoek plays? How does the coach put the fire drill pairing of him and Gustafson out together (again)?

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:44 pm
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    Personally I don’t think the roster is this inept although they’re certainly playing like it

    Give Marc Crawford the rest of the year – maybe you have to fire Stan with JC to do it but something needs to happen

    JC made a point in his presser about how a FW didn’t come off at the end of the PP near the start of the 2nd so they could get 2 D men on and then Donskoi scored immediately after the PP ended

    That’s a good point however IMO that’s the coach’s job to get the team to attend to those small but necessary details

    Instead he throws it on the players – he doesn’t take it on as something he should be better at having his team do

    If I can see that you know the players can too

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:47 pm
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    To Craig’s point re the stoic coach, I don’t know if chelios can coach, but he was a hall of fame player and would certainly command the players attention — at least for awhile. And he has emotions, the guy player hard and dirty at times as well, and he would give the refs a mouthful. He would lose his perennial tan, but so what?

  • November 30, 2019 at 11:47 pm
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    The performance the last two games was pathetic. They don’t have what it takes from a drive perspective to be competitive with the top half of the league. There is no heart to this team. I don’t know x’s and o’ s like many on this board, but I know haphazard play when I see it. I had hopes they’d be better than last year, but that’s well out the window now. Does anyone see anything short of blowing this up completely as a remedy?

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:10 am
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    This is what happens,when you become general manager because you know someone

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:40 am
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    I got it! We wait and see what Ross does with the Cubs. Let JC finish the season. If Ross does good with the Cubs we hire Hossa as head coach.

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:43 am
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    In order to do this properly you have to first dismiss the teams current Marketing Director who is at present time impersonating the President of the Team-McDonagh.The new President hires his own General Manager who very quickly will bring in the wrecking ball hiring his own coach who will bring in his trusted coaches.The new regime will then take a flame thrower to the Scouting Department and Minor League/Developmental staffs.All of the new staffs will develop players with discipline and structure who play hard and have an edge.Accountability will be the norm and the likeable pandering soft players will be a distant memory.It is a tremendous undertaking but can be implemented rather quickly at the NHL Level.Got to break some yokes to make that omelet.

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:12 am
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    Myself and my 2 sons went to Friday’s game. It had been 4 years since we had last attended . They are young men on their own and opportunities are scarce to make the trip together these days. 3 tickets, parking and gas to cover the 300 miles came to just under $400.
    Bad game, bad effort, and horribly bad uniforms. Most of the roster is just indistinguishable. I wasn’t prepared for how bad it looked in person. We
    drove home without a consensus on plans to return, only that it wouldn’t be real soon. I will root like hell for them, but with my wallet heavier rather than lighter.
    I wonder if #99 might refer to us as being Mickey Mouse like ? The franchise is not
    looking like a model for success…. and they seem oddly content .

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:20 am
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    The hipster coach with skinny jeans needs to go!

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:26 am
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    Well, everyone is blaming the coach. He was Wonderboy in early March last year, when the players were playing, a team of considerably less talent. Now he sucks because a more talented bunch of players threw a hissy fit over having to work harder on defense and demanded to be allowed to play a more open style of hockey. The players won – the tail got to wag the dog. It went well until the emotion wore off. Now that the coach has ceded power to the players, it’s the coach’s fault again for the lousy play of the players, those same players who demanded the system change to what they wanted.

    There are two consistencies here: The coach isn’t in control, and the players are more prone to suck and whine than to play hard. It starts with the core leadership.

    My suggestion – fire the coach (yes, I am in that camp), but also fire the core of this team. Move em and piss off the fans of Chicago because they are gonna be pissed anyway. This core is done. They got fat and happy and don’t want to put in the effort to win again. They whine harder than they play, on the ice and off. True character is being shown. Shut the hell up and play the game as hard as you can. EVERY NIGHT.

    Seriously: You might get a first for Toews, probably more than that for Kane (buyer beware), Keith you get maybe a 2nd, and Seabrook costs you a real player to move.

    Who are the scoring leaders on the team?
    Kane 14 goals
    Saad 8
    Kubalik 6

    Yes, Dcat and Strome have more total points. They also have a ton more ice time, power play time, and more quality time with higher caliber weapons. Those goal stats don’t add up. Saad and Kubalik can’t be 2 and 3 on this team with their limited amount of playing time.

    Why do I fire JC? The tail never gets to wag the dog. Take control or be controlled. 2 and 56 being your ice time leaders every game for the defense is suicidal – mission accomplished. 56 leading tonight is an absolute joke to see. You are done here. He cannot possibly win this team back now. Anything positive goes to the players (ask anyone on this board), but all the negatives are now his to own.

    No way Lehner stays. Not a chance. He gets you more than Toews, in my opinion. But he also appears to be a loose cannon. He is more intense than the entire group of core players.

    And for those always bitching about officiating, the NO CALL on Dcat’s trip of an Avs player at center ice during the power play late in the game allowed the DOG penalty that HAD to be called moments later, and subsequently Kane’s goal to keep his point streak alive. I know – that’s the first call that has gone for us in 4 years.

    My expectation – No firings in the near term. The draft pick improves for quite a while under the current circumstances. But I expect BIG changes come the trade deadline. It’s gonna take some balls to fix this mess, a mess made by really bad decisions in the past 6 years to try to win Cups we simply didn’t have a chance to win. We played the WIN NOW game, and this is what you get for that effort.

  • December 1, 2019 at 3:14 am
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    Bowman- get an auctioneer! A bag of pucks for Gus and the coach, but get whatever you can for the rest. Geez gonna be a long winter watching figure skating and curling.

  • December 1, 2019 at 4:37 am
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    It’s on Rocky now – he has to dump SB and JC – but that probably won’t happen since UC still sells out. Why did they bring in an amateur head coach and a has-been assistant coach?

  • December 1, 2019 at 6:43 am
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    “No speed, no grit, not tough on the puck and brutal giveaways “…aha! THIS is Colliton’s system! Why send Highmore down?? And let me guess what Lehner ‘might’ have said to JT- “ if I was captain of THIS team, I’d be holding daily closed door meetings with the team AND I’d have the courage to call up Wirtz to tell him how his hockey mnmt phkd up this team and what needs to be done to change it”!
    Lehner WON’T resign- he’s smarter than that and can read the tea leaves. Until mnmt changes and a REAL NHL coach is in place, Hawks are going nowhere. Sad time to be a fan!

  • December 1, 2019 at 7:24 am
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    RD wish your experience was better-that’s a lot of money for a second rate experience.
    Iceman watched both Nylanders last night. The main difference is the ability to skate. They both have a similar style but W. is much more explosive with his stride. They both loop and coast at times, both look disinterested until they are and have skill with the puck. Alex may have even less urgency that Willy, which is saying something. Oh yah, the Toronto Nylander plays with Matthews so he knows he is one pass away from a point.
    Stop the marketing and let’s focus on what and where this team is going!

    From Silent Spot-amen
    It’s gonna take some balls to fix this mess, a mess made by really bad decisions in the past 6 years to try to win Cups we simply didn’t have a chance to win

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:27 am
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    On the back half of a home and home you would expect a little more emotion from a team. That’s the beauty of a home and home series, at least it used to. Except for D-Cat, Shaw, DeHann , sure was a lot of coasting out there. Not just for dropping the gloves but skating hard. Avs obviously a more talented group, but they played hard ALL GAME. That strong forecheck was still evident when they were up five goals. Never took the foot off the gas, gotta love that. That’s coaching and believing in a system.

    Every team has a klinker now and then but they should have been ready for this game.

    Rocky and McD have to be watching this shit right? Unless they were sitting next to the Reinsdorf’s watching the Bulls and that mess. Same same!!

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:44 am
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    SS.
    Spot on my brutha…
    Toews musta got a concussion early in the game..
    Brutal ice capades show…

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:45 am
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    Didnt see both games, but from what everyone says and seeing 5-2 when we outshot them by a lot and dint give a lot shots againt, and this 7-3. That pretty bad.

    We could respond a play good after the 5-2 score, didnt. I wasnt Ever thinking that the very next game we needed to or else. I go with these 6 games agasint top teams, if were 3-3, now more like 2-3-1 then thats fine. If were 1-4-1 or worse after thse 6 games then yea we suck, for how good of roster we have.

    Like these two posts here below say, were too good to get a top 10 pick, we would be 10-15 and that sucks monkey.

    So make changes now Wirtz or tank so we can get another top 5 draft players, which would be 3 and that is best thing for reloading, not selling every player we have.

    MS
    November 30, 2019 at 10:16 pm
    I saw the Chicago feed yesterday and they showed Rocky Wirtz at the game (not sure if he is at all games). That had to be embarrassing to watch and tonight makes that look like a nail biter. If this crap doesn’t result in some major changes then I’m not sure what will.

    TAB BAMFORD
    November 30, 2019 at 11:09 pm
    The Hawks are in no way bad enough to be in the running for the #1 pick. They’ll be back in the 8-14 range again this year because the bottom of the league is so awful.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:47 am
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    Sorry I couldn’t put a positive spin on this weekends debacle – I tend to prefer reality to a fantasy “One Goal” world. Do you still think we are a playoff team? Without the goaltending we have gotten we are possibly the second worst team in the league behind the Wings. That would give us a real chance at the top pick. Now maybe we somehow improve a bit but not the way we are playing. Other than the Wings, the other bad teams are playing hard and competitive most nights. We have been blown out so many times I have lost count. The fact that really floors me is that our bottom 6 are fine, it’s the top 6 that can’t compete against good teams. We are getting a terrible return on our investment in the core so somehow this has to change otherwise the badly needed coaching change will just be rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship. Now that I got that off my chest I will try to be more positive! Go Hawks!

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:49 am
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    MS, think he does most games, not sure this yr, same seat right in the stands not in the pre madonna boxs.

    Wonder if the people told him theres going to be a few yrs like this, in order to get good again. So hes just waiting for that or does he say its been a few yrs already now and were not close to the 3 top 3 teams of coming yrs and thats were we want to be not just top 10 in a yr or two.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:55 am
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    Also I sure hope we let Dach play in the WJC where he can have a positive experience. I really like him and believe he is going to be an excellent player but he is not physically ready to center a top line at 18. Let him keep playing with Smith and Carpenter.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:55 am
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    I am not freaking out over these two games but I agree and think its time. Not to tradeeveryone but to make the moves with everyone other then the players.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:58 am
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    Tough decisions needed. This roster should be more competitive; these wild inconsistencies point toward lack of leadership on this team. A brutally slow start from Toews looks more like his new permanent level of play, making his cap-hit all the more heavy.

    In general, this is on the players not competing consistently, not being skilled enough, not playing team hockey, etc, etc. However, JC just isn’t THE guy to pull out of this nose-dive. Maybe someday, but this year may be past salvageable.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:59 am
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    C’mon guys….

    It was the altitude….

    Yeah… yeah the altitude…

    Oh no! #19 has become like #87 in a bad way….

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:06 am
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    Good for Lehner to emotion, funny how the Captiqn just stands there showing nothing.
    Love the figure skating show Toewes has been putting on, for as strong as Saad is suppose to be he is easily taken off the puck.
    Out Skated
    Out Played
    Definitely Out Coached
    St. Louis next then Boston, the ship is sinking fast

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:08 am
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    I wasnt saying anything agasint Q and Babcock other day. Just that they are the two best coachs and do not seem to work right now in this league.

    I have always love Q and Bowman and everyone here for the past 10 yrs, 2008. Have nothing agasint these coaches now but when its time its time.

    Nows the time, not game 40 82 summer, now to get the moves made by Wirtz. Then the new guys can make the moves with the players and that will take in season trades deadline moves – smart ones, draft summer. Just to get roster adjustment to the new sysytem and plan the organization wants because this is not working.

    Its all about the system, look at BOS STL, it was a good system that made them good. We have the high end draft players coming, same amount of them like BOS got when they sucked for 2 yrs.

    We did get deep in 2 yrs, but the system and higher ups arnt good.

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:11 am
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    Its time.

    I know we can do good and get close again to playoffs like last yr 2nd 40 games but we want to win not just be a red wings team for the next 15 yrs.

    Make the moves Wirtz to get a good system and different way of attack. It made the difference for BOS and STL, it can for us.

    We got the goalies like BOS and STL have, we need the system and plan of attack to go along with it.

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:13 am
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    I am as optomistic, because it feels better when we win being that way, as anyone but its time to do this. I cant take it anymore. I see Kentucky basketball load up for this yr and next yr and Penn State football loaded for next two yrs. Those teams have there rosters Loaded.

    Thats what we need to do and it starts with everyone other then the players first.

    Would help in keeping Lehner to make these moves now Wirtz.

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:30 am
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    As I read through the posts, I post on them.

    This here says it all and is the Way.

    TIM
    December 1, 2019 at 12:43 am
    In order to do this properly you have to first dismiss the teams current Marketing Director who is at present time impersonating the President of the Team-McDonagh.The new President hires his own General Manager who very quickly will bring in the wrecking ball hiring his own coach who will bring in his trusted coaches.The new regime will then take a flame thrower to the Scouting Department and Minor League/Developmental staffs.All of the new staffs will develop players with discipline and structure who play hard and have an edge.Accountability will be the norm and the likeable pandering soft players will be a distant memory.It is a tremendous undertaking but can be implemented rather quickly at the NHL Level.Got to break some yokes to make that omelet.

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:33 am
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    Over the yrs, everybody here that posts has been right on things and has been wrong on things. I have learned a lot of things here thats made hockey better for me and so I know what I am talking about when I am in public places, more then I would have on my own.

    Tim, your a dang good poster. To the point and with class.

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:49 am
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    SS agree with your post but there were a few warnings at the time, last seasons success probably was more the schedule than coaching. That was anticpated before Qs firing. I tried to give this guy the benefit of the doubt, but Coolliton’s seeming inability to do anything to motivate this team, other than stand there with a it’s not my fault, it’s their fault attitude just shows his lack of maturity and leadership needed to coach at this level. Maybe someday but now isn’t his time.
    Agree no time like the present to start on the road to turning this around and current management team probably not prepared to do that.

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:56 am
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    Again to me it seems an obvious futile,
    failed attempt to make Nylander a top 6 forward and refusal to give in on that point and give a Kubalik a fair chance, says all you need to know about what changes this management/coaching team is willing to do to make the right moves to turn this around.

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:05 am
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    I forget who it was, Jordy?, that said long ago. Where the Fing plan.

    That was right. This one didnt work. GET ANOTHER!

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:23 am
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    Not taht were going to do good, looking at sch.

    these 6 games agsint top5 teams
    DAL DAL COL COL STL BOS

    then 5 of 6 average teams (ari has done good and veg is good but not record for them)
    NWJ ARI VEG ARI STL MIN

    then a bunch, 4of 5, agasint top teams again
    COL WIN COL NWJ ISL

    then 5 average teams again
    CLB CAL VAN DET CAL

    Be interesting if we go 10-10 again, or if we ‘play’ and put up a 12-7 spot.

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:24 am
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    Still no matter what. Time to make the moves Wirtz.

    The best thing for the Blackhawks was you taking over.

    Keep that going.

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:30 am
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    You are correct Mo, I have said that repeatedly. We have no blueprint, no identity, no clear direction, no cohesion. What we have is a collection of guys that fill positions. A bunch of parts with no synergy.

    I think that is clearly reflected in that most our successes comes either in track meets (hot sticks) or when the goalies stand on their heads. Neither of these are sustainable.

    Stan has put together the wrong group and JC can’t get them to play as effective units. As someone posted above, it’s on Rocky now but I would argue it always has been.

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:50 am
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    Almost everyone here wants to place the blame on Colliton and/or Bowman. I tend to agree with Lehner – “It’s just time to look ourselves in the mirror and just do the right thing is what it’s all about,” Lehner told reporters. “It’s on us as players to do the right things.”

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:51 am
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    The roster we have right now likely isn’t as bad as the play on the ice (some of it is coaching) but it’s not very good either. To me it has the same feeling as the late 90’s when the Lanch and Wings were raising the bar on speed and skill and we were stuck in cement with a bunch of pluggers watching them blow by us.

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:53 am
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    It’s time to pick a different argument than the system is the problem. The players are playing the system they want. So stop with that nonsense. They wanted it. They got it. Now play your run-and-gun system. But do it every shift and quit looking like grade school age kids with all the freakin whining. On the ice and off.

    This coach isn’t ready to be at the NHL level – very obvious. But this core isn’t ready to be PROFESSIONAL either.

    The coach doesn’t matter right now, and won’t, until the players give a damn every time they get on the ice.

    Honestly, the only piece of the core I respect at this point is Seabrook, the guy with the least to offer. At least he is trying to play hard, but father time has caught up to him. Sad to watch. Start thinking about your family Brent.

  • December 1, 2019 at 10:56 am
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    MS that was the first game in a bit where I thought Dach looked lost and overwhelmed. He gets hit 2 to 3 times a game where he gets either pan-caked or close to it. If things go really side ways, if they haven’t already, playing in that environment at 18 will be tough.

  • December 1, 2019 at 11:07 am
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    Hawks will be selling big.time.come February, and if Lehner was smart, he would be asking for a trade about now. This team is going nowhere, lack of leadership among the veterans shows this is A gutless team. Can’t blame these 2 loses on the bottom six or bottom D pairs, everyone just plain stunk up the ice, bit also put your so called team leaders ontop of that list. And sorry but Dach is not ready for the NHL just yet….goodness he is a lost baby deer out there looking for his momma. Should have been sent back to Juniors. This team just plain stinks, the coaches stink….it all stinks right now. Just wait til Monday night when the cup champs roll into town….yikes !

  • December 1, 2019 at 11:27 am
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    Weeks back I said that 18 year-old Dach would develop better if he were sent back to WHL and received a lot of flak for this. He needs to gain weight and strength to be successul in the NHL. I thought that because the offense was short (make that very deficient) of talent that they gambled by keeping him up here. I think he was a good pick and hope they don’t ruin him. He is the most important player in the rebuild.

  • December 1, 2019 at 11:47 am
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    I was for sending Dach back as well. He did not earn a spot on the roster (he was hurt most of camp and he doesn’t get much ice so how could he). Keeping him in Chicago felt like a marketing move to me.

    Nylander did not earn a spot either, yet he was gifted one. The price for that was giving away our best RH defender. How’s that working?

  • December 1, 2019 at 11:53 am
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    Morrison, I love your passion! I do disagree that there isn’t room for Coach Q in this league. Florida is currently 13-8-5, with a high priced goaltender that’s just been benched with an 0.881 save percentage (Bobrovsky). I don’t think they have the talent overall that Chicago does.

    Toews – I’m not as down on him as some. I see him playing hard, but having to do a lot by himself (I’ll concede something didn’t seem right with him last night). I’m at every home game and watch every away game. He went from a career high in points last season, to struggling this season. But, he’s also lined up with Nylander and Saad. Toews looked screwy last night, but he’s also fighting a lot of solo battles with no one else around to help him out. Age? Maybe. He’s played a hell of a lot of hockey these past several years with deep playoff runs going up against physical guys night in and night out. Not throwing the towel in on the guy yet. The game is changing, clearly, across the league. Maybe I come across as an apologist but I think he deserves some slack.

    I don’t think Colliton is the guy for this team or any team. I think the whole bunch is in disarray. I’ve called the team out on this board for a lack of passion and I still do now, in terms of consistency. Can’t figure that one out. I can speculate (and who the hell knows if my speculation is even close) that the team and Colliton are not on the same page, every, and there is just mental disarray in the organization.

    I don’t think tomorrow’s game against St. Louis will be pretty. That said, if the team gets on track a little bit they’re easily within reach of being in playoff contention. They’re 5 points out now with as horrible as they’ve played. The tone of this board can change quickly.

    Go Blackhawks!!!!

  • December 1, 2019 at 11:55 am
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    After we played like shit, people thought we would get hammered on the road and we went like 2-1-1 or something, the road trip that started in LA. Now we get hammered again after playing good for two games, DAL. Watch us play good in the STL BOS games.

    Still doesnt matter, need to do it now Wirtz. Do not wait until deadline. Let the new crew make the moves at deadline. Then have the draft to draft the style of players, the plan, is going to be going forward.

  • December 1, 2019 at 11:57 am
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    Even if the coach isint to blame and the players are how ever much. This whole thing needs to be reset. Since 2017. Hammer and Hoss.

    We have the building foundation with 12, Horsemen (I do not care give a if there are 3 4 or 5 of them), Dach to start with for young wave. Add to that.

    Keep the style players were going for. To me thats 44 5 22 40 65 those kind of players. I would keep 19 88.

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:00 pm
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    I wholeheartedly agree with the last few posts regarding Kirby Dach.He is not close to being ready for this level.More than physically he just is not there mentally.Putting him out there against quality teams is going to destroy him.I just dont sense an edge to him.The Hawks do not have the players on ice to protect him.And yes,it was a marketing thing.If you listen to the coaches there is never an honest evaluation of him and the television broadcasts continually celebrate every move he makes on the ice.Feel bad for him.This is no way to develop top tier talent.

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:04 pm
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    Maybe we have had it wrong all along? ONE GOAL is NOT what we try to score each night but rather its to get the FIRST DRAFT PICK every year?!
    Can’t put my finger on the ONE thing that needs to change but clearly the players AREN’T playing. We are at risk of wearing out the runway between Rockford and Chicago without a methodical, calculated talent assessment. IF there really is no-one with the Ice Hogs playing full time in the NHL then lets not be trying to repeat our failures. Go after the TAYLOR HALL’S and get those guys out of college ASAP if they can play at the NHL level. Rocky, listen up! Get Toews some medical help if he needs it and please deal with JC and SB…they ARE the problem. Great management gets great results- because they will get the BEST talent available, rather than trying to pretend there is a plan to rebuild?!

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:07 pm
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    Thats the thing in terms of playoffs, a few teams way ahead and everybody else is somewhat close.

    Still need Wirtz to make it happen.

    I love Q and think him and Babcock are the two best? coachs still. Just not how there systems are goof ro new NHL though. TOR had a top 5 roster and Bobcocks system didnt good enough, same with TAM? system they had the best roster since Blackhawks dynasty of 9 yrs 09-15/17.

    I would like those guys now.

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:08 pm
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    Timing happens in sports over the decades that make a differnce and things happened that wouldnt have otherwise.

    Hoss being able to retire all of the sudden, when is that again?
    Babcock being available of all times?

    very interesting.

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:12 pm
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    Sorry Big Indian,I know my views on Toews are very clear from previous posts.His numbers have been in decline for a long time.Even last years numbers are pedestrian for a top tier center who is your top paid forward.Since his concussion problems he has never been the same.He does not go to the high slot or make the rushes that he used to.In short he is no longer a closer.The eye test alone will tell even the casual observer that he is outclassed and out talented by his piers at that position.On the ice his constant whining on every call is tedious.Unfortunately the team is stuck with him.Trading of those top tier contracts are near impossible.And this regime does not have it in them to move him.

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:47 pm
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    I was for Dach staying because i felt and still do he is one of their 12 best forwards, but agree he is not a bad marketing tool either. Hard to argue the point he looks like a boy who shouldn’t be playing with men at times. Find out this month if they send him back before his 40 game window for earning ufa year as they did with Joki last season. If things continue going really south this month as they could, if they continue with subpar play, he may end up back in juniors yet.

    Big Indian agree there is more effort in Toews play than he gets credit for, but agree with Tim too that his ability to be a game changer doesn’t seem to be what it once was. Maybe as you say lack of commitment from linemates is a factor.

  • December 1, 2019 at 12:52 pm
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    Roster all on Bowman.
    Coach all on Bowman.
    Trades all on Bowman.
    Drafting all on Bowman.
    Kelley all on Bowman.
    Gauthier all on Bowman.

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:22 pm
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    Toews plays on the power play with supposidly Chicago’s best offensive players.
    How about Toews is not the player he once was and quit using linemates as an excuse for his lack of production.
    Veteran players get worse as the get older not better.
    With the aging core can we really expect the hawks to get better before they get worse….Think about it.

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:30 pm
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    I wanted Dach to stay if he was ready enough. He was. I am though for whats better for his development.

    I wasnt going to go by the first 10 games, only. Wanted to see games 10-20 and we did play good those 10 overall. Not going by only these two games, we did play good two games, DAL. So, though, as more time goes on it just doesnt feel right. Like stuff Jordy has been saying.

    I am more optomisitc then most, but I am thinking, its time. Time for Wirtz to make the move so we can win another Cup. In the new NHL style way.

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:32 pm
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    There was a shot of Toews on the bench last night and he looked like he was 1000 miles away. Sure looks like him and a few others have tuned this coaching staff out. They will get booed out of the UC with play like this and rightly so.

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:39 pm
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    Stape, I do because of having a full roster and then quality deep roster. Core players on there own when hitting age levels no. Thats where I think 19 88 can contribute even when 40 just not carry or be at 6.3 or 10.5 richter scales. I would glad to keep 19 88 at reasonable caphits for 3 yrs lengths types. 5m caphits, 2m for Crow.

    Lehner might stay if Wirtz get his job done and makes the moves now to deadline.

    Do it. Do it.

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:41 pm
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    Earl, thats what I see when we do not ‘play’ the guys just do not like this system. I know its the players, how ever much. But like Ian says you have to have players that buy into system and it be a good system like BOS has. Thats a Blachawks system coach BOS has.

    Can we take that coach at expansion draft steals auction.

  • December 1, 2019 at 1:54 pm
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    Stape maybe all the hockey the last decade and what Toews gave of himself for this team and the fans have taken a toll. He still though is only 31 not 40. Look at Hossa how at 37 or 38 still played at high level while the washed up comments the last few years were thrown around. Bergeron is 37 and never had an offensive game until he was in his 30s. No reason he can’t have a few productive years left even if the toll of bringing back 3 cups has taken some of his game from a decade ago away. Thats why i said about move to wing, wasn’t my idea but have heard Edso and number of reputable hockey minds suggest it would be the best move for him. But need a replacement (Dach) hopefully in middle first.

  • December 1, 2019 at 2:43 pm
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    The bummer about this team is that the mess of the past few years has doomed us to hockey purgatory for (my guess) the next decade. Too many problems to fix and not enough high end talent for a speedier transition. Even if we make moves right now by firing the coach and shaking up the front office like a snow globe (both of which I highly advocate) it still won’t be enough to fix the mistakes of this regime. That, and the fact that Toews and Kane will both be irrelevant in five years or less. Keith and Seabrook are already there. Be prepared to become what Colorado and Arizona used to be, for many years. I suggest that most of you find other things to do besides post on Blackhawk boards because you’re only going to depress the shit out of each other. Cheers!

  • December 1, 2019 at 3:05 pm
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    While were all venting a bit here and placing the responsibility where it belongs,we can not forget lovable Rocky Wirtz himself.He did what was required to save this organization from his fathers senility and ineptitude.Those moves were years overdo but he did them.Unfortunately he too became complacent and placed the organization on autopilot.In retrospect the McDonough placement as President of Hockey Operations was a bad move.By his own admission he knew and knows nothing about NHL Hockey.He is a Marketing guy who sells tickets and brings in new fans that are there for the show and not quality hockey.Marketing Director or Vice President at most should have been his title and job.Rocky,s loyalty to the Bowman Family will also be viewed negatively when it is all said and done.The Bowman,s arrogance and egos have set the Hawks back years.Even Rocky,s loyalty to the television broadcast crew is holding things back.You got to let the past go.

  • December 1, 2019 at 3:25 pm
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    Blah! They are who we thought they were. The distance between this team and the top of the league is vast. game/set/match

  • December 1, 2019 at 3:28 pm
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    On the bright side we have found our enforcer in Dcat! Seriously, that guy was quite impressive in pounding Girard. Wish more players cared as much as he does.

  • December 1, 2019 at 3:38 pm
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    Tony’s right about how negative this could get. Many things I’m not sure of but the one thing that I’m clear about-this isn’t a really good team-it won’t get quickly better and Bowman had his time. Please Chicago, do it right and find the right guy to lead this organization at GM.
    There is a start and end to everything.

    Toews isn’t the problem and he will never earn his $10.5. Those days are gone.
    He earned it mostly when he wasn’t getting it. But that’s a done deal and part of the equation. I love Kane’s play, a true gifted star, but is he the bigger albatross to this team moving in the correct direction?
    (Focus on the young core and get it right!)

  • December 1, 2019 at 4:07 pm
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    I have said many times that Bowman has no plan. Why is Nylander still up with the NHL club. IMO he is only there to show fans he made a good trade. More importantly the hawks are right up against the cap which will further hinder the rebuild. With Stan nothing is going to get turned around.

  • December 1, 2019 at 4:10 pm
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    C’mon Tony have a little faith, your sounding like a Pens fan when Hawks were winning their 3rd cup. Look at the difference a coach made to the core guys there. Same things were being said about them by their fans, a good retool not one that seems to change every few months, That is a big mistake on Bowman for sure, that would give the players a process they can believe in and good things can still happen.

  • December 1, 2019 at 4:25 pm
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    Ian Hossa stats really didn’t get better after he turned 30.
    Toews has had a ton of hard miles for sure. He has to play in the hard areas to be affective and guess what weather it’s wear and tear or not willing to pay the price or whatever Toews is simply not the player he once was. ( father time )
    Toews has won three cups, has had all the fame and fortune that he could have ever imagined.
    I’m thinking Toews and Corey Perry could be following each other in their after 30 careers.
    Some players are just not going to age as well as other players as they get older.

  • December 1, 2019 at 4:56 pm
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    @Stape and Ian – it could very well be that the hard miles on Toews are showing especially the concussions

    Considering the concussions it may also be that he sees (or even has been advised by doctors) that a compromised future for himself lies ahead if he sustains more concussions and thus doesn’t go fearlessly where others fear to go – that was his trademark

    Remember him cutting to the high slot and getting absolutely destroyed by Boychuk in the 2013 Cup final – he doesn’t do that anymore

    The problem for Toews is that fearlessness in part made him the HOF player he eventually will be but take that away from him and he’s not nearly so dynamic

    It would be great if he could age like Bergeron and maybe he will but right now he’s a shadow of his former self

  • December 1, 2019 at 5:01 pm
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    BTW I expect them to beat the Blues on Monday for a few reasons

    1) playing good following bad games is the pattern they’re established – they just can’t play consistently well

    2) enough of them still hate STL

    3) STL is not slow but they’re not the speed demons that COL is or TB and CAR – the recent teams the Hawks have struggled mightily against

    If they do manage to beat the Blues it won’t change anything – they will still be not good enough but there will be false optimism in the air as a result

  • December 1, 2019 at 5:05 pm
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    EVen if 19 looks worse then he was when he was 20-30, I think hes still going to be good enough of a player to keep. Same with 88. Everybody else? sure other then young core.

    If we were as bad as the red wings, had 19 88 go to europe and had no, none, good draft players to build a young core with. Yea, I could see and feel like 10 yrs.

    Were not anywhere near that.

  • December 1, 2019 at 5:10 pm
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    I tihnk, right now, 19 88 can still be part of the young wave core (12 horsemen 77).

    `19 88 need to do decent caphits and for less yrs like 3 or less, at a time.

    No matter how bad things are or get, I do believe taht.

    I am not giving up or quiting on us being a top 5 team again in a few yrs (young wave starts established and on).

    Balckahwks are not done yet. Thats what the devil wants people to think feel. Like terrorism. Have faith in Wirtz because he needs to save the Hawks again. Hes the on ly person who can do it.

    Like that guy just said please get us a GM and crew and good coach and system so we can be good this next decade, s tarting in a couple yrs (young wave estsabished).

  • December 1, 2019 at 5:21 pm
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    Wrap, thought same thing. We played good two games DAL DAL not good COL COL so not saying good for two now. Just that we could play good like the DAL two games and others agaisnt top teams we did 2nd time on NAS VEG other. We do play good just not every game (there are some that are sch fault)(not blaming that, but there are some due to that).

    Thats why I was saying 3-3 (or 2-3-1) agasin top 5 teams 6 games in a row isint a bad thing for us right now. Were not top 5 or so and these teams are. So going 3-3 or 2-3-1 would be good. Then win a lot when were playing average and shit teams. We are just really inconsistant, sch be part of that and not part of that. Inconsistant.

    We need to do what Tim said and Wirtz needs to do it.

    Now is the time, because I will get extremely pissed if we have to wait 10 yrs to be good again.

  • December 1, 2019 at 5:40 pm
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    I hear you, Ian, and I hope we can find someone to reverse this mediocrity, but I just don’t see it. Is Rocky really going to blow this whole thing up at the quarter pole of the season? Will Bowman and JC be gone? Those are huge questions, huge decisions for an organization as storied as ours. Yes, we have some pieces that are promising, but time is not on our side if you consider that we will lose Toews and Kane in the not too distant future. I’m glad I’m just a blowhard fan and not a hockey GM.

  • December 1, 2019 at 5:41 pm
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    If nothing else it could be fun to watch tomorrow night if Colliton puts Mc Coshen in the lineup.He just knocked out the Blues top prospect last week with a heavy mid ice hit.It was clean but the Blues and Coach Berube believe in an old school code that demands a Blues on ice response.Also on the interesting side of things it looks like Assistant Coach Crawford is being brought into the past verbal and physical abuse of players.Seems as though he likes to kick players in the back.

  • December 1, 2019 at 6:06 pm
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    I’d rather see what McCoshen has tomorrow night than what we already know KK has

  • December 1, 2019 at 6:30 pm
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    What team ahl was it that knocked out 77, in sissy pre season red wing fashion, MIN?

  • December 1, 2019 at 7:37 pm
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    Morrison-yes

    Speaking of which. Minn won today putting Chi 3pt deficit last in the division.

    1/3rd of the ssn is done.

    Im calling it.

    If Stl beats Chi soundly (and they most likely will) Mcdonough will clean house.

    I honestly dont even see them lasting the month if I am wrong on this prediction.

    Im fed up and Im betting Wirtz and Mcd are too.

    The faster the full rebuild gets started the better.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:06 pm
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    Wrap you might be correct about concussions affecting Toews.
    I get tired of hearing the linemates excuse.
    After all that’s the reason Saad was brought back was it not?

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:31 pm
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    Thinking it had more to do with 72 15 88 was prob best line in league, in regular season style play. Playoffs style play it wasnt and we werent as a team.

    So we wanted to get back to having a Hammer and a Saader playoff style players again and not the, good looking 72 15 88 kind of thing.

    Porb with that is Saader got screwed up from his time in CLB and wasnt the same Saader when he came back. Think first 10 games last yr. Then he was ok later in season and this season was one of few who ‘played’ and looked good first 10 games. Still doesnt score like he should. Should be a fricken 40 goal two way machine.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:34 pm
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    I am one of those optomistic people there is and its time.

    I want to keep 19 88 and trade everybody else who is not young wave.

    Guys like 50 40 others ufa guys can come back and we can get a free 1st round pick that way.

    That would be good for us and then Crow can come back anyways.

    We do this now and caphit wont matter for a couple yrs, because we wont be at the cap then. Just keep every contract to 5 or less yrs. So young wavers can get higher caphits when they are up for that. And we can keep everyone then.

    Lets go Wirtz!

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:39 pm
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    Kane laid a beautiful saucer pass to Nylander on the 2-man advantage last night. Nylander shanked it. But truly he has to bury that if he wants to play in the NHL.
    He’s on the NHL roster because Stan wants to shoe horn this trade into working.
    He has scored two meaningful goals in the first one-third of the season : the first goal of the season against Philadelphia and the strip and score against McDavid.
    He will be totally overwhelmed and overmatched against St. Louis tomorrow.

    Play McCoshen tomorrow and the next 5 games after that. We need to see if he can play at the NHL level. His ceiling has to be higher that Koekkoek, defensively.

    Stan needs to field every and all calls about Erik Gustafson. Montreal has a boat load of picks. See if we can acquire two of them. It’s a sellers market. So let’s SELL.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:43 pm
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    Wrap you maybe right but sounds alot like the conversation around Crosby 5 or 6 years ago. Saying concussions were a serious threat to his health. His current sports hernia not withstanding, 2 ups later he seems fine.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:49 pm
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    Yes. And guys like Crow can come back as ufa anyways. So get as mant 1sts as we can. Not sure if 3-7 round picks to anything. So combine players to get a 1st or 2nd.

    Saader a ufa? to theres another one.

    We have player like when we had 57 to get a bucnh of picks and still keep who were keeping long term anyways.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:51 pm
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    I got faith in Tazer. Kaner has the body to go to 40. Everybody else everywhere in organization.

  • December 1, 2019 at 8:59 pm
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    You think Wirtz will wait until after the holidays to make the moves.

  • December 1, 2019 at 9:12 pm
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    Morrison. A loss to St. Louis will bring us to the 1/3rd mark of the season.
    10 wins out of 27 starts. Reality.

    Complete rebuild a must. I sense Gustafson will be first to go before an auction starts.

  • December 2, 2019 at 12:13 am
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    Craig was looking at Montreal picks too, Price struggling, want a capable backup, if Lehner does get moved might be a spot there. May not end up with a lottery pick but Asparov called best goalie since Price in the draft might be available around 10th, and add another 1st rounder for Lehner.
    With Price locked up long term, Lehner likely walks next summer and could be brought back too if both sides were willing.

  • December 2, 2019 at 12:25 am
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    Well I agree but look at it as 1 game under .500 and there are good teams top 10 teams only +2 over .500 NAS VEG but we have problems and need to reload, in a stacked way. Not lets just make the playoffs.

    I think its time and yuo know how I am usually.

  • December 2, 2019 at 12:30 am
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    Craig, I know what your saying. The way I look need to be 10 or more over .500 to make playoffs. Lots of teams go 20-20 in 1st half or 2nd half, some start 30-10 and end up 50-30.

    I know what you mean. To me its more then record, its the thing Jordy has said for awhile about not having identity and things like that, That is big.

    To me, there just isint any vibe. You have to have that, but you have to have a good base first and we do not. BOS does because they sucked for 2 yrs to before getting a good system.

  • December 2, 2019 at 12:31 am
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    Guys can come back as ufa and we can get 1st or 2nd for a bunch of guys, being a sellors market. Thats good timing for us and expansion auction could be good to.

  • December 2, 2019 at 12:36 am
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    I would reload rebuild, keeping 19 18 12 young wave. We have several players playoffs teams would want for depth and good players that get us 1sts, in a sellers market.

    Have some guys come back hey are ufas anyways. It works.

    Might wait until deadline to do trades because some of our guys could redeem themselves and get better return. So we get the return that would be fair because we are way better then we look but still have the problems and need a reset, for the better good and big picture.

    Only way to stack it, is to do this now.

  • December 2, 2019 at 12:50 am
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    A sure sign it is a complete rebuild will be trading Lehner,which I highly recommend,and not renewing Crawford.A desperate playoff team with an injury or mediocre goaltending could net the Hawks valuable assets.This disaster of a structurally undisciplined and lazy team does not require 11 million dollars worth of goaltending.Saad and Shaw should be dealt along with Gus.Would not give Strome anything long term or big moneywise.Would not mind him being made available for the expansion draft either along with Maata and Zach Smith.Would get a deal done on Seabrook,probably going to have to eat 2 years of the contract.Use the rest of the year to see what you have.Bring a group up and leave them here to play.Not 8 minutes a game for 2 games and sending them back down.Guys like Keith,Murphy,Strome Etc that are hurt leave them out to completely heal Stop the nonsensical “Maintenance Days”.If you cant practice you cant play in a game.These are all pipe dreams because this current management team will never make a hard decision that might upset the players or the fans but I can dream.

  • December 2, 2019 at 1:07 am
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    Mo – just curious why you want us in the playoffs to only get blown out in the first round? I would much rather have a top 15 pick without being in the playoffs than see us fake our way into a tournament that we have ZERO chance of surviving. We have no top pair of Dmen. We have 2 one-way scorers (12, 88) and a bunch of other pieces. Dmen – we are flush with second pair guys. To think any team challenging for a cup could have 2 and 56 as their top pair is a total joke. Turn your heart off for a while, and look at this team seriously. I appreciate your loyalty, but… it won’t make us better.

    Who knows – maybe the lottery balls fall in our favor. But picking 8-13 is much better than 16-20.

    I don’t want there to be any reason to not be sellers come January. Let’s get this ship turned around by jettisoning some of the excess cargo. Get some kids up and let them learn.

    Bowman has a few months before he becomes unemployed, or has a fantastic yard sale that saves him. We need 3 or 4 top 20 picks for him to keep his job, IMO.

  • December 2, 2019 at 8:32 am
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    I would normally want to make playoffs and just saying we could do good enough to make it. I agree, now, seeing enough, and thats after games 10-20 where we looked good, that its better to get another top 5 draft player, which gives us 3, and load up better.

    I want the team to do good and make playoffs, but I want to win. So yea I would rather us not make it and load up better, so we can win when were good enough roster wise to.

    I agree that were not good enough to win or go far. Thought we could be like DAL last yr and something like that as a building block for coming yrs. But we saw what we saw in the first 10 games and even though games 10-20 looked good. We just do not have that vibe.

    We need the young wave to be established to do it. Getting good players this summer gave us a full roster, a deep roster, but it wasnt quality deep. That would only come with young wave.

    To me I thought we woudl be good this yr with those good summer players. Which tells us that there is problems and we need to make the moves right at the top all the way to the players and then like that guy said only have players that play Blackhwaks hockey, not this bunch of pussys.

  • December 2, 2019 at 8:37 am
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    I like to win even when were a mid tier team and look like a bottom 10 team. I know its better to stack it, so since were bad – half the games, even with some good players. Stack it. I say keep 19 88 though and young wave. Lehner could come back if Wirtz makes the moves during these 82 games. Otherwise.

    Islanders were a young roster, right? and got a good coach sysytem and are good now.

    We do that and Lehner might come back. We wait until after july 1 to make Wirtz moves, not good.

    Do not want to see Lehner go to COL.

  • December 2, 2019 at 8:44 am
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    Tim / Silent / Ian, Wirtz makes the moves needed to reset, we wont have to worry about Seabs caphit anymore. We will have plenty of space for a couple yrs to just rid it out while we stack up on 1sts and 2nds picks draft players. By the time the young wavers need bridge contracts were good.

    Who would have thought that was the way we were going to do it.

  • December 2, 2019 at 9:09 am
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    StanBo, McDunce, and Coach C U Next Time all have to go! Rocky, what are you waiting for? The Peters thing, the terrible contracts and cap situation, and the play on the ice is reason enough to fire all three stooges at the same time. Do it like your daddy with with Billy Reay, and slide a pink slip under their doors on Christmas morning. Show that Wirtz class to these clowns!

  • December 2, 2019 at 9:21 am
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    JC lost, Blowman lost, season pretty much lost. Maybe Rocky or McDonut will wake up from this nightmare and finally fire both of these useless turds.

  • December 2, 2019 at 9:42 am
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    I’ll never understand how anybody can call Stan Bowman, who was there for three Cups, as many as all the years in the original 6 era– a turd? Debate his role in that period until the cows come home-but he was there, made decisions that worked and helped bring joy and glory to the city and Hawk fans around the world. IMO it’s just wrong.

    I do want him gone but with due respect!
    I guess this is the world we live in, and people have the right to their opinions. We really live in a ever changing world.

  • December 2, 2019 at 10:02 am
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    IMO you can’t clean house while Stan is GM. Get someone in and they get the rebuild going. The only person you will possibly get a first rounder for is Lehner. Gus will not bring much. Look at the contenders Bos, TB, Carolina, Tor , St L. They don’t need Gus. We have to be realistic in our expectations for returns on trades. Yes we have to clean house to start the rebuild and have valuable cap space

  • December 2, 2019 at 11:22 am
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    Noonan, thats the thing Q Bowman and everbody did that good, dynasty good. It wasnt like we just won One Cup. These guys did what no other team came close to and reload 3 times and win 3 times. We really should have won 4, not PIT 2 or LA 2 (that should have been us and TAM on those yrs).

    Like Q Bowman and crew and everbody should be remember as the bet organization in sports for those 2008-2017 yrs and only team to win dynasty. There might not be another dynasty for 50 yrs (being on yr 13 now starting 2006 salary cap era).

    To win again it looks better to do this now. Full Reload. keep 19 88 and young wave or people will start shooting people.

  • December 2, 2019 at 11:26 am
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    We got a 1st and Kurachev for Hartman. We can get higher picks then people think, but yes within reason.

    We did 1sts for guys like 80 16 other, so comparables. Same with getting 4ths for guys like 57 other.

    We can get a god haul and have some of those guys come back as ufas.

    So its another good reason its a good time to do this.

  • December 2, 2019 at 11:32 am
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    Read this, we need to do these kind of trades as well.

    Alec Regula with 24 points in 22 OHL games
    Meanwhile, Brandon Perlini is lighting up the scoreboard with 0 goals and 1 assist in 16 NHL games this year. Red Wing fans must be loving that trade!

  • December 2, 2019 at 11:48 am
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    Well Noonan96 it’s because he has nothing to do with the first cup win, not much with 2 &3 either other than a few tweaks (remember Timonen and what we gave up to get him). He’s proven that once he took over completely and has been challenged with getting this roster (and coach) right he has failed miserably. Speaks for itself. You can give me the whole 3 cups shpeel but I’m not buying it. Now that Blowmans finger prints are all over this team you see the results.

  • December 2, 2019 at 12:58 pm
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    While the leaking Hawks ship was patched for a few weeks, the patching is not holding together. This past weekend was once again not acceptable from an effort standpoint. They must have been cracking up in the Avs dressing room after both games, and that is a team with lots of guys out with injuries. I have said before and will reiterate, these home games must bring a much higher level of play out of the gate from what we are seeing too often, which is other teams having some jump the Hawks don’t have at the puck drop. They lack a sense of urgency and concentration for whatever reason. Anyone think the Blues will take it easy tonight? I don’t think so.

    RD you get some stick taps for making the journey and it’s sad you had to sit through that stinker. Entertainment value not so good. Regrettably, we are getting waaaay to many of those efforts at home. This was first season I spit the season 3 ways with my seats. It was a right move before the season started and it still is.

    I give Lehner credit for his show of emotion and words we would all love to have heard as he entered the bench area once he was pulled. Good for him! look on Toews face was not encouraging. Lehner is a fighter and I think he expects the same fire from his teammates. The guys on the ice have the option to play hard for 60 minutes or not. We can bitch about coaching and management all we want, but it’s up the players that lace em up that counts.

    Hopefully we see an honest effort out there tonight at the UC. The Blues should look to beat the hell out the Hawks tonight. Better be ready to bring it boys!

    Let’s Go Hawks!

  • December 2, 2019 at 1:10 pm
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    Agree it’s likely time for a Gm change but maybe higher up has more blame than him, also can hardly imagine Bowman just inked those big deals for 19, 88 and 7 and told the President and owner at the morning meeting this is what i did yesterday by the way. C’mon get real he was nothing more than a paid negotiator for those deals with instructions from above on how to proceed to get it done. Actually the way he does negotiate lesser deals to get under cap, it would appear he would’ve gladly tried for less if given a chance.

    Saying he had nothing to do with winning the cups, as easy as it is look at the facts is just silly and not realistic.

  • December 2, 2019 at 1:11 pm
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    Sorry if I sound like a neanderthal or am over simplifying things but these rash of injuries are not a surprise given the fact that the Hawks are having smaller plays doing the work of l
    arger,taller.and thicker players.We have all been involved in competitive contact sports and know what’s it’s like to collide with guys that are 30 to 50 pounds heavier than you let alone fighting with them.Youre body is a wreck afterwards.The game has left this organization well behind.
    s

  • December 2, 2019 at 2:48 pm
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    Come on Ian, Blowman was along for the ride on the first one and did not do much for the other 2. The core was already well established at that point. A tweak here or there that any armchair QB could have done. Like I said, the stench of Blowman is squarely on this team now and the results (or lack of) speak for themselves. He needs to go and take JC with him. Kane still has a few more years, don’t waste them.

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