21/22 Official Blackhawks Season thread

[DaHawkz24]

Well, sure, but sometimes that's what a leader does. If he's in public talking shit about the coaching staff he's going to for sure lose the kids. He's super frusterated, but he also was to be in super team player mode right now becuase 1.) I think he finally has the A on his sweater (can't remember) but 2 more importantly has to have a perfect public persona come trade time because if he wants to force a trade he can't seem like a poor sport or he's the real problem, or b.) if he wants to stay he can then be clear about it and there will be no negativity on him from the year to have management present it like it was his idea to move. Given what he did for this team last year in such a shit filled season, i'm wiling to go ahead and let him be the talking robot in front of the cameras.

I was fine with Kanes whole press conference, and I don't expect him to bash the coaches. It's just interesting that he specifically came out and said how great the coaching staff is multiple times throughout without anyone asking about coaching.

We have definitely seen other players over the last few years mention defensive structure/strategy as an issue, and I think Colliton even adjusted to that, and the team had success for a while!

It's just like Nagy. He changes up who is calling plays/overall strategy, gets good results, and goes right back to the way he wants it done.

 

[Granada]

It's not the piss poor starts that have me down on Harry Potter,it's immediately inserting Gus the Terrible for 17-18 minutes a game over a kid who needs the work,played okay and will get better with more work.
It's a total refusal to play a 3M forward/center who is without a doubt NOT the 15th forward on this team but will be treated as such. Why the **** did one DUMBASS re-sign a player for 3MX2 that the other DUMBASS won't play?

And then there's this.....

Blackhawks Bits: Hossa legacy night announced; Hardman recalled

Some news and notes from Monday’s practice.

www.secondcityhockey.com

Yeah,let's put last year's 3rd leading goal scorer back on a 3rd/checking line.......IT'S GETTING REAL HARD TO FOLLOW THIS SHITSHOW!!!!

I actually didn't hate Gus' game. He hasn't been perfect, but to me, he's not the problem right now.

That bottom six looks like a disaster. Debrincat on a complete island. Johnson on the 4th line -- what is that, maybe Colliton trying to send him a message? Johnson's been underwhelming but I don't know, having him on the 4th line is just weird.

I really don't get why they don't play Strome. The guy isn't a world-beater, but he's a lot better than Borg, Entwistle, and Hardman; and he's good on the PP. I know people always want to see the youth, but I'm sick of that -- we're not rebuilding this year, whether we like it or not. Ice the best fucking lineup. Load up your top two lines and go from there.

 

[LordKOTL]

The starts were unacceptable, and yes, part of that falls on the coach, but honestly, I blame the players more. A coach can only say so much. Do we really think Colliton didn't address this before NJ or especially Pitt? We all know he and the other coaches did, but they still played like dog shit.

I'd love to see Stan gone too, but the coach is always the fall guy.

If JC did try to address the poor starts and the players did nothing, then it's a sign that the coach is ineffective or lost the room. Either way that doesn't bode well for the team as-constructed (including the coach). In my opination, JC either didn't prep the players right, or the players have been ignoring him. On paper, the team is most certainly not as bad as the starts.

JC will be the fall guy, we all know coaches are hired to be fired. I'm looking at this procedural, though. If JC is canned soon then it's up to Stan to get an effective coach in. If the argument that JC is too green then Marc Crawford certainly isn't (or whomever they get who's experienced). If Stan pulls in another green coach and that coach fails, then it's obvious Stan is an incompetent GM for the team we got. If a more experienced coach doesn't get the most out of the roster as-constructed, it's obvious that Stan can't build a team.

You, me, and a lot of others here acknowledge that Stan is the root of the problems. I look at JC right now as the 1st domino. If I'm wrong and a good coach makes the team as-constructed successful, then great! If I'm right and the 'hawks are at best a one-and-done team as-constructed no matter who is coaching them, then that keeps the limelight on Stan's buffoonery. With the 'rona, the team looking like unwashed ass this season, and whatnot I think if the team doesn't start winning and looking good it'll start hitting the Wirtz's pocketbooks, which should put some pressure on Stan.

At least I hope.

 

[LordKOTL]

I was fine with Kanes whole press conference, and I don't expect him to bash the coaches. It's just interesting that he specifically came out and said how great the coaching staff is multiple times throughout without anyone asking about coaching.

We have definitely seen other players over the last few years mention defensive structure/strategy as an issue, and I think Colliton even adjusted to that, and the team had success for a while!

It's just like Nagy. He changes up who is calling plays/overall strategy, gets good results, and goes right back to the way he wants it done.

I wonder if Kane is bashing the coaching by repeatedly complimenting them preemptively. But who knows.

I actually didn't hate Gus' game. He hasn't been perfect, but to me, he's not the problem right now.

That bottom six looks like a disaster. Debrincat on a complete island. Johnson on the 4th line -- what is that, maybe Colliton trying to send him a message? Johnson's been underwhelming but I don't know, having him on the 4th line is just weird.

I really don't get why they don't play Strome. The guy isn't a world-beater, but he's a lot better than Borg, Entwistle, and Hardman; and he's good on the PP. I know people always want to see the youth, but I'm sick of that -- we're not rebuilding this year, whether we like it or not. Ice the best fucking lineup. Load up your top two lines and go from there.

I agree on Gus. He didn't look horrifying out there. But, given that Strome actually looked engaged in the preseason his absence is noticeable. But then again it's not the first time a player fell out of favor from JC and was continually benched, just look at Joker.

 

[DaHawkz24]

Strome actually looked engaged in the preseason his absence is noticeable. But then again it's not the first time a player fell out of favor from JC and was continually benched, just look at Joker.

Two players that could have been effective in the lineup if used correctly!

 

[zack54attack]

This is going to be a bottom five team, isn't it?

 

[chris71]

Its not so much about the losses for me its more the manner of the losses. We just look like a disorganised group that have just got together that night rather than a team that is being coached.
Colliton should have been canned after the dismal performances when he came in after Q but not he was given last season and tanked. It doesn't take Einstein to figure out that while Colliton is the HC the same thing is going to happen as there have been and he has shown no signs what so ever that he have the ability or capability to be a HC at junior level let alone NHL.
Giving the guy more games in the hope things will change is just a waste and stupidity he's had more than enough time to make improvements but he's done the opposite.

 

[MassHavoc]

Burn this mother ****** down

 

[HSBOB]

I actually didn't hate Gus' game. He hasn't been perfect, but to me, he's not the problem right now.

That bottom six looks like a disaster. Debrincat on a complete island. Johnson on the 4th line -- what is that, maybe Colliton trying to send him a message? Johnson's been underwhelming but I don't know, having him on the 4th line is just weird.

I really don't get why they don't play Strome. The guy isn't a world-beater, but he's a lot better than Borg, Entwistle, and Hardman; and he's good on the PP. I know people always want to see the youth, but I'm sick of that -- we're not rebuilding this year, whether we like it or not. Ice the best fucking lineup. Load up your top two lines and go from there.

We'll agree to disagree on Gus but awful,stubborn line combos,balanced scoring(LOL) and not playing a player his GM re-signed for 3M seem to be hills Harry Potter is willing to die on.

 

[Granada]

We'll agree to disagree on Gus but awful,stubborn line combos,balanced scoring(LOL) and not playing a player his GM re-signed for 3M seem to be hills Harry Potter is willing to die on.

Honestly, I think it may be Bowman who is sitting Strome, since he's trying to move him (if the rumors are true in a package with Shaw's contract).

 

[HSBOB]

Honestly, I think it may be Bowman who is sitting Strome, since he's trying to move him (if the rumors are true in a package with Shaw's contract).

I've heard that for the last two weeks,are the two sides using smoke signals or snail mail? If a potential trade partner is requesting Strome be held out then shit or get off the pot,if not play him to interest other suitors. Harry Potter was benching Strome a bunch at the end of last year too.......he's stubborn and he doesn't like the player IMO.
As far as Shaw's $$$,it's already buried for the year and this is the last year of the contract. Johnson will make 5M for three more years to skate 4th line wing and Bret 'buyout' Connolly will make 3.5M for two more to play in Rockford,I'd worry more about these deals than Shaw's myself.

 

[KBIB]

I've heard that for the last two weeks,are the two sides using smoke signals or snail mail? If a potential trade partner is requesting Strome be held out then shit or get off the pot,if not play him to interest other suitors. Harry Potter was benching Strome a bunch at the end of last year too.......he's stubborn and he doesn't like the player IMO.
As far as Shaw's $$$,it's already buried for the year and this is the last year of the contract. Johnson will make 5M for three more years to skate 4th line wing and Bret 'buyout' Connolly will make 3.5M for two more to play in Rockford,I'd worry more about these deals than Shaw's myself.

100%

If they were so worried about Shaws contract during the off season was the time to unload it.

LTIR space is a weapon in a capable GM’s hands. But this is Blowman we’re talking about here. Instead of offering it to teams up against the cap and saying “for a draft pick, lemme take that problem off your hands”, he’s surely gonna give up assets to get rid of it. And nobody for damn sure is taking Strome as a sweetener

 

[DaHawkz24]

Nylander has 2 goals in 2 games. Better call him up to play on the first line again!

 

[Granada]

I've heard that for the last two weeks,are the two sides using smoke signals or snail mail? If a potential trade partner is requesting Strome be held out then shit or get off the pot,if not play him to interest other suitors. Harry Potter was benching Strome a bunch at the end of last year too.......he's stubborn and he doesn't like the player IMO.
As far as Shaw's $$$,it's already buried for the year and this is the last year of the contract. Johnson will make 5M for three more years to skate 4th line wing and Bret 'buyout' Connolly will make 3.5M for two more to play in Rockford,I'd worry more about these deals than Shaw's myself.

I don't think a potential trade partner is requesting Strome be held out; Bowman is just doing this himself, because he doesn't want to risk Strome getting injured or perhaps feigning an injury. Not saying that makes it right, just saying.

I'd like to see Strome in too and have been saying so since before the regular season even started. Just trying to figure out what the reason would be to sit him and this really is the only one that seems somewhat logical.

 

[LordKOTL]

Two players that could have been effective in the lineup if used correctly!

As I've mentioned before about Joker, all indications at the time were that he was a definite exposure risk to expansion, and if that was the case I could understand the 'hawks not wanting to lose him for nothing--as well as making sure it's only the urinal scrapings left for Seattle.

Given that Joker was on the outs with JC in spite of him looking decent with Q, I've accepted that him being traded was a foregone conclusion, and much better for the Winterhawks alumnus where he could have his career progress. Sure, he could have been useful in the lineup...if we had the right coach for him...and we don't/didn't.

The horrible part about the Joker trade was the return: A young D-man who was raw but could play in the NHL vs. a FWD riding on Daddy's coattails that was reportedly "a project". He might have had talent but his engagement was in question. Stan was around when Beach was drafter who seemed to be cut from the same cloth, and apparently he didn't learn from his mistakes with Runblad--the future shouldn't rely on project players panning out.

That should not have been a straight-up trade. The 'hawks should have gotten something else in the trade--even if it was a 3rd, 4th, or even as low as a 5th round draft pick.

 

[HSBOB]

I don't think a potential trade partner is requesting Strome be held out; Bowman is just doing this himself, because he doesn't want to risk Strome getting injured or perhaps feigning an injury. Not saying that makes it right, just saying.

I'd like to see Strome in too and have been saying so since before the regular season even started. Just trying to figure out what the reason would be to sit him and this really is the only one that seems somewhat logical.

Who knows what's goin' on with this shitshow G but Harry Potter did scratch Strome a bunch last year too so I don't know what to think.

 

[Granada]

Who knows what's goin' on with this shitshow G but Harry Potter did scratch Strome a bunch last year too so I don't know what to think.

I know you'll appreciate this one Bob, lol:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1450615304439087111

 

[chris71]

Enough is enough, Colliton is stinking the place out and we are going nowhere under his tenure. Since Bowman got rid of Q we have gone and are going backwards at an alarming rate. Colliton needs to go with immediate affect to allow us to at least have a fighting chance this season otherwise we will only be scrapping for bottom place.
I also think its time that the organisation thanked Bowman for his efforts and move him out the door too.

 

[DaHawkz24]

Enough is enough, Colliton is stinking the place out and we are going nowhere under his tenure. Since Bowman got rid of Q we have gone and are going backwards at an alarming rate. Colliton needs to go with immediate affect to allow us to at least have a fighting chance this season otherwise we will only be scrapping for bottom place.
I also think its time that the organisation thanked Bowman for his efforts and move him out the door too.

Making the bubble and beating the Oilers really set this team back years!

 

[Granada]

Enough is enough, Colliton is stinking the place out and we are going nowhere under his tenure. Since Bowman got rid of Q we have gone and are going backwards at an alarming rate. Colliton needs to go with immediate affect to allow us to at least have a fighting chance this season otherwise we will only be scrapping for bottom place.
I also think its time that the organisation thanked Bowman for his efforts and move him out the door too.

Bowman has made so many missteps in his drafts. To me, he is the sole reason why the Hawks are where they are. He sucks. He has no idea what to do. Anytime he gets close to rebuilding, he reverses course, because he's indecisive. This off-season reminds me of the one where he traded Hammer for Murphy and Panarin for Saad -- he brought in all these big-name vets, and what happened? The team sucked. If this happens again with all the big-name vets he's brought in, he should be fired immediately, because at least right now, Johnson and McCabe are not what was advertised. At least Jones is improving every game and is starting to look like the player we all thought we were getting, but these other guys have been big disappointments, especially Johnson.