Preds @ Blackawks IGT

[HawkWriter]

what they do for the soldiers and kids is great. the one aspect that was so stupid was the heritage nights as it felt like overkill due to it happening way too often. mac got lucky because it wasnt the red carpets, marketing schemes etc etc that got the new fans (kids) it was simply the hawks winning the cup and the fans knowing the pure elite talent on the team. if anything names of kane, toews, hossa etc marketed this entire franchise. but it all comes down to one thing. product on the ice which equals winning.

It absolutely comes down to the winning and winning cures all (just ask Tiger Woods). However, the marketing team has capitalized on their good fortune and done a lot of really great things for the fans that didn't exist when they were a losing team. Like I said, it can get a little old until you see the smile on a kids face or the pride a soldier takes in the National Anthem. Blackhawks get it and most of the players get it too. A big part of it started with Lapointe and Sharp having all the guys go out and salute the fans at the UC about 5 years ago now.

 

[Jntg4]

It absolutely comes down to the winning and winning cures all (just ask Tiger Woods). However, the marketing team has capitalized on their good fortune and done a lot of really great things for the fans that didn't exist when they were a losing team. Like I said, it can get a little old until you see the smile on a kids face or the pride a soldier takes in the National Anthem. Blackhawks get it and most of the players get it too. A big part of it started with Lapointe and Sharp having all the guys go out and salute the fans at the UC about 5 years ago now.

Not always, winning franchises may still end up without fan support. See Phoenix last year.

 

[Diehardfan]

what they do for the soldiers and kids is great. the one aspect that was so stupid was the heritage nights as it felt like overkill due to it happening way too often. mac got lucky because it wasnt the red carpets, marketing schemes etc etc that got the new fans (kids) it was simply the hawks winning the cup and the fans knowing the pure elite talent on the team. if anything names of kane, toews, hossa etc marketed this entire franchise. but it all comes down to one thing. product on the ice which equals winning.

Im not saying that the team winning a lot of games was a non factor but Ive been a Blackhawk fan along time...I mean a REAL long time. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the only thing that turned this franchise into what it is today was the passing of Bill Wirtz. He was a good man who had become too loyal to the wrong people. A lot of people blame him for running this franchise into the ground but the real culprit was Bob Pulford. Do you think it was a coincidence that the 1st thing Rocky did...even before bringing in Mac, was bump Pulford completely out of Blackhawk front office. Out of respect to his Dad Im sure, Rocky allowed him to stay employed in the liquor end of the family business...but when was the last time you heard Pulford's name come up? The winning that followed surely didnt hurt things but what went on before the winning is what really got this franchise re-booted.

 

[HawkWriter]

Energyzzzzz and stufffzzzzzz.

You would need to understand what you are watching. The third and fourth line played great and set the tone for the rest of the team, which didn't show up completely until the third period.

I think Saad is too similar to Kane and Toews to play with them. I think a gritter player like Carcillo would complement them better on line 1.

Saad isn't similar to Kane at all...not even close. In fact, I've been saying for a while now that Saad should drop down to Kane's line because those two would compliment eachother in a big way. Bringing Kane up to the first line (I hope it stays that way) gets this done. However, it still leaves a bit of a hole on the second line for the time being.

Well ya, Crawford is the starter...

Is he? Emery had a chance to possibly run away with this towards the end of the season with his solid play and Crawford playing iffy. When is the last time you saw the guy that is 100% the starter not start in a back to back game at all? Lundqvist, Rinne, Quick, etc? Doesn't happen if the goalie is the starter with out a doubt. Still Crawford's net for now because Emery left the door open.

Ya, but if you were Quenneville would you wanna tell that man he can't play, hope the United Center Security is good.

What?

Ya, it will be a wild one.

Sure.

Cool story bro.

I thought it was, but maybe you have to be an actual fan to realize. Not just a fan who thinks the Toledo Walleyes are relevant and worth posting information on.

If you want to reply like an idiot, I'm more than happy to oblige.

 

[HawkWriter]

Im not saying that the team winning a lot of games was a non factor but Ive been a Blackhawk fan along time...I mean a REAL long time. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the only thing that turned this franchise into what it is today was the passing of Bill Wirtz. He was a good man who had become too loyal to the wrong people. A lot of people blame him for running this franchise into the ground but the real culprit was Bob Pulford. Do you think it was a coincidence that the 1st thing Rocky did...even before bringing in Mac, was bump Pulford completely out of Blackhawk front office. Out of respect to his Dad Im sure, Rocky allowed him to stay employed in the liquor end of the family business...but when was the last time you heard Pulford's name come up? The winning that followed surely didnt hurt things but what went on before the winning is what really got this franchise re-booted.

I think Rocky Wirtz taking over had a big deal to do with it as well. Drafting Kane and Toews (which really was a big turnaround for winning and marketing) had a lot to do with it too. Basically everything came together at the same time and right time with the Blackhawks. A change in ownership, front office, marketing, and the team winning just created the perfect storm for the Blackhawks and their fans. Really hard to say that one had more influence than the other. If winning took part with the old front office and Dollar Bill, where would the fans/Blackhawks be? If losing took part with the new front office and ownership, where would the fans/Blackhawks be?

The interesting thing behind the ownership, is that Peter Wirtz was supposed to be in control of the Blackhawks but pretty much wanted nothing to do with them (Where would the Blackhawks/fans be with him in charge?). Now, the Wirtz family has had a little bit of a separation (the last I heard) from issues separating all the companies and money from their Dad. I'll try to see if I can find an article on the issue. I think some people don't realize that the Wirtz family basically owns half the city of Chicago...they own just so much. Liquor, Banks, Real Estate, the UC, etc etc.

Edit: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/us/24cncfamily.html?pagewanted=all
Here is the article about the issue with the Wirtz family. Can't find much since then (about 2 years ago) as it seems they took the matter private...and why shouldn't they? After all, they are one of the largest privately owned (and family owned) companies in the country.

 

[Diehardfan]

I think Rocky Wirtz taking over had a big deal to do with it as well. Drafting Kane and Toews (which really was a big turnaround for winning and marketing) had a lot to do with it too. Basically everything came together at the same time and right time with the Blackhawks. A change in ownership, front office, marketing, and the team winning just created the perfect storm for the Blackhawks and their fans. Really hard to say that one had more influence than the other. If winning took part with the old front office and Dollar Bill, where would the fans/Blackhawks be? If losing took part with the new front office and ownership, where would the fans/Blackhawks be?

The interesting thing behind the ownership, is that Peter Wirtz was supposed to be in control of the Blackhawks but pretty much wanted nothing to do with them (Where would the Blackhawks/fans be with him in charge?). Now, the Wirtz family has had a little bit of a separation (the last I heard) from issues separating all the companies and money from their Dad. I'll try to see if I can find an article on the issue. I think some people don't realize that the Wirtz family basically owns half the city of Chicago...they own just so much. Liquor, Banks, Real Estate, the UC, etc etc.

Edit: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/us/24cncfamily.html?pagewanted=all
Here is the article about the issue with the Wirtz family. Can't find much since then (about 2 years ago) as it seems they took the matter private...and why shouldn't they? After all, they are one of the largest privately owned (and family owned) companies in the country.

Oh for sure. The monsterous fortune accumulated by the family allowed Dollar Bill to listen to Pulford, stay 10 years behind the rest of the league and lose millions of dollars on a yearly basis. From what I understand, they are still digging out of the mess left by old guard and still havent turned a profit EVEN after winning a Cup. I never knew there was a rift between Peter and Rocky but its probably understandable as Peter worked with his Dad on the hockey end and apparently was ousted along with Pulford. When it comes to money these fucking billionaires are a cold hearted group.

 

[HawkWriter]

Oh for sure. The monsterous fortune accumulated by the family allowed Dollar Bill to listen to Pulford, stay 10 years behind the rest of the league and lose millions of dollars on a yearly basis. From what I understand, they are still digging out of the mess left by old guard and still havent turned a profit EVEN after winning a Cup. I never knew there was a rift between Peter and Rocky but its probably understandable as Peter worked with his Dad on the hockey end and apparently was ousted along with Pulford. When it comes to money these fucking billionaires are a cold hearted group.

You are correct that the Blackhawks haven't turned a "profit" in quite a while. Sort of confusing though as they are certainly making money but there are a few things that they are doing, in the end, so they end up in the red. The first is that the Blackhawks have several loans that they are still paying off to other Wirtz companies - which you alluded to when talking about how they were poorly run. The second, is that these billionaires are smart people, and they know that a company that "loses" (and I put it in parenthesis for a reason, because they really aren't losing) money is beneficial to their livelihood and the rest of their companies.

One thing we haven't mentioned is the decision to finally put home games on TV. Sure it is a lot easier when tickets are in high demand, but to me it is hard to think what bad can come out of showing a home game. It is a three hour advertisement for Blackhawks hockey and then it opens up other revenue streams for the Blackhawks. Kudos to anyone else that stuck with the Blackhawks during those times...nothing worse than only being allowed to watch the team you love only half the time, unless you are able to show up in person. Hell, I remember having to listen to the radio for 30+ home games a year...that sucked!

 

[Diehardfan]

You are correct that the Blackhawks haven't turned a "profit" in quite a while. Sort of confusing though as they are certainly making money but there are a few things that they are doing, in the end, so they end up in the red. The first is that the Blackhawks have several loans that they are still paying off to other Wirtz companies - which you alluded to when talking about how they were poorly run. The second, is that these billionaires are smart people, and they know that a company that "loses" (and I put it in parenthesis for a reason, because they really aren't losing) money is beneficial to their livelihood and the rest of their companies.

One thing we haven't mentioned is the decision to finally put home games on TV. Sure it is a lot easier when tickets are in high demand, but to me it is hard to think what bad can come out of showing a home game. It is a three hour advertisement for Blackhawks hockey and then it opens up other revenue streams for the Blackhawks. Kudos to anyone else that stuck with the Blackhawks during those times...nothing worse than only being allowed to watch the team you love only half the time, unless you are able to show up in person. Hell, I remember having to listen to the radio for 30+ home games a year...that sucked!

It was way, way before your time but it was far worse at one point. I think it was actually Arthur Wirtz (Bill's Dad) who initiated the 2nd period start time for radio broadcasts. Yeah, you read that right. Absolutely comsumed by the fact that he was "giving away" the product by having free radio coverage of home games(a sentiment also shared by son Bill), he refused to let the 1st period be broadcast and all home games on the radio started at the beginning of the 2nd period.

They were such bastards that when they offered close circuit broadcasts of home playoff games in local movie theaters, we jumped on it. It was $5.00 which would be the equivalent of about $50.00 today. Picture a fuzzy analog signal blown up to size of a movie theater screen....thats what we got for our money.

 

[DewsSox79]

Not always, winning franchises may still end up without fan support. See Phoenix last year.

you are comparing apples and oranges my friend. 1) the chicago market is greater than phx. 2) original 6 team 3) quality of teams are different as well as there was and still is more elite talent on the hawks. yes the old man dying and rocky televising home games helped as well. but the product was good back with some 90s teams and home games werent televised and the hawks had an amazing following. I will never diss the cancer patients or soldiers getting attention ever, I just dont think that is what is getting the fans back let alone giving pucks and sticks away either. word is out on the street and has been that this could be a window period of a dynasty, thats where the fans come in. all the other things are small variables that help but majority is the level of this franchise.

 

[HawkWriter]

^^^ Well said. My "winning cures all" was more of a jab at the Tiger Woods headline, but it is said for a reason. In Chicago, it clearly matters. A place like Phoenix isn't going to succeed (winning or losing) but Chicago is a different story.

My initial remark about the marketing was more of tip of the hat, in no way do I think they are the reason why the Blackhawks (on the ice) are who they are. I still think they are doing a great job capitalizing on the success of the team and they are putting a lot of smiles on the faces. The Blackhawks organization (and yes this includes McDonough for those who hate him) are doing a great job at getting the fans involved and propelling this team forward.

After my Roenick puck comment, I realized that my parents have the puck behind their bar. Honestly, that puck means pretty much nothing to me now...but when I was a kid it was the coolest thing in the world. I think the Blackhawks have done a great job at getting the youth involved and having this team, and these players, mean something to them.

 

[Jntg4]

You would need to understand what you are watching. The third and fourth line played great and set the tone for the rest of the team, which didn't show up completely until the third period.



Saad isn't similar to Kane at all...not even close. In fact, I've been saying for a while now that Saad should drop down to Kane's line because those two would compliment eachother in a big way. Bringing Kane up to the first line (I hope it stays that way) gets this done. However, it still leaves a bit of a hole on the second line for the time being.



Is he? Emery had a chance to possibly run away with this towards the end of the season with his solid play and Crawford playing iffy. When is the last time you saw the guy that is 100% the starter not start in a back to back game at all? Lundqvist, Rinne, Quick, etc? Doesn't happen if the goalie is the starter with out a doubt. Still Crawford's net for now because Emery left the door open.



What?



Sure.



I thought it was, but maybe you have to be an actual fan to realize. Not just a fan who thinks the Toledo Walleyes are relevant and worth posting information on.

If you want to reply like an idiot, I'm more than happy to oblige.

There is no team called the Toledo Walleyes, and as a Hawks minor league team, the Walleye are relevant enough to post about how they were doing.

 

[tbo41fan]

There is no team called the Toledo Walleyes, and as a Hawks minor league team, the Walleye are relevant enough to post about how they were doing.

No they are not

 

[Jntg4]

No they are not

In the fucking Prospect Thread? That's exactly what it is about, the Hawks minor leagues and prospects.