TGDT: 11/7 Oilers @ Blackhawks 6:00PM WGN

[FlaHawkFan]

There are only three more home games this month. They'll get a lot of bonding on the road.



Hawks will be fine. Last night the other teams goalie stole the game. It happens. Look at Halak! I might have to adjust my feelings on St. Louis if their goalie continues to stand on his head. Has how many shut outs already, 3, 4... Yikes.



And something we talked about last night the energy from the fans in the building is no where near where it was last year. Everything is different.

I think they'll be okay too, RK. I could be wrong but I think they'll get it together. I guess I'm a little surprised to see all of the criticism of the team's effort last night, pretty much everywhere I've looked. I thought Khabby stole that game for the Oil, plain and simple. The Hawks definitely screwed up badly on that second goal in 14 seconds but without Khabby standing on his head, they still win that game.



The fans at the UC have sounded completely dead the past couple of games. Yeah, I know the team has to do something to feed the energy but it has seemed silent as a tomb for long stretches (from what I can hear via the not-always-reliable sound on WGN/CSN).

 

[Tater]

I think they'll be okay too, RK. I could be wrong but I think they'll get it together. I guess I'm a little surprised to see all of the criticism of the team's effort last night, pretty much everywhere I've looked. I thought Khabby stole that game for the Oil, plain and simple. The Hawks definitely screwed up badly on that second goal in 14 seconds but without Khabby standing on his head, they still win that game.



The fans at the UC have sounded completely dead the past couple of games. Yeah, I know the team has to do something to feed the energy but it has seemed silent as a tomb for long stretches (from what I can hear via the not-always-reliable sound on WGN/CSN).

WGN absolutely sucks.

The picture was so bad through the whole first period.

Their wide angle shot which showed most of the ice was so washed out with white you could hardly see the circles.

 

[R K]

I think they'll be okay too, RK. I could be wrong but I think they'll get it together. I guess I'm a little surprised to see all of the criticism of the team's effort last night, pretty much everywhere I've looked. I thought Khabby stole that game for the Oil, plain and simple. The Hawks definitely screwed up badly on that second goal in 14 seconds but without Khabby standing on his head, they still win that game.



The fans at the UC have sounded completely dead the past couple of games. Yeah, I know the team has to do something to feed the energy but it has seemed silent as a tomb for long stretches (from what I can hear via the not-always-reliable sound on WGN/CSN).

I thought they played a very good game last night too. I'm not playing NHL Coach or expert on this one. The other goalie stole the game and if ANYONE has motivation to do so, it's Khabibulin.





Campbell has been back for three games now. Hjarlmarsson is starting to play better. Hossa's first game back was last night, and Bolland is still MIA once again not giving them a solid 3rd line.



82 games is a LONG season. This team had basically NO adversity all year last season until the Campbell injury near the end. They started off without Hossa so that was no adversity because he had never played with them and then left with injury.



As for the criticism, I'm not surprised. I actually hoped they'd lose a few more games so the bandwagon would go jump off a fucking bridge.



It was so peaceful in the Club last night.

 

[Kerfuffle]

McD had not one fucking thing to do with building the "championship team". Bandwagoner!

He was President of the team for 3 years when we won the cup. Regardless of whether you think he did anything or not, he was in charge and I'm sure he's not happy with the effort he's seeing how there right now.

 

[Kerfuffle]

I thought they played a very good game last night too. I'm not playing NHL Coach or expert on this one. The other goalie stole the game and if ANYONE has motivation to do so, it's Khabibulin.





Campbell has been back for three games now. Hjarlmarsson is starting to play better. Hossa's first game back was last night, and Bolland is still MIA once again not giving them a solid 3rd line.



82 games is a LONG season. This team had basically NO adversity all year last season until the Campbell injury near the end. They started off without Hossa so that was no adversity because he had never played with them and then left with injury.



As for the criticism, I'm not surprised. I actually hoped they'd lose a few more games so the bandwagon would go jump off a fucking bridge.



It was so peaceful in the Club last night.

speechless

 

[FlaHawkFan]

He was President of the team for 3 years when we won the cup. Regardless of whether you think he did anything or not, he was in charge and I'm sure he's not happy with the effort he's seeing how there right now.

As long as people keep going to the games, I highly doubt McD will have any problem with the team's effort. See Cubs.



Of course, I can only imagine the marketing histrionics that will occur if people stop going to the games. My head hurts just thinking about it.

 

[R K]

He was President of the team for 3 years when we won the cup. Regardless of whether you think he did anything or not, he was in charge and I'm sure he's not happy with the effort he's seeing how there right now.

He was President for two seasons. This is his 3rd.

 

[R K]

speechless

Good for you. I'm not here to impress the idiots.



And I'm still quite sure 90% of this board, yourself excluded, know more about the game than Mcdonough ever will.

 

[Kerfuffle]

As long as people keep going to the games, I highly doubt McD will have any problem with the team's effort. See Cubs.



Of course, I can only imagine the marketing histrionics that will occur if people stop going to the games. My head hurts just thinking about it.

True - I agree that if butts are in the seats McD will be fine with it. Although baseball and the Cubs are more popular than hockey - the Cubs draw record attendance due in large part to the atmosphere around Wrigley, ie. the bars, nice outdoor weather. I don't think the Hawks will continue to fill seats to capacity every night if the team fades or continues on this current course. Expectations are pretty high after a championship and I can only imagine the heads that will roll if the Hawks don't make the playoffs the year after winning it all. I don't think attendance will go back to 2005-2006 levels but I can see it dipping back down to 15,000 per night.

 

[Rdrhwke]

He was President of the team for 3 years when we won the cup. Regardless of whether you think he did anything or not, he was in charge and I'm sure he's not happy with the effort he's seeing how there right now.

Just because he was the president doesn't mean he did anything to build the team into what it was.



Did he personally scout or draft any players?? Make any trades??



No, he didn't. He is a suit in the front office. You want to give him credit for the Classic and the Convention, all fine and well but don't give him credit for the team on the ice.



And even if he isn't happy, do you honestly believe he would know what to do to fix whatever problems the Hawks have?



Not a chance.

 

[Kerfuffle]

He was President for two seasons. This is his 3rd.

The old man died in September 2007. McD was brought in shortly after that and finished out the 07-08 season with the Hawks. This is season #4 for him.

 

[R K]

As long as people keep going to the games, I highly doubt McD will have any problem with the team's effort. See Cubs.



Of course, I can only imagine the marketing histrionics that will occur if people stop going to the games. My head hurts just thinking about it.

Yup! Of course winning brings profit, but they've already done that. Convenient for him.

 

[R K]

The old man died in September 2007. McD was brought in shortly after that and finished out the 07-08 season with the Hawks. This is season #4 for him.

Yea I'm missing the season we missed the playoffs by 2pts.



The fact he had LITTLE to do with the success remains.

 

[R K]

Just because he was the president doesn't mean he did anything to build the team into what it was.



Did he personally scout or draft any players?? Make any trades??



No, he didn't. He is a suit in the front office. You want to give him credit for the Classic and the Convention, all fine and well but don't give him credit for the team on the ice.



And even if he isn't happy, do you honestly believe he would know what to do to fix whatever problems the Hawks have?



Not a chance.

Yea he scouted Huet. How'd that work out for him?



And I didn't mean to turn this into a Mcdonough bashing thread but the bandwagon comment above proves my point.

 

[Rdrhwke]

Yea he scouted Huet. How'd that work out for him?



And I didn't mean to turn this into a Mcdonough bashing thread but the bandwagon comment above proves my point.

Huet



I rest my case.

 

[PatrickShart]

I still don't think this team is as far away as some "experts" think and definately not ready to jump off the bridge (or the bandwagon...I'll stick around for another week or so)



No team has repeated since...what 1998...so it's not going to be easy along the way, especially now with the cap. The biggest thing they need to get...is the 3rd line - specifically, just some nastiness/grit there. I don't think its anything more...than just one player to fit that. I really thought Bickell could be that guy, but he hasnt brought anything to the table, IMO. I think Morin will be a good NHLer, not sure yet (still way to early) to think he'll be here now/this year. But he's a top 6 guy. I think Beach will be one of those nasty/3rd liners...but again, tough to be a rookie and learn the game - let alone play like that. I wonder if taking a flier on a guy like Guerin or Nolan for the minimum will be worth it - but they may not have anything left in the tank.



Bolland needs to come back - not just physically - but the grit/nastiness....just as Toews/Kane are expected to increase their point outputs...Bolland needs to start being a leader and bring a few players in that grit role with him. He's only a 40-50 pt guy tops, but he can bring that greasy attitude to this team.



Something like ....

Brouwer - Toews - Kane

Kopecky - Sharp - Hossa

Stalberg - Bolland - ?????????

Pisani - Dowell - Skille



But...the "??????" mark player can really make the difference. Whoever it is, they just need to bring a lunchbox attitude with him, and the rest of the team/players will follow. Would Guerin/Nolan bring enough? Is someone else out there that can fill that? Or am I way off base....

 

[Kerfuffle]

Just because he was the president doesn't mean he did anything to build the team into what it was. True - but he's the man in charge so he has to share in the blame or credit for the outcome of the team.

Did he personally scout or draft any players?? Make any trades?? Nope - no disagreement here.

No, he didn't. He is a suit in the front office. You want to give him credit for the Classic and the Convention, all fine and well but don't give him credit for the team on the ice. Remember the old Reinsdorf quote "organizations win championships". I believe in that and think you have to look at the front office as well as the product on the ice when giving credit or criticism.

And even if he isn't happy, do you honestly believe he would know what to do to fix whatever problems the Hawks have? He wouldn't know - he's shown a tendency to be impatient and seems to be like Trump when it comes to firing people. I can't imagine him standing down if this club fails to make the playoffs though.



Not a chance.

comments in blue

 

[R K]

No team has repeated in the Salary Cap era.



16 games in and there is a chance we aren't making the playoffs??? what?



oi vey.

 

[Tommy 0]

He was President of the team for 3 years when we won the cup. Regardless of whether you think he did anything or not, he was in charge and I'm sure he's not happy with the effort he's seeing how there right now.

Who gives a shit what position he fills and for how long

 

[The Count Dante]

I personally never expected a repeat, not with the cuts that had to be made.



If the boys go out and play hard for 60 minutes and lose every game, I am ok with that.