Well, Allow John McDonough to Retort: Responds to Martin Havlat and Others

by SamFels on Jul 15, 2009 2:00 PM CDT

So McD has descended from his castle to take the time to answer some of the things to float around here, and quite frankly I'm not less upset than I was about this whole thing. It's my job to be the hothead of this site, and it's a role I play well. Some points:

On the RFA snafu: "But as far as the clerical error is concerned, that's an organizational mistake. Ultimately, I'm responsible for what goes on in the organization, so ultimately I'll take that responsibility."

But Tallon's the one to lose his job? While at first refuting the claim that Tallon was fired over this, he then later admitted during the press conference that without it, Tallon wouldn't have been fired. So who's taking responsibility for what here?

McD goes on to claim that he never talked to Havlat or his agent, but that's not what was being said. The story is that he stopped Tallon from resigning Havlat, i.e. interferring with hockey operations which is exactly what he said he wouldn't do. He then goes on to claim he had nothing to do with the signings of Campbell and Huet, though they were "excellent uses of Rocky Wirtz's resources", even though we've all seen multiple interviews where McD has said these signing were to be used as a clear signal to the rest of the league that Chicago was now a destination. Gee, sounds like you had something to do with it, John.

Apparently, Stan Bowman's a cap expert and has "a plan" to solve our upcoming cap headaches (which isn't as big of a headache as our rivals would like to believe)

So, he couldn't share this "plan" with Tallon as GM...why? Stan has all the answers but won't share them because he's not in the Captain's Chair? And if you are so concerned with our cap problems, Mr. McDonough, why did Dale get the green light? It's clear you value his talent evaluation and drafting, seeing as how he was allowed to handle those with a foot squarely placed behind his ass.

I'm going to have to repeat this again and again I feel, but this RFA snafu cost the Hawks, AT MOST, an extra million on Versteeg, and that's it. If Barker had waited out for arbitration, assuming he had gotten his qualifying offer in time, he would have gotten exactly what he got anyway, though with a fuckload more animosity. I already did the numbers here for similar d-men. Versteeg would have been given at least 2 million in arbitration or offer sheet, more likely 2.5, and signed for 3.1. This thing is so overblown I can only assume it'll be buried at Staples Center (not sure that joke works but we'll try it).

McD's act has worn real thin in a mere 19 months. I used to defend him when people were worried about what he did at Wrigley. I thought, and still do believe, that McD was a master marketed who sold the park and atmosphere at Clark and Addison simply because he had no choice, what with the team being such dogshit. He's still a master marketer, but has revealed himself to be a power-hungry meglomaniac, and I don't trust him as far as I can throw up whiskey (I'm not a projectile guy).

What really worries me is what happens if Stan isn't up to it? Is Scotty going to "advise" McD and Rocky that his own son needs to go? How much rope does "their guy" get? No one knows, and that's not a good thing.

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Comments

Puke.

by wlittle on Jul 15, 2009 2:14 PM CDT reply actions

pretty much

McDuckface mirrors his boy Crane Kenney in many ways, the most prominent being moths to the red light and pen and mic clubs.

by Crease Monkey on Jul 15, 2009 2:47 PM CDT reply actions

mcdonough brought the outdoor game to chicago, ill give him that, but besides that he has not done a thing that anybody else could not do. if the hawks were not a young, talented, good team…you would not be hearing shit about them. who goes to the uc to see “celebrities” drop pucks? there should have been one heritage night involving 9,21,1,35,and 18 yet every game you go to there is some fucking ceremony. besides these three things, i cannot think of anything else john mcdonough has done.

by 60655 on Jul 15, 2009 3:17 PM CDT reply actions

and the convention

but yeah, the talented young team (oh, and maybe the guy who built said team) are the ones who should be getting all the credit for the turnaround

by Geoffhawk on Jul 15, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

The mainstream media is talking Blackhawks hockey in July (before letting Dale go). The UC is full, Hawks merchandise is selling out, the brand is everywhere. I’d say he’s doing something right. There are a lot of talented teams that don’t sell out, and/or don’t have much attention paid to them: St. Louis, Columbus, Carolina, etc…

Also, there are other players besides the ones you have listed that deserve a “Heritage Night.” I love honoring the great players from our past. You should read up on our history, and maybe you would realize this.

Windy City Hockey

by The Admiral on Jul 15, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Amen

by cubs22 on Jul 15, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

believe it or not, this is how it has been before (with the sellouts and the media and the merchandise), so give the credit to the blackhawk fans for coming back after being pushed away not mcdonough.

by 60655 on Jul 16, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Nice post- A permamnet link back to this paragraph would be handy

“I’m going to have to repeat this again and again I feel, but this RFA snafu cost the Hawks, AT MOST, an extra million on Versteeg, and that’s it. If Barker had waited out for arbitration, assuming he had gotten his qualifying offer in time, he would have gotten exactly what he got anyway, though with a fuckload more animosity. I already did the numbers here for similar d-men. Versteeg would have been given at least 2 million in arbitration or offer sheet, more likely 2.5, and signed for 3.1. "

by cliffkoroll on Jul 15, 2009 3:47 PM CDT reply actions

FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!

Im sure you read this you fuck,cause you read anything with your name in it.Like JHC said the players know a phony when they see it (you McFuckface)go back to those lovable losers you cunt!

by idiot man on Jul 15, 2009 3:50 PM CDT reply actions

yikes

easy there man

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Killion on Jul 15, 2009 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Get Over It!

Ostensibly, it would seem that things should move a little smoother now that everyone is on the same page. I don’t doubt that Dale will be used for his talent, scouting and player development. It is obvious that he isnt a numbers guy. We should also stop crying for Marty Havlat. Maybe this love affair will end when he puts one in past Huet in the Fall, no?

Windy City Hockey

by The Admiral on Jul 15, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

or hopefully when Hossa starts putting them past everyone…

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Killion on Jul 15, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

BINGO!

Windy City Hockey

by The Admiral on Jul 15, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Stan "The Plan" Bowman

I also have a plan to fix the salary cap issues. It involves the trading of players with big contracts for draft picks or cheaper players. Whether this plan can be put into effect is another thing.

HOCKEENIGHT.COM

by CT II on Jul 15, 2009 4:47 PM CDT reply actions

Sorry

Im sorry for being so offensive it wont happen again.

by idiot man on Jul 15, 2009 5:44 PM CDT reply actions

Shit man

I thought it was kinda funny. This craps givin’ me a headache. Chicago has the greatest fans in the world and if McDufous thinks we can’t see through his thin veil of self-contradicting smoke then he’s only fooling himself. Thank god – less than 80 days ‘till we’re back on the ice.

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Jul 16, 2009 3:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh man

“less than 80 days ‘till we’re back on the ice”

That makes it seem SO far away!

by Geoffhawk on Jul 16, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions

indeed. and if this off-season quagmire gets any thicker it’s going to seem even further away.

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Jul 16, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Fuck that!

You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. This forum should come from the heart and if that’s how you feel, say it! Just like Sam Kinison in “Back to School!”

by Slayer24 on Jul 27, 2009 5:43 AM CDT up reply actions

To retort or ignore?

That is a question with an easy answer-NO! There are not many guarantee’s in life but one is most likely certain that this is probably the end of the Havlat bashing the Hawks on twitter. The Minnesota Wild is a classy franchise headed by Leopold and GM Chuck Fletcher and they cannot be all that enthused with Havlat’s behaviour. It’s childish and irresponsible. And not only does it reflect poorly on the player and his agent but on the Wild organization as well and for that I believe that the Wild will put a stop to these shenanagans. Havlat is gone from Chicago and that is that and should be left at that but he couldn’t, instead has opted for the immature way out of town. Joe Sakic he is not, more like Eric Lindros (often injured, concussions, big mouth… that fits).
As far as the Hossa over Havlat decision I think it was a total organization decision. Hossa is a more complete player that is far more durable and if the Hawks were willing to give a long-term contract then it was wise of them to give it to a player that will at least fulfill it in number of games played for in the end the Hawks paid Havlat $18 million for 1 season + 8 games- hardly a bargain! But to continue further on this point is like beating a dead horse!
To ask McDonough to tell us the truth about the hiring and/or firing is nonsense. What answer are we really going to get? Just something about-face and/or so completely vague that would seem to be a waste of time. We all have follwed this team long enough (too long at times) to not know what the answer really is, so why ask John McDonough for it would be like drawing blood from a stone.
It is what it is and in the end it’s just another instalment of the Love and Hate relationship between the Hawks and their loyal followers.
We will all forget about this off-season if the Hawks win the Stanley Cup.

It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!

by hawks61 on Jul 15, 2009 6:09 PM CDT reply actions

McDonough is a slimeball

Rocky has made him very powerful within the organization. Trouble is McDonough treats people like shit and lets them twist in the wind. He’s also very underhanded in how he deals with things. He’ll get him comeuppance. You don’t “lead” like he leads and you don’t shit on people like he shits on people and not have it come back to bite you in the ass.

Stan Bowman is a robot. He’s a number’s geek who got his job via nepotism. It will be Dad in the background advising on which players to shed and others to add. Stan will try to execute upon that. He knows jack shit about hockey talent evaluation.

Dale Tallon should sit back and collect the paychecks while he works on his golf game. He’s known McDonough and Bowman were in cahoots and that his days were numbered. At least he doesn’t have to undergo the stress anymore.

Bye bye Patrick Sharp. That will be Bowman’s first move after Dad whispers in his ear on that one.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 15, 2009 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

Rocky

Rocky didn’t resurrect this thing to let it go to shit in five years. If anyone is out of line, he’ll make a change. Seems like he learned from his old mans mistakes, and I’m sure he has his opinions about a new pulford emerging.

by nofolds on Jul 15, 2009 6:56 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I don’t know what kind of families most of you grew up in, but my dad fired my ass when I was 18.(young dumb, and full of… well, what ever I could drink or smoke)
After I got out of the Army, I went back to work for my dads company, and my dad laid me off 6 months later.
I would expect to do the same thing with my daughter 12 years from now if she acts the same dumb ass way that I did.

Having said that, is Scotty Bowman any different? If Stan pulls some dumb ass move will daddy cover for him, or will he put him out on his ass, and then tell him that he better show up for Sunday dinner.

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Jul 15, 2009 8:19 PM CDT reply actions