The Balcony Is Open
by SamFels on Dec 16, 2010 4:54 PM CST
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Sam:
Once again, Mr. McClure and his handsome visage and I debate a topic of the day. We've made reference, especially lately, to what we perceive to be a disconnect between Stan Bowman and Coach Q. We have scant actual evidence of this. All I can recall is Quenneville not having much of an idea why Jeremy Morin and Ryan Potulny were sent down before the New Jersey game, not clear if it were a financial decision or a hockey one (though neither make a whole lot of sense). But there have been some curious decisions on both sides -- Jordan Hendry on the 2nd line, eh? -- and something appears up. The Feather, Chris Block, and we have all hinted at this. On the one hand, I don't know what Stan Bowman can do. His hands are a bit tied with the Hawks and everyone else being up against the cap. Yet, John Scott and Nick Boynton are still here. But Coach Q keep throwing them on the ice. So, Matthais, are we making stuff up here or do you think there's something going on? What are the solutions you'd like to see?
McClure:
I think that there's something to this, but obviously because we're not privvy to all of the internal machinations of the front office, we're left only to speculate (YOU GUYS NEED A PRESS PASS!). However, I think we would project a hell of a lot less of this were there any kind of consistency to how the decisions of these two work with one another. Q has basically told Stan and us both that he doesn't trust Jordan Hendry on defense as much as he does Nick Boynton or Jassen Cullimore, but he trusts him on the second line more than Jeremy Morin. From the outside in, this looks spiteful and passive-aggressive toward Bowman. It all points toward Quenneville points chasing, wanting only to win the next shift, period, or game at the expense of his young talent. While injuries have exacerbated this situation, I don't think that Stan Bowman is putting players through the Rockford Shuffle just for the sake of looking smart. He's doing the best with the rules and limitations in place, micromanaging as it might seem.
Whatever the case might be, it's fairly clear that the two aren't entirely on the same page. Most good GM's are loath to issue mandates to their coaches regarding playing time, and coaches are even more vehemently opposed to taking those suggestions. So I don't think a decree from Bowman that Jack Skille must get 13 minutes of ice a night is coming any time soon. What is painfully clear is Quenneville feels handcuffed by his roster as evidenced by the manner in which he rides his top-end talent, and he and Bowman had better sort out what exactly Quenneville feels he needs sooner rather than later as the season approaches the midway point. Whether or not Bowman can provide him that either from within the system or via trade given the restrictions of the salary cap is quite another story.
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Q's and Stan's games are hurting my head
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (The lines that score!)
They seem content on fixing it until it is broke, well mission accomplished…………..it’s broke! Now fix it..PLEASE!!!!
ART.I§8-11; AM I-XXVII Not a suggestion, but an obligation.
I Love learning our founding history.
Second City Hockey, Seriously dude, we do talk about hockey sometimes!
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Dec 16, 2010 5:06 PM CST reply actions
Whether or not Bowman can provide him that either from within the system or via trade given the restrictions of the salary cap is quite another story.
Way to end on a high note!! Today has been interesting on SCH. the comments and overall everything of this site has been depressed all day today. We have members of the site executing themselves from communicating any further because GDT’s are turning into a blood bath of un-winnable arguments. PMA PEOPLE. WE GOT THIS.
time to go drink
"...can i have a glass of whiskey and a slice of bread?"
I really think people are just still really pissed
About the “Intent to blow goats” in SJS and losing a point, and how they lost Monday in Denver (5-4 lead with 2:30 to go and lose 7-5!) to lose 2 points. Last night just added to it, a win and it would be okay. But loosing last night like they did…..again…………………….that was adding Fuel-Magnesium mix to the fire!
ART.I§8-11; AM I-XXVII Not a suggestion, but an obligation.
I Love learning our founding history.
Second City Hockey, Seriously dude, we do talk about hockey sometimes!
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Dec 16, 2010 5:35 PM CST up reply actions
That captures perfectly my feelings after yesterday's game
And don’t forget all the injuries. They were chugging along pretty well since before the circus trip and the general mood around these parts was picking up, and then boom! we get hit with one injury after the other, and a 3-game skid to top it all off.
by hawkswin!hawkswin! on Dec 16, 2010 5:57 PM CST up reply actions
puppet's random thoughts of the day
1) injuries, especially a string of them, will tend to have that effect on any team. i mean, does ANYONE remember what shape the wings were in at this point last year? as i recall, not good.
2) i haven’t been around the boards that much this past week, but the biggest thing that bugged me about last night was the phantom after-the-fact double minor call on Hendry, AND the whole stalberg thing. even though i know i should be more mad at giving up all those goals to the Avs.
3) but generally, our defense has me both baffled and worried. yes, last year the offense was awesome, but our defense got us noticed. This is what really worries me in conversations about the playoffs.
4) my god, having drunken online conversations is hard enough. but having them in spanish with native spanish speakers?….i’m completely petrified to try to figure out what i just said. i don’t recommend this fyi (unless you are a native spanish speaker).
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Dec 16, 2010 10:46 PM CST up reply actions
My inner jackass bekons (becons? mmm bacon)
That was just sick what Scum did last season. We were all dancing with joy at this time last year thinking they would miss the playoffs for the 1st time in 2 decades (FUCK THAT HURTS TYPING THAT (cause it’s true! (shut-up John!))) Apparently the have a culture of “This is what we do” and … eff it I’m saucy and jealous. Even though i would never want to live there.
- but I thought that is what Scott is for?
- I’m baffeled too. Same top 4. WTF!?
como esta?
Against logic there is no armor like ignorance
by Johnny Lava on Dec 17, 2010 12:54 AM CST up reply actions
Here are the 7, 8 and 9 WC seeds from 12/16 last year…
7. CGY 33G 19-10-4 42 pts
8. DET 33G 17-11-5 39 pts
9. VAN 34G 19-15-0 38 pts
On 1/28, Detroit was still only 6 games over .500 and was the 9th seed…
9. DET 53G 25-19-9 59 pts
They started picking things up shortly after that.
Currently, the 8th thru 12th seeds in the WC all have 35pts, but the Hawks have played the most games so they would be seated 12th based on winning pct…
12. CHI 33G 16-14-3 35 pts
Looks like the WC is going to be a dogfight till the end this year.
Pull the other one.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Dec 17, 2010 12:54 AM CST up reply actions
That's why wining the div was so huge last year
Looks like the WC is going to be a dogfight till the end this year
It has been for a while. Look at the Nashville series… we barely won that
Against logic there is no armor like ignorance
GDTs are getting bad?
maybe this a a good function of no “z” for mobile posting. I don’t worry about those while at the bar downing happy juice
Against logic there is no armor like ignorance
Here is a thing I don't get
Q got an extension so he’s not going anywhere soon. He just won a Cup and he has to know the caphell this team has been put in (way to go Captain, thanks for that. You too Kaner)(sarcasm on btw)
So if everyone in HawksNation understands that the team is limited and would most likely give him a pass for not getting the team to the WCF (playoffs, on the other hand, should must be made) why the hell is he killing this team this season!! You ride your best players too much and injuries are going to happen. We are seeing this.
Q, there is no sense grinding your best players to dust to look good this season when it could cost us the next few seasons when there is cap room to upgrade the role players. Think long term, you’ve got the damn contract to do that.
Against logic there is no armor like ignorance
He's just gotten too used to winning
The prospect of fielding a weaker team probably agonizes him. You’re absolutely right, the best players shouldn’t have to play the entire games by themselves, but once you’ve experienced wins, its hard to sit back and lose a few games knowing that overworking the best players could earn us the points.
"Mes que un club"
-Ahmad Bradshaw is undoubtedly a psychic genius.
by Scratch and Snif on Dec 16, 2010 6:57 PM CST up reply actions
that BS
either as an excuse or as his actual train-of-thought.
I hope there is a better reason
Against logic there is no armor like ignorance
Johnny. Those years don’t mean much sometimes.
Coaches know its a what have you done for me lately biz.
Going from winning a Cup to missing the playoffs happens ( I don’t think it does for you guys though. Just need to go on a run ), but not much.
Usually coaches lose their jobs when these things happen. I think it was Paul Maurice that did it last, and he was gone to T.O. Just having the years does not mean much. He would have ample offers, cuz he is a Cup winner and everything. Maybe that is what concerns him about his team dropping points.
So the point chasing McLure mentioned has definite merit.
Grinding your best guys will get them worn down, and that is what it looks like from the outside is happening with Seabs and Keith. But it is just too mindboggling to think two guys that just won Gold for my country could go into a slump. At the same time. They will snap out of it too. Though maybe the defense could use a trade upgrade.
More important than the grinding though, is rushing guys back when you are a little desperate. Kane has a high ankle sprain right? Those have to heal well, or they sap the speed and stop/start of a guy who excels at using those traits to beat his opponents.
I was surprised when I heard he was trying so soon, and sort of nodded my head sagely at a friend when it came across the radio that he had a little set back.
Nuck’s Misconduct Reverend/ Church of the kesLORD, Goaltender Defender, and Occasional Regaler/Idioms Div. "He's really focused this year on playing hard at both ends of the rink. Right now, without a doubt, I don't think it's an understatement to say he's driving the bus." AV's sermon of the kesLORD/12/10/10
burn out?
Keith’s TOI/G this year is 27:21, vs. 26:35 last year. The Hawks have played a lot of games this year, but I wouldn’t say Keith’s trajectory is that he is being “worn down”- he’s been unKeith all season. (Recall last year that Keith was also the Olympic TOI leader, yet was fresh enough to manage about a point a game in the playoffs.)
Biscuit is right at 25 minutes per game this year (#9 in the league among d-men)- he’s young and should be able to handle this.
Toews is #11 in the league among forwards in TOI/G (21:02), behind several HOF candidates.
The Hawks knew the top guys would have to carry more of the weight this year. They have played a lot of games, but it seems to me that burn out, like goaltending, is not this team’s problem.
We like our people.
Correct
It’s execution exacerbated by injuries.
Second City Hockey
Things have changed forever, we're the Ramblin' Boys of Pleasure
TOI
Speaking of TOI, i watched the hawks classic playoff game vs. vancouver in 1995 last night. At the end of regulation, Cheli had something like 35 min TOI, thats f’n nuts. Suck it up Seabs and Dunc! haha
Waiting for the day when a Hawk 'accidentally' shoots a puck between the player benches and nails Pierre McGuire..
BlackHawks Christmas Special - "Babes in TOI-land"...
Legs feed the wolf!
My Father's name is Jack, and my Mother's name is Daniels...
why?
i just dont understand why Q would fuck everything up just to get back at Bowman, is it really worth it? i dont know what the fucks up…
I don't know about a disconnect........
…between Q and Stan, but I am starting to wonder about some of Q’s moves. Case in point, I’m looking down on the ice last night with 2:32 in the 3rd and there’s Nick Boyton on the point. Can someone tell me when Nick Boyton moved into the top 4? Or became an offensive threat? Q will sit Skille and Victor in Denver for their play, but there’s Boyton, who had two completely asstastic icings and was his usual non-factor self out on the ice when Q should have Campbell out there with Dunc. I mean, if we were in need of someone who can break their stick on the cross bar b/c his breakdown caused another goal against, Boyton’s your man. But when we should be pinning our ears back and going for it w/the extra man? No.
Boynton was playing
Because Hjalmarsson has zero offensive game. He is having an absolutely brutal year.
FifthFeather.com
by El Duque's Raft on Dec 17, 2010 8:58 AM CST up reply actions
Its tough to watch right now. I remember his play in the playoffs last year and thinking that whenever he got a shot through it was primarily because of a blown coverage and there wasn’t a defender within 25 ft of him. People were talking about his offensive game further developing this year and it just has not happened. If anything, he’s taken a step back.. Which, all things considered, is not bad considering how #2 is playing.
"...can i have a glass of whiskey and a slice of bread?"
I've missed most of the last couple games ...
Does Q still have Sharp on the point for the powerplay even though we’re down to 10 forwards?
by Billy Charlesbois on Dec 17, 2010 2:56 AM CST reply actions
Yep
San Francisco Giants: your 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS.
Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS.
best. year. ever.
by shinkicker on Dec 17, 2010 6:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Twas the week before Christmas
when all through the office
not an email is stirring
not a phone bell is ringing
the vendor’s gifts were distributed with care
in hopes we’ll do business with them again next year
the employees were nestled all snug in their cubes
with visions of bonuses paid in past years.
HACK! Do you get the point? WTF IS ABE FROMAN? We NEED him!
39 years of pain (1971 loss to Habs) vaporized by one OT goal.
by Badgerdano on Dec 17, 2010 10:10 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
haha :)
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Dec 17, 2010 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
I'm about to leave for the department luncheon
and I’m so not coming back after. Even if we don’t get an open bar.
San Francisco Giants: your 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS.
Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS.
best. year. ever.
by shinkicker on Dec 17, 2010 11:04 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Ryan Johnson
signed to a one year deal and playing tonight. According to the beat writers.
Still waiting to hear on Morin though.
Whatcha got there? Words?
I was thinking about this last night
after I heard they signed Johnson, and now I’m leaning toward Morin not coming back. since we don’t really need help on offense when Hossa, Kane and Stalberg are back, I’m thinking they’re now going to save Morin’s contract year.
by Katherine215 on Dec 17, 2010 10:37 AM CST up reply actions
Let's hope this Johnson
stays up longer, has more stamina if you will, than the last mid-season Johnsson we signed…
39 years of pain (1971 loss to Habs) vaporized by one OT goal.
The Chicago Blackhawks...
We make our Johnsons dissappear
My Father's name is Jack, and my Mother's name is Daniels...
um
isn’t that Rick Nash, allegedly?
We like our people.
by cliffkoroll on Dec 17, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
er...
There’s a subtle difference between weiner tucker and johnson/johnsson dissappear…
And I do not want to know what the difference is.
My Father's name is Jack, and my Mother's name is Daniels...
I think that too
Because, you know, why call up actual forwards when we have Hendry and Scott? :\
Whatcha got there? Words?
by pointmesouth on Dec 17, 2010 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
I know, it's just plain stupid.
Though they could still call up other wingers for the 4th line, like Ben Smith or Potulny. Please?
by Katherine215 on Dec 17, 2010 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
I realize it's not happening tonight, of course.
I was just pleading in general.
by Katherine215 on Dec 17, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
I support that.
Where do I sign the petition?
39 years of pain (1971 loss to Habs) vaporized by one OT goal.
I'm still pissed they sent down Ben Smith -
Seriously, he does exactly what they desperately need right now (except score 3 goals a game)
My Father's name is Jack, and my Mother's name is Daniels...
If this Johnson is the answer
then I’m a bit fuzzy on what the question is.
Confusion will be my epitaph.
The Cup is ours until someone takes it from us.
better team defense?
a better PK? better faceoffs?
Well, it seems that’s what he’s supposed to do…
by Katherine215 on Dec 17, 2010 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
Points Chasing
I’ve seen this a few times on this blog, so I’ll bite.
Why is “points chasing” seem like it’s a four letter word around here? Isn’t Q’s job to win the next shift/period/game? Developing young talent is GREAT. It’s why the Hawks have a farm team. If you’re up on the big club you ought to be able to hang.
The Hawks are riding those top players this year because they had so much turnover from the year before. It’s a feeling out process. The tin foil hat stuff about Q and Bowman is really overblown if you think it’s to the point Q is making lineup calls to snipe at his boss. That’s absurd.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of Q decisions I’ve disagreed with (say, anytime Kopecky is in the Top 6), but riding his top players and juggling around the 6-9 new F and D he’s got this year? That’s not among them.
Quenneville's job is to win the Stanley Cup
Making important decisions during the course of the regular season (winning the next shift/period/game) without the big picture in mind is a real easy way to burn out your team by March. He was probably more guilty of this last year; this year he doesn’t really have a choice but to win every game thanks to their lousy start.
It’s not too difficult to connect the dots on a Q/Bowman disconnect. Call it wearing a tin foil hat or whatever, but there’s been several instances (one reported and others which haven’t been) where they’ve disagreed on personnel decisions.
FifthFeather.com
by El Duque's Raft on Dec 17, 2010 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
Winning tonight, while making it more likely to lose a lot more later is "points chasing"
The idea is to do the best possible over the course of the entire season (we used to tell parents that ’no one cares if you lose the first 6 games in a season, if you win the last 6 games in that season" and that we would guarantee that the team woud not win all of its games, even if we had to enter them in a tournament at a higher age group level to ensure that they lost – which we did have to do one year).
Overplaying the horses now while not giving new guys the ice team needed to develop over the course of the year (and enduring the early rookie errors and such) is a long term losing strategy.
Confusion will be my epitaph.
The Cup is ours until someone takes it from us.
The point is: if Morin isn’t NHL ready he shouldn’t be in the NHL. Especially where this team is in the standings they ABSOLUTELY need to chase points. Both now and in the future. This is the freaking NHL man, no team is good enough to choose when to play hard and when to mail it in. You’ve gotta play hard every night.
And, I mean, is there any argument being made that these players this year are somehow being “worked harder” than last year? When they played a ton of minutes AND had the Olympics to deal with? It’s straight tin foil hat stuff, and I expect better from Hawks fans. Leave that to the Scum in Detroit.
Teams CURRENTLY OUT OF THE PLAYOFF PICTURE don’t get to be so choosy about when to chase points and when not to chase points. It’s just a crazy criticism. If they were letting points slip through their fingers (which they are) people would accuse them of not finishing games hard enough. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t I guess.
I don't think you understand
what krome and the others are saying.
by Katherine215 on Dec 17, 2010 2:39 PM CST up reply actions
Actually, that's not true....
I do not understand what krome is saying about the youth hockey team he coaches, because it has absolutely nothing to do with anything and makes no sense. But yeah, about the Blackhawks (the team we’re actually discussing) … I think I get what he THINKS, and I think he’s wrong.
Yea I can only assume those meetings are fun
It is kind of weird being a Sox fan and seeing the GM and Manager/Coach work together regardless of opinion or personal problems. See DH bullshit Transition back to beating the shit out of the ball Pretty open organization, make a plan, tell everyone then go with it which is nice for us fans, we can then have realistic expectations, even when they suck there is at least a “plan” that is expressed by someone…
Trying to sort out what is going on with the Hawks is crazy and yes I would totally agree passive aggressive. John Scott… Really? Still playing hockey? Don’t get it… He does not, has never fit in the current Hawks puck possession style of play. Ever. If I was a coach and I had 13 players for 18 positions I would be hella pissed. How can I implement a system with out the personnel? Craziness.
But 2 best players out like had been replied to me in a previous post, how much can you really expect….
by TurdFurgeson on Dec 17, 2010 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
for fucks sake
i just wanted stars there not bold, shakes fist
by TurdFurgeson on Dec 17, 2010 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
haha, the stars automatically format
If you’re interested, click “Show Formatting Guide” in the comment box at the bottom, and you’ll see what I mean.
by Katherine215 on Dec 17, 2010 1:13 PM CST up reply actions
The player’s job is to win the Stanley Cup. Q’s job is to manage the players in such a way that gives them the best possible chance to succeed. Even so, it’s a moot point. What, exactly, is he doing that doesn’t have “the big picture” in mind? My problem with this premise so far seems to be that people only explain it in vague, nebulous terms that really mean nothing at all.
The guy’s trying to win games. He’s making decisions he thinks will help him do that, my guess is both now and in the future. We can be critical of his decision making all we want, but “points chasing” is way down the list of Q’s actual, legitimate faults. And harping on it distracts from the things he’s ACTUALLY doing wrong — like playing Kopecky.
None of my comments are to say ...
I agree with Q’s personnel decisions. Far from it. But he did this all last year as well. That doesn’t mean AT ALL that he’s doing it because he’s in a fight with Stan Bowman.
He’s doing it because that’s what he does.
I agree wholeheartedly.
"Yet you skate like you think wearing it is enough."
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!
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