It's all slipping away
A few weeks ago the Hawks were up by 9 points in the battle for fourth place in the West.
Now they are tied with Vancouver, so if you don't think a playoff spot could be gone if things don't turn around, think again.
The Hawks have lost eight of 11 and look lifeless. There is no intensity, no fight, they lose battles and are getting outworked.
Everyone seems to want to fire GM Dale Tallon, but when does what's happening fall on the coach? If you can't get a team prepared to play at home against the Islanders and Colorado, then questions need to be asked.
When the games are the tightest this time of the year, the Hawks don't appear to have what it takes. They play small, they don't hit consistently and they take too much time off during games. Where were they for two periods against the Devils?
Toews can't do it all by himself. Byfuglien, Kane, Seabrook, Campbell, Walker and Bolland have been non-factors for weeks.
This is serious hockey being played now and the Hawks are acting as if it's still December when they can wheel and deal offensively their way to wins. You've got to work to win now and the Hawks are looking for the easy way out.
Maybe Quenneville needs to start holding some players accountable instead of saying everything is fine.
Big game in Columbus Wednesday night and I don't like the Hawks' chances.
Its funny that nearly everyone, including fans, media, and national guys said the Hawks did very well in free agency last year getting the top defenseman and top goalie. Huet was figured to replace Habby which never happened.
Now a little adversity sets in and the sky is falling.
Do I agree with all of Tallon's moves? No. I didnt agree when he sat on his hands at the deadline either, making minor moves.
But they are far from cooked.
Again, Pronger, Guerin and those types would have been brought in had they thought they were that close but the front office knows its still a year or so away.
Enjoy this 'cherry' season because the real sundae will be eaten soon!
Why doesn't Johnson ever get the nod anymore? I've always liked him more than walker. He has much more presence in the D zone, and definitely more on offense.
Orval Tessier said it best years ago when he verbally smashed a hawks team that had no passion or effort in the Campbell Conference finals.
This isn't the playoffs but it's crunch time and a lot of players are taking the easy way out. It's sickening.
Tessier had that team pegged then and what he said fits now. Remember what he said?? ............ the team needed "heart transplants". So true.
tiber..good post I was waiting to see how long it would take for someone to bring,
the Big O's most famous quote up, and one of the all-time greats in Hawks history. It's
very timely.
The combined salaries of Huet and Campbell come out to about 10M this year. A photo of that overtime goal should be placed on Tallon's desk tomorrow next to his pink slip.
On a positive note; Toews impresses me more and more each time I see him play. LaPointe wasn't joking when he hyped him up as the next Stevie Y.
Right, because nobody else wanted Campbell and Huet. What did other GM's offer for Campbell and Huet? Oh, right, you don't know.
Don't blame Tallon. Campbell was probably the most sought after Free Agent for a reason. You're looking for somebody to blame, blame the players, not the GM or the coach. This is professional sports and the players are getting their money to play.
I'm not the biggest Campbell fan in the world but A) he was gassed, and B) the Columbus player slashed to gain an advantage. A penalty in many instances this year, except on a big play like that. NHL officiating continues to show itself to be a joke. And, no, I'm not blaming the loss on the officials. Merely pointing out an instance.
Oh, and I'm definitely not a Huet fan. He was AWFUL tonight. It was directly his fault that the game wasn't already a 3-1 Hawks win.
I'll keep this relatively sane, as I don't want to explode per Loags.
Huet lets in 3 $hit goals. The first one he mishandles, the third one rivals any of the other horrible goals he's let in during his HOF Hawks season, and the fourth HAS to be stopped. I'm glad to see that it's finally boiling over to the point that Eddie O is all over his case. Yes, he made a few stops, but that's his job. The guy is a joke. I'm sorry. If they want to play him during back to back games, fine. But unless Bulin morphs into Huet, this jack ass better not get any work. I can't handle anymore soft goals which is becoming a STAPLE of EVERY Huet start. Konroyd is ripping him as well. FINALLY!!!!
Campbell. Well, I hope he's hurt. He can't even make passes, and has ZERO confidence right now. The fourth goal in OT he has to win that battle, but again another 1 on 1 battle that this blows and costs them a goal. If he's hurt, then I can accept some of these plays. If he's not hurt, then this guy is only going to get worse and if he makes it past year 3 of his deal at this rate, I'd be shocked.
Kane played well.
At least they got a point.
Yeah...they got a much needed point to halt the brutal and ill-timed losing skid they were on....
BUT
this team is going nowhere. Khabi and especially Huet are gag artists of the highest variety.
Kane wears a mouthguard and still gets his teeth knocked out running into his own player.
Campbell the one man gaffe machine shouldn't be making $800 k let alone $8 mil a year. This carrot topped clown has the hockey IQ of 4 year old. One of the worst defensive defenseman in the league to be sure yet he keeps repeating his stupid spineramas and boneheaded defensive zone play that usually results in the Chicago red light going on.
The big Creampuff is afraid of his shadow and fellow robots Ladd, and Brouwer couldn't locate the concept of INTENSITY with a GPS.
As Angelo Dundee said to Sugar Ray Leonard in the first Tommy Hearns fight.
"You're blowing it kid."
Leonard rallied to beat Hearns in that epic 1981 tilt. Will the Hawks do likewise?
Not with this bunch of paper mache' robots !!!
All the while, the coach and GM smile, shrug their shoulders and do little to right the good ship Tomahawk. Neither has the balls or business sense to take us the distance. Too bad since a very promising season appears to have been ultimately wasted.
You guys need to calm the hell down. "Ahhhh!! Its armageddon!!"
I said 'Calm down.'
Its a slump. We all talked aboot it all season eventually coming and it has arrived. You guys really think the Hawk players don't care? Of course they do. They want to get out of this as soon as possible. Things just aren't going their way right now. Not to mention that there's injuries there that the team is hiding. I can tell by watching Havlat that he's playing injured. I think Bolland is affected some way too because he's missed practices and he's not finishing around the net. It happened to San Jose and it happened to Detroit. We'll get through this. Just calm down.
Steve Rain: Breathe. Just breathe...or you will explode and your wife/girlfriend will not like that.
Wow, lots of emotion. The hawks should have as much as all of you guys.
Sassone has been the hawks beat writer for about 20 years, through good & bad. So I trust his judgement. If he got a little thrilled early on, he wasn't alone. Like a sailor who hasn't seen a chick in a long time, anything looks good. But time tells all. The hawks have had holes all year. Did they miss khabbi & Sharp recently? I think so. Especially the weak side one timer on the PP from Sharp. And don't forget that Kane usually got the primary assist. They need that to spread the PK coverage out.
And about Tallon & the cap, something stinks. They sign the "so called" best available defenceman & goalie spending themselves silly and making a big deal out of it just in time for the convention? I think DT had a lot of help making up his mind if ya know what I mean. I wouldn't blame all of this on him. And just like when they hired Q and Savvy was as good as gone, when Scotty came here you had to figure his son as the next GM soon after. But then the hawks did better than expected. Now that they have come back to earth, all bets are off.
I sure hope they end the year well. If not, they will make the cubs gag jobs look good.
Walker is absolutely pathetic in his own end lately... we might as well be playing with 4.
I see some of the trade Patrick Kane chatter making the rounds again. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Teams do not under any circumstances trade 20 year old All Star forwards who are likely to turn into 40-50 goal scorers for the next ten years. As every team has proven, goal scorers are the hardest guys to find no matter what type of game your team plays.
All small skilled players take a beating their first couple of years in the league, especially ones with the pedigree Kane had coming in. Teams would be stupid if they didn't try to run him off his game as he has already proven that he will kill you if you give him time and space. I don't believe he will ever be Dino Sucks in terms of physical play but the sky is the limit as far as offensive talents go. He has the look of a guy that is a difference maker in the Hawks being a real good team and a "Stanley Cup" winner. Time (2-3 years...maybe more) will tell whether that will be the case but the talent is there.
I agree. Talent is there, but the attitude sucks. He is a hot dog, and is EXTREMELY lazy. Plus he's showing up teammates more and more, and that crap has to stop. If I'm Brouwer and this kid shows me up, do I go stick up for him non stop??? Not so sure. Take last night. He makes an extra move at the blue line, Eager goes offsides, he fires the puck angirly high towards the net, and then we see him muttering to himself. He's lucky he didnt' get his ass kicked for that.
I don't think you trade him, but unlike Versteeg, Kane is EXTREMELY lazy. I would argue that I don't see him ever being a 40 a yr scorer because he doesn't drive to the net. Toews? Yes. Kane? no. I see Kane maybe like an Adam oates type player. A constant set up man. Playing the perimeter, which is fine, but he won't ever be a 40-50 yr goal scorer.
All I am saying is that he's still young. Somebody needs to pull him aside and wake him up. If he fails to do that, then that's a problem in a few years when he'll demand huge dollars and see if his stats match that.
Remember, this kid STILL has not outscored Toews in goals in a year, or is averaging a pt a game.
- I was not disappointed to see Savard replaced by Q. That being said I think Q deserves some blame for the team not executing the system and being ready to play the last month or so.
- Tallon screwed up the salary cap? No matter the contracts of Byfuglien, Sopel, or Campbell the cap was screwed up by Habby actually showing up to play this year. If this was the Habby of the last THREE years then he would have been banished to minors or somewhere other then our roster. Huet was signed because all of us knew we had to upgrade our goaltending. Tallon tried to improve a big hole for us and that bit him because Habby turned his game around.
- Speaking of Habby, seemed like when Huet was in goal and the games were lost a lot of people were walking all over him. What about Habby not playing well? If Huet wins and plays well tonight does he get the chance to grab the ball?
- I think a lot of us really knew in their heart of hearts that this team wasn't a true Cup contender. Yeah there are teams that can come out of nowhere and win but that isn't likely. We got caught up thinking we were farther along then we really are. HOPEFULLY we are taking the next step and making the playoffs. I think we are a team on the rise not a team on the top.
- They want to talk about leadership and Cup experience, why put Adams on waivers? He played better then any of our call-ups and has won a Cup. Remember the game last year when he gave the speed at intermission and the team came back and won. Wiz and Pahlsson have very similar cap hits so that shouldn't have been the reason.
- This slide isn't the end of the road. Hopefully we can right the ship and the team learns something from it. They can't take short cuts and hope to out score teams at this point. They have to play tougher (take hits) and COMPETE! It is different for each player but must compete. Kane, Toews, Havlat, Campbell aren't physical players but they have to work the boards for EVERY puck and backcheck. That is just missing right now.
I'd rather hit a losing streak now than in the playoffs.
Seems like the competition has been watching the tapes of the hawks and know how the hawks like to carry the puck out of the zone, etc. True this is a small team that will be pounded to a crimson stain in the playoffs; true there is too much money tied up in goal. We all see it and do not deny it.
Still, it has been a remarkable turnaround that probably will continue to improve in the coming years.
What I think we're seeing is a very talented group that is having troubles adjusting to playoff hockey during the regular season. A key reason that we're seeing this is that this is a VERY young club that does not have experience when it comes to handling hard times during a playoff run. The team's heart and soul (Toews) is twenty years old. I'm sure five years from now he'll tell you that at the end of 2009 he was not sure what to do to lead the team through this mess. And in no way is this his fault since much of leadership is learned via experience. That's why coaching is going to have to be the difference to get things turned around.
I like the patience Q has shown up to now. I'm sure a few guys have been lit up behind closed doors but in general he realizes that the sky isn't falling. Every team in the league goes through this. I saw Detroit get blown out by Columbus 8-0 a couple of weekends ago. This after they lost a few other questionable games. They rode it out and are now back to playing solid hockey. Having a half a dozen experienced leaders gets them through trouble. That is the difference between them and everyone else in the west and is why they are the team to beat.
It is almost impossible for such a green team to go from also-rans to the title in one year. So the goal for the Hawks remains to make the playoffs. It does not matter where they finish so long as it is 8th or better. Toews, Kane, Versteeg, etc. all need to take the first step to the top rung and making the playoffs is that step. If they happen to win a series or two then great. But the main goal remains to make the playoffs and as long as they figure out a way to do that then this season has been a big success and will provide the core with something tangible to build upon.
Steve Rain is right. A win tonight would give us a bit of a cushion over the Jackets with 2 games in hand. The more important thing is to restore some confidence and swagger in a team that simply looks like they couldn't be a high school team right now.
I find it difficult to be hard on this team because I know how young they are along with the fact that they've exceeded my expectations. When they were streaking earlier in the year I said that it was easy for them to continue that streak because they're young, inexperienced, hungry, and fearless. They were doing things people thought they couldn't do.
When the hard times hit though, that's where experience leads you out of those funks. Right now, the only TRUE experience we have is behind the bench in Coach Q.
So, here's the question, can Q finally get them up for a big game tonight where they HAVE to earn a "W"?
If I were the coach, I'd tell them tonight is old school hockey night. You play nasty, you play mean, play dirty if you have to, but most of all you play hard for 60 minutes. The days of holiday on ice and skaing rings around people are over.
I realize we don't have alot of big bodies who can play that way. I don't care. If you put that jersey on, you get out there and run somebody and play for the guy sitting next to you. It's as simple as that.
Let's get it on!!!
Give us something. I can handle losing but not showing up is a different animal.
I would love to see a guy who doesn't scrap, set a tone tonight. Maybe a Seabrook pounding some guy. Get these guys into the game early!
Ahh, for a duplicate of the last March Vancouver game, where I saw a team quit by the 10 minute mark of the first period. The Hawks hit everyone and anyone at every chance.
Seabrook's been pounding guys a lot the last week or so. Even Dunc was trying to run people last night. What they need is for someone, any one, to get pissed and step up. How about Brower? Barker? Can Buffy challenge someone instead of yappin & backing down? Biggest part tonight is what we've been hearing the last few games...a good start! They get down by 2 and you can see the wind come out of their sails. Score first, dump it in & pound the D! My fingers are crossed for a fast start.
Time to worry about baseball. Go White Sox.
Swisscheese, that sounds like the Hawks defense. S-C you make some good points. Guys do look exhausted. When you lose 9 of 12 down the stretch, there is a problem and it is more than Khabby's creaky groin, Sharp's knee, Marty's mystery ailment, and Pahlsson's mono, and good guy WIZ living in the sunshine of California. Missing the playoff's is NOT out of the question at this rate, there are only 14 games left, another run of 4-10 will find our hero's golfing on April 13th. The 2008-09 Blackhawks will be remembered just like the 69 Cubs or other historic flameouts in this cities infamous sports history. Of course if there are no playoff's this year, Tallon will be scapegoat but just firing him will not be the end of the problem. Granted he has bungled the cap, but the guy who trained him Pully, never had a cap to deal with and always had old man Wirtz's booze money to throw around IF he wanted to. I'm sorry the guy rumored to be the next GM of this team Stan Bowman, has been the teams capologist for two years, he's advising Tallon on how to spend the money. Do we really want this guy to replace Tallon, the genius Q likes to stalk around like Keenan but what is he really doing, but trying to deflect the blame. When a team isn't ready to play, that's on the coaches. Six straight games and eight of nine the other team has scored the first goal. That is NOT being ready to play. I have heard comments from the best bench bosses in all sports taking the rap, when preparation isnt right and their team wasnt ready to play. When does fearless leader do that. The party is over boys, step it up starting tonight. Hopefully Pahlsson provides a spark.
I think the team we are seeing now is the real Blackhawks. I used think the Canadian media were nuts because they never included the Hawks as a top 6 team. Now I wonder if they were not spot on. This team has potential. It needs some veterans and some size to be a real contender. The problem is no one is fighting for a job. The Hawks have nothing close to being ready for the big league.
Assuming they make the playoffs and even if they bow out I still think is a successful season that they can build off of.
fwiw, I & several others, have been saying throughout the season that they were too young & inexperienced and need a couple of proven & physical vets - yet we've also heard from some posters & even the blog author at various times during the year, call this team elite & legit contenders along with detroit, sj & boston. i think it is now becoming very apparent to most that this team as currently constituted, even with khabi, havlat & pahlsson, lacks the depth & experience needed to be a legit contender this year.
as for missing the playoffs, that won't happen - they fortunately have built up a big enough lead to avoid squandering a spot, tho 4th place is obviously no longer a given, (tho you may get an argument from bigpete on that lol).
i'm not sure if the last 10 games reflect the "real" blackhawks - they have obviously played better than they have during their recent stretch and are capable of doing so again, imo, but there are some things that are troubling, most notably the apparent lack of urgency & competitive drive, and getting off to slow/poor starts to games is one reflection of that, and particularly disturbing coming from a young team. if they don't find their "game" or energy to compete with a sense of urgency, a quick playoff exit (4 or 5 games) wouldn't surprise me.
I wonder too about the recent decision by the players to have a players-only meeting, leaving the coaching staff out of the loop. that isn't usually done by a team in 4th place that has so many young players & a young captain, who have essentially overachieved so far this season.
Q is a good, experienced coach who has seen it all - he might be accentuating the positive to the media, but i don't doubt for a second he is telling guys in no uncertain terms behind closed doors what needs to be done to get better & improve their game. his problem is his horses are young and you can't demand more from them than they are capable of giving or lack the experience to execute.
i was a big supporter of bringing Q in to replace Savard & i think he's done a good job - that said, i do have question how he is handling some of the players - walker is obviously a favorite of his, but i fear Q has a blind spot with this guy. walker is being overused, including on the pk by a wide margin. give him too much responsibility and you can expect what you are currently getting imo - tons of mistakes from a guy trying to play beyond what he is capable of, with no prospect for improvement.
campbell looks like he has free license to roam - and based on his skating ability, i don't necessarily have a problem with that, but there is no doubt he is getting beat defensively more than he should be and his D partner, usually walker, or barker to a lesser extent, don't have what it takes to cover for the guy and often need help themselves in their own zone.
Q had kane going when he first took over, and perhaps the lingering effects of the ankle injury are still hampering 88, but kane needs to get more involved at both ends of the ice every shift & do so consistently from shift to shift, game to game - no floating allowed.
the bottom line tho, imo, is that there is only so much a coach can do with a young team that lacks experience and that may be hitting a wall, mentally & physically - these kids have never gone thru a grind like this with so much on the line - overall, they've had a great season and have still exceeded my & most realistic fans' expectations. will they have one more surge left come playoff time to extend and perhaps even win the first round? i don't know, but i'll be cheering them on.
ps the Canadian media (eg. TSN) still has the hawks 6th overall in their power ranking even as of Monday, despite losing 4 of 5 - and McGuire suggested they made the best deadline move - a lot of these guys don't know as much as they'd like you to think, tho astute Canadian analysts like Bob McKenzie have never really considered the hawks as real contenders this year.
Irish12 = A certain Herald columnist
Anyone else who reads this paper and sees 'his' constant yet subtle digs at Tim and less than subtle management digs and knows 'his' style of writing, could probably easily figure it out.
Irish12's latest diatribe today is more focused on Tim and the Hawks' management, instead of the Hawks' players and there total lack of preparation, mostlly led by the coach that "Irish12' fully endorsed.
I am quite certain when Tim was praising them a month ago like the rest of us, he didn't envision what is turning into a total collapse.
Let's not forget that this all started when injuries started taking a toll. And if you think that Patrick Sharp being out has no effect you are fooling yourself.
This team's natural step was to make the playoffs folks-- remember? Nobody thought they were going to challenge for a cup this year. They will make the playoffs. Then hopefully in the off-season they will improve on what they have and get the pieces needed to win a cup next year.
I am still trying to figure out how the Hawks' failures of late are Tim Sassone's fault? Perhaps Irish12 can answer that in his next column?
harshreality, a couple of things. Not the writer you're thinking of, but I do agree with a lot of that writer's perspective. And no where did I put the blame for the Hawks recent failures on Sassone.
Maybe re-read what I wrote. We share the same opinion on where this team is at. Just never agreed with Sassone's perspective, it sounds too much like cheerleading to me.
Not defending anyone, but realize that it will be EXTREMELY hard for Tallon to "improve this team" without trading away a Sharp, Buff, Sopel, or Huet. He may lose 12.75 off the cap but it may take all that to replace a Havlat type of player, as the hawks OBVIOUSLY don't have one in house. What do you think Hossa would comand IF he wins a cup in Detroit?
Remember, any RFA that is not signed by a certain date, can be tendered offer sheets by other teams. The Sabres got burnt by this 2 years ago when the Oilers offered Vanek an INSANE amount of money.
What do you think a Bolland, Versteeg, Barker, Eager, Niemi, Crawford, Brouwer, Frazer, etc are all worth? Then throw in the declining cap AND you have to sign Keith, Toews, and Kane after 2011, and tell me how this team is "going to get better"?
Prepare yourself. Dale Tallon has tried to pull the wool over our eyes, but I'm not allowing that to happen.....I'm interested to hear how he'll try to spin this after the season, or at the convention IF they allow a Q and A to take place.
www.nhlnumbers.com Click on the CHI and any green highlighted contract is expiring. Basically, the whole "prospect" list. This doesn't include all the guys in Rockford, either.
Not sure how Tallon is attempting to "pull the wool over" anyone's eyes. As someone posted on today's main story thread, I think this team is a little ahead of schedule as far as developing into a perennial contender, given the way Toews and Kane have burst on the scene and the emergence of Sharp as a goal scorer. It's all so convenient to point out that the club has a looming problem with the salary cap (I still don't believe the Huet contract/signing was Tallon's original idea), and I grant you the contract to Byfuglien based on his production last season was a mistake, but you have to remember that until a year or so ago, this was still a hockey wasteland. The club HAD to overpay to get prime talent to come to Chicago. I still think Tallon understands what it takes to put together a successful hockey club, time will tell, I guess.
It was a wasteland, and yes he had to overpay. I went to the Ducks game 2-3 years ago when I was given FREE tickets by the HAWKS. i should have framed that email. The highlight was a Koci vs Parros fight. Hawks got rolled like 5-0 or something.
However, if you have a young team, it's disheartening to think that this team that SHOULD have a 2-3 year WINDOW when it can ADD players to get better, will have to subtract to add the correct pieces.
That's my point. Lots of fans out there (not saying you are) that think that everything is fine, and all these guys will be here and we can add a Hossa or whomever and still have money left over. Not true at all.
Steve, great, thanks for clarifying. I agree this is no time to totally stand pat with the team as it is and way that we've arrived, but just get jaded on the "Tallon Sux" posts and a lot of people (not saying you) don't always appreciate the work put in, the overall direction of things and how far the franchise has come in a year plus.
Agreed. I criticize him for the length of contracts and the timing of them. Some guys didn't deserve extensions. However, this team has come along way, and lets pray that they can recapture their mid season form in time for the playoffs.
I expected a 6th seed ceiling heading into this year, but I can't discount that they did reach the 4th seed and pretend that didnt happen.
This team's play may have fallen off a bit, but I don't see much change in their overall play. Simply put, the goalies bailed them out so much with great saves, that it masked some of the deficiencies. Now that the goaltending has dropped a little, the losses are mounting. Besides, a little adversity now, may help them down the road into the playoffs.
I still think they'll be fine if the goalies step back up. Pahlsson and Sharp back will also help.Vancouver has a six game road trip coming up, let's see if they can maintain this pace.
Like i said the last couple posts, this is ridiculous, and embarrasing.
Yeah at this point everyones responsible. Tallon didnt get anything other then a free agent face off guy who cant score and may not be effective at the deadline. you think his presence will change things? not enough. not with all the other issues this team has. Sharp may not be effective the rest of the year as well. He was blowing it before he got hurt.
Tallon misused the cap which will hurt this team in the future regarding trades and signings, were becoming Pittsburgh in this regard in that our teams long term continuity has been wrecked.(huet,campbell,buff,sopel,the list goes on) we wont be able to keep the guys we want and well be stuck with guys weve seen enough of.
Coach Q cant get this team to show up and beat the isles and avalanche? He was hired and Savard was fired for this very reason. Q would have the answers when Savard didnt know the question. Q was the established coach whos been there and would guide this team during stretches like this. Well i think everyones in agreement that nows the time for Q to step up, earn his paycheck, and hold the usual suspects accountable. Or admit to somebody that this team has already tuned you out and your not in control.
From the looks of it this team is playing like their not listening to their coach and dont really want to get beat up in the playoffs. Look at Buff. Id say hes not listening and doesnt care as an example. wont hit,compete,stand in front of the net, shoots from the worst angles,ect. he must have been sat down at some point and given the riot act. And if he hasnt been given the riot act then why the hell not?!!!
If i was the Q id be benching this worthless piece of crap along with Campbell the dancing ice maiden
We could disect other players and pinpoint whether their listening but why bother, THE PHANTOM will obviously never change, and Huets problem is hes getting pointers and instruction from Waite, right theres the problem(joke)
It doesnt help that Tallon keeps recalling guys who arent NHL players and this is what Q has to go to war with. I guess Q can only win so many games with minor league stiffs.
Right now this team could use some energy and speed and toughness.
Skille,Brophy,Bickell, fit these criteria and play Qs style. were better served with our own picks playing instead of other teams castoffs. These three would probibly play for their professional lives unlike what were seeing from guys that are up here and obviously dont care.
I said it yesterday, this team is not winning with the current lineup. Changes need to be made in house since we blew it on the trade deadline and cant get help from outside the org. anymore until after the season.
Here you go.....If the Hawks completely go into the toilet, then I'll update lower teams:
CALGARY...86 pts....13 games left (7 home, 6 road): vs Dallas, vs St. Louis, vs Detroit, @Pittsburgh, @Columbus, vs Minnesota, vs San Jose, @Dallas, @Minnesota, vs LA, @Vancouver, @Edmonton, vs Edmonton
VANCOUVER...83 pts.....13 games left (5 home, 8 road): vs St. Louis, @Phoenix, @Dallas, @St Louis, @Colorado, @Hawks, @Minnesota, vs Anaheim, @Edmonton, vs Colorado, vs Calgary, vs LA, @Colorado
HAWKS...83 pts....14 games left (9 home, 5 road): @Columbus, vs Edmonton, vs LA, vs San Jose, vs New Jersey, vs Vancouver, @Montreal, vs St. Louis, vs Nashville, @Columbus, @Nashville, vs Columbus, @Detroit, vs Detroit
COLUMBUS...78 pts....12 games left (6 home, 6 road): vs Hawks, @Florida, @Tampa, vs Calgary, @St. Louis, vs St. Louis, vs Nashville, @Nashville, vs Hawks, @Hawks, @St. Louis, vs Minnesota
So there you have it. Tonights game is huge. They beat Columbus in regulation and have a 7 pt lead with 2 games in hand, everyone can feel better. I still think Vancouver has the inside track for the 4th seed, and possibly 3rd. Calgary has a very tough schedule.
IT's time to pray that Redwings have the president's trophy locked up or San Jose does by the time they meet to the end the year.
Nobody is driving to the net to generate some real scoring chances. If Q can get the guys to stop playing on the outside they will right the ship again. It was easy to see lately how teams will let the Hawks cycle all day, but the Hawks won't pull the trigger to make anything happen. Drive to the net and good things will happen.
Just cause Coach Q doesn't comment negatively, don't be fooled for a moment. He was an old school tough defensemen. I'm sure Campbell's play makes him ill! Also, having your enitre salary cap clogged up by 2 goaltenders and 1 defensemen is absurd, especially since they don't earn their keep. Q has no room to maneuver, unless he sends down one of these million dollar babies, and I'm sure that wouldn't go over well with the establishment.
Bulin is pulling his weight this year...only took him until the 4th year of his zillion dollar contract to do it. And then there is Campbell the playmaker. I can do without him. Remember last year they only missed the playoffs by 3 points (and they had a ton of injuries in Jan/Feb 08 and lousy goaltending and they still got close). Now they will probably squeak into the playoffs...hmmm maybe by 3 points. Is Campbell worth it??? And then there is Huet, the only problem with him is you don't know what your going to get, an awesome performance or a total meltdown, there is no inbetween with him. A team can't have that, you have to have confidence in your netminder.
I'm sure all this crap keeps Q awake at night. It's a crappy situation. Hopefully the off season will clear up some of the debacles and maybe bring the organization a new GM. It's necessary.
if they flounder to a 9th place finish, guys.
They were 3 points out last year where a decent goalie would have put them in the show.
This year they are a more expensive team on the ice and could very well wind up 3 points out again, unless the team gets turned around.
33 has a fat contract and is playing with a fat head.
5 has a fat contract and is on the shelf.
38 has a fat contract as big as the rebounds he leaves, to go along with holes in his concentration.
39 playing for a fat contract elsewhere next year.
88 is talented, but needs to man up along the boards.
2 looks exhausted.
7 looks exhausted.
24 looks exhausted.
16 looks to be hurting from the beatings he is taking trying to win loose pucks his teammates do not want.
10 is hurt worse than originally announced.
43 looks good in an Anaheim uniform.
51? Well we won't go there. His San Jose playoff slip is showing right now.
Not time to send up S.O.S, but there is an iceberg looming in the fog ahead.
Not only does the team look lifeless, it looks like they don't care...Many of us fans have bought into this exciting turnaround by attending home games in record numbers, only to have this team return to the style of play that drove us away in the first place....The last 2 Sunday afternoon games should have come with a money back guarantee!!!!
It's no surprise the Hawks are slipping. Afterall, as the end of the season nears it is more like a playoff environment - tight checking, great goaltending, close games, etc... - and the style of play that some have been allowed to get away with just doesn't cut it any more.
Patsy Kane - plays with no-check hockeying / no back checking rat hockey. Sit him down when not on the powerplay.
Cement Hands - Buff is as effective as a surgeon wearing boxing gloves. Don't waste talent by putting him with a skilled player who will lay a perfect pass only to have if muffed.
Huet Dewy & Louie - Keep Huet on the bench until he learns how not to cough up rebounds.
Defenseless - How many goals have been given up because the D has let someone stand in front of the net?
I think Tim is a confused fan like the rest of us. I agree Irish, Tim was gung ho about these guys 1 month ago and now he sounds like they are deadbeats. I feel the same way. This is a crazy bunch of guys. But I'm not going to say I don't like their chances tonight.
Honestly we ran into a brick wall sunday with manino playing unconsciously. Last night I don't think the Redwings would have spoiled the party planned. The devils were riding a high for that game last night.
Tim , you will be speaking differently after tonight's win.
P.S. Quenville has things in perspective. He will make sure they get back on course without a doubt.
Tim, I'm confused. Just a while ago you wrote:
Posted by TimS on Sat, 02/07/2009 - 10:29
There's a reason why we haven't been hearing the Hawks mentioned in trade rumors with the March 4 deadline fast approaching.
It's because GM Dale Tallon and his staff still aren't sure they want to mess with the special chemistry in the dressing room, and can you blame them?
The Hawks might be good enough as is to get out of the Western Conference, and anyone that thinks I've been drinking too much Canadian beer isn't paying attention to what's happening.
The Hawks have great goaltending with Nikolai Khabibulin already owning a Stanley Cup.
They have a mobile and deep defense that gets the puck out of trouble quicker than any team in the league.
They have three lines that can score and a fourth line that is as good or better than any fourth line in the NHL.
Size? There's enough.
So is this the team with the "special chemistry", or is it all slipping away? Tim, you've brought up quite a few times that this team is a contender, you cite Anaheim and Carolina as comparables, but then you go and flip-flop. Is this a contender going through a rough stretch (which all teams do at some point), or are they headed in the wrong direction? If it's the latter, then all that contender talk you were spewing earlier puts into question your analysis skills.
There's been plenty of posters who make very valid points about how regardless of the marketing hype (both by Hawks management and Sassone's writing), this team isn't a real contender just yet. They still have big holes to fill. But you, Tim, wrote they're fine, no changes really needed at the deadline.
I also notice a lot of support of Tallon by you. When will you address the cap problems this team will face in the next two years? While your writing may keep you in the good graces of Tallon, you might want to pick your spots, since if this keeps slipping away Tallon will be gone and you'll have to endear yourself to someone else.
When I said it's all slipping away, that doesn't mean this still isn't a team that could turn it around here if it starts playing more desperate. Which parts of what you pulled out aren't true?
As for me and Tallon, why don't you go back into your files and find the critical. Nobody was more critical of the Hawks during their lean times than me, not anyone at the Trib or Sun-Times.
Should I have been critical of Tallon along the way this season when they were going well? Things haven't fallen apart yet, and if they do he will be held accountable here.
Things are slipping away. I didn't say they had slipped away.
Flip-flop is pretty strong, but if that's how you see it, so be it.
So we're on the same page, do you think Tallon has done a good job since those lean years? There's no arguing the progress the team has made. Give him credit for that, although his missteps were what led to getting the #3 and #1 picks in the draft two successive years. We can debate his performance through this season, but that's not the point.
I haven't seen anything written by you about the cap issues this team faces in the next few seasons. There's been a lot written by posters on here, and I've read other hockey writers saying the same thing, that there are legitimate concerns of the issues the Hawks face even next year. What are your thoughts on this? The Sopel and Byfuglien contracts? The signing of Huet and Campbell? Are you in the camp that believes what Campbell brings to the table justifies paying him that salary, because the market dictated it in the offseason? But does that mean they should have given him that contract? No other options were available? Wasn't a big reason they couldn't have made a bigger move at the deadline due to the cap situation? Unless you think there aren't issues related to the cap, and you really thought they could win it all (because if they did I wouldn't be worried about down the road), then yes, there should be some criticism of Tallon this year. Or is that something you'll address after the season?
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to be a contrarian just to get a rise out of people. I'm enjoying seeing good hockey in this town again, and I'm looking forward to playoff hockey again. I do disagree they ever really looked like a true contender this season. Even during the really good stretches, you could see they're missing the grit to make it through a playoff grind. Maybe I'm wrong, that would be great, I'll be the first to admit it.
Go read Buccigross's column today about the Sedin twins and the impact of the cap on their future contracts. Also look at his comments about what the Penguin's lost in the offseason that's led to their tough year.
So simply put I didn't agree with your assessment they're really a contender. Are they a contender going through a rough stretch, or were you wrong in your thinking?
I know I'm late to the party but I agree with Brian's point. Tim is calling this team out for poor play. That includes the coaching.
Why shouldn't someone call them out? The announcers sure don't. I'm tired of hearing that we're just running up against a hot goalie or a hot team.
As a reader, I don't view Tim as a Tallon lackey. I don't think he was defending Tallon. Tim's points prior to the trade deadline were valid. They've played like a legit playoff team up to this point. My read is that Tim was talking what they would be able to do vs. what they could do if Tallon hadn't screwed up the cap situation. Tallon's bungling of the FA signings and cap are a point for a different article.
So they still looked good in early Feb. Now they've fallen off a cliff. Why wouldn't he flip-flop after the last month of non-performance? Should he wait until they drop 15 of 20 before becoming critical?
brianc400, my point is there has been a lot of people (other writers, other hockey "experts", posters on these blogs) saying this team isn't really a contender all season now. There's nothing wrong with that, either. The entire franchise just came out of the dark ages only last season. It's asking a lot to go from that to a true contender in less than two seasons.
On the other hand, Sassone, the beat writer with the inside knowledge of the team, who's around the team all the time, covers the games, and is tasked with being the main source of hockey news for the newspaper, took all that and formulated an opinion they are a true contender. He also now has criticized Quenneville, while from what I've seen never has really addressed Tallon's missteps, which by the way may be a killer in the next few seasons due to cap mismanagement.
Maybe instead of calling if flip flopping, I should have just called it bad analysis on his part.
I understand where you are coming from, but at this point you have to admit that this team should not have gotten rolled by Colorado or the Islanders at HOME and in MARCH during a PLAYOFF RUN!!!!
Yes, Dale Tallon is a moron. He throws money around carelessly and rivals Hendry for the most ridiculous contracts in Chicago. He also failed to get a PROVEN veteran defenseman, and traded for a guy who is an UFA after he stated he wouldn't give up his youth for a stop gap. I dont' think Wisniewski is the reason this team is in a spin, but Tallon is all over the board.
That's why I was hell bent on saying you go for it this year. Like Chico, Sportsguy, Hockeypuck and countless others have stated, if you are naive to think that this team is built for any PROLONGED run, you are sorely mistaken. take a look at www.nhlnumbers.com and tell me how they are going to sign all these guys with limited cap space? How?
You lose Havlat and this team takes a step backwards. They don't have a substitute. Kane is way far too streaky.
I do agree with Tim on Quenneville. I have no clue if he's been dictated to by the upper management to keep it positive, but if you are going to praise him back in December/January. Then you rip him now. This team should NOT be showing up flat, and lifeless on a nightly basis. Not with a supposed battle tested coach. He has to have this team ready to play. If they lose because they aren't as good, that's Tallon fault. IF they lose because they aren't prepared, that's Quenneville.
Again, I ask the question: Did this team peak in late December?
Steve Rain, I do agree this team is better than they're currently playing. They will make the playoffs, how far they go is the issue.
Also, good point (along with the posters you mentioned) on the cap problems. Unless they get someone in here to fix it, they will have problems re-signing their own guys, let alone adding the missing pieces.
One of the biggest things I complained about Savard doing too much in his limited tenure was changing the make up of his lines constantly. Some of the lines Coach Q has been throwing out there are mind boggling. Some changes he has made are disturbing. Several times this weekend to include all of last night he split up the 'second' line of Bolland, Havlat, and Ladd. Why?
One key to turning this thing around will be getting Pahlsson into the lineup and getting Sharp back from his extended to the IR. Pahlsson will allow Q to roll a traditional third line with Buff and Brouwer on his wings and also allow Q to have Sharp or Versteeg on the top line with Kane and Toews.
Either way, I believe whole heartedly that Q needs to stop toying and go back to what has worked for him. Stop playing the fourth line till they are blue in the face, stop breaking up combos that have been fine up until a week ago.
As for accountability, please find out once and for all what motivates Patrick Kane to coast like a tired old man and get him to stop doing it.
Unfortunately, the 4th line has been the most consistent line we got. In the last 10 games, they have out played/out hustled the top 3 lines by a long stretch. They may not have been scoring goals, but they've been outstanding at keeping the other teams hemmed in, pounding the D-men, taking the pressure off of the goalies, etc. Now if we can only get the other 3 lines to pressure like that AND drive the net AND score from in close, we may be able to get back on track. And for goodness sake, can somebody from the point hit the frickin net?
I think Quenneville has to start getting some heat. I don't think Tallon has armed him with a great group, but if he's going to get all the accolades back in December/January, then he should get the heat right now.
This team is a joke. There is no other way to put it, and if I had seats above the entrance way of the lockerroom I would have probably had my seats revoked. It's that bad. This team plays like crap consistently, and then decides to turn it on and fire away. Great point last night by Eddie O, about shots on goal vs PRIME scoring chances. Great the Hawks outshot the Devils 14-8 in the 1st period, but they were dominated.
You watch highlights of the Canucks games and they are hitting people and it looks like playoff hockey. We have guys floating around and shying away from contact. I don't get it. Buff played well at times last night, but he isn't Eric Daze. he doesn't have enough skill not to be a physical presence. He has to hit or win battles. I mean Pelletier shows more fire then Buff at times.
As far as Kane goes, well....he's moving up on my list. The first period there was a rebound that was laying about 5 feet from him, and instead of fighting for it, he stood back and watched. He's making STUPID cross ice passes that are resulting in prime scoring chances against constantly. Plus, he's really becoming a hot dog. I have caught him a couple of times showing up teammates on off side calls, etc. Last night he fired a puck after the whistle into the glass and he's lucky he didn't get pounded. The camera showed him muttering to hiimself. Whatever. This kid, better realize what it takes to win. he has all the PASSING skills in the world, but I'll throw this out there....I'm beginning to think that Versteeg could be JUST AS GOOD. he has amazing skill, and can finish.
Based on the quotes Toews is getting pissed. This guy busts his @ss nightly only to have other teammates floating around. I also laugh when I read Campbell's quotes.
I agree. This team WILL NOT get the 4th seed unless they do a 180 starting tonight. Hell, the Canucks could catch the Flames, and then it'll really be painful watching them pound on the Hawks. Have 2 games in hand on Columbus with a 5 pt lead. A win tonight would BE HUGE. That building will be rocking.
lastly, anyone else tired of watching Matt Walker? Can this guy even comprehend where he's supposed to be in defensive zone coverage? It's mind-boggling why he gets a free pass constantly over Johnson.