Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[NewUserName]

I think the Campbell signing is similar to the Soriano signing...big market team being a little more desperate than they should have been. Both players were over-rated because they are good at some things that are easy to show on Sportscenter. It isnt just Boyle, I am sure there were several d-men that could have been had for 2 million who would have given the team just as much value. All that said, if Campbell can reestablish himself as the PP quarterback and hit like he did in the playoffs, he will be a valuable player than can help lead the Hawks to the Cup

 

I have a hard time being too critical about the Huet signing. It was too much, but that was probably the market. If Khabibulin didnt return to his past form last year, I dont think there would be that much complaining about the Huet signing.

 

The Hossa signing was huge, even if it gives them cap issues next year, I would rather have Hossa than Kane. I know Kane is much younger and will probably be a better scorer, I think his size will always make him somewhat of a liability on defense.

 

Anyway, this is all kind of a Tallon defense post. He has made some mistakes, but I he has done a good job overall. I think he was sent packing because he is still part of the past regime that was completely incompetent.

 

He wasn't just a part of that regime though, he put together some really crappy teams.

 

How long was he GM? I dont follow Hawks hockey that closely until the past couple of years. Seems to me that he replaced Pulford in the last 3 or 4 years. It wasnt that long ago that he was announcing.

 

edit: ok he took over during the lockout and made some real bad signings right out of the gate. The Lapointe one was real bad. Still overall you would have to say that the team has improved quite a bit during his tenure.

[jersey cubs fan]

edit: ok he took over during the lockout and made some real bad signings right out of the gate. The Lapointe one was real bad. Still overall you would have to say that the team has improved quite a bit during his tenure.

 

Yes, it has, and the single biggest reason is all the draft picks coming up, from years and years of high slots. The next biggest reason may be the death of daddy Wirtz, which opened the wallet. But much like Hendry, while he has acquired some nice players, he's overspent heavily to do so. Tallon may have played a significant role in making the right draft picks, much like how Hendry helped to improve the farm system when he was in that position (or at least the pitching that came out of that system - he couldn't do a thing with bats).

 

I don't think it really matters if he "deserved" to be fired. I didn't want them to wait to see if he could figure out how to deal with the cap issues, and then suffer the consequences if he didn't. My belief was he wasn't up to the task of both acquiring solid players, and doing so efficiently as it involves the cap.

 

The fact that Tallon signed an extension and willingly took the role he took tells me he at least partially agreed with the reasoning behind the move. As a guy in his late 50's still due his 2009/10 salary he probably wasn't hard up for cash and desperate for the job. And if he was a good enough GM that it was a mistake to fire him, he could have sat back and waited for the job offers.

 

I still have my doubts about McDonough. You didn't have to be a genius to make Chicago like hockey again, you needed to put them on TV (a no brainer) and put a better team on the ice (something he has little to do with other than convincing the owner to spend). He knew little about the game of baseball and even less about hockey, but he's done fine so far in my opinion. The elder Bowman hiring was a great move, and as long as he's there I trust that the hockey people are making smart decisions.

[Soul]

I'm not sure I could say Savard 'deserved' to be fired either. It was only 4 games into the season. There were plenty of people suggesting that it might have been a quick hook. Who knows what really would have happened.

 

I was comfortable with the move, so long as the guy that replaced him was an upgrade. I feel the same about this one. I don't know Stan Bowman very well, but I will judge the move based on whether I come to think of him as an upgrade over Tallon. If he is, then I'm real sorry for Dale, but the objective must always be to get better.

 

Whether or not McD is jerk means exactly zero for me. If he starts making poor decisions, he'll get the criticism, but it won't be because of a negative perception of his personality traits. It will be because the decisions are bad.

[kujay]

The clincher against Calgary is being replayed on NHLN tonight at 6:00 CT, if anyone is interested. They showed Game 5 from that series last night. Great stuff.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Some interesting stuff going on at the Blackhawks convention this weekend.

The free-agent flap that cost general manager Dale Tallon his job was viewed from afar by winger Kris Versteeg, the last player to sign and free the Hawks of an embarrassing hearing before an impartial arbitrator.

 

''It might have been hard for people [here] to understand, but I was back home [in Canada] and didn't look at it as a free agent,'' Versteeg said Friday at the Hawks Convention. ''I wanted to be a Blackhawk and get something done. They've been so great to me here. I love it here. I love the fans. There's no reason I'd ever want to leave.''

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/1672289,CST-SPT-hawknt18.article

''What did [Tallon] do wrong?'' one fan wanted to know.

 

Said McDonough: ''Sometimes very tough decisions, ones that I view as the right decision, are very unpopular. We want to make sure we keep our core [of players] together. Areas we need to improve on are communication, our attention to detail. We'll do everything we can to improve on that.''

 

That was hardly an explanation for ''what Tallon did wrong,'' but the hourlong session was up moments later. Still, the Tallon issue seemed to be defused and possible fan backlash mitigated.

 

''I thought there'd be a few more haymakers,'' McDonough admitted, ''and I wanted to get out in front of it. I don't want this to dent the image of the Chicago Blackhawks.''

 

McDonough, who has basked in the glow of the Hawks' revival under his direction, admitted Friday's boos ''didn't feel good.''

 

''But I knew exactly what was coming'' he said. ''It's not what you want to hear, and -- fortunately -- in my sports career I haven't heard much of it. And I absolutely understand [fans' angry reactions]. I would have booed if I was a fan. That's what this convention is all about. It gives the fans a chance to express themselves. It was the reaction that I expected.''

 

Less than 24 hours later, however, the Tallon firing seemed to be a non-issue, and fans wandered among vendor displays and interactive exhibits in between panel discussions.

 

''Today was very, very subdued,'' McDonough said. ''Last night was the forum [for the boos]. The amazing thing is that, individually, only two people mentioned [the firing] to me.''

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/1673281,CST-SPT-hawk19.article

 

And Adam Burish is always there to make me laugh.

Adam Burish: ''I was surprised, shocked. I didn't see it coming, but we have no idea what goes on in the front office. I was close to Dale. He gave me an opportunity to play in the NHL, but Stan will be great. He's a sharp, sharp man. They live in their own world, and I don't go up there [to the front office] unless I've done something stupid.''

[Soul]

Booing McD seems really dumb to me. If they suck next season, or a few seasons after that -- then booing would seem more appropriate. But right now, after the most successful Hawks season in forever?

[WreckingMachine]

Is there another example of a player in the NHL riding another's coattails than Tomas Kopecky to Marian Hossa's?

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-07/48110649.jpg

 

 

Seriously, WTF? Kopecky was given so many opportunities to be on a line with Hossa and Datsyuk, and he couldn't do anything. He stinks. Black Hawks fans will figure how much a fraud this guy is this season. Madden will be the defensive forward that makes a difference on their team.

[NewUserName]

Is there another example of a player in the NHL riding another's coattails than Tomas Kopecky to Marian Hossa's?

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-07/48110649.jpg

 

 

Seriously, WTF? Kopecky was given so many opportunities to be on a line with Hossa and Datsyuk, and he couldn't do anything. He stinks. Black Hawks fans will figure how much a fraud this guy is this season. Madden will be the defensive forward that makes a difference on their team.

 

Kopecky is a 4th liner...which is what the Hawks signed him to be. Not sure where you think Kopecky was given a chance to be on the same line as Hossa and Datsyuk in the past. He was given some PP time when Holmstrom was out, but that is all that I remember. His job then was to park his can in front of the goalie. I dont think anyone thinks Kopecky is a top 6 forward.

[jersey cubs fan]

Is there another example of a player in the NHL riding another's coattails than Tomas Kopecky to Marian Hossa's?

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-07/48110649.jpg

 

 

Seriously, WTF? Kopecky was given so many opportunities to be on a line with Hossa and Datsyuk, and he couldn't do anything. He stinks. Black Hawks fans will figure how much a fraud this guy is this season. Madden will be the defensive forward that makes a difference on their team.

 

Are you angry that he's number 2 or that he's in the same photo?

[WreckingMachine]

Is there another example of a player in the NHL riding another's coattails than Tomas Kopecky to Marian Hossa's?

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-07/48110649.jpg

 

 

Seriously, WTF? Kopecky was given so many opportunities to be on a line with Hossa and Datsyuk, and he couldn't do anything. He stinks. Black Hawks fans will figure how much a fraud this guy is this season. Madden will be the defensive forward that makes a difference on their team.

 

Kopecky is a 4th liner...which is what the Hawks signed him to be. Not sure where you think Kopecky was given a chance to be on the same line as Hossa and Datsyuk in the past. He was given some PP time when Holmstrom was out, but that is all that I remember. His job then was to park his can in front of the goalie. I dont think anyone thinks Kopecky is a top 6 forward.

 

When Kopecky was getting ice time again later in the season, he did have some time on the top lines. He did spend parts of a few games on the same line as Datsyuk and Hossa, and he did nothing outside of one game.

 

After the 4th line, he is worthless. He has no ability, and no hockey sense. He tries to compensate for this by hitting guys, but too bad they have no effectiveness. Hell, he falls over half the time.

 

The best part of last season was when he went into a fight, forgot how to take a punch, and then after the game said "I didnt know the guy was a lefty".

 

I love Marian Hossa, but if Kopecky wasn't Hossa's buttbuddy the Black Hawks would have never signed him. I guess it's fine if he just plays on the 4th line the whole year, and I could see why the Black Hawks signed Kopecky if they thought it would oddly help them land Hossa. But, I doubt he'll be playing on the 4th line all year. It's inevitable the lines will get switched up, and he'll be playing with higher caliber players. If so, that would hurt these guys, and I bet you guys will be making fun of Kopecky by the end of the year.

[Soul]

Is there another example of a player in the NHL riding another's coattails than Tomas Kopecky to Marian Hossa's?

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-07/48110649.jpg

 

 

Seriously, WTF? Kopecky was given so many opportunities to be on a line with Hossa and Datsyuk, and he couldn't do anything. He stinks. Black Hawks fans will figure how much a fraud this guy is this season. Madden will be the defensive forward that makes a difference on their team.

 

Kopecky is a 4th liner...which is what the Hawks signed him to be. Not sure where you think Kopecky was given a chance to be on the same line as Hossa and Datsyuk in the past. He was given some PP time when Holmstrom was out, but that is all that I remember. His job then was to park his can in front of the goalie. I dont think anyone thinks Kopecky is a top 6 forward.

 

When Kopecky was getting ice time again later in the season, he did have some time on the top lines. He did spend parts of a few games on the same line as Datsyuk and Hossa, and he did nothing outside of one game.

 

After the 4th line, he is worthless. He has no ability, and no hockey sense. He tries to compensate for this by hitting guys, but too bad they have no effectiveness. Hell, he falls over half the time.

 

The best part of last season was when he went into a fight, forgot how to take a punch, and then after the game said "I didnt know the guy was a lefty".

 

I love Marian Hossa, but if Kopecky wasn't Hossa's buttbuddy the Black Hawks would have never signed him. I guess it's fine if he just plays on the 4th line the whole year, and I could see why the Black Hawks signed Kopecky if they thought it would oddly help them land Hossa. But, I doubt he'll be playing on the 4th line all year. It's inevitable the lines will get switched up, and he'll be playing with higher caliber players. If so, that would hurt these guys, and I bet you guys will be making fun of Kopecky by the end of the year.

 

Maybe, but you seemed to be suggesting that Kopecky was on the higher lines because Hossa was requesting it somehow. I don't know what was going on in Detroit, but Quenneville isn't going to go for that.

[salukifudd]

wtf

 

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/blog/675

[NewUserName]

wtf

 

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/blog/675

 

You have to hand it the the guy, he took a lot of abuse from Detroit fans and the national media during the playoffs and never gave injury as an excuse for not performing well. Probably not that big of a deal if he is out until December but comes back healthy.

[NewUserName]

Is there another example of a player in the NHL riding another's coattails than Tomas Kopecky to Marian Hossa's?

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-07/48110649.jpg

 

 

Seriously, WTF? Kopecky was given so many opportunities to be on a line with Hossa and Datsyuk, and he couldn't do anything. He stinks. Black Hawks fans will figure how much a fraud this guy is this season. Madden will be the defensive forward that makes a difference on their team.

 

Kopecky is a 4th liner...which is what the Hawks signed him to be. Not sure where you think Kopecky was given a chance to be on the same line as Hossa and Datsyuk in the past. He was given some PP time when Holmstrom was out, but that is all that I remember. His job then was to park his can in front of the goalie. I dont think anyone thinks Kopecky is a top 6 forward.

 

When Kopecky was getting ice time again later in the season, he did have some time on the top lines. He did spend parts of a few games on the same line as Datsyuk and Hossa, and he did nothing outside of one game.

 

After the 4th line, he is worthless. He has no ability, and no hockey sense. He tries to compensate for this by hitting guys, but too bad they have no effectiveness. Hell, he falls over half the time.

 

The best part of last season was when he went into a fight, forgot how to take a punch, and then after the game said "I didnt know the guy was a lefty".

 

I love Marian Hossa, but if Kopecky wasn't Hossa's buttbuddy the Black Hawks would have never signed him. I guess it's fine if he just plays on the 4th line the whole year, and I could see why the Black Hawks signed Kopecky if they thought it would oddly help them land Hossa. But, I doubt he'll be playing on the 4th line all year. It's inevitable the lines will get switched up, and he'll be playing with higher caliber players. If so, that would hurt these guys, and I bet you guys will be making fun of Kopecky by the end of the year.

 

Maybe, but you seemed to be suggesting that Kopecky was on the higher lines because Hossa was requesting it somehow. I don't know what was going on in Detroit, but Quenneville isn't going to go for that.

 

I am pretty sure that wreckingball is mistaken...the only time that I found that Kopecky had more than 10 mins in a game were the last 3 when the playoffs were set. Hossa didnt play in those games, and Kopecky's time was consistent with other Detroit 3rd and 4th liners. As a Wings fan I am pretty sure that no one ever considered Kopecky a top 6 forward, especially on Detroit.

[kujay]

wtf

 

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/blog/675

 

You have to hand it the the guy, he took a lot of abuse from Detroit fans and the national media during the playoffs and never gave injury as an excuse for not performing well. Probably not that big of a deal if he is out until December but comes back healthy.

 

Easy for you to say it's not a big deal.

 

They reported on 670 today that the Hawks knew about the injury. I guess when you sign a guy for 12 [expletive] years, what's two months?

 

(I am still in favor of the signing, but it does call into question the Hawks' FO decision-making once again)

[littleburr24]

wtf

 

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/blog/675

 

You have to hand it the the guy, he took a lot of abuse from Detroit fans and the national media during the playoffs and never gave injury as an excuse for not performing well. Probably not that big of a deal if he is out until December but comes back healthy.

 

Easy for you to say it's not a big deal.

 

They reported on 670 today that the Hawks knew about the injury. I guess when you sign a guy for 12 [expletive] years, what's two months?

 

(I am still in favor of the signing, but it does call into question the Hawks' FO decision-making once again)

 

Shoulder injuries are pretty common... it's still a damn good deal.

[Soul]

wtf

 

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/blog/675

 

You have to hand it the the guy, he took a lot of abuse from Detroit fans and the national media during the playoffs and never gave injury as an excuse for not performing well. Probably not that big of a deal if he is out until December but comes back healthy.

 

Easy for you to say it's not a big deal.

 

They reported on 670 today that the Hawks knew about the injury. I guess when you sign a guy for 12 [expletive] years, what's two months?

 

(I am still in favor of the signing, but it does call into question the Hawks' FO decision-making once again)

 

Shoulder injuries are pretty common... it's still a damn good deal.

 

I don't know guys, I think it's a big deal. Hard to maintain an all-star level of play in hockey if your shoulder doesn't recover to full strength. This all depends on how serious it really is. Maybe Detroit knew something, too.

[Hall7810]

Just got an email from the Hawks, stating Hossa will have shoulder surgery, tomorrow, July 24th.

[jersey cubs fan]

this couldn't have been handled much worse.

[manbearcub]

out for?

[jersey cubs fan]

out for?

 

trib says "few months"

[sherwood921]

out for?

 

trib says "few months"

 

 

Just read 4 months somewhere. Gotta think media is gonna pile on this. I'm ok if we knew this. Still a good deal, but why not have surgery after the cup ends? Hawks management getting a big black eye this offseason all around this summer, justified or not.

[17 Seconds]

ESPN article says he'll miss at least the first 2 months of the season Awesome. That puts a serious dent in our chances of finishing ahead of Detroit

[jersey cubs fan]

out for?

 

trib says "few months"

 

 

Just read 4 months somewhere. Gotta think media is gonna pile on this. I'm ok if we knew this. Still a good deal, but why not have surgery after the cup ends? Hawks management getting a big black eye this offseason all around this summer, justified or not.

 

Because he was a free agent and free agents don't like having surgery before they sign.

[NewUserName]

 

I don't know guys, I think it's a big deal. Hard to maintain an all-star level of play in hockey if your shoulder doesn't recover to full strength. This all depends on how serious it really is. Maybe Detroit knew something, too.

 

they did

 

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2009/07/red_wings_gm_ken_holland_says_1.html