NHL Official Thread 09-10

8824 · Posted: Jul 18, 2009 9:01 am Post subject: NHL Official Thread 09-10

So, I certainly watched this past year with curiosity and skepticism as this Phoenix called the new Black Hawks appeared in Chicago.

Well it didn't take long for the boos to return!

I am glad I didn't spend one cent on that team last year. A leopard never changes it's spots.

The raw deal Tallon received is just typical. Every person on that team was the result of him. And now they reassign him?

Fans boo McDonough at Blackhawks Convention
Comments

July 18, 2009
BY LEN ZIEHM lziehm@suntimes.com

The most interesting reaction during the opening night of the Blackhawks Convention came from the fans who overflowed the Hilton Chicago grand ballroom for the opening ceremonies Friday.

They greeted president John McDonough with a chorus of boos, a sure indication the club's most loyal supporters didn't like the firing of general manager Dale Tallon. McDonough figures to take some more heat today when he's part of a question-and-answer session with the fans.
» Click to enlarge image
Jenny Thompson, Stephanie Thompson and Jennifer Fischbach attend the Second Annual Blackhawks Convention at the Chicago Hilton and Towers on Friday.
(Richard Chapman/Sun-Times)

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Tallon, who has been retained as an adviser, wasn't included in the rousing introductions of players, staffers and alumni made by TV analyst Eddie Olczyk. McDonough dismissed Tallon after an ''organizational error'' in the signing of eight restricted free agents and named Stan Bowman the new GM.

Bowman received only lukewarm applause Friday, and coach Joel Quenneville and the players were reluctant to discuss the incident.

''It's a tough business we're in,'' Quenneville said. ''A lot of coaches have been let go in the last few years, and we're seeing more managers changed. It's a negative part of our business, but Dale will still be around, and this gives Stan an opportunity. He's really looking forward to it. We'll move on and look forward to getting better.''

Bowman said he has talked with Tallon ''in very general terms'' the last few days, and they're trying to define his new role with the team.

''I definitely want to utilize him,'' Bowman said. ''I'd be foolish not to. He knows the players so well. I can use his experience because that's something I don't have.''

The players took a wait-and-see approach to the change. Here's a sampling of how they felt about the change in leadership:

Kris Versteeg: ''Dale did a great job. I loved having him here, but there's so many great people in this organization. We'll see how it works out.''

Patrick Kane: ''I don't understand it, but I respect the decision. I'm confident management will make all the right moves. It was unfortunate seeing him go, but I guess it had to be done.''

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.''

Jonathan Toews: ''You can't stress out about things you can't affect as a player. I don't really know what happened behind the scenes, but you've got to trust that the right decisions were made. That's the nature of this business sometimes. We're all happy to be together now. We've got a great family here.''

Patrick Sharp: ''It was disappointing. Dale was the guy who brought me here in a trade with Philadelphia, and that helped me develop. It's exciting to know he's still on board.''

Four players missed the opening night of the second annual convention. Troy Brouwer and Colin Fraser were on their honeymoons, and John Madden was on a family vacation scheduled before he signed a free-agent contract with the Hawks. Antti Niemi, who will battle Corey Crawford for the backup goaltending job, didn't make the trip from Finland.

''It makes you want to play hockey; that's the best part,'' Kane said. ''You've got to enjoy this for what it is. Sometimes it's a little hectic, but it's all for the fans, and putting fans in the seats is the most important thing.''

And now that the seats are filled again, time to Bubb Rubb them all over again.

I wonder if wirtzsucks.com is back up. *searching*

JeffS · Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Awesome! Hockey is right down my alley.

Im from Pittsburgh so a die hard Pens fan Smile

Not only am I a fan, but I play both amateur and High School hockey as well.

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

GO AVS!

8824 · Posted: Jul 22, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

Hollywood · Posted: Jul 22, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

On July 14, 2009, the Blackhawks demoted Tallon to the position of Senior Adviser. Stan Bowman, son of Scotty Bowman, was promoted to to general manager.[5]

The following day, Martin Havlat, who played for the Blackhawks during the previous season, criticized the team's management and defended Tallon.[6] He stated, "Every single player on that team is with Dale. I still talk to the guys all the time, hockey players know a phony when they see one."[6] He specifically berated John McDonough, the team's president, commenting "McDonough couldn't stand that Dale was so successful and getting the credit for building the Hawks from a last place team to making the Conference Finals in 3 short years."[6]

hmmmmm

8824 · Posted: Jul 22, 2009 10:02 am Post subject:

Hollywood · Posted: Jul 22, 2009 12:07 pm Post subject:

I think he's referring to McDonough???

Go Hawks! LMAO Laughing

8824 · Posted: Jul 22, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject:

Hollywood, Your quote was referring to McD. However, since the report of Hossa, they are saying Dale fu cked up by signing him.

Again, we will never know.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

at least the Hawks are actually signing someone.

All the Sharks have done so far is let a few players go, hired a new assistant coach and brought in Nichol as a 3rd line center from the Prednecks. Same team is still here, basically.

Where is this huge shake up that Doug Wilson was talking about right after we got booted from the playoffs early, yet AGAIN?

Hollywood · Posted: Jul 22, 2009 12:55 pm Post subject:

8824, a lot of people are not happy with him letting all those UFAs go, so I don't know if signing Hossa was a last minute scramble or actually planned out.

canadian_wakeboarder · Outlaw Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Posts: 171 City: Dirty 'shwa

It seems odd to fire a GM after such success in such a short time especially because he was so respected. Most firings like this are because the guy has lost his team, but it appears he had no such problems. And now onto my
maple laughs I'm cautiously optimistic that we wont quite suck as much as last year, I'm thinking that the race for 9th is on again!!

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

Craig Anderson looks very good.

Duchene is going to be FUN to watch for years to come.

GO AVS!

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

pet575 · Posted: Oct 05, 2009 9:25 am Post subject:

E.J., +1! I got to see them play on the free NHL Center Ice preview that DTV is doing. They played a good game against Vancouver-I like the way they are looking this year but I miss Sakic. He was always my favorite from LaCroix's first stint with the club.

microman · Posted: Oct 05, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject:

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

microman, I'm feeling so-so about it.

I mean, having a guy like Heatley in teal playing with Thornton is pretty damn sweet. BUT, what we had to do to our defense to clear cap space to get him was not what I was thinking Wilson would do to get the room he needed to play with.

SJ's defense has looked shaky at best over the last 2 games. I know it's only 2 games in, but I don't see our blue line in a cup championship. No way in hell. 2 rookies and a back up goalie with 3 "whole" NHL games experience. I say SJ is doomed yet again.

I am ready to see Heatley start putting the puck in the net. Two assists so far...now lets see some goals. Laughing

microman · Posted: Oct 05, 2009 7:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks k-dub. The Ottawa fans I know like it, but I think that's mostly just because Heatley was finally moved after making himself public enemy number 1. I like the move for the Sharks in terms of talent, as I'm not sure Cheechoo will ever be an impact player again and Heatley is one of the league's best pure goal scorers. It's Heatley's contract as you mention, that's always the issue.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

microman, right. Cheech and Michalek gone is really no biggie in my eyes really. Michalek maybe, just because his speed up front will be missed on this team, but other than that with those two, no big deal that they are gone. Only thing I will miss about Cheech is the laughter I would get out of him while watching him skate. He skates as well as Happy Gilmore sometimes. Laughing

We actually got a lot stronger up front adding Heatley, Malhotra, Nichol and Ortmeyer then having the rookie Ferriero playing like he is possessed along with the rest of the talent on the forward lines, SJ is much stronger there than they were last season. I can't wait till right around game 20 when they are all gelling and putting a hurting on the Ducks all season on the scoreboard.

The D got much weaker letting Erhoff and Luckowich go to the Canucks for nothing but non-NHL ready prospects in return. We also have an over paid Huskins and two rookies filling out our weakened D corps with no back up at all to speak of in case Nabby goes down with yet another groin injury.

SJ is making the playoffs yet again, but once again not making it past the 2nd round.

It'll be fun while it lasts, I guess. Laughing

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

I thought Anderson played really good again last night.... What a disappointing loss.

Rough way to start this brutal road trip..... Confused

pet575 · Posted: Oct 09, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

E.J., agreed. Disappointed they lost, but pumped that I'm getting to see WAY more Avs games due to the free preview DTV is putting on for another 2 weeks. I really like Duchene.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

Heatley - Hat Trick and an assist. Dude was on freaking fire in the SJ home opener last night.

Thornton tied a franchise record with 4 assists.

**Crossing fingers*** that these guys can keep it up. The line of Heatley/Thornton/Setoguchi are going to do some serious damage this year the more they get used to playing together.

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

Kinda bummed that Thornton isn't gonna get any credit for that pass that sent Heatley on his breakaway where he would be yanked down and awarded a penalty shot.

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

COME ON AVS!

microman · Posted: Oct 13, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject:

I'm starting to think that *maybe* the Leafs won't win the cup this year.

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

Brian Burke said they would.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

I'm starting to think that *maybe* the Sharks will make it to the 2nd round this year.

Alter Ego · Posted: Oct 14, 2009 6:40 am Post subject:

oh god the leafs suck so bad right now.....dont know where to start....i just feel sad, depressed, lonely all at once.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

have the pitchforks and ropes come out looking to lynch Wilson yet? Laughing

Alter Ego · Posted: Oct 14, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

not yet - everyone knows that Wilson and Burke are best friends - He wont be going anywhere, anytime soon.

To be honest i dont think the coach is not the problem. Players are underperforming badly. like really badly. The D, who are supposed to be one of the top D cores in the league are unreal bad. turn overs everywhere by the forwards and no big saves from the Goalies when you need them.

none too pleased right now. Going to switch to cheering for the Coyotes

Junkee · Posted: Oct 14, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

microman · Posted: Oct 14, 2009 10:03 am Post subject:

Alter Ego · Posted: Oct 14, 2009 10:54 am Post subject:

microman, just reading your post makes me depressed.

the glass half full view is a little better though.

With a pretty good young core - they only really need a few of these players to pan out to be a good team in a couple of years. What I dont like is the lack of effort and the early collapses we've seen.

Stalberg, bozak, hanson, kadri, schenn, Gustavsson, kessel, grabovski. Thats not bad at all - but seriously some guys need to pick up the slack now or these guys just wont become good hockey players.

BW · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 602

I am loving that Burke is finally being exposed for the idiot that he is. Who would have though that Komisarek and Beauchemin wouldn't be as good when separated from Markov, Pronger and Niedermeyer. It boggles the mind...

One of the top D cores in the league? Maybe toughest (aside from Kaberle), but that's about it. I don't even really hate the Leafs, I just can't stand people thinking Burke is the savior.

Stole this from another site, it made me laugh.

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

GREAT 3rd and OT by the Avs, then the win in the shootout.

6-1-1 Exclamation

kdip · Posted: Oct 17, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

E.J., FAT yeh, AVS are killing it right now.