Wirtz is really digging deep into the bank

Finally, I have longed to see a home game be broadcast. I hope the next owner of the Hawks wises up and puts all of the games on T.V. Wirtz has a son who is going to take over right?

Finally, I have longed to see a home game be broadcast. I hope the next owner of the Hawks wises up and puts all of the games on T.V. Wirtz has a son who is going to take over right?

20 years from now, we'll probably still be asking ourselves this question.

I got this off Wirtzsucks.com

 

 

Mid-Term Grades

Fan Commentary, by Mr. Miller

 

Image yourself as a teacher and it's time to hand out mid-term grades for the Chicago Blackhawks' organization. The latest power rankings have the team dead last in the NHL. After 40 games, their record is a paltry 13-23-4 for 30 points. The biggest step for improvement has been a trade for Vrbata. What grades go on the report card that will eventually have to be sent home to be signed by the parents (a.k.a. the fans)?

 

Management

As long as Bill Wirtz and Bob Pulford are around, this is a no-brainer. All hockey decisions start and end with them. For now, look no further than a rookie general manager and a rookie head coach (again). Words really can't describe the damage these 2 have done, yet countless articles have been written about them over the years. They are, and always will be, failures.

Grade: F

 

General Manager

Dale Tallon's trying. However, in the world of professional hockey, that doesn't quite get it done. Sure his hands are tied in regards to running the show. Sure his options are limited based on the history of the organization and the way it's moving towards the future. Nevertheless, he has built a team of blue-collar, tough-nosed, "Blackhawk" type players. Sadly, the "new" NHL doesn't cater itself to that style of play and the bottom line reflects that. A good pick-up in Spacek and the benefit of the doubt being a rookie GM is about all that saves him from a failing grade.

Grade: D+

 

Coaching

Alot of people are already calling for Trent Yawney's head. And to a certain degree, those people have legitimate arguments. This team lacks discipline, has trouble playing a full 60 minutes of hockey, has players who take shifts off, and has special teams ranked near the bottom of the league. That's the fault of the coaching staff in which Yawney is in charge. However, he's been given mediocre talent and players who don't fit in today's NHL. That's not his fault. Nevertheless....

Grade: D

 

Players

Listing individual grades for 23+ players, along with their good and bad points, isn't going to happen here. Afterall, on a team with a 13-23-4 record, there aren't alot of "A" grades to be passed out. But let's just say that based on expectations, guys like Lapointe, Barnaby, Cullimore, Khabibulin, Down, Brown, and Aucoin aren't anywhere close to making this semester's honor roll. At least players like Calder, Bell, Ruttu, Keith, and Spacek have been playing well enough to help mess up the grading curve for everyone else. But still, the bottom line is the bottom line and team-wise, they're just not very good.

Grade: D+

 

While it's a hopeful thought to think that there is plenty of time to bring these grades up and finish the season on a high note - just stop. There's not. Unless there's a hidden cheat sheet with all the answers, expect this team to continue on their path to proudly emulate the Chicago Public School system. At least the fans have a longer summer vacation to look forward to.

Overall mid-term grade: D-

I actually think its a good decision for Wirtz to not televise home games. If everyone had a chance to see just how horrible this team is he'd lose what few casual fans still show up.

I actually think its a good decision for Wirtz to not televise home games.  If everyone had a chance to see just how horrible this team is he'd lose what few casual fans still show up.

wow, you make the best hawks jokes.

QUOTE(soxman352000 @ Jan 8, 2006 -> 01:30 AM)

Finally, I have longed to see a home game be broadcast. I hope the next owner of the Hawks wises up and puts all of the games on T.V. Wirtz has a son who is going to take over right?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Serious question; Why would you want to watch the current product?

Friday the 13th is a very fitting day to show a Hawks game.

They're scary this year....to everyone but their opponents, that is....

Finally, I have longed to see a home game be broadcast. I hope the next owner of the Hawks wises up and puts all of the games on T.V. Wirtz has a son who is going to take over right?

 

fwiw, the next Hawks owners are going to be Wirtz's kids...

I actually think its a good decision for Wirtz to not televise home games.  If everyone had a chance to see just how horrible this team is he'd lose what few casual fans still show up.

I actually think its a good decision for Wirtz to not televise home games.  If everyone had a chance to see just how horrible this team is he'd lose what few casual fans still show up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Then they should block all games on TV..

fwiw, the next Hawks owners are going to be Wirtz's kids...

Its been said his Son wants to televise home games. But is now hand cuffed by his fathers principles.

 

Oh, and Yawney needs to be fired, the guy is a horrible coach.

Its been said his Son wants to televise home games.  But is now hand cuffed by his fathers principles.

 

Oh, and Yawney needs to be fired, the guy is a horrible coach.

 

 

Agreed on both counts. I have seen the TV rumors, and I also think Yawney is just terrible. There are way too many fundimentals that just are not happening. Its like watching the Cubs on ice.

Its been said his Son wants to televise home games.  But is now hand cuffed by his fathers principles.

 

Oh, and Yawney needs to be fired, the guy is a horrible coach.

I believe that the kids are playing "good cop" while The Drunk Andy Griffith is still alive, but they will turn into Mini-Me's or sell when he croaks.

Just what I believe, I have no anecdotal evidence.

"Newspapers don't give away their paper for free" - Wirtz

Agreed on both counts.  I have seen the TV rumors, and I also think Yawney is just terrible.  There are way too many fundimentals that just are not happening.  Its like watching the Cubs on ice.

I was going to say that. The worst part is that coming up he was rumored to be a good teacher. All he had taught the team is how to absolutley suck at everything.

I've yet to come to a conclusion on Yawney, and i don't think i will for a while. To his defense, the talent he has to work with is complete bulls***. For those of us who actually know the game and the players, you realize that there are 3rd and 4th liners playing on the top two lines. As far as the defense goes, on any given night he has maybe 2-3 defenseman that could cut it as a #3 or #4 on some teams. No, Aucoin has not been a #1 this year, not even a #2. Then Khabibulin has been a letdown (and is now hurt), so we've got a backup in net in Anderson.

 

All i'm saying is unless you really, really know the game of hockey, layoff Yawney at this point. His system may not be perfect, but this roster has almost no talent and the goals that have been scored haven't been due to system flaws as much as you would all like to think. It's just guys making terrible decisions, terrible passes, terrible coverage. That's not something you can just throw on the coach. Not even close.

My thought on Yawney is why bother replacing him anyway... Who will take his place and who can do a better job with what he has to work with anyway?? You could have Scotty Bowman coaching this team and not get much more out of it anyway.....IMO

So at least Munro looked better then Anderson has been I take it.

Agreed on both counts.  I have seen the TV rumors, and I also think Yawney is just terrible.  There are way too many fundimentals that just are not happening.  Its like watching the Cubs on ice.

 

I don't know how true it is, because I have yet to see any Hawks games, but the analogy is hilarious.

I've yet to come to a conclusion on Yawney, and i don't think i will for a while. To his defense, the talent he has to work with is complete bulls***. For those of us who actually know the game and the players, you realize that there are 3rd and 4th liners playing on the top two lines. As far as the defense goes, on any given night he has maybe 2-3 defenseman that could cut it as a #3 or #4 on some teams. No, Aucoin has not been a #1 this year, not even a #2. Then Khabibulin has been a letdown (and is now hurt), so we've got a backup in net in Anderson.

 

All i'm saying is unless you really, really know the game of hockey, layoff Yawney at this point. His system may not be perfect, but this roster has almost no talent and the goals that have been scored haven't been due to system flaws as much as you would all like to think. It's just guys making terrible decisions, terrible passes, terrible coverage. That's not something you can just throw on the coach.  Not even close.

Oh I have. They have NO SYSTEM. Why do you think they take all those stupid penalties at the worst times of the game? Because they are out of position. They don't know where they're supposed to be out on the ice. The lack of discipline on the ice starts behind the bench. For all the good things I heard about Yawney before the season, all of them were 100% wrong.

 

You all keep saying "lack of talent". Look at Buffalo. They are not setting the world on fire, but they're consistent, and they have little "talent". Hockey is the one team sport, when played as a TEAM, can overcome the lack of a big name.

I wasn't particularly looking forward to this game, but after seeing Ovechekin play, I am anxious to see Crosby and compare them.

They had a strong 1st period and during the period had a great power play kill where Sharp and Calder played tremendous (they ended up scoring a few seconds after the power play ended).

 

Strong period for the Hawks. They looked to play with more hustle than I've seen the few times I've watched them this year.

"Newspapers don't give away their paper for free" - Wirtz

 

I heard that and it was so lame. It's a stupid analogy too. You can see the newspaper for free online. It's in a different format/perspective than in print, as is going to a hockey game in person compared to on TV.

Munro >>> Anderson. Thay can't send down Munro when the Bulin Wall's healthy after he's probably going to win 2 straight.

 

Yakubov scores his 1st ever NHL point tonight as well, Hilbert currently has a pair of goals.