When the Blackhawks visit Pittsburgh on Dec. 5 to take on the defending champs, they really should insist on Bobby Hull being part of their traveling party.
Especially after Hull indicated last weekend when interviewed on WGN-AM (720) from the Blackhawks convention that the Pittsburgh Penguins would have been no trouble at all for the Hawks if they'd managed to beat Detroit in the Western Conference finals.
Dispose of the Red Wings, find a way past their old, pesky nemesis, and the Stanley Cup championship would have been brought back to Chicago at long last, Hull implied to the convention faithful. That's how close the Hawks came to winning it all, Hull believes: a Red Wing upset away from the Cup.
Joel Quenneville needs another assistant coach since Marc Bergevin was moved upstairs to be player personnel director. Why not Hull? He'd be a lively quote, willing to dismiss the champions as damn lucky to have missed Chicago in the title round and the coaching staff could use a loose cannon to fire up the troops and dying newspapers everywhere.
I only point out this scenario that would never happen, because it's an example why team president John McDonough loves free spirits like Hull to be entertaining from a distance with their observations, but prefers to put his team in the hands of efficient, businesslike types such as new general manager Stan Bowman and Quenneville.
If these guys were a color, they'd be beige. If they were a vegetable, they'd be peas. If they were a car, they'd be a Prius. If they were a president, they'd be Calvin Coolidge.
The 2nd annual Blackhawks Convention will be termed another success by John McDonough and his staff. Not unlike the offseason thus far, the event had it's hiccups. However, McDonough met the challenge of an angered fan base and most will leave the weekend full of optimism for the upcoming season.
Kudos to McDonough for being the most visible and accessible member of the Chicago Blackhawks throughout the weekend. Much like a politician running for office, the team president was a constant amongst the crowd shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for pictures. The boos from Friday night quickly faded and McDonough appeared to be a popular figure with the convention attendees.
Stan Who?: Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman's Q&A session was sparsely attended Saturday morning. The ballroom was about 1/3 full until a flock of mostly teens and twentysomething's barged through the doors while Bowman was mid-answer. The new arrivals created quite the commotion while attempting to gain good seats to the next scheduled event in the ballroom that including Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Brian Campbell. During it all, Bowman continued to talk in his same monotone manner seemingly unfazed. Meanwhile, the panel's host, Dave Eanet, appeared to be internally questioning himself as to what cause of action he should take. In the end, Eanet chose not to interrupt the GM and the room settled down a bit. Still, it was a few moments of frenzy that felt slightly uncomfortable. Not sure that the Blackhawks could have any solutions to this issue in future conventions with the event schedule as currently constructed.
On the Offense: Marc Bergevin, the Blackhawks Director of Player Personnel, took exception to an attendee's comment that attacked Marian Hossa as a selfish player and a poor teammate.
New Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman addressed the future direction of his roster while answering questions during a session Saturday at the Chicago Hilton & Towers. If you believe Bowman, the Hawks will enter training camp in September with their current players.
"I think at this point we're pretty comfortable with our lineup," Bowman said. "You look at the group of players we have right now, we don't really have any holes on our team. I think at this point we're not really looking to add anybody."
The answer was related to future free agent signings this summer, but Bowman also doesn't sound like one who will be active in the trade market.
"I wouldn't expect us to be real active from now until the start of the season," Bowman later added for good measure.
Chicago Blackhawks team president John McDonough addressed his critics head on today at the convention. A man who is keenly aware of his appearance and reputation, McDonough did not want Friday night's boo's to echo into the future.
"I had to make a very difficult decision this week on a very classy guy that's played a major role with the Chicago Blackhawks, Dale Tallon," McDonough said in an opening statement during his afternoon session with the Blackhawks' executive staff. "Decisions in an organization are made for a reason.
"Many of the emotions that people in this room are sharing, their feelings about Dale, possibly their anger about the decision, are the exact same feelings that I would have if I where you. So I want to make sure that everybody understands that any [anger] should be directed squarely at me. I understand the ramifications of any of these decisions. I am accountable for that.
"When we came to this convention we wanted to make sure that we where straight forward with you on what our plans are going forward. And we are not going to waver from our goal of winning the Stanley Cup for all of you."
When most of us where 21 years old it was a victory to climb out of bed and tie our shoes. Plenty of mornings spent questioning our judgement from the previous night's festivities. Well, at least the portions we could remember. Few 21 year olds are able to give trusted direction or have the self-confidence to believe others would follow their footsteps.
Chicago Blackhawks team captain Jonathan Toews, at the age of 21, is an exception to that description. Or should I just say exceptional? "Mr. Serious," as Toews was first dubbed by teammate Brent Seabrook, continues to show signs of becoming that once in a generation type of athlete.
Joined on stage Saturday morning at the Blackhawk Convention by former captains Pierre Pilote, Stan Mikita, Denis Savard and Tony Amonte, the current captain fit right in and looked the part. Meshing so seemlessly with legends is not easily done. But, that's the thing about Toews, he makes everything look so effortless and easy.
"I see a lot of the same qualities (as Mark Messiah)," said Amonte. "The same style of play as well. I see that as well in watching Jonathan. The guy's not gonna take no for an answer and that's the way you have to be."
The fans will set the tone at this weekend's Blackhawks' Convention. During the opening ceremonies, they gave a strong indication of their feelings as the fans booed team president John McDonough. Sounds like the weekend is going to be filled with questions about the last couple of months. If that's the case, it is a mistake.
You may question his methods, but you cannot question the results under McDonough's watch. A trip this year to the Western Conference Finals and an early season favorite to make a return visit are not reasons to hiss. Future failures will call for vociferous responses. But, let us get the final report card before handing out judgement.
Instead, fans should turn their energy towards new general manager Stan Bowman and head coach Joel Quenneville. These two will be front and center this weekend at the Chicago Hilton & Towers. Bowman and Quenneville will now have affect on this year's team. McDonough took his action. Nothing you can do about it now.
For Bowman, questions will certainly focus on Toews, Kane and Keith. But, that's next year's news. How about his feelings on Cristobal Huet? What about the depth at forward? Are the Blackhawks in the market for a defenseman? What are the prospects for Beach or Aliu to make the roster?
