Great questions, fatty. Can't wait to get some reporting on this. Not expecting much but hoping the national guys can get us some answers that matters, not just get em hits.

I'm afraid the losing might continue but this time they won't be within a goal going into the 3rde 23 outa 24ish times.

The Granato in the studio for Hawk games. Is that the one that was the BUF coach? If so I wonder if he would have agreed to take over for the last 55 games? .... I liked those young BUF squads under him and they were young.
- Mr Ricochet

Laz had an article ready to go to blast the organization, he's still bitter about the tank, but that one he had queued up.

Hockey insider Chaz sounded dumbfounded on 720. Pretty much "well there's some stuff like the late game losses, repeated mental mistakes and Bedards struggles - plus Kurashev's regression and Reichel's struggles" BUT if the team last year added 50 goals they'd still be 5th worst in the league based on last years numbers so what can the expectations really be for this year?

Its bizarre. They think Anders was the pick because of his developmental background so it looks like there is something there they didn't like with Richardson.

Powers said pretty much the same thing. He didn't sound overly surprised but didn't expect them to continue with Richardson after the season was over. He thinks the biggest issues were Bedard, line blending and not holding leads.

Should be interesting to see how Saturday goes. The Jets are on a 4 game losing streak so this seems like one that could be a doozie.

Also sounds like they specifically wanted a development guy there to finish out the year for what thats worth.

The Granato is a different one. He coached in Colorado for a few years before Q got the job. Went to the playoffs and under achieved. Then coached at Wisconsin for a number of years and most of the Wisconsin fans were ecstatic when he was fired.

He had me until he skated Bedard with Richardinson and Joey Anderson. How does that help the kid develop? They spent the entire Florida game in their zone chasing....I was there. Did Savard skate Kane with Kevyn Adams and Yanic Perrault? That's my point. I get he needs to be better in all 3 zones, and like Kane, I am sure he will be.....but for a kid who is struggling this year to score, skating him a checking role is the most idiotic thing I have seen yet as a fan.

So far that....and the way he handled the Hall benching, the mind games with Kurashev/Reichel/Allan hard to defend his end here. I was supportive until the last 10+ games and he lost me and this team's inablity to routinely hold 1-2 goal leads entering the 3rd period alone....you can blame players but the lines, the matchups, the system also beg to question exactly what the hell he was doing?
- SteveRain

During one of the intermissions last night, one of the guys made a comment that Bedard was seeing the other teams top D pair and top line or top checking line night in and night out, even Hawks home games. He then made a bit of a backhanded comment about how other teams figured out how to always get the matchups they want.

I thought that was a very damning comment on the Hawks coaching staff.

During one of the intermissions last night, one of the guys made a comment that Bedard was seeing the other teams top D pair and top line or top checking line night in and night out, even Hawks home games. He then made a bit of a backhanded comment about how other teams figured out how to always get the matchups they want.

I thought that was a very damning comment on the Hawks coaching staff.
- bhawks2241

That was Granato. He went on a bit of a rant. Amazing how much smarter he sounds away from Chelios's kid.

During one of the intermissions last night, one of the guys made a comment that Bedard was seeing the other teams top D pair and top line or top checking line night in and night out, even Hawks home games. He then made a bit of a backhanded comment about how other teams figured out how to always get the matchups they want.

I thought that was a very damning comment on the Hawks coaching staff.
- bhawks2241

If you have the final change (and you do at home) - that would be extremely damning - not to mention stupid.

I think you're right....they need to find a coach to develop the young kids until they are "ready to win" and then determine if that said guy is THE guy to take the next step or pivot to the next Q.

I just think KD can't be scott free here.....didn't expect playoffs but didn't expect this start either and so far can't really point to a UFA signing that is a HIT so far...maybe Craig Smith? Rest.....not so much.
- SteveRain

You do not develop young talent by playing the system LR was playing, especially 3rd periods with the lead. Defense first and hope some offense happens doesn't lead to development.

Hawks won cups because they dominated possession and didn't let other teams touch the puck.

Not b/c they played a Barry Trotz trap, muck up the neutral zone, and try and win every game 2 to 1.

Could you imagine in year 2 of Kane the coach saying we put him on a checking line b/c he's been struggling on offense?

That was Granato. He went on a bit of a rant. Amazing how much smarter he sounds away from Chelios's kid.
- fattybeef

Yes thank you. It was Granato. He was ranting but it sounded like he knew what he was talking about. I don't think he was just pontificating during intermission for no reason.

You do not develop young talent by playing the system LR was playing, especially 3rd periods with the lead. Defense first and hope some offense happens doesn't lead to development.

Hawks won cups because they dominated possession and didn't let other teams touch the puck.

Not b/c they played a Barry Trotz trap, muck up the neutral zone, and try and win every game 2 to 1.

Could you imagine in year 2 of Kane the coach saying we put him on a checking line b/c he's been struggling on offense?
- bhawks2241

With the younger blue line and general slowness of the team - I dunno what else they were supposed to play?

its not like they could play a high pressure high flying attacking game though I guess maybe losing 6-4 each game but getting Bedard his points and Reichel more shots would at least be more entertaining than this rubbish.

With the younger blue line and general slowness of the team - I dunno what else they were supposed to play?

its not like they could play a high pressure high flying attacking game though I guess maybe losing 6-4 each game but getting Bedard his points and Reichel more shots would at least be more entertaining than this rubbish.
- fattybeef

Load up a line. Leave it together for 15 plus games. Let them loose.

The rest of the roster fillers can play the D first hope we generate offense style. Throw Allan and Kaiser out there a bunch on the PK. Throw them out against other teams top 2 lines regularly. Let them learn what it’s like going against top NHL talent.

It’s pretty clear this team, as constructed, is a bottom 5 in the league. Probably bottom 3.

Let the kids play big important minutes every night. Let them learn. Not like Hall, Bertuzzi, or even TT have earned top PP time or top line minutes. Have Nazar up for a look soon. Throw him with Bedard.

It’s pretty clear this team, as constructed, is a bottom 5 in the league. Probably bottom 3.

Let the kids play big important minutes every night. Let them learn. Not like Hall, Bertuzzi, or even TT have earned top PP time or top line minutes. Have Nazar up for a look soon. Throw him with Bedard.
- bhawks2241

What kids?

What kids?
- Mr Ricochet

Took the words right out of my mouth

Norris with a Bedard like wrister with 41 seconds left for Ottawato take a 2-1 lead over Detroit

I was out downtown for dinner with my youngest daughter, right down the street from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Haven’t been there for twenty years. Just got home to read about Richardson. I was concerned KD may get pressured into making a move he didn’t want to make. Hopefully it was his decision or this team will be in big trouble.

Norris with a Bedard like wrister with 41 seconds left for Ottawato take a 2-1 lead over Detroit
- LAHawk

Lalonde could be the next coach to get the ax. If not him Nashville's Brunette.

I was out downtown for dinner with my youngest daughter, right down the street from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Haven’t been there for twenty years. Just got home to read about Richardson. I was concerned KD may get pressured into making a move he didn’t want to make. Hopefully it was his decision or this team will be in big trouble.
- paulr

KD said another bottom 3 finish was unacceptable, he believes he provided LR with the veterans to improve the record, and it didn’t happen. IMO no need to complicate it any further

I was out downtown for dinner with my youngest daughter, right down the street from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Haven’t been there for twenty years. Just got home to read about Richardson. I was concerned KD may get pressured into making a move he didn’t want to make. Hopefully it was his decision or this team will be in big trouble.
- paulr

I think KD could be deflecting pressure off himself by firing LR, figuring he did enough last off season to improve the team by loading up with veterans. Now he's doubling down and handing the reins to the Rockford coach in hopes to be at least a .500 team the rest of the way.

If they continue to flail away and get a bottom 3 or 5 pick, what's Davidson's next move after the season? He's stuck with the non performing veterans and most of the kids are still a couple of years away.

I think KD could be deflecting pressure off himself by firing LR, figuring he did enough last off season to improve the team by loading up with veterans. Now he's doubling down and handing the reins to the Rockford coach in hopes to be at least a .500 team the rest of the way.

If they continue to flail away and get a bottom 3 or 5 pick, what's Davidson's next move after the season? He's stuck with the non performing veterans and most of the kids are still a couple of years away.
- boilermaker100

Obviously, the next move is hire Tallon.

Obviously, the next move is hire Tallon.
- rpeters01

No...Caoch Q

No...Caoch Q
- wiz1901

Orville Tessier

Coaching is a tough business. Hate to see the breakup here, even if it had to be done. LR is the kind of guy you want to see succeed. How many other coaches participate in bag skates like he does? But this team really needs a shot in the arm. Even though they kept most of their losses close through sheer effort, too many questions about the Xs and Os. They looked deflated after Boston's third goal. And the Columbus game was one of their worst of the year.

Part of me wonders how much it matters who coaches this group, but that is probably the wrong take here. I'll let you guys argue over who should coach this team (Q jokes aside, though I'm disappointed nobody mentioned Keenan or Babcock), but whoever it is needs to be good at bringing along young players. And of course someone who can best utilize the pieces on this team.

I expect KD to make some trades as we approach the deadline. And there will be more this summer. For all the discussion about missed free agents, bottom feeders usually don't get the best ones, unless they really pay up. And they also have to deal with being rejected for trades because a targeted player has their team on his no trade list. (The life a Columbus GM.)

Regarding trades, I'm not sure the team has enough chemistry, regardless of who coaches it. They are probably stuck with Brodie, but some of the other underperformers could be part of change of scene deals. They have to keep cycling through a good portion of the roster until something hits, as I said earlier.

Which brings me to my next point. Every veteran they bring here must know that they are the present, and probably not the future. If we see it, I'm sure they do, too. Even if they are getting paid well for it, it has to be weird knowing they signed up for something that has zero chance of a Cup for the duration of their contracts. That's part of why cellar dwellers don't often get the plum free agents.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

I think KD could be deflecting pressure off himself by firing LR, figuring he did enough last off season to improve the team by loading up with veterans. Now he's doubling down and handing the reins to the Rockford coach in hopes to be at least a .500 team the rest of the way.

If they continue to flail away and get a bottom 3 or 5 pick, what's Davidson's next move after the season? He's stuck with the non performing veterans and most of the kids are still a couple of years away.
- boilermaker100

There were a lot of empty seats from what it looked like on TV Wednesday. That doesn't look great.

And they're bad. Not like bad where you can say well at least this or that is happening. they're legit bad and they're spending more time explaining why Bedard isn't a bust rather than oh my gosh were so lucky we have him can't wait for our other young guys.

I think with the TV debacle too firing the coach was the easiest level to pull.

Either way Kyle doubled down and I guess we'll see what happens. The 2 of the next 6 are against the Islanders but the rest are against playoff teams. I dunno if thats ideal for them to dead cat bounce.

He still hast time to pull some trade levers but if he really thinks things should be so much better he's gonna can a coach - not sure thats the guy you want trading for other pieces or signing more veterans. If they go on a heater I can retract that statement but man what a weird year.

Orville Tessier
- paulr

How quickly we forget .... Pully-time, every interim coach is always Bob Pulford -- always was, always will be.

Davidson is the problem. He is over his head. Richardson may turn out to be a good coach eventually, but probably better suited as an assistant.

Not cloud 9 at the expense of a guy who lost his job. Too bad for him he didn't get a 3 year extension like Granato. I have to wonder if they reached out to him and if he would take the job knowing there are 4 years of losing ahead of him.

They looked terrible against Columbus. I unfortunately was at that one and I saw Wirtz sitting in owner's box. The too many men penalty last night against Boston was not a good look.

I think Davidson will probably get another draft but would not surprise me to see Holland or some other long time NHL guy come in and take over at the end of the season.
- stevefrmglencoe

If the team doesn't improve,they can send KD packing too for all I care.
Feel bad for Luke,seems like a good dude,but he wasn't getting it done. Davidson didn't do him any favors with the roster either but a shakeup was needed.
1st guy to go is usually a coach
Now they might call up Nazar,and maybe even trade for someone that can help on offense, otherwise we can start talking about who they should draft,when the kid might be in the NHL and if they'll be in or out of the playoff picture by this time next Decemeber

How quickly we forget .... Pully-time, every interim coach is always Bob Pulford -- always was, always will be.
- SC116

There's no smoking allowed at the UC.

There's no smoking allowed at the UC.
- boilermaker100

Thanks for finding the loophole blocking his potential employment. Was starting to have flashbacks.