Barry Smith was more of a negative than otherwise during his time with the Blackhawks. Both he and Norm Maciver were both let go. But both were also very close with Kyle Davidson. He learned at their hands. Kyle brought Norm back. Now here we are. You get what you bargain for.
We learned no one is in charge. The inmates run the asylum.
NEW: What we learned from Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson's media availability today.
Story with @MarkLazerus ⤵️ nytimes.com/athletic/7774322…
Anders Sorensen was hired by Stan Bowman because he coached Stan's kids, was buds with the Nylander clan & network of Swedes when Barry Smith still lingered. Been nothing but underwhelming, but he's part of the Kyle clique. He can fail and keep his job. Not a serious organization
This should be a question for Danny Wirtz, respectfully. Wherever he's hiding. We know Danny has stood by while Kyle has painted himself into a corner. 3 consecutive years of Kyle saying he expects better. He has no answers. No accountability. But accountability comes from above.
I asked Kyle Davidson if he's considered bringing any new voices into the front office:
"I sort of did that a little with Chris O'Hearn [two years ago]. I'm also a big believer in keeping these things fairly tight, as well. There’s value in having strong opinions and opinions that will challenge yourself, which we certainly do. This is not a Yes Man scenario that we have within our group. If I wasn't getting the proper feedback or different opinions, or there wasn’t good constructive discussion in the room, then I would probably agree that some other look is good. But I don't feel like we've stagnated."
Gave the job to the guy who was standing there because it was the easiest, cheapest thing to do. Never addressed inherent development, self-scouting issues. Old top staff exited. Same arrogant, crony-system remained. 2017 problems are 2026's..
Okay. Kyle Davidson said #Blackhawks were done being the bottom of the NHL prior to the 2024-25 season. Danny Wirtz has since given Kyle a contract extension. What's your take?
Organization top to bottom is dysfunctional. Danny Wirtz is to blame. Start there. Not a serious organization. #Blackhawks
It's expected NHL teams tailor their internal analytics to what they deem most important to them. They should do it that way. However, we've reached 'Don't believe your lying eyes' stage of Kyle Davidson's #Blackhawks rebuild. When the staff log events to preserve their jobs.
Jeff Blashill said the Blackhawks' metrics gave them a 17-16 advantage in scoring chances.
"They scored on some tips; we didn’t as much. We competed hard. They’re a good team; they competed hard. They won the game, but it was a game that I think — if you take the emotion or the score out from clouding your vision — it’s a pretty even game and we lose it."
Coming into today, 10/31, the #Blackhawks as an organization are 7-15-0-0 with a -30 goal differential, 0.318 pts% so far this season. Rockford #IceHogs are winless at home [0-4], Blackhawks winless on road [0-5]. They are the worst-performing organization in the NHL as of today.
Not a serious organization.
Jeff Blashill: "Do I think frustration builds when you haven't won and you're not having enough success? Of course it does... Those are the challenges we're going to have to face."
"I'm going to tell you right now, I have absolute 100% belief in this group. This group is going to win. I can't tell If we're going to start winning Tuesday, next week, a year from now — I have no idea when it's going to be, but this group is going to win, 100%."
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I myself haven't seen anyone writing about this... but being at the games this past week, #Blackhawks player's body language been awful. They aren't responding to what the coaching staff is saying. Bedard looks like a guy whose never been coached. He can't wait to go home.
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This #Blackhawks organization is mired in losing culture by choice. This summer is the opportunity to pivot. Management chose to dumb the rebuild down to a depth that gave Kyle ample runway, the least accountability. He's proven nothing yet. It's now time. Danny on the clock.
There's a story here in regards to Boisvert's season at BU, if anyone wants to investigate. The #Blackhawks would surely not appreciate it, if you do.
ChrisBlock retweeted
The Hawks fate this year is more dependent on veterans coming to play every game than the young guys, and @ChrisBlock says it well.
I talked with @ChrisBlock on the Blackhawks story of
progression with regression:
puckchatter.com/p/puck-chatt…
Levshunov plays on instincts. His weakness is situational awareness. That's why he's an adventure. He needs to be coached if there's any hope to improve the latter. Anders Sorensen isn't that coach. Their young dmen are stalled or regressing. This isn't a serious organization.
Thing to keep your eye on is Davidson's extension. If I were Davidson, I wouldn't do a thing until I got that. I don't blame him when it comes to next steps. That's on Danny. What does Danny want? What is the direction of this franchise? Is Danny Wirtz competent enough to lead?
The lack of talent is the thing that really pisses me off about them. How many 24-25 year olds could you have gotten for cheap trade value at this point that could've helped your team this year and beyond? Having no interest in the middle of their lineup has been a mistake IMO
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