Haha...didn’t see this one coming.

Good luck cleaning up the mess.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/14/09 at 06:21 AM ET

They didn’t have to go with all that subterfuge to fire Tallon.  Instead of acting like manipulative dorks, just fire the man because you wanted to put someone else in his job, like any other organization would.

Concocting a justification by possibly holding back contracts so you have cover for a decision that you have already decided to make is a waste of energy and just stupid.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/14/09 at 06:28 AM ET

Now Scotty Bowman is defacto GM in Chicago.
Well done, Rocky Wirtz!

Posted by w2j2 on 07/14/09 at 07:22 AM ET

Maybe they should have fired Tallon BEFORE he destroyed the team’s future?

Too late now…

Posted by Primis on 07/14/09 at 07:23 AM ET

Well, in reality Tallon should have been fired for his idiotic handling of the Hawks contract situations, not just his recent little screw up.  He’s already essentially cost the team two of Kane, Toews and Keith by his rushing out to sign Hossa and his overpayments of Bolland and Versteeg.

Poor management all around.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 07/14/09 at 07:25 AM ET

First they let Savard run training camp, prep his team for the season, then fire him a few weeks in. Didn’t make much sense. Now, they let Tallon do almost all the off-season dealing they needed to do (and can do), then fire him. This makes no sense.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 07/14/09 at 07:34 AM ET

UMM I think it’s pretty clear that Tallon wasn’t in charge when Hossa & others were signed

Posted by Evilpens on 07/14/09 at 08:08 AM ET

UMM I think it’s pretty clear that Tallon wasn’t in charge when Hossa & others were signed
Posted by Evilpens on 07/14/09 at 09:08 AM ET

Go on…

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/14/09 at 08:17 AM ET

The firing is something of a surprise despite the QO debacle than didn’t materialise, and a couple of disputable signings of recent memory. Almost any GM has a few dubious transactions on his conscience, that’s the nature of the game. Whether or not his personal actions will cause problems for the Blackhawks down the road remains to be seen. I don’t think it’s nearly as catastrophic as some would suggest, and most of them predictable regardless of actions in a salary cap world. Furthermore, I doubt that the signings of say Campbell and Hossa was his sole responsible. Stan Bowman as the capologist was probably involved along with most of management. They wanted him out and there are a few substantiating reasons to support the decision - if you don’t dig too deep.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 07/14/09 at 08:32 AM ET

UMM I think it’s pretty clear that Tallon wasn’t in charge when Hossa & others were signed

Posted by Evilpens on 07/14/09 at 09:08 AM ET

You ideas have intrigued me. Please continue.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 07/14/09 at 08:48 AM ET

pretty obvious that Stan Bowman was the Guy in charge then & now it’s going to be official

Posted by Evilpens on 07/14/09 at 09:38 AM ET

pretty obvious that Stan Bowman was the Guy in charge then & now it’s going to be official

EvilPens -

Then doesn’t that mean Bowman should take the fall for failing to qualify his RFA’s properly?  It’s a bit contradictory, don’t ya’ think?

Posted by Primis on 07/14/09 at 10:05 AM ET

Tallon will make an excellent GM somewhere, most likely on Playstation or XBox.

Posted by cs6687 on 07/14/09 at 10:08 AM ET

Now Scotty Bowman is defacto GM in Chicago.
Well done, Rocky Wirtz!

Posted by w2j2 on 07/14/09 at 08:22 AM ET

How has Scotty done as a GM before?  He’s a fine coach, but that doesn’t always translate to managing.

And how nervous should Joel Q be if the Blackhawks get off to a sluggish start next season?  Clearly the expectations are through the roof for next year.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/14/09 at 10:31 AM ET

Then doesn’t that mean Bowman should take the fall for failing to qualify his RFA’s properly?  It’s a bit contradictory, don’t ya’ think?

Taking the Fall for a Stupid error after reaching the Conference Finals ??

This was rumored to happen before the season even started, Tallon’s new boss was enamored of Stan Bowman

Posted by Evilpens on 07/14/09 at 10:41 AM ET

Baroque, if I recall, Scotty was a GM in Buffalo and wasn’t all that impressive.  He has a better mind for coaching.

Posted by drimo on 07/14/09 at 10:43 AM ET

Baroque, if I recall, Scotty was a GM in Buffalo and wasn’t all that impressive.  He has a better mind for coaching.
Posted by drimo on 07/14/09 at 11:43 AM ET

Which is why the tandem makes more sense.  Scotty is good at recognizing player talent, and Stan will be able to work the numbers.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/14/09 at 10:52 AM ET

Unless Tallon steamrolled every decision through - despite protests and against financial advice - I don’t think the current situation speaks well for Stan’s ability to work the numbers as the financial advisor, or capologist, to the franchise.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 07/14/09 at 11:21 AM ET

Unless Tallon steamrolled every decision through

Have you listened to the man speak?  My guess is this is exactly what happened, and probably why he got fired.  He most certainly comes off as a man who loves the spotlight, which probably lead to his need for blockbuster deals...this is what I’ve been squawking about ever since last season when he overpaid for Campbell and Huet.  The man put $13 million in goaltending last season for crying out loud.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/14/09 at 12:00 PM ET