The Chicago Blackhawks have lost eight straight games. In hockey, that means one thing: if the coach hasn't been fired already, his seat is certainly getting warm. Today, 'Hawks GM Stan Bowman dispelled the notion that the club could be looking to fire coach Joel Quenneville:
"That's not the concern for me at all," Bowman told Comcast SportsNet Chicago. "I'm very confident in Joel's ability, our coaching staff's ability."
"Our players -- the effort is there," Bowman said. "They're as frustrated as anybody, you can watch it on the ice. It's not working. There's no disputing that, but I don't buy that assertion at all. These players are on board with us. They believe in this group. We're not far. We need to get this turned around, but we're not far from making it work."
Perhaps under normal circumstances, Quenneville would already be gone. The quick trigger with hockey coaches is unparalleled in American professional sports. But by ending a 49-year Stanley Cup drought two seasons ago, Coach Q certainly made himself a favorite among fans and ownership. One thing is for sure: if the 'Hawks don't get back to their winning ways soon, they'll be chances sooner rather than later.
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