....or someone to replace Crawford after next season when he cashes in big time with another club.
- CaptainBlackhawk

The Bowman way....Vernon, Osgood, Hasek...all were a revolving door in Detroit.

Saw his youtube stuff..all kinds of crazy stuff ...sorry I had to.


Seriously though...I see him at Rockford next year and maybe a call up for a game or two. I see Morin on the 4th line here next year , Smith on the 3rd and Stanton as our 6-7 dman next year. Maybe Nordstrom gets a look as well....
- UnnamedSource

I'm with you on these.

Ben Smith's on a 1-way deal so he's in Chicago or somewhere else (still possible) but I think he's a guy the Hawks could use. He goes to the dirty areas.

Morin on the 4th works for me too.

How in the world do you even have enough information to even pretend to competently post this?
- QStache

50% of the game is 90% mental - yogi berra

The Bowman way....Vernon, Osgood, Hasek...all were a revolving door in Detroit.
- SteveRain

Bowman Way=NEVER pay a goalie a large amount of money.. ever. Always have high-end, stud defenseman in front of a lower priced/productive goalie.

Crawford is currently making a modest $2.6 mil/year this year and the 2013-2014 season. After that? UFA. Means one thing.. he's gone (and his expected $5.5/mil/year contract). And expected June/July-ish 2014 implosion of this message board questioning what the Bowman's are doing.

Not really. And I don't think people said that Crawford had a confidence problem; they are saying he is playing with more confidence. Those aren't the same thing.

Crawford didn't all of a sudden become more talented than he was 20 days ago. But he is now making plays he hasn't made before, making stops he didn't make before, and showing athleticism and resolve he didn't show before. Anyone who has ever played any sport can spot the difference between a guy playing with confidence and a guy who is doubting themselves.

That you are the only one on this board who seems to think that CC isn't playing more confidently in these playoffs doesn't make you a sage; it means you probably the only one who holds that opinion.
- QStache

Again, some are finally CHOOSING to see that CC is doing these things and giving him credit, instead of picking apart 1 or both of the goals he gives up each night, or his body language. He is not all of a sudden making big saves to keep his team in the game. Fans projecting what they think a player thinks or feels is absurd, no matter how many people repeat the same thing.

Again, some are finally CHOOSING to see that CC is doing these things and giving him credit, instead of picking apart 1 or both of the goals he gives up each night, or his body language. He is not all of a sudden making big saves to keep his team in the game. Fans projecting what they think a player thinks or feels is absurd, no matter how many people repeat the same thing.
- TrueGrit

We aren't watching the same game then. Or perhaps they are telecasting a different series down in Florida, because the Corey Crawford I'm watching isn't fighting the puck the same way he has in previous years (or even during this year), isn't having difficulty with rebound control, is playing the puck more and more aggressively than I've ever seen in his career, and playing stronger in the crease than I've ever seen.

We aren't watching the same game then. Or perhaps they are telecasting a different series down in Florida, because the Corey Crawford I'm watching isn't fighting the puck the same way he has in previous years (or even during this year), isn't having difficulty with rebound control, is playing the puck more and more aggressively than I've ever seen in his career, and playing stronger in the crease than I've ever seen.
- QStache

As I have said and others have concurred, he has done more than an adequate job of keeping his team in games all year and in playoffs, with a chance to win. If people want to begin assigning the all important "Style Points", then so be it, and yes, we arrive at the same place in the end.

The Bowman way....Vernon, Osgood, Hasek...all were a revolving door in Detroit.
- SteveRain

vernon and hasek were world class tho

As I have said and others have concurred, he has done more than an adequate job of keeping his team in games all year and in playoffs, with a chance to win. If people want to begin assigning the all important "Style Points", then so be it, and yes, we arrive at the same place in the end.
- TrueGrit

We are speaking a different language. Nowhere have I bashed Crawford in this blog. I said he's playing with more confidence. You want to erect windmills and strawmen, go ahead, that's your perogative, but CC is doing more now than doing "an adequate job" and giving the team "a chance to win." He's actually one of the reasons that the Hawks are winning. And that signals improvement. Improvement that most attribute to more confidence.

We are speaking a different language. Nowhere have I bashed Crawford in this blog. I said he's playing with more confidence. You want to erect windmills and strawmen, go ahead, that's your perogative, but CC is doing more now than doing "an adequate job" and giving the team "a chance to win." He's actually one of the reasons that the Hawks are winning. And that signals improvement. Improvement that most attribute to more confidence.
- QStache

I am not picking at you, trying to frame you ..that this is your position. I simply took this occasion to address some of the broader conventional wisdom repeated here.

I apologize that you were collateral damage in my mission.

What little I can find on him technqiue wise is he is a battler, very well-schooled, positional, though not super fast feet.

Mjulqvist, have you seen him play much?
- John Jaeckel

A bit but I´m not good with goalies. What I saw from him at World Championships he was outstanding in his debut against Slovakia with 36 save shutout. After that it was so so or ok performance. He has made huge strides in last two years though. Potential is there and I´ve heard he is mentally balanced. I could see a full season in Rockford like Antti Niemi had. Don´t think he is ready yet (NHL) but lot of potential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3whArxk0QBE

Friend of mine who went to the same college as LeBlanc.. just 15 years earlier seems to think he be a guy out of training camp to make the squad. IF and that's a big if.. that leaves 1-2 holes on the Hawks going into next year. Backup Goalie and a Big Winger to play with 19-81
- victorymc98

Playing with Hossa and Toews will be Bickel ...he is your Big Winger

I think we will sign Stalberg,Bickel and Leddy

And we Will bring up 2 guys from Rockord
Only hole maybe a second line center

Gone will be Bolland,Zus,Carcillo,Mayers and Razer plus the buyouts

Playing with Hossa and Toews will be Bickel ...he is your Big Winger

I think we will sign Stalberg,Bickel and Leddy

And we Will bring up 2 guys from Rockord
Only hole maybe a second line center

Gone will be Bolland,Zus,Carcillo,Mayers and Razer plus the buyouts
- PEIHawkFan

Kruger?

Stalberg is gone - UFA, no leverage - and Bickell might be too if he wants too much/gets offered too much elsewhere. Only so much cap for next year.

We aren't watching the same game then. Or perhaps they are telecasting a different series down in Florida, because the Corey Crawford I'm watching isn't fighting the puck the same way he has in previous years (or even during this year), isn't having difficulty with rebound control, is playing the puck more and more aggressively than I've ever seen in his career, and playing stronger in the crease than I've ever seen.
- QStache

The Hawks have won every game they have scored 2 or more goals with the exception of 1. That game went into OT.

Are they winning now because the goaltending has magically improved or are they winning because they are hitting twine instead of iron and Jimmy Howard's glove.

Crawford has been Crawford all season and all playoffs. The guy is pretty much the model for consistency. Fluky goal every now and then but if the guys in front take care of business he is good enough for them to win.

Oh God . . . another favorite of the marketing department. He might end up being fine. No idea how they approach his deal.
- John Jaeckel

He's got "sick" skills, JJ.

Two yrs to use the compliance buyouts...

Most likely the Hawks use both unlessthey keep one in their pocket for next summer.

Hawks continue to roll with a 4-2 victory, Quick looks human - "Soft" Hawks taking care of tough Kings:FOX Chicago:http://bit.ly/15ynJtj

I disagree with that statement. Signing Raanta is a low risk move and the Blackhawks don't have too many goalie prospects in the pipeline. Maybe he ends up in Rockford or maybe he's Crawford's back-up next season, either way he gives Stan some options. As exciting as this news may be I wouldn't read too much into it and wouldn't expect him to unseat Crawford next season.
- DarthKane

But he IS a UFA after next season, I think - if he could win a cup (or 2), and continue to play as he has this play-offs, he may become unaffordable to the Hawks.

Hawks have a number of large UFA contracts to renegotiate after next season - INCLUDING Toews and Kane.

The Hawks have won every game they have scored 2 or more goals with the exception of 1. That game went into OT.

Are they winning now because the goaltending has magically improved or are they winning because they are hitting twine instead of iron and Jimmy Howard's glove.

Crawford has been Crawford all season and all playoffs. The guy is pretty much the model for consistency. Fluky goal every now and then but if the guys in front take care of business he is good enough for them to win.
- fattybeef

The margin for error is much lower if you put the pressure on the eighteen guys in front rather than the one guy in back.

He's got "sick" skills, JJ.
- MartiniMan

I think it would be funny just to hear Foley say his name during games. "A shot and he scores!!!! Le Blahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

We aren't watching the same game then. Or perhaps they are telecasting a different series down in Florida, because the Corey Crawford I'm watching isn't fighting the puck the same way he has in previous years (or even during this year), isn't having difficulty with rebound control, is playing the puck more and more aggressively than I've ever seen in his career, and playing stronger in the crease than I've ever seen.
- QStache

I actuallydon't think he fough the puck much this year, but in part he was given" time-outs", er, rest because they felt Emery could come in for strings without any drop there.
That is also a way you work yourself.

Everybody want to play and I think his teammates want him to succeed, and I think from the start, when he was brought up and was older than the teams vets but was the rookie who had to work his way in, he was always an unassumi g kid who just wants to be in the position he is in.

I just think it doesn't take much at the NHL skill level to be made into a monkey.
We saw it happen to Fleury, and countless others in any given game.

I wll continue to say, in each game there ARE many saves that goalies just have to make, and if they don't make all of them the team has to fight through it and at any moment whether it is Quick or Crawford, it can happen.

The answer is to not have it happen to YOU a lot.

Kruger?

Stalberg is gone - UFA, no leverage - and Bickell might be too if he wants too much/gets offered too much elsewhere. Only so much cap for next year.
- Return of the Roar

Maybe I would need to do the Math

Bolland and Zus clear about 6 million and Oduya may go clearing 10 million in space

Depending on how many bargain basement kids from Rockford are ready I still think we can sign these guys but we will see

Draft day will be bigger than trade deadline day as the list of UFA's is far from strong this year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_qseQ1rdUI

I like this Antti footage better, it actually shows his style...

Big mouthed ZERO Kelly Hrudy where are you?

>JJ, can't say I see a change of scenery changing things too much
>Unless Hawks decide to coast
>Kings just don't pass the puck well enough to do much when they have to go 200 feet
>That said, Hawks need to do much better at the dot in LA
>Carter was 7-1 vs. Toews last night
>Toews 48% on the night and losing many draws very cleanly
>Only Zeus at 55% and Sharp (2 for 2) got it done at the dot
>Hawks also need to stay out of the box
>All streaks are broken and after breaking Quick's 3 goals or less streak, it's time to break the Kings home ice streak

Maybe I would need to do the Math

Bolland and Zus clear about 6 million and Oduya may go clearing 10 million in space

Depending on how many bargain basement kids from Rockford are ready I still think we can sign these guys but we will see

Draft day will be bigger than trade deadline day as the list of UFA's is far from strong this year
- PEIHawkFan

Why would Oduya go?