Sam Gagner asking for $5.5 mill one year in salary arbitration Monday morning.

If you are Edm, you say, "you're nuts." You win, you will be traded ASAP.

Sam Gagner asking for $5.5 mill one year in salary arbitration Monday morning.

If you are Edm, you say, "you?re nuts." You win, you will be traded ASAP.
- jhawk59

Pass. He's not worth more than $3 - $3.5.

Bill, you're starting an NHL team tomorrow. You can choose between Corey and Rask. You take Rask, don't you?

Right . . .
- John Jaeckel

Only if we're talking equal salaries. Crawford at $2.66 > Rask at $6.0

Strangely Crawford's name isn't coming up in many discussions about who will play net for Team Canada during the Olympics. Luongo, Smith and Fleury of all people are getting more mention. There is allot of thought amongst the media in Canada that Crawford was the beneficiary of great defence rather than the team getting great goaltending.
- paulr

because its the truth...

1. Nope......... has not been good enough long enough to be elite.

2. Crawford didn't lose the Coyote series even though he ave up some bad goals. The team couldn't score and desrved what they got.

3. Crawford doesn't have to be a top 5 goal tender to be very valuable and be well paid. Another season close to last season and he will be considered to be one of the top 10.

4. Yes, pretty much but those teams can't finish and that's why the Hawks won out.

5. Too early for me to say he will be a $ 4 mill goalie or will be gone. Have to see this season and how much the Cap goes up.
Even the Wings swallowed hard and paid Howard big money on a long term deal.

I stated earlier the money will come from those who Mgt feels are overpaid.

This year is was Frolik and Bolland....Next year either Oduya or Leddy could be drawing the short straws.

Plus I wouldn't be surpried if the Cap goes back over $70 mill. Attendance will be up and so will mearchandising....Hawks logo sells everywhere.

To put Crawford in the same comversation as goalies making close to $7 mill per says something.
- Al

(In no particular order):

Anderson
Rask
Henrik
Niemi
Rinne
Quick
Miller


Those are the only "definitely" better than Crawford-goalies. Goalies like Bob, Howard, Halak, Price, Smith, even Lu are goalies you can make an argument for IMHO.

I just don't see anyone else being "better" than Crawford. And in truth, I'd be fine with giving him up $4-$5 million and be happy with what I'm [expecting] of getting as opposed to giving someone like Fleury $5 million instead.

Is this the one you're looking for?


http://www.fanatics.com/N...PA_CA&CAWELAID=1935482679
- jhawk159

no...as i said ....ONE was by Reebok and I didn't like it because it says..."Chicago Blackhawks 2013 Stanley Cup Champions 17 Seconds of Glory T-shirt"

Crawford would be my first choice behind a STACKED Canadian D corps.
- philco28

I think I'm gonna play goalie behind that Canadian d core.

no...as i said ....ONE was by Reebok and I didn't like it because it says..."Chicago Blackhawks 2013 Stanley Cup Champions 17 Seconds of Glory T-shirt"
- wiz1901

Hey Wiz,

How about these?

http://chicagosportsshirt...eleton_Heart_T_Shirt.html

http://store.barstoolspor...7/17-seconds-tee-red.html

Amazing reversal of opinion re Crawford on your part from a few months ago.

He'd be my #3 - because no big ice, international experience.
- RickJ

My ambivalence re: Crow is no secret and I won't deny it. But he SHOWED ME SOMETHING during this run.

He was FOCUSED, RESILIENT and CLUTCH.

Ice size might be a problem for Crow since he tends to overplay his angles on the conventional sized pond....but he's EARNED at least a look in camp.

I don't know how Conn Smythe and starting a new franchise are the same but I will give it a go:

I am building a franchise long term, and I want to have Cap space to acquire, and I know we ain't winning nothing for awhile....
I guess I am going to want a golatender who can plays a lot of games because we are gonna need to build familarity and consistency from the back out.

Rask 36 games 19 wins - Crawford 30 games 19 wins
Crawford's hit helps me spend on UFAs.

Someone said it better than I when the said team defense is what wins with all parts clicking and chugging the right amounts to get the saves made , chances covered and the puck transistioned...

I can assume a new franchise is going to mean no top or really good defensemen in the expansion draft, except for teams that will try and dump the higher priced better dee-men, who now are 2nd pairing guys, but I am happy with 2nd pair guys, since I won't get any 1st pair guy in the UFA market unless the rare Suter slips through, BUT I WILL NEED Cap $ If if even happens...but all better than 5, 6, 7 slotted dee-men are gonna want to get paid or already are as they are placed in the expansion draft.

I didn't see Rask win anything yet....
I saw Rask NOT stop two pucks that, JJ, if the jerseys and names on the back where changed, you would be roasting Crawford on a spit FOR LOSING A CUP for letting those two pucks go in with 1:30 left much less having his ass placed on his right right for the first one so he can BE in position to attempt a stop...on the tying goal OR
venturing out of the blue to attempt a betetr view to track the winning goal, placing himself in the unenviable position to not be in neat his net TO be the "puckstopper."

Was he gassed? Bad Judgement?
I don't think Rask wins any more game as goaltender for the new club you wanted me to choose...FOR ME TO THINK he CAN WIN his TEAM GAMES, he FIRST HAS TO WIN SOME BIG GAMES, not just against Toronto and an injured Rangers team, and a pens team playing their back up....

Like it or not Crawford all technique style at very least gets in the position TO make saves. I may not like it but it sure fit the style of quick deeman, who see him as the big last resort...that is why I am oh so curiuos as Raanta does get time with them if he can adapt to thr attacking fowrad push you see game in and out.

So I guess i save the mooney and worry about getting an "elite" 7 million dollar goaler after we have all the other pieces firmly in place.

But for scratching and clawing I'll take the present Crawford and use the money to give the fans good hockey because I don't know how greatness of Rask doesn't wear thin, if the team isn't winning and the elite goalie isn't bring them to respectabilty MUCH quicker.

I just don't see how it isn't a toss up. I keep hearing about how great the big tall guys are...but I don't see them carrying their teams on the backs to Cups...Rask most certainly didn't and looked less than ordinary on how he played in the last 1:30 minutes...

I think I'm gonna play goalie behind that Canadian d core.
- robhawks

That's what Cujo thought too

Crawford 1 Cup

Rask 0
- philco28

and Rask was plain not elite at the end....lost his composure got caught in an awkward position making the first save and couldn't defend the next shot that tied the game...

and them wandered when he should have stayed home on the winner.

I love all elite talk and rankings

didn't elite Kings goalie score one in the blues series? for the blues?

next season in the first night where MANY teams are playing (AND HAWKS ARE NOT)all of us with access should get assigned a golaie and the job will be to count shots to the glove area....
I will bet my slot hockey game you will see that is where most shooters go there no matter which goalie they face...

You proved your points, Wiz. But I still believe that Raask has better ability. But is his better ability worth as much as $1.5 - 2 mill more per season? Now you do have to consider team defense.

Next season, you also have to ask, is Crawford going to let in more soft goals?

Well I do admit that Crawford stepped up from the level of his performance against Phoenix two years ago.

I am left admitting that Raask is not elite. But has more ability than Crawford iMHO. I would like to say I prefer Crawford's contract now and, later years will still rank behind Raask. That is, unless someone is dumb enough to give Crawford more than $4.5 mill, the most I can fathom for him to receive. Then at those prices I ponder other factors.

i will add here as far as Bowman's construction of team defense & the blueline corps, that Crawford over Raask is preferred. Now if you want to be hypothetical, what if Raask would also have the same defense in front of him as Chg does.

Still saying on talent alone Raask is better. Despite Raask meltdown in the 0:17 span, I believe over the coarse of a regular season that Crawford would let in more soft goals. Not going to say it is a matter of focus insofar as letting in softies. The prevailing opinion may be that focus is the issue or difference between Crawford and other netminders they would rank as better than Crawford.

This may well be true. Yet for whatever reason, while Crawford is good still Raask is less likely to let is as many softies. If I could afford it, I take Raask over Crawford.

Paint me as a complainer and not a homer if you will. I know that in my heart this is untrue. It is a close call but I like Raask more. The economics each year is a female dog when the salary cap is unknown more than a year in advance. Trying to place any sort of grading system with Crawford ahead of Raask is a difficult endeavor. It is not a bad choice having to settle for either if you believe that Crawford plays at his Cup and playoff level. I can see that being the case. Still taking Raask.

Strangely Crawford's name isn't coming up in many discussions about who will play net for Team Canada during the Olympics. Luongo, Smith and Fleury of all people are getting more mention. There is allot of thought amongst the media in Canada that Crawford was the beneficiary of great defence rather than the team getting great goaltending.
- paulr

As an American and USA fan next Olympics, I'm all for Fluery!

Hahaha, a goalie debate. Crawford won a Cup which means he is kind of good. I doubt the Hawks spend big on a goalie. Pretty sure they don't need to either. You want to throw the marketing hodgepodge in there and this is a team built on speed to score a lot of goals and play entertaining hockey.

Spending big on a goalie seems like the opposite of that philosophy.

That being said. I think the organization realizes the start to this season could be bumpy. During that time I also think they are willing to deal with the rookie mistakes and hope they pick up the system and "find themselves" around the Olympic break. If not they probably look to deal for veterans to fill those holes.

As an American and USA fan next Olympics, I'm all for Fluery!
- vabeachbear

So long as you guys play Dipietro!

Gagner gets three year extension from EDM, avoids arbitration, gets $4.8 per

Gagner gets three year extension from EDM, avoids arbitration, gets $4.8 per
- FourFeathers773

I just saw that, it's a bit high for me but Edmonton needs him.

I don't see the Hawks parting ways with Crawford. He is clearly the goalie going forward. I see us getting rid of Hammer way before getting rid of Crawford. We already lost one goalie to Hammer, I don't think we can stomach two. Hammer is good, don't get me wrong, but he can be replaced. Especially when we have so much depth in defense in Rockford right now.

Gagner gets three year extension from EDM, avoids arbitration, gets $4.8 per
- FourFeathers773

Wow - that's a pretty big # for him. Another GM betting on revenues and the cap going up.

Wow - that's a pretty big # for him. Another GM betting on revenues and the cap going up.
- mohel

Idiot Oilers! With their current lineup Gagner rates as the number 3 center. $4.8 M for a third line center and they gave him a NTC and NMC. As I said, Idiot Oilers!

I don't see the Hawks parting ways with Crawford. He is clearly the goalie going forward. I see us getting rid of Hammer way before getting rid of Crawford. We already lost one goalie to Hammer, I don't think we can stomach two. Hammer is good, don't get me wrong, but he can be replaced. Especially when we have so much depth in defense in Rockford right now.
- cm359531

Hammer is going to get PAID next offseason. He's probably looking at $5.5-$$6 mil a year on the UFA open market.

I don't see the Hawks parting ways with Crawford. He is clearly the goalie going forward. I see us getting rid of Hammer way before getting rid of Crawford. We already lost one goalie to Hammer, I don't think we can stomach two. Hammer is good, don't get me wrong, but he can be replaced. Especially when we have so much depth in defense in Rockford right now.
- cm359531

We'll see what happens over the season into next summer, but I think Crawford will be going before Hjalmarsson goes.

Idiot Oilers! With their current lineup Gagner rates as the number 3 center. $4.8 M for a third line center and they gave him a NTC and NMC. As I said, Idiot Oilers!
- paulr

Oilers better start winning quick because they are now up against the cap ceiling and have other players lining up for big paydays because of where they were drafted.
For all the bashing Horcoff took, I think they are going to miss him. Someone in that lineup is going to become a shutdown center (as effectively as Horcoff did it). He took a lot of heat because his point production was not commensurate with his cap hit.

We'll see what happens over the season into next summer, but I think Crawford will be going before Hjalmarsson goes.
- EKolb13

It's all about who can be replaced easier and cheaper. If it comes down to Hammer and Crawford then Crawford goes because he can be replaced a lot easier than Hjalmarsson. Stan already has Crawford's replacement lined up - Raanta. If we lose Hjalmarsson there is no replacement from within and Stan would be forced to overpay on the free agent market.