Don't even bother. This guy's been lurking around here with his pom poms and taking personal shots at anyone who questions any of his heroes for years.

And Crawford did NOT deserve the Smythe.
- John Jaeckel

We'll definitely agree to disagree re: Crawford as Smythe winner. I agree that Crawford is an average goalie but he was the most consistent throughout the playoffs start to finish. I don't recall him ever having a real stinker of giving up 5 goals. Sure he gave up some softies but he was consistent as they come. Kane showed in big games and I don't have a problem with him getting that award. I guess if you are a voter it depends on how you define your voting - most consistent throughout or big game performances?

We'll definitely agree to disagree re: Crawford as Smythe winner. I agree that Crawford is an average goalie but he was the most consistent throughout the playoffs start to finish. I don't recall him ever having a real stinker of giving up 5 goals. Sure he gave up some softies but he was consistent as they come. Kane showed in big games and I don't have a problem with him getting that award. I guess if you are a voter it depends on how you define your voting - most consistent throughout or big game performances?
- golfbard

Crow did give up the 5 in one game of the finals (all to the glove side), but the other guy gave up 6 fortunately. I do agree with your point about consistency, though. Rask gave up a couple easy ones in the series, as did Quick in the WCF. Howard, though, I don't recall giving up much at all - he was stellar, I thought.

I know I was just being a pest!
- paulr

I'm glad you finally owned up to that fact.

Babcock officially the coach of Team Canada. Given his fondness for Toews, 1C or 2C for Johnny?

Babcock officially the coach of Team Canada. Given his fondness for Toews, 1C or 2C for Johnny?
- mohel

I think it's guaranteed Toews makes the team.

I think it's guaranteed Toews makes the team.
- EKolb13

I think even AV would take him on the team!

Babcock officially the coach of Team Canada. Given his fondness for Toews, 1C or 2C for Johnny?
- mohel

Toews will be Babcock's 'Mr. Everything' but he will probably be his #3 Center.

I'm glad you finally owned up to that fact.
- EKolb13

SHUSH!

SHUSH!
- paulr

Easy there killer. I'm just having a little fun with you, that's all.

Toews will be Babcock's 'Mr. Everything' but he will probably be his #3 Center.
- paulr

I agree, Toews will be the #3 centre but see plenty of time on the special teams units.

I agree, Toews will be the #3 centre but see plenty of time on the special teams units.
- DarthKane

Behind Sidney and who?

Behind Sidney and who?
- yahoodi

Crosby and Giroux is my guess with Tavares and Stamkos moved to the wings.

Hey guys, bored at work here so I'm looking ahead to NEXT off-season, and this potential roster absolutely leaves me salivating ...

Salary cap space going into next off-season - $14.6 million

Re-Signed: Hammer ($4.2 million); Shaw ($2.3 million)

GONE: Handzus, Brookbank, Khabby, Hayes, CRAW


So we have 7 roster spots to fill with roughly 8 million so here's what I do ...

1. LET CRAWFORD WALK! I think that he can definitely be replaced with the current defensive-core and given the fact that Bowmans don't value goalies as much as defense, it'll be important to improve the positions in front of the goalie first, so I think that the next goalie should be .... Raanta! If he plays well in Rockford give him the opportunity to start next season. Sign him at a very affordable hit ($1.5 million for example).

2. Bring in a cheap, affordable back-up for around $1 million. A goalie with experience (like a Giguere) would be great.

3. Trade Oh-Do-Ya. I think Leddy improves his game enough to warrant top-four minutes. Oduya becomes expendable. Send him and his $3.4 million dollar contract elsewhere! Get draft pick compensation and/or a cheap, young player.

4. Bringing in two goalies for a combined cap hit of around $2.5 million and sending off a $3.4 million dollar contract gives the team roughly $1 million more in cap space. The team now has $9 million in cap space.

5. Bring in the rooks! I think that Danault and McNeill will definitely be ready to go for next season. I think that Danault is the future on the third line (Kruger slides to the fourth line) and McNeill makes a lot of sense starting on that fourth line with his offensive/size combination. I think that him and Kruger could work (or him and Danault given the fact that they will play together in Rockford this year and will hopefully have chemistry.) Those two guys combine for $2 million in salary. The team will have roughly $7 million in cap space left.

6. And now the moment you have all been waiting for ... the splash! Stan Bowman makes his first [major] acquisition in signing Joe Pavelski to a $5.8 million dollar contract! Yes! The answer to our second lines woes! Pavelski teams up with American teammate Pat Kane. Pavelski and his 55% career FO-percentage and excellent two-way game is a MAJOR benefit to the Blackhawks.

7. Sign cheap a seventh defense-man and fourth line, gritty winger (for a very cheap contract.)

And your 2014-2015 Chicago Blackhawks!!!

ROSTER AS IS:

Bickell / Toews / Hossa
Sharp / Pavelski / Kane
Saad / Danault / Shaw
McNeill / Kruger / (Jared Boll perhaps)

Keith / Seabrook
Hammer / Leddy
Stanton / Rozsival
(Scott Hannan)

Raanta
Giguere


Who gon' stop us now?!?!?!



*Turns off PS3*

I agree, Toews will be the #3 centre but see plenty of time on the special teams units.
- DarthKane

And when Babcock needs to jumpstart another player he'll put him on Toews' line just as he did in Vancouver. Remember Babcock saying the best player is the one playing with Toews?

Hey guys, bored at work here so I'm looking ahead to NEXT off-season, and this potential roster absolutely leaves me salivating ...

Salary cap space going into next off-season - $14.6 million

Re-Signed: Hammer ($4.2 million); Shaw ($2.3 million)

GONE: Handzus, Brookbank, Khabby, Hayes, CRAW


So we have 7 roster spots to fill with roughly 8 million so here's what I do ...

1. LET CRAWFORD WALK! I think that he can definitely be replaced with the current defensive-core and given the fact that Bowmans don't value goalies as much as defense, it'll be important to improve the positions in front of the goalie first, so I think that the next goalie should be .... Raanta! If he plays well in Rockford give him the opportunity to start next season. Sign him at a very affordable hit ($1.5 million for example).

2. Bring in a cheap, affordable back-up for around $1 million. A goalie with experience (like a Giguere) would be great.

3. Trade Oh-Do-Ya. I think Leddy improves his game enough to warrant top-four minutes. Oduya becomes expendable. Send him and his $3.4 million dollar contract elsewhere! Get draft pick compensation and/or a cheap, young player.

4. Bringing in two goalies for a combined cap hit of around $2.5 million and sending off a $3.4 million dollar contract gives the team roughly $1 million more in cap space. The team now has $9 million in cap space.

5. Bring in the rooks! I think that Danault and McNeill will definitely be ready to go for next season. I think that Danault is the future on the third line (Kruger slides to the fourth line) and McNeill makes a lot of sense starting on that fourth line with his offensive/size combination. I think that him and Kruger could work (or him and Danault given the fact that they will play together in Rockford this year and will hopefully have chemistry.) Those two guys combine for $2 million in salary. The team will have roughly $7 million in cap space left.

6. And now the moment you have all been waiting for ... the splash! Stan Bowman makes his first
- TommyHawk[major] acquisition in signing Joe Pavelski to a $5.8 million dollar contract! Yes! The answer to our second lines woes! Pavelski teams up with American teammate Pat Kane. Pavelski and his 55% career FO-percentage and excellent two-way game is a MAJOR benefit to the Blackhawks.

7. Sign cheap a seventh defense-man and fourth line, gritty winger (for a very cheap contract.)

And your 2014-2015 Chicago Blackhawks!!!

ROSTER AS IS:

Bickell / Toews / Hossa
Sharp / Pavelski / Kane
Saad / Danault / Shaw
McNeill / Kruger / (Jared Boll perhaps)

Keith / Seabrook
Hammer / Leddy
Stanton / Rozsival
(Scott Hannan)

Raanta
Giguere


Who gon' stop us now?!?!?!



*Turns off PS3*

$2.3 million is a bit much for Shaw, I would think he'd get $1.5 - $2.0 million at most.

(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
- TommyHawk[expecting] of getting as opposed to giving someone like Fleury $5 million instead.

....And I would add...Anderson seems to get hurt often. Rask stll has to show me a few more years before I am a big believer.

Goalies like crawford are much more readily replaceable than a sound defenseman like Hammer

Look, I think we all agree Niemi is better than Crawford, and look how quickly we replaced him with an inferior goalie like Crawford to win a second cup in four years

The writing might already be on the wall for Crawdiddly
- FourFeathers773

The Hawks did what many around the league thought was foolish in not resigning Niemi. To end up with Crawford was a great find and very fortunate.

The other issue with Raanta is that he is a flopper, very much in the Hasek mold with respect to style, as Wiz noted a while back. On its face that may seem to be a good thing, but conventional wisdom in the NHL has tremendously shifted from athleticism to pure size and stationary net coverage. Maybe data prove out that is a better model...who knows.

Bottom line - many variables all have to line up for this guy to be an NHL caliber goalie let alone a starter within a year.
- Return of the Roar

He is...but Wiz i believe used the term 'electric eel' to describe Raanta and after watching hilites of him on youtube.....that description is accurate. He is a tremendous athlete for sure. Liked what i saw despite his unorthodox style.

K, Bill, answer me this.

Why did the Hawks quietly jump into the Raanta Sweepstakes and say or do whatever was necessary to sign him?

Did they not scout him? Did others teams not scout him? Were his numbers in FInland a mirage?

There is handwriting all over this wall. Really kind of shocking to me how few can actually see it.
- John Jaeckel

John,

They jumped in becuase the risk/reward was very favorable.

Raanta and his crew bought into the plan about gong to school in Rockford and that doesn't cost the Hawks much at all.

Plus there was a big hole here at that position.

Lastly if Raanta is the goods then $1.4 mill is a very affrdable contract.

The Hawks did what many around the league thought was foolish in not resigning Niemi. To end up with Crawford was a great find and very fortunate.
- Al

I would feel better about the next guy up in the goalie rotary if Crawford had two years left on his contract instead of one. As it is they have one year to decide if Raanta is the goods - if he's not then I think the Hawks will have some tough choices to make. It would be great if Crow would take a short extension (two years, three total) for $3.5 per year.

Hey guys, bored at work here so I'm looking ahead to NEXT off-season, and this potential roster absolutely leaves me salivating ...

Salary cap space going into next off-season - $14.6 million

Re-Signed: Hammer ($4.2 million); Shaw ($2.3 million)

GONE: Handzus, Brookbank, Khabby, Hayes, CRAW


So we have 7 roster spots to fill with roughly 8 million so here's what I do ...

1. LET CRAWFORD WALK! I think that he can definitely be replaced with the current defensive-core and given the fact that Bowmans don't value goalies as much as defense, it'll be important to improve the positions in front of the goalie first, so I think that the next goalie should be .... Raanta! If he plays well in Rockford give him the opportunity to start next season. Sign him at a very affordable hit ($1.5 million for example).

2. Bring in a cheap, affordable back-up for around $1 million. A goalie with experience (like a Giguere) would be great.

3. Trade Oh-Do-Ya. I think Leddy improves his game enough to warrant top-four minutes. Oduya becomes expendable. Send him and his $3.4 million dollar contract elsewhere! Get draft pick compensation and/or a cheap, young player.

4. Bringing in two goalies for a combined cap hit of around $2.5 million and sending off a $3.4 million dollar contract gives the team roughly $1 million more in cap space. The team now has $9 million in cap space.

5. Bring in the rooks! I think that Danault and McNeill will definitely be ready to go for next season. I think that Danault is the future on the third line (Kruger slides to the fourth line) and McNeill makes a lot of sense starting on that fourth line with his offensive/size combination. I think that him and Kruger could work (or him and Danault given the fact that they will play together in Rockford this year and will hopefully have chemistry.) Those two guys combine for $2 million in salary. The team will have roughly $7 million in cap space left.

6. And now the moment you have all been waiting for ... the splash! Stan Bowman makes his first
- TommyHawk[major] acquisition in signing Joe Pavelski to a $5.8 million dollar contract! Yes! The answer to our second lines woes! Pavelski teams up with American teammate Pat Kane. Pavelski and his 55% career FO-percentage and excellent two-way game is a MAJOR benefit to the Blackhawks.

7. Sign cheap a seventh defense-man and fourth line, gritty winger (for a very cheap contract.)

And your 2014-2015 Chicago Blackhawks!!!

ROSTER AS IS:

Bickell / Toews / Hossa
Sharp / Pavelski / Kane
Saad / Danault / Shaw
McNeill / Kruger / (Jared Boll perhaps)

Keith / Seabrook
Hammer / Leddy
Stanton / Rozsival
(Scott Hannan)

Raanta
Giguere


Who gon' stop us now?!?!?!



*Turns off PS3* [] []

$2.3 million is a bit much for Shaw, I would think he'd get $1.5 - $2.0 million at most.
- DarthKane

Concur with your take on Shaw. 4.2 is too low for the Hammer. I see the bar set just north of 5.0M.

He is...but Wiz i believe used the term 'electric eel' to describe Raanta and after watching hilites of him on youtube.....that description is accurate. He is a tremendous athlete for sure. Liked what i saw despite his unorthodox style.

- philco28

Not a butterfly, eh?

Cool, much more important things to do than fight - Kate is in labor (or "labour" to some) for God's sake!!!
- mohel

And Dennis Farina died. Like another Chicago guy, and another really good person, Michael Clarke Duncan, earlier this year

John,

They jumped in becuase the risk/reward was very favorable.

Raanta and his crew bought into the plan about gong to school in Rockford and that doesn't cost the Hawks much at all.

Plus there was a big hole here at that position.

Lastly if Raanta is the goods then $1.4 mill is a very affrdable contract.
- Al

This is what I'm saying. I also have to wonder what the conversation was about how he would be slotted, used etc.

We'll definitely agree to disagree re: Crawford as Smythe winner. I agree that Crawford is an average goalie but he was the most consistent throughout the playoffs start to finish. I don't recall him ever having a real stinker of giving up 5 goals. Sure he gave up some softies but he was consistent as they come. Kane showed in big games and I don't have a problem with him getting that award. I guess if you are a voter it depends on how you define your voting - most consistent throughout or big game performances?
- golfbard

Game 4 or 5 (forget which) versus Boston?!