No way Crawford starts IMO. Luongo is good, don't get why people think he isn't. Much more proven than Crawford and won the gold medal for Babcock and Yzerman in 2010. Also a good season from any of Cam Ward, Carey Price, Mike Smith vaults them ahead of Crawford
- rollpards19

Past tense. Luongo was good. He may still be better than Crawford but now we have the first half of next season to see if that is the case. I hope you are joking about Ward and Price. Mike Smith may stand on his head again this season like 2012 but I think that was just one exceptional year. As it stands now, it is hard argue against the notion that it Crawfords job to lose going into the season.

Man does the US look amazingly deep in net.

Past tense. Luongo was good. He may still be better than Crawford but now we have the first half of next season to see if that is the case. I hope you are joking about Ward and Price. Mike Smith may stand on his head again this season like 2012 but I think that was just one exceptional year. As it stands now, it is hard argue against the notion that it Crawfords job to lose going into the season.

Man does the US look amazingly deep in net.
- faustus1500

You mean Canada...

Past tense. Luongo was good. He may still be better than Crawford but now we have the first half of next season to see if that is the case. I hope you are joking about Ward and Price. Mike Smith may stand on his head again this season like 2012 but I think that was just one exceptional year. As it stands now, it is hard argue against the notion that it Crawfords job to lose going into the season.

Man does the US look amazingly deep in net.
- faustus1500

They do indeed. And how about those Finns? They will have to cut a goalie that could probably start for Canada!

You mean Canada...
- CBHawks88

He was talking about Canadian goalies, but I think he meant to say the US is deep at goalie. Nobody would say Canada is deep at that position.

He was talking about Canadian goalies, but I think he meant to say the US is deep at goalie. Nobody would say Canada is deep at that position.
- mohel

If Canada or the US doesn't win gold I'd like to see Finland win it.

I have a feeling you'll never let me forget.
- DarthKane

Why would I do something like that?

Wonder if there is a hockey deal (not cap move for picks) to make with Brookbank + something for an equally priced veteran bottom 6er with wheels and awareness? It would really cap off an efficient offseason for Stan.

Past tense. Luongo was good. He may still be better than Crawford but now we have the first half of next season to see if that is the case. I hope you are joking about Ward and Price. Mike Smith may stand on his head again this season like 2012 but I think that was just one exceptional year. As it stands now, it is hard argue against the notion that it Crawfords job to lose going into the season.

Man does the US look amazingly deep in net.
- faustus1500

Cam Ward has been a substantially better goalie since Corey Crawford became the starter. He was hurt last year and plays behind a terrible Carolina team. Carey Price has also been better the last three years. If you think team Canada uses a 45 game sample to pick its starting goalie you are dead wrong. Luongo was only bad last year after the trade deadline, now that he's the number one he's going to continue to put up his consistent all-star quality numbers. Oh and none of those guys play behind the best team defense in the NHL in a season where Ray Emery pretty much duplicated Crawford's season

Cam Ward has been a substantially better goalie since Corey Crawford became the starter. He was hurt last year and plays behind a terrible Carolina team. Carey Price has also been better the last three years. If you think team Canada uses a 45 game sample to pick its starting goalie you are dead wrong. Luongo was only bad last year after the trade deadline, now that he's the number one he's going to continue to put up his consistent all-star quality numbers. Oh and none of those guys play behind the best team defense in the NHL in a season where Ray Emery pretty much duplicated Crawford's season
- rollpards19

If Price had "Crawford" on the back of his sweater and played for the Hawks down the stretch and in the playoffs like he did in Montreal, this place would be going nuts. Price was terrible last year. He will need to earn the spot in camp to get the nod, I believe. Lu could get the gig. Ward is coming off a bad knee, so we'll see how he plays early in the season (unlike your statement, I think the starting goalie will need to be playing well heading into the tournament).

Cam Ward has been a substantially better goalie since Corey Crawford became the starter. He was hurt last year and plays behind a terrible Carolina team. Carey Price has also been better the last three years. If you think team Canada uses a 45 game sample to pick its starting goalie you are dead wrong. Luongo was only bad last year after the trade deadline, now that he's the number one he's going to continue to put up his consistent all-star quality numbers. Oh and none of those guys play behind the best team defense in the NHL in a season where Ray Emery pretty much duplicated Crawford's season
- rollpards19

Are you one of those "the Hawks would have won the Cup with Carter Hutton in the net" guys? Or do you just think he is not elite? Not being a richard, just wondering.

Canada doesn'y produce elite goalies anymore, because they are all taught to be mindless shotblockers. The way goaltending is taught here I wouldn't want my son to play the position because it wouldn't maximize his athletic ability. Francois Allaire, who counts Crawford as a student, has ruined a generation of goalies in Canada, there are lots of decent shotblockers, but none who can put a team on his back like the Finnish and American goalies.
- paulr

Wow, this is a pretty sweeping statement... I am not qualified to judge it... but, like, wow...

Are you one of those "the Hawks would have won the Cup with Carter Hutton in the net" guys? Or do you just think he is not elite? Not being a richard, just wondering.
- mohel

No way, I think Crow was great in the playoffs, especially the first two rounds. I just think Canada has better options. I don't think he's elite. He falls in the 12-18 range of starting goalies for me. All the guys I listed have posted better numbers than Crow this year behind the best D in the NHL while starting over 60 games in the past 3 years. Could Crow make it, no doubt, I just think proclaiming him the starter when he wasn't in the conversation 45 games ago is premature and incorrect

Had the original stationary players game. Leafs vs Habs...
- Beaver-Warrior

I had the foresight to buy all 12 teams and then add Vancouver and Buffalo later.

i have sold ALL the teams except for the Blackhawks, and

the Oakland Seals!

Yeah since Eagle Toys was shipping out of Canada Montreal and Toronto were the regular ones and then when rival companies started making them they could use the NHL official sweaters so they would make a close to accurate version with Detoit or Boston across the front w/o the real logos.

Any one intereste din one of these I will glaldy plass you the link of the guy who makes the game, he takes his time to make each one by one, worth the wait.

But them I found a postman in Chicago who CUSTOMIZED it as he die the one for the Hawks pregame shtick....and the builders website...

I am in Chicago now so I don't think i have all that info here...but PM me to remind me....

On my old block of 2700 North Dayton street (and Diversey) and pretty ctaching up with so many friends we haven't seen.
Came on because I saw a hawk shirt I need to get from whichever official unauthorized T shirt person made it.
It was like an x-ray with the skeletal bones and where the heart was, well you know, was the Indianhead.

To answer a few of the questions asked about St. Stanislaw Kostka and Theo Peckham.

...and that "pretty sure Kostka didn't sign to play in the minors" take a deep breath before blowing wind that this is some signal that another defenders leaving.

Stan has always said the model is to have as many NHL experienced dee-men in the system as you can so that if you do catch two big injuries you HAVE someone who has at least been in the dance hall.

Do you REALLY think Kostka would have NOT been offered a contract even IF they were committed to Morgan Rielly in a baptism by fire "because he is TOO good to play in juniors....if he was a lock as a part of their blue line?
It's chump change money, and the Leafs went elsewhere spending and they probably don't think he is a long term investment with enough upside to compete with the youngtsters down the road...they probably were honest to Kostka, that even if he was signed he would be fighting a number battles in the next couple too.
He chose to play in an organization thta DID offer him a contract, and maybe a possible callup.
These two defenseman moves DID have a two fold purpose,but let me change streams to address the Raanta Now rant posted.

If you think there is ANY chance that the "Electric Eel" can play in the NHL without a hankering of smaller ice in the "A", you don't understand the differences in ice size in Europe to here and it's effect on goalers.
Before any Hawk team "rolls with Raanta", we might want to get hom acclimated to the smaller ice, where he will have to not only track the puck differently, but adjust to different quick paint decisions the "electric eel" will have to slide in front off. Raanta is plenty quick, super agile, and usually about two inches above the ice surface when being attacked.

If any one thinks Niemi (I do) or Crawford give the high corner chances, then I think you are going tp be shocked at how this kid gives and then attempts to take them away with his glove.
It HAS worked for him, but the style is gonna take some adjustment.
I hope you all are not surprised the first time you see the incredible philosophical and tactical way his style differes from the NEW NHL "big, stand square, worry bottom first, react high, only after you have secured low" style of Crawford.
The guy is Hasek clone with a quickness tweak and a challenging gunslinger guessing side...
I think when you all finally SEE Raanta in actions, you are going to surprised at how divergent (not the book or movie, btw) his style is from the new NHL standard of "stand big & square, technique over free style, protetc bottom as first priority, and still stay tall to cover the high spots near the bar."
He and Crow (not you, Tommyhawk) are like night and day, and I think at first you may not buy in quickly TO him.
He is going to have to learn tracking the puck on the smaller rinks, and how to handle the front and holding ground, besides the fact that NHL forwards turneach other inside out on possessions.
You are going to be surpirsed at how Raanta gets two inches from the ice and tries to track and pop (up) using his slippery eel like agility to make saves and will look closer to that hasek style of tossing and tumbling in his attempts to take away and reposition as the play goes on...I wonder if you are gonna like it? If you will give it a chance? He relies on his glove not just high but with regualrity pretty much whenver he needs another impedment...he will try and take pucks out of the corners with the glove. The glove won't be helf too low like Huet...you won't be able to pigeoam hole because it is a multi-purposed tool for him even with it on the wet ice.

Anyway...I see Rockford is going to be a reshuffle on forward too...new players like Nordstrom, Ross and the former first rounders will be jousting for the higher end - more minute jobs of the guys being promoted, and that also will be a flux...

Peckham and Kostka add to vets who settle down the front for Raanta, and help the forwards in rockfor in the re-group along with teaching Clendening Olsen and Dahlbeck what being a pro entails, since both have paid dues working for shots at the pros and how you have ot be ready...
By adding Theo Peckham you do add a possible tough guy if they send Brookbank to the minors or elsewhere...BUT the hawks press release forgot to tell you how few games theo played last year (TWELVE TOTAL).
Theo had a bad concussion

Back to didn't sign to play in minors Kotska:
in the playoffs for the leafs, he had no points was even plus minus IN THE ONE GAME HE PLAYED!!!!!!!!!!
Theo
He had a bad concussion.

If Price had "Crawford" on the back of his sweater and played for the Hawks down the stretch and in the playoffs like he did in Montreal, this place would be going nuts. Price was terrible last year. He will need to earn the spot in camp to get the nod, I believe. Lu could get the gig. Ward is coming off a bad knee, so we'll see how he plays early in the season (unlike your statement, I think the starting goalie will need to be playing well heading into the tournament).
- mohel

I have friends from Quebec who female dog Price all the time.

I have friends from Quebec who female dog Price all the time.
- faustus1500

And I have friends form Chicago who female dog Crawford all the time But certainly he wasn't great last year and may not be a big time player in big games. But if he bounces back next year you better believe he'll be getting a hell of a look

No way, I think Crow was great in the playoffs, especially the first two rounds. I just think Canada has better options. I don't think he's elite. He falls in the 12-18 range of starting goalies for me. All the guys I listed have posted better numbers than Crow this year behind the best D in the NHL while starting over 60 games in the past 3 years. Could Crow make it, no doubt, I just think proclaiming him the starter when he wasn't in the conversation 45 games ago is premature and incorrect
- rollpards19

That's where I have him, too. There has been some national types talking about Crawford at least making Team Canada. I'm not sure about that, but it is a bit of a statement about the lack of great options for them. Price and Ward (and Lu) are the main options, despite coming off bad years and injuries. Used to be that if one guy was slumping there were several more great options for them.

No way, I think Crow was great in the playoffs, especially the first two rounds. I just think Canada has better options. I don't think he's elite. He falls in the 12-18 range of starting goalies for me. All the guys I listed have posted better numbers than Crow this year behind the best D in the NHL while starting over 60 games in the past 3 years. Could Crow make it, no doubt, I just think proclaiming him the starter when he wasn't in the conversation 45 games ago is premature and incorrect
- rollpards19

If the Olympics were played next month, I would say Crow would be the starter. You play who is playing well now. Does that mean I think he is elite? I think it is indictment of the coaching of Canadian goalies recently. If you lined the Canadian goalies you named + Crow against what the US or Finland has to offer there is a clear gap. I mean the US brings Quick, Howard, and Schneider. The Fins are even deeper with Raask, Rinne, Niemi, Backstrom, and Lehtonen. I guess Finnish coaches make their young goalies watch "The Dudesons" to prepare them to be fearless in the NHL.

That's where I have him, too. There has been some national types talking about Crawford at least making Team Canada. I'm not sure about that, but it is a bit of a statement about the lack of great options for them. Price and Ward (and Lu) are the main options, despite coming off bad years and injuries. Used to be that if one guy was slumping there were several more great options for them.
- mohel

I think Crow makes it when because I doubt all 3 of the guys bounce back, while the Hawks should continue to play great possession and defensive hockey. My money would be on Luongo being the starter with Ward and Crawford as backups. I just think management would be inclined to look at multiple years and season, with the most recent rated the highest of course. And talk about a lack of options, pretty sure Brian Elliot will be at the Canadian camp

If the Olympics were played next month, I would say Crow would be the starter. You play who is playing well now. Does that mean I think he is elite? I think it is indictment of the coaching of Canadian goalies recently. If you lined the Canadian goalies you named + Crow against what the US or Finland has to offer there is a clear gap. I mean the US brings Quick, Howard, and Schneider. The Fins are even deeper with Raask, Rinne, Niemi, Backstrom, and Lehtonen. I guess Finnish coaches make their young goalies watch "The Dudesons" to prepare them to be fearless in the NHL.
- faustus1500

But they aren't. Finland is crazy stacked. Wow. Lehtonen and Rask would probably start for Canada. Canada should trade one of their 100 all-world centers to Finland for a goalie

here is the link to the guy who builds the table hockey game is Rick Benej :

http://www.tablehockey.com

the guy who made it a Blackhawk personalized version is Kevin who commented below on you tube comment section on that below the video Kevinem82....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=venC2oQdMGA

If the Olympics were played next month, I would say Crow would be the starter. You play who is playing well now. Does that mean I think he is elite? I think it is indictment of the coaching of Canadian goalies recently. If you lined the Canadian goalies you named + Crow against what the US or Finland has to offer there is a clear gap. I mean the US brings Quick, Howard, and Schneider. The Fins are even deeper with Raask, Rinne, Niemi, Backstrom, and Lehtonen. I guess Finnish coaches make their young goalies watch "The Dudesons" to prepare them to be fearless in the NHL.
- faustus1500

That Finnish depth in net is pretty impressive.

I can just hear it now (I don't mean from you) if Crow starts for Canada and wins Gold - "anyone could have won with that team in front of them." Meanwhile, he'd be a hero in Canada... If he starts and they don't win Gold - "even an average goalie could win with that team - Crawford sucks."

Crawford should have won the Conn Smythe this year hands down. He bailed out the d a whole lot more often then they did him. Oduya, Hjarmalsson, Roszival and even Seabrook all had games or times in games when they were running around with chickens with their heads cut off. He was a lot more influential to this team's cup then Niemi was in 2010. If he leaves after this contract is up it's because none of you clowns give him any respect not money. Do you think the Hawks would waste all this time developing just to let him go so some unproven FA signing can step in? That's just Bowman doing what he's done all along, have depth. (Another guy most you guys female dog about)
Anybody who thinks Luongo or Price is better didn't watch Luongo's last Olympics (they won in spite of him and his last minute crappy goals) or the OTT-MON series last year. And since when is Mike Smith god? One good season and a good series against Chicago and suddenly he's superman. You're nothing as a goalie in this league until you win the Stanley Cup, and Crawford's done that. Did the team in front of him help? Yes. But he earned that and deserves more respect than you clowns are giving him.

Been watching some NHL Network lately, including the SCF from the 50s with DET sweeping MTL, and the islanders - Flyers from the 70s. A few things ere dramatic:

No head shots, because no one was wearing a helmet.

No face wash/scrums/high sticks etc In the crease after the whistle. They just skate away!

The goalies are tiny. In he 50s, Terry Sawchuck's shoulder was below the crossbar, so was the Canadian's goalie.

Crawford should have won the Conn Smythe this year hands down. He bailed out the d a whole lot more often then they did him. Oduya, Hjarmalsson, Roszival and even Seabrook all had games or times in games when they were running around with chickens with their heads cut off. He was a lot more influential to this team's cup then Niemi was in 2010. If he leaves after this contract is up it's because none of you clowns give him any respect not money. Do you think the Hawks would waste all this time developing just to let him go so some unproven FA signing can step in? That's just Bowman doing what he's done all along, have depth. (Another guy most you guys female dog about)
Anybody who thinks Luongo or Price is better didn't watch Luongo's last Olympics (they won in spite of him and his last minute crappy goals) or the OTT-MON series last year. And since when is Mike Smith god? One good season and a good series against Chicago and suddenly he's superman. You're nothing as a goalie in this league until you win the Stanley Cup, and Crawford's done that. Did the team in front of him help? Yes. But he earned that and deserves more respect than you clowns are giving him.
- mcmasterkev

Crow's gonna leave because we female dog him on hockeybuzz? Ok man. They won in spite of Luongo's .927 and 9 goals in a 5-0 campaign? I'm sure. The team that gave up such a few number of shots in the playoffs was bailed out by their goalie, that's good to know. Again, good to know Fleury and Crawford are better than Rinne and Lundquist too because of their team accomplishments. Also by your logic no player would ever reach free agency that is developed by his own team. Get off your high horse.