That would never happen on this board...
- Cup-Bearer

no,around here letters are ripped off.

Darling is the future. Not the present. He has a fair way to go before he is a starter, for reasons on and off the ice. If he stays on the path, he will be a great one.

The solution to the cap will come from the youth - Panarin, Hartman, Baun, Nordstrom, Johns, TVR. The cap room will come from in front of the crease, not from what is in it. $6MM brings all of these guys up, and it does not have to be Sharp or Crawford to make that happen.

You just should not trust that level of roster change to a rookie goalie.
- Return of the Roar

Disagree. You're forgetting the number one rule in sales... SELL HIGH. Crawford has accomplished a lot to this point in his career and especially if he wins another cup this year. If the Blackhawks want to shed cap and fetch a decent return to replenish the prospect pool el. el.... then you move him.

Disagree. You're forgetting the number one rule in sales... SELL HIGH. Crawford has accomplished a lot to this point in his career and especially if he wins another cup this year. If the Blackhawks want to shed cap and fetch a decent return to replenish the prospect pool el. el.... then you move him.
- Bjm84

Straw man argument. Same logic applies to any player on the roster who is good then.

Not a big market for $6MM goalies. Factor out the teams who don't want to do the Hawks a favor, and the universe is exceedingly small. Don't think for a second the front office did not know that. He was signed for the duration of his deal as a Hawk.

You would also have to independently be VERY f'ing confident that Darling is ready to take on the starting role behind what will be a very transitional group of guys in front of him.

TVR traveling to Tampa for Game 1:

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/773490

Theoretically would a crawford+ trade to philly be able to land their 7th pick in the draft?

Straw man argument. Same logic applies to any player on the roster who is good then.

Not a big market for $6MM goalies. Factor out the teams who don't want to do the Hawks a favor, and the universe is exceedingly small.

You would also have to independently be VERY f'ing confident that Darling is ready to take on the starting role behind what will be a very transitional group of guys in front of him.
- Return of the Roar

This is the better argument of the two you made. Because....

Yes same logic applies to any player on the roster who is good but as I mentioned earlier, the Hawks play a system which makes interchangeability at the goalie position "feasible" because they rely more on their position players to keep pucks away from the net than the goalies to prevent pucks from going in.

Yes market small for 6 million dollar goalies but so is the number of goalies who have A) won a stanly cup(maybe two), B) post good numbers, and C) are in the prime of their careers.

This is the better argument of the two you made. Because....

Yes same logic applies to any player on the roster who is good but as I mentioned earlier, the Hawks play a system which makes interchangeability at the goalie position "feasible" because they rely more on their position players to keep pucks away from the net than the goalies to prevent pucks from going in.

Yes market small for 6 million dollar goalies but so is the number of goalies who have A) won a stanly cup(maybe two), B) post good numbers, and C) are in the prime of their careers.
- Bjm84

This is where the rubber meets the road. This all changes next year.

Theoretically would a crawford+ trade to philly be able to land their 7th pick in the draft?
- Panarin27

Go look at their cap situation and you will have your answer. Why would a team with a pretty decent goalie and rebuilding want to trade for Crawford?

This is where the rubber meets the road. This all changes next year.
- Return of the Roar

Why? You think they are going to change the system they play?

This is where the rubber meets the road. This all changes next year.
- Return of the Roar

Why? You think they are going to change the system they play?
- Elbows15

I think he is saying that because of all the kids and salary cap casualties, the Blackhawks will no longer be able to play the system well enough to justify moving Crawford for an untested Darling etc.

Disagree. You're forgetting the number one rule in sales... SELL HIGH. Crawford has accomplished a lot to this point in his career and especially if he wins another cup this year. If the Blackhawks want to shed cap and fetch a decent return to replenish the prospect pool el. el.... then you move him.
- Bjm84

DING DING DING DING

(The Hawks know this full well, too)

Straw man argument. Same logic applies to any player on the roster who is good then.

Not a big market for $6MM goalies. Factor out the teams who don't want to do the Hawks a favor, and the universe is exceedingly small. Don't think for a second the front office did not know that. He was signed for the duration of his deal as a Hawk.

You would also have to independently be VERY f'ing confident that Darling is ready to take on the starting role behind what will be a very transitional group of guys in front of him.
- Return of the Roar

I think you're resting your case on a not necessarily valid assumption here. Do not assume Oduya is gone.

If the Hawks can win a Cup with 2-7-4-27 and a couple of guys named Lou, why can't they be a good team with 4-7-2-27-Johns and maybe Cumiskey?

Is it the goalie or the defense? Or is it enough the defense that it's worth saving $5 million a year against the cap?

Erik Erlendsson retweeted
rmayertbo ‏@rmayertbo 1h1 hour ago
Ran into Lightning STM yesterday who said Blackhawks fan offered him $1000 for his 2 tickets to Game 2. 'What else could I do?' he said.

----

So much for keeping Hawks fans out of Amalie Arena.

I think he is saying that because of all the kids and salary cap casualties, the Blackhawks will no longer be able to play the system well enough to justify moving Crawford for an untested Darling etc.
- Bjm84

Could be.

Erik Erlendsson retweeted
rmayertbo ‏@rmayertbo 1h1 hour ago
Ran into Lightning STM yesterday who said Blackhawks fan offered him $1000 for his 2 tickets to Game 2. 'What else could I do?' he said.

----

So much for keeping Hawks fans out of Amelie Arena.
- ArlingtonRob

Exactly, this ploy will only drive up the out of venue ticket prices for the ticket holder base and will do nothing to keep the red out

You just should not trust that level of roster change to a rookie goalie.
- Return of the Roar

While that logic applies most of the time, Darling (and Raanta) are different than "rookie" goalies, as neither is really a rookie in the traditional sense. Darling has that very, very calm demeanour, not too high, not too low which is a large part of Coach Q's style...this is what he works on with his players...not to get too high after a big win and to let the losses go and move on. Both are "middle-aged" and both have had consecutive seasons of very good numbers and measurable growth. Darling showed the world what he's like at "crunch time" vs. NSH and he already possess BETTER REBOUND CONTROL than Crawford. At this point in Corey's career, he's likely not ever going to an "elite" goaltender because he consistently gives up rebounds (often on uncontested shots) and "loses" himself within his crease far too often. And while Darling's NHL sample size isn't large, he's shown himself to possess excellent positioning and remarkable athleticism for a "big man"; in fact, he appears to be a bit of a "freak of nature".

So again, normally your thoughts would be the "right" approach, but in the case of Darling and Raanta, the Hawks wouldn't be going into a great unknown. I think the Hawks coaching staff very much KNOWS what they have in Darling. Plus, by choosing to keep Crawford another year or two, it forces the Hawk's hand on Raanta. Any number of teams would be able to pick him up off of the Hawks for a very reasonable price, and he's going to become a good NHL goalie, and already is. Moving Crawford this offseason means that the Hawks would be able to control both Darling and Raanta's contracts moving forward.

While that logic applies most of the time, Darling (and Raanta) are different than "rookie" goalies, as neither is really a rookie in the traditional sense. Darling has that very, very calm demeanour, not too high, not too low which is a large part of Coach Q's style...this is what he works on with his players...not to get too high after a big win and to let the losses go and move on. Both are "middle-aged" and both have had consecutive seasons of very good numbers and measurable growth. Darling showed the world what he's like at "crunch time" vs. NSH and he already possess BETTER REBOUND CONTROL than Crawford. At this point in Corey's career, he's likely not ever going to an "elite" goaltender because he consistently gives up rebounds (often on uncontested shots) and "loses" himself within his crease far too often. And while Darling's NHL sample size isn't large, he's shown himself to possess excellent positioning and remarkable athleticism for a "big man"; in fact, he appears to be a bit of a "freak of nature".

So again, normally your thoughts would be the "right" approach, but in the case of Darling and Raanta, the Hawks wouldn't be going into a great unknown. I think the Hawks coaching staff very much KNOWS what they have in Darling. Plus, by choosing to keep Crawford another year or two, it forces the Hawk's hand on Raanta. Any number of teams would be able to pick him up off of the Hawks for a very reasonable price, and he's going to become a good NHL goalie, and already is. Moving Crawford this offseason means that the Hawks would be able to control both Darling and Raanta's contracts moving forward.
- MexicoHawk

Well said.

While that logic applies most of the time, Darling (and Raanta) are different than "rookie" goalies, as neither is really a rookie in the traditional sense. Darling has that very, very calm demeanour, not too high, not too low which is a large part of Coach Q's style...this is what he works on with his players...not to get too high after a big win and to let the losses go and move on. Both are "middle-aged" and both have had consecutive seasons of very good numbers and measurable growth. Darling showed the world what he's like at "crunch time" vs. NSH and he already possess BETTER REBOUND CONTROL than Crawford. At this point in Corey's career, he's likely not ever going to an "elite" goaltender because he consistently gives up rebounds (often on uncontested shots) and "loses" himself within his crease far too often. And while Darling's NHL sample size isn't large, he's shown himself to possess excellent positioning and remarkable athleticism for a "big man"; in fact, he appears to be a bit of a "freak of nature".

So again, normally your thoughts would be the "right" approach, but in the case of Darling and Raanta, the Hawks wouldn't be going into a great unknown. I think the Hawks coaching staff very much KNOWS what they have in Darling. Plus, by choosing to keep Crawford another year or two, it forces the Hawk's hand on Raanta. Any number of teams would be able to pick him up off of the Hawks for a very reasonable price, and he's going to become a good NHL goalie, and already is. Moving Crawford this offseason means that the Hawks would be able to control both Darling and Raanta's contracts moving forward.
- MexicoHawk

I am hearing more on this situation this afternoon. Interesting. I will just say this. Seabrook and Saad are going to be Hawks long term. the rest will work itself out. More to come.

id say the bolts match up better to the west than any of the other east teams. and we had i think the best record against the west of any of the eastern teams? both teams play a similar style and our top four of hedman stralman garrison and coburn arent exactly a pushover and are all well over 6'. we have the biggest d in the league. just going to have to use their size in this series. but i think our 3rd line of callahan boyle brown is going to be the difference maker. i think the top two lines are a wash. maybe slight edge to the bolts but not much. but i would give goaltending to bolts.

offense wash
defense chicago
goaltending tampa

thats why i think it goes at least 6 or 7. i think the series is split 2-2 going into game 5. whoever wins game 5 wins the series.
- boltsfan48

these bolts fans are a real hoot and I thought kesler and his mouthing off was over top entertainment.....ok sunshine boyz keep soaking it up

I am hearing more on this situation this afternoon. Interesting. I will just say this. Seabrook and Saad are going to be Hawks long term. the rest will work itself out. More to come.
- John Jaeckel

But what a cliff hanger

I am hearing more on this situation this afternoon. Interesting. I will just say this. Seabrook and Saad are going to be Hawks long term. the rest will work itself out. More to come.
- John Jaeckel

Seabs is a player the Hawks can't let walk as a UFA. Just ask Bruins fans what their defence looked like without Johnny Boychuk. And Seabs is a better defenceman than him.

If moving Craw, sharp and Steeg allows you to resign JO, Extend Seabs, SAAD,Kruger and get good returns for them you should do it.
SAAD-TEOWS-HOSSA, PANARIN, TT, KANE, BICKELL, SHAW, KRUGER, DANULT,
and 3 of Nordy, Hartmen, Baun, Mcneal, A FA C on Short term deal Like Richards and or a guy like desjardens.

Then a back end of DK, Seabs,Hammer, JO, Johns,Reilly, TVR and sign a guy or 2 like cumisky to park in Rockford in case of a injury.

Darling and either Raanta or Nillson.

The above team would be better on D then this years team barring injury.

Lets say we move the bare min and Let JO walk and keep Craw and he has a bad year because or D is really young and panarin, and the rookies struggle at times you might be stuck with him for the rest of his contract

I am hearing more on this situation this afternoon. Interesting. I will just say this. Seabrook and Saad are going to be Hawks long term. the rest will work itself out. More to come.
- John Jaeckel

I've been confident for a while now that those 2 aren't going anywhere, hope it holds true. Move Crawford, replace with Darling. Move Sharp, replace with Panarin. Get rid of Versteeg and Bickell as well(expect nothing back, nothing good at least...), and also be sure to resign Oduya and Kruger(both are very important IMO). Try and bring back Desjardins and Nordstrom for cheap which shouldn't be difficult, and also see about adding another cheap 2/3C option(will need more center depth and bottom 6 depth in general) or vet defenseman. Might be able to get one of those pieces back in a potential Sharp/Crawford trade.

Make it happen!!

I've been confident for a while now that those 2 aren't going anywhere, hope it holds true. Move Crawford, replace with Darling. Move Sharp, replace with Panarin. Get rid of Versteeg and Bickell as well(expect nothing back, nothing good at least...), and also be sure to resign Oduya and Kruger(both are very important IMO). Try and bring back Desjardins and Nordstrom for cheap which shouldn't be difficult, and also see about adding another cheap 2/3C option(will need more center depth and bottom 6 depth in general) or vet defenseman. Might be able to get one of those pieces back in a potential Sharp/Crawford trade.

Make it happen!!
- SimpleJack

Two bags of pucks are important.