Saad: wasn't there some issue with relatives in Syria that was one reason they decided to go for the money now?
- StLBravesFan

There was a media story to that effect STL. But supposedly Saad's dad was a very successful immigrant business man and wealthy in his own right. The story I heard was the dad directing the agent to get the most money, and as it turned out it was a bit of a surprise to wind up in Columbus in doing so.

You may not need an elite pedigree but you still need elite performance. San Jose didn't win last night because their defense was stellar and made the goalies life easy. That's not a game just anybody could win.

Also JJ I thought your comment about technique not mattering as much was really off-base. Technique is the biggest difference between goalies now and in the 80's, not just pad size. Goalies aren't just flailing around randomly anymore. Every aspect of how they play is fine tuned from where to direct rebounds, to save selection, to which leg to lift first when recovering. Sure a big part of that is coaching but there's a big difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Carey Price is the best goalie in the world because he is a master of his technique, not because he has big pads.

TL;DR: I think goalies are important and the Hawks will miss the playoffs if they trade Crawford and don't get a better replacement than Darling.

Chicago Blackhawks are the Stanley Cup Champions.
(...won't be able to say that next week)

I think an answer to this question depends on specific teams goalies, offense and D.

Chicago in my opinion has both strong offense, defense with decent goaltending.
Nashville has ok offense, good defense and really good goaltending (most of the time)
So it truly depends on most teams coaching philosophies.

As for your actual comments on goaltending...Goalies technique does matter as you have seen with Murray the last two games not hugging his post.
Having a coached-up goalie is no different than players working with coaches on skating technique, face-offs, stick handling etc..

"Saad also regrets not having any input in negotiations."

Man, did I get shredded for suggesting that Saad wasn't driving the boat in those negotiations. Everyone is an expert...in their own mind.

"He's a grown man....blah blah blah"
"He knows what he's doing...blah blah blah"

No, this kid bought into what was being sold by his agent and probably his dad. Understandable, but regrettable.

Would be great to have kept Leddy and Saad, but can't blame the kids for wanting a big payday. Long careers aren't guaranteed, and let's face it, money does matter.

Like Crawford and Kane, but if I could get really good value, I'd move one or both. Gonna see a period of teams not paying their goalies CC money for a bit, until it comes back around again, as these things tend to go in cycles.

That's a lot of money tied into those two guys. Kane would be much easier to get value than CC. Corey is still undervalued, and other goalies on the market which should hurt his value. Granted, he has 2 Cups, but there's a reason he doesn't get the pub he should, as the league narrative seems to be his a cog, not the wheel.
- howiehandles

Let's face the facts...most of these guy's play the the game to get paid big bucks and to win a cup. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Saad won two cups with the Hawks so this was about getting paid. I don't believe for a second that he had no say in this.

Reimer would be nice. Was not treated right here in Toronto. Plus he could be cheap enough to allow for Shaw to stay if they can only buyout Bickell.
- sofaking3

If Crawford was ever shown the door (still think its's a bad idea), this is the goalie I'd target. Played very well for a terrible Toronto team, played even better when he got to the Sharks.

55 players have a NMC through 2017/2018

https://www.capfriendly.c...c/2018/caphit/all/all/nmc

Crazy idea here:

What if the Hawks accept the fact that with the current roster and cap situation their only choice is to bite the bullet and go with what they have(say they at least find a way to bring back Shaw). No major changes.

Then.....after staying afloat for the first 4 months of the season, Toews or Kane get "injured" sometime in February. LTIR. Use all that extra cap space to fill in the roster holes and gain playoff caliber depth on D and at forward. Then lo and behold Toews/Kane comes back right in time for game 1 round 1 just like Kaner in 2015.

Might seem insane to actually plan for something like this to be your solution to the cap issues. But it just might work....
- SimpleJack

The part in bold is where your "plan" completely unravels. That would mean that Toews or Kane would have to be injured. If they're not, then how do you get one of them on LTIR? The team just can't stick them on LTIR for poops and giggles.

Further, if one of the two actually ended up on LTIR as you suggest, then you have to hope that the team is in position to make the playoffs. Beyond that, you have to hope that the loss of one of the two doesn't sink the team.

In addition, the team has to have the assets to make a trade with this supposed cap room you're suggesting. By my count, the trade-able asset pool right now is not as full as it was in February 2015. Picking up "playoff caliber" assets is not cheap by any means.

Granted, what happened to Kane in 2015 and the cap room provided from that injury was a perfect storm of events. However, this plan has too many variables to even be suggested as a viable idea. In sum, you're trying to count on lightning to strike twice at a specific place and time. Stan Bowman is not Doc Brown and Marty McFly rolled into one.

Jesus Joe, why are you apologizing? Your posts are thoughtful and solid whether one agrees or not. Keep em coming.
- Mr Ricochet

This.

There was a media story to that effect STL. But supposedly Saad's dad was a very successful immigrant business man and wealthy in his own right. The story I heard was the dad directing the agent to get the most money, and as it turned out it was a bit of a surprise to wind up in Columbus in doing so.
- 6628

Not arguing your point at all - but whether a skater is a reckless Andrew Shaw, or a more careful Teuvo Tetavainen (sarcasm intended), all NHL players of whatever age (all athletes in almost any sport) are one bad hit away from being ex-NHL players.

Bobby Orr was basically done at 28 - Brian Bickell basically done at 29 (NO sarcasm intended - good for HIM if not the Hawks that he got his millions).

I have no problem with a player going for the bread - there may not be another opportunity.

Great points. The difference between winning and losing among the elite NHL teams is razor thin.

Luckily the Bowman(s) look at the big picture. The fact that they were eliminated by a very good Blues team in the last few minutes of the 7th game will not cause them to make knee jerk reactions like most of the ones the knuckleheads (fans) on this blog (or any blog) suggest.

They are up against the hard cap. They have been for the last few years and they will be every year for the next few years. So are a lot of teams, any team with some experience and some really good players is up against the cap. The Bowman's will deal with it and maneuver as best they can within those constraints. My guess is the team will be very similar to last years team, very good and at the cap level, with just a little room for a TDL trade if needed.

Some of the bloggers are more fatigued than some of the players and for the same reason, they have not had much of a break in between seasons. Sit back and enjoy the Summer.
- -Doh-

Great post. In 2012 and 2014 no blockbuster deals were made and yet 2013 and 2015 yielded the Cup despite all the comments about how it couldn't be done without a major move, which of course Stan didn't have the intestinal fortitude for anyway.

Not saying they have next year in the bag but with the Core they've identified and some much needed downtime I'd bet on them to be right back in the thick of it and legit contenders again. JMO.

Nice blog as usual Jj.

Our question is, how important is Crow to this team and can we live with Darling? I would have to say yes, based on Darlings' past performance. It's not that anyone wants him gone but if not him, whom? If you trade a defenseman you need a defenseman. A forward, a forward. But, we have an adequate replacement for Crow.

As far as these kids in the finals, it seems the Shorks finally got the book on Murray and Jones, while he was positionally sound in game 5 (played well. Credit where it's due.) can get a little over aggressive and get caught out of his net.

That's how I sees it.

GO HOCKS'S

Not arguing your point at all - but whether a skater is a reckless Andrew Shaw, or a more careful Teuvo Tetavainen (sarcasm intended), all NHL players of whatever age (all athletes in almost any sport) are one bad hit away from being ex-NHL players.

Bobby Orr was basically done at 28 - Brian Bickell basically done at 29 (NO sarcasm intended - good for HIM if not the Hawks that he got his millions).

I have no problem with a player going for the bread - there may not be another opportunity.
- StLBravesFan

No beef here.

Jesus Joe, why are you apologizing? Your posts are thoughtful and solid whether one agrees or not. Keep em coming.

Asset allocation, what's in the farm to replace big losses due to the cap, what is the system (5 man hair on fire skill/speed player defense , PITT, outscore the other guy , DAL, play methodical/precise ,SJ, do you build from the back out and draft that way, build from the forwards back and draft that way, draft the best available players and play to your team's strength however they turn out?

I do believe you can win with a 10th best goalie as I posted with the right system/team. But as mentioned if I'm gambling I'll take the better goalie and a bit less up front.............In other words IMO there is no right answer except to say you will never win with below average goaltending no matter how good the team in front of him is. I think you need at least above average goaltending to win a cup.
- Mr Ricochet

I appreciate the compliment and the feedback, Mr. R. Additionally, keep your posts coming as well - very insightful and supported.

I think teams that build from the defense out are of the correct mold, IMO. Solidify the roles and leadership on the backend, then expand to goaltending and forwards (not in any order in particular). The Hawks strength seem to be the transition from defense to offense with the defense setting the "stage" for the speed and breakout. Seems as if teams are adapting to this and age might be apart of it also. We saw this year against STL and ANA last year of trying to clog the neutral zone to negate the breakout. Might be time to adapt and change some strategy.

I believe we both agree that no cup is achieved without some decent goaltending.

You may not need an elite pedigree but you still need elite performance. San Jose didn't win last night because their defense was stellar and made the goalies life easy. That's not a game just anybody could win.

Also JJ I thought your comment about technique not mattering as much was really off-base. Technique is the biggest difference between goalies now and in the 80's, not just pad size. Goalies aren't just flailing around randomly anymore. Every aspect of how they play is fine tuned from where to direct rebounds, to save selection, to which leg to lift first when recovering. Sure a big part of that is coaching but there's a big difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Carey Price is the best goalie in the world because he is a master of his technique, not because he has big pads.

TL;DR: I think goalies are important and the Hawks will miss the playoffs if they trade Crawford and don't get a better replacement than Darling.
- Tweek

Good post, I like the way you described Jones game last night. Maybe he's not elite but that was an elite performance. Something a better than average goalie is capable of.

Don't want to speak for JJ as far as the technique comment but I think he more meant that a goalie doesn't have to be a Patrick Roy or Broduer to be very good due to the size of the equipment. ...Indeed it's all technique, just you tube goalie drills and you'll see 6 yr olds all the way to Price doing the same drills. They are near robotic and they can be due to the size of their bodies and equipment. And I might add when the good ones hit 16 yrs old they are incredible in these drills.

People are riding Murray for those two short siders. Well that's what's taught and 5,000 miles of film has shown the PERCENTAGE play is to go to one knee and give the corner while covering the bottom ready to push across the crease. Many, many, many more times than not a shooter ain't gonna hit that sliver of the corner over the shoulder, especially if you are 6ft 4in or 6ft 7in. ....The Burns goal wasn't top shelf though the kid didn't have the post but the Donskoi shot did hit the corner.

Also love the way Pierre in his haste to seem smart and important keeps on and on about going glove high on Murray, that's the book. They/he said the same thing about Crow as he was winning cups and say the same thing about any goalie, go high as the position is now played from the knees.

IF Crow is moved I think the Hawks need to think long and hard about Darling as their #1. These are the kinds of decisions if wrong get people fired. These are times I'm happy to be the fan and not a paid employee.

@NJDevils

#NJDevils acquire Marc Savard, 2nd-round draft pick from Florida for forwards Graham Black, Paul Thompson.

I have been all over the map on trading Crow or not . But watching last nights performance by Martin Jones just reminded me of how many times I watch Crow play games like that . Where I sat mouth open stunned by one after another super save in another pivotal playoff game . Crow is elite and comes at a more then reasonable price for a two time cup Champion . I now firmly believe he should be held onto . And also believe not much will happen this offseason except some much needed RR ,and moving Bickel one way or another .

@NJDevils

#NJDevils acquire Marc Savard, 2nd-round draft pick from Florida for forwards Graham Black, Paul Thompson.
- DarthKane

So the Panthers cleared 4 mil in cap space for next year at the cost of a 2nd!! Wish I were reading Bickell was a Devil. http://www.tsn.ca/devils-...ct-from-panthers-1.505310

Nice move by the new Panther GM. Any guesses what they do with the cap space? Trocheck money? Ain't like FLA is scrambling for space they have 20 mil in room with 18 players inked. http://www.generalfanager...om/teams/florida-panthers

If Crawford was ever shown the door (still think its's a bad idea), this is the goalie I'd target. Played very well for a terrible Toronto team, played even better when he got to the Sharks.
- dstainer

The Dreger's and McKenzie's say Reimer was asking for 5 mil per with term from Toronto. He was traded shortly thereafter.

The Dreger's and McKenzie's say Reimer was asking for 5 mil per with term from Toronto. He was traded shortly thereafter.
- Mr Ricochet

I am curious to see how goalie performances and value will change after the impending changes to goalie equipment happens.

So the Panthers cleared 4 mil in cap space for next year at the cost of a 2nd!! Wish I were reading Bickell was a Devil. http://www.tsn.ca/devils-...ct-from-panthers-1.505310

Nice move by the new Panther GM. Any guesses what they do with the cap space? Trocheck money? Ain't like FLA is scrambling for space they have 20 mil in room with 18 players inked. http://www.generalfanager...om/teams/florida-panthers
- Mr Ricochet

The catch with Savard's contract is that his actually salary is only $575,000. Cash strapped teams won't want to take on Bickell's $4,000,000 salary.

The catch with Savard's contract is that his actually salary is only $575,000. Cash strapped teams won't want to take on Bickell's $4,000,000 salary.
- DarthKane

He was front loaded? .....I had forgotten about Savard. I liked his game way back when he was a Bruin.

He was front loaded? .....I had forgotten about Savard. I liked his game way back when he was a Bruin.
- Mr Ricochet

Big time, the last two seasons were $575K.

I am curious to see how goalie performances and value will change after the impending changes to goalie equipment happens.
- falseprophet93

Add that with expansion coming and teams jockeying to get something for a goalie instead of losing him to the draft, Fluery/Bishop to name a couple, will Dallas go again with that pair, CAL/CAR looking for #1's, the funk in WPG with Hellybuyck pushing, Riemer/Ward UFA's, Andersen an RFA.

Lotta moving parts and decisions to be made in the goalie market.

Good post, I like the way you described Jones game last night. Maybe he's not elite but that was an elite performance. Something a better than average goalie is capable of.

Don't want to speak for JJ as far as the technique comment but I think he more meant that a goalie doesn't have to be a Patrick Roy or Broduer to be very good due to the size of the equipment. ...Indeed it's all technique, just you tube goalie drills and you'll see 6 yr olds all the way to Price doing the same drills. They are near robotic and they can be due to the size of their bodies and equipment. And I might add when the good ones hit 16 yrs old they are incredible in these drills.

People are riding Murray for those two short siders. Well that's what's taught and 5,000 miles of film has shown the PERCENTAGE play is to go to one knee and give the corner while covering the bottom ready to push across the crease. Many, many, many more times than not a shooter ain't gonna hit that sliver of the corner over the shoulder, especially if you are 6ft 4in or 6ft 7in. ....The Burns goal wasn't top shelf though the kid didn't have the post but the Donskoi shot did hit the corner.

Also love the way Pierre in his haste to seem smart and important keeps on and on about going glove high on Murray, that's the book. They/he said the same thing about Crow as he was winning cups and say the same thing about any goalie, go high as the position is now played from the knees.

IF Crow is moved I think the Hawks need to think long and hard about Darling as their #1. These are the kinds of decisions if wrong get people fired. These are times I'm happy to be the fan and not a paid employee.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm fine with going "cheaper" in goal, but the question remains, at what point are you comfortable with a young goalie being the guy? Has Darling shown enough to prove that? I thought (and still do) that Rannta was/is a better goalie than Darling. That said I'm not sure I would trust either to take over for CC. I know something has to be done about the cap, but we also don't want to be in the same position as Dallas with two average goalies.