Because defense wins, in the NHL, especially in the playoffs, and in every other team sport on the planet.

Hell, a cricket club with strong bowlers is going to be tough to beat.
- scottak

Cricket used to be good - but bowlers now can’t go more than 5 wickets....

Crawford situation at least to me, is the most troublesome consideration. Fun inquiring into our draft picks, and ways to shore up our defense. But, today, as it currently stands, do we even have a clear #2 behind Crow? Always been a supporter of Crow, but he's one good crease infraction away from ending his career. Any further info on Ward status, and are we still interested? The quietness is a little unnerving, yet it's still very early.
- gabriel

I believe that Chicago remains a good fit for one more season for both Ward and the Blackhawks. His season was good and there is no indication that he wouldn't be able to play as well for one more season.

At this point in his career Ward will probably choose the hockey salary and role again in Chicago. He knows that he is at the end of a career but still capable. He will not want to move, either, if he can sign for a reasonable even bargain rate for Chicago. Ward has a son whose medical needs are met by hospital and service set up in Chicago wheras it is a challenge to find as quality a program he is at ease with in other cities.

For the Blackhawks Ward is an affordable backnup should Crawford have issues and Delia is not
NHL ready.

The overriding concern with the goaltending situation though is, who will be the #1 once Crawford retires?

I don't see a top stud prospect although Laakinen may be ok and they have Gravel whom they like. So Ward one more year buys Bowman time to work on a plan to bring in someone else beginning the expansion season. i may stand corrected, but if there is the expansion protection option where you protect only one goaltender..... Bowman would probably decide between Delia and Laakinen. Not good. But Ward for one more season "wards off" the goaltender issue.

Agree with you. Nobody is trying to "fix" anything at any level. I'm just observing some announcers who MAYBE aren't really keen on the Carolinas or Columbus's of this world. Would have to consider in passing, that the network could be fretting a little about potential market share, also. The Columbus Blue Jackets as Stanley Cup Champions. Has a wonderful ring to it as far as I'm concerned. Perhaps it isn't one that is universally shared. Who cares? Let the best team win, right?
- gabriel

Right!
Bettman: this could be problematic. Market shares etc al rich owners ....power brokers, corruption just like real world.

who reported teh Rumor that Panarin wanted to come back to Chicago and was willing to give us a discount?

who reported teh Rumor that Panarin wanted to come back to Chicago and was willing to give us a discount?
- kmw4631

Ek?

I know there are a lot of readers watching the very entertaining playoffs. And the monkey wrench which was Tampa falling down opens up the possibilities from the Eastern Conference. I was mildly surprised that San Jose came back to knock off Vegas.. So the Western Conference sends a new reprentative to challenge for The Holy Grail

Initial thought is the winning team in the Columbus Boston grueling fight should be able to dispense whomever is the triumphant in NYI - Carolina series. Probably Carolina wins thete but will get kicked down by Boston. So a Boston team which did not push Toronto away as easily as they should have - most due to the fact that Boston's defense is not that good - goes to the Cup final.

In the Western Conference SanJose is too deep too good and has the playoff experience: this is enough to beat back the Avalanche and the weaker opponent which is maybe Dallas and not St Louis.

The Cup final will be between two teams each having.flaws.

Boston sometimes needs to rely on one line. Their defense blueline isn't really good but they can win with it. Raask needs ti be very good. The Sharks have two big question marks. Will Jones be solid in net? Can Burns help as much as hurt the team? Lots of quality scoring depth. Even minus Pavelski.

I don't know whom i would pick to win it. I reserve that decision until exactly whom is known to be the two teams making it to the final round.

I am sure everyone will enjoy reading a .counter viewpoint. You who see each and every moment of the games please offer your analysis. My viewpoint is probably not the most examined and best among those to be put forth.

who reported teh Rumor that Panarin wanted to come back to Chicago and was willing to give us a discount?
- kmw4631

I think it was just a hypothetical question - didn't rise to the level of rumor.

who reported teh Rumor that Panarin wanted to come back to Chicago and was willing to give us a discount?
- kmw4631

Nobody

Ek?
- HawkintheD

Bob?

Bob?
- paulr

His always sounded more plausible.

His always sounded more plausible.
- HawkintheD

I thought so, he had some REALLY good trade rumours.

I believe that Chicago remains a good fit for one more season for both Ward and the Blackhawks. His season was good and there is no indication that he wouldn't be able to play as well for one more season.

At this point in his career Ward will probably choose the hockey salary and role again in Chicago. He knows that he is at the end of a career but still capable. He will not want to move, either, if he can sign for a reasonable even bargain rate for Chicago. Ward has a son whose medical needs are met by hospital and service set up in Chicago wheras it is a challenge to find as quality a program he is at ease with in other cities.

For the Blackhawks Ward is an affordable backnup should Crawford have issues and Delia is not
NHL ready.

The overriding concern with the goaltending situation though is, who will be the #1 once Crawford retires?

I don't see a top stud prospect although Laakinen may be ok and they have Gravel whom they like. So Ward one more year buys Bowman time to work on a plan to bring in someone else beginning the expansion season. i may stand corrected, but if there is the expansion protection option where you protect only one goaltender..... Bowman would probably decide between Delia and Laakinen. Not good. But Ward for one more season "wards off" the goaltender issue.
- jhawk59

Regarding the expansion draft, for a goalie to be draft eligible he has to be signed for the 21-22 season. Right now Delia is the only goalie in the Hawks system that meets that criteria. Of course, others goalie prospects will probably be signed by then. Seattle has to select three goalies so if there are better goalies out there, Chicago may not lose one anyway.

Hopefully Cro has a good upcoming season. What if he stays injury free and wants to sign again for a couple of years. Do the Hawks have the cap space? Will he take a cut to around $4M? Lots of us think that when his current $6M comes off the books next year it would be earmarked for part of Strome, Debrincat and Kahun extensions.

There will be forward and defense depth in the Hawks system in a couple of years, but the goalie depth is concerning. But you never know maybe a Delia/Forsberg/Laniken type develops into a top goalie. Hopefully the Hawks develop a strong team defense concept in the near future to help them out.

My real name officially revealed in my latest blog.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.co...My-REAL-Name-is/253/99223

I believe that Chicago remains a good fit for one more season for both Ward and the Blackhawks. His season was good and there is no indication that he wouldn't be able to play as well for one more season.

At this point in his career Ward will probably choose the hockey salary and role again in Chicago. He knows that he is at the end of a career but still capable. He will not want to move, either, if he can sign for a reasonable even bargain rate for Chicago. Ward has a son whose medical needs are met by hospital and service set up in Chicago wheras it is a challenge to find as quality a program he is at ease with in other cities.

For the Blackhawks Ward is an affordable backnup should Crawford have issues and Delia is not
NHL ready.

The overriding concern with the goaltending situation though is, who will be the #1 once Crawford retires?

I don't see a top stud prospect although Laakinen may be ok and they have Gravel whom they like. So Ward one more year buys Bowman time to work on a plan to bring in someone else beginning the expansion season. i may stand corrected, but if there is the expansion protection option where you protect only one goaltender..... Bowman would probably decide between Delia and Laakinen. Not good. But Ward for one more season "wards off" the goaltender issue.
- jhawk59

Ward at anything over $1.5mil is a big No IMO. He hasn't been good in years and there are plenty of veteran goalies out there who would give you the same numbers at around $1mil. in salary. Delia is another Darling, OK as a backup or short stints, not ready (and maybe never will be) to be a full-time starter. Hawks need to decide what they have in Forsberg also. Any of Ward, Delia, Forsberg is fine as a backup, but if Crawford goes down and the Hawks hope to contend they will need to find a different answer.