If Crawford is willing to play on a 1 year deal around 2M, and you draft Askarov......... Could be a nice passing of the torch.
- bikeguy99

Except it usually takes Russians more than a year to come over, if at all. Not to mention throwing a 19/20 year old goalie on NA ice for the first out there is a recipe for disaster.

Except it usually takes Russians more than a year to come over, if at all. Not to mention throwing a 19/20 year old goalie on NA ice for the first out there is a recipe for disaster.
- Elbows15

No Russians in the first round.
No goalies in the first round.

No Russian Goalies in the first round. Ever.

Not one positive COVID test. Maybe Bettman isn't an idiot.
- Elbows15

According to Millbury the guys are horny.

No Russians in the first round.
No goalies in the first round.

No Russian Goalies in the first round. Ever.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes, yes, yes!

No Russians in the first round.
No goalies in the first round.

No Russian Goalies in the first round. Ever.
- Ogilthorpe2

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Samsonov have entered the chat.

I definitely wouldn't say it was a L for Stan. Kahun was even given some time with Crosby and Malkin this year and didn't perform, and he didn't last a full year in Pitt before being moved to Buffalo.

Say what you will about Maatta during the regular season, he was worth every penny in the post-season for what he brought. If it wasn't for the numbers game then he would be a lock, and we would be more than fine with him as a bottom pairing d-man on this team moving forward.
- TommyHawk

Not at 4.5M for a bottom pair D-man. He sucked just as much in the PO. Don't be fooled by him getting 2 lucky goals.

Maatta is too slow. Not very good at board battles. Doesn't make quick decisions with the puck. Partly because by the time he gets to the puck, someone is already on his ass.
Kahun had 31 points in 56 games. On the plus side in every metric that matters. I say he had a year consistent with who he is as a player. Plus, he is most likely to be inexpensive as a depth winger.

Pretty sure incentive laden contracts are allowed only if the contract is for one year. Typically incentive laden goalie contracts have the incentives kick in at games played milestones such as 10, 20, 30, 40 games. Cro is aware of his injury history and may not go for that and probably will want a guaranteed contract for at least 2 years possibly with the assurance he will not be exposed in the expansion draft so he can stay in Chicago.

He may ask for 2 x 5M. Stan will initially offer 2 x 3M and they will settle at 2 x 4M.

When you think about it both sides have some leverage. Bowman knows Crawford wants to stay in Chicago. The Crawford camp knows the Hawks have no sure fire top goalie in the system and to replace him with a decent UFA goalie would cost at least 5M and longer term. If Stan opts for a journeyman UFA goalie (e.g. Greiss, Talbot, Elliott) that he can get for 2 x 2.5M or 3M, IMO Stan is throwing in the towel on the season.
- boilermaker100

See Cam Ward.

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Samsonov have entered the chat.
- TommyHawk

Name one Russian the Hawks have drafted that was any good. Just one. That is what Ogi is saying.

Other teams can draft Russians. The Hawks can't.

No Russians in the first round.
No goalies in the first round.

No Russian Goalies in the first round. Ever.
- Ogilthorpe2

I may actually take Askarov at 17. I would hate myself but it might be a flyer worth taking as opposed to guys like Guhle and Schneider

Not at 4.5M for a bottom pair D-man. He sucked just as much in the PO. Don't be fooled by him getting 2 lucky goals.

Maatta is too slow. Not very good at board battles. Doesn't make quick decisions with the puck. Partly because by the time he gets to the puck, someone is already on his ass.
31 points in 56 games. On the plus side in every metric that matters. I say he had a year consistent with who he is as a player. Plus, he is most likely to be inexpensive as a depth winger.
- Elbows15

I wasn't even alluding to the offense in the playoffs.

He cleared the crease, made smart outlet passes, and was trustworthy in his own zone relative to the other d-men. Yes foot speed is a problem, but there are worse pylons out there.

$4.5 is a steep price to pay for a bottom pairing d-man but considering the circumstances (how much young depth we have), and in a more limited role he's more than competent.

According to Millbury the guys are horny.
- rpeters01

Can't believe that guy actually went to Cornell. Boggles the mind.

Name one Russian the Hawks have drafted that was any good. Just one. That is what Ogi is saying.

Other teams can draft Russians. The Hawks can't.
- Elbows15

I wouldn't take them for the sake of taking them.

But it's just foolish to outright rule them out because of your history with them. No stone should be left unturned.

At 17, if Askarov miraculously is still somehow on the board, you take him and you don't think twice. You draft the best available talent period.

Name one Russian the Hawks have drafted that was any good. Just one. That is what Ogi is saying.

Other teams can draft Russians. The Hawks can't.
- Elbows15

Sergei Krivakasov?

I wasn't even alluding to the offense in the playoffs.

He cleared the crease, made smart outlet passes, and was trustworthy in his own zone relative to the other d-men. Yes foot speed is a problem, but there are worse pylons out there.

$4.5 is a steep price to pay for a bottom pairing d-man but considering the circumstances (how much young depth we have), and in a more limited role he's more than competent.
- TommyHawk

The 1st paragraph would have been nice if he did any of that. Except he didn't. There was a reason the puck kept going to his side of the ice.

Sergei Krivakasov?
- LAHawk

I said good.

Wiz if you are out there what is the comparison between Suter and Kahun (if there are any besides both being Euro free agents).

Is Suter more offensively gifted? Similar skaters?

I liked Kahun but he handled the puck like a grenade half the time.
- bhawks2241

I'm not Wiz, but I've done a fair amount of research on Suter recently. He's not a fast skater, but he does have quickness and good edges (from what I've seen). He is very intelligent and very good at reading plays and anticipating where the puck is going (on O and D). He's got a really good wrister, and can set up teammates.

He's not overly powerful, and again not notably fast (sounds a bit like Strome), but he moves and reacts quickly to the tune of being trusted on the PK. I think someone earlier said that he is somewhere between Kahun and Kubalik and that is probably a very good description.

I'm sticking with what I've been saying for a while. Crawford wants to stay. He has been in this organization for 17 years. The Hawks want him to be a Blackhawk and obviously Bowman felt that CC is going to stay when he traded RL and kept Crawford.

The guy will be here to play and mentor the next goalie who will get a chance to grown into the job. It's great because they can let a young goalie ease in without putting too much load on him.

I can't see them signing CC for more than 3-3.5 mil per year, but this is a bit of unique situation.

What I think works in the Hawks favor right now is the changes to 35+ contracts. They can give CC a longer term without fear of his $ staying on the books in retirement (as long as they don't front load the deal).

My opinion, it is very unlikely that CC isn't the starting goalie next season on a reasonable deal.

The 1st paragraph would have been nice if he did any of that. Except he didn't. There was a reason the puck kept going to his side of the ice.
- Elbows15

Meh he was actually was solid in the playoffs. He is far too slow for the system the Hawks try to play. For 4.5 mil though, he needs to be more than a solid 3rd pair guy.

Hawks are better serve with a youngster in his spot on D.

I don't think he is untradeable. Hawks coughed up Kahun for him. I imagine there were other teams interested as well.

Stan just didn't show up and say hi, here is Kahun (I think??).

Saw that Wiz. Glad Hawks didn't take that trade.

I think Crawford had a tough year with the Lehner addition. He's making it clear he wants them (or another team) to promise he's the guy and his play has backed that up.

Question is... If he wants to be the guy and its not Chicago... where is it?

Buffalo?
Ottawa?
Carolina?

- Tyler Cameron

Calgary

Calgary
- wiz1901

Crow won't go to Calgary.

I said good.
- Elbows15

Igor Kravchuck?

Then traded him away for one of Nester’s all time favorites.

Igor Kravchuck?

Then traded him away for one of Nester’s all time favorites.
- Ogilthorpe2

Tell me YOU are not part of the lay-offs

Tell me YOU are not part of the lay-offs
- wiz1901

I survived the first cut, but not out of the woods just yet.

Calgary
- wiz1901

Maaaaaybe. Rittich is still there for another year. He's averaged 43 games the last couple of years.

Sooo... coach would have to almost "guarantee" that Corey will get "a ton" of playing time or sounds like that's no dice for Corey.

Igor Kravchuck?

Then traded him away for one of Nester’s all time favorites.
- Ogilthorpe2

I was trying to avoid thinking about that.