Murphy and #17 for #8 and a 3rd?
- tvetter

Murphy and #17 for #18

I want to hold on to Saad. We need more players like him, so we can't afford to lose the one Saad we've got.
- tvetter

Are we a Saadist? A state of being after he is dealt. But don't worry too much Soon as we look look like a playoff team, Bowman brings him back. One more time Saad with a return address and he rivals Morris the Cat for "x" amount of lives.

Murphy and #17 for #18
- DarthKane

I see. 17 + one = 18.
Elementary Bowman
Not really

Might be an out there hunch but I can see Bowman parting ways with Crawford and sign Lundqvist to a one-year deal (say no more than $2M) to buy time to sort out the goalie situation.

I really hope Bowman doesn't mortage prospects and draft picks for Kuemper. If he must really have Kuemper, find another way to acquire him.
- Theo Fox

Why Kuemper with 2x$4.5 left? Certainly he can keep Crawford for that - unless Crawford is lining up a starter’s position wit a Cup contender.

I want to hold on to Saad. We need more players like him, so we can't afford to lose the one Saad we've got.
- tvetter

I agree that we need more Saad, but can the Hawks keep him after this season? If the answer is no, then trade him now. If Saad can be re-signed this do so ASAP.

Why Kuemper with 2x$4.5 left? Certainly he can keep Crawford for that - unless Crawford is lining up a starter’s position wit a Cup contender.
- StLBravesFan

I think the key is Kuemper’s lack of any NTC/NMC. I’m sure Stan wants the flexibility for the expansion draft.

If anything was obvious this playoff season it's that the hawks aren't close to winning a cup. Plus the next season or two nobody knows what the heck is going on. So in my opinion there is no better time to give the goalies in the system some games to see what they have. I don't see the reason to spend money or assets for a washed up goalie that costs money. It's time to let the defense and forwards learn how to help the goalie and not the other way around.

If anything was obvious this playoff season it's that the hawks aren't close to winning a cup. Plus the next season or two nobody knows what the heck is going on. So in my opinion there is no better time to give the goalies in the system some games to see what they have. I don't see the reason to spend money or assets for a washed up goalie that costs money. It's time to let the defense and forwards learn how to help the goalie and not the other way around.
- 6628

Pretend playoffs. A nice run at some point before late season fade. The appearance of a descent team with goaltender. That = ticket sales. What ticket sales. What is Bowman thinking. What does Rocky say. Thank goodness McDonough is gone. Perhaps we get a clue or two the direction the team is headed in the next couple of weeks. Most significant NHL moves completed by then.

If anything was obvious this playoff season it's that the hawks aren't close to winning a cup. Plus the next season or two nobody knows what the heck is going on. So in my opinion there is no better time to give the goalies in the system some games to see what they have. I don't see the reason to spend money or assets for a washed up goalie that costs money. It's time to let the defense and forwards learn how to help the goalie and not the other way around.
- 6628

Great comment.That's one of the best observations I have read on this board.

Brandon Hagel loaned to a 2nd tier Swiss league team. He can be recalled whenever Hawks pre-season camp begins.

Great comment.That's one of the best observations I have read on this board.
- boilermaker100

100% agree. That mentality helped them win 3 cups. Tell them to watch Mighty Ducks 3, clean out the garbage in front of the net haha

Might be an out there hunch but I can see Bowman parting ways with Crawford and sign Lundqvist to a one-year deal (say no more than $2M) to buy time to sort out the goalie situation.

I really hope Bowman doesn't mortage prospects and draft picks for Kuemper. If he must really have Kuemper, find another way to acquire him.
- Theo Fox

Theo, good blog, keep up the great work. I agree that we should not mortgage prospects or draft picks for a goalie, but Lundqvist was overrated in his prime and now he’s an AHL goalie at best, don’t want him anywhere near this team. Either sign Crawford for a reasonable cap hit, sign a stopgap not named Lundqvist for $3M or <, or go with our young guys.

Great comment.That's one of the best observations I have read on this board.
- boilermaker100

Absolutely. Forwards help dmen by being in proper position on breaknouts

it said that Montreal might be all in. would you do SAAD + 3rd for Montreal 1st?

it said that Montreal might be all in. would you do SAAD + 3rd for Montreal 1st?
- kmw4631

you could make it conditional
Of course THEN Montreal could make another trade conditional.

Only going to complete one or none of the trades which are conditional.

I still am a firm believer that the best goaltender prospect we quite likely have an opportunity to snatch, is this Russian kid. It s a matter whether the cost is prohibitive. It is also a matter of when you want to add prospects at various positions. Is it more important to draft a forward or dman? Bowman says, take the best player available. If no goaltender, then be prepared to live with "B" level goaltending at most next few seasons. Drafting a goaltender later in draft means even if this player develops nicely, he will be a few years away. Or more.

it said that Montreal might be all in. would you do SAAD + 3rd for Montreal 1st?
- kmw4631

I suspect what Bergevin"s objective is...is to improve the NHL roster by trading a player(s) he has soured on..Or could live without. If necessary Bergevin might consider trading a (one) but doubtful multiple prospects. Trading for or trading away a #1...well that depends how good a player is offered up. Scenario: has Bergevin soured on Drouin?

you could make it conditional
Of course THEN Montreal could make another trade conditional.

Only going to complete one or none of the trades which are conditional.

I still am a firm believer that the best goaltender prospect we quite likely have an opportunity to snatch, is this Russian kid. It s a matter whether the cost is prohibitive. It is also a matter of when you want to add prospects at various positions. Is it more important to draft a forward or dman? Bowman says, take the best player available. If no goaltender, then be prepared to live with "B" level goaltending at most next few seasons. Drafting a goaltender later in draft means even if this player develops nicely, he will be a few years away. Or more.
- jhawk59

Why does that mean living with “B level goaltending”? I still think they should sign Crow, should something be able to worked out that’s more team friendly than not.

Agree with those saying don’t give up picks or prospects for Kuemper, especially a first rounder which is AZ’s rumored asking price.

Back to the original point though...just because they decide to go with the Yutes, if that does in fact become the route, it doesn’t mean they have to live with the decision beyond this season if they don’t see a guy they like emerge.

I have no idea who the UFA goalies are beyond this season nor who else might be available.

Theo, good blog, keep up the great work. I agree that we should not mortgage prospects or draft picks for a goalie, but Lundqvist was overrated in his prime and now he’s an AHL goalie at best, don’t want him anywhere near this team. Either sign Crawford for a reasonable cap hit, sign a stopgap not named Lundqvist for $3M or <, or go with our young guys.
- Angotti

Thanks, Angotti. I don't see Lundqvist as an option to make the Hawks competitive, just a desperation stop gap to save money and buy time for the young goalies to develop in the system with one of them taking on a backup role.

To be competitive, Bowman has to either re-sign Crawford or find a younger goalie on the market via trade.

It is official this morning: Lunqvist He gone.
He is now available.
Corey Crawford?

New blog! An overview of defensemen options for the Blackhawks in the draft and what to look for when considering the best player available whether in the 1st round or later.

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=107636

Cam Ward was (frank)ing terrible by the time you guys signed him.

He had one good playoff run as a 21 year old rookie, and then was an actually good goaltender for about 4 years from 2008-2012 before just kind of falling into being a below average starter for most of the rest of his career.
- BINGO!

He had one really good year. 3 I would call average for an NHL starter and the rest he was below .910 SV% with 4 seasons below .900. He blew for a long time before coming here and sucking.

He had one really good year. 3 I would call average for an NHL starter and the rest he was below .910 SV% with 4 seasons below .900. He blew for a long time before coming here and sucking.
- Elbows15

Eh I cut him some slack because we barely had a team in front of him for a couple of those years. But yes, basically.