John Jaeckel: How Much Does The Goalie Matter?

Of course not but then you need Elite D corps. If you only have 3 real D men then an Elite goalie like Crawford helps.

Thanks for the writeup! Very interested to see how everything shakes out this offseason. For all those who say that Kane should be traded (not me) I'd have to say that Crawford should be moved first. He's coming off a career year and I thought there was some interest around the league going into last season. I've never been a Crawford hater but tough decisions need to be made.

Question is, even if they shed Crawford will they be able to get much in return or will the free cap space to re-sign Panarin, Shaw and others be the main takeaway?

I think it matters. The problem with most goalies is staying consistent for the entire playoff run, which not many can do. We saw lundqvist chased out in back to back games. The blues great goalie tandem just died against the Sharks. Quick and luongo had good seasons but crapped the bed when it mattered the most. A good defense helps, but good goalies can also steal multiple games, like Jones did in games 3 and 5

Should ask the Sharks that question after last night.

Of course not but then you need Elite D corps. If you only have 3 real D men then an Elite goalie like Crawford helps.
- mrpaulish

TVR is a real D-men. He may have his limitations but I wouldn't short him. He was solid for his first full NHL season. The issue was more having a 1,2a,2b,and 5 and then pretty much crap after that.

This debate may change if/when they shrink goalie equipment or make the nets larger.

Then the value of an elite goalie may be of paramount importance.

found this on the other website: HF

Jay Zawaski , a Hawks beat writer stated on the Hub Arkush show that this is rubbish.

He also stated Saad and Leddy, two of Shaws close friends, told him to take less and stay with the Hawks. Saad also regrets not having any input in negotiations.

This might be a good sign of a Bickell buy out and a cheap Shaw and possibly a cheap Campbell sign for one more run at a Cup. And another reason players want to play in Chicago.

It's on the 670 web site

Of course not but then you need Elite D corps. If you only have 3 real D men then an Elite goalie like Crawford helps.
- mrpaulish

First of all I'm not sure CC is elite after watching Murray and Jones. You trade CC and throw in Bickell and you are out of cap hell and in return you get a OK goalie who just might be as good as CC. Don't forget Mac Caruth who had a great year in Rockford. He could develop now into your CC replacement along with the gentle giant already on the roster

Saad had no input in his negotiations??????

Please.....

Saad had no input in his negotiations??????

Please.....
- Return of the Roar

From what I understood it was his agent reporting to his Father who wanted the big bucks

If I'm not mistaken, didn't Jones have a real streak - standing on his head while subbing for an injured Quick a season or two ago?

CC and bickell to Arizona for Dominigue.

Ok, so how about don't worry about the return. CC and BB for a seventh round pick and done.

Isn't that what we wish we would have done with Sharp at the trade deadline instead of throwing in Johns and possibly losing Oduya as a result?

Don't forget Mac Caruth who had a great year in Rockford. He could develop now into your CC replacement along with the gentle giant already on the roster
- Maggie

I wouldn't say that Carruth had a great season. He spent most of the season in Indy. Someone who closely follows the Fuel would be aptly inclined to give an honest opinion on that.

Rather, Carruth had a great run during the last few weeks of the season in Rockford when Leighton received his call-up. From what I saw, Carruth appeared to had made some sort of leap in his development. I hope he gets re-upped by the organization.

Additionally, I wouldn't go as far to claim that Carruth could develop into a Crawford replacement. A strong few weeks of play in the net is still a long way off from that claim. However, I would go as far to support the idea that Carruth should be brought back to play in Rockford next season to see if he can sustain the effort he displayed at the end of the season.

If anything, Carruth's play at the end of the AHL season provides some hope that there might be a prospect in goal within the pipeline.

This debate may change if/when they shrink goalie equipment or make the nets larger.

Then the value of an elite goalie may be of paramount importance.
- Joel_Eh

Yes. You see my point. As it did before the pads got huge.

found this on the other website: HF

Jay Zawaski , a Hawks beat writer stated on the Hub Arkush show that this is rubbish.

He also stated Saad and Leddy, two of Shaws close friends, told him to take less and stay with the Hawks. Saad also regrets not having any input in negotiations.

This might be a good sign of a Bickell buy out and a cheap Shaw and possibly a cheap Campbell sign for one more run at a Cup. And another reason players want to play in Chicago.

It's on the 670 web site
- kmw4631

What is?

Of course not but then you need Elite D corps. If you only have 3 real D men then an Elite goalie like Crawford helps.
- mrpaulish

Very good point.

There is that one great quote that goes something like goaltending is 80% of a team winning and 100% if you have bad goaltending.

Ypu can see now, even with these huge netminders that if they are not very good it costs teams. Niemi cost the Sharks probably ther Cup final appearances.

Goaltending cost the Stars this season. With even decent goaltending I think they could have pushed the Blues out.

All anyone needs to remember is Jim Carey. Google the goaltender version if you have forgotten. Murray could be a fart in the wind. Perhaps video scouting has not as yet caught up with him?

Jones might have some decent games, but I have seen him at his normal and he is not all that good and does not usually steal games for the Sharks. Every blind chicken finds a piece of corn one day.

You might not also remember what the Hawks were like before Crawford emerged. Nothing can zap the legs quicker than a soft goal. Players need to get over it, but when it happens a number of times it is a killer.

"Today @ 11:50 AM ET
Ok, so how about don't worry about the return. CC and BB for a seventh round pick and done.

Isn't that what we wish we would have done with Sharp at the trade deadline instead of throwing in Johns and possibly losing Oduya as a result?"

Bickell is not being traded unless there is a garbage contract coming back, so he will have to be bought out. There is just no way around it...

From what I understood it was his agent reporting to his Father who wanted the big bucks
- Maggie

A kid in his early 20's getting pressure from both his dad and his agent is very plausible. Especially if the kid is very impressionable and the dad has that "father knows best" mentality.

Why is it that the narrative always circles back to Crawford being the expendable one?

He is as valuable to this team as Keith. No matter what metrics you look at, the eye test and the body of work proves he is as consistent as they come. His loss would be a devastating blow to the team GAA.

Pavelec, Mason, Domingue .....

You won't clear enough space to make a meaningful enough addition elsewhere to offset the drop in performance, the best goalies in the league will all be protected in advance of the expansion draft, and the good young goalies with the POTENTIAL to be great ones like Murray and Zatkoff will be kept while guys like Fleury, Mason, Pavelec, Lethonen, Anderson and Andersen will be the pedigree of available guys to fill the gap.

Net. Loss. To. Move. Crawford.

This team's problem was scoring and D depth. Adding Kempny, while likely helpful, is just not enough to compensate for losing Crawford. The net few bucks you might gain get eaten up by the goalie you must replace and what....another $2MM or less D guy??

What team is eager to add $10MM in payroll this year thinking Bickell can be packaged with CC?

Stan's job now is to move Bickell. I am in favor of moving TT to help that happen. He has no place on this team. Accomplish that and you have $5MM of new space.

They really can't afford to get rid of any other 6 mill plus salary on this team, what you say makes sense, his stock is as high as it ever well be. It's going to be an interesting summer.

Of course not but then you need Elite D corps. If you only have 3 real D men then an Elite goalie like Crawford helps.

What good is an elite goalie if you can only afford to roll 2 lines in front of him. I would take a good goalie and a full(ish) team in front of him anyday. The key is to be able to develop that goalie, so they are cheap(ish).

They really can't afford to get rid of any other 6 mill plus salary on this team, what you say makes sense, his stock is as high as it ever well be. It's going to be an interesting summer.
- BetweenTheDots

That is just it - None of the $5MM and above guys are moveable without losing KEY performers who cannot be replaced for less money.

Bickell is the anchor.