Justin Lowe: The Crow Flies Again
Corey Crawford is back. He played his first game in 2 months with a win on Wednesday night over the Anaheim "Not-so-Mighty" Ducks.

He played well enough for the win, but self-admittedly, felt like he made some mistakes and there is room for improvement.

Can he lead them into the playoffs?

FIRST !

Really hate delving into the "what ifs", but if Craw was back for last weekend's games, I think we would have been buyers this week (not suggesting that was the preferred course of action).

Really hate delving into the "what ifs", but if Craw was back for last weekend's games, I think we would have been buyers this week (not suggesting that was the preferred course of action).
- TommyHawk

Well, I for one am glad that didn't happen then. Buying at the deadline would have been a real bad idea.

Justin Lowe: The Crow Flies Again

Corey Crawford is back. He played his first game in 2 months with a win on Wednesday night over the Anaheim "Not-so-Mighty" Ducks.

He played well enough for the win, but self-admittedly, felt like he made some mistakes and there is room for improvement.

Can he lead them into the playoffs?
- Justin Lowe

I, too, am concerned about Crawford’s long-term personal health away from hockey - but at this point, ir all seems to be on the goalie - he wants to play, and certainly seems smart and aware enough to understand the risks. He would get his $6MM per through next season either way. I doubt the team would be pushing him to play. Let’s hope for the best.

Should Caggiula miss time, I would prefer to see Saad remain as driver of the third line - he is thriving there, without having to defer to Kane or Toews.

Perlini might be an option, altho he hasn’t shown any NHL skills up here other than speed. Kahun or Sikura maybe - both good vision players who have shown at least some hockey sense to complement the two stars - not much goal scoring ability, but you don’t need much there. Sikura has shown me to ability to get the puck and control it, generally making good decisions.

Whoever the use, Caggiula will be missed, I think. Rakell should get a time out for that hit.

Well it doesn't look like the other teams are going to just give the Hawks the last playoff spot. If they can mount another winning streak they will make things very interesting.

What im curious about is IF they can know/ learn their defensive assignments by next season and continue to score 4 goals a game this will be an interesting, fun team to watch next season, not to say they aren't fun to watch now and it's March.

One thing that Crow seems better at than our other goalies is rebound control, from my untrained eyes it just seems like he absorbs more pucks and funnels low pucks to the corner better. Less bobbling and fumbling with pucks in front also.

Today @ 9:26 AM ET
a pro year is not an accrued season towards Unrestricted Free Agency. pic.twitter.com/9LQajMRMnx

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 6, 2016


It appears that 40 games played is an accrued season. A player is a UFA at age 27, or after 7 years in the league. Joki is 19. If this year counts as a season, he is a UFA after his age 25 season. If not, and assuming he plays 40 games next year, it'll delay UFA status a year.

Maybe the Hawks actually like Joki a lot....

Really hate delving into the "what ifs", but if Craw was back for last weekend's games, I think we would have been buyers this week (not suggesting that was the preferred course of action).
- TommyHawk

Bowman wasn’t going to be a buyer even had they won both games - from Rocky on down, they seem to be focussed on the future and not blowing it up for one futile attempt at making a run in the playoffs.

I, too, am concerned about Crawford’s long-term personal health away from hockey - but at this point, ir all seems to be on the goalie - he wants to play, and certainly seems smart and aware enough to understand the risks. He would get his $6MM per through next season either way. I doubt the team would be pushing him to play. Let’s hope for the best.

Should Caggiula miss time, I would prefer to see Saad remain as driver of the third line - he is thriving there, without having to defer to Kane or Toews.

Perlini might be an option, altho he hasn’t shown any NHL skills up here other than speed. Kahun or Sikura maybe - both good vision players who have shown at least some hockey sense to complement the two stars - not much goal scoring ability, but you don’t need much there. Sikura has shown me to ability to get the puck and control it, generally making good decisions.

Whoever the use, Caggiula will be missed, I think. Rakell should get a time out for that hit.
- StLBravesFan

Just like Malkin should have gotten time, and Evander Kane also. It is such a joke, I would think it is time for someone to run Jones, but that might actually help SJ.

I do not care who plays goal for the Hawks this year, their stats would not be good. Goaltending has been pretty darn good for a team that is such a train wreck defensively. System aside, this team defensively is a mess. Keith has had a nice bounce back year, Seabrook is the second best defensemen on this team, sad when you look at how he has regressed over the last 2 years, Murphy has been a pleasant surprise, Gus, great spark to the PP, but awful in his own end. The rest of the blueline are at best #7's on mot NHL teams. Jokijarju hopefully will be fine from all the jerking around he has went through in the second half of the season, but I have no idea why he cannot get experience at the NHL level when he should be playing in our top 4 this season.

a pro year is not an accrued season towards Unrestricted Free Agency. pic.twitter.com/9LQajMRMnx

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 6, 2016

Better link.....

I, too, am concerned about Crawford’s long-term personal health away from hockey - but at this point, ir all seems to be on the goalie - he wants to play, and certainly seems smart and aware enough to understand the risks. He would get his $6MM per through next season either way. I doubt the team would be pushing him to play. Let’s hope for the best.

Should Caggiula miss time, I would prefer to see Saad remain as driver of the third line - he is thriving there, without having to defer to Kane or Toews.

Perlini might be an option, altho he hasn’t shown any NHL skills up here other than speed. Kahun or Sikura maybe - both good vision players who have shown at least some hockey sense to complement the two stars - not much goal scoring ability, but you don’t need much there. Sikura has shown me to ability to get the puck and control it, generally making good decisions.

Whoever the use, Caggiula will be missed, I think. Rakell should get a time out for that hit.
- StLBravesFan

I for one am back in full tank mode after being teased with the winning streak. I think this would be the best option to try to work the Hawks into a 4th - 8th pick in the draft.

Today @ 9:26 AM ET
a pro year is not an accrued season towards Unrestricted Free Agency. pic.twitter.com/9LQajMRMnx

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 6, 2016


It appears that 40 games played is an accrued season. A player is a UFA at age 27, or after 7 years in the league. Joki is 19. If this year counts as a season, he is a UFA after his age 25 season. If not, and assuming he plays 40 games next year, it'll delay UFA status a year.

Maybe the Hawks actually like Joki a lot....
- mohel

Not possible! Colliton hates young guys and the Hawks are totally screwing with the 19 year old! (RF)

Sucks if Caggiula has to miss time. Really like what he's brought to the lineup and hoping Stan maybe finds another of his ilk in FA to slot up and down the lineup or they have something similar in house (Barrett, Highmore, Someone).

UFA status earlier than the Hawks want has something to do with it but teams are overpaying RFA's now anyway and that will continue.

I believe what Bowman is saying - its about his development into a top notch NHL defenceman.

Thinking these 19 year olds can be contributors on a contending NHL team is just wrong. That why guys like Nathan Bealieu get bounced around from team to team at a young age, no development time and no patience with them.

NHL is a tough league for men and when teams spot a weakness they exploit it. The Islanders did exactly that last night - pounded the Leafs defence into mistakes, hesitancy and then mush.

UFA status earlier than the Hawks want has something to do with it but teams are overpaying RFA's now anyway and that will continue.

I believe what Bowman is saying - its about his development into a top notch NHL defenceman.

Thinking these 19 year olds can be contributors on a contending NHL team is just wrong. That why guys like Nathan Bealieu get bounced around from team to team at a young age, no development time and no patience with them.

NHL is a tough league for men and when teams spot a weakness they exploit it. The Islanders did exactly that last night - pounded the Leafs defence into mistakes, hesitancy and then mush.
- RickJ

I have a feeling we will see a lot of arbitration this off season with the plethora of very good RFA's

Crawford has been a key to this team's success, a heart and soul guy, top 5 goalie in the league, and an awesome playoff performer since his struggles against the Yotes all those years ago. I wish him good long term health following his playing career and a productive finish to this season and a healthy season next year.

That said, I hope next year is his last for the Hawks upon playing out his current contract. He has missed the equivalent of a full season over the last two and IMO, just can't be relied upon to be a dependable number one goalie moving forward given his history of head injuries. On a team with many rich contracts with term and Strome and Dcat extensions looming, extending Crow is just too much of a gamble. Stan will have an interesting decision regarding a backup in the offseason as Delia doesn't appear to be the answer as a #1 or 1A at this point. Ward has been ok, but I'd prefer an upgrade to a younger guy with potential starter upside, like Lehner this past year.

And some offer sheets

Today @ 9:26 AM ET
a pro year is not an accrued season towards Unrestricted Free Agency. pic.twitter.com/9LQajMRMnx

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 6, 2016


It appears that 40 games played is an accrued season. A player is a UFA at age 27, or after 7 years in the league. Joki is 19. If this year counts as a season, he is a UFA after his age 25 season. If not, and assuming he plays 40 games next year, it'll delay UFA status a year.

Maybe the Hawks actually like Joki a lot....
- mohel

Now this makes a lot of sense why he's in the AHL. Thanks for the info

Crawford has been a key to this team's success, a heart and soul guy, top 5 goalie in the league, and an awesome playoff performer since his struggles against the Yotes all those years ago. I wish him good long term health following his playing career and a productive finish to this season and a healthy season next year.

That said, I hope next year is his last for the Hawks upon playing out his current contract. He has missed the equivalent of a full season over the last two and IMO, just can't be relied upon to be a dependable number one goalie moving forward given his history of head injuries. On a team with many rich contracts with term and Strome and Dcat extensions looming, extending Crow is just too much of a gamble. Stan will have an interesting decision regarding a backup in the offseason as Delia doesn't appear to be the answer as a #1 or 1A at this point. Ward has been ok, but I'd prefer an upgrade to a younger guy with potential starter upside, like Lehner this past year.
- Davewn

We might have it in Forsberg, having another good year at the Rock, look how many young goalies struggle before making it, question is does Stan resign him this year?

UFA status earlier than the Hawks want has something to do with it but teams are overpaying RFA's now anyway and that will continue.

I believe what Bowman is saying - its about his development into a top notch NHL defenceman.

Thinking these 19 year olds can be contributors on a contending NHL team is just wrong. That why guys like Nathan Bealieu get bounced around from team to team at a young age, no development time and no patience with them.

NHL is a tough league for men and when teams spot a weakness they exploit it. The Islanders did exactly that last night - pounded the Leafs defence into mistakes, hesitancy and then mush.
- RickJ

I tend to agree, but the games played is a heck of a coincidence. Maybe they decided that he wasn't ready and the service time was relevant but secondary.

We might have it in Forsberg, having another good year at the Rock, look how many young goalies struggle before making it, question is does Stan resign him this year?
- LAHawk

I agree, even Delia has shown flashes of being a really good goalie. Considering the reduction in goalie gear the league is going to start trending into athletic goalies which Delia is.

Now this makes a lot of sense why he's in the AHL. Thanks for the info
- BetweenTheDots

Crawford has been a key to this team's success, a heart and soul guy, top 5 goalie in the league, and an awesome playoff performer since his struggles against the Yotes all those years ago. I wish him good long term health following his playing career and a productive finish to this season and a healthy season next year.

That said, I hope next year is his last for the Hawks upon playing out his current contract. He has missed the equivalent of a full season over the last two and IMO, just can't be relied upon to be a dependable number one goalie moving forward given his history of head injuries. On a team with many rich contracts with term and Strome and Dcat extensions looming, extending Crow is just too much of a gamble. Stan will have an interesting decision regarding a backup in the offseason as Delia doesn't appear to be the answer as a #1 or 1A at this point. Ward has been ok, but I'd prefer an upgrade to a younger guy with potential starter upside, like Lehner this past year.
- Davewn

I am thinking the same way. Bowman better not extend Crawford this summer. Handing out yet another loyalty contract could end up being a costly mistake further handcuffing the team's future.

Today @ 9:26 AM ET
a pro year is not an accrued season towards Unrestricted Free Agency. pic.twitter.com/9LQajMRMnx

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 6, 2016


It appears that 40 games played is an accrued season. A player is a UFA at age 27, or after 7 years in the league. Joki is 19. If this year counts as a season, he is a UFA after his age 25 season. If not, and assuming he plays 40 games next year, it'll delay UFA status a year.

Maybe the Hawks actually like Joki a lot....
- mohel

It's the same reason the Hurricanes are keeping Necas in the AHL this year.

You won't have to protect him in the expansion draft if he only has one season accrued at the end of next year.