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Win In Nashville, Miller, Goalies |
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Follow JJ on Twitter @jaeckel
The Blackhawks didn't drop a 5- or 6-spot on the Predators last night, but they played some of their best overall hockey of the season in a 3-1 win in Nashville.
Because it wasn't so much the Hawks' high-flying offense, as a stingy defense and a balanced, opportunistic counter-attack that carried them to the win.
3-1 wins on the road against good defensive clubs are an indicator of the Hawks playing their best hockey, as opposed to 6-5 affairs.
Antti Raanta, now 7-1-1 in goal for Chicago, was superb last night, continuing to show a nice ability to track pucks through traffic and cover the bottom of the net.
But that hasn't stopped the rumor mill, which of late is spinning on a deal between the Hawks and Buffalo for Ryan Miller. I have heard nothing on this, but I have heard really nothing on Hawk trades all year. As you have to ask with all rumored deals, does it make sense?
Bottom line, if the Hawks are concerned that Corey Crawford is going to be out a long time with his lower body injury, then yes, this deal does make a lot of sense. Miller is UFA this summer, so there is no longterm cap obligation. If Crawford went on long-term IR, the money opens up to likely fit Miller in.
While Raanta has been very good and probably is capable of carrying the Hawks a ways in the playoffs, his backup would be Jason LaBarbera. And as a tandem, that likely is way too risky for a team that is deadly serious about winning its second consecutive Stanley Cup.
But the market for Miller will be high. He's a good goalie. The Hawks would have to pay, with say, a player and a high draft pick. Something like that.
But it all comes down to timing, at this trade freeze or the deadline later in the season, as well as Crawford's health.
I'll do some digging on it in the meantime, and see what I hear. Until then,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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