Finally, the news has been broken to the public that Corey Crawford has been dealing with vertigo-like symptoms and may miss the rest of the season.
I personally have dealt with a small bout of vertigo over the past 8 years and, although mine has been classified as a minor issue, it's nonetheless is unpredictable.
Who knows what brought on these vertigo-like symptoms: previous concussions, falling off snowmobiles or it just happened (like in my case). I really don't want to get into those details because it's not going to change the outcome.
Speaking of outcomes, I wrote in my last blog that the Hawks likely outcome based on the trends for the rest of the season would be to miss the playoffs. Now, without Crawford, I really start to cringe.
I know people will point to the Hawks goaltending as not being the major problem. Thanks to hockeyreference.com, here are some advanced stats on the Hawks ‘tenders this year.
Forsberg and Glass have been around the league average, so that's just "ok" in my books. Crawford has been, of course, next level.
GP W L T/O SV% GAA SO QS% GA%- GSAA▼
Corey Crawford
28 16 9 2 .929 2.27 2 .630 82 13.24
Jeff Glass
6 3 2 1 .910 3.18 0 .500 104 -0.73
Anton Forsberg
15 3 6 3 .911 2.92 0 .583 102 -0.73
If you look at the stats above:
* QS% (.530 is league average) - Forsberg is a bit higher there, where Glass hasn't been as solid, albeit in a smaller sample. Crow has been lights out.
* GA% (GA vs. league GA – 100 is exactly league average) – Forsberg and Glass pretty average in this category and surprise, surprise, Crow is killing it here too.
* GSAA (Goals Save Above League Average – the goals this goalie has prevented based on SV% and shots faced vs. the rest of the league) - again, Forsberg (#36) and Glass (#37) are ranked fairly low in comparison to the rest of the league, while Crawford's 13.24 rating is #3 in the NHL (seeing a trend here?)
The conclusion is that goaltending hasn't really been the "problem" for the Hawks… it's exceptional when Crawford is in and "league average" when the other 2 guys are in.
Let's say Stan puts Corey Crawford on the LTIR; this will open up some funds for this club.
So what would you do? Would you ride the guys you have or look to acquire a replacement?
If the Hawks traded for a goalie, one would have to think it's a netminder on an expiring (or at least cheap and bury-able <- I know that's not a word) contract. Here are some options (based on teams depth/position in standings/willing to trade with CHI):
* Robin Lehner: currently making $4M (RFA this summer)
* Chad Johnson: 2.5M (UFA)
* Petr Mzarek: $4.15M (RFA)
* Cavin Pickard: $1.07M (RFA)
* Antti Niemi: $700k (UFA)
* Zachary Fucale: $714k (RFA)
* Charlie Lindgren: $700k (RFA)
* Garrett Sparks: $675 (RFA in 2-years / 1-way contract next year)
Does anybody pique your interest?
Sure, those guys are options. Are they much better options than the Forsberg/Glass duo? I would say a few of them are like Lehner, Mzarek and possible Pickard or Johnson. However, what would that cost the Hawks?
We will have to wait and keep reading between the lines with this situation. If Stan does pull the trigger and it's for a younger goalie with upside (ie. Lindgren or Pickard) that might signal that the Hawks might be looking beyond this season due to Crawford's health.
What would I do?
Anton Forsberg was brought in via a trade that sent game-breaker, Panarin the other way. I know he was just a piece of that trade, but the Hawks see something in him and signed him to a 2-year deal immediately. So, PLAY THE GUY!
Forsberg has looked average at times but has also played really well in others. He's used to the heavy workload. I would ride him as the #1 and Glass as the #2.
I wouldn't stop there though and remain content with Stan not using any of the Hossa and (potential) Crawford LTIR cap savings, I would go out and get a veteran defenceman that is mobile and has the ability to play shutdown minutes.
Anisimov should be back this weekend/early next week, so hopefully, he provides a nice bump.
Now that the Crawford news is out, let's hope it's not a distraction anymore to these Hawks and they can rally behind their inexperienced goalies.
See ya out there!
JL
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