Clarkson has only put up one really good year stat wise and that was last year. Dont watch Devils games so I dont know what he brings physically. Would rather pry Smith and Neal from Ottawa if thats possible. Kulemin has better over all numbers that Clarkson imho.
Location: I'm singing the Blues!, IL Joined: 03.04.2011
Mar 12 @ 11:41 AM ET
That would definitely piss him off! The poor guy wold have to move to a different city so he can keep stalking Leddy!
- EKolb13
Eli, you and Phil crack me up.
No I wouldn't go postal. I would simply chalk it up to another FAIL of Chicago sports teams. I've seen too many over the years, so why not another?
Obviously, you all think Leddy is valuable enough to see him as the bait in a trade. Really -- it does make sense from that p.o.v.
I've seen a lot of guys over the years and Leddy is the real deal. Everyone has been calling for him to be more physical and he's been that this year. That b.s. call on him for "holding" in the Oil game was total baloney. Makes a great play, drives the guy into the boards and takes the puck away and gets whistled for 2.
Well, I kind of doubt he'll get dealt. You guys would NOT want to see Keith and Seabrook any more than we have. IMO, they have been not-very-good, hence my continued comment that this club would look scary-good if 2 and 7 even got their act together.
Al has been in my corner as far as 2's PP time as well. I have to disagree with those that say you have to have a CANNON at the point. Not really. 1st and foremost, Leddy has an excellent shot. More important, though, is getting that shot through to the net. Leddy is best of all the guys that man the point for this club. Lidstrom didn't have the heaviest shot and in fact, most of the time he simply put a wrister or snap shot towards the net. I see the same skill for Leddy -- and I think it's a timing and eyesight and anticipation thing, not a heavy shot thing. You're not going to put a cannon shot through a player's shinguards or a sliding forward or a D brave enough to get in front. Snapping off a good shot QUICKLY is key. Keith can't. Leddy can.
Leddy needs (AND THE HAWKS PP REALLY NEEDS) all the PP time possible. Having a guy CAPABLE of carrying the puck deep into the zone by himself allows more options.
So, we'll see what happens. If Leddy is traded, so be it. I won't move but I will follow the guy's career. Given his age and his development to this point, I think he's going to have a great career.
Generally, I am surprised that there is not more concern among the Hawk faithful in regard to goaltending. I have to believe Bowman has this as his primary concern as he gears up for the playoffs.
The saving grace for the Hawks is that several other contenders in the West are not that strong as well. But, if a team like St. Louis gets a substantial upgrade in goal Bowman needs to be concerned. - spatso
If the Hawks continue to play sound defense like they have for most of the season, I am not concerned with their goaltending.
How/why the hell would St. Louis substantially upgrade their goaltending? They have Elliott and Halak (granted they are not playing as well as they should be).
Location: I'm singing the Blues!, IL Joined: 03.04.2011
Mar 12 @ 11:49 AM ET
We do it out of love Savvy. - EKolb13
Thanks Eli -- honestly, I love this board!
You guys are great, love the back-and-forth and the opinions we share with one another. I never take the kidding seriously, even the guys on my men's team know well my man-crush on 8. All I can say is, it's the skating.
We all have one thing in common: our love for the Blackhawks and our eternal hope that they'll be hoisting the ultimate prize in June.
Generally, I am surprised that there is not more concern among the Hawk faithful in regard to goaltending. I have to believe Bowman has this as his primary concern as he gears up for the playoffs.
The saving grace for the Hawks is that several other contenders in the West are not that strong as well. But, if a team like St. Louis gets a substantial upgrade in goal Bowman needs to be concerned. - spatso
As Hawk defense goes, so goes its goaltending, simple as that. The defense was better for 24 games (except in Calgary, where Emery stole the game), so was the goaltending. It's been terrible the last 2 games, et voila.
IMO, Crawford is a middle tier goalie, Emery is a good 1B. Problem is, the Hawks have dollars committed to Crawford, too much to make him #2, and how much would the Hawks have to pay to acquire an upgrade, and who's available.
I thought in the offseason, Anderson, due to Lehner's rising stock, might be an option. But it seems to me unless the Sens are REALLY sure they can ride Lehner like right now, that's not happening. And I don't think Bowman would feel he could sell the fanbase that Anderson is that much of an upgrade. Even though I, for one, think he is an upgrade over what they have. Really though, maybe not enough for the price that would need to be paid right now.
Clarkson has only put up one really good year stat wise and that was last year. Dont watch Devils games so I dont know what he brings physically. Would rather pry Smith and Neal from Ottawa if thats possible. Kulemin has better over all numbers that Clarkson imho. - z1990z
Generally, I am surprised that there is not more concern among the Hawk faithful in regard to goaltending. I have to believe Bowman has this as his primary concern as he gears up for the playoffs.
The saving grace for the Hawks is that several other contenders in the West are not that strong as well. But, if a team like St. Louis gets a substantial upgrade in goal Bowman needs to be concerned. - spatso
A lot of Chicago fans (not all, mind you) - maybe more than most markets- ride the roller coaster with the media hype.
Part of that is that there are (let's be honest) a lot of fringe hockey fans that pay attention to the team in good times, and forget it durning the bad. The other major sports dominate the landscape.
For that reason, recent success of the team (and their goalies) may dictate a lot of the radio silence you're hearing in regards to needs in net. A lot of us who watch every game will admit that the 'Hawks netminders are a bit of an unknown.
We have been, however, plesantly surprised with the performances this season, because both goalies have shown the ability to steal games. Emery in the Calgary game, and Crawford a couple weekend back against Detroit. Given that, and the generally superb blue line play (the last two games not withstanding), I'm not so certain that a change in goal is as high of a priority as we thought it was during the sumemr/lockout.
Again, an upgrade would be beneficial - but what out there (and available) is considered a legitimate upgrade?
Anderson? An upgrade, yes. But hasn't started a game since Feb 21.
Bishop? Not an upgrade for certain - the sample size is much to small.
Lehner? Not really available.
Luongo? An upgrade, but contract and reported asking price are both ridiculous.
Nabokov? Probably an upgrade, but has had a pretty mediocre year (albiet with a pretty bad defense), and at age 40, how much does he have left?
So what are really the options here? It's not as if there are an abundance of elite goaltenders waiting to be snatched up by competing teams.
Given the early-season success, and lack of true (EDIT - vialbe) upgrades, I think the attention has appropriate shifted toward defensive-minded/PK type fowards make sure fewer pucks get to the goalies they have.
If the Hawks continue to play sound defense like they have for most of the season, I am not concerned with their goaltending.
How/why the hell would St. Louis substantially upgrade their goaltending? They have Elliott and Halak (granted they are not playing as well as they should be). - Dannyboy
It appears that way reading the comments, but it also appears that we would have to over pay to get him then hope we can resign him. Big gamble. Might be better to find that big #4 C who can win draws and another "charge the pill box" winger.
A lot of Chicago fans (not all, mind you) - maybe more than most markets- ride the roller coaster with the media hype.
Part of that is that there are (let's be honest) a lot of fringe hockey fans that pay attention to the team in good times, and forget it durning the bad. The other major sports dominate the landscape.
For that reason, recent success of the team (and their goalies) may dictate a lot of the radio silence you're hearing in regards to needs in net. A lot of us who watch every game will admit that the 'Hawks netminders are a bit of an unknown.
We have been, however, plesantly surprised with the performances this season, because both goalies have shown the ability to steal games. Emery in the Calgary game, and Crawford a couple weekend back against Detroit. Given that, and the generally superb blue line play (the last two games not withstanding), I'm not so certain that a change in goal is as high of a priority as we thought it was during the sumemr/lockout.
Again, an upgrade would be beneficial - but what out there (and available) is considered a legitimate upgrade?
Anderson? An upgrade, yes. But hasn't started a game since Feb 21.
Bishop? Not an upgrade for certain - the sample size is much to small.
Lehner? Not really available.
Luongo? An upgrade, but contract and reported asking price are both ridiculous.
Nabokov? Probably an upgrade, but has had a pretty mediocre year (albiet with a pretty bad defense), and at age 40, how much does he have left?
So what are really the options here? It's not as if there are an abundance of elite goaltenders waiting to be snatched up by competing teams.
Given the early-season success, and lack of true upgrades, I think the attention has appropriate shifted toward defensive-minded/PK type fowards make sure fewer pucks get to the goalies they have. - FredoXV
Very good.
I think you have touched all the bases. I am not sure there is a problem or an answer at this point in time. Goalies are an important part of winning during the regular season. In the playoffs they are everything. Great goaltending may not guarantee you a win. But weak goaltending almost certainly guarantees a loss.
I don't know if that's true any longer. Lil' Bowman has probably replaced them with "Jesus" Saad fatheads.
- EKolb13
Hey, I have a request. Just as JJ requested Kruger's head be photoshopped on Dr Evil...can I get someone to photoshop Saad's face on John Turturo's character from Big Lebowski, specifically in his bowling getup. Nobody F's with da Jesus, mang!!!!
