Problem for the Hawks in doing a deal for someone like Miller: they would have to give up someone off the roster - a Saad or Shaw or Kruger.

Trouble is, this team is so well-balanced now that losing someone busts up a line, and apparently (it's been proven) there are no replacements on the farm for any regular skater, especially at forward.

Leddy maybe could go - leaving Brookbank/Roszival/Kostca to fill the 5/6 slots - and hope for no injuries to 1-4.

The most logical switch would be for Raanta - with Miller back, Hawks could move him. But that really busts up you depth in goal after this year.

So - I would say (with absolutely no inside information) - no deal here.

Besides - if Crawford is due to start skating soon, he probably would be back by the end of the O-break at the latest.
- StLBravesFan

Last time the Hawks traded a goalie to Buffalo it didn't turn out so well.

How about we send you Khabby for Molson. I mean one pint of Molson.
- faustus1500

If the Hawks are getting a pint of Molson in return for "Vodka Tits," the Hawks are not retaining any salary.

Both?
- EKolb13

Red a s s boiler plate special

Exactly...even with a normally sluggish dude like Bicks, it will take a few games to get into his normal floater mode...but as Paul said...as long he wakes up in April and stays healthy throughout...we're good. Dude's been nicked up a lot....knee, thumb and now the latest injury. Wonder if he's ever been 100 % since last spring ?
- philco28

That's a good question. If he hasn't been a 100% since spring, it would explain why Bickell hasn't been as great as he was in the playoffs.

Red a s s boiler plate special
- philco28

This is why I call you the rap king of Mississauga. Besides your twitter posts, your play on words is gold!

Last time the Hawks traded a goalie to Buffalo it didn't turn out so well.

- faustus1500

This is true.

Jesus you guys are boring.
- TheSabresTaco

If anyone from the roster gets moved this year, it is Leddy. Miller would likely net you Leddy and a first. Another option could be Leddy and Pirri.

That's a good question. If he hasn't been a 100% since spring, it would explain why Bickell hasn't been as great as he was in the playoffs.
- EKolb13

As Chicago knows with Derrick Rose....healing after surgery can take a LONG time.
Granted, i don't believe Bicks' injuries were as severe as Rose's, but when you go under the knife...there will always be scar tissue that forms and that has to be
constantly treated.

Lot of dudes end up looking like this and are rarely ever the same as they were pre-knife.

Not sure the Miller thing works, but I'd love to see him here.

I've never been a fan of CC, but he was great in the playoffs last year. But inconsistent, and not a top 10 NHL goalie.

On the other hand, what I've seen from Raanta is that he can get to that level. Needs better understanding of the North American game, including the rinks, travel demands, opponents, speed, etc. He's got top level skill. Already a better glove hand than CC, as well as better in seeing through screens and better in scrambles. Much more agile.

My opinion is in 2 years Raanta will be a better NHL goalie than CC.
- scottak

I would have to agree.. With the track record the hawks have signing long term goalies.. Not sure why Stan rushed to sign Crawford.. I would of said I'll give you for 5 year deal. at 1 million dollars for every shut out you get next year.. We could of signed him for the league min.

Catcher's mitt ? Or a young Madonna after she moved to NYC ?
- philco28

Cue the Rim Shot for this one. WOW!!

This is why I call you the rap king of Mississauga. Besides your twitter posts, your play on words is gold!


- EKolb13

Lay down flat, take your spot in that coffin
Cuz this is the difference between Christopher Reeve and Christoper Walken
When you leave (gun pointed to your temple)
I'll be the only Christopher Walk'n (moonwalk'n away)

From the Trib yesterday:

Quenneville said Tuesday that Crawford is progressing and likely will begin skating in the next few days...

If true, and the original "2-3 weeks" prognosis is more or less accurate, then none of the Miller trade scenarios involving a current roster player even make remote sense, especially since Miller is allegedly nursing some kind of groin injury, too.

On the other hand, if Crow's injury is much more serious and long-term than what we've been told, then something needs to be done. The thought of only Raanta, along with some combo of LaBarbera/Simpson/Khabby behind him isn't a happy one. But no need to panic unless Crow's issue lingers past the Olympic break.

This is true.
- EKolb13

Consider who was doing the Horse Trading at the time in the Hawks FO. It doesn't make it any better though.

Shoe doesn't fit. I know we're bad and I'm not here to hustle crappy players to anyone. I just like making fantasy trade talk with other teams every so often when the blog suggests an idea. Guess this was a terrible place to start.
- TheSabresTaco

Well, God bless you for having fantasies. Everyone should. However, if it's just a one sided fantasy from someone nobody knows or cares about then I'm not sure what you're expecting....

I highly doubt Miller is coming here. But for Shiggles and Gits let's say he is. Saad isn't going anywhere. He's not only a core player but the only one under cost control. He's simply staying. In fact, I doubt anyone off the major league roster would be. Perhaps, JUST PERHAPS, one of our lower defensemen. The catch would be getting one of the Hawks prospects..... Pending on how hurt Crawford is, how serious a contender like the Blues were to getting Miller, you might get a Mark mcNeil or a Phillip Dannault. Just one. Throw in a Broadhurst brother and a minor league prospect or a goalie prospect like Kent Simpson and that's your deal.....

I know that's not fantasy. But that's what you're looking at.

Lay down flat, take your spot in that coffin
Cuz this is the difference between Christopher Reeve and Christoper Walken
When you leave (gun pointed to your temple)
I'll be the only Christopher Walk'n (moonwalk'n away)
- philco28

Phil,
I think we need more cowbell

Last time the Hawks traded a goalie to Buffalo it didn't turn out so well.

- faustus1500

Ouch! Yeah, with hindsight, that one certainly could have been handled differently. LOL.

That's a good question. If he hasn't been a 100% since spring, it would explain why Bickell hasn't been as great as he was in the playoffs.
- EKolb13

do believe he will improve but as far as he was last spring...he is playing exactly the same as he played last regular season. the playoffs were the anomaly.

From the Trib yesterday:

Quenneville said Tuesday that Crawford is progressing and likely will begin skating in the next few days...

If true, and the original "2-3 weeks" prognosis is more or less accurate, then none of the Miller trade scenarios involving a current roster player even make remote sense, especially since Miller is allegedly nursing some kind of groin injury, too.

On the other hand, if Crow's injury is much more serious and long-term than what we've been told, then something needs to be done. The thought of only Raanta, along with some combo of LaBarbera/Simpson/Khabby behind him isn't a happy one. But no need to panic unless Crow's issue lingers past the Olympic break.
- Tugboat

Q was asked yesterday if he'd talked to Kent Simpson about his rough debut and interestingly, he said "No." Sounded like Q communicates with dudes like Simpson through the goalie coach.

Phil,
I think we need more cowbell

- savvyone-1

Always a classic and EK can confirm...i believe this footage is a staple at IceHogs games.

Nice shelf job by your boy Leddy Savvy.....love SNIPES like that.

If Buffalo were smart, they would eat part of Millers salary while also offering to take back one of Chicago's bad contracts, if they have any, as they will need salary the next couple of years simply to make the cap floor, and that would and should also mean Chicago would sweeten the deal due to that and them now having a bit more flexibility.

If Buffalo were smart, they would eat part of Millers salary while also offering to take back one of Chicago's bad contracts, if they have any, as they will need salary the next couple of years simply to make the cap floor, and that would and should also mean Chicago would sweeten the deal due to that and them now having a bit more flexibility.
- kingcong39

And what bad contract would that be.....?

If Buffalo were smart, they would eat part of Millers salary while also offering to take back one of Chicago's bad contracts, if they have any, as they will need salary the next couple of years simply to make the cap floor, and that would and should also mean Chicago would sweeten the deal due to that and them now having a bit more flexibility.
- kingcong39

No thanks. The Hawks don't need Miller.

Scenario A:

A Ryan Miller Deal only makes sense to a Team that can sign him next summer and therefore to a team Miller himself sees as a contender. That is why the three teams mentioned are the Ducks, Hawks and Blues. My speculation is..... these are his three choices. Why would the Hawks send a good roster player now for Miller who will be 7 Million next July?
Especially with young Raanta Claus is 7-1-1 the last nine games and looking better every start.


Scenario B:
The only way this ever would happen is if somehow the organization does not think that Crawford is their guy going forward even after signing the new deal.

In this scenario it starts to make sense. Move Crawford to a team like Edmonton and sign Miller before Jul1st.
- PEIHawkFan

If your GM was forward thinking and smart, he would exchange Crawford for Miller, go for the cup this year with a tandem of Miller and Raanta, then not resign Miller, give Raanta a raise, find a quality backup behind Raanta, and be rid of the $6M for the next 6 years for Crawford. Your goaltending costs would go from the projected $7M a year to likely $4M, and you could use that money elsewhere while keeping the likely better goaltender at a much cheaper price for the short term while having Miller to try and make another cup run this year.

And what bad contract would that be.....?
- yahoodi

Vodka Tits.

That's the only bad contract I can think of at the moment.

And what bad contract would that be.....?
- yahoodi

That is why I said if you have any.
I didn't see any except for Crawford (starting next year), but I don't watch every Blackhawks game like all of you do.