I disagree, somewhat.

I agree that Raanta can handle the back-up role, but having Raanta play in Rockford will give him more playing time to fine tune his game. I'd like to see Crawford have a little less of a workload, and I think it makes sense to see if LaBarbera could handle the job of playing behind Crawford.
- EKolb13

It was mentioned earlier that LaBarb was acquired for this very reason, but I wonder if it was more for as an emergency contingent reason, because of the injuries. IMHO, LaBarbera should only play if he can outperform Raanta, which I highly, highly doubt.

I disagree, somewhat.

I agree that Raanta can handle the back-up role, but having Raanta play in Rockford will give him more playing time to fine tune his game. I'd like to see Crawford have a little less of a workload, and I think it makes sense to see if LaBarbera could handle the job of playing behind Crawford.
- EKolb13

Why take another gamble when the first one works? Raanta is doing exactly what they wanted for a backup goaltender... I would argue at 7-1-1 he is doing better than expected. If it ain't broke...

Been catching up, and a little late to the party on this one, but......

What? Really? Seriously?

Rozy, Brookbank, and Kostka are what makes you nervous? Our 6th, 7th, and 8th D-men? Not bottom three, not even bottom pair, but 6, 7, & 8?

Name another team with a better 6th D-man than Rozy, and then name the team with better options at 7 & 8.

If our 6-8 D-men are the Hawks weakest link, I'd say they're in pretty good shape.

*takes deep cleansing breath*

Carry on.
- Ogilthorpe2

Man I'm spoiled

It was mentioned earlier that LaBarb was acquired for this very reason, but I wonder if it was more for as an emergency contingent reason, because of the injuries. IMHO, LaBarbera should only play if he can outperform Raanta, which I highly, highly doubt.
- Tugboat

I don't disagree with any of this. However, once Crawford comes back healthy, how many starts is Raanta realistically going to get? Maybe once every week or two? If that's the case, I'd rather see LaBarbera riding the pine in Chicago and Raanta getting regular playing time in Rockford.

Just curious, but what makes you think that Johns is "on the cusp?"

As for the idea of next season's blue line and its depth, why trade Leddy or Oduya? There's cap room to keep both and then some. Brookbank & Kostka are both UFAs at the end of the season. Are they sticking around or are they gone? Beyond Dahlbeck & Clendening, there isn't a whole lot of depth at defenseman in Rockford that can step in and play. Honestly, Dahlbeck could be on the 3rd paring in Chicago right now. I would imagine that the blue line corps next season could look something like this:

Keith - Seabrook
Oduya - Hjalmarsson
Leddy - Roszival/Dahlbeck

I could live with that as the defense next season. Clendening can still work out some of the bugs in his game, and signing another veteran (not named Peckham) to a two way deal and stashing him away in Rockford would be ample depth.
- EKolb13

Johns who hasn't even played a minute of pro hockey is no where near ''THE CUSP''....right now he is as much on the cusp as Dillon Fournier and Justin Holl

I agree with this Phil, as I usually agree with people who agree with me. LOL.
- Tugboat

He's 24, has played pro for a few years, has done exceptionally well in an extended cameo and has fit in well in the room. And he's shown the mental toughness to deliver some solid performances after the Toronto debacle...which was hardly all on him.

IMHO, he's cemented himself as the backup when Crow comes back.

Johns who hasn't even played a minute of pro hockey is no where near ''THE CUSP''....right now he is as much on the cusp as Dillon Fournier and Justin Holl
- captainserious

I haven't seen Johns play, so I can't really tell if he really is "on the cusp" or not.

McNeill keeps growing on me every game. He's not showing the power forward game, but he does play a good two way game that keeps improving. You can see him taking a role as a leader on the ice, and he plays in all situations. Also, he steps in and wins faceoffs. He kind of reminds me of Sharp a little bit.

I'm not impressed with LeBlanc at all. He skates well, but his head is constantly down. Also, the guy avoids contact at all costs.

As to the hypothetical situation of Morin & Pirri for Miller, I'd do that trade in a heartbeat, given the conditions you outlined.
- EKolb13

How has McNeil looked? I know he isn't throwing his weight around and killing everything in sight, but is he something along the lines of Bickell? Big guy, skates well, does a lot of things good, nothing great? Got a comparison for us?

Man I'm spoiled
- hockey nut 28

When it comes to the Hawks defensive depth, you are spoiled.

He's 24, has played pro for a few years, has done exceptionally well in an extended cameo and has fit in well in the room. And he's shown the mental toughness to deliver some solid performances after the Toronto debacle...which was hardly all on him.

IMHO, he's cemented himself as the backup when Crow comes back.
- philco28

And tell Khabby to take a hike or maybe Wirtz can give him a nightwatchman job at a Binny's warehouse.

I haven't seen Johns play, so I can't really tell if he really is "on the cusp" or not.
- EKolb13

I know...wasn't goin after you....but anyone who thinks a college kid who hasn't played a pro game...and isn't even SIGNED is on the cusp, shouldn't get too excited about seeing him play next year anywhere other than the HOGS imo

How has McNeil looked? I know he isn't throwing his weight around and killing everything in sight, but is he something along the lines of Bickell? Big guy, skates well, does a lot of things good, nothing great? Got a comparison for us?
- captainserious

Read the original post again.

And tell Khabby to take a hike or maybe Wirtz can give him a nightwatchman job at a Binny's warehouse.
- paulr

I can see the headline in the paper...

Ex-NHL Goalie Drinks Himself to Death While Working his Night Security Job

Johns who hasn't even played a minute of pro hockey is no where near ''THE CUSP''....right now he is as much on the cusp as Dillon Fournier and Justin Holl
- captainserious

Agree....I think he has huge upside but let's not confuse potential with being on "the cusp". Furthermore what evidence suggests the Hawks have "made it clear" he will be up at the NHL level next year??? Johns told the Hawks when he was drafted he had every intention of fulfilling his 4 year commitment to ND....and if he wasn't planning on being a Hawk why would he go to their prospect camp and do a segment on BHTV regarding the campus of ND. It also must be noted Saad & Johns are very good friends, both are from the Pittsburgh area and played together as kids......

Man I'm spoiled
- hockey nut 28

We all are. The reality is that, if healthy, this team as currently constructed is as good as any in the league.

The injury to Crawford (current), or any other key cog (future) obviously could derail the repeat hopes and change things, but I really don't see the need for Stan to make any moves right now. If another no brainer type deal like the Versteeg trade present themselves then fine, but until then...don't fix what isn't broken.

Then let them. You don't give away major assets for an expiring contract.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree. I want nothing to do with Miller especially if CC didn't suffer a serious injury.

What on earth is with all this Miller talk?!? Am i missing something? Has Raanta been playing bad and im just not noticing? Has there been an official report that CC's injury is actually gonna keep him out the entire season or somethin? Im pretty sure he'll be back in a couple months at the latest. When i see names like Saad and Shaw brought up as trade bait for Miller, even if its hypothetical, it still drives me crazy. If we ever traded someone like Saad or Shaw in a package for a half year rental of a goalie we dont even need i might just drop dead right on the spot....

What on earth is with all this Miller talk?!? Am i missing something?
- SimpleJack

Did you read JJ's blog?

No....Johns IS on the cusp. Almost everybody thinks he's heading straight to the Blackhawks once his Notre Dame season is over. The Hawks have been trying to sign him for the past year and were quite disappointed when he went back for his senior year. And since Johns could go the "Justin Schultz" route the Hawks have made it more than clear that they would add him to the big club once he was done at ol' ND.....
- yahoodi

Sorry....I don't believe that for a second....I doubt they'd put 2 d men(Leddy and Johns) on the ice at the same time that are not yet ready to play big minutes...Not that I mean Leddy isn't ready, he is good for 15-18 a game, but he isn't exactly the guy I want Johns paired up with...It should be someone much more experienced and someone he can learn something for, and someone who can cover for him when he messes up

Honestly if the hawks got rid of CC id be so happy. Send him to the oilers like someone else said and get back a nice 3rd or 4th line forward and a nice high pick or two (1st and second?), then trade that forward to buffalo with a low 1st and second pick from the hawks (or two) and put miller coming back with a 2nd

I don't disagree with any of this. However, once Crawford comes back healthy, how many starts is Raanta realistically going to get? Maybe once every week or two? If that's the case, I'd rather see LaBarbera riding the pine in Chicago and Raanta getting regular playing time in Rockford.
- EKolb13

Personally, I might consider similar splits to what Crawford and Emery did last year. I recognize that Crawford is your No. 1 goalie, but he had energy in the playoffs last year and, if we are making a deep run, you don't want to tax him too much during the regular season, especially with a groin injury within the first three months of the season.

Did you read JJ's blog?
- EKolb13

He mentioned the framework of what a possible deal would look like, but didnt actually give any names of players we'd give up, and i assumed if anything he was reffering to someone like Pirri or Morin and a pick, in which case i might understand.....BUT.... then i continued to read the comments and saw names like Saad and Shaw and i just really think thats goin overboard....hope its all just hypothetical.

Agree....I think he has huge upside but let's not confuse potential with being on "the cusp". Furthermore what evidence suggests the Hawks have "made it clear" he will be up at the NHL level next year??? Johns told the Hawks when he was drafted he had every intention of fulfilling his 4 year commitment to ND....and if he wasn't planning on being a Hawk why would he go to their prospect camp and do a segment on BHTV regarding the campus of ND. It also must be noted Saad & Johns are very good friends, both are from the Pittsburgh area and played together as kids......
- UnnamedSource

Evidence, the same evidence that TT is 2C next year....

I can see the headline in the paper...

Ex-NHL Goalie Drinks Himself to Death While Working his Night Security Job


- EKolb13

Exactly...him and ole buddy Bobo Mironov

What on earth is with all this Miller talk?!? Am i missing something? Has Raanta been playing bad and im just not noticing? Has there been an official report that CC's injury is actually gonna keep him out the entire season or somethin? Im pretty sure he'll be back in a couple months at the latest. When i see names like Saad and Shaw brought up as trade bait for Miller, even if its hypothetical, it still drives me crazy. If we ever traded someone like Saad or Shaw in a package for a half year rental of a goalie we dont even need i might just drop dead right on the spot....
- SimpleJack

I think the the big concern is not the current Crawford injury so much as it is the potential for set backs and/or re-occurrences. Assuming it is his groin at issue, those types of injuries have a tendency to become chronic.