Right out of left field. Never thought much of him as an NHL goaltender. I hope they made the right decision, and I also hope they stop tinkering with Crow's game. He's getting near 30, and ought to be settled into his own game/style already. Whatever Stefan Waite did/didn't do with him in 2013, go right back to that and leave it alone, IMO. You couldn't ask for more out of a goalie.

I really think that Weeks was just made the scapegoat for failing to get past LA. They sure as hell didn't lose because of goaltending, but blame could be placed on Q for his lineups, and on him and his assistants for poor special teams performance. Just like when he made Haviland the goat ...
- Q...argh

I get the feeling no one (management) is completely happy with Crow's game. He's not a natural like Quick or Rask so they think they can help him overcome any weakness he has with coaching and they will most likely continue this MO until they either trade him or he retires.

Agreed, but it is what it is and that contract is not movable. Which makes it even more critical to draft/develop well and fill in with quality depth, hopefully some still on ELCs. Near term cap increases obviously won't cover the Hawks' anticipated salary hikes.

Imagine the '15-'16 season (using current roster): Toews & Kane (~$10M each), Crawford ($6M), Sharp ($5.9M), Seabrook ($5.8M), Keith ($5.5M), Hossa ($5.3M), Saad ($4-5M?), Hjalmarsson ($4.1M), Bickell ($4M) - and those are just the contracts >$4M.

That's about $61M right there - something's gotta give!
- bwarner929

IMHO, Bickell or Crow.

With a doctor's concurrence - and probably an examination by a league doctor.

I don't mind the subterfuge because of the way the league, the PA, Bettman and Fehr phucked the Hawks retroactively in this contract - changing the rules governing the contract long after it was executed.
- StLBravesFan

No one plucked anyone. The league is comprised of thirty owners. Quartz is just as responsible for the mess the Hawks are in as anyone. Bettman is a figure head for the owners and takes bullets for them just like the ones you're firing now. If a winning hockey team was more important than the bottom line the CBA would have been structured differently and I'd bet the rent money the NHLPA would have backed it up. You're looking for a villain, well sir look no further than Rocky Wirtz or meet the new boss same as the old boss

Not s surprise except didn't know he Waite had an interest...

NHL has a very small group with only a handful of goalie coaches with a big rep.
I wondered what affect the last hire would have but I don't think the trepidation is any more now with Waite....His brother built his name here and now is considered at the top of the class.
- Al

That handful of goalie coaches is like an old boys club. Need some new blood. Tretiak, Hall, Esoosito, Hasek all became stars because they did things differently. The strict butterfly works with a very tall goalie because he can be on his knees and still reach the crossbar with a minimum of movement and effort. Short side high is open all night long. Crawford no exception. I've said since he got here permanently that he was better when he was drafted. Because he now plays the full on butterfly unlike when he was drafted. If Jimmy isn't just grandfathered into the old boys club like his brother and has his own agenda and ideas he could be perfect for this situation.

A guy who never quite made it in the show has to have an open mind and be creative and try things that a star player would never have to bother with. How many superstar players ever became coaches with a long track record of winning? Q, Sutter, Lavvy, Trotz and so forth. All good hockey guys but not superstars. My post above states why I like it. But the key is if he is allowed to be his own man. If he was referred by his brother to just follow in his footsteps and do the same things as his brother and not make any waves then all bets are off.
- 6628

66- as I've said before, you add very good stuff to this board. Thanks for that.

It is indeed rare for an excellent player to become a great coach, especially an individual position coach. This is true in all sports. Fringe pros (who in the grand scheme of things are exceptionally talented players, just not elite at the ultimate level) have had to really learn their craft to survive in their sport. This helps them relate to those they coach and also gives them something to teach.

No one plucked anyone. The league is comprised of thirty owners. Quartz is just as responsible for the mess the Hawks are in as anyone. Bettman is a figure head for the owners and takes bullets for them just like the ones you're firing now. If a winning hockey team was more important than the bottom line the CBA would have been structured differently and I'd bet the rent money the NHLPA would have backed it up. You're looking for a villain, well sir look no further than Rocky Wirtz or meet the new boss same as the old boss
- paulr

There he is.

On the cap conundrum above. Sharp for sure. Possibly Bickell but have to hope McNeill is ready. Possibly Seabs and have to hope Johns or Dahlbeck are a reasonable facsimile. Crow? Have to hope for Raanta or a player to be named later.

Lots of ifs but it was brought up yesterday by Sage I believe who said they might have a couple years of being possibly competitive but not for a Cup.

No one plucked anyone. The league is comprised of thirty owners. Quartz is just as responsible for the mess the Hawks are in as anyone. Bettman is a figure head for the owners and takes bullets for them just like the ones you're firing now. If a winning hockey team was more important than the bottom line the CBA would have been structured differently and I'd bet the rent money the NHLPA would have backed it up. You're looking for a villain, well sir look no further than Rocky Wirtz or meet the new boss same as the old boss
- paulr

I do agree with you.

former Hawk first round pick as well.
- John Jaeckel

Didnt he win a Turner Cup with the Indy Ice?

New blog up