For all of us complaining about Keith on the PP if you really watch the breakout and zone entries on the PP, Seabrook is actually worse than Keith at it. If and when they are able to get into the zone, Seabrook has a better, heavier shot, but until the point when they can consistently gain zone entry, Keith is just better.

(I never thought I would be saying that, but recent observation seems to suggest this)
- TheTrob

Maybe, but it is usually Kaner or someone other than Keith with the zone entry. Just would love his shot on the point.

The point of my criticism over the years with Keith on the 1st unit and not Seabrook is because of his inability to get shots through...Zone entries shouldn't be on the point men alone as there is no question who can carry the puck better. Interesting they are not used together.
- Al

I agree, I also think the Hawks would be better served to let Keith reduce his minutes some by NOT being on the PP unit.

Not in anyway suggesting that Runblad should dress, but he would have been perfect to get minutes on the PP, since he offers more value in the offensive zone than D-zone. Rosival also has good offensive instincts as does Oduya. Any of them could be used to reduce Keith's workload, heck even Timonnen at this point.

Seabrook probably has the heaviest shot on the team (maybe Bickell), and great offensive instincts, but for whatever reason doesn't seem to get as many shot opportunities on the PP, probably due in part to playing more with the #2 unit.

One way to sum up your legitimate concerns is to say that he's unproven. He's having a great run here against Nashville, but that doesn't mean he's a #1 NHL goalie.

Still, in the cap era, every team needs to take some gambles. You simply can't have proven talent at all positions plus proven depth.

Darling seems like a good gamble to take.
- RomanF

Assuming they can get below the cap AND keep Crawford:

Still, to me, a lot of it will depend on (a) who else they dump, what they bring back, and (b) how does that leave the team - what are the real prospects for a deep run next year.

If they believe they can go deep with what remains after getting down to the cap, then they will keep Crawford.

If they DON'T think a long run is likely, CRAWFORD may be moved, for a return and the cap relief.

A Crawford deal may happen late in the summer - or into camp - so the FO has time to evaluate next year's team.

Toews a Selke finalist , along with Kopitar and Bergeron

Toews a Selke finalist , along with Kopitar and Bergeron
- ehawk

One dude is leading his team in the playoffs.


The others are not.

One dude is leading his team in the playoffs.


The others are not.
- mrpaulish

And I'm glad he's our dude. O captain

With versteeg's demotion to the 4th line he should be perched in the press box and get #42, a better man on the PK, in there.
- ksilvy58

The point of my criticism over the years with Keith on the 1st unit and not Seabrook is because of his inability to get shots through...Zone entries shouldn't be on the point men alone as there is no question who can carry the puck better. Interesting they are not used together.
- Al

Unfortunately they can't be used together because they have no one else to spread that "wealth".

If Leddy was here, you could have Keith/Seabs and then Leddy/Sharp. But he was shipped out and that's an area that wasn't addressed in the off-season. I think they (see: Bowman) was banking on Rundblad to fill that void. He was mistaken.

Also, the Hawks almost have TOO many forwards that need PP time. Maybe if 4 D were available to use, it would force those FWDs to compete harder for PP TOI. Just a thought.

I agree, I also think the Hawks would be better served to let Keith reduce his minutes some by NOT being on the PP unit.

Not in anyway suggesting that Runblad should dress, but he would have been perfect to get minutes on the PP, since he offers more value in the offensive zone than D-zone. Rosival also has good offensive instincts as does Oduya. Any of them could be used to reduce Keith's workload, heck even Timonnen at this point.

Seabrook probably has the heaviest shot on the team (maybe Bickell), and great offensive instincts, but for whatever reason doesn't seem to get as many shot opportunities on the PP, probably due in part to playing more with the #2 unit.
- TheTrob

The issue for the playoffs is Timonen, although a shadow of what he was still garners Q's trust much more than Rundbald or Cumisky et al.

If the top 4 and Rozsy break down because of a too many mins later in the playoffs the fault will lie with Bowman. Rozsy was what he was all year, and has played fine in the playoffs for the most part but he should be the #6 not the #5.

With a lot of cap space to utilize Bowman took a chance on a 40 yr old who hadn't played in 10 months...

The script until further notice is Timonen plays 10 mins per game...In a 5 period+ game last night he was only on the ice for about 12 minutes. We will see if sticking for the most part with 5 dmen from the beginning of the playoffs will work-Interesting choice especially considering the miles on Rozsival.

Unfortunately they can't be used together because they have no one else to spread that "wealth".

If Leddy was here, you could have Keith/Seabs and then Leddy/Sharp. But he was shipped out and that's an area that wasn't addressed in the off-season. I think they (see: Bowman) was banking on Rundblad to fill that void. He was mistaken.

Also, the Hawks almost have TOO many forwards that need PP time. Maybe if 4 D were available to use, it would force those FWDs to compete harder for PP TOI. Just a thought.
- TyCamScore

For the most part that is correct but they are never used together...Using a forward opposite of Keith hasn't been very successful in my opinion.

Assuming your organization is going to move forward with Darling. What's the Crawford plan?

I believe the Sharks would be interested in Crawford, but that contract is way too big. That definitely will have a negative impact on his trade value. Crawford is good but not that good and with salary cap situation most teams are in, you might not get as much for him.

So what would you want for him?

Again this assuming you're moving forward with Darling as the starter and don't want to pay a back up 6 million/yr for 6 years. If Darling wont be the starter, we'll take him!

Assuming your organization is going to move forward with Darling. What's the Crawford plan?

I believe the Sharks would be interested in Crawford, but that contract is way too big. That definitely will have a negative impact on his trade value. Crawford is good but not that good and with salary cap situation most teams are in, you might not get as much for him.

So what would you want for him?

Again this assuming you're moving forward with Darling as the starter and don't want to pay a back up 6 million/yr for 6 years. If Darling wont be the starter, we'll take him!
- SJFreez19

Who is good then? Rask? Lundqvist? Rinne? Price?

I forgot how many cups those guys have.

Who is good then? Rask? Lundqvist? Rinne? Price?

I forgot how many cups those guys have.
- teh_HAWKZ

If he is that good, why isn't he starting for you?

I think he's good otherwise I wouldn't be inquiring about him. I just don't think he's as good as that contact. You forget, not every team has as good of a defense as Chicago's. That helps a little bit

I'm seriously asking though, what would you expect back in a trade?

If he is that good, why isn't he starting for you?

I think he's good otherwise I wouldn't be inquiring about him. I just don't think he's as good as that contact. You forget, not every team has as good of a defense as Chicago's. That helps a little bit

I'm seriously asking though, what would you expect back in a trade?
- SJFreez19

1st round pick and a really good prospect is fair.

If he is that good, why isn't he starting for you?

I think he's good otherwise I wouldn't be inquiring about him. I just don't think he's as good as that contact. You forget, not every team has as good of a defense as Chicago's. That helps a little bit

I'm seriously asking though, what would you expect back in a trade?
- SJFreez19

Honestly, if the idea is to trade Crawford, the Hawks would be looking for prospects and picks. They might even take a contract back too, but something that's significantly less of a cap hit than $6 million per. Perhaps a player with a $2 or $3 million cap hit that has a season or two left on their deal.

That's just my guess...

1st round pick and a really good prospect is fair.
- Dannyboy

I'd say a first round pick, at the very least. Maybe a middle pick in the first round?

If he is that good, why isn't he starting for you?

I think he's good otherwise I wouldn't be inquiring about him. I just don't think he's as good as that contact. You forget, not every team has as good of a defense as Chicago's. That helps a little bit

I'm seriously asking though, what would you expect back in a trade?
- SJFreez19

CC has carried the Hawks on his back for long stretches at a time including the playoffs when the defense wasn't playing well at all. His cap hit is right where it should be IMO.

I'd say a first round pick, at the very least. Maybe a middle pick in the first round?
- EKolb13

I'd go to Edmonton and tell them you want CC then give us a 2nd round pick and one of Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse, or Oscar Klefbom

CC has carried the Hawks on his back for long stretches at a time including the playoffs when the defense wasn't playing well at all. His cap hit is right where it should be IMO.
- Dannyboy

Well you have two real options, A) hold on to him and pay your back up a ton of money or B)trade him

A) Keeping him is a real option. But for a team in a tight cap sitch, maybe not the smartest business decision.

B) Who are your potential trade partners? SJ, Buffalo, Dallas, Edmonton, maybe Winnipeg? I think your trade partner is in the position of power. Don't overvalue your expendable goaltender with a big contract, remember what happened with Loungo.

Well you have two real options, A) hold on to him and pay your back up a ton of money or B)trade him

A) Keeping him is a real option. But for a team in a tight cap sitch, maybe not the smartest business decision.

B) Who are your potential trade partners? SJ, Buffalo, Dallas, Edmonton, maybe Winnipeg? I think your trade partner is in the position of power. Don't overvalue your expendable goaltender with a big contract, remember what happened with Loungo.
- SJFreez19

You forgot this option:

C) Keep both Crawford and Darling, and go into next season with Crawford as the starter, and figure it out from there.

As for the Hawks "cap sitch," thanks for your concern, but I'm fairly certain Bowman will figure that one out on his own - whether he trades Crawford or someone else.

You forgot this option:

C) Keep both Crawford and Darling, and go into next season with Crawford as the starter, and figure it out from there.

As for the Hawks "cap sitch," thanks for your concern, but I'm fairly certain Bowman will figure that one out on his own - whether he trades Crawford or someone else.
- EKolb13

Rumor has it Bowman is trading you Ekolb

Rumor has it Bowman is trading you Ekolb
- ehawk

Doubtful. I've been stuck in Rockford for close to four decades now. I don't think I'm going anywhere, and I don't have much to worry about.

Well you have two real options, A) hold on to him and pay your back up a ton of money or B)trade him

A) Keeping him is a real option. But for a team in a tight cap sitch, maybe not the smartest business decision.

B) Who are your potential trade partners? SJ, Buffalo, Dallas, Edmonton, maybe Winnipeg? I think your trade partner is in the position of power. Don't overvalue your expendable goaltender with a big contract, remember what happened with Loungo.
- SJFreez19

Bickell/Sharp may be cap dump trades. Crow will not be. That list of teams could easily add 2-3 names based on playoff results. Example: Why would the Caps or Isles stay married to Holtby or Halak if they crap the bed.

Also, I could see Crow back in to start the next round even if Darling wins this round IMO. Crow is a proven quantity (he was the real MVP of the 13 POs) and Q knows it.

Doubtful. I've been stuck in Rockford for close to four decades now. I don't think I'm going anywhere, and I don't have much to worry about.
- EKolb13

No chance of that trade absent a Lindros type package.

If Edmonton offers the number 1 though pack your bags and GTFO.

Bickell/Sharp may be cap dump trades. Crow will not be. That list of teams could easily add 2-3 names based on playoff results. Example: Why would the Caps or Isles stay married to Holtby or Halak if they crap the bed.

Also, I could see Crow back in to start the next round even if Darling wins this round IMO. Crow is a proven quantity (he was the real MVP of the 13 POs) and Q knows it.
- tredbrta

Yes-Yes...And if Oduya is gone, most likely and Rozsy-for sure, the Hawks defense takes a big step back...At least to start the season. Darling is going nowhere and it probably won't be the time to go into a season without a proven starting goalie.