I'm curious if the SCF goalie match up of a 22 year old versus a 26 year old impacts the Blackhawks thinking about Crawford for next year. It seems like they could move from $6.5m on goalies to less than $2m on goalies for next season. That's enough to keep Shaw and maybe not buy out Bicks to save cap room for the following year.

Then maybe sign Darling as your #1 for $3m-ish and keep the Swede at around $1m and you have the goalies at $4m or so going forward and that saves $2.5 versus this year and add the $4m from Bickell and that is enough for Panarin and then some.

I'd hate to see Crawford go but maybe that is the best way to improve the team overall with the added cap room it would create.
- matt_ahrens

You, me, lots of fans and numerous GMs will be seeing this. The only problem here is the "high-priced #1 goalie" market could be very crowded as far as sellers this summer. Seems like at least 1-2 teams have decided to go younger/cheaper in net.

I WILL say this. IF there is a team/GM that really loves Crawford as the guy who gets them to the next level in the playoffs, it could be interesting. Because there is clearly a financial argument for losing the contract with this team's cap and contract situation . . .

Yep it would be Columbus moving well before Detroit ever did. Detroit BEGGED to get put in the east, they are not going anywhere.
- tyweb69

I hope Columbus comes back to the west so I can go to more Blackhawks games rather than just once a year.

Look, something did happen there, but as I said before, the only two people that will ever know for sure is the accuser and Kane. I don't think he is completely innocent here, and neither is she.
- dahawks8819

You keep saying that - evidence?

I hope Columbus comes back to the west so I can go to more Blackhawks games rather than just once a year.
- conwell

If the NHL wanted to be fair about time zones, they would set the divisions across times zones, not by time zones. Each division would have a team from the East, Central, Mtn, and Western time zones. Yes, travel would be insane, but you start building new rivalries.

If the NHL wanted to be fair about time zones, they would set the divisions across times zones, not by time zones. Each division would have a team from the East, Central, Mtn, and Western time zones. Yes, travel would be insane, but you start building new rivalries.
- powerenforcer

Problem is - 16 teams in one time zone, and only 14 in the other 3.

Need to move a couple of eastern teams to, say, Amarillo, Albequerque, Wichita, and othe western hockey hot-beds

I like when Backes said he wasn't feeling well and Ott came to him and "Gave him something" to make him feel better. Anyone wanna guess what that was? What did Ott give Backes to make him feel better? Anyone??? I think I know what he gave him...
- Ballam

Yeah, it sounded funny.

Here are the details:

"Ott gave Backes an infrared healing mat that Ott had used -- with positive results -- to help ease his own injuries. The gesture clearly touched his captain."

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...d-backes-uncertain-future

If the NHL wanted to be fair about time zones, they would set the divisions across times zones, not by time zones. Each division would have a team from the East, Central, Mtn, and Western time zones. Yes, travel would be insane, but you start building new rivalries.
- powerenforcer

I don't see that happening it doesn't make any sense.
I miss the good old days of the Norris Division Rivalries!!!

Problem is - 16 teams in one time zone, and only 14 in the other 3.

Need to move a couple of eastern teams to, say, Amarillo, Albequerque, Wichita, and othe western hockey hot-beds
- StLBravesFan

Fine with me.....

You, me, lots of fans and numerous GMs will be seeing this. The only problem here is the "high-priced #1 goalie" market could be very crowded as far as sellers this summer. Seems like at least 1-2 teams have decided to go younger/cheaper in net.

I WILL say this. IF there is a team/GM that really loves Crawford as the guy who gets them to the next level in the playoffs, it could be interesting. Because there is clearly a financial argument for losing the contract with this team's cap and contract situation . . .
- John Jaeckel

With the Finals featuring 1 cheap goalie and 1 mid priced, SB has the perfect cover to placate the masses IF he were to deal CC. But, the NHL is a copycat league and there could be teams following this model and readying for the expansion draft looking to shed a goalie who is high priced and/or would be exposed and potentially lost anyways. Doesn't make for a sellers market...

Yeah, it sounded funny.

Here are the details:

"Ott gave Backes an infrared healing mat that Ott had used -- with positive results -- to help ease his own injuries. The gesture clearly touched his captain."

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...d-backes-uncertain-future
- carcus

So your saying it wasn't something like this?

With the Finals featuring 1 cheap goalie and 1 mid priced, SB has the perfect cover to placate the masses IF he were to deal CC. But, the NHL is a copycat league and there could be teams following this model and readying for the expansion draft looking to shed a goalie who is high priced and/or would be exposed and potentially lost anyways. Doesn't make for a sellers market...
- Sundevil

StanBo should be used to dealing in a buyer's market by now...

bolts get to a G7 (11-6) with a thin blue line, big $$$ Stamkos and big $$$ bishop out...

also consider the the big $$$ goalies not out of the 1st round: craw, lundquist, quick, luongo and the young "cheap" goalies who really played well: murray, vasilesky, jones, with 2 of those in the finals...and then you have a "cheap" vet like elliot playing very well and throw in the 10 million $$$ goalie disaster in dallas

you have to wonder how steve y and other gms will interpret this...

i would strongly consider letting stamkos go to babcock for 10 mil...bolts have a great young team with out him and why put yourself in cap hell with stamkos for the 4-5 years...

I suspect a few high priced goalies for sale this off season and the i think the hawks have listen to offers for CC

You, me, lots of fans and numerous GMs will be seeing this. The only problem here is the "high-priced #1 goalie" market could be very crowded as far as sellers this summer. Seems like at least 1-2 teams have decided to go younger/cheaper in net.

I WILL say this. IF there is a team/GM that really loves Crawford as the guy who gets them to the next level in the playoffs, it could be interesting. Because there is clearly a financial argument for losing the contract with this team's cap and contract situation . . .
- John Jaeckel

Red herring John. Any contract above $5MM on the Hawks right now can meet the standard of making the financial argument to lose, provided the return does not offer a net negative in outcomes.

There are a lot of "cheap" goalies, but precious few are of Murray or Vasilevskiy's caliber. Even fewer of them carry that performance level past their initial flashes on the scene. Fewer still will be let go by their current teams before their pay day comes.

If there is a team/GM who sees something special in Crawford, it is the team he is with now. I think that is why he was given the contract he was - he is seen as a critical part of the team's future.

Kruger named to Sweden's World Cup team today.

Guess they think he's not a bad player to in the top 13 forwards in his country.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-world-cup-hockey-roster/

Crazy... Ville Pokka named to Team Finland.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-world-cup-hockey-roster/

His performance at the World Championships must have helped him out there. Will be a great experience and might help him take the next step to the NHL.

I can keep going...

Czech team thinks Rozsival is done as well. Here is how their D rolled out for the WC.

D Michal Jordan, Carolina Hurricanes *
D Zbynek Michalek, Arizona Coyotes *
D Jakub Nakladal, Calgary Flames *
D Radko Gudas, Philadelphia Flyers
D Michal Kempny, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
D Roman Polak, San Jose Sharks
D Andrej Sustr, Tampa Bay Lightning



http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-world-cup-hockey-roster/

I can keep going...

Czech team thinks Rozsival is done as well. Here is how their D rolled out for the WC.

D Michal Jordan, Carolina Hurricanes *
D Zbynek Michalek, Arizona Coyotes *
D Jakub Nakladal, Calgary Flames *
D Radko Gudas, Philadelphia Flyers
D Michal Kempny, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
D Roman Polak, San Jose Sharks
D Andrej Sustr, Tampa Bay Lightning



http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-world-cup-hockey-roster/
- TyCamScore

i would like Gudas or Jordan for the third pairing. Pass on the rest including Rozy

Kruger named to Sweden's World Cup team today.

Guess they think he's not a bad player to in the top 13 forwards in his country.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-world-cup-hockey-roster/
- TyCamScore

Let's hope this also means his wrist is doing better.

Here is the deal Stan should try to pursue. Crawford, TT, and any of Gus, Svede, or Pollka to Toronto for JVR and Bernier. Number 1 LW for the next 2 years and a backup goalie with One year left on his deal. You will be able to sign Darling for around 3mil a year or If he plays bad this year get him cheaper. You also have an experience back up in Bernier. Leaves plenty of cap space for signing the Breadman and Shaw.

I can keep going...

Czech team thinks Rozsival is done as well. Here is how their D rolled out for the WC.

D Michal Jordan, Carolina Hurricanes *
D Zbynek Michalek, Arizona Coyotes *
D Jakub Nakladal, Calgary Flames *
D Radko Gudas, Philadelphia Flyers
D Michal Kempny, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
D Roman Polak, San Jose Sharks
D Andrej Sustr, Tampa Bay Lightning



http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-world-cup-hockey-roster/
- TyCamScore

Rozsival should have been done for two years now.

Here is the deal Stan should try to pursue. Crawford, TT, and any of the Gus, Svede, or Pollka to Toronto for JVR and Bernier. Number 1 LW for the next 2 years and a backup goalie with One year left his deal. You will be able to sign Darling for around 3mil a year or If he plays bad this year get him cheaper. You also have an experience back up in Bernier. Leaves plenty of cap space for signing the Breadman and Shaw.
- Sn1362

Hmmmmm.... thats an interesting idea. JVR is 4.1 and Bernier 4.4 salary wise right? Could we take that much salary back??

Hmmmmm.... thats an interesting idea. JVR is 4.1 and Bernier 4.4 salary wise right? Could we take that much salary back??
- z1990z

It would be pretty much a wash this year and we would have the cap space next year>

Rozsival should have been done for two years now.
- breadbag

Back 3 years ago, Stan should have told him 1 year deal or walk. My guess is at 2.3 for 1 year would have been the best offer and he would have taken it. then we would not have been forced to trade LEDDY last minute,

It would be pretty much a wash this year and we would have the cap space next year>
- Sn1362

So for giggles...

JVR 19 88
72 15 81

Not too shabby for the top two lines. I still think 88 and 72 should be split up. Flop Kane with Hossa. That really balances out those lines.

Here is the deal Stan should try to pursue. Crawford, TT, and any of Gus, Svede, or Pollka to Toronto for JVR and Bernier. Number 1 LW for the next 2 years and a backup goalie with One year left on his deal. You will be able to sign Darling for around 3mil a year or If he plays bad this year get him cheaper. You also have an experience back up in Bernier. Leaves plenty of cap space for signing the Breadman and Shaw.
- Sn1362

I would be good with that