1) the nature of a conversation with a player and his agent re: waiving is not always the same—nor always publicized.
2) sometimes when a player is asked to waive it gets publicized. Sometimes it doesn't. Fact.
3) My (admittedly sort of vague) understanding going back to LAST summer is that Crawford has known he might be a cap casualty last summer or this summer and that he would work with the Hawks on it—if it became necessary,

FWIW
- John Jaeckel

Cool! Thanks! Appreciate it!!!

Why would that be?

Winners want to win. If I am CC, I take my chances on a team with 19/88, or an equivalent. Problem is, they all have good goalies too, have no cap either, or the return is not enough.

And as mentioned in the beginning of your post, it is going to get even harder.
- Return of the Roar

Assuming Team management asked CC to waive so they could make a trade and CC refused, and he is still employed by the same Team Management going forward:
Hockey is very much a mental game. In the back of their minds does management hold resentment, Does CC question managements loyalty towards him, does he react differently when pulled from games etc Seems like the Hawks need to address these potential issues with CC to be sure they do not affect team chemistry etc. Assuming CC was asked and refused to waive and is still on the team. Thats what I think the awkward part is.

BUT it is a double edge sword. Complain about not having a certain type of player on your team. Complain about not having continuity and having too many guys on and off your line (cough Toews). Allegedly refuse to waive a NTC b/c you want to win. These guys do this crap but still want to max out their contracts.

Cant have your cake and eat it too. Toews wants to complain about poopty linemates he and a few teamates need to look in the mirror for the reason why.

Max out your value. Take a big contract but when your team is middling because they are up against the cap don't complain. Don't give the line all I want to do is win championships. It is a load of crap. They want to get paid. Winning is always secondary with the exception of a very rare few like #4.
- bhawks2241

Thank the Swedish hockey Gods for HJALMARSSON !!

Tough to figure how CAL will go. They have what seems to be a stud in Jon Gilles who was total lights out for 3 years at Providence and had a cup of coffee in the AHL at the end of last season.

Crawford is inked for through 2019/20.
Fluery inked through 2018/19.
Elliot and Bishop are UFA's after next year.

I don't think CAL wants a 1 yr rental but do they want a #1 inked for 3-4 years with a probable future #1 playing in the AHL?

Tough call.........
- Mr Ricochet

How far out do you think their AHL'er is, two yrs? It'd come down to MAF especially since CC won't waive and Ell / Bis would want more term.

steve conroy ‏@conroyherald 6m6 minutes ago
Hearing there's been discussions between B's and Hawks regarding Andrew Shaw and 29th pick. B's aren't biting yet

Not sure who this is...thinking a sports writer for the Boston Herald (too lazy to check). But interesting.

To add to that:

John Shannon ‏@JSportsnet 49s50 seconds ago
Add name of Jimmy Howard to Flames' goalie chase.Hearing Bishop wants long term extension if traded to Calgary.Hearing 7x7 asking price.


Bishop at 7 years for $7M per, or Crawford for 4 years at $6M per.

I know who I'm choosing.
- Hawksfan37

If I'm the Flames I'd go MAF for the same money and term. Howard is an anchor right now. Guy is really fighting it and has been for 2 years now.

Assuming Team management asked CC to waive so they could make a trade and CC refused, and he is still employed by the same Team Management going forward:
Hockey is very much a mental game. In the back of their minds does management hold resentment, Does CC question managements loyalty towards him, does he react differently when pulled from games etc Seems like the Hawks need to address these potential issues with CC to be sure they do not affect team chemistry etc. Assuming CC was asked and refused to waive and is still on the team. Thats what I think the awkward part is.
- bhawk1s

Naaah. He's making the career bank already, and if he were a mental weakling he wouldn't be where he is now. Compartmentalize it. Business side and personal side.

How far out do you think their AHL'er is, two yrs? It'd come down to MAF especially since CC won't waive and Ell / Bis would want more term.
- blackhawk24

Gillies is at most 2 years away from the NHL. The only reason he might not be on the team next year is that he was injured for the entire season this past season. Gillies is an absolute stud and he is the Flames goalie of the future.

Naaah. He's making the career bank already, and if he were a mental weakling he wouldn't be where he is now. Compartmentalize it. Business side and personal side.
- Return of the Roar

Lets hope so

If they are serious they don't ask once and it gets done...usually it gets out, agents talk to protect their players. If the Calgary story is true that's only part of the plan and they wouldn't have asked unless they want Crawford gone.

When Campbell was dealt the only feasible target was Florida...But first story that broke or was planted...Was Campbell to Columbus. I'm sure Florida looked like a much better option to Campbell afterwards.
- Al

Any conversations with Cro or his agent would have begun awhile ago, they didn't start today. And he knows they are in a cap squeeze so nothing is surprise news or an agenda he wasn't aware of.

And if he asked for advice from players, I'm sure Patrick Sharp would have given him some counselling.

I won't sell him short but McNeill hasn't done enough in Rockford to say he is an impactful player at either position....And that's why you haven't see him in Chicago.
- Al

It's a safe bet they thought others, tons of them, would show better up with Q. But that is a lot of years in the AHL, 4 full years of Major Junior, a 1st rounder who ain't a midget and quite possibly, won't know until he's up for a look see, would be a better player in the structured NHL game.

You'd think he'd be more useful than Mash skating 5-6-7 minutes a game.

If they are serious they don't ask once and it gets done...usually it gets out, agents talk to protect their players. If the Calgary story is true that's only part of the plan and they wouldn't have asked unless they want Crawford gone.

When Campbell was dealt the only feasible target was Florida...But first story that broke or was planted...Was Campbell to Columbus. I'm sure Florida looked like a much better option to Campbell afterwards.
- Al

Interesting, and that could all be true.

I will stick by the narrative though—what I've heard, kind of quietly from a couple of sources is that tonight would not be the first time they had talked to Crawford about this possibility and that he was sort of being a "pro" about it.

That "impression" could be wrong. But that is/was my takeaway.

Naaah. He's making the career bank already, and if he were a mental weakling he wouldn't be where he is now. Compartmentalize it. Business side and personal side.
- Return of the Roar

Plus IMO, CC is a good guy and knows biz is biz. I do not believe it would be taken personally. Also believe that if he did shoot down a CGY deal, he may have given Stan the thumbs-up 100% he'd waive for a list of teams. I met CC before and watched him work a room. I find him engaging, genuine and an overall true gentleman.

Stan should offer CC and Shaw for the 6th. i would take it. Bishop isn't worth that much
- SaskHawkFan

That 6th pick will the the first Dman taken off the board and add they have their goalie of the future in Gillies turned pro after 3 yrs in the NCAA last year. ......

Not sure who this is...thinking a sports writer for the Boston Herald (too lazy to check). But interesting.
- CanOCorn

Can you imagine Marchand and Shaw on the same team? Let alone the same line?

That would be hell to play against for opposing teams.

Gillies is at most 2 years away from the NHL. The only reason he might not be on the team next year is that he was injured for the entire season this past season. Gillies is an absolute stud and he is the Flames goalie of the future.
- Hawks_49

Then timing of a vet contract spells MAF.

If I'm the Flames I'd go MAF for the same money and term. Howard is an anchor right now. Guy is really fighting it and has been for 2 years now.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed.

Plus IMO, CC is a good guy and knows biz is biz. I do not believe it would be taken personally. Also believe that if he did shoot down a CGY deal, he may have given Stan the thumbs-up 100% he'd waive for a list of teams. I met CC before and watched him work a room. I find him engaging, genuine and an overall true gentleman.
- blackhawk24

Met him more than once myself. Loved his take on the media. The guy feeds on criticism and adversity. Still don't think anyone has seen his best.

Can you imagine Marchand and Shaw on the same team? Let alone the same line?

That would be hell to play against for opposing teams.
- TommyHawk

Couldn't wait for them to play the Nux, especially when 14/22/33 were out there.

Then timing of a vet contract spells MAF.
- blackhawk24

Could get Reimer to sign a cheap-ish 2 year deal, too.

Stats are almost identical and Crawford plays very big in the playoffs...Not sure what most "people" would say but most that watch closely wouldn't take Bishop over Crawford.
- Al

Read somewhere where Bishop plays big first (7 footer) and good second. Interesting way to put it I thought.

Can't deny his numbers or how well he played vs the Hawks. I'll say this he'll have my respect forever playing on one leg vs the Hawks in the Finals and playing very well. Those groin injury hurt every second of every day no mater what you are doing.

By the way best of luck with that knee, Al.

If BUF is the other landing spot for G's, if CC won't waive for CGY chances are he doesn't want to go there either. Someone else will need to move if they have hit a wall...

If BUF is the other landing spot for G's, if CC won't waive for CGY chances are he doesn't want to go there either. Someone else will need to move if they have hit a wall...
- Sundevil

He has to provide a list of teams correct? Where he will or will not go to??

Met him more than once myself. Loved his take on the media. The guy feeds on criticism and adversity. Still don't think anyone has seen his best.
- Return of the Roar

Sounds like a keeper ....

He has to provide a list of teams correct? Where he will or will not go to??
- z1990z

The trick is getting the list of teams who want him to match the list of teams where he will go!