John Jaeckel: So Long Hockeenight, More Changes To Come?

First. Now I'll go back and read the blog.

Nice long read about the day or so before the UND championship game. I'm monitoring Cagguila stories since he's said to be deciding on an NHL team this week.

http://www.inforum.com/sp...ps-und-players-wide-awake

JJ - thanks for keeping the discussion going during the doldrums of no Hawks hockey. (I needed the thread to move on from the usual dread horses - so thanks for always keeping it interesting).

John Jaeckel: So Long Hockeenight, More Changes To Come?
- John Jaeckel

What's with the Panarin comment re: the cap? Is that being understood as "he's unhappy"? (I can't imagine why, after the season he had playing with Kane) or is he just saying he thinks it could be a tough spot that they're in?

There can't be a real chance he's not in a Hawks sweater next year, one would have to assume.

i keep having Seebs to Edmonton for something pop into my head... don't know why... bad dream maybe.

What's with the Panarin comment re: the cap? Is that being understood as "he's unhappy"? (I can't imagine why, after the season he had playing with Kane) or is he just saying he thinks it could be a tough spot that they're in?

There can't be a real chance he's not in a Hawks sweater next year, one would have to assume.
- eichiefs9

Not that it really means a lot, but my first impression is that the guy chose the Hawks to win Stanley. Now with the cap crunch he might be thinking that his Stanley dream will remain just that. If that's true, probably see him move to someone he thinks can get his name on the cup after next year. Guy can walk into any team if he repeats next season.

I'd be crushed to see Crawford get moved. I think he is one of the most underrated goalies in the league and has (finally) won over most Blackhawk fans.

But, I'm realistic, he took about 1.5 million dollars than he should of. I think they will do whatever they can to avoid it, but it's break in case of emergency glass.

So, you bury Bickell again because no one is going to take that. It's like putting a broken patio set at the end of your driveway in the winter. No one is going to take that sh*t.

So, you set that money aside for Panarin next year. Give Shaw a reasonable raise, but you also overpaid Kruger, so nice job there. Ship off TT and try to find a defenseman who is solid (Soupy come baaaaaaaack) and fill in the holes.

"Crawford is one of the league's elite goalies—you don't just replace a guy like that."

correction - Crawford is not elite goalie, he plays behind an elite team

"Crawford is one of the league's elite goalies—you don't just replace a guy like that."

correction - Crawford is not elite goalie, he plays behind an elite team
- southpaww82

And that elite team would not have won Cup last year or make it to the playoffs this year without Crawford. Label him what you wan´t but that´s the way it is..

"Crawford is one of the league's elite goalies—you don't just replace a guy like that."

correction - Crawford is not elite goalie, he plays behind an elite team
- southpaww82

I was with you until last season—when statistically, the defense was no longer elite, and Crawford started to really carry this team. That was especially true this season.

orrection - Crawford is not elite goalie, he plays behind an elite team
Not this past year

I don't care for Hockeenight's mantra of we're going to walk away because the players did some bad things...and we're not having fun any more attitude. Somehow their moral code is broken for rooting for a team that had people get in trouble with the law?

If they're truly not having fun. Fine. I can understand the grind it takes to put on a blog for so long (kudos to JJ). Heck, it's a grind to just be so emotional invested in watching games like many of us are.

But when did following a sports team and rooting for them to win somehow connect us with the guiltiness of what the players have done? Do Patriots fans' support murder because one of their TE's killed someone? Former Bears WR Sam Hurd went to jail for 15 years for drug trafficking. Guilty by association?

Derek Rose cheated to get into a college so he could play basketball. The Patriots have literally been found to have cheated on numerous occasions. Are people offended by this and stop following their team? Are Bulls fans running away like Hockeenight or Julie DiCaro's hawks friends?

When does the line get drawn in the sand? Current Presidential nominees are found to have done illegal things that would get them into a lot of trouble but they're still running and taking votes by half their party. Is that ok?

Live and let live.

I was with you until last season—when statistically, the defense was no longer elite, and Crawford started to really carry this team. That was especially true this season.
- John Jaeckel

Crawford should have been a Vezina nominee. He dominated the first half until he got hurt.

orrection - Crawford is not elite goalie, he plays behind an elite team
Not this past year
- 6628

Crawford has been an elite goalie the last 3 years.

Good blog JJ. Bowman Sr. is the master at average goalie and above average defense. But CC does not make average money these days. Cap space is what they need. The management council poop the bed with the Sharp/Daley trade. I could see Crawford going first because they have a guy to replace him in house. Not so with Seabrook or anyone else considered a core player.

And for all those who are going to say Darling is inconsistent, so are his minutes. Give him consistent minutes and Jimmy Waite dialing him in and I believe he will hold up his end.

Crawford has been an elite goalie the last 3 years.
- Dannyboy

I have been a Crawford guy since he first signed and have posted as such since 2009 when I started becoming addicted to this site. I agree with you.

Never heard of hockeenight so can't really give much of an opinion on it. Regarding Panarin, I'd be careful to jump to any conclusions based on a 'rough' translation of something he said in Russia. These things don't really always translate 1 to 1.

I keep thinking, with the draft here in Chicago next summer, something BIG will happen there.

It could also be that they were just tired of reading and responding to the back and forth of the strong opinions that come out on either side of these offseason situations. I skipped past most of the dialogue about Kane and Ross because it was irritating to me and I come here for the on-ice hockey related news and discussion.

Chicago needs to move Crawford at his peak value now, return should be a top 4 defenseman, about 2 million in salary cap space and/or prospects.

As for Bickel, either trade him by the end of the buyout window or buy him out. If trading him requires moving either Shaw or TT, I would lean towards Shaw if the Hawks docs are not sure about his back holding up over the next 5 years, while in this cup window. Either way that 4 million needs to come off the books now.

The salary cap space created will get the money needed to sign Panarin, Panic and either Shaw or TT for the next few years.

Never heard of HockeeNight either. After reading their farewell, probably not my cup of tea anyway.

Chicago needs to move Crawford at his peak value now, return should be a top 4 defenseman, about 2 million in salary cap space and/or prospects.

As for Bickel, either trade him by the end of the buyout window or buy him out. If trading him requires moving either Shaw or TT, I would lean towards Shaw if the Hawks docs are not sure about his back holding up over the next 5 years, while in this cup window. Either way that 4 million needs to come off the books now.

The salary cap space created will get the money needed to sign Panarin, Panic and either Shaw or TT for the next few years.
- Rtoppel

Maybe a team takes Bickell in a Crawford deal. If they have to take back something have Q structure the deal so the guy gets a fair shake when he gets here.

Chicago needs to move Crawford at his peak value now, return should be a top 4 defenseman, about 2 million in salary cap space and/or prospects.

As for Bickel, either trade him by the end of the buyout window or buy him out. If trading him requires moving either Shaw or TT, I would lean towards Shaw if the Hawks docs are not sure about his back holding up over the next 5 years, while in this cup window. Either way that 4 million needs to come off the books now.

The salary cap space created will get the money needed to sign Panarin, Panic and either Shaw or TT for the next few years.
- Rtoppel

not sure you could get that for a 31 year-old goalie with a limited NTC; and on a team facing a cap crunch. Pitts/Ana/Winnipeg might also be floating goalies in the trade market this year.

i could see the leafs kicking the tires on crawford if he is available.

Sounds like the Michal Kempny deal is done, but he can't technically sign it until after his last game of the season, which is the World Cup. Could be a top 4 or 5, certainly should elevate the overall depth at D.

John Jaeckel: So Long Hockeenight, More Changes To Come?
- John Jaeckel

disagree that hossa is immovable.

my understanding is chicago will get all the recapture penalites, regardless if he is traded at this point. The hawks got all the cap benefit with his front loaded contract.

he'll probably pull a vinny.l and retire before the end of his contract.

florida might be a willing trade partner.