After watching it, I'd be surprised if he is ever ready again. Very sad, whatever the issue is.
- vabeachbear

For me, his thinness and his eyes tell me CC's health is nowhere near ready to take on a high pressure athletic role. It is time to LTIR him and move on at the start of the season.

Who doesn't love Chelios? How can anyone call themselves a Blackhawk fan and not like Chelios? No one I respect.
- hocktock

I would guess that many of those fans were not there throughout Chelios' prime years with the Hawks.

Even if the wins and losses are badly skewed negatively, the season could be fun to watch to see (hopefully) the progression of Chicken Fat and AdB, Hayden, Sikura, Ejdsell, Forsling, Kampf, perhaps Jokiharju, seeing what the have in Murphy and Forsberg. and Ruutu...

Lots to look at on the upcoming season.
- StLBravesFan

Absolutely

Even if the wins and losses are badly skewed negatively, the season could be fun to watch to see (hopefully) the progression of Chicken Fat and AdB, Hayden, Sikura, Ejdsell, Forsling, Kampf, perhaps Jokiharju, seeing what the have in Murphy and Forsberg. and Ruutu...

Lots to look at on the upcoming season.
- StLBravesFan

This. Regardless of wins and losses and playoffs or not - this season will be important to remaking the Hawks into a legitimate Cup contending team. We will rely on the young players to get good enough before the old core is too far over the hill to contribute. The term "window" is used a lot but it really does apply to the next 3-5 years - the period when the kids arrive before the old guys leave.

For me, his thinness and his eyes tell me CC's health is nowhere near ready to take on a high pressure athletic role. It is time to LTIR him and move on at the start of the season.
- 67hawks

Why didn't they go after a better goaltender in UFA if this was going to be the case??

Why didn't they go after a better goal tender in UFA if this was going to be the case??
- SoftServe

I think it may have to do with the cost and length of the contract or possibly that player does not want to come play here. Also Stan& CO. still have to sign a couple of young guys like Cat & Schmaltz next summer.

Why didn't they go after a better goal tender in UFA if this was going to be the case??
- SoftServe

What ufa goalie was available for a reasonable price, willing to sign as a #2 (Crawfords status unresolved)?

Why didn't they go after a better goal tender in UFA if this was going to be the case??
- SoftServe

What other goalie should that was realistically available would have been willing to take a one year deal in an uncertain situation?

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/video/chelios-on-returning-to-chi/t-277437096/c-60810703

I know it's a mixed bag of fans liking or disliking the return of Chelios to the organization. Count me in the camp that is happy to see him back as an ambassador or whatever role.

In an interview today, he does make mention that while Cheli's Chili won't be back, he is looking for a location for Cheli's Cantina as he's become a big fan of Mexican food lately.
- AEL_Fox

Funny, just got done watching a panel discussion Tony O was on, he tried to describe Pulford with one word. All he could come up with was he hated everyone.

No one here is on the bandwagon.

Some may have come later to the joys of hockey and Blackhawk fandom, but ALL of us are committed fans of the Indianhead.

Make your points without denigrating those who have opposing views, please.
- StLBravesFan

Enjoy my opposing view without instructing me what to post please.

A1

I guess we have to civil to our fellow posters but we can trash the players all we want. Even though they're the ones that actually play/win the games/cups.

Hawks fan - a person who is enthusiastic about the Hawks. That'd be nice.

Enjoy my opposing view without instructing me what to post please.

A1
- hocktock

It’s time to stand up for civility and rational discourse - here and in the land in general.

There is so little of it in the public arena.

Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Have been some reports that the Chicago Blackhawks have shown some level of interest in defenseman Luca Sbisa.

Hope this isn’t true.
- walleyeb1

Me too.

The underlying issue is with Sportswriters, twitter, and the internet in general; so many "Luke Fox's" read stuff and the regurgitate worn out print.

I was very surprised a month or so back, when this Rockford scrib, who basically was a new hawk farm expert (I am sorry I cannot name him, at this point, the name was one odd duck of a name so when he arrived on the scene, it was easy to know what he "wrote.") suddenly was "writing" for the Sun-Times or trip, cant remember which either,lol!
I noticed there was little writing and more copying of the already established opinions on whatever hawk areas of interest was the angle.
He didn't bother me, because he seemed harmless.

Then a few days before the draft HE is basically copying mock drafts and publishing his
slant....
look, I am. not looking for a jib, but it is almost comical that nowadays someone with little area off expertise in a sports niche area, is now promoted as the guy who the general public gets their info from.

So I understand we alll love trade gossip but unless a vet hockey guy is saying it is true, or someone I trust who heard it from an Insider or a relative of the player, I don't get too ruffled...

What other goalie should that was realistically available would have been willing to take a one year deal in an uncertain situation?
- DarthKane

Do they try to get Mason on a 1 year deal?

It’s time to stand up for civility and rational discourse - here and in the land in general.

There is so little of it in the public arena.
- StLBravesFan

Hear, hear

What other goalie should that was realistically available would have been willing to take a one year deal in an uncertain situation?
- DarthKane

While wondering how to deal with a missing Crawford for the coming season - more importantly we should be hoping that they are planning for his permanent disability.

No available goalie is going to be appreciably more able to lead this team to the tournament this year than Ward - none (including Ward, or likely 3ven a healthy Crawford) is going to make this team a Cup contender this year.

What is the plan going forward for the next several years if Crawford doesn’t come back strong?

Do they try to get Mason on a 1 year deal?
- ikeane

If Crawford is for certain to be on LTIR for most if not all of the next season, then the rumor of Bowman kicking the tires on Mason could make sense and a platoon with Ward may be in the cards. If it's understood that a platoon is only for one year, then that could be fine (not ideal but okay given the circumstances).

It does help that Mason's $4.1 salary was bought out by the Habs so any team that signs him would pay considerably less than that.

Personally, though, I'd rather stick with Ward and Forsberg. Have Delia and Lankinen in Rockford. Tomkins and whoever else in Indy. Maybe that Linden Marshall kid who had an invite to prospects camp last week?

Do they try to get Mason on a 1 year deal?
- ikeane

No. If Crawford can’t start they go with Ward/Forsberg. Mason would be no better.

No. If Crawford can’t start they go with Ward/Forsberg. Mason would be no better.
- DarthKane

Kinda brings a different meaning to we’re not going with three goalies.

The strict lip zippers on Crow's "injury/recovery" is a story within the story, we all are wondering if we EVER will get a find out if :
1)/what the injury is...
2) Was it brought on through playing the game of hockey.
3) If it was caused my another human,
or
4) Is it a fight with a demon injury?

What is truly odd is the team from the get - go (when Corey disappeared from the surroundings / friendly confines of the rink, and the meetings) is how the higher ups made sure each and every hawk was instructed on how to answer the questions about Crow directed at him, and even more curious is the overly optimistic reports during the press conferences before and after the draft and even more recent that have the GM saying, "we are confident, that Corey will be back in net next season as our goalie."

Then the man himself, says he is not there yet (in recovery) and he is "hoping" he can reclaim his place in the net.
I don't think this answer was off the team's directive as much as the honest answer to me points to that recovery being less related to rehabilitating a head injury, or a back injury, and more a human being honestly answering about his fight with a demon.

Am I incorrect to try and read the words of all parties and Corey's final word being a honest hopeful return, but one where he isn't dismissing the seriousness of his demon?

The strict lip zippers on Crow's "injury/recovery" is a story within the story, we all are wondering if we EVER will get a find out if :
1)/what the injury is...
2) Was it brought on through playing the game of hockey.
3) If it was caused my another human,
or
4) Is it a fight with a demon injury?

What is truly odd is the team from the get - go (when Corey disappeared from the surroundings / friendly confines of the rink, and the meetings) is how the higher ups made sure each and every hawk was instructed on how to answer the questions about Crow directed at him, and even more curious is the overly optimistic reports during the press conferences before and after the draft and even more recent that have the GM saying, "we are confident, that Corey will be back in net next season as our goalie."

Then the man himself, says he is not there yet (in recovery) and he is "hoping" he can reclaim his place in the net.
I don't think this answer was off the team's directive as much as the honest answer to me points to that recovery being less related to rehabilitating a head injury, or a back injury, and more a human being honestly answering about his fight with a demon.

Am I incorrect to try and read the words of all parties and Corey's final word being a honest hopeful return, but one where he isn't dismissing the seriousness of his demon?
- wiz1901

He has something going on for sure. Hes just not himself, something that could be brought on be either a head injury or perhaps a personal demon. I just hope he gets himself better and if he has to walk away from hockey to do it so be it.

No. If Crawford can’t start they go with Ward/Forsberg. Mason would be no better.
- DarthKane

Agreed.

Not a fan of Mason on and off the ice. The dude almost hot me 3 times with a golf ball in a tournament and was very unapologetic about it.

Spent all day with the guy (he was the foursome behind us on a really slow charity tournament).

He had a very unnecessary chip on his shoulder. Heard a lot of other stories about him as well.

Stick with Ward and Forsberg if Crow isn't ready.

Still not sure why there wasnt a better defenceman (no offence to Manning) closer to a top 4 shutdown guy. That would have made a huge difference in there overall team defence.

Agreed.

Not a fan of Mason on and off the ice. The dude almost hot me 3 times with a golf ball in a tournament and was very unapologetic about it.

Spent all day with the guy (he was the foursome behind us on a really slow charity tournament).

He had a very unnecessary chip on his shoulder. Heard a lot of other stories about him as well.

Stick with Ward and Forsberg if Crow isn't ready.

Still not sure why there wasnt a better defenceman (no offence to Manning) closer to a top 4 shutdown guy. That would have made a huge difference in there overall team defence.
- Justin Lowe

Earlier in his career I do recall Mason being a jerk and not well liked. Thought that maybe he'd mature over time. Guess not. If that's the case, then Hawks should steer clear. Strong character veterans like Ward and Kunitz are welcome additions.

And agree, stay the course with Ward and Forsberg, especially with Q stating he's not carrying 3 goalies. Forsberg's development is best served as a backup for a full season, not thrust into a starting role again.

Earlier in his career I do recall Mason being a jerk and not well liked. Thought that maybe he'd mature over time. Guess not. If that's the case, then Hawks should steer clear. Strong character veterans like Ward and Kunitz are welcome additions.
- AEL_Fox

I mean... the guy didn't even yell FORE... ha.

Anyway, really hope the Hawks arent pursuing him.

Another reason would be to make sure a guy like Delia contiues to get games in at the AHL level. Hawks can also see what they have in Lankinen.

If you bring another goalie in, you immediately make Forsberg your starting IceHogs tender.

I'm sure Forsberg ends up in the minors at some point this year but the more games for those other 2 in Rockford the better.

I mean... the guy didn't even yell FORE... ha.

Anyway, really hope the Hawks arent pursuing him.

Another reason would be to make sure a guy like Delia contiues to get games in at the AHL level. Hawks can also see what they have in Lankinen.

If you bring another goalie in, you immediately make Forsberg your starting IceHogs tender.

I'm sure Forsberg ends up in the minors at some point this year but the more games for those other 2 in Rockford the better.
- Justin Lowe

Totally agree. Forsberg needs to gain experience as an NHL backup for a full year. Not sure how much more development he'll gain starting in Rockford. Those minutes should go to Delia to start for the Hogs with Lankinen backing him up.