No but there are other UFA's on the market they could possibly go after if their 36 yo net minder tries to play hardball.

Do you think at the end of their deals and they still have some decent years left that Kane and Toews are getting $10.5M again?
- HawkintheD

Regarding your comparison with toews and Kane, that's false argument, because your talking about a totally different unique position.

Starting goaltenders are far from few who can actually consistently perform and win or keep their teams in more games than not.

Chicago knows Crawford's history so it's easier from their standpoint to justify paying him.

So the 2nd will be a late 2nd, closer to a 3rd.... another Bowman fail.
- DarthKane

I cannot tell if this is your usual sarcasm or not...

It's midnight and Sikura is still in the Blackhawk organization. Talk about your epic fails.
- rpeters01

We need him for the sweeteners to get rid of cap space in the summer

The worst part of this deadline and a major fail on the organization is the fact they never took advantage of the extra cap space to take on expiring contracts and get prospects or picks in return.

Regarding your comparison with toews and Kane, that's false argument, because your talking about a totally different unique position.

Starting goaltenders are far from few who can actually consistently perform and win or keep their teams in more games than not.

Chicago knows Crawford's history so it's easier from their standpoint to justify paying him.
- Taylorst1

Anything's possible. Other team's know Crawford's history too in terms of concussions and it's interesting over the years how he seems regarded throughout the league.

Some think he's great and some have felt he's merely been the benefactor of a great defense. Wonder if the latter group'd been watching this season.

He's got a home in Chicago and also knows the Hawks Cap situation so I wouldn't be surprised if he rewarded Bowman's earlier loyalty with a somewhat team friendly deal...just sayin'.

I cannot tell if this is your usual sarcasm or not...
- hpk90

What does your gut tell you?

What does your gut tell you?
- HawkintheD

He had a bad breakfast this morning.......

The worst part of this deadline and a major fail on the organization is the fact they never took advantage of the extra cap space to take on expiring contracts and get prospects or picks in return.
- gifman

I completely agree with your point. Imo Stan was indecisive, a bit cocky , and not willing to except that Chicago is no longer a team that can simply retool on the fly.

Ottowa may be a awful team for a few years but they IMO did a great job in the past 2 years stockpiling draft picks . This year's draft is deep , they will be a lot closer to a competitive team in 3 to 4 years .

Where as Chicago won't even be remotely close and will have wasted numerous years tinkering around.

It all goes back to the cores contracts that Chicago will have to deal with for 3 to 4 more years before any relief.

They have no young high end prospects from a forward position in Rockford, their banking on some young defensive prospects who may or may not work out and are still 3 years away from simply having a spot on this team .

What does your gut tell you?
- HawkintheD

My gut says that I need more coffee, and that my sarcasm meter is not functioning yet.

Anything's possible. Other team's know Crawford's history too in terms of concussions and it's interesting over the years how he seems regarded throughout the league.

Some think he's great and some have felt he's merely been the benefactor of a great defense. Wonder if the latter group'd been watching this season.

He's got a home in Chicago and also knows the Hawks Cap situation so I wouldn't be surprised if he rewarded Bowman's earlier loyalty with a somewhat team friendly deal...just sayin'.
- HawkintheD

You make some great points, neither of us are wrong in our assessments.

I just think when you look at the big picture Chicago isn't in a position to sign a goalie to a long term deal and investing 6 million into a proven starter in crawf9rd for a couple of years knowing his history IMO isn't a bad gamble for the team.

Look at Bob he got that ridiculous contract last year, so teams will over pay if the market is their.

You make some great points, neither of us are wrong in our assessments.

I just think when you look at the big picture Chicago isn't in a position to sign a goalie to a long term deal and investing 6 million into a proven starter in crawf9rd for a couple of years knowing his history IMO isn't a bad gamble for the team.

Look at Bob he got that ridiculous contract last year, so teams will over pay if the market is their.
- Taylorst1

I will be totally shocked if Crow gets $6mil. If you offer 2x$4 mil, who else is going to match that? And yes that will probably come with a NMC.

The worst part of this deadline and a major fail on the organization is the fact they never took advantage of the extra cap space to take on expiring contracts and get prospects or picks in return.
- gifman

Besides Lehner through Toronto, could you name one deadline move that fulfils this premise? The market likely wasn’t there at this time.

I will be totally shocked if Crow gets $6mil. If you offer 2x$4 mil, who else is going to match that? And yes that will probably come with a NMC.
- LAHawk

I wouldn't simply discount Crawford or the market. Crawford can still play at a high level , sure he is 35 years old that's not that big of a deal when your talking about a guy who is proven, his concussion history is a risk for sure but if you put a defense in front of him that limits his health risk.

Also 6 million for a proven starter for 2 or 3 years in a goalie isn't a bad contract to hand out for any team.

The market I believe will have Lehner, Crawford as probably the top goalies hitting free agency , so if Crawford decides to test free agency he could get paid.

Besides Lehner through Toronto, could you name one deadline move that fulfils this premise? The market likely wasn’t there at this time.
- stonefire

The only one I can think of is the David Backes salary dump. Boston was interested in Saad, but, other than that, I am not sure they constitute a likely trading partner.

The only one I can think of is the David Backes salary dump. Boston was interested in Saad, but, other than that, I am not sure they constitute a likely trading partner.
- hpk90

Good point. Chicago's season was lost in the first 7 to 9 weeks and the FO IMO wasn't being honest with themselves about this team how it was constructed , the coaching decisions made regarding the teams structure , the inconsistent play and ability to go on and sustain a run, players having off years cat , strome etc.

IMO the change needed to happen early on like last year moving schmaltz for strome .

The only one I can think of is the David Backes salary dump. Boston was interested in Saad, but, other than that, I am not sure they constitute a likely trading partner.
- hpk90

Backes has one more year left on his $6M contract so he definitely wouldn't have been the short term cap dump that many were clamoring for.

I completely agree with your point. Imo Stan was indecisive, a bit cocky , and not willing to except that Chicago is no longer a team that can simply retool on the fly.

Ottowa may be a awful team for a few years but they IMO did a great job in the past 2 years stockpiling draft picks . This year's draft is deep , they will be a lot closer to a competitive team in 3 to 4 years .

Where as Chicago won't even be remotely close and will have wasted numerous years tinkering around.

It all goes back to the cores contracts that Chicago will have to deal with for 3 to 4 more years before any relief.

They have no young high end prospects from a forward position in Rockford, their banking on some young defensive prospects who may or may not work out and are still 3 years away from simply having a spot on this team .
- Taylorst1

Huh?

Backes has one more year left on his $6M contract so he definitely wouldn't have been the short term cap dump that many were clamoring for.
- Davewn

My mistake. Thanks for correcting me.

Then, I cannot think of any major salary dumps involving players on expiring contracts or on long-term IR.

*NEW* blog up: http://bit.ly/38XCBYd

How we all feeling today?

The worst part of this deadline and a major fail on the organization is the fact they never took advantage of the extra cap space to take on expiring contracts and get prospects or picks in return.
- gifman

The hawks were over the cap with the 3 guy shot ltir if we used that money all the performance bonuses would go to next years cap. If you want to call it a failure it’s bowman didn’t get the draft picks upgraded if the teams go at to the finals or the players got resigned that other teams got for there players.

I completely agree with your point. Imo Stan was indecisive, a bit cocky , and not willing to except that Chicago is no longer a team that can simply retool on the fly.

Ottowa may be a awful team for a few years but they IMO did a great job in the past 2 years stockpiling draft picks . This year's draft is deep , they will be a lot closer to a competitive team in 3 to 4 years .

Where as Chicago won't even be remotely close and will have wasted numerous years tinkering around.

It all goes back to the cores contracts that Chicago will have to deal with for 3 to 4 more years before any relief.

They have no young high end prospects from a forward position in Rockford, their banking on some young defensive prospects who may or may not work out and are still 3 years away from simply having a spot on this team .
- Taylorst1

They haven’t won anything there problem is a cheap owner who won’t spend they just develop and trade away players. The hawks are going thru down times but at least they have three cups to show for it.