That's good to hear but the devil is in the details - the fans read that and think it means he will play for $2M/AAV whereas CC probably meant he would play for less than his current $6M/AAV. There's quite a bit of separation there.
- EbonyRaptor

Maybe. If you've got 3 minutes, watch his interview on the Hawks website. He seems pretty willing to come back to CHI.

This where I'm leaning towards as well. Two years at a reasonable cap hit less than his current salary.

Crawford can be the starter while whoever the backup candidates are continues to develop at an appropriate pace.

Delia, Lankinen, even Tomkins. Doubt Subban comes back.

Then if health degrades over time, play Crawford less and increase playing time for the above backups or anyone new that might be brought into the stable.
- AEL_Fox

Per, the CC interview: Can he win and play a lot in Carolina?
or Calgary?

Craw is ok with a 1 year deal and NMC I would do $3.5 mil today. more then that maybe wait. I bring back at least 2 of Lanken, Subban, Delia to compete for the backup. Draft the Russian. and we are set. My guess if this happens they move Subban if he has some small value. if not I might have the 3 of them battle it out in training camp.

If TOR traded for Murph? what would we want back? nylander? assuming we can move or buyout Matta and trade strome.

Is Nalimov still on this side of the pond (thought he was on the Icehogs for a while), or did he go back to Russia?
- Chunk

Nalimov signed with one of his many former KHL teams (Kunlun Red Stars). Doesn't mean he'll stick with them (he only played 4 games with Kunlun in his first stint) which means he'll need to find a greener pasture. Again.

Could be his chance to come back to North America but not holding my breath either. Would much rather invest in Delia, Lankinen, and Tomkins.

Time is all Boqvist needs. He just turned 20. I thought his play was okay. Made one reallly glaring mistake. His reaction to it told me all I need to know about his desire. Everyone jumped on him for the Tuch goal and he did misplay it, BUT Tuch came off the bench and was in full flight. That is a tough play for any d-man. Where were the forwards, tho?

Yes, I agree he needs to get stronger and that will come. I have no qualms with him taking care of his defensive responsibilities before he shows his offense. He does a good job of leveraging himself along the walls for his size.
- Elbows15

Yep. So he doesn't skate like Q.Hughes and Makar - he skates well enough to be a very good player once he matures physically and gets more experience.

Kapanen + to PIT, PIT R1 (15th) pick + to TOR

Wake up Stan, things are happening.
- scottak

Agreed. And let's see how Makar from Vancouver performs this week against the same Vegas team. Maybe he also 'regresses' like Boquist when facing the potential 2020 Cup winners.
- DontKnowNutin

Yep. Q.Hughes didn't exactly look all-world against the big boys. Still early so I'll keep my powder dry for the time being.

As for the real Makar, the way Dallas has handled the Avs in Games 1 & 2, he might not get the opportunity to show what he can do against Vegas.

Yep. So he doesn't skate like Q.Hughes and Makar - he skates well enough to be a very good player once he matures physically and gets more experience.
- EbonyRaptor

I think his skating will come around and he will be much more effective once his head gets to where it needs to be.

Nope. Didn't you read the Hockeybuzz front page? They are trading Malkin.
- Chunk

The ole "I read it on the internet so it must be true".

Promising comments from Dach:

Dach: "I need to find more confidence in my shot and work on that over the break... As a pass-first guy, if you're able to develop a shooting mentality, it's going to open up passing lanes. That's still something I need to work on."

Dach has started working with Ian Mack, Patrick Kane's famed Chicago trainer.

"He's really helped me build a base layer for my body."

Kirby Dach says he wants to get bigger this offseason, but not take away from his skating.

"If I can add size to my lower body, protect pucks the way I want to protect them, it'll only add to my game."

Good stuff. Now let's hope he can do it.

Promising comments from Dach:

Dach: "I need to find more confidence in my shot and work on that over the break... As a pass-first guy, if you're able to develop a shooting mentality, it's going to open up passing lanes. That's still something I need to work on."

Dach has started working with Ian Mack, Patrick Kane's famed Chicago trainer.

"He's really helped me build a base layer for my body."

Kirby Dach says he wants to get bigger this offseason, but not take away from his skating.

"If I can add size to my lower body, protect pucks the way I want to protect them, it'll only add to my game."

Good stuff. Now let's hope he can do it.
- Chunk

I have no doubt he will.

Im going a different way. what is Dylan strome worth to a team in need of centers.

I would keep SAAD and trade at the deadline if we are not good.
- kmw4631

Why not trade saad at draft and try and get younger cost control player and picks? Like bowman shoulda done with gusterrson. Face hawks most likely are not going to make the playoffs next year at best a bubble team. So why not maximize the return.

Why not trade saad at draft and try and get younger cost control player and picks? Like bowman shoulda done with gusterrson. Face hawks most likely are not going to make the playoffs next year at best a bubble team. So why not maximize the return.
- Scott1977

if we are trading our best D forward on a team that is terrible on the D zone then we are throwing in the towel for next year completely and we should also move Keith. and should not bring back craw and go with young guys and use that cap space on a young player that somebody cant afford. the Diff at draft or at TDL on guys only signed 1 year is not that big. look at STL or LA. they won it after having strand seasons.

That's good to hear but the devil is in the details - the fans read that and think it means he will play for $2M/AAV whereas CC probably meant he would play for less than his current $6M/AAV. There's quite a bit of separation there.
- EbonyRaptor

It's going to be $10M for 3 years, $3.33M AAV. Crawford the starter next year, and possibly the backup in year 2 or 3.

[quote=Chunk]


I agree with you. Also, I'm thinking that no matter who is the goalie, will not matter
They need to fix their defensive system. NOBODY can face all those high danger chances and be good. A healthy Varlamov for the Islanders, is playing behind a team that supports each other in front of him and he's playing lights out. Lehner is getting support from the Vegas team in front of him and look how he's doing. Islanders and the Golden Knights do no allow all the shots on their goalie that the Hawks do

I just watched his interview on the website. Indeed, I think as long as they don't insult him and state that he will be starter, he is as good as signed. Subban will be interesting to watch. He beat out Delia to be the backup, so maybe he has a chance, but overall it doesn't seem like they are enamored with him. Maybe one or two of the goalie prospects gets shipped out?

Is Nalimov still on this side of the pond (thought he was on the Icehogs for a while), or did he go back to Russia?
- Chunk

Isn't it a good idea for a potential future starter to get a lot of playing time? Therefore, maybe they sign Subban as a cheap backup to allow Delia and Lankinen to work on their stuff in the AHL? Then call them up as needed.

Why not trade saad at draft and try and get younger cost control player and picks? Like bowman shoulda done with gusterrson. Face hawks most likely are not going to make the playoffs next year at best a bubble team. So why not maximize the return.
- Scott1977

I'm not picking on you Scott and I know it is just a typo, but this is easily the best misspelling I've seen of his name. It's like what you would intentionally call him to his face just to get a rise out of him.

I'm not picking on you Scott and I know it is just a typo, but this is easily the best misspelling I've seen of his name. It's like what you would intentionally call him to his face just to get a rise out of him.
- Chunk

How soon we forget.

Isn't it a good idea for a potential future starter to get a lot of playing time? Therefore, maybe they sign Subban as a cheap backup to allow Delia and Lankinen to work on their stuff in the AHL? Then call them up as needed.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I'm not sure what the contract rules are, but if you can sign Subban to deal where he can easily be sent to the AHL then I think it would make sense. I just don't want the Hawks to be in a position where they HAVE to keep a guy up due to his contract. Assuming Crow is back, whichever of the goalies play best should have the backup job.

That's good to hear but the devil is in the details - the fans read that and think it means he will play for $2M/AAV whereas CC probably meant he would play for less than his current $6M/AAV. There's quite a bit of separation there.
- EbonyRaptor

Yup exactly time will tell. If he and Stan are on the same page and Stan wants him back this should happen quickly. Check the box and move on.

Isn't it a good idea for a potential future starter to get a lot of playing time? Therefore, maybe they sign Subban as a cheap backup to allow Delia and Lankinen to work on their stuff in the AHL? Then call them up as needed.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Only thing is, I think Delia and Lankinen are 26.

Only thing is, I think Delia and Lankinen are 26.
- rpeters01

Wasn't Crawford 27 when he first became the starter? It seems that the Hawks like to over marinate their goalies, but maybe that is the best thing to do.

Promising comments from Dach:

Dach: "I need to find more confidence in my shot and work on that over the break... As a pass-first guy, if you're able to develop a shooting mentality, it's going to open up passing lanes. That's still something I need to work on."

Dach has started working with Ian Mack, Patrick Kane's famed Chicago trainer.

"He's really helped me build a base layer for my body."

Kirby Dach says he wants to get bigger this offseason, but not take away from his skating.

"If I can add size to my lower body, protect pucks the way I want to protect them, it'll only add to my game."

Good stuff. Now let's hope he can do it.
- Chunk

I remember the girl's volleyball team in college, there was a tall skinny freshman very good but skinny. When she came back sophomore year her legs looked like Urlacher and this was a girl.

if we are trading our best D forward on a team that is terrible on the D zone then we are throwing in the towel for next year completely and we should also move Keith. and should not bring back craw and go with young guys and use that cap space on a young player that somebody cant afford. the Diff at draft or at TDL on guys only signed 1 year is not that big. look at STL or LA. they won it after having strand seasons.
- kmw4631

I get your argument but can the hawks keep saad after this coming year and what will he ask for term and dollars?

I'm not sure what the contract rules are, but if you can sign Subban to deal where he can easily be sent to the AHL then I think it would make sense. I just don't want the Hawks to be in a position where they HAVE to keep a guy up due to his contract. Assuming Crow is back, whichever of the goalies play best should have the backup job.
- Chunk

I think subban would not be waiver exempt but if you lose him to waivers because he cannot beat out delia or Kevin L then who really cares. Delia and kevin are waiver exempt next year I think so porbably they would start in Rockford and if Subban is bad you swap them.