Justin Lowe: The Backup Plan
The Blackhawks backup goalie plan has clearly been down in a No.2 pencil (see what I did there?).

As per Scott Powers of The Athletic, the Blackhawks have reached out to the agents of Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier during this free agency courting period.

Let's take a deep dive into the options and what the Hawks could look like in net come October.

First?

If we get into this holding pattern with CC at the beginning of next season, he needs to be immediately placed on LTIR until his situation is completely resolved. Time to move on -enough of this nonsense.

Hossa for Anderson. Ottawa saves real money, and Chicago gets a better goalie than Forsberg.

If we get into this holding pattern with CC at the beginning of next season, he needs to be immediately placed on LTIR until his situation is completely resolved. Time to move on -enough of this nonsense.
- 67hawks

Agreed.

Justin Lowe: The Backup Plan

The Blackhawks backup goalie plan has clearly been down in a No.2 pencil (see what I did there?).

As per Scott Powers of The Athletic, the Blackhawks have reached out to the agents of Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier during this free agency courting period.

Let's take a deep dive into the options and what the Hawks could look like in net come October.
- Justin Lowe

If Crawford winds up being unable to play out the season - do any of the goalies on your list - long (the 15) or short (Ward or Halak) do more than perhaps (PERHAPS) get them to the playoffs with a first-round exit?

Are any of them "Cup-contending" goalies at this point?

If not, then I don't see the point in bringing any of them in.

If Crawford comes back complete with compete, then he's good for, say, 55 games and the whole playoff run (if one happens) and the backup goalie needs to put in only, say, 25 games.

And - since Corey will be 34 half-way through the season - it is time to be developing his eventual replacement regardless of his current health situation.

"GM StLB" would (a) not go out into the FA or trade market, (b) stay with Forsberg to see what he really is, and (c) concentrate on improving the defense.

Agreed.
- Justin Lowe

Agreed Agreed

If Crawford winds up being unable to play out the season - do any of the goalies on your list - long (the 15) or short (Ward or Halak) do more than perhaps (PERHAPS) get them to the playoffs with a first-round exit?

Are any of them "Cup-contending" goalies at this point?

If not, then I don't see the point in bringing any of them in.

If Crawford comes back complete with compete, then he's good for, say, 55 games and the whole playoff run (if one happens) and the backup goalie needs to put in only, say, 25 games.

And - since Corey will be 34 half-way through the season - it is time to be developing his eventual replacement regardless of his current health situation.

"GM StLB" would (a) not go out into the FA or trade market, (b) stay with Forsberg to see what he really is, and (c) concentrate on improving the defense.
- StLBravesFan

I'm afraid it they might go Cam Ward. Then we can all EXPLODE !!

Jay Zawaski:

As I reported in last night's @MadhousePod, the Blackhawks are interested in former Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward. I'm told this morning, from a separate source, that an agreement may already be in the works/close. Ward, 34, had a 2.74 GAA and .906 save percentage in 43 games w/ CAR

Nice column, Justin.

The CC stuff was suspicious from the beginning. The diagnosis of post-concussion symptoms, which turned into Vertigo, which then turned into a very gray area of coaches and front office folks avoiding anything/everything about it, only confirmed that those were most likely red herrings.

Jay Zawaski:

As I reported in last night's @MadhousePod, the Blackhawks are interested in former Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward. I'm told this morning, from a separate source, that an agreement may already be in the works/close. Ward, 34, had a 2.74 GAA and .906 save percentage in 43 games w/ CAR
- walleyeb1

It’s Marty Turco all over again.

Who cares!? We're due for another lottery pick next offseason either way!

Seriously though, could it get worse than last season? That was a low point for this core, i think the only way to go might be up.

It’s Marty Turco all over again.
- TommyHawk

Haha, Turco was so bad for us

No to Ward. I tweeted this and just saw it mentioned on here, he's Turco 2.0.

Jay Zawaski:

As I reported in last night's , the Blackhawks are interested in former Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward. I'm told this morning, from a separate source, that an agreement may already be in the works/close. Ward, 34, had a 2.74 GAA and .906 save percentage in 43 games w/ CAR
- walleyeb1

Forsberg had a better sv% last year

Ward better option than CC right now.

I saw go with it.

Justin this whole Crawford situation seems to me to be more than a concussion or vertigo. Could be something else is happening with Crawford I am going to speculate to what it is that would not fair to anyone. IMO and reading between the lines that the hawks have so cloak and dagger with situation might have to do with confidentiality of some sort not a gag order but something legal and maybe that's why they been able give any concrete information on the status of Crawford and the hawks trying help Crawford and his family deal with what ever is going on to spare them any other spotlight. I would go with Lehner sign him to 2 or 3 year contract at 2.5mill per Crawford has 2 more years left then hawks can take their time developing delia.

My speculation is that they will add a veteran goalie, defenceman (at least 1) and look to add 2 forwards (C and LW).

Derek Ryan, Thomas Hickey and trade for Jeff Skinner. Curious how much money that costs.

Hutton has to be the 1st choice for many teams. Bernier is the 2nd best and if that doesn't work out, I would try Halak. He is better than generally given credit for. Each of the three is capable of taking the team a long way behind some steady defense. Which is key for the Hawks anyway. Both Ward and Lehtonen scare me and Mrázek is way too inconsistent.

Hossa for Anderson. Ottawa saves real money, and Chicago gets a better goalie than Forsberg.
- powerenforcer

Anderson scares me - too expensive, too old, term left on his contract. I think that Hossa's cap hit can be put to better use.

Was that No.2 pencil references suppose to be a pun

Jay Zawaski:

As I reported in last night's @MadhousePod, the Blackhawks are interested in former Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward. I'm told this morning, from a separate source, that an agreement may already be in the works/close. Ward, 34, had a 2.74 GAA and .906 save percentage in 43 games w/ CAR
- walleyeb1

There you go. I didn't listen to Jay's stuff but he's usually pretty bang on.

If so, I would realistically expect a 2-year deal at 5M or so.

I would prefer 1-year but doubt Ward's camp would.

If they have a verbal, then expect the Hawks to move a goalie to make room fairly quickly before the UFA market floodgates open with the goalies listed in my blog.

I'm cool with Ward.

Not the best and he's older now, but he's a workhorse and if the Hawks can improve the blueline, he should be OK.

He's the better option than CC - who we literally have no clue if he's going to play, currently practicing, etc., etc...

Get Ward (or someone) in so these guys can start working together.

Ward better option than CC right now.

I saw go with it.
- Hank3Henshaw

Cam Ward hasn't had even an average sv% in 7 seasons and 5 of those seasons were worse than Forsberg was last year.

Agree
I also like Ward - he’s a competitor

Cam Ward hasn't had even an average sv% in 7 seasons and 5 of those seasons were worse than Forsberg was last year.
- L_B_R

Don't even care. He was better than Darling and played on a pretty sub-par Canes team.

Clearly the Hawks aren't going to be able to get a guy like Hutton or better. So, let's hopefully improve the blueline and scoop up a workhorse like Ward.

I'm not waiting around for CC and I don't think the Hawks are either.