In Elliotte Friedman's newest quick update piece from a couple minutes ago:

"It sounds like Chicago continues to monitor the possibility of a Justin Faulk deal."

I don't know BG - Makita said he and Justin have talked about doing something about him - but that's all they do is talk......
- dahawks8819

Not sure why you need to get impatient, you do realize that I have a real job in life, and I live on the west coast where we have a 3 hour time difference. I received a message from Justin at 18:00 his time, it is now 19:15 my time and I just logged on, so you had a whole 4 hours with no posts from Goalie-33.

Yes Justin and I have an arrangement and it works quite fine, hope everyone has an enjoyable evening.

In Elliotte Friedman's newest quick update piece from a couple minutes ago:

"It sounds like Chicago continues to monitor the possibility of a Justin Faulk deal."
- TommyHawk

Ugh...

Does adding JVR and Faulk fix enough? No. Making matters worse is signing just those two guys wipes out all of the cap space, with Schmaltz and a couple others up for new deals in 2019-20.

Someone mentioned 44 earlier today in terms of how many contracts the Hawks have presently. Not sure if that's correct especially after the Berube trade for Schroeder.

If you're asking about a specific goalie's contract terms, Bernier and Hutton are expecting $3 to $3.5MM for 2+ years. Ward around $2.5MM for 1-2.
- AEL_Fox

44 is correct - the Berube/Schroeder trade didn't impact that since it was one-for-one.

That sounds about right. Trade-off on whether to spend money on a goalie or blueliners or forwards or some combination thereof. Spending modestly on a goalie does give more to spend elsewhere, spread out the dollars to fill as many needs as possible versus put all eggs in 1-2 baskets.

Which is the better option? Opinions vary widely on these boards which is great because we debate and learn from each other. Not so great if we were the actual decision making committee at 1901 West Madison.
- AEL_Fox

Could happen this way Mr Fox. Hawks put Crow on IR at the start of the season and Forsberg gets the shot at #1 behind a theoretically better defense and if he can't cut it Ward takes over.

They get a longer look at Forsberg to see if he's a #1.

Signing Ward for a yr, two at the most, for a lower hit and term they are not tying up a roster spot on a goalie who will not be a #1 for 3ish yrs at a higher hit as they allow for flexibility if Crow is done.

Study a little Hawk history instead of peddling this bullpoop. Phil Esposito >>>>>> than Little Artie all day long. Add in Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield and there's your worst trade by a country mile or ten.

Saad for panarin may not have been a great trade last year but it's nowhere near the Hawks worst trade and will never ever be the worst trade. When Panarin wins a bunch of scoring titles and a few Cups with another team...maybe then.
- HawkintheD

I know that opinions are subjective, but that first paragraph is as close to fact as you can get. And the 2nd one ain't bad either.

One year deal. Hardly anything to get upset about. Let's lose the forest for the trees and forget that the real move there was letting Nemo walk and keeping Hammer and Crow.

All the good hindsight GM's knew Craw was going to go out for the rest of the season approximately around Christmas and that Stan should have had a real NHL backup ready...or wait...isn't that the wrong move? Signing a guy like Turco, a veteran backup stopgap was a bad move...or was it a good move. Help me see the error of Stan's ways DK.
- HawkintheD

Wasn’t Turco signed to be our #1? Ward as a 2G would then not be Turco 2.0

You make a good point I was around for that trade but add in first to last place not a coincidence, breaking up probably the highest scoring line in the NHL for nothing and what it did to Kane's performance this last year and entirely missing the playoffs while Panarin was recognized as the sole reason his team got to the playoffs and Panarin's subsequent recognition as a top five winger in the NHL. Not the wort trade IMO the second worst trade. Some hockey folks actually wrote that the Kempny trade was the most one sided in history. Remember that?
- Savoy

You keep serving it up as the second worst and becoming the worst. If Saad doesn't bounce back you could lobby it's the second worst...but even with panarin they weren't a Cup winning team and he did next to nothing to contribute to any playoff success either year he was here or in Columbus...ok he was great for three games and then the Caps completely neutralized him.

The Hawks went to Cups without Espo but there's a pretty good chance they may have actually won them had they kept him. Panarin's a dynamic regular season player but let me know when his team wins a Cup and you can point to him as the main catalyst.

Little Artie <<<<<<< Espo

Wasn’t Turco signed to be our #1? Ward as a 2G would then not be Turco 2.0
- tyweb69

Thanks...just another error from DK's statement.

Wasn’t Turco signed to be our #1? Ward as a 2G would then not be Turco 2.0
- tyweb69

My memory may be off but IIRC that yr, 10/11, was Crawford's rookie season and he was the starter on opening night with Turco signed as insurance. Crow got 57 starts, Turco 29.

Niemi who won the cup the yr before went to SJ.

Hey I'm sorry to be in your head to this extent for this long. Try to remain calm.
- Savoy

So....you can't answer?

Was posited in The Athletic. Hawks put Crow on IR and the opening night goalies are Ward and Forsberg.
- Mr Ricochet

Assuming Ward is signed...I think if the Hawks believe Crow will be ready to go, Forsberg could be dealt (despite showing some promise--and inconsistency) rather than lose him to waivers. The net in the farm still looks a little crowded.

If they hang onto him, they may still have some concerns about CC's readiness. Guess I'm in agreement in a rather roundabout way....with an asterisk.

This Finnish kid (Lankinen) could be the next guy up late in the year or next if he shows well in Rockford. Love to see goalies (like CC) that really tighten it down in the playoffs. Looks like he may have that gene.

We have to wait and see what Bowman does about a goalie if anything. If he brings in a goalie I give him credit for admitting that the trade with Columbus was a horrible mistake and for trying to fix at least this part of it. Trade for a third string goalie.....what was he thinking?
- Savoy

EVEryone said Stan traded for the wrong prospect when we sent them 72
And now they trade for our leftovers

44 is correct - the Berube/Schroeder trade didn't impact that since it was one-for-one.
- L_B_R

Cool, thanks for confirming the number! 44 did sound right.

Could happen this way Mr Fox. Hawks put Crow on IR at the start of the season and Forsberg gets the shot at #1 behind a theoretically better defense and if he can't cut it Ward takes over.

They get a longer look at Forsberg to see if he's a #1.

Signing Ward for a yr, two at the most, for a lower hit and term they are not tying up a roster spot on a goalie who will not be a #1 for 3ish yrs at a higher hit as they allow for flexibility if Crow is done.
- Mr Ricochet

That sounds like a plausible plan as well; didn't think if it that way but makes sense. That helps to resolve the issue of what to do with Forsberg and the waivers dilemma.

So....you can't answer?
- PatShart

It's hard to with Little Artie's Johnson in his mouth.

Moving CC is only an option if he does in fact come back and plays to form. If he doesn’t no one will want him and they still have another year after 2018-19 to eat $6MM.

I am convinced he is fine and will be coming back. If they honestly did not think so they would not be looking to Cam Ward as the guy to carry the load. Ward is better than any of the guys in Rockford by a stretch, but there are many other goalies out there who are much better (and more expensive, wNting longer term) than Ward. They are targeting him because the goalie depth after Crawford is AHL level at best, and Ward is an upgrade that will likely sign a one year deal.
- Return of the Roar

Sound analysis of the goalie situation as it is admits that Ward isn't the best goalie on the market but is realistic in that it relays the message that Ward (at least in the eyes of Hawks management) is better than the goalies used last season to play in place of the injured Crawford.

My memory may be off but IIRC that yr, 10/11, was Crawford's rookie season and he was the starter on opening night with Turco signed as insurance. Crow got 57 starts, Turco 29.

Niemi who won the cup the yr before went to SJ.
- Mr Ricochet

That could be right. For some reason I thought they brought him in to start or split time and then when he crapped the bed Crawford got the starting job.

Thanks...just another error from DK's statement.
- HawkintheD

Any info on possible targets to help on D?
- z1990z

I would say go with Forsberg, saving that UFA money and use it on picking up both D's Moore and DeHaan. That would at least hopefully lighten up and tighten up D zone and shots on goal.

Really not looking for an argument, but what other UFA goalies was an established Nhl starter, and won a Cup?
Did you think the hawks were looking for a replacement for Forsberg, or Crawford?

If it was Crawford, did you REALLY think you were gonna find a minute eating starter in free agency?

Tell me last time that happened!

Sheesh!
- wiz1901

How is him winning a Cup even relevant at this point? It actually doesn't make a difference what goalie they are looking to replace. Ward is worse than either of them.

If happen for sure that ward signs with the hawks its a win for the hawks experience vet with playoff and cup credentials good move and underrated. Now fix the center and d
- Scott1977

He hasn't played a game in the PO in ten years. If anything he is over-rated. Seriously. He is a terrible goalie.

. so, now we are discussing the salary of a player who isn’t available until Sunday....unbelievable
- wiz1901

Yeah. Looks like we are.

IMO, the only reason to sign a goalie is if they don't think Crow will play. Forsberg wasn't awful, he was just in over his head. He played pretty well the first half of the year as a backup, but he couldn't handle the pressure of being the man night in and night out. He actually reminded me of 2011-12 Crawford. Played ok most of the time, but was good for one softie a night.

I think if Crow is healthy from day 1, you take the $2.5M and use it to help your defense and center depth.

IMO, the only reason to sign a goalie is if they don't think Crow will play. Forsberg wasn't awful, he was just in over his head. He played pretty well the first half of the year as a backup, but he couldn't handle the pressure of being the man night in and night out. He actually reminded me of 2011-12 Crawford. Played ok most of the time, but was good for one softie a night.

I think if Crow is healthy from day 1, you take the $2.5M and use it to help your defense and center depth.
- tvetter

At day 1, they won't be able to use the money they are paying Ward. Hopefully Bowman is smart enough to sign him to an amount that can be buried in the AHL. Any more and its idiotic.