Justin Lowe: Hawks Lose in a Cat Fight + WJHC The Hawks lost 6-3 last night to the Florida Panthers. It was not the worst loss they've had all year, but it was unfortunate that the Hawks couldn't continue their winning streak heading into the break.

Cam Ward, uh… didn't play well.

First and Merry Christmas to all.

First and Merry Christmas to all.
- RaleighHawk

Merry Christmas RaleighHawk!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.
One wish I have for the new year, let's keep the personal attacks off these boards.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year to 1 and all .

Justin Lowe: Hawks Lose in a Cat Fight + WJHC
The Hawks lost 6-3 last night to the Florida Panthers. It was not the worst loss they've had all year, but it was unfortunate that the Hawks couldn't continue their winning streak heading into the break.

Cam Ward, uh… didn't play well.
- Justin Lowe

At this point I’d like to see Delia a good number of starts, really want him to get a good taste at the NHL level.

Merry Christmas to you and family!! Keep up the good work and we ll see if one the core gets traded sometime soon(keith).

At this point I’d like to see Delia a good number of starts, really want him to get a good taste at the NHL level.
- walleyeb1

I’d like to see Delia get more starts but not necessarily a starters workload, at least not yet. Rushing Forsberg last year hurt his development, let’s not make the same mistake with Delia. Maybe start by playing Delia every third game and increase it in 1-2 months to every other game.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.
One wish I have for the new year, let's keep the personal attacks off these boards.
- powerenforcer

Hockey is for everyone.

Marry Ho Ho to all ,,and to all a great night .. I never liked the signing of Ward and really did not understand Q playing him and his .859 sv % every game earlier when Crow was out , Forsberg should have got a short specify during a back to back . I t would have been nice to get a good look at Forsberg before they had to wave him .

I was glad when I heard Ward stood up in the room ,good character guy but not really in any long term plans I hope .

I wonder what the HAWKS could get for Keith in a deal

Happy Holidays, Justin and to all! Hope times with family and friends are festive and safe.

Thank you for the WJC primer, Justin. Really like the individual focus on each prospect.

Any insight on Galvas? I swore he made the Czech Republic team. Or did he only make the prelim roster to later get cut from the final roster? If he's in fact on the team, I think he will pleasantly surprise. He won't dominate but play a steady game on the back end showing poise and confidence.

I’d like to see Delia get more starts but not necessarily a starters workload, at least not yet. Rushing Forsberg last year hurt his development, let’s not make the same mistake with Delia. Maybe start by playing Delia every third game and increase it in 1-2 months to every other game.
- DarthKane

Totally agree on what should be the ideal way to bring Delia along.

As Justin referenced in his blog, I can see the Hawks re-signing Ward to another affordable 1-year deal next season to play tandem with Delia if Crawford is out long term again.

Like this past summer, the supposed premise behind the free agent signings like Ward was to not get locked in to any long-term deals so that aging veterans aren't blocking the youngsters from growing on the big club. So this M.O. could play out again this summer with at least D (i.e. Stralman) and in net (i.e. Ward).

Totally agree on what should be the ideal way to bring Delia along.

As Justin referenced in his blog, I can see the Hawks re-signing Ward to another affordable 1-year deal next season to play tandem with Delia if Crawford is out long term again.

Like this past summer, the supposed premise behind the free agent signings like Ward was to not get locked in to any long-term deals so that aging veterans aren't blocking the youngsters from growing on the big club. So this M.O. could play out again this summer with at least D (i.e. Stralman) and in net (i.e. Ward).
- AEL_Fox

Please no more Ward next year. Too much cap space tied up in goalies with Crawford still on the books. Time to move on with young fresh talent.
If Darling is bought out he could be available for cheap (a lot less than what Ward would settle for) and could be thrown into the mix.

Please no more Ward next year. Too much cap space tied up in goalies with Crawford still on the books. Time to move on with young fresh talent.
If Darling is bought out he could be available for cheap (a lot less than what Ward would settle for) and could be thrown into the mix.
- 67hawks

Yeah, I would like to see what other goalies are on the market this summer if Crawford is a no-go next season before committing again to Ward. However, Ward could very well be the only one who fits certain criteria of an experienced tender with low AAV for one year only.

Darling could be an option worth exploring if the boot fits.

Please no more Ward next year. Too much cap space tied up in goalies with Crawford still on the books. Time to move on with young fresh talent.
If Darling is bought out he could be available for cheap (a lot less than what Ward would settle for) and could be thrown into the mix.
- 67hawks

LTIR CRAWFORD He should sit out the rest of the season

LTIR CRAWFORD He should sit out the rest of the season
- Scott1977

Unless he's 100% cleared by independent neurologists, he should be LTIR until he retires. That last hit looked real bad the way the back of his head hit the crossbar.

LTIR CRAWFORD He should sit out the rest of the season
- Scott1977

At this point there’s no reason to put Crawford on LTIR, doesn’t really help in terms of the cap or the ability to go over the cap. Just leave him on IR.

Happy Holidays, Justin and to all! Hope times with family and friends are festive and safe.

Thank you for the WJC primer, Justin. Really like the individual focus on each prospect.

Any insight on Galvas? I swore he made the Czech Republic team. Or did he only make the prelim roster to later get cut from the final roster? If he's in fact on the team, I think he will pleasantly surprise. He won't dominate but play a steady game on the back end showing poise and confidence.
- AEL_Fox

You know what... you're right. I missed Galvas.

I will have to edit.

He's played well and will be called upon as a leader on that Czech backend.

Interesting that Pierre had the Hawks as having nothing in the pipeline. The Athletic's write-up sounded a bit more positive in the sense they had a lot of players they thought could make it to the NHL, just not a lot of high end talent...which is reasonable given the Hawks draft position over the last several years.

You know what... you're right. I missed Galvas.

I will have to edit.

He's played well and will be called upon as a leader on that Czech backend.
- Justin Lowe

No worries on Galvas. He doesn't get much fanfare anyway so he did fly under the radar. Might be good for him so he can sneak up and develop at his own pace rather than live up to certain expectations.

Thanks also for the update on Nordgren's health status. Really sucks that he can't play but hope he recovers smoothly from the concussion. It's at least his second injury since the summer as he participated in only one day of prospects camp in July before going down with an injury.

Wishing Everyone and their Families a Merry Christmas!!!

I’d like to see Delia get more starts but not necessarily a starters workload, at least not yet. Rushing Forsberg last year hurt his development, let’s not make the same mistake with Delia. Maybe start by playing Delia every third game and increase it in 1-2 months to every other game.
- DarthKane

How was Forsberg rushed? He spent almost two straight years in the AHL in Columbus's system and won the Calder cup. Either he's gonna make it or he isn't and it looks like right now he can't handle it.

Merry Christmas fellas!!!!

Always love the Juniors at this time of year. Glad to see we have so many young guys to cheer on.
Go Canada.....and good luck to ALL the Hawk representatives!!!

How was Forsberg rushed? He spent almost two straight years in the AHL in Columbus's system and won the Calder cup. Either he's gonna make it or he isn't and it looks like right now he can't handle it.
- GPHawksfan

I think he meant that when Crow went down last year, Forsberg became the defacto #1 goalie, and he wasn't ready for that workload. Ideally, he would have played a full season or 2 behind Crow.

I think he meant that when Crow went down last year, Forsberg became the defacto #1 goalie, and he wasn't ready for that workload. Ideally, he would have played a full season or 2 behind Crow.
- tvetter

I don’t remember Crawford playing two years behind another a starting NHL goaltender.