My opinion may not be favorable but I'm going to say it.

You do not need an elite goal tender to win a stanley cup. As someone said previously, you need a hot goaltender. That could be Crawford, Delia, Scott Foster, Niemi, Huet, whoever.

Why in the world are we going to lock up 7 or 8 million in goaltending next year when we have far greater deficiencies.

Sure, Lehner would be a great leader and elite goaltender but that is not our biggest hole.

I WANT him on this team, but we don't NEED him.

I think this money can be used more wisely.
- catrisc

You don’t need an elite goalie to win a SC, IF, and it’s a big IF, your team is outstandingly dominant.

The 2010 Blackhawks were significantly better than the opposition. Young, fast, skilled, and hungry.

The 2013 Hawks sent an NHL record for consecutive games without a loss. They were statistically dominant. Jennings, plus one of the highest scoring teams in the league.

Don't the Hawks already have enough injury-prone D-men?
- Elbows15

I knew he missed some games last year. Didn't know if you consider that injury prone or maybe he has missed games in other seasons?

If so meets Bowman's MO. Trade for players with injury history or former #1's that haven't hit their stride yet. Lol.

Thomas wasn't elite. Crawford and Murray weren't considered elite when they won their first Cup.
- Elbows15

Thomas was very good prior to winning in 2011. Already had won a vezina.

Look up his nhl-reference stats page. Pretty damn impressive.


Binnington coming out of no where and winning is an exception to the rule as show and even going back to Detroit's run pre 2009. Osgood, Vernon, Hasek….established goalies.

Murray and Crawford earned their way but got their chances because of cap issues for both Hawks and Penguins.

I get that guys like Price, who IMO is vastly overrated, and Lundqvist are guys you could say are elite and haven't won....

IMO...what has kept say a team like San Jose from winning a cup the last 10+ years? Not being able to solidifying their goalie.

Saad to Boston or McAvoy.
- boilermaker100

We don’t need any aging driving range pros from Texas. Although Rene Russo would be a nice WAG addition.

You don’t need an elite goalie to win a SC, IF, and it’s a big IF, your team is outstandingly dominant.

The 2010 Blackhawks were significantly better than the opposition. Young, fast, skilled, and hungry.

The 2013 Hawks sent an NHL record for consecutive games without a loss. They were statistically dominant. Jennings, plus one of the highest scoring teams in the league.
- scottak

The hawks beat San JOse because Niemi > Nabokov that series. Look back at those saves he made.

You can be a damn wrecking ball F and D but you need a money goalie when the playoffs come around....Grant Fuhr is example A there.

Go back to 2012 vs Phoenix...Mike Smith outplayed Crawford. That's arguably THE reason the Hawks lost and losing Hossa to injury.

If Lehner isn't signed as the #1 goalie, sign Cro to an incentive laden 35+ contract. 2M base, with 2M or so in bonuses based on games played, wins, save %, shutouts, reaching the playoffs, etc. If he stays healthy and plays like a #1, he'll earn 4M. If he gets reconcussed or his play falters, Hawks on the hook for only 2M.
- boilermaker100

100% agreed.

Posted this on the last blog - the link for the full article summarized nicely by SteveRain earlier in this blog:

Month out trade deadline predictions and suggestions for every. team in the NHL. Only Hawk mentioned as attractive trade bait (to another team) is Lehner.

https://theathletic.com/1...efore-the-trade-deadline/

On KKKK question, I believe I read an article recently that said he had been playing tight, afraid to make a mistake and be scratched. Then
- pdx2ord[someone] talked to him and told him just to play his game and we're seeing the results.

I could, of course, be confusing him with Kubalik or imagining the whole thing.

I think somebody posted that.....6628....last blog

Agreed. Could very well be their recent success is guys were overthinking the way JC wanted them to play and now they are comfortable and playing naturally. Just need more of intense approach as Brookbank pointed out Tuesday but that isn't surprising the fluctuations with that given they are a younger team.

LETS START BY TALKING TO BOTH GOALTENDERS SEE WHAT THEY WANT, IF LEHNER WANTS 5 YEARS AT 7-8 MILLION A YEAR TRADE HIM DONT LET HIM WALK FOR NOTHING , I FIGURE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SIGN CRAWFORD FOR 3 YEARS MAYBE 4 MILLION A YEAR. WE HAVE 2 YOUNG GOALTENDERS THAT ARE GOING TO NEED PLAYING TIME.
ALSO NEED TO TRADE GUSTAFSSON MAYBE GET A PICK OR PROSPECT,
- Ging72

Crawford is Cam Ward 2020... One last shift coming next year.

I think somebody posted that.....6628....last blog

Agreed. Could very well be their recent success is guys were overthinking the way JC wanted them to play and now they are comfortable and playing naturally. Just need more of intense approach as Brookbank pointed out Tuesday but that isn't surprising the fluctuations with that given they are a younger team.
- SteveRain

Yeah, it was me

Since you'd done such a nice summary, I thought I'd repost the link to the original article. Disheartening how few Hawks were noted as attractive trade bait.

I knew he missed some games last year. Didn't know if you consider that injury prone or maybe he has missed games in other seasons?

If so meets Bowman's MO. Trade for players with injury history or former #1's that haven't hit their stride yet. Lol.
- boilermaker100

In 3 years in the league he hasn't played a full season yet. On pace for it this season.

It was a joke. About as much as McAvoy actually being available.

In 3 years in the league he hasn't played a full season yet. On pace for it this season.

It was a joke. About as much as McAvoy actually being available.
- Elbows15

What are you going to do when they sign Lehner to a deal?

Thomas was very good prior to winning in 2011. Already had won a vezina.

Look up his nhl-reference stats page. Pretty damn impressive.


Binnington coming out of no where and winning is an exception to the rule as show and even going back to Detroit's run pre 2009. Osgood, Vernon, Hasek….established goalies.

Murray and Crawford earned their way but got their chances because of cap issues for both Hawks and Penguins.

I get that guys like Price, who IMO is vastly overrated, and Lundqvist are guys you could say are elite and haven't won....

IMO...what has kept say a team like San Jose from winning a cup the last 10+ years? Not being able to solidifying their goalie.
- SteveRain

Saying a guy isn't elite doesn't mean he isn't or wasn't very good. I happen to think elite is a far overused term. I think of elite as best of the best. All time greats. Guys can be All-Stars and not be elite to me. Doesn't mean i don't want them on my team.

What are you going to do when they sign Lehner to a deal?


- SteveRain

switch teams.

Yeah, it was me

Since you'd done such a nice summary, I thought I'd repost the link to the original article. Disheartening how few Hawks were noted as attractive trade bait.
- pdx2ord

My bad....

Could be disheartening or maybe Bowman isn't making them available. Still early....still got a month and those 1st few games out of break may expedite things. LeBrun is good at updating that stuff.

IMO....if a guy on twitter doesn't have a blue check mark, whatever crap he is spewing I 100% ignore. This time of year...all the hockeyyinsider of the world pop up and its all crap.

Same here.....what happened to that E4 Keith and Toews trade?

Yeah, it was me

Since you'd done such a nice summary, I thought I'd repost the link to the original article. Disheartening how few Hawks were noted as attractive trade bait.
- pdx2ord

Meh. It is just some person's opinion. Few have any idea how players are perceived by the people who make decisions in the league.

Saying a guy isn't elite doesn't mean he isn't or wasn't very good. I happen to think elite is a far overused term. I think of elite as best of the best. All time greats. Guys can be All-Stars and not be elite to me. Doesn't mean i don't want them on my team.
- Elbows15

I would agree with that.....and too often in any sport today elite is thrown around.

I hope the Hawks find a taker for Smith and Gus at the very least by 2/24. Both serve zero purpose. Both are impossible to watch.

switch teams.
- Elbows15

I don't think you have much to worry about. I don't see how they can pay Lehner fair market value given their current cap issues, and Lehner isn't going to take a bridge deal.

I would though.....love to see your post IF it did happen.....

I think we will end up with 50 on 1 year, team friendly deal.....which could continue down the road alla Mark Grace, if he shows he can stay healthy....and some young kid learning behind him.

My opinion may not be favorable but I'm going to say it.

You do not need an elite goal tender to win a stanley cup. As someone said previously, you need a hot goaltender. That could be Crawford, Delia, Scott Foster, Niemi, Huet, whoever.

Why in the world are we going to lock up 7 or 8 million in goaltending next year when we have far greater deficiencies.

Sure, Lehner would be a great leader and elite goaltender but that is not our biggest hole.

I WANT him on this team, but we don't NEED him.

I think this money can be used more wisely.
- catrisc

Because elite goaltending tends to cover up for deficiencies. Look at Anderson with Toronto, when he plays well, the Leafs won/lost record is good, when he struggles (as he is going into the ASG, Toronto struggles. AND Toronto because of cap constraints the last 2 years have had AHL goaltenders at minimum wage be back-up, the Leafs record when Hutchison/Sparks play is horrible, so Anderson has to play north of 55-60 games a year. Who would think they would mis Curtis McElhaney this bad.

Meh. It is just some person's opinion. Few have any idea how players are perceived by the people who make decisions in the league.
- Elbows15

Would you agree....for the vast majority, that guys who make the show have the physical tools necessary to be there and the main thing keeping them from being a consistent NHL player is the mental side?

So for younger kids....who have world class skill they probably made it this far on skill alone, never caring about the mental side (system wise, understanding where the puck is going vs where it is currently, how to handle ups/down) and that's why some of these guys take a LOT longer to hit their stride then others?

I mean the laundry list is long of guys who are drafted by X team, get dealt and then blossom for Y team.

I look at guys like Sharp and Versteeg as examples.

This team has done very well at acquiring guys like that....and really hasn't given up on a guy too early (in the last 13 years) who has bit them in the ass. Trades in the cup window to win.....danault, or cap dumps....teuvo, dont' count.

I would agree with that.....and too often in any sport today elite is thrown around.

I hope the Hawks find a taker for Smith and Gus at the very least by 2/24. Both serve zero purpose. Both are impossible to watch.
- SteveRain

Meh.Smith and Gus will both be gone after this season, imo. Smith can be bought for cap savings. Moving him probably would require the Hawks taking back salary and a player about as useful as Smith. Gus is going to price himself out of town. hopefully.

My opinion may not be favorable but I'm going to say it.

You do not need an elite goal tender to win a stanley cup. As someone said previously, you need a hot goaltender. That could be Crawford, Delia, Scott Foster, Niemi, Huet, whoever.

Why in the world are we going to lock up 7 or 8 million in goaltending next year when we have far greater deficiencies.

Sure, Lehner would be a great leader and elite goaltender but that is not our biggest hole.

I WANT him on this team, but we don't NEED him.

I think this money can be used more wisely.
- catrisc

This team does not need an elite goaltender at this time, it is a luxury that we cannot afford.

Alrighty, who we trading today?
- Elbows15

Kane

Meh.Smith and Gus will both be gone after this season, imo. Smith can be bought for cap savings. Moving him probably would require the Hawks taking back salary and a player about as useful as Smith. Gus is going to price himself out of town. hopefully.
- Elbows15

If you read that article by Lebrun, Hawks are potentially open to using their cap space to acquire picks as well. Which I like. As long as those deals are expiring contracts.

Kane
- Angotti

And not get one player in the deal who will be as good as Kane will be for the next 7-8 years.


Let's do this!

I would have to know why Boston wants to trade a prominent young dman whom is considered to be pretty good. The remainder of their blueline crew without him? Cannot go on an assumption they are really sky high on some prospect on defense, even if it is true. Just doesn't make sense to trade McAvoy. And not for a Saad who is a nice useful player but is not a top line guy. They should be able to get better than a Saad. A long line waiting to talk trade if a young dman like McAvoy avsilabke.. Unless McAviy is not the player we think he is....but then why would we be interested. Bravo for suggesting going after him. I just don't see his availability as truly available.