Theo Fox: Season Review: Goalies
Season review of goalies. The Crawford-Lehner platoon was strong but was inevitably fleeting. What is the future in net for Chicago?

foist?

Hmm ... looks like it. Be back in a few minutes - I'm running out to buy a lotto ticket.

One other point Theo in the Crow Lehner debate, and you can see it in the series with Dallas. Crow is much better at rebound control than Lehner is

One other point Theo in the Crow Lehner debate, and you can see it in the series with Dallas. Crow is much better at rebound control than Lehner is
- LAHawk

Yeah - that.

Plus, even given that goalies are known to be a little wacky to start with (too many pucks to the head ), and given that Lehner seems to have silenced the inner demons that haunted him years ago - there is just something that gives me caution to want to depend on him long term. Maybe that's not fair of me - but my gut tells me no.

Supposedly, Lehner and Vegas have a handshake deal on new 5 year deal for $25 million. If Vegas loses tonight in 5 games, still think Lehner at that rate is a big-time bargain. He is only 30 and numbers do not lie, the last 2 years he has been one of the best goalies in the NHL. Fleury, I predict makes his next expansion stop and will be playing goal for Seattle next.

5x5, the Hawks gave up 3,356 SATs = 47.9 / game = 6th worst in the league.

They allowed the most SOG against in the league.

Tells me that perhaps the gaps aren't very good in the dzone, and perhaps leaving too many lanes to the net open.

Supposedly, Lehner and Vegas have a handshake deal on new 5 year deal for $25 million. If Vegas loses tonight in 5 games, still think Lehner at that rate is a big-time bargain. He is only 30 and numbers do not lie, the last 2 years he has been one of the best goalies in the NHL. Fleury, I predict makes his next expansion stop and will be playing goal for Seattle next.
- ChicagoHope

Seattle doesn't start until after next season. Fleury would have to be traded/bought out by Vegas before there is an expansion draft. And if he is on Vegas he would have to be protected because he has a NMC.

And I don't think Fleury's agent Alan Walsh is going to make it easy on the Knights to move him.

Theo

You have seen as much of Laakinen and Delia than anyone on this board

I see where you favor Delia. Perhaps it is his athleticism and leadership qualities which endear him as your choice among Icehog goaltenders to become the Blackhawks back up

I don't know that he has corrected holes in his game and I have no information to go on as far as he is the real deal

On the other hand I am curious if Laakinen could be a strong back up. Fundamentally strong. He did play well for Finland in the Izvestia or whatever the tournament name is.

So Theo how close is it between those two if one of
them is NHL caibre

I am ok with Crow at 1 year for $3.5 mil. I would hesitate to go higher or longer. But Stanbo probably want to give the impression that this Hawks team can contend, so he may give him another year. Having a good goalie is beneficial in assessing the rest of your team.

I would also be ok with a totally alternate strategy. Go with 2 of Subban / Delia/ Lankinen. Keep the rest of this team in tact. Sign Kubalik, Strome, K4, Caggiula, Subban as cheaply as possible. At the Trade Deadline make some moves dumping salary to acquire additional picks or prospects, then bring up the kids for the last two months of the season. Miss the playoffs and hope you get lucky in the lottery. Focus on building a prospect pipeline and not rushing them to the NHL. Do everything based upon a having a contending team in 2023/24. Kane, Toews, Debrincat, Keith contracts will be over. At that time you can buyout the last year of Seabs contract for next to nothing. Dach and the young defenders should be entering their prime years. Toews and Kane may not be stars, but they could be solid contributors at 34/35 years old at much smaller cap hits. You will have a boatload of cap room.Make all decisions based on "Will this move us closer to our goal of being a contender in 2023/24".

I am ok with Crow at 1 year for $3.5 mil. I would hesitate to go higher or longer. But Stanbo probably want to give the impression that this Hawks team can contend, so he may give him another year. Having a good goalie is beneficial in assessing the rest of your team.

I would also be ok with a totally alternate strategy. Go with 2 of Subban / Delia/ Lankinen. Keep the rest of this team in tact. Sign Kubalik, Strome, K4, Caggiula, Subban as cheaply as possible. At the Trade Deadline make some moves dumping salary to acquire additional picks or prospects, then bring up the kids for the last two months of the season. Miss the playoffs and hope you get lucky in the lottery. Focus on building a prospect pipeline and not rushing them to the NHL. Do everything based upon a having a contending team in 2023/24. Kane, Toews, Debrincat, Keith contracts will be over. At that time you can buyout the last year of Seabs contract for next to nothing. Dach and the young defenders should be entering their prime years. Toews and Kane may not be stars, but they could be solid contributors at 34/35 years old at much smaller cap hits. You will have a boatload of cap room.Make all decisions based on "Will this move us closer to our goal of being a contender in 2023/24".
- -Doh-

I'd be ok with either option you lay out, but this is the reason I think Bowman will go with option 1.

On a non-hockey note, there have been 2 no hitters in MLB this year, and both have been Chicago teams.

To: CHI - Kerfoot + Holl + 2020 1st (15OA) + 2020 4th (LV) + 2020 7th (STL)

To: TOR - Murphy + Strome + 2020 1st (17OA) + 2020 3rd (CHI)

To: CHI - Kerfoot + Holl + 2020 1st (15OA) + 2020 4th (LV) + 2020 7th (STL)

To: TOR - Murphy + Strome + 2020 1st (17OA) + 2020 3rd (CHI)
- paulozz

No

To: CHI - Kerfoot + Holl + 2020 1st (15OA) + 2020 4th (LV) + 2020 7th (STL)

To: TOR - Murphy + Strome + 2020 1st (17OA) + 2020 3rd (CHI)
- paulozz

imho it is more a priority to keep Murphy even just one year than if using him in a deal to rid us of Strome

Beside that point, Strome is going to loose a job here eventually anyway.

We need Murphy to stabilize a second pair which might have a prospect as his partner. The important thing is, how soon until not just one, but two and even three prospects become solid dmen. They need to break in and develop with as strong a partner as possible. A lot of confidence comes from finding success and not constantly making mistakes because your support is poor.

Holl means nothing really. I would rather something elsr since we have third pair and spares us prisoects all viewing for a spot.

Your rationale is fair and I see you thought out this trade. I.just prefer to keep Murphy. Now at the draft if someone Bowman really likes compared to so so feeling about whom is left at $17, then maybe this sort of trade could really occur. Slots 15 and 17 big difference than if you are talking top ten even the top twelve picks.

Oilers blogger discusses the Hawks potentially trading Saad to the Oilers and the Hawks possibly retaining some salary if the Oilers offer some value.......

No
- LAHawk

Stan does like getting his former picks back.......

Pass

imho it is more a priority to keep Murphy even just one year than if using him in a deal to rid us of Strome

Beside that point, Strome is going to loose a job here eventually anyway.

We need Murphy to stabilize a second pair which might have a prospect as his partner. The important thing is, how soon until not just one, but two and even three prospects become solid dmen. They need to break in and develop with as strong a partner as possible. A lot of confidence comes from finding success and not constantly making mistakes because your support is poor.

Holl means nothing really. I would rather something elsr since we have third pair and spares us prisoects all viewing for a spot.

Your rationale is fair and I see you thought out this trade. I.just prefer to keep Murphy. Now at the draft if someone Bowman really likes compared to so so feeling about whom is left at $17, then maybe this sort of trade could really occur. Slots 15 and 17 big difference than if you are talking top ten even the top twelve picks.
- jhawk59

Fpr Toronto great deal, get the better players, shed $600K AAV (remember the Hawks too have cap problems), all to move up 2 spots in the first round?. No thanks.

Fpr Toronto great deal, get the better players, shed $600K AAV (remember the Hawks too have cap problems), all to move up 2 spots in the first round?. No thanks.
- LAHawk

I think i would make the trade conditionally. We have to find Askarov available. I roll dice and draft him.He would become your goaltender for the future. Where else are we going to get as good a goaltender prospect?

https://www.si.com/hockey.../islanders-cap-compliance

Even the Isle's have bad contracts and cap problems.

To: CHI - Kerfoot + Holl + 2020 1st (15OA) + 2020 4th (LV) + 2020 7th (STL)

To: TOR - Murphy + Strome + 2020 1st (17OA) + 2020 3rd (CHI)
- paulozz

Murphy and Strome for the Leafs 1st, Kerfoot and Mikheyev.

Fpr Toronto great deal, get the better players, shed $600K AAV (remember the Hawks too have cap problems), all to move up 2 spots in the first round?. No thanks.
- LAHawk

And they get the Hawks 3rd in that deal.....

I think i would make the trade conditionally. We have to find Askarov available. I roll dice and draft him.He would become your goaltender for the future. Where else are we going to get as good a goaltender prospect?
- jhawk59

If the Canucks sign Markstrom, I would go after Demko, otherwise they would probably lose him in the expansion draft next year.

Demko and Virtanin for Murphy (replaces Tanev for them) and Highmore

In addition to term and salary, Crawford probably holding out for a NMC so he doesn't get exposed to the expansion draft next summer. That's if he inks at least a 2 year deal.

To: CHI - Kerfoot + Holl + 2020 1st (15OA) + 2020 4th (LV) + 2020 7th (STL)

To: TOR - Murphy + Strome + 2020 1st (17OA) + 2020 3rd (CHI)
- paulozz

Very creative, but I would pass.

If the Canucks sign Markstrom, I would go after Demko, otherwise they would probably lose him in the expansion draft next year.

Demko and Virtanin for Murphy (replaces Tanev for them) and Highmore
- LAHawk

Demko would be a great add for sure.