Chicago Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[biittner77]

Crow now has the prestige of being a Cup winner, for what that's worth (ask M.A. Fleury), but I doubt he'll go out next year and match his numbers from this year. He won't break the bank, especially in a league that has a glut of goalies at the moment. I'm not saying the Hawks will pay him, but I think it's a bit early to assume he's gone after next year.

 

It's early and a lot of things can happen but they're likely going to save their money for Toews, Kane and Saad. The Bowman strategy has always been not to pay goalies. The Hawks are now a place where vets will take less money on a short contract to get a ring.

 

To anyone wondering why Raanta isn't the back up, it's simple: he's never really played on the smaller rinks of the NHL. it's an adjustment that would be better made in the AHL for at least a half season.

[jersey cubs fan]

Crow now has the prestige of being a Cup winner, for what that's worth (ask M.A. Fleury), but I doubt he'll go out next year and match his numbers from this year. He won't break the bank, especially in a league that has a glut of goalies at the moment. I'm not saying the Hawks will pay him, but I think it's a bit early to assume he's gone after next year.

 

It's early and a lot of things can happen but they're likely going to save their money for Toews, Kane and Saad. The Bowman strategy has always been not to pay goalies. The Hawks are now a place where vets will take less money on a short contract to get a ring.

 

To anyone wondering why Raanta isn't the back up, it's simple: he's never really played on the smaller rinks of the NHL. it's an adjustment that would be better made in the AHL for at least a half season.

 

Is there any time on the roster consideration for becoming an unrestricted free agent? I don't even know how they account for these guys that sign from abroad.

[Pushfrog98]

Crow now has the prestige of being a Cup winner, for what that's worth (ask M.A. Fleury), but I doubt he'll go out next year and match his numbers from this year. He won't break the bank, especially in a league that has a glut of goalies at the moment. I'm not saying the Hawks will pay him, but I think it's a bit early to assume he's gone after next year.

 

It's early and a lot of things can happen but they're likely going to save their money for Toews, Kane and Saad. The Bowman strategy has always been not to pay goalies. The Hawks are now a place where vets will take less money on a short contract to get a ring.

 

To anyone wondering why Raanta isn't the back up, it's simple: he's never really played on the smaller rinks of the NHL. it's an adjustment that would be better made in the AHL for at least a half season.

I guess I didn't realize that hockey rinks aren't "standard" sizes. Interesting.

[seanimal]

yeah, rink size was on the table a couple of lockouts ago. it's untenable given the limitations of many stadiums as well as the lost revenue due to fewer seats

 

edit: as in the nhl floated the idea of going to the larger, international standard

[Banedon]

yeah, rink size was on the table a couple of lockouts ago. it's untenable given the limitations of many stadiums as well as the lost revenue due to fewer seats

 

edit: as in the nhl floated the idea of going to the larger, international standard

 

http://www.isport.com/images/imagesdimentionupload/thumbnails/Img_Popup_-922337203685477580805142010032523_115x115.jpg

[Soul]

Is the goal itself larger in international, or is it just the crease?

[biittner77]

Is the goal itself larger in international, or is it just the crease?

 

The goal is the same size though the depth of the net *might* be different. They've discussed making the NHL net 6" shallower to give more room to play behind it.

 

European rinks look huge in comparison to what we're used to seeing NHL teams play on.

[UMFan83]

Is the goal itself larger in international, or is it just the crease?

 

The goal is the same size though the depth of the net *might* be different. They've discussed making the NHL net 6" shallower to give more room to play behind it.

 

European rinks look huge in comparison to what we're used to seeing NHL teams play on.

 

I believe the net depth proposal you are talking about was approved last month by the league.

[apete6]

Is the goal itself larger in international, or is it just the crease?

 

The goal is the same size though the depth of the net *might* be different. They've discussed making the NHL net 6" shallower to give more room to play behind it.

 

European rinks look huge in comparison to what we're used to seeing NHL teams play on.

 

I believe the net depth proposal you are talking about was approved last month by the league.

 

It was and it's a great idea. Nothing lamer than being caught up on the net going for a wraparound or to get a loose puck.

 

Only negative is that there might be a lot more video reviews as the puck tends to whiz in and out of those shallower nets pretty quickly.

[E.J.]

Hawks signed Kruger to a 2-year deal today. No word on how much yet.

[kujay]

Hawks signed Kruger to a 2-year deal today. No word on how much yet.

 

Good. They could afford to lose Kruger or Frolik, but both would have been tricky.

[biittner77]

Hawks signed Kruger to a 2-year deal today. No word on how much yet.

 

Good. They could afford to lose Kruger or Frolik, but both would have been tricky.

 

If nothing else, this move gives McNeil and Denault more time to develop- if they need it. I hope McNeil makes the team as the 3rd line center and pushes Shaw back to wing.

[UMFan83]

So basically Frolik, Bolland and Emery out, Khabi in

[biittner77]

So basically Frolik, Bolland and Emery out, Khabi in

 

Pirri and Smith in also.

[UMFan83]

So basically Frolik, Bolland and Emery out, Khabi in

 

Pirri and Smith in also.

 

Well yeah I just meant from outside the org

[kujay]

So basically Frolik, Bolland and Emery out, Khabi in

 

Pirri and Smith in also.

 

Well yeah I just meant from outside the org

 

Stalberg too.

[biittner77]

So basically Frolik, Bolland and Emery out, Khabi in

 

Pirri and Smith in also.

 

Well yeah I just meant from outside the org

 

Stalberg too.

 

Jamal Mayers too.

[kujay]

So basically Frolik, Bolland and Emery out, Khabi in

 

Pirri and Smith in also.

 

Well yeah I just meant from outside the org

 

Stalberg too.

 

Jamal Mayers too.

 

Thought he hadn't decided yet if he was retiring.

[Guest]

Hawks signed Kruger to a 2-year deal today. No word on how much yet.

 

Good. They could afford to lose Kruger or Frolik, but both would have been tricky.

 

Losing three penalty killers would have been a blow

[biittner77]

When Handzus isn't in the lineup- which likely will be about half the time- either Shaw or Pirri will have to kill penalties unless Denault or McNeil make the team. That's going to be interesting.

[kujay]

@ESPNChiHawks: Marcus Kruger's cap hit will be $1.325 for each season, according to http://t.co/Gpob2FQLBA.

 

Sounds good to me.

[Guest]

i lost confidence in bowman when they were kind of floundering during the 2 year layoff, but between the 2010 capocalypse and now, he's made pretty much every right move in order to keep the most important guys together. he is doing a great job.

 

kruger will still be a RFA when this contract ends, too

[E.J.]

Carcillo traded to LA Kings for a conditional 2015 pick.

[kujay]

Stan for President.

[biittner77]

Stan for President.

 

Stan is Moses except instead of water to wine he turns crap into 5th round draft picks.

 

Next step is to unload Stanley Cup winning defenseman Sheldon Brookbank on some defenisvely challenged team.