2014-2015 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

[Brian707]

It may seem like Crawford is overpaid now as this is year 1 of the deal, but in a couple years it wont seem so bad as other goalies will be up for new contracts. Just like Toews and Kane, those will seem like bargains midway thru their deals when guys like Stamkos gets their deals.

[jersey cubs fan]

It may seem like Crawford is overpaid now as this is year 1 of the deal, but in a couple years it wont seem so bad as other goalies will be up for new contracts. Just like Toews and Kane, those will seem like bargains midway thru their deals when guys like Stamkos gets their deals.

 

The Toews and Kane contracts feel like bargains toward the end because they were superstars when they got their first deals and have only gotten better. That is a terrible comparison.

[Brian707]

That is a terrible comparison.

 

 

So you really dislike Crawford's contract?

[jersey cubs fan]

That is a terrible comparison.

 

 

So you really dislike Crawford's contract?

 

I do. For two reasons.

 

1) I hate being tied to goaltenders for multiple years. These guys tend to ebb and flow, and outside the truly elite (are there any right now), they are replaceable.

2) I don't like the idea of paying that much to guys that aren't difference makers.

 

 

The Blackhawks entire system is set-up so that overwhelming talent dominates the puck and they tend to only struggle when a goalie has an amazing game against them. I thought they did a real smart job of shifting from Niemi to Crawford and then should have continued shifting to new goalies while keeping the rest of the roster elite. They are dealing with cap issues and it does not help that a guy like Crawford is taking up $6m every year until 2020.

[Brian707]

That is a terrible comparison.

 

 

So you really dislike Crawford's contract?

 

I do. For two reasons.

 

1) I hate being tied to goaltenders for multiple years. These guys tend to ebb and flow, and outside the truly elite (are there any right now), they are replaceable.

2) I don't like the idea of paying that much to guys that aren't difference makers.

 

 

The Blackhawks entire system is set-up so that overwhelming talent dominates the puck and they tend to only struggle when a goalie has an amazing game against them. I thought they did a real smart job of shifting from Niemi to Crawford and then should have continued shifting to new goalies while keeping the rest of the roster elite. They are dealing with cap issues and it does not help that a guy like Crawford is taking up $6m every year until 2020.

 

 

Good points

 

His contract seemed to be based on Jimmy Howard's they seem to be very similar. The only reason I think Stan did that was because they didn't have a goalie in the pipeline in 2013 like they did in 2010 when they switched from Niemi to Crawford.

 

I was just saying assuming Crawford keeps up his similar numbers he has(average to slightly above average numbers) the 6 million wont be as much a percentage of the cap later on down the line.

[biittner77]

It's also worth noting that they probably would have kept Niemi had it not been for the QO to Hjammer tying up that money.

 

 

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nhl/average/goaltender/

 

Regarding Crawford, it's more like paying an "established closer" the kind of money that they get. The best ones are maybe worth it but they drive the market up for the next tier. If you have a cheaper, in house option, then it's not necessary to pay what they would demand. In the case of the Hawks, they had no one capable of starting at the NHL level and the FA market was garbage. in hockey you can't win in the playoffs without at least capable goaltending.

 

Crawford may not be "elite" but he's been very good in the playoffs for the most part.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's also worth noting that they probably would have kept Niemi had it not been for the QO to Hjammer tying up that money.

 

 

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nhl/average/goaltender/

 

Regarding Crawford, it's more like paying an "established closer" the kind of money that they get. The best ones are maybe worth it but they drive the market up for the next tier. If you have a cheaper, in house option, then it's not necessary to pay what they would demand. In the case of the Hawks, they had no one capable of starting at the NHL level and the FA market was garbage. in hockey you can't win in the playoffs without at least capable goaltending.

 

Crawford may not be "elite" but he's been very good in the playoffs for the most part.

 

But MLB doesn't have a salary cap and you can't keep productive players on your NHL roster for 6 years before they start making the big bucks. Paying a guy what they get (more than most of them get actually) just because some other teams do it is not a smart way to work around cap issues.

 

Call me crazy but the Jimmy Howard comparisons from earlier isn't encouraging. Detroit did a great job for a while but I'm not exactly hopeful that the Blackhawks will follow their lead going forward.

[biittner77]

Who from that list that's making $3-4 million would you rather have than Crawford? Cory Schneider, maybe, but he isn't available and will make a lot more than Crawford on his next contract. Not sure which of those guys are FA but I'd guess that within 2 years Crawford is middle of the road in terms of starting goalie contracts. His contract is fair for his production.

 

A better argument is why didn't the Hawks explore a trade for a goalie from what seems like a glut of defensive and wing prospects? That would have afforded them the opportunity to keep whomever they wind up losing by giving Crawford his contract. Maybe they tried but couldn't find a deal they liked.

 

They still have that option of trading Crawford before his contract ends if they need the money that badly. There will still be takers for a cup winning goalie making non elite goalie money.

[Brian707]

It's also worth noting that they probably would have kept Niemi had it not been for the QO to Hjammer tying up that money.

 

 

 

 

Call me crazy but the Jimmy Howard comparisons from earlier isn't encouraging. Detroit did a great job for a while but I'm not exactly hopeful that the Blackhawks will follow their lead going forward.

 

 

Problem with Detroit is their D got old and bad quick

[jersey cubs fan]

When does Crawford return?

[UMFan83]

7-6-1 through 14 games...

[Hairyducked Idiot]

7-6-1 through 14 games...

 

Record is lagging actual performance considerably, not worried.

[Guest]

they've been pretty dominant, really. the last thing i'd ever worry about with this team is the ability to finish chances. they'll pour it on at some point.

[Butterscup1679666578]

i didnt get to watch the game last night, but that appears to be a frustrating loss.

[kujay]

Things going pretty well so far tonight.

[Butterscup1679666578]

lame.

[Banedon]

Just gotta rant...I really hate that every Sunday game for the Hawks are on local WGN. They're the only games that I don't get (unless they simulcast on NHL Network). I really hope eventually WGN just drops all sports so I can completely ignore that channel.

[biittner77]

If the games were on WGN America that would be a different story. Then I wouldn't really need center ice though I'd miss seeing condensed reruns of the previous night's games.

[Banedon]

If the games were on WGN America that would be a different story. Then I wouldn't really need center ice though I'd miss seeing condensed reruns of the previous night's games.

 

Yeah, and I'm not gonna get center ice when I can see all the other games other than the WGN ones.

[Soul]

I'm just not going to spend the $$$ on a full-league package just to see 1 team anymore.

[biittner77]

I'm just not going to spend the $$$ on a full-league package just to see 1 team anymore.

 

If you watch about half the games, center ice costs about $3.00 a game.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Is that Direct TV only?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

hey look the Hawks are outshooting Tampa Bay 19-6 through one period but losing.

[Careless]

such a frustrating night,

 

oh my [expletive] god. Just sitting there in front of the line.

[Butterscup1679666578]

yay