Chicago Blackhawks Off Season Rumors, Ideas & Updates

[Jack the Ripper]

https://twitter.com/Aportzline/statu...35510110093312

What do ya'll think of this?

First reaction, this guy is full of ****. Second reaction, who the **** is Aaron Portzline? Third reaction, yea, this guy is definitely full of ****.

[sfgiants5518]

First reaction, this guy is full of ****. Second reaction, who the **** is Aaron Portzline? Third reaction, yea, this guy is definitely full of ****.

Blue Jackets beat writer. He's very credible.

[Assman22]

Where did you see the Tim Thomas rumor? Last I saw he was considering taking a year off and then he waved his no trade clause.

Buccigross' twitter a couple days ago. Claims the likeliest spot for Thomas to land after his one year hiatus is Chicago. Thomas likes Chicago supposedly too.

[WorldChamps1908]

What do you guys think of these Goalie rumors?? Thomas will be close to 40 years old won't he!?

and Longo used to be one of the best in the game, its almost mental now

[b1e9a8r5s]

I don't want Lu, or at least not with that contract. Thomas was still good last year, so that I wouldn't object too.

[WorldChamps1908]

Apparently Lu doesn't want us!

roto:

Roberto Luongo is reportedly not willing to waive his no-trade clause to head to Toronto or Chicago.
That could change, but if it doesn't, that might tie the Vancouver Canucks hands. The Toronto Maple Leafs are believed to be the team most interested in Luongo's services. At the same time, if this report is true, then it should greatly increase the odds that the Leafs are going to attempt to bolster their goaltending through the free agent market.

[TooL D/R/T]

The feeling is mutual...

[Jack the Ripper]

Buccigross' twitter a couple days ago. Claims the likeliest spot for Thomas to land after his one year hiatus is Chicago. Thomas likes Chicago supposedly too.

I'd do it. Bernier (RFA) and Quick (UFA) are both headed for free agency. LA probably won't keep both. Upgrade your goaltending with Thomas for a year and strike up a deal with LA for Bernier.

[Assman22]

Apparently Lu doesn't want us!

roto:

Luongo has nightmares about the Madhouse all the time, I'm sure of it. Doubt he wants to play half his games there and not one Hawks fan wants him.

Fcuk Roberto Luongo! Fcuk him with a big rubber dick, fcuk him!

[BowDown]

I'm not that hockey saavy so I have a few questions for you guys...

What's considered old for a goalie in hockey or past their prime?

Does a team usually have one goalie and stick with him every night or have a rotational system like the Hawks?

If the team felt Leddy was ready to start, and Keith would be available for trade, what type of goalie could he net back?

Do the Hawks need a goalie or is Crawford the guy for now and the future?

Thanks guys

[cubsbullsbears2]

Where did you see the Tim Thomas rumor? Last I saw he was considering taking a year off and then he waved his no trade clause.

This. I'm fairly certain he will be, and I respect the hell out of him for it too. He's doing it for the right reasons.

From his page:

From the earliest age I can remember, I've wanted to be a hockey player. I've been blessed in my life to not only be able to live that dream, but to achieve more than I ever thought possible.

The singleminded focus that is necessary to accomplish a dream of this magnitude entails (by necessity) sacrifice in other areas and relationships in life.

At the age of 38, I believe it is time to put my time and energies into those areas and relationships that I have neglected. That is why at this time I feel the most important thing I can do in my life is to reconnect with the three F's.

Friends, Family, and Faith.

This is what I plan on doing over the course of the next year.

On top of this, I will continue to train using the ARP/POV system www.ultrafitevosport.com and work with G-Form www.g-form.com in the development of protective equipment.

What does this portend for the future?

We'll see….God's will be done.

TT

[cubsbullsbears2]

I'm not that hockey saavy so I have a few questions for you guys...

What's considered old for a goalie in hockey or past their prime?

Does a team usually have one goalie and stick with him every night or have a rotational system like the Hawks?

If the team felt Leddy was ready to start, and Keith would be available for trade, what type of goalie could he net back?

Do the Hawks need a goalie or is Crawford the guy for now and the future?

Thanks guys

34/35+ I would say is well-past prime, but the elite are still able to perform that late into their careers.

A team typically has a go-to (unless you are fortunate enough to be the St. Louis Blues) guy that gets ~65%+ of the starts (depending on how good they are).

Keith is too valuable (at least in my opinion given our already talent barren blue line) to trade. He could get a notch-below-elite level goalie in return though if he was dealt.

Crawford is adequate but nothing special. You saw in this year's playoffs the importance of a great/hot net-minder. Improving the blue line would do wonders for Crawford and make him look above average and serviceable enough to win another cup (I mean, Niemi...)

[BowDown]

34/35+ I would say is well-past prime, but the elite are still able to perform that late into their careers.

A team typically has a go-to (unless you are fortunate enough to be the St. Louis Blues) guy that gets ~65%+ of the starts (depending on how good they are).

Keith is too valuable (at least in my opinion given our already talent barren blue line) to trade. He could get a notch-below-elite level goalie in return though if he was dealt.

Crawford is adequate but nothing special. You saw in this year's playoffs the importance of a great/hot net-minder. Improving the blue line would do wonders for Crawford and make him look above average and serviceable enough to win another cup (I mean, Niemi...)

Great info, thanks!

So in your opinion, do the Hawks need to make a move for a top-notch goalie or addressing the blue line be a better solution?

[giventofly]

I think Crawfod can get the job done if the defense would take care of their own ****.

[Jack the Ripper]

I think Crawfod can get the job done if the defense would take care of their own ****.

I don't think that he can. The Hawks won in 2010 in spite of the goaltending, not because of it, but Niemi was light years ahead of Crawford in every way. No way the Hawks contend for anything with Crawford in net.