Currently, the incumbent, Corey Crawford, becomes an unrestricted free agent when the offseason begins. The soon-to-be 36-year-old goalie has been a warrior for the organization and widely underappreciated in Chicago for almost a decade. That said, he has a proven history of serious head injuries and is one swift “doink” on the noggen from another lengthy stint in a dark room. He just wrapped up a six-year, $36 million contract that began the same season he won his second Stanley Cup in three seasons with Chicago.

Despite his COVID-19 diagnosis, lack of training camp preparation and five months off the ice, he made a solid argument for a one or two-year extension to backstop this team…if he can stay healthy, and if his decline does not start rolling downhill at a much quicker rate.

In walking away from Robin Lehner at the trade deadline for a draft pick and a future Rockford IceHogs legend, Bowman left himself few options to keep the puck out of the back of the Chicago net. If it were not for arguably the best goaltending tandem in the NHL at the time, the Blackhawks probably would have been much closer to the bottom of the league and likely would not have been eligible for the play-in round. Losing both goalies would set the team back even further than the flat cap will.

I have to be the bearer of bad news once again, though. Crawford is not coming back for a huge cut in pay, not to play behind a team that will likely take a step back in their defensive coverage before they take a step forward. He is not taking the “hometown discount” fairy tale people love to fantasize about.

First of all, Chicago is not his hometown, he has just played here his entire career, and, second, Chicago will not be his only offer. Most importantly, despite all the naive toxic optimism that has been floating around, this team will not be in the Stanley Cup conversation in the next two or three years.

Bowman needs Crawford more than Crawford needs Bowman and the Blackhawks. This is why some two-year bargain deal is not likely. Crawford has earned more than a fraction of the fair market value he made over his previous contract. Two years at $4-4.5 million is a fair expectation. Any less than that is utterly insulting and he would be well within his rights to walk away offended.

What are Bowman’s other options?

He could stick with two of the goalies currently under contract, but Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen have a combined 18 NHL games (all by Delia), and the last thing you want behind a young, mistake-prone defense is two goalies that are just trying to find their own NHL legs. Using either as a backup is another story. You can shelter them and play them in situations that help build their confidence.

Another option is to qualify Malcolm Subban and see if the former first-round pick of the Boston Bruins is ready to be a quality NHL starting goaltender, which is a highly unlikely result.

The most likely option, if Crawford is not the answer, would be exploring the free agent market. When considering this, one blatant misconception about the free agent market needs to be debunked. Just because there are a lot of names on the free agent list does not mean there are “good” names. The list of quality free agent goalies is short.

Short, as in five goalies including Crawford.

After you get past the initial four or five goalies, you are already into “nice backup but not a quality NHL starting goalie” territory.

STOP TELLING PEOPLE THE 2020 FREE AGENT GOALIE CLASS IS DEEP!

You are just feeding casual fans incorrect information they will just regurgitate to other fans that will not even bother to look at the actual list.

When/if the Stanley Cup is raised, and the draft has commenced, the list of available free agent goalies is as follows:

After Braden Holtby, Crawford, Robin Lehner, Matt Murray and Jacob Markstrom, this list is a bunch of spare parts that will give you Cam Ward-level production. Most are reaching their mid-30s, and have never been full-time NHL starting goalies or have been passed around and discarded like a bottle of Boones Farm at a high school dance.

You can quickly disqualify Crawford, Lehner and Markstrom. Lehner has reportedly agreed in principle to a five-year, $25 million deal to remain in Las Vegas and Markstrom will be far too rich for the Blackhawks’ flea market budget. This leaves Holtby and Murray, which, as I stated earlier, has really narrowed the pool of good available goalies.

Honestly, Pittsburgh is running Murray out of town because he is wildly unreliable and trends indicate that Holtby is well into his decline as a starting goalie. Neither is going to take less than $4 million to play in Chicago, either.

There are definitely other goalies on the list, but none I would be marching out as the uncontested starting goalie of the mighty Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 1. Craig Anderson, Jimmy Howard, Thomas Greiss, Cam Talbot, Anton Khudobin and Mike Smith are all serviceable backup goalies at this point in their careers. The last thing this young Blackhawks defense needs behind them is a carousel of aging high-risk, low-reward hail marys.

The Blackhawks were gifted an answer in goal and his name is Robin Lehner. They chose to play coy, roll the dice and send him off to a potential Stanley Cup championship with a better and classier organization. Now, they are left with scraps to choose from and have absolutely no discernible plan in net. This is not how a world-class organization builds (or rebuilds) a winner.

The post ANALYSIS: What are Stan Bowman’s realistic options in goal next season? appeared first on The Rink.

As big Lehner fans and the progenitors of the #PayRobin hashtag, we were also quick to cry foul—perhaps temporarily forgetting the true nature of contract negotiations in the NHL, and what’s most likely at work here.

Go ahead #Blackhawks front office: bollocks up re-signing Lehner and it’ll be the deserved END of some careers, while his will go on elsewhere.

— The Amazing Rando (@jaeckel) January 10, 2020

First, it’s all a negotiation.

As much as we want to see Lehner in Chicago long-term, GMs (for the most part) and agents (completely) are not in the business of fulfilling fan narratives. If I’m Lehner’s agent, my job is to get my client the most money and term on his next deal (because that’s also how I make my money) and hopefully in a situation where my client can thrive, win playoff games, and get endorsement deals. Period.

So that said, why wouldn’t I use Sergei Bobrovsky’s 8-year, $80 million contract as a starting point in my conversations with Stan Bowman? Because it’s not nice? Lehner is, fact, going to get paid this summer like he’s one of the top 10 goalies in the NHL—because he is one of them.

All that said, that’s the high end of the market. And if you’re Stan Bowman, you want to frame this negotiation by starting out at the low end of the market—say the deal we heard was initially offered.

And through negotiation, you likely end up somewhere in the middle, which would be about $7-7.5 million per for 5-6 years. Seems reasonable.

“But, but, you can trade Lehner. He doesn’t want to stay in Chicago anyway.”

We believe—and we’ve heard—Lehner wants to stay in Chicago. You don’t want to believe us or our sources? Listen to Lehner then:

Robin Lehner on whether he's open to discussing contract extension with #Blackhawks in-season.

He also said he's not interested in taking a discount, but doesn't want to be overpaid either: "I want to gain some respect that I think I deserve." pic.twitter.com/q0ZnMno1FC

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 10, 2020

No, he’s not going to give the Hawks a hometown discount, nor should he. Can the Hawks trade Lehner for a bucket of pucks at the deadline?

Sure, and then you’re left with Colin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and the shell of Corey Crawford (if he doesn’t retire anyway) next year—and going forward. Unless you decide at some point to pay a top goalie—who wants to be in Chicago—the going rate for his services. And you already have that guy. Let’s be logical, mmmm-kay?

To hesitate on this would be front office malpractice. But, in all likelihood, the Hawks are going about this the right way, for now, even if at the risk of offending Lehner. It’s a negotiation. And it’s between the Hawks and Lehner’s agent. Not just the Hawks and Lehner.

And certainly, the situation can change—the two parties can move toward each other and come together in the middle of the range outlined above—which seems to make a lot of sense. And there is time yet for that to happen.

Or one side or the other can get angry and shut it down, allowing Lehner to go to UFA this summer, or trading him or his rights before then. And that’s the time to panic.

Because #PayRobin is better than the alternative.

What do you think? Sign in and comment below.

Photoshop courtesy of Jeff Osborn / Photograph courtesy of NHL.com

The post #PayRobin: Too early to panic in Lehner negotiation appeared first on The Rink.

FIRST PERIOD

Forward Tom Wilson wasted no time finding the back of the net at the :54 mark. The Capitals played the 3-on-3 perfectly. A quick give-and-go from forwards Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, resulted in Ovechkin finding Wilson all alone in front of the net for an easy tap in behind Corey Crawford. The goal gave the feisty Wilson his second of the season.

Breaking down the play, Nick Schmaltz found himself watching the pass and then out of position, while Wilson crashed the net uncontested.

TOP LINE WILLY MAKES HIS PRESENCE KNOWN.#CapsHawks #CapsGiving #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/q7z6kcJ1Tn

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 22, 2018

After a tripping call on Gustav Forsling, the Capitals were able to capitalize on the ensuing power play. Forward Andre Burakovsky found himself wide open at the right circle and fired a shot passed Crawford. Initially, Crawford stopped a Matt Niskanen shot from the left point, however, the rebound found Jakub Vrana in front, who dished it over to Burakovsky for his third tally of the year. Capitals led 2–0 with just over six minutes gone in the game.

V with the slick backhand pass finds Burkie who cleans up and makes it 2-0 #Caps ! #CapsGiving #CapsHawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/J6xIIQzy8n

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 22, 2018

Chicago had a chance to generate some momentum with a pair of power plays, during the period, but could not find any sustained pressure on goaltender Braden Holtby. After the first period, Chicago led in shots 14–12.

SECOND PERIOD

Both teams traded punches for half of the second period until the Capitals broke through for a 3–0 lead.

Former Blackhawks’ defenseman Michal Kempny ripped a one-timer from the point past Crawford. Andreas Martinsen lost the defensive zone draw, which found forward Vrana with the puck on his stick, who then dropped a nice pass to Kempny for the marker. The goal gave Kempny his first on the year. Washington took a commanding 3–0 lead.

Czech out this play from V to Kemper for the #Caps 3rd goal of the night! #CapsHawks #Capsgiving #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/OkuRCO6ycn

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 22, 2018

Two minutes later, Brandon Saad put the Hawks on the board with his seventh goal of the season. Saad took a feed from Jonathan Toews and whistled a wrist shot by Holtby blocker side. Toews made a nice area pass in which Saad was able to retrieve along the boards.

Saader strikes side netting!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/3XVPvdLhVm

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 22, 2018

Chicago trailed 3–1 but held a 24-to-21 shot advantage after the middle frame.

THIRD PERIOD

Just over five minutes into the third period, Erik Gustafsson closed the Capital’s lead to one goal. Gustafsson jumped in on the play and found himself on the backhand to beat Holtby. Artem Anisimov and Nick Schmaltz assisted on the play. The goal gave Gustafsson his second on the season.

Gus goes for it and he's rewarded!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/3EEmLfDoZs

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 22, 2018

Any momentum the Hawks built would be short lived. Less than two-minutes later, forward Devante Smith-Pelly extended the lead back to two goals. Center Travis Boyd found Smith-Pelly with a nice cross-crease pass, giving Smith-Pelly fourth on the year.

The play was started by a nice play by Kempny, as he picked a pass out of the air, which would have sprung Anisimov on a breakaway.

Boyd dodges the check to shovel one across to Devo for the #Caps 4th of the night! #CapsHawks #CapsGiving #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/4PQxTfhlzY

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 22, 2018

The goal took the wind right out of the visitors. Crawford would be pulled with just under three minutes to play, but the Hawks would not threaten to shorten the gap.

Chicago out shot the Capitals 39-to-27 for the game, however, could not recover from the first six minutes of the game. Trailing 2–0 before even breaking a sweat is never a recipe for success, especially on the road against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

THE GOOD

Brandon Saad. The 26-year old winger has goals in three straight games.

39 shots. Chicago generated chances but could only find the scoreboard twice.

THE BAD

Artem Anisimov. The Russian center entered tonight winning 46.7% of his draws, but could only win 2-of-9 tonight. He did assist on Gustafsson’s goal, but has been below average at the dot and has two goals in 22 games.

The power play. Chicago was 0-for-3 on the evening. Even the best teams are going to get blanked on certain nights, however, the Hawks were only credited with three shots on goal with the man advantage tonight.

Alex DeBrincat. The shifty forward now has one goal and one assist in his last twelve games.

The post RECAP: Blackhawks fall 4–2 to Capitals appeared first on The Rink.

6 p.m. CST/7 p.m. EST
Capital One Arena
TV/Radio: WGN/WGN

PROJECTED STARTERS

Chicago – Corey Crawford (5–6–1, SV%: 0.922 GAA: 2.44)
Washington – Braden Holtby (6–5–2, SV%: 0.906 GAA: 3.07)

TEAM STATISTICS

Power Play
Chicago (14.1%, 29^th)
Washington (26.7%, 4th)

Penalty Kill
Chicago (74.6%, T-26th)
Washington (73.3%, 29th)

Shorts for/against
Chicago (32.4, 12^th; 33.4, 28th)
Washington (30.8, 20th; 32.3, 20th)

Shooting %
Chicago (8.2%, 26th)
Washington (10.9%, T-5th)

Faceoff %
Chicago (49.8%, 17^th)
Washington (48.9%, 20th)

Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 195lbs
Washington 6’1” 204lbs

PROJECTED LINEUPS/PAIRINGS

Chicago Blackhawks

Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat–Artem Anisimov–Nick Schmaltz
Alexandre Fortin–David Kampf–Dominik Kahun
John Hayden–Marcus Kruger–Andreas Martinsen
Duncan Keith–Brent Seabrook
Erik Gustafsson–Henri Jokiharju
Brandon Manning–Jan Rutta

Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin–Lars Eller–Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana–Nicklas Backstrom–Andre Burakovsky
Chandler Stephenson–Travis Boyd–Devante Smith-Pelly
Dmitrij Jaskin–Nic Dowd–Brett Connolly
Dmitry Orlov–John Carlson
Michal Kempny–Matt Niskanen
Christian Djoos–Madison Bowey

Analysis

Having earned a point in four straight games (2–0–2), the Chicago Blackhawks take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. Tonight’s game starts a stretch of five road games in the Hawks’ next six contests.

Corey Crawford, having turned aside 39 shots against the Wild on Sunday, will be opposite Braden Holtby in net. Both goalies have had their ups and downs in their playoff runs—Crawford having been pulled in round one in 2015 and Holtby starting last year’s playoffs on the bench—however, both are directly responsible for their team’s Stanley Cup success.

Chicago tallied a power play goal on Sunday, giving them two straight games scoring on the man advantage. Jonathan Toews, who tallied the goal, is on a four-game point streak (two goals, three assists).

Forward Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with 15 goals this season. The captain is tied in points with forward Nicklas Backstrom with 23 points each, respectively.

Tonight’s contest will be a good matchup for the Blackhawks’ defense. The Capitals can score in waves and can turn a power play into an easy goal. However, the Hawks have surrendered just two goals in the past three games.

Comment below in our live game thread tonight!

And look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game tomorrow morning on the-rink.com. 

The post Preview/Game Thread: Blackhawks vs. Capitals appeared first on The Rink.