The Chicago Blackhawks are sitting at 50 points in the standings, but somehow find themselves in last place in the Central Division. Their 22-17-6 record would be good enough for fourth in the Atlantic and fifth in the Pacific, but unfortunately they find themselves playing in a division where all seven teams have positive goal differentials. Now, even as they struggle to climb the Central ladder, they could lose one of their most important players for the rest of the year.
Corey Crawford is currently on injured reserve, and Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the goaltender is suffering from vertigo-like symptoms. It’s not the first time symptoms like this have surfaced for Crawford, who dealt with them in 2016 as well. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet wrote yesterday that coach Joel Quenneville believed last week that Crawford would return, but Lazerus claims things have complicated since then. The Blackhawks resume their schedule on Saturday, when they will take on the New York Islanders.
- TSN’s Frank Seravalli has updated his Trade Bait board, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Michael Grabner, Jack Johnson, Nick Holden and Aaron Dell all joining the list. The emphasis on New York Rangers’ players is clear, with Seravalli writing that they’re a “team to watch” heading into the trade deadline. The Rangers are in a playoff spot currently, but are stuck in the middle of a super-competitive Metropolitan Division and could fall out of the race with a bad week or two. If the team doesn’t believe they can really make an impact in the playoffs, the distinct lack of sellers on the market could make them consider moving some of their expiring pieces.
- Mike Green has not been asked to waive his trade protection yet by GM Ken Holland, but Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports on TSN’s Insider Trading that when he’s eventually asked, the Detroit Red Wings will be willing to eat some of his salary to get a deal done. LeBrun notes Tampa Bay as a possible fit for the powerplay specialist, though is quick to note that no discussions have been had just yet.
Hawks are done. There’s no way this team contends without Crawford. Everyone can say that they’ll be fine but the magic has truly worn out on this team
Another great team ruined by the NHL’s crap financial system. Get ready for the Toews trade to Toronto soon.
Sorry, the Hawks can’t buy a ring like the Cubs.
They have to (and to their credit, did) earn them.
I didn’t realize the Cubs had a league leading – or even top 5 – payroll in 2016.
Or maybe you’re just wrong.
Why would Toews go to Toronto when he’s from Winnipeg?
All of Chicago’s recent success was because of when the “NHL’s crap financial system” went into effect – right before Chicago drafted Toews and Kane. Thus, they were able to build their franchise on affordable franchise players. Most people in Chicago don’t remember the two-line pass rule or that they have 6 (not 3) cups so I’m not surprised that they wouldn’t remember when a hard cap was put in place.