Ward Injured, Blackhawks Recall Delia
On Tuesday afternoon the Chicago Blackhawks announced that veteran netminder Cam Ward will not participate in hockey related activities for 7-10 days because of a right knee injury.
Chicago recalled Collin Delia from Rockford.
Hopefully, Delia can regain what he had earlier in the year. Colliton has to give it all he’s got to try to make the playoffs as Rocky likes that playoff revenue. But overusing Crawford and Kane in a really low odds of success endeavor like chasing playoffs is not useful. Besides, Crow hasn’t looked that good yet. I read a poster on another site last year that felt it might take Toews 2 years to recover from his concussions, the way it did Crosby. That seems to have been the case as Toews is now awesome again. It might not take Crow 2 years but probably more than 2 games. They need to give Delia a lot of playing time. When the Hawks are mathematically eliminated, they need to stop playing Ward and play Delia, unless they plan to re-sign Ward next year, which they might have to. But having $9.5 mil tied up in goalies is painful if they have Ward and Crow. Tough situations all around for the Hawks.
Agree with Robs. Blackhawks in a very uncertain place with goaltenders going into next season. Will Crawford stay healthy and be a reliable anchor? Is there a trade option for at least a high-grade prospect over the summer? Going forward, I think it is best to think of Delia as a #2 or 3. Which UFAs can the Hawks try to sign for 2 years until a young stud (whoever that will be) can take over? Mrazek, Bobrovsky, Varlamov, and Lehner will be looking for a longer term.
good posts Robs and Original. I believe there is no rules against “tanking”. However a team evaluating/giving experience to players shouldn’t be considered tanking.
for the remainder of the season I’m going to try and enjoy any minutes of a game eye see while criticizing the RFA players. GO BLACKHAWKS!
Robs- I agree w/ your comment that Crow has not looked that good yet…
Is it Rust? Is it past concussions?
Delia actually has better save % over Crow… albeit that all 3 goalies have Poor/weak save %s… Is that a Function of poor goaltending… or a Function of BAD/Weak skaters in front of the Goalie???
I think all of the Goalies – have been good to solid- for most of the games…
I am in the Camp- that the TEAM in front of the Goalie is most responsible for the High gaa and low save %– and this season- is kinda supporting that- if you look at all of the Goalies #s
Wall, interesting points. I also think that Crawford has not been incredibly sharp when he’s been able to play this year. He’s had his outstanding moments, but his ordinary moments as well. I do believe that in his case the team in front of him (as well as the other goalies) must play a role in the psyche of what goes on in his head during some of these games. He and the other goalies have just gotten bombarded with shots and lots of good chances.
I was surprised to see the stats of Martin Jones the other night before the Blackhawks played the Sharks. His record is something like 31-16, but he has a save % that is below 0.900 (I think it was 0.895 coming in). His goals against was something like 3. That usually isn’t going to add up to won/loss record like he has. It must be a function of the kinds of shots allowed by the guys up front, and how many shots actually find their way.
I do not think any goalies numbers is to go by with the defenesemen and lack of good defensive FW.
Crow was just as good as ever, when he came back in the fall. This time not as good, that doesnt mean concussion is worse. Teams are in mid season form and Crow is still in first 20 games form?
Did Crow have a full summer of normal workout routine. I mean when did he ‘really’ get to start training. Like to see how the Crow is after a full normal summer of training and enough time to fully recover, like Tazer did.
Big Indian, at first glance it makes you wonder why Martin Jones has such a good win/loss record with such a poor save %. I just looked and the Sharks are 3rd in number of goals scored (238). Not bad when you have a high-powered offense who can cover up mediocre goaltending/defense. The Blackhawks have scored a respectable 220, which explains why our record is not worse.
It’s kind of like today’s NBA. They have been getting away from emphasizing playing good D and the scores have soared. As long as you have enough O to compensate for weak D.
Hawks do not need to tank….just put Crow in net, and done.
With only 16 games remaining, Crow will get at least 12 of these games….and go maybe 5-7 if he is lucky.