[A] Blackhawks Trade Rumors and Ryan Miller

[PuckPowWow]

With the Blackhawks recent slump in points production and the issues of team defense surrounding any conversations about the team, Stan Bowman is on the hunt for the magical piece to fix it all and make this team a top contender for the Cup. Some believe that the pieces are already there, and that coaching needs to work it out better, while others point to big holes in the roster.



The 6th defensive spot seems unsettled in Chicago with a constant juggling of O'Donnell, Lepisto, and Scott, though this holds little weight in truly fixing what is broken.



Some have even held up Duncan Keith as possible trade bait due to his inability to find the same performance that won him a Norris Trophy only a couple seasons ago. I doubt Keith is going anywhere, so talking about him right now is kind of pointless, and I also see a huge improvement over the course of this season.



No, the area of most concern from my point of view is the need of a power-forward who can add defense and a physical presence to the teams overall play. Not having any pressure in front of opposing goaltenders has been a consistent place to point the finger over the season, and with the recent news about Carcillo, that hole has gotten even larger.



I have personally attributed most of the defensive woes of the Hawks to the inability of the forwards to play their positions and help out in their own zone. The recent explosion of the youthful prospects Hayes and Shaw provide examples of such play. But, has their presence negated the need for that power-forward?



And then came the news of Stan Bowman commenting on Buffalo Sabres' netminder Ryan Miller. Now, I am not saying that goaltending is the main issue for the Hawks, but Crawford isn't exactly setting the UC on fire with his play either. Crawford currently ranks 34th in the league in save percentage and Emery is only one point higher than him. That is just not good enough for the playoffs. Could bringing a guy like Miller into the equation help make this team playoff ready?



My answer is a fairly large yes. Sure, Miller is also currently struggling, but I think a change of scenery might do him some good. I have never really scene Crawford as an amazing goaltender, just a smart and composed one, and I see little of that lately. Miller can be and is one of the leagues best. Acquiring him in a trade could do a lot for this current Hawks team.



Miller's cap hit is at around $6.25 million, and the Hawks currently have that kind of space without factoring in the trades that would allow the deal to happen. My guess is that Crawford would be part of that deal, and why not send Bickell along, freeing up even more money.



The Hawks have trade-worthy players on the roster and a good handful in Rockford that could make the deal even more worthy to Buffalo, and I think they could even do it without too many changes to the current roster, while leaving money in the bank for further transactions. Bowman himself has said he was looking closely into the possibility.



There are other options out there for Stan too, and my guess is that he might be the hardest working GM currently. With defense as a current complaint, it just so happens that Nashville will most likely be looking to dish 1 of 2 of the league's premier defensemen due to contract renewals next year and no cap-space after signing Rinne to an ungodly amount of money.



The question then becomes, what is the cost, and who are the Hawks willing to part ways with? But, let me say this, Stalberg has been thrown out there as possible trade currency by other bloggers around town. I think this would be a terrible choice given his production, and overall improvement this year. His speed is unmatched, and the possibilities endless with his performance. Trading him at his current price tag of under $900,000 would be a huge mistake.



Thank you and have a good night.



Image Credit: http://www.daveandth...ld-medal-kinda/



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[Chief Walking Stick]

no

 

[Ton]

I'd be more comfortable with Miller in net but at what cost? I doubt Crawford and Bickell would be enough. Also his cap hit is brutal. I know the Blackhawks have been interested in Miller for a few years now, but Buffalo has always asked for the moon.



I'm not sure I'm comfortable with our tandem in net but I think our main need is a defenseman before we can worry about that. Poach Tim Gleason from Carolina and things might fall into place.



I wouldn't trade Stalberg either.



Also: "I have personally attributed most of the defensive woes of the Hawks to the inability of the forwards to play their positions and help out in their own zone."



Completely agree with that statement. A good LW would help out tremendously, especially with Sharp out now. A Ladd type player IMO.

 

[MassHavoc]

no

 

[CLWolf81]

Apparently, Emery isn't enough? He DID happen to lead Ottawa to a Stanley Cup Final, you know. -.-



I can only imagine what Buffalo would want for Miller, so hell no to that offer.

 

[the canadian dream]

If its both the starting goalie and the back up are posting poor numbers then the problem probably isn't goalkeeping only. Its probably more so the number of shoot they are facing and team defense.



No to miller and i am a big fan of his. He's suffering from the same issues in buffalo as he would here. Team defense is rough. Contract is also just too big. If bowman brings that contract in then we can really question the reasons why he delt Campbell. Couldn't we? I sure the hell would.



And he'll no to dealing stalberg. Too cheap and too productive at the price. We are low on left wingers as is. Whoever started a stalberg rumor isn't thinking logistics.

 

[xatruio]

where/when did Bowman say he was particularly interested in Miller?

 

[Shantz My Pants]

lol, this isn't NHL 2012.



Miller has two more years with a 6.25 million cap hit. Dunno if you like having some of the depth we have around, but unless you get rid of equal monetary value or close to it, we will be in the same situation as we were last year.



Goaltending is not our main concern. I think our shitty power play, our defense (which could use a physical player who can make an outlet pass i.e. Gleason/Allen) and then probably an all around F who can move at a decent pace (not Brunette).



I think if the team played better defense as a whole Crawford would be fine, but he gets left out to dry way too many times and no goalie would be able to stop all the easy shots the opposition is able to get off.

 

[roshinaya]

No to Miller. He is too expensive and IMO he's overrated More quality depth is needed.

 

[Tater]

lol, this isn't NHL 2012.



Miller has two more years with a 6.25 million cap hit. Dunno if you like having some of the depth we have around, but unless you get rid of equal monetary value or close to it, we will be in the same situation as we were last year.



Goaltending is not our main concern. I think our shitty power play, our defense (which could use a physical player who can make an outlet pass i.e. Gleason/Allen) and then probably an all around F who can move at a decent pace (not Brunette).



I think if the team played better defense as a whole Crawford would be fine, but he gets left out to dry way too many times and no goalie would be able to stop all the easy shots the opposition is able to get off.

QFT

 

[supraman]

For the right price I like it



However I have learned that the blackhawks will always do the exact opposite of what the experts say. So they say Bowman is going to be aggressive at the TDL, he wont be. Miller rumor? Miller isn't coming to Chicago.

 

[PuckPowWow]

I can definitely hear the concerns about Miller's contract and also his current performance in Buffalo. I also agree, that the main concern is team defense which I see as having to do more with coaching than anything else.



The fact still remains that Crow is not looking so much like a playoff goaltender, and like him or not, Miller is. Crawford's strength is in his patience and positioning which seems hard to find this year, and his rebound control is hurting pretty badly. Bad team defense or not, his numbers are low, too low.



I think that if Bowman can make it happen at a low loss to the Hawks, he might. Miller's price tag is as low as it will ever get, and I think his play is more a result of being unhappy in Buffalo.



With that said, I agree, do the Hawks really want a cap hit like that? Obviously no, but there have been no goaltender wins this year, with the exception of maybe a couple by Emery, and that could help the team out.



Like many of you, I say go for that power-forward, or find yourself a solid 2nd or 3rd line center. Kruger is not it. Pirri is a better choice, but they seem hell bent on keeping him down, and he might not even be the answer. If a top 4 D-man comes around like Suter from the Predators, try to make it happen.

 

[bri]

Maybe Kaner would be going to Buffalo in this transaction. Kaner and Crawford for Miller and a center. I am not for this transaction, but could see it happening especially since everyone seems to be so down on Kane right now.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Kane isn't going anywhere.

 

[roshinaya]

Maybe Kaner would be going to Buffalo in this transaction. Kaner and Crawford for Miller and a center. I am not for this transaction, but could see it happening especially since everyone seems to be so down on Kane right now.

That would be such a steal for the Buffalo Sabres and Bowman should be summarily fired if he does that deal. I am not sold on Miller at all. He had some good years, but I am thinking that they were an anomaly and we are seeing what he really is about.

 

[IceHogsFan]

If we could only address one specific area of weakness of this years team does anyone agree with me that it would not the goalie situation as the main concern?

 

[nana]

If we could only address one specific area of weakness of this years team does anyone agree with me that it would not the goalie situation as the main concern?

Agreed... I'm in the camp that says our goalies would be in a better position with an overall stronger team D and/or a stronger puck possession game (those two things can go hand-in-hand). While I am no expert, I would say if the Hawks could only address one specific need, it would be finding a true #2C with a good two-way game and a good FO%.

 

[PuckPowWow]

I can sympathize with those who want to send Kaner packing. He has been a bit of a downer most of the season, far from meeting anyone's lower expectations of him, but he is going nowhere just yet, and it would be a bad idea to trade him.



We all agree that a center or power-forward anywhere is the most important element to find by the trade deadline, but moving Kaner as the bait is not a good thing.

 

[the canadian dream]

He hasn't been a downer all season. He has been very good up until a couple weeks ago. Its a slump of mega kane proportions. That's no reason to be talking about trading him. I don't sympasise with anyone suggesting it would be a good idea. Ill ask questions about why he is slumping but trading him would be a franchise mistake probably one of the worst in history...and there have been a lot of bad ones.



We fans get illogical sometimes..myself included. Kane is still one of the top right wingers in the game. He will return to form. What kane isn't is a nil caliiber center. Which was a giant Fucking up even though he produced there for a little while.



Only one person scored a Stanley cup winning goal on this team. Only a few made he'll on earth for opposition goalies the last few seasons and in playoffs. And only a few players in the game today would accept being taken off the position they are strongest at to play elsewhere...and not ***** about it. Kane committed. Until the day he speaks out in negative tone towards this franchise or his teammates he's a blackhawk.

 

[Pez68]

He's been a downer for almost half the season. Still idiotic to trade him. lol