Niemi vs. Crawford... You decide.

[Savoir_Faire_18]

As you may have seen, following the game the hosts on Versus network debated who is a most valuable netminder. It is a very good question as the Hawks passed on Niemi due to salary cap restrictions in the off-season.

I mean imagine if the Hawks let Hjalmarsson walk to the Sharks in order to sign Niemi last summer?

Check the stats and add your opinion...

Antii Niemi
26-16-5
SV%: .918
GAA: 2.39
SO: 5

Corey Crawford
26-13-5
SV%: .917
GAA: 2.30
SO: 3

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

Corey Crawford...

Why? Because the players support him. They have faith that he is the one that will get the job done. He is only 26 years old and has plenty of room to grow.

The problem? Deja vu will strike once the season comes to an end. At 26 years old and in the last year of his contract he will be due for a raise. With the recent signing of Seabrook can the Blackhawks afford his asking price? He has more maturity than people give him credit for. He may be younger than Niemi and still looking for that Cup, but he has the most experience of any rookie in the league. He is true farm talent.

 

[southern_cross_116]

I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to go long term (maybe not Hossa long term)... but longer term to lower the cap hit.

I'll go Crawford as well. The stats are pretty close (as close as you could get I guess).

 

[djeck42]

going into last year, it was a coin flip as to who would backup huet.... and Niemi won that, and it is clear just how close the two were. Both are looking pretty damn identical; I would choose Crawford right now as he is cheaper... hopefully its the same logic next season.

 

[Popinski Soda]

I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to go long term (maybe not Hossa long term)... but longer term to lower the cap hit.

I'd say that this is the most likely scenario. We've got too much invested in Crawford for the Hawks to simply let him go. As far as what his asking price will be vs. his actual worth, I'll guess we'll just have to wait and see how the rest of the season pans out. I think he deserves a raise regardless, but if he were to take us deep into the post-season I think it would definitely justify shelling out the extra cash to the guys in front office. Who knows, they might even dangle him out on the open market as a possible trade prospect. Although I think the only reason they'd go that route is to help gauge his overall worth by seeing what kind of interest he'd generate, as opposed to ever actually trading him.


J

 

[Jntg4]

Crawford.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

Nemo is always going to have a soft spot in my heart, since he pretty much stood on his head last season to bring the cup to Chicago.

With that being said, as long as Crawford doesn't get like 3 million following arbitration, or negotiations, or whatever, I'd sign him to a long term deal. He's seemed to have molded well with the rest of team and they seem confident with him between the pipes.

Crawford, hands down.

 

[AE23]

Niemi had a great group of guys infron tof him, that Crawford to a lesser extent doesnt have. Last seasons team was the #1 penalty killing team, as of late were doin better.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Crawford is staying put. I'm sure that's a part of the team's plans going forward.

As for picking between Niemi and Crawford- I'd be completely happy with either. Both good, young goalies.

 

[DewsSox79]

i love crawford and how well he has played, i believe niemi is overpaid....but if i had to choose...i would go with the guy who has the stanley cup run experience.......but than again he didnt have any of that going into the playoffs last year and he won a cup. i guess il still stick with experience.

 

[Popinski Soda]

Yeah, I guess I kinda got off topic there a bit. I'd take Crawford, as the rest of the team appears to be built around him moving forward. Both are excellent netminders though.


J

 

[X]

Crawford, b/c he's who we have now. Nothing else matters...Support your own.

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

Crawford is staying put. I'm sure that's a part of the team's plans going forward.

As for picking between Niemi and Crawford- I'd be completely happy with either. Both good, young goalies.

Is he? Look at this list quick... It isn't that I don't disagree with you, just won't be making any blunt statements claiming he is staying so definitively.

-RFA's for 2011-12-
Michael Frolik
Troy Brouwer
Viktor Stalberg
Jacob Dowell
Chris Campoli

-UFA's for 2011-12-
Jordan Hendry
Fernando Pisani
Ryan Johnson
Tomas Kopecky

While already sitting at roughly $47.5 mil on the books for next season... I wouldn't be 100% sure.

 

[IvyPickin87]

Is he? Look at this list quick... It isn't that I don't disagree with you, just won't be making any blunt statements claiming he is staying so definitively.

-RFA's for 2011-12-
Michael Frolik
Troy Brouwer
Viktor Stalberg
Jacob Dowell
Chris Campoli

-UFA's for 2011-12-
Jordan Hendry
Fernando Pisani
Ryan Johnson Maybe i kinda like him and i think he does a good job at the dot.
Tomas Kopecky

While already sitting at roughly $47.5 mil on the books for next season... I wouldn't be 100% sure.

We wont resign all of these guys.... say you give crow 2.5-3.5 a year for 4-7 years somewhere around there. You focus your attention on the guys bolded above and if the price is right with them you resign. I think we could get all of the guys bolded if they are smart with their offers. And a couple more callups from rockford and i think you still have a good solid team.

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

We wont resign all of these guys.... say you give crow 2.5-3.5 a year for 4-7 years somewhere around there. You focus your attention on the guys bolded above and if the price is right with them you resign. I think we could get all of the guys bolded if they are smart with their offers. And a couple more callups from rockford and i think you still have a good solid team.

2.5 to 3.5 per for 4-7 years... what jack are you on?!? Crawford won't make the mistake Niemi/Agent made and the Hawks won't make the same mistake Tallon made. Crawford will re-sign for $1.5-$2.0 mil, maybe 2.25 at most.

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

Also to mention... we won't be holding on to Brouwer and Frolik. Frolik has had a very consistent seasons with alot of years left and huge potential. We won't get him for cheap.

Kopecky will stay in Chicago... he was brought over with Hossa and will continue to be with the Hoss. He is a utility man and the Hawks missed that when they lost Ladd in the offseason.

 

[IvyPickin87]

2.5 to 3.5 per for 4-7 years... what jack are you on?!? Crawford won't make the mistake Niemi/Agent made and the Hawks won't make the same mistake Tallon made. Crawford will re-sign for $1.5-$2.0 mil, maybe 2.25 at most.

I dont know man if he goes deep into the playoffs he will demand money why would he not? And i hope your wrong on kopsucky i hope he leaves. bummer if that is true about frolik... But you are not in the front office so you have about as much idea as i do to what they will do for FA's.

 

[N3]

Nemo....why you ask? Because then my fuckin name would be relevant again!

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

I dont know man if he goes deep into the playoffs he will demand money why would he not? And i hope your wrong on kopsucky i hope he leaves. bummer if that is true about frolik... But you are not in the front office so you have about as much idea as i do to what they will do for FA's.

Not in the front office, but pretty easy to assume when the facts are clear...

Frolik is 22... scored 21 goals in his first two years and while goal production is down this season; he came from Florida (an offensively impotent organization) in a rebuilding year, endured a trade mid-season, and now finally coming into a role with the Hawks. Any team would pay at least $2.5 mil for him after this season.

Regardless of how much you think Kopecky blows he still has posted 40 points on the season so far.

 

[Captain Iago]

i love crawford and how well he has played, i believe niemi is overpaid....but if i had to choose...i would go with the guy who has the stanley cup run experience.......but than again he didnt have any of that going into the playoffs last year and he won a cup. i guess il still stick with experience.

Yup, tips the scales for me. Time will tell if Crow can stand amongst men when the pressure is really on. I'll pick a known commodity 9 times out of 10...salaries and salary cap aside...