Subj : Blackhawks Cause Confusion With One-Year Offer for Crawford
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers - Main
Date : Sun Sep 13 2020 04:40 am
It was recently reported that the�Chicago Blackhawks offered Corey Crawford a
one-year deal�worth $3.5 million. Although coming across like a hometown
discount for his services, as he';d be bringing in nearly 50% less than his
previous paycheques, it is unclear what his role will be for next season.Corey
Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Crawford has stated publicly that he wants to stay in Chicago and it wouldn';t
necessarily be a bad thing if he stuck around. The Blackhawks just need to be
more transparent about their plan and how they see their franchise';s all-time
leader in playoff wins fitting into it.Questions Left Unanswered
Does that offer indicate that management feels Crawford can still be their
undisputed starter, but they just aren';t willing to pay him like one? Having
recently earned $6 million average annual value (AAV) and with all he';s
accomplished to date, it';s hard to imagine that Crawford would be willing to
commit to the same type of workload without the pay grade to match.RELATED:
Dear Canada: Here';s Who You Want Winning the 2020 Stanley Cup
Are they proclaiming that he';ll be splitting his net, so the saved funds are
needed elsewhere? Chicago offering Crawford $2.5 million less than his previous
per season salary could be part of their plans to optimize their goaltending
budget. Since their netminders would then be sharing the crease, it would make
sense that they do the same with their compensation.
Or, is this Chicago';s way of saying they want him to stick around but in more
of a mentor role that has him watching from the bench? Again, as would be the
case with any professional, being presented with a minimum duration of term and
that hefty of a pay cut doesn';t illustrate much confidence towards how their
talents fit into future plans.Not Adding Up
If they feel like he should control their crease, this offer doesn';t amount to
what he';s worth. Yet, if they want to utilize him in a lesser capacity, then
perhaps it';s money that can be better spent elsewhere.Chicago Blackhawks
goaltender Corey Crawford (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matt Marton)
Even the best backup goalies do not typically make $3.5 million. Chicago also
already has Collin Delia, who';s patiently waiting for a chance to prove his
worth and comes at a cost of $1 million per year. That';s a $2.5 million
savings that might be needed to sign others who are part of a bigger plan for
the Blackhawks.Still Trying to Compete
If the Blackhawks wants to see how much Crawford has left to give, then commit
to him for longer, proclaim him as the starter, and see where it takes the
team. If that';s not the plan, then why spend $3.5 million to have him stick
around in a role that can be fulfilled by someone else?
The Blackhawks need to be more clear on their plan for the immediate future.
Although their athletes may not want to buy in to anything other than battling
to compete, it';s management';s job to set out the objective and then navigate
accordingly. RELATED: Blackhawks'; Bad Season Still Brings Some Success
Everyone knows that players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith
aren';t yet ready to accept anything other than winning. It';s not that trying
to progress should be out of the question, it';s just that the Blackhawks need
to make that more apparent if it ultimately is their current goal.The Youth of
Today
However, if the blueprint includes plans that shift to their youth taking more
control then they';re going about it all wrong. In that case, it might be time
that they move on from Crawford if he';s going to still be looking to earn even
that much of their depleting salary cap.2019 NHL Prospects Tournament, Chicago
Blackhawks (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
It';s possible that another team would pay Crawford to bring his talents
elsewhere, which might be an option that makes sense for all. If it';s not
going to be used for hopes of a return on their investment, that';s a lot of
money that the Blackhawks might need to build in other areas of their
lineup.Setting the Specifics
Simply stated, if Crawford wants to stay in Chicago and the Blackhawks are
looking to treat him as their starter then the offer should match that mindset.
If the franchise only wants him back in a limited role, $3.5 million is just
too much to be spending with Delia poised to take the next step in his
career.RELATED: Blackhawks Need to Explore Andersen Option
Beyond that, even if the Blackhawks are looking to reach the next level of
competitiveness, they need to assess if Crawford is the right fit to help them
do so. Everyone knows what type of performances he';s capable of, but at 35
years old it';s fair to assume a decline in his play. So, in that instance,
they should be allocating the necessary funds to secure a proven starter.
It seems that the goaltending situation in Chicago is far from figured out.
That, along with other notable deals that need addressing, will certainly shape
next season';s potential. For a team that has some winning ingredients mixed
in with parts that are looking to establish their reputations, the Blackhawks
have to detail their recipe more effectively.Stan Bowman, Chicago Blackhawks
general manager (AP Photo/Amr Alfiky)
Crawford being re-signed certainly wouldn';t be the worst decision this
franchise could make, as his playoff performances helped prove he';s still
there to play. Chicago just needs to be more obvious with what they';re trying
to state with bringing him back.The Ultimate Decision
There is no doubt that Crawford has earned the right to dictate where he takes
his career next. If he wants to be a starter, he should be granted that
opportunity. However, he also needs to be prepared to take on a much lesser
role and salary if his priority is to find a way that makes sense to stay in
Chicago.
Dear Corey Crawford,
Thank you.
Love,
Everyone pic.twitter.com/Bj1FBYBsYM- Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August
17, 2020
Beyond that, the Blackhawks have a responsibility to present their plans much
more clearly. If not for their fans, then for the personnel who have battled to
bring them their recent heights of success. Crawford needs to know where he
stands and be comfortable managing whatever role the organization has him
slotted into.RELATED: Colliton Sets Sights on Success With Blackhawks
Offering a one-year deal for an amount that';s millions less than he earned
last season alone isn';t the way to show faith in Crawford being part of their
plans to compete. Yet, $3.5 million is still a lot of money that might
inevitably be better utilized elsewhere. Once it';s clearly established what
the organization is hoping for out of Crawford if he stays, at least then he
can decide if it sounds like a plan he can support.
The post Blackhawks Cause Confusion With One-Year Offer for Crawford appeared
first on The Hockey Writers.
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