Chicago Blackhawks Overview and Overhaul, Part 3: The Kid's Alright in Goal

This is Part 3 of a look at the Chicago Blackhawks as it was constructed for the 2010-11 season and how they may renew their quest for NHL supremacy.

In Parts 1 and 2 of this look at the team, I shared my thoughts on the Blackhawks' forwards and defensemen.  Part 4 will consist of a look at the talent coming up in the organization.

The story between the pipes for Chicago this season is one of turmoil, transition and ultimate triumph.

Let's tell the story from where it begins, namely, last summer.

Unable to unload the leviathan contract of Cristobal Huet, the Blackhawks waived him and loaned him out to HC Fribourg-Gotteron SA of the Swiss National League A.  There he played in 42 games (2.84 GAA, .919 save percentage).

Depending on who you believe, the following transpired between the 'Hawks and cup-winning goalie Antti Niemi:

A.  Chicago makes several overtures to the Niemi camp about getting him signed long-term.  The Niemi camp wants way too much dough and the Blackhawks are forced to walk away.

B.  Niemi really wants to stay with the club, but no offers emanate from Stan Bowman.

Regardless, the two parties ended up in arbitration, where the $2.75 million judgment punched Niemi's ticket out of town.   The playoff hero of Chicago flapped in the wind for over a month before taking $2 million (the amount reportedly offered by Chicago) with San Jose for the season.  He later signed a four-year, $15.2 million extension with the Sharks.

In a move that seemed eerily predetermined, Chicago announced that they were signing ex-Stars goalie Marty Turco to a one-year, $1.3 million contract.  All hell then broke loose in the city.

Turco flashed his pearly whites and said all the right things going into camp.  He was the starter in the season opener, backed up by Corey Crawford.

Here's how things turned out for the parties involved.

Despite terrible defense in front of him, Turco was 5-2-1 in the early going.  The high point of his season was the shootout victory over the Canucks on Oct. 20, when he stopped 36 of 37 shots.

He was pulled for Crawford on Oct. 29 after giving up four goals in the first period to Edmonton.  From there, Joel Quenneville started giving way to the rookie more often while still giving Turco the bulk of the starts.

Crawford was a hard luck loser in four of his first five starts, then ripped off an seven-game win streak in November and December.  By the time the streak came to an end Dec. 11 in an overtime setback to San Jose, he was the de facto starter in goal.

Niemi was the winning goalie in that contest.  His season had not gone smoothly, having lost his starting job with the Sharks.   The win over his former team (he was 3-1 against Chicago this season) gave him a 6-7 record with a 3.27 goals against average and a .887 save percentage.

From that day forward, Crawford played in 44 of the 'Hawks last 51 games.  Niemi rebounded and won back his job with a red-hot February run.  Turco rode the pine as Crawford started the last 27 games and all seven playoff games.  His only time on the ice came in two March road games when he relieved Crawford.

The final stats for Crawford and Niemi are pretty even, despite the Sharks being the second-best team in the Western Conference.  This confirmed the thinking that the two players were near equals the season before, when Niemi earned the right to back up Huet.

Crawford's stellar 2010-11 campaign (33-18-6, 2.30 GAA, .917 save percentage) helped ease the hurt fans felt from the departure of Niemi.  Stan Bowman was able to avoid a big contract that he couldn't afford and still come out looking rather wise, even if the means to that end were handled clumsily.

Bowman knew he had another talented goalie in the fold, avoided cap damage, and came out sparkling by season's end.  Just know that things weren't as simple as that sentence indicates.

Things could have turned out much differently on this decision.  Bowman has the following factors to thank for bailing him out:

1. Crawford proved he was ready to shoulder the load a year earlier than most of us thought he would have to.
2. Niemi flat out stunk early in the season and wouldn't have been able to overcome the horrendous defensive effort the 'Hawks offered in the first two months.
3. Turco chose not to be a total jerk about the way things went down.

I can't stress this last point enough.

Turco came into a situation thinking he would be in goal for a contender.  He got pathetic support from his defense, which never adjusted to his ability to get the puck to them.

He lost his starting job (deservedly so) and was buried on the bench while his Degree commercial ran all the way through the final playoff game.  He posted the worst numbers of his career.  I imagine things could not have been more disappointing for the guy in his worst nightmares.

In all the games I watched throughout the season, I never saw Turco pouting on the bench or complaining about his station.  He always had positive things to say.  He was always one of the first guys off the bench congratulating Crawford after a win, and I don't think it was just for show.

Turco's class and positive attitude was a huge factor in mentoring Crawford this season.  Despite all that transpired this season (remember, he didn't force out Niemi), this has to be taken under consideration.

It would have been easy for him to sulk and cause problems (see Belfour, Ed) when he lost the starting position.  Turco chose a different attitude.

Addressing the goalie position starts with re-signing Crawford.  I don't think he gets the payday Niemi received with the Sharks.   Three or four years at around $2-2.5 million per would sound right.

Bowman has more money to play with this summer, yes.  However, he also needs to remember that when it comes to goalies in the 'Hawks organization, the cupboard is bare.  There isn't another Crawford lurking in the system waiting for his chance.

Getting Crawford's name on a contract is a must.  Anything other than that is an epic failure on Bowman's part.

When it comes to backing up Crawford, the 'Hawks could go a number of different ways:

1. Re-sign Turco for much less than what he made this season.  He can make it up by continuing to take action on the bench (just kidding, NHL).  It would depend on Turco's willingness to accept less.

 If Turco is still of the belief that he can play regularly in this league, this isn't a real good option.  If he's all right with wearing a ball cap instead of his mask most nights and the price is right, the 'Hawks might consider keeping him around in that capacity.

2. Sign RFA Alexander Salak, who was acquired in the deal that sent Jack Skille to Florida.  Salak spent the season in the Swedish Elite League where he posted a 1.97 GAA and a .926 save percentage for the league champs, Farjestad BK.

If the 'Hawks could convince him to come over, he would make a more than serviceable backup.

3. Re-sign Hannu Toivonen, who was 21-16-2 in Rockford (2.90 GAA, .907 save percentage).  Toivonen has stretches where he's a real good goalie, but there's a reason this former first-round pick has been with three teams.

Can he be consistent enough in goal to provide the occasional night off to Crawford?  The least appetizing option at goal, in my opinion.

In Crawford can follow up this season with a solid 2011-12 campaign, the last line of defense is secure.  Let's hope the negotiations are handled a bit more nimbly than a summer ago.

This year, we don't have a safety net.