Chicago Blackhawks: Stan Bowman Not in a Hurry to Re-Sign Corey Crawford

The Chicago Blackhawks went through a tumultuous summer that saw Antti Niemi cut loose after the two parties were unable to sit down and bang out a contract extension.

Is GM Stan Bowman setting himself up for similar problems by not locking up Corey Crawford?

It is well known that getting Crawford's name on a contract is on the top of Bowman's to-do list.  However, reports indicate that Bowman is in no immediate hurry to sit down with Crawford's agent and get a deal done.

Reports from Eric Frances of the Calgary Sun (props also go out to Chris Block at The Third Man In) indicate that Crawford's agent and the Blackhawks are planning on working out a contract ranging from two to four years.  The milieu of this summit looks to be the 2011 NHL draft, held this year in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Wait a minute.

Didn't Bowman prioritize his outstanding rookie goalie for contract negotiations?  Why wait over six weeks from now to start work on a deal?

If you ask me, Bowman has chosen an interesting time to play coy, in light of the organization's issues with signing their restricted free agents.

Two summers ago, offer sheets weren't sent out on time and the 'Hawks paid through the nose.

Last summer, Bowman wasn't concerned with offer sheets and cost the team almost $2 million in cap space.

Why the laissez-faire attitude concerning an extenuation with Crawford?

It took several months to get a contract extension worked out between Chicago and Brent Seabrook.  Bowman seems pretty confident that he can come out of the draft weekend with Crawford's signature.

Wouldn't it make more sense to start talks now in the hopes of getting a deal done sooner rather than later?  It seems like the longer Bowman waits, the more leverage Crawford could gain in the process.

With Niemi receiving a four-year, $15.2 extension from San Jose and former Chicago goalie Craig Anderson signing for four years at over $3 million per, the market seems to be better for goalies than last summer.  I know Bowman is unflappable in the face of potential offer sheets, but can't he approach these negotiations with a bit more urgency.

After all, the system is not rife with talent between the pipes.

The 'Hawks only response to an offer sheet would have to be to match it.  Obtaining a big-time name would cost more that Chicago can stand to spend if they have any hope of making some needed upgrades.

The additional cost to retain Hjalmarsson, who Bowman approached in an eerily similar fashion, should be enough to prompt him to action.

Is Bowman so sure of himself that he is willing to sit back and tie up Crawford at the draft?  What about the rest of Chicago's free agents?  With all the picks the Blackhawks currently have, wouldn't knowing where you stand on your roster help if you were in need to make some deals?

I recognize that Bowman may not want to seem to desperate, but isn't nearly two months a while to wait on what could be the most important signing of your tenure as GM?  Screwing up on this negotiation draws the ire of media and fans, as well as potential free agents.

Signing Corey Crawford is the keystone move of the Blackhawks' offseason.  If Bowman flubs this move, don't expect him to get the chance to handle other team business.