Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks Roundtable: Fearful Injuries And Alumni Suggestions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Welcome to the latest version of the Chicago Blackhawks roundtable with the writers of Blackhawk Up

We have two really interesting Chicago Blackhawks questions I and the other writers will attempt to offer answers to this week.

The Blackhawks are giving us plenty to talk about at this point, especially after coming off a win last night against the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs are carrying the league’s best record and had lost just once in regulation prior to last night.

The Blackhawks also stopped the rival St. Louis Blues and got one point from the tough Washington Capitals. This all gives the Blackhawks a seven-point lead in the Central Division heading into the annual Circus Trip.

So, what questions do we have in store following another pretty successful week for the Blackhawks?

Question 1: Which Blackhawk could the team least afford to lose to injury right now, and why?

Question 2: Which former Blackhawk would you like to see on the Winter Classic Alumni Game roster, and why? (This question was asked before the roster came out)

Next: Greg Bradshaw And George Clifford

Dec 17, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks legends Denis Savard (18) and Tony Esposito (35) and Jeremy Roenick (27) and Stan Mikita (21) celebrate with Chris Chelios (center) as he is honored before the game against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Red Wings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

Greg Bradshaw

Question 1: An injury to Corey Crawford would be the most devastating. This guy is really feeling it this year, and I don’t see any reason to believe that he’s slowing down at all minus a few lazy goals allowed here and there.

Scott Darling is quite formidable, but I don’t see him making these highlight-reel stops and preserving leads as well as Crow.

Question 2: I think Denis Savard needs a go in the Alumni Game! Show these kids a real spin-o-rama! Am I right?!

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George Clifford

Question 1: Jonathan Toews. Playing in all game situations, Toews leads all Blackhawks forwards in shifts per game and is second only to Patrick Kane in total ice time. His faceoff win percentage of 60.4 leads the NHL, while Marcus Kruger is the only other ‘Hawk center to break 50 percent in this crucial skill-set.

With seven points and one game-winning goal in the past six games, Toews is starting to feel it offensively, creating time and space for his linemates to spin some magic. Team leader in both title and deed, Toews is a force multiplier, and the ‘Hawks will have to fill a lot more than just quality minutes if the Captain is suiting up for games in a coat and tie.

Question 2: Daniel Carcillo. Like many Blackhawks fans, I was both horrified and intrigued when Carcillo first came to Chicago from the Flyers in 2011, but gradually came to accept his almost comically reckless antics and, thankfully, limited ice time.

Unlike the truly evil Raffi Torres-type enforcers, ‘Car Bomb’ Carcillo showed a decent side of humanity and became an engaging celebrity throughout the Blackhawks community, even hosting a weekly radio show. He also had some skill, and will always be remembered by ‘Hawks fans for his last-minute, game-winning goal against the Avalanche in March 2013 to extend the Blackhawks’ best start in NHL history at 21-0-3.

Retired since 2015, Carcillo founded the Chapter 5 Foundation to help former NHL players lead a healthy, meaningful life after hockey.

Nov 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes a save during the third period against the Washington Capitals at the United Center. Washington won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Fitzgerald

Question 1: The Blackhawks could ill afford to lose Corey Crawford. As great as the Blackhawks have been, Crawford has been great this season. His save percentage is .934, tied for sixth in the NHL and fourth among regular starting goaltenders.

His goals-against average is 2.01, which is sixth best in the NHL and fifth among regular starting goalies. He also makes the tough saves; he denied Andrew Shaw three times in his return to the UC last night. I like Scott Darling, but he cannot play at Crawford level right now.

Question 2: Adam Burish is the player I would like to see during the Alumni Game. He is a fan favorite who was at the convention this year. He just retired and loves a good rivalry game. It would also continue the championship reflection from the convention this year.

Aaron Goldschmidt

Question 1: I want to say Corey Crawford, but I’m going to go with anybody in the Blackhawks defense’s top four (Keith, Seabrook, Hammer, Campbell). We all thought this was the deepest we’ve seen this defensive core, but this isn’t the case.

TVR took a step back, Kempny hasn’t stood out, Rozy rarely plays and Forsling is just a rookie. A top defenseman going down could expose the Blackhawks defense and force Duncan Keith to turn into Iron Man again.

Question 2: If the Blues have Wayne Gretzky on the ice, we’re probably going to need a good goalie. My choice would be “The Eagle” himself, Ed Belfour. Not sure he can still suit up, but it would be cool. For reference why, please look here.

Dec 27, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Daniel Carcillo (13) during the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Gail Kauchak

Question 1: Corey Crawford. I almost went with Duncan Keith here, because of the way he quarterbacks so many plays and contributes such heavy minutes. But I’m gonna have to stick with Crow.

Crawford is the backbone of this team right now. He bails them out time and time again. Since the beginning of the season, Crow has been there to rescue the defense while they go through their growing pains.

Even when the offense has trouble scoring, Crawford consistently makes those timely saves to keep the ’Hawks in close games, and give them a chance to win. Yes, Scott Darling is an excellent backup. But I don’t have the confidence in him to do the kind of job Crow does night in and night out. And neither does the team in front of him. A Crawford injury would be a huge loss.

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Question 2: Jimmy Waite. Waite was a first-round draft pick for the Chicago Blackhawks, and is currently their goaltending coach. That’s right, he inspires Corey Crawford and Scott Darling to be the best they can be.

I’d say he’s doing a pretty good job. Waite has been known to suit up and fill in when needed at Blackhawks practice. He also played in the Alumni Game this past February against the Minnesota North Stars as part of the Stadium Series.

In that game, he looked especially spry and made a couple great saves, including a memorable stick save on Mike Modano. It would be fun to watch him at work again.

Colin Likas

Question 1: It’s been said plenty, but the answer here is Corey Crawford. Outside of last night’s game against Montreal, Crow has been seeing 30-plus shots per game on a regular basis. And he’s posting a better-than-.500 save percentage at even strength.

Even after a sluggish start on the penalty kill (that wasn’t entirely his fault), Crow’s numbers have been nothing short of incredible. His save percentage is heading south of 2.00 — the only time he’s finished a regular season below that mark was the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign (1.94).

He’s also started 13 of the team’s 16 games this season. At that rate, he’d be on pace to start about 67 games in the regular season — well above his career high of 59. If you lose someone who’s slated to play goal in that many games with the stats he’s posted, your team is going to struggle.

Question 2: I didn’t think anyone else would pick Daniel Carcillo for the Alumni Game question, and I was proven wrong. I think it’s especially strange to see myself selecting Carcillo for this, as I more or less loathed his existence when he actually played.

The guy was eating up minutes far more skilled forwards could have taken, and he actually seemed to be trying to injure some opponents. It wasn’t a good look for anyone.

But then, Carcillo stepped away from hockey. He gave a passionate line of thought about deceased former teammate Steve Montador and how the NHL needed to take better care of its former players.

Now, Carcillo is actively working on helping hockey players transition to everyday life after retirement through his Chapter 5 Foundation. It’d be great for this to get ample attention during the Alumni Game.

Dec 19, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; NHL former player Wayne Gretzky attends the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Lively

Question 1: Corey Crawford. With the Blackhawks roster perhaps greener than it ever has been in the past 15 years, it’s important that the ‘Hawks have some pillar of consistency to lean on while the uncertainty throughout both the offensive and defensive lines sorts itself out and finds rhythm.

Thus far this season, Crow’s play between the pipes has been outstanding and has allowed the younger and untested players in front of him to gain vital confidence. While our boys and red, white and black have really hit a stride as of late, if Crawford was sidelined for an extended period of time, it would indirectly rattle the cages of the newer Blackhawks players, resulting in poorer play decisions that would reverberate through the entire lineup.

Question 2: Daniel Carcillo, sporting a Steve Montador jersey. Veterans Day this past Friday got me thinking about some of those whom once skated for the Blackhawks that were taken from us prematurely.

Car-Bomb sporting a Montador jersey would not only be a great way to honor a fallen teammate, but also bring attention to Carcillo’s noble work through his Chapter 5 Foundation, which is dedicated to helping players who are struggling with post-concussion syndrome, anxiety or depression. It would also be an important reminder that concussion-related health struggles are not exclusive to NFL players.

Mario Tirabassi

Question 1: This Blackhawks have been solid in their latest stretch of games. Much of the success can be traced back to their goaltending. Both Scott Darling and Corey Crawford have been great this year, and if the Blackhawks were to lose Crawford for an extended period of time, the success could take a dip.

No slight to Darling, but Crawford is putting up a Vezina-quality season so far, and if the Blackhawks lost him, it would be tough to recover.

Forwards and defensemen can be replaced; it’s not easy, but they can do it. Goalies are another animal. Look at Montreal losing Carey Price last season, for instance. If the Blackhawks lost Crawford, their spot in the standings would definitely slip.

Question 2: First, Wayne Gretzky playing in the Alumni Game for the Blues is a joke. He played 18 games for St. Louis, and his Blues legacy is best known for the turnover that led to Steve Yzerman‘s ripper of a goal to eliminate them from the playoffs. So that’s cool.

Secondly, how in the blue hell do the Blackhawks and Blues play an Alumni Game and Chicago doesn’t place Jeremy Roenick or Chris Chelios on the roster? Another joke.

And thirdly, Darren Pang is the Blues’ TV analyst and had a forgettable time in Chicago. So yeah, have him play on the Blackhawks’ side. Joke number three.

Add in the fact that the Blackhawks’ sweaters for this installment of the Winter Classic is what the 2015 sweaters should have been and are almost literally just re-purposed is a fourth joke. Yes, I am salty on Blackhawks’ outdoor games, something I never thought I would be.