Crawford and Niemi pretty much played to a deadbeat that year. I never heard anyone claim Crawford outplayed him that pre-season...until several have said this the past several weeks for some reason,
It was thought Niemi was kept on initially because of the game in Finland (remember the Hawks opened in Europe), in which he threw a shutout and solidified his position as Huet's backup. Also the Hawks risked losing Niemi if they sent him down, where Crawford they did not.
people have been saying that since I joined maybe? lol
Crawford was sent down before the Finland game if memory serves me correctly. Neimi was kept because his cap hit was smaller, and because (like you said) no re entry for Crow.
Jimmy Howard never really played outstanding in the AHL either.
He had SV% of .910, .911, .907, .916 compared to Crawford of .909, .907, .917, .909
So pretty similar. Not to mention them being drafted like 10 picks from each other. Hopefully they follow the same path in the NHL
Crawford Years:
1. .917 SV%
2. .903 SV%
Howard Years:
1. .924 SV%
2. .908 SV%
3. .920 SV%
So hopefully Crawford can get back to his .915-.920 SV% like Howard.
Lets not act like Niemi did so great in the AHL either. He had a .913 SV% in Rockford. Carter Hutton had a better SV% this year.
Howard can move post to post and doesn't let in horrendously soft goals on a consistant basis
If Crawford had Howard's physical abilty then sure we could reasonably be expecting a bounce back year
And Howard at his worst as sophmore never was as bad as Crawford ,, League has figured Crawford out
Lacks post to post mobilty and is horrid facing shots from point gloveside
I guess we will see how Crow plays this season then. I'm betting on a bounce back year.
me too. CC haters need to start realizing how awful the team played in front of him many times throughout the season. turnovers, not clearing the zone, not being physical in front of the net, etc. crawford was bad at times no doubt, but he also showed that he can be a good goalie
crawford and emery are the hawks goalies going into next year. i don't really see the point of proposing trades for a goalie or suggesting signing a goalie. now getting a d-man and a couple forwards is a different story
I remember Crawford being slightly better, and I'm talking a very thin enough margin that everyone agreed that to keep Niemi up and not lose Crawford for nothing was the right decision.
Niemi is better and he has won the big games. Craw never has done that
When has he had the chance to win the "big games"?? There was the playoffs last year where he blew expectations out of the water. And he had a off year this year.
I love Niemi, but people seem to think he was god in the playoffs that year. Other than the San Jose series, he was average, and won the cup by barely outplaying Leighton.
Crawford hasn't won Game 7. Crawford hasn't won Game 6 this year. Those are big games and he wasn't able to win them. He is really not to blame for those 2 games, but he hasn't won a PO Round yet.
Niemi has won a Cup and has won two series with the Sharks. He always had better numbers than Craw. I miss him and hope Bowman brings him back for Craw
Crawford hasn't won Game 7. Crawford hasn't won Game 6 this year. Those are big games and he wasn't able to win them. He is really not to blame for those 2 games, but he hasn't won a PO Round yet.
Niemi has won a Cup and has won two series with the Sharks. He always had better numbers than Craw. I miss him and hope Bowman brings him back for Craw
He didn't win game 7 last year, and was the only player on the team that looked like he wanted to. THat game could have been 7-1
but how soon we forget.
Put Niemi on those two Hawks teams, and he doesn't win those series either. Niemi won a cup with us, but he didn't win a cup for us.
When has he had the chance to win the "big games"?? There was the playoffs last year where he blew expectations out of the water. And he had a off year this year.
I love Niemi, but people seem to think he was god in the playoffs that year. Other than the San Jose series, he was average, and won the cup by barely outplaying Leighton.
This year against Phoenix?
And as you said, San Jose. Niemi gave up one goal from 45 shots in game 1 of that series. If Crawford faces 45 shots, he probably lets in a 6 pack. Then it's a whole nother series.
It's funny...now when you face 30 shots the defense is horrible, blah, blah, blah. When you give up 45 - and most are high quality chances...but your goalie stops most of them...all is fine.
And as you said, San Jose. Niemi gave up one goal from 45 shots in game 1 of that series. If Crawford faces 45 shots, he probably lets in a 6 pack. Then it's a whole nother series.
It's funny...now when you face 30 shots the defense is horrible, blah, blah, blah. When you give up 45 - and most are high quality chances...but your goalie stops most of them...all is fine.
different D. I'd rather face 45 shots from the perimeter like Mike Smith did, then 22 with odd man rushes and nobody in front covered like Crow did this season.
Not saying that's how it was in San Jose, but that's how it was in Phoenix.
And as you said, San Jose. Niemi gave up one goal from 45 shots in game 1 of that series. If Crawford faces 45 shots, he probably lets in a 6 pack. Then it's a whole nother series.
It's funny...now when you face 30 shots the defense is horrible, blah, blah, blah. When you give up 45 - and most are high quality chances...but your goalie stops most of them...all is fine.
When Crawford faced 30+ shots against Vancouver last year, he had a SV% above .930 and a GAA below 2.00.. so, I doubt it.
Niemi gave up rebounds into the slot so regularily when he was here it was almost like he wanted other teams to score.. the difference? The Hawks actually cleared rebounds and protected the house effectively that year.. and they haven't done a very good job since. Whether that's personnel or coaching, it's a fact.
The Niemi of 2010 wasn't much better, if better at all than the Crawford of 2012. Niemi just had the luxury of playing behind an amazing team.
Niemi was and is better than Craw ever will be.
Niemi has always had the better numbers, he has won 6 PO series in 3 years compared to Craw 0 PO series wins. Niemi didn't lose us a series or the Sharks like Craw did this year with 2 horrible soft goals that ended 2 games. I start to question his mental ability. He hasn't been good in the NHL and hasn't been good in the AHL. He is average at best. This is not good enough. Our D is as good as most of the other teams, we just don't have as much puck possession as we used to have.
Niemi was and is better than Craw ever will be.
Niemi has always had the better numbers, he has won 6 PO series in 3 years compared to Craw 0 PO series wins. Niemi didn't lose us a series or the Sharks like Craw did this year with 2 horrible soft goals that ended 2 games. I start to question his mental ability. He hasn't been good in the NHL and hasn't been good in the AHL. He is average at best. This is not good enough. Our D is as good as most of the other teams, we just don't have as much puck possession as we used to have.
he was above average last season, he was great in last seasons playoffs.
and if you want to question his "mental ability" He bounced back in game 5 and 6 after those losses.
It's a best of 7 game series. Even if he single handedly lost us two of the games (which is arguable) that still brings it to a best of five.
Crawford never was above average. He never was a top10 whatever goalie. He never played great. Have you ever seen Hasek? Thomas last year? Brodeur before the lockout? Quick this year? Giggy in 2003 for the Ducks? that was great in the last years. Crawford wasn't great, he was on par with what others bring on a consitent basis
Crawford never was above average. He never was a top10 whatever goalie. He never played great. Have you ever seen Hasek? Thomas last year? Brodeur before the lockout? Quick this year? Giggy in 2003 for the Ducks? that was great in the last years. Crawford wasn't great, he was on par with what others bring on a consitent basis
you must have stopped watching the series last year when Vancouver was up 3-0 then.
