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Blackhawks acquire Henrik Karlsson from the Calgary Flames
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Monday, 01.21.2013 | 11:11 PM | Transactions
Karlsson, 29, is a towering 6' 6" goaltender that is a victim of a logjam in Calgary after they decided to stick with Leland Irving over their former Swedish back-up. In addition, they have a plethora of goaltending prospects coming through the pipeline which made very little room for Henrik in their organization. As a result, the Flames placed Karlsson on waivers last Thursday and the Blackhawks passed on the opportunity to claim him in order to keep their roster intact.
Over the last two years, Karlsson has played in 26 games for the Flames behind #1 netminder Miikka Kiprusoff and complied a 5-9-8 record along with a .905 save percentage and a 2.79 goals against average. Although those statistics don't seem too inviting, he hasn't really had an opportunity to play with the Flames relying on Kiprusoff for over 85% of the workload coupled with poor goal support upfront.
According to the scouts, Karlsson is a prototypical butterfly Swedish goaltender that has tremendous size and patience. Although he is big, he does have solid reflexes and mobility to make a desperation save. He has a calm, confident demeanor and is not easily rattled. His transition to the North American game has not been very fluid, but he can be an effective goaltender in the right situation. At 29 years old, his time is wearing thin to make an impact in the NHL and barring injury or a trade, he won't have that opportunity this season.
With Ray Emery slotted as the back-up in Chicago, this is more of an insurance move in case of injury more than anything. Karlsson will most-likely will get an opportunity to start for the IceHogs rather than playing a role in Chicago anytime soon.
The bottom line: When Karlsson was available on waivers last Thursday, there was no need for a goaltender. Something changed since last week and the most obvious answer points to the brawl between the Rockford IceHogs and Grand Rapids Griffins as a catalytic moment that spurred the change, ending with Carter Hutton's unavailability to play against Texas the following game where Kent Simpson was lit up. Maybe that game was the final straw for management on the goalie situation in Rockford, after all, it has been fairly mediocre for a majority of the season.
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29 Comments | Join the discussion
I think I'll speak on behalf of those who don't know Calgary's system very well with "Who?"
BUT... If I know how stupid Jay Feaster is in the office and he really is, I'll be flat out honest..... then I think this might be a fleecing....
But....6'6"? Sounds like a fleecing to me. I'm very interested in this little novel concept Stan is coming up with.... Am I right to think that with a good defense in front of him (like ours), he might one hell of a steal for us?
I mean we can technically dissect this and say "Stan didn't like the way Emery played last night"... but I have to believe there really isn't much to look into.
Tall depth.
I know its "news" and needed to be posted... but "who cares?".
Had high hopes for him. While age is a factor for him at 27, Karlsson is 29.
Quit your Doan-like bitch whining please. Thank you.
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Love you too snookums... but don't tell me how to live my life!
Haha but seriously that was a Doan like bitchfest. Forgive me.
Fuck me... the Rangers suck.
Henrik Karlsson is the new King Henrik!
Books > Rangers Fucking Suck.
Asshole. I was simultaneously realizing I posted in the wrong thread while you were getting your weakass Canadian snark on. STFU.
As would I.... We have someone similar in height already, but he's far too young right now.
In the meanwhile, I'd love to see this new guy playing a game for us.
A lot of Flames fans seem to think Karlsson was a good goaltender stuck behind a team that could not produce any offense, thus the terrible record. They also wanted more than a 7th round pick, but aren't complaining since they have Kiprusoff and a crap load of goaltending prospects coming up. At 29, I doubt he figures into the Hawks future but I still think it's a good move as insurance on Crawford and Emery in case of injury, all done on the cheap too.
You are correct.
1. We had a full roster last week, so technically we couldn't pick him up on waivers because we had no space. They could have sent down Saad though, considering they weren't playing him anyway.
2. I think there is something up with Hutton. Either they expect a lengthy suspension or he injured his hand in the brawl or something. I don't see how this move makes sense at this time unless there are questions about Hutton's status to play within the coming weeks -- which he did not dress last game against the Texas Stars (Simpson started, Richards backed up).
Bottom line, when Karlsson was available for free last week, there was no need for a goaltender. Something changed since last week and the most obvious answer points to the GRG brawl as the catalyst, then Hutton unavailable to play against Texas, and eventually Simpson getting lit up in the next game. Maybe that game was the final straw for management on the goalie situation in Rockford, who knows... it has been fairly mediocre for a majority of the season.
Maybe IHF could shed some light on what's going on with Hutton.
I have not asked but his numbers have been speaking for themselves. While the D in front of him was horrible at the beginning of this season he certainly did not help matters with his own play. He was such a spark to the Hogs in the second half of last season and was a big catalyst for the team. Getting called up from the E to play in A after he was riding the pine for several games in the NHL while in the Sharks system. I thought his future was looking bright.
I don't know what is going on with him this season but his age is quickly becoming a factor without having played any games in the NHL.
There are also a number of attitude issues within the walls of the Hogs locker room some of which have been eliminated with the start of the NHL season yet some still remain. Could that play within the scope of Carter's lackluster season? Seeing the Hawks make a play for another goalie this late in the season with the addition of Karlsson is going to be interesting and my guess will not bode well for Carter's time between the pipes.
http://thethirdmanin...mum-of-6-games/