why would the Islanders trade 2 1sts and a bounty of picks and prospects for a goalie? That is crazy.

Also, when you are foolish enough to lock up 2 4th liners at over $3 million each for several years, you can't pay 4 million for your 3rd line center.

Its a No from Chicago... (NMC)

I understand the NMC clause part. but why is that a no if it is the teams choice? Chicago, of all teams realize that goalies are not that valuable. they won a cup with niemi!

Eh yes and no. They are seeing right now that an elite goalie is winning them games. So until they have a shutdown defense again. They will value the goalie position more than when Niemi and Huet were around.

I would think with their cap situation they could use the 8+ million (crawford and panik) and the entry level contracts that come with the picks and the prospects more than the upgrade in goal from crawford to a slightly better than average goalie.