Crawford was held back by another bad contract...this one to Bullin (not Bowman, Tallon's doing) and then Niemi having a career year in 2010. Forsberg maybe only 25 but he plays like he's 45...some of the slowest reactions I've ever seen. I don't think I've ever seen a goalie that loses sight of where the puck is more than him. That's why Ward is playing.
You got your timeline a bit wonky.
Crawford beat Niemi out of camp, but I believe Niemi was waiver-eligible, while Crawford was not in 2010. Thus they started with Niemi as Huet's bckup (who blocked Crawford as much as Khabi--no thanks to McSplash). If Niemi would have failed they would have risked him on waivers to bring up Crawford. Further, back then you also had reentry waivers so starting Niemi in Rockford and bringing him up to replace Crawford meant you risked losing him. Before then Crawford wasn't under any real consideration. Khabi was signed to an albatross contact that makes Seabrook's look okay, then you had McSplash signing Huet, and before then you had such wonderful goaltenders like Brian Boucher (who sucked donkey nuts) and Patrick Lalime.
Between Ward and Forsber IMHO neither are good enough for the defense as is. You're looking at the rarefied air of a guy like Crawford, Hotby, MAF, Rinne, Quick, etc. inhabit. Delia is not that. Maybe someday, but not right now.
IMHO the glaring problem is still the defense itself. Right now, a 19 year old Joker looks like the best all-around defenseman for the team and is outplaying Keith in almost every respect. THAT is a problem. Not that Joker is bad in any real sense nor has he been perfect, but he's a 19 year old rookie and that responsibility should not fall on his shoulders.
