over thinking much here.
If either find us worthy enough to employ them there should be a check waiting with their value +1Maav
Lehner is a no brainer--I would think 7 for 6 or 8 for 4 would be the going high-end rate for him. Some may argue that's too much, but if you have a goalie who can put up big numbers behind a Timbits™ level defense, that's what the going rate is going to be.
Crawford on the other had does have an albatross or 2 around his neck (specifically his concussion history and his play since), and his age is up there. Much like Keith at this point there should be no future plans made around him whatsoever--even if he's doing a good job. There has to be a changing of the guard soon. Lehner at this point would be the smart answer--if he wants to re-sign. At that point you might as well bring up one of the youth.
What Crawford can give is that vet presence in net if the 'hawks decide it's time to audition Lankinen, Nalimov (can't believe I spaced him) or they want to give Delia another shot as the next starter--specficially if Lehner does not want to re-sign and the 'hawks aren't going to test the trade of FA market for an established netminder with some experience under his belt and is not on the outtro of their career. He would be a decent enough choice as the guy who helps bring them along--and could probably do it as well as any of the FA acquisitions we could bring in if that is the role needed.
In that role--one where he should see no more than half of the starts, you don't want to pay him too much to sit on the bench (ideally, we're not talking the feces-and-rectal-gas-induced hallucinations Bowman the Lesser is suffering due to his head being up his ass and thinking this team as-is is a solid contender). You have to keep the salary reasonable, so there's no way he should get +1 AAV in that role. The going rate for a netminder like that would be about what I said: 3M/1Yr or 2.5/2Yr. Either are low enough to be on the on the bench most of the time. 4 or 3.5, respectively? You're starting to get into low-grade or unestablished starter paychecks there (Think Darling) and IMHO the 'hawks do not need that moving forward.
Their either need a guy like Lehner who can de facto take over the net and put up high numbers behind the worst team D in the league, or they might as well gut the position and bring in an old vet with the intent that they move over if a youngster establishes themselves, and give the youngsters that chance to establish themselves--knowing full well they'll be thrown right into the fire. Anything in-between won't cut it IMHO.
