Chicago Blackhawks will not re-sign goaltender Corey Crawford in free agency, parting with a key member of its Stanley Cup-winning core and potentially signaling a more extensive rebuild for one of the NHL's marquee franchises." data-reactid="32">CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks is not going to re-sign goaltender Corey Crawford in free company, parting with a key member of its Stanley Cup-winning core and doubtlessly signaling a extra intensive rebuild for one of many NHL’s marquee franchises.
Basic supervisor Stan Bowman stated he had a ”little bit of an emotional” dialog with Crawford on Thursday.
”The message to Corey and to everybody else at the moment is that we have determined that we have got some younger goaltenders right here in Chicago that we consider in,” Bowman stated on a video convention name.
Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen, who’re in line to share the web with Crawford gone, have a mixed 18 video games of NHL expertise – all belonging to Delia. Chicago opened final season with Crawford and Robin Lehner in objective, nevertheless it traded Lehner to Vegas in February and he re-signed with the Golden Knights for a $25 million, five-year deal.
Malcolm Subban, a goaltender who came over in the Lehner deal, is eligible for unrestricted free agency after he didn't receive a qualifying offer, but Bowman said the team is interested in bringing him back." data-reactid="40">Malcolm Subban, a goaltender who came to visit within the Lehner deal, is eligible for unrestricted free company after he did not obtain a qualifying provide, however Bowman stated the workforce is eager about bringing him again.
Crawford, who turns 36 on Dec. 31, went 16-20 with a .917 save proportion and a 2.77 goals-against common throughout the pandemic-shortened season. He began each sport as Chicago eradicated Edmonton within the qualifying spherical earlier than shedding to the Golden Knights within the playoffs.
Crawford, a Montreal native, was chosen by Chicago within the second spherical of the 2003 draft and made his debut with the Blackhawks in 2010. He helped the franchise to Stanley Cup titles in 2013 and 2015.
”Very like Corey wanted that chance when he got here up after the 2010 season – he had been with us for a couple of years, working his means up – we have a pair younger goalies right here in Lankinen and Delia who we have not given an actual large alternative to,” Bowman stated. ”With the place we’re headed, the NHL is relying an increasing number of on younger gamers. We will embrace that shifting ahead.”
The Blackhawks missed the playoffs in every of the earlier two seasons. Additionally they would have missed out this 12 months if the NHL hadn’t determined to go along with a 24-team postseason format.
Whoever replaces Crawford in web jumps into a tricky scenario. Chicago allowed an NHL-high 35.1 photographs per sport this 12 months, and rookie defensemen Ian Mitchell and Wyatt Kalynuk are anticipated to affix the lineup subsequent season.
Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome, and Bowman left open the possibility of bringing back one of team's non-tendered RFAs." data-reactid="46">However the transfer additionally creates extra room to maneuver with the NHL’s flat $81.5 million wage cap. The Blackhawks prolonged qualifying gives to restricted free brokers Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome, and Bowman left open the potential of bringing again certainly one of workforce’s non-tendered RFAs.
”It does not essentially imply these gamers will not be coming again to the Blackhawks,” Bowman stated. ”I feel, specifically, we’re hopeful that we are able to get Malcolm signed.”
Braden Holtby, Thomas Greiss, Jacob Markstrom and Anton Khudobin. Vegas' Marc-Andre Fleury also is reportedly available via trade after Lehner signed his new deal." data-reactid="48">Crawford joins a powerful record of accessible goaltenders that additionally consists of Henrik Lundqvist, Braden Holtby, Thomas Greiss, Jacob Markstrom and Anton Khudobin. Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury is also reportedly obtainable by way of commerce after Lehner signed his new deal.
Crawford, who missed components of the earlier two seasons due to concussions, has 260 wins with a .918 save proportion and a couple of.45 GAA in 488 profession NHL video games. The workforce paid tribute to Crawford on its Twitter account after the announcement, and Bowman stated he belongs in the identical dialog because the franchise’s elite goaltenders.
”To be a two-time Stanley Cup champion, the one goaltender within the historical past of the Blackhawks to do this, I feel it speaks volumes to his skill,” Bowman stated. ”He is up there with the legends for the Blackhawks; Tony Esposito, Glenn Corridor, Corey Crawford.”
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