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Blackhawks’ Corey Crawford deemed ‘unfit to play’ on day one of camp

  
Preview/Game thread: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers
Corey Crawford defends the Blackhawks' net during the 2019-20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

In a relatively surprising development, Chicago Blackhawks starting goalie Corey Crawford was deemed “unfit to play” by the team following Monday’s first return to play training camp practice.

Crawford was left as the team’s only NHL goalie with playoff experience when Robin Lehner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the trade deadline in February. Former Boston Bruins first-round pick Malcolm Subban was acquired from Vegas in the trade, but has only 66 games of NHL experience as a backup and no playoff games. Behind Subban is Collin Delia with 18 NHL under his belt and, again, no playoff experience. Kevin Lankinen and Matt Tomkins are also in camp, but neither netminder has played an NHL game. Lankinen was called up as an emergency backup for a couple of games this season, but never saw the ice.

As Mario Tirabassi mentioned on Twitter, Crawford and his wife just welcomed their second son in March, which may play a factor. Another thing to take into account is his post-concussion issues, which could potentially be back in the mix. Thanks to the NHL’s new injury/illness protocol, Crawford’s reason for absence might not be known until the play-in and playoffs are over.

Either way, the Blackhawks need Crawford if they intend on beating the Edmonton Oilers in the play-in round and making it to the first round of the playoffs. Then, General Manager Stan Bowman will need to decide if Crawford is worth extending for next season. If the team does not extend Crawford, there could be some even darker times in store for the 2020–21 season with no experienced goalies and very limited salary cap money to sign one.

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Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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  • July 13, 2020 at 4:24 pm #17382
    Jeff Osborn
    Keymaster

    In a relatively surprising development, Chicago Blackhawks starting goalie Corey Crawford was deemed “unfit to play” by the team following Monday’s fi
    [To continue reading full article, click here: Blackhawks’ Corey Crawford deemed ‘unfit to play’ on day one of camp]

    @PuckinHostile on Twitter

    July 13, 2020 at 7:20 pm #17384
    Mister Ricochet
    Participant

    Stay home Corey, please.   One step closer to the #1 or #10 pick.  …………. Isn’t it just like StanBow to ignore the position?  Until he kinda fell into Lehner for the last bunch of yrs he was screwed if anything happened to Crow.  Par for the course but IMO this time StanBow’s incompetence is a good thing.

    Didn’t realize Crow just had a baby. I can see him saying screw this bubble/pandemic/play in nonsense.

    July 14, 2020 at 12:02 pm #17388
    Under Qs moustache
    Participant
    Mister Ricochet wrote:

    Stay home Corey, please. One step closer to the #1 or #10 pick. …………. Isn’t it just like StanBow to ignore the position? Until he kinda fell into Lehner for the last bunch of yrs he was screwed if anything happened to Crow. Par for the course but IMO this time StanBow’s incompetence is a good thing. Didn’t realize Crow just had a baby. I can see him saying screw this bubble/pandemic/play in nonsense.

    Quote

    As I said in an earlier article. IF Crow wants to play next year, this is an NHL exhibition of his current skill level, Hawks win or lose. The Hawks are in deep doodoo with no cap $, rfa’s to sign, and now no NHL proven goalie. Forget the SC tournament this year, the Hawks are better off losing and giving themselves a shot at #1 overall. But come Dec 1st the reality of the goaltending situation will come to the surface. Lets call this the Colliton curse.

    July 14, 2020 at 12:27 pm #17390
    DK002
    Participant

    Interesting…

    well along with Crawford

    Bowman ‘unfit’ to be a GM

    Cotillion ‘unfit to coach…

    July 14, 2020 at 4:59 pm #17395
    Mister Ricochet
    Participant

    What is “unfit”? He has the virus, had the virus, been on the couch since the shutdown?  ……. As Hawk fans living in cap hell for yrs we’ve learned to “cross that bridge when we get to it”, whatever it is.  First things first for me is lose to EDM.

    Then the Hawks need a goalie with nothing in the system that could be a #1 (big surprise) cuz Crow is off the books but so is his 6 million.  He’ll be 36, is a weird dude, a proud dude, a concussion  concern, a helluva goalie still as shown by his .927 SPG since January.

    Do they sign him?  If so how much and what is the term.  Will proud Corey take less than 6 mil for 2 yrs?  Would there be a market for him?   ………. Would Lehner come back for Corey’s 6 mil for 5 yrs?

    First things first, get into the lottery.

    July 15, 2020 at 1:35 pm #17407
    John M
    Participant

    I’m betting the Crow is opting out of playing as a way to position himself for a better contract next year. We’ve heard nothing about the Hawks giving him an extension. This could be his way of hoping that the Hawks up their offer after seeing Delia and Subban. Even at 4m /year for two years, that’s a good deal in mho. Regardless of the salary cap, no decent goalie, no f’n chance at the playoffs for next year. But who knows, maybe that’s the Hawks plan anyway.

    July 15, 2020 at 2:21 pm #17409
    Jeff Osborn
    Keymaster
    John M wrote:

    I’m betting the Crow is opting out of playing as a way to position himself for a better contract next year. We’ve heard nothing about the Hawks giving him an extension. This could be his way of hoping that the Hawks up their offer after seeing Delia and Subban. Even at 4m /year for two years, that’s a good deal in mho. Regardless of the salary cap, no decent goalie, no f’n chance at the playoffs for next year. But who knows, maybe that’s the Hawks plan anyway.

    Quote

    Not showing up for your team when they have a free shot at actually making the playoffs is not a way to teach your team a lesson. It would just prove he’s undependable and has a poor attitude. Pending free agents don’t help their cases by holding out and pouting, especially 35-year-old ones that have been proven to not be able to stay healthy.

    He’s either hurt, experiencing more post-concussion symptoms or has COVID.

    @PuckinHostile on Twitter

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