{"id":34321,"date":"2018-08-15T08:38:44","date_gmt":"2018-08-15T12:38:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=34321"},"modified":"2018-08-15T08:38:44","modified_gmt":"2018-08-15T12:38:44","slug":"chicago-blackhawks-summer-goaltending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/08\/15\/chicago-blackhawks-summer-goaltending\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Blackhawks Summer of Uncertainty Part One &#8211; Goaltending"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s mid-August and hockey fans have entered that time of year they dread the most, the off-season after the NHL draft and free agency are over. This holds especially true in Chicago, where <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> summer of uncertainty is causing their fans tremendous angst. After finishing out of the NHL playoff race, the Blackhawks faithful have not had much to look forward to this summer. The team&#8217;s goaltending has recently been a hot topic. Especially when it comes to the health of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crawfco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Corey Crawford<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h1>Chicago Blackhawks Summer Goaltending Uncertainty<\/h1>\n<p>Once <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crawfco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Corey Crawford<\/a><\/strong> went <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/01\/16\/chicago-blackhawks-might-lost-corey-crawford-year\/\" target=\"_self\">down for the season<\/a> last December, the team&#8217;s chances of making the playoffs became astronomically diminished. Crawford had single-handedly held his team in games up until his season-ending ailment. Crawford&#8217;s record was at 16-9-2, with a goals-against of 2.27. His save percentage was .929, which was among the best in the league.<\/p>\n<p>After Crawford went down, goaltending duties became\u00a0a rotation of\u00a0goalies trying to\u00a0provide\u00a0&#8220;starter quality minutes&#8221; behind a suspect defence. Listed below are the other goalies who played minutes for Chicago last year:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/forsban01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anton\u00a0Forsberg<\/a><\/strong>\u00a010-16-4 &#8211; Goals against of 2.97 &#8211; Save percentage of .908<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/glassje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeff Glass<\/a><\/strong> 3-7-3 &#8211; Goals against of 3.36 &#8211; Save percentage of .898<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/berubje02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jean-Francois\u00a0Berube<\/a><\/strong>\u00a03-6-1 &#8211; Goals against of 3.78 &#8211; Save percentage of .894<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/deliaco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Collin Delia<\/a><\/strong> 1-1-0 &#8211; Goals against of 3.96 &#8211; Save percentage of .889<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Goaltending Carousel<\/h2>\n<p>As you see, the Chicago Blackhawks\u00a0goaltending dropped off dramatically after Crawford&#8217;s injury. None of his replacements could take the reins and give\u00a0Vezina-quality goaltending that he did. All of the goalies suffered playing <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/04\/15\/chicago-blackhawks-2017-18-season-autopsy\/\" target=\"_self\">behind a porous defence<\/a> which was prone to giveaways and bad defensive-zone coverage. It became clear that Crawford was the main reason the Blackhawks remained in the playoff picture in the first half of the season.<\/p>\n<h2>Goaltending Solutions Offered<\/h2>\n<p>While Crawford&#8217;s status has been kept secret, the team made a move in free agency on July 1st. The Blackhawks signed <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wardca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Ward<\/a><\/strong> as a free agent to a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/07\/01\/goaltender-cam-ward-signs\/\" target=\"_self\">one-year, $3 million contract.<\/a> Ward brings experience with a career record of: 318-244-84. He has a goals against average of 2.70, and a save percentage of .909 over 13 seasons with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/07\/03\/calvin-de-haan-signed-carolina-hurricanes\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Ward joins Anton\u00a0Forsberg\u00a0in the competition\u00a0to back up Crawford. Unfortunately for Blackhawks fans, Ward and\u00a0Forsberg may be\u00a0initially battling for the starting job in camp. Crawford&#8217;s health is still a question mark for the Blackhawks. At the recent Blackhawks fan convention, Crawford\u00a0was <a href=\"https:\/\/chicago.suntimes.com\/sports\/blackhawks-corey-crawford-not-100-percent-injury\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">quoted\u00a0by Chicago Sun Times writer Mark\u00a0Lazerus<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><em>Crawford said he\u2019s \u201cfeeling pretty good\u00a0right now, [but] I am not at 100 percent yet.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;In fact, his eyes reddened a bit and his voice wavered when he\u00a0was asked\u00a0about the last seven months and whether he, at any point, feared for his career or his long-term health. He wouldn\u2019t go into specifics about the injury or the recovery process, but his voice betrayed his feelings.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This news was a major blow to the Chicago locals who\u00a0had been told\u00a0all along by the Blackhawks that Crawford would be ready by training camp. With Crawford not yet 100%, many are wondering how fast the upcoming season will go off the rails. Ward and Forsberg\u00a0will be challenged\u00a0to compete for the starter&#8217;s job if Crawford is unable to play. Whether they can\u00a0provide\u00a0quality starts and consistency in net are questions that loom large as the season approaches.<\/p>\n<h3>More Goaltending Concerns<\/h3>\n<p>For another take on the Crawford situation, check this out <a href=\"https:\/\/nhl.nbcsports.com\/2018\/08\/07\/three-questions-facing-chicago-blackhawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">from James O&#8217;Brien<\/a> of NBCSports.com:<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;1. What\u2019s going on with Corey Crawford?&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;In late-July, Crawford addressed questions about his health, expressing some vague optimism about possibly being ready for Blackhawks training camp. At the same time, he also admitted that he hasn\u2019t resumed skating. Yikes.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The fact that Crawford hasn&#8217;t started skating yet is not good news in Chicago. It appears that signing <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wardca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Ward<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0may be\u00a0the Blackhawks most important free agent of the summer. Goaltending duties may fall to Ward and\u00a0Forsberg\u00a0if <strong>Corey Crawford<\/strong> isn&#8217;t ready by the opening of training camp on September 15th. One month is not a lot of time for Crawford to train and be ready for the season opener.<\/p>\n<h2>Goaltending Sleepers<\/h2>\n<p>If Ward and\u00a0Forsberg\u00a0struggle in net, the Blackhawks may have to look to their minor league team in Rockford for help\u00a0in goal. The Ice Hogs have the recently signed <strong>Kevin\u00a0Lankinen<\/strong>\u00a0and the surprise of last years AHL playoffs <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/deliaco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Collin Delia<\/a><\/strong>. In the recent AHL playoffs, Delia <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/05\/01\/chicago-blackhawks-youth-and-veterans-leading-in-rockford\/\" target=\"_self\">was outstanding<\/a> with a record of 7-3 with a goals against average of 2.34 and save percentage of .924 for the Ice Hogs. Of the two, Delia\u00a0may be\u00a0the\u00a0dark-horse\u00a0to challenge for a spot of the opening night roster if Crawford isn&#8217;t ready.<\/p>\n<h3>Count Down to Training Camp<\/h3>\n<p>As the clock ticks away towards training camp, many are hopeful that good news will develop\u00a0regarding Crawford&#8217;s health. So much is riding on Crawford returning to his former self as the regular season begins. The Blackhawks will need someone to step up if Crawford&#8217;s return\u00a0is delayed. Who that will be is the huge question on everyone&#8217;s mind.<\/p>\n<h3>Next Up<\/h3>\n<p>In the upcoming Chicago Blackhawks Summer of Uncertainty Part Two, we will look at the much-maligned defence corps of the Blackhawks. After last season&#8217;s debacle, they are needing a bounce-back year. Will they be able to develop into a top defence corps again?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: CHICAGO, IL &#8211; JANUARY 17: Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks follows the action against the Montreal Canadiens at the United Center on January 17, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s mid-August and hockey fans have entered that time of year they dread the most, the off-season after the NHL draft and free agency are over. This holds especially true in Chicago, where Chicago Blackhawks summer of uncertainty is causing their fans tremendous angst. After finishing out of the NHL playoff race, the Blackhawks faithful [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2251,"featured_media":18097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[1752,276,246,3156,822,1920,38,662],"class_list":["post-34321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blackhawks","tag-anton-forsberg","tag-cam-ward","tag-chicago-blackhawks","tag-collin-delia","tag-corey-crawford","tag-jean-francois-berube","tag-nhl","tag-nhl-free-agency"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2251"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34321"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34321\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}