Corey Crawford could return for the Blackhawks despite being labeled “not fit to play or participate” during the first four days of training camp.
“I mean, for now there is no change, but [we] He certainly didn’t rule it out in the future, “coach Jeremy Colliton said Friday.
Colliton was asked about Crawford being available in the future after NBC Sports Chicago released a report earlier in the day saying there is a “chance” that the keeper will return next week. The NHL prohibits teams from disclosing medical information in Phases 3 (training grounds) and 4 (restart of play).
Crawford has not participated in the first four days of camp and was the only NHL regular who did not participate in the Blackhawks’ voluntary practice, which began June 8 at the Fifth Third Arena in Chicago. The two-time Stanley Cup champion had a record of 16-20-3 with an average of 2.77 goals against, and among the goalkeepers who played at least 40 games this season, he was tied for fifth in the NHL with a percentage savings of .917 this season.
The Blackhawks have eight more days of practice before heading to Edmonton on July 26 before their exhibition game against the Blues on July 29 and their qualifying series against the Oilers, which begins on August 1. The winner will advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the loser and the other seven teams eliminated from the qualifiers will have the same opportunity (12.5 percent) in the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft 2020 in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery on August 10. The 2020 NHL Draft is scheduled for October 9-10.
Chicago has four goalkeepers at camp with Malcolm Subban, Collin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Matt Tomkins. Colliton has rotated Subban, Delia and Lankinen during practice with the first group.
Blackhawks goalkeeping rotation
Day 1: Subban / Delia
Day 2: Subban / Lankinen
Day 3: Delia / Lankinen
Day 4: Subban / Delia
Subban has the most NHL experience among the trio; He is 30-23-7 with a GAA of 2.97 and a save percentage of .899 in 66 games (60 starts) with Bruins, Golden Knights and Blackhawks. He was 9-7-3 with a GAA of 3.17 and a saving percentage of .890 this season with Vegas before being acquired in exchange for Robin Lehner on February 24. Subban did not face a shot in 70 seconds of relief for Chicago on March 3.
Delia is 7-5-3 with a GAA of 3.65 and a saving percentage of .906 in 18 NHL games (16 starts), all with the Blackhawks, but she did not play in the NHL this season. Lankinen and Tomkins have never played in the NHL, and all three goalkeepers have not played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“Obviously, it could end up being the opportunity of a lifetime,” Subban said Wednesday. “For me, it’s just taking it day by day and continuing to work hard and making sure I’m ready if I get the chance.”
On Friday Patrick Kane said he is confident Subban or Delia will start online.
“I know that Delia came and played with us [during 2018-19 season] and he was off, “Kane said.” He’s so athletic, so good from side to side. His speed is probably really impressive. Same thing with Subban. Just shooting at him in [the voluntary workouts] there is a lot, you realize how athletic he is, how fast he is. If you do a couple of moves [a goalie]Deke him, you usually have the ability to pick up the puck and put it on the net if he’s on a break or something. He is a guy who overcomes very fast and makes it difficult for you to gut him. So you can see where his talent level is and why he was recruited so high, why he’s a guy who could step in and do a very good job for us. I think they both seem very confident as goalkeepers, which is obviously very important.
“Obviously we would love to have Crow here, we would love to have him back. He has been an amazing goalkeeper for a long time here. But if he can’t go, I think we have confidence that one of those guys can take a step forward. “
