Reports: Blackhawks Zeroing In On Veteran Goaltender
The Blackhawks are looking for a veteran backup for Corey Crawford
By James Neveau ••
Despite assurances that Corey Crawford is expected to be ready on Opening Night, the Chicago Blackhawks are looking at several veteran options in the net, and it appears as though they’re zeroing in on one player in particular.
According to multiple reports, the Blackhawks are closing in on a contract with former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward.
Ward, who appeared in 43 games and registered a 23-14-4 record last season with the Hurricanes, likely wouldn’t command the salary that other potential market options would, including St. Louis Blues netminder Carter Hutton, who is drawing a ton of interest from all around the NHL.
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Beagle could be a solid penalty killer and a face-off specialist for a team that struggled at times in both areas last season, but his potential increased payday due to his Stanley Cup title, and the Blackhawks’ limited cap flexibility, could make him a luxury the team can’t afford. Reports have linked him to the Vancouver Canucks, among other teams.
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The 29-year-old is going to generate a lot of buzz because of his gritty style of play for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but do the Blackhawks want to shell out money for a blue liner whose career high in goals is five? He doesn’t exactly fit the mold of the team’s future, but with a lack of physicality on the roster, he might make sense if Stan Bowman wants to throw Joel Quenneville a bone.
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Taken one pick after the Blackhawks took Kyle Beach in the 2009 NHL Draft, de Haan has had a solid NHL career, with 12 goals and 69 assists in 304 career games with the Islanders. He could be a good value pick-up on the market.
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Filppula could be a good fit on the Blackhawks, as he can win face-offs and can play center on either the second or third line.
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UPDATE: Green has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the Red Wings.
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Maroon is a solid third line winger that can provide some scoring punch, scoring a total of 17 goals between the Oilers and Devils last season. He did have 27 goals the previous season in Anaheim, so if the Blackhawks are looking for a veteran second-to-third line winger, he could be a good fit.
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Blackhawks fans tend to love local products, and the Winnetka-native (and former Chicago Steel standout) could be an interesting target. He would be a bottom-four upgrade on defense, and he does have some scoring touch, with 19 goals over the last two seasons in New Jersey.
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Nash’s numbers last season weren’t staggering, with 15 goals and 26 assists for the Bruins, but his age could intrigue the Blackhawks, as he’s just 29 years old and figures to have several good years left under his belt.
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While his cost could drive the Blackhawks away, van Riemsdyk could be an outstanding fit with the team. He scored a career high 36 goals last season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he would give the Blackhawks an instant upgrade in their forward group.
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The Blackhawks are reportedly looking for a veteran back-up goaltender this offseason, and Ward could fit that bill. He posted a 23-14-4 record with a .906 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average last season, and while he’s going to turn 35 years old next season, the Blackhawks could see him as a valuable insurance policy for Corey Crawford.
Ward is coming off a contract that paid him $3.3 million per season, but it’s unclear if he’ll meet that mark in a new deal with a team.
