Chicago Blackhawks: What Corey Crawford’s return means for the Hawks

Corey Crawford was medically cleared to play for the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. Here’s what his return means for the Hawks.

It’s been a long, interesting year for Corey Crawford and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Crawford left the team’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils on December 23, 2017 and has not played in an NHL game since. The team never really specified Crawford’s injury, merely that Crawford is dealing with an “upper-body injury.”

It was recently revealed that Crawford has been plagued with concussion symptoms, but the ambiguity and often lack of information has led some to believe that there’s more to the story than what fans are being told.

While it’s great that hockey is the one league that doesn’t willingly spill a player’s personal medical situation, it sometimes leaves much to the imagination when a player isn’t heard from or spoken about when they’re not available.

Fortunately for the Blackhawks, Crawford was medically cleared to play on Monday and participated in full practice with the team shortly thereafter. He faced a few shots and spoke to the media afterwards.

So with Crawford (hopefully) being available for the start of the 2018-19 season or soon after, what will his return mean for the Hawks this year?

For starters, the Blackhawks are already a significantly better team when Crawford is on the ice. In Crow’s 28 games played last season, his numbers were among some of the best in his career. His save percentage of .929 was the highest yet in his 11 years in the league  (excluding a five game season in 2007-08) and his 2.27 goals against average was the lowest since the Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup championship season in 2014-15.

Crawford’s final record in 2017-18 was a decent 16-9-2.

Crow’s return will also shake up the roster for the Hawks, who had already been carrying two goalies as a result of the uncertainty of Crawford’s status. The Hawks signed veteran net-minder Cam Ward to a one-year deal during the offseason, while young prospect Anton Forsberg is signed through the end of this season when he will then become a restricted free agent.

Though Ward brings a wealth of experience that Forsberg lacks, Ward’s numbers have steadily declined over the last four years. On the other hand, Forsberg struggled mightily while getting consistent time for the first time in his career, posting a goals against average of nearly 3.00 in 35 games.

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At only 25 years of age, Forsberg still has the potential to be a solid goalie for years to come, so there’s a chance that the Hawks can find a trade partner and ideally get numerous pieces in return. However, with Crawford (33) and Ward (34) not getting any younger, the Hawks also may not be so inclined to trade away a promising young goalie with very little experience and a tremendous amount of potential.

Head coach Joel Quenneville has already said that the Hawks won’t carry three goalies this season, so there’s bound to be some changes in the roster once his status is certain.

One of the biggest benefits of Crawford’s return to the Hawks will be the stress that will be taken off of the defense by having a solid goalie between the pipes. The recent struggles of the Hawks blue line have been well-documented, and with veterans Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook declining and their time in Chicago running out, it’s more imperative than ever that the Hawks have a reliable goalie in net.

Of course, all of this is contingent on Crawford returning to the ice, remaining healthy and performing at a level that is at least close to his original form. If he’s unable to stay healthy or struggles in the crease once he returns to game action, the Hawks are looking at an entirely different situation.

Until then, the Hawks will have to see what happens and savor the fact that they appear to be getting back their veteran goalie with years of experience on the United Center ice.