Corey Crawford Will Likely Hit NHL Free Agency Oct. 9

While it was expected that Corey Crawford would be testing the market and potentially leaving the Chicago Blackhawks, that news seems to be confirmed now as multiple online reports are noting that Corey Crawford’s career with the Blackhawks is coming to an end after the organization low-balled him in negotiations.

Blackhawks insider Mark Lazerus of The Athletic has reported that GM Stan Bowman is not expecting Crawford to sign a deal with the team before the UFA market opens. He writes, “Bowman said he’s always an optimist in these things, but does he think Corey Crawford could end up hitting the UFA market? “We’re realistic that that’s a possibility but that’s not what we’re focused on.”

Stan Bowman said he's always an optimist in these things, but does he think Corey Crawford could end up hitting the UFA market? "We’re realistic that that’s a possibility but that’s not what we’re focused on."https://t.co/ugTLFILnHR

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) September 30, 2020

This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who follows the Blackhawks or to the organization itself. According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the Blackhawks informed Crawford that they’ll only bring him back on a “bargain deal” and the expectation was that he wasn’t prepared to take that large a pay cut, at least not without seeing what the market would bare first.

More Goaltenders Added to the Available List

This adds another goalie to the market today as Henrik Lundqvist was bought out by the Rangers. The crop of netminders in this year’s offseason is incredible with some really good backstops out there for teams looking to improve in that area.

It could also lead to some bargains and it will be interesting to see what kind of salary Crawford can demand. He’s a two time Stanley Cup champion (2013 and 2015) and he’s also a two time Jennings Trophy winner.

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