Chicitysports – Chicago Sports News Site
  • BEARS
    • Chicago Bears News
    • Chicago Bears Rumors
    • Caleb Williams news
  • BULLS
    • Michael Jordan News
    • Chicago Bulls News
    • Chicago Bulls Rumors
  • BLACKHAWKS
    • Connor Bedard News
    • Chicago Blackhawks News
    • Chicago Blackhawks Rumors
  • CUBS
    • Chicago Cubs Prospects
    • Chicago Cubs News
    • Chicago Cubs Rumors
  • WHITE SOX
    • Chicago White Sox Prospects
    • Chicago White Sox News
    • Chicago White Sox Rumors
  • SKY
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • About Us
  • Author Page Template
  • Chicago Sports News
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • Editorial policy
  • Editorial team
  • email test
  • Get In Touch
  • homepage
  • homepage
  • Join Our Group
  • Meet the team
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Push notifications
  • Social Media
  • test
  • Test page
  • Testing
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Chicago Bears fans are livid over training camp ticket issues
  • Chicago Cubs-Chicago White Sox trade could possibly be in play, per insider
  • Chicago Cubs have ‘eyes’ on Boston Red Sox pitcher: Report
  • Chicago Bears analyst gives bold wide receiver prediction for 2025 season
  • Chicago Cubs are “all-in” at the trade deadline, but how much is “all-in?”
  • Chicago White Sox’s Will Venable reacts to Luis Robert Jr’s lineup return
  • Chicago Cubs make roster move on pitcher after giving up 6 earned runs
  • Chicago Bears’ secondary ranking plagued by glaring ‘weak spot’
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Chicitysports – Chicago Sports News SiteChicitysports – Chicago Sports News Site
WANT FREE UPDATES?
  • BEARS
    • Chicago Bears News
    • Chicago Bears Rumors
    • Caleb Williams news
  • BULLS
    • Michael Jordan News
    • Chicago Bulls News
    • Chicago Bulls Rumors
  • BLACKHAWKS
    • Connor Bedard News
    • Chicago Blackhawks News
    • Chicago Blackhawks Rumors
  • CUBS
    • Chicago Cubs Prospects
    • Chicago Cubs News
    • Chicago Cubs Rumors
  • WHITE SOX
    • Chicago White Sox Prospects
    • Chicago White Sox News
    • Chicago White Sox Rumors
  • SKY
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Chicitysports – Chicago Sports News Site
Home»Blackhawks»Helping Corey Crawford is the Key for the Chicago Blackhawks if They Want to Win
Blackhawks

Helping Corey Crawford is the Key for the Chicago Blackhawks if They Want to Win

Zack PearsonBy Zack PearsonJuly 22, 20114 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
CoreyCrawford
CoreyCrawford
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

There’s been many fan debates about whether the Chicago Blackhawks are a better team than they were last season after the major overhaul of their defense unit. There’s no doubt that the ‘Hawks became a tougher team with the addition of Andrew Brunette, Sean O’Donnell, and Daniel Carcillo, but does it make up for losing Brian Campbell and Troy Brouwer, two very skilled and prized ‘Hawks?

It all depends on how you look at it. The ‘Hawks did lose a lot when they traded both Brouwer and Campbell, but what Bowman gave he team in return was a good batch of role players. They’re not going to outshine or produce as much as Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, or Jonathan Toews, but they will distract attention from them.

Role players affect every single sport because you can’t have the best 12, or how many, players out there on the ice/field. Sport teams are like puzzles. Every one has a spot. They key is to pick out the right person for the open spot.

While you can only speculate how things will go(because no one really knows how well anyones’ season will go), there is one very important aspect that a lot of fans are omitting:the performance of Corey Crawford.

The Blackhawk goaltender played absolutely stellar last season, and for the season to start off the best possible foot, Crawford is going to have to keep that stellar play.

The ‘Hawks recently have gone through goaltenders like the Chicago Bears go through quarterbacks. And the ‘Hawks have something I like to call “First String Syndrome.” Every goaltender that starts the season as a starter always finds himself out-shined, out-loved, and, eventually, ousted by the guy behind him.

Just like the Bear fans hope Cutler can be that franchise guy, Blackhawk fans are praying that stability comes to the goaltender position.

Crawford could be that guy.  Chicago’s defense last season was below average(to put nicely,) and still Crawford put up a 2.30 GAA, a .917 save percentage, and a 33-18-6 record all in his rookie season.

If there’s anyway the ‘Hawks, or any NHL team for that matter, is going to be successful it starts with their goaltender. Sure, the flashy goal-scores are nice but their play doesn’t always impact the game because there are other players around them that can pick up the slack. Goaltenders’ performance directly impacts every 82 games played.

Just look at the two teams that played in this year’s Stanley Cup. Both Vancouver and Boston have elite goaltenders and were one, if not, the main reason they made it that far. If the ‘Hawks are ever going to return to the Stanley Cup it’s going to have to start at the goaltending position. A championship team only happens because they have an elite goaltender.

Crawford faced a lot more shots than he should have last season because of the weakness of the defense. The added toughness, veteran presence, and the likelihood of Ducan Keith going back to the play that earned him a Norris trophy(he’s too good of a defenseman to not) should hopefully reduce that shot count, relieving a lot of pressure Crawford had to deal with for most of the season as well as the seven games in the playoffs.

If there should be any doubts surrounding the Blackhawks, it should be focused on Crawford because I think the ‘Hawks have a better defense when it comes to players who can stop the player before he gets a shot off.

Their defense isn’t perfect, and time will only tell, but the season will really go downhill if Crawford suffers from “First String Syndrome.”

There’s always Alexander Salak though.

 

 

 

 

Should The Blackhawks Consider Re-Signing Marty Turco?

Should The Blackhawks Consider Re-Signing Marty Turco?

Read More

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

chicago chicago blackhawks Corey Crawford hockey NHL
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Author Image
BY Zack Pearson

Journalist

Related Posts

Blackhawks July 9, 2025

NHL insider reveals why Chicago Blackhawks had ‘quiet’ free agency

Blackhawks July 8, 2025

Anton Frondell discusses surreal Chicago Blackhawks arrival

Blackhawks July 8, 2025

Chicago Blackhawks: Price for extending Connor Bedard’s contract revealed

Blackhawks July 7, 2025

Chicago Blackhawks expected to make surprise decision on Anton Frondell this year

Blackhawks July 7, 2025

Chicago Blackhawks analysts lay out best-case scenario for 2025-26

Other July 7, 2025

From the Madhouse on Madison to Mobile Slots: Why Chicago Sports Fans Love Online Casino Games

Leave A Reply

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Editorial policy
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.