Crawford could join Blackhawks before Qualifiers against Oilers
Goalie has been ruled 'unfit to play' since start of training camp; Toews misses practice
ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom
Corey Crawford could join the Chicago Blackhawks before they leave for Edmonton on Sunday to play in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
"We are hopeful on that," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said Tuesday. "I think we'll be able to give you a better idea when we get closer to the weekend. But that's something we're still shooting for. I don't have any definitive comments right now, but we're still hoping that's the case."
The goalie has been ruled "unfit to play" since the start of training camp July 13 and did not take part in the Blackhawks' voluntary workouts that began June 8. As part of the NHL Return to Play Plan, a team is not permitted to disclose player injury or illness information.
Crawford was healthy this season after missing 80 games during the previous two seasons because of concussions. He went 16-20-3 with a 2.77 goals-against average in 40 games, and his .917 save percentage was tied for fifth in the NHL among goalies to play at least 40 games.
"At this point nothing's been ruled out," Bowman said. "We still have a fair amount of time until Aug. 1 and the first game. We're not thinking that far ahead right now. We're really kind of here day to day. Like we said at the outset, right now Corey's not here, so we're focused on the other four goalies. If and when Corey's ready, then we'll have that conversation. But I think it's best to stick with where we are today, and not jump too far ahead."
The Blackhawks (32-30-8, .514 points percentage) enter the Qualifiers as the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference and will play the No. 5 seed, the Edmonton Oilers (37-25-9, .585). Game 1 of their best-of-5 series is Aug. 1 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, the hub city for the 12 Western teams. The winner will advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the loser will have a chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery, to be held Aug. 10.
"I think as players we are focused on the guys that are here in camp," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "We know that it's not going to be any easy series against Edmonton, so we're trying to do the best we can to prepare for that. Corey is an all-world goaltender. Without a training camp, without being here, if there's one guy who could step in, it would be him, especially being the goaltending position. We'll wait and see. Hopefully he comes back and stands on his head."
Chicago also will play the St. Louis Blues in an exhibition game July 29.
"My understanding is, players who go to Edmonton with when you leave this Sunday, that's your group," Bowman said. "The big issue is bringing players in who are not in the bubble. You try to make as many strides as we can to keep the environment closed, so you don't want players coming in from outside. If you have 10 guys get hurt in the first round, six weeks into the playoffs, they'll probably have to revisit that. But that's not the plan right now."
Center Jonathan Toews was "unfit to participate" in practice, coach Jeremy Colliton said. Defenseman Calvin de Haan returned from a family emergency.
