It’s time to examine what the Devils will need to accomplish over the coming months.
The Blue Jackets were able to lock up one of their top young talents, inking Oliver Bjorkstrand to a five-year, $27 million extension.
As the New Jersey Devils do a bit of scrambling to find another netminder to add to their roster, a few options are starting to present themselves. At the very least, they’re options outsiders believe will present themselves to GM Tom Fitzgerald who didn’t expect to lose Corey Crawford just weeks after signing him in NHL free agency.
Crawford retires after playing 488 regular-season games. He compiled a 260-162-53 record with a 2.45 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in 10 seasons with the Blackhawks.
There is no timeline for Crawford's return, and the Devils will have to prepare to begin the season without him. New Jersey will likely rely on Mackenzie Blackwood and one of Gilles Senn or Evan Cormier.
Crawford departs the Blackhawks as the only goaltender to win multiple Stanley Cups (2013, 2015) and multiple William M. Jennings Trophies (2012-13, 2014-15) in franchise history.
The Blackhawks may be without Corey Crawford for the season's resumption, as the veteran goaltender missed the opening day of training camp after being ruled 'unfit to play or participate'.
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