Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011
1:59 PM
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com
When the Calder Trophy talk for best NHL rookie began early this season, Corey Crawford wasnt even a blip on the radar. He was barely set as the Chicago Blackhawks No. 2 goaltender.
But much has changed since the fall. Crawford has gone from somewhat-used backup to solid No. 1 starter. And with the 26-year-old soon to play his 25th game this season, it may be time to throw Crawford into the Calder conversation.
Crawford is currently third in the NHL with a 2.14 goals-against average. Hes amassed a 15-8-1 record, which includes two consecutive shutouts. To his teammates, Crawford has been strong and dependable.
Weve seen him play a handful (of games) each year. This year it seems hes ready for the No. 1 job and hes playing great, Patrick Sharp said. You see the way he fits in with the guys in the locker room and Marty (Turco)s been a huge help for him, one of the best partners in the game.
Crawford will never be one to tout his game but the results speak for themselves. Hes been big in net, and he was a key part of the Blackhawks success when they went through their injury bug last month. But the goaltender said his game is always a work in progress.
NHL
My game is to pretty much just follow the puck, make sure Im set and square before the player shoots and from there react, he said. Im always working to be quick enough to get there and be big and ready, not be off balance. Im still working on reflexes and seeing the way guys shoot. Theres always stuff to be done.
Still, his confidence has grown with the playing time and results.
I think thats the way it is with everyone. When you come into the league you want to prove yourself and once you do you see the confidence, Patrick Kane said. Hes confident in the net. The thing about him is hes very humble. Hes done a lot of great things.
Calder talk thus far has included forwards such as Jeff Skinner of Carolina, Taylor Hall of Edmonton and Logan Couture of San Jose. They were emerging names early, and theyve accumulated Calder-worthy stats from the start. Even if Crawfords joining the party late, hes nevertheless making a case for some recognition.
Initially he didnt play too much and you talk about all the young kids coming into the league that get more attention than he did or has gotten, coach Joel Quenneville said. But his numbers are starting to get your attention, so well see. Its a long year. But we like the progress hes shown in his game and what hes contributed to our team.
Its tough to say where Crawford could end up in the late-season Calder talk. Hes doing whats necessary to help the Blackhawks stay in the Western Conference race, and reaching the team goal will always take top priority over the individual hardware.
There are games hes kept us in and weve come away losing by a goal and it couldve been a lot uglier than that. Then hes won a games that we probably didnt deserve to win, Sharp said. Hes been the force back there.
High praise
Quenneville has been happy with a lot of things from rookie defenseman Nick Leddy, especially his patience with the puck. When he talked about it Thursday, Quenneville also mentioned a former NHL great: Sergei Zubov.
With Zubov, you think of him standing with the puck, you fake a guy out and hold on all of a sudden things evaporate and you have all kinds of time, Quenneville said of the former Dallas Stars defenseman. Leddy has that ability to waive people off and see plays. And with that poise and patience with the puck, he should only be improving off of those levels.
Quenneville talked of Leddy being bigger since the 19-year-old had his first stint with Chicago in October. Leddy said Thursday hes gained about five or six pounds over the past few months.
Briefly
Troy Brouwer, Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Jake Dowell had a maintenance day on Thursday. Quenneville said all will be ready for the weekend Nashville games.
Quenneville said theres a chance Marty Turco could play in one of the games against the Predators.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.