The Chicago Blackhawks are interested in trading for Washington Capitals goaltender Philipp Grubauer, reports Bob McKenzie on TSN 1050.
McKenzie noted the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche and the New York Islanders as other teams also looking for goaltenders.
Grubauer, 26, stared 10 of the Capitals’ final 17 regular-season games, compiling a 7-3 record with a .925 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average. After his first win of the season in November against Tampa Bay, the German posted a .937 save percentage and a 1.93 GAA. He went 15-10 with a .923 save percentage and 2.35 GAA in 35 games this season.
The 6-foot-1, 191-pound Grubauer also started the Capitals’ first two playoff games against Columbus in the first round. He allowed four goals in each game, and was pulled in Game 2. He’s 1-1 with a .835 save percentage and 4.24 GAA in four career playoff games.
Grubauer made $1.5 million this past season and would be in for a salary increase as a restricted free agent this summer. He has played parts of six seasons with the Capitals after the team drafted him in the fourth round in 2010.
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said Thursday that he expects starting goaltender Corey Crawford to be ready for training camp. Crawford, 32, missed the final 47 games with a head injury. Before the injury, Crawford had the second-best save percentage in the league among No. 1 netminders at .929.
In his absence, Anton Forsberg, Jeff Glass, J-F Berube, Collin Delia, and yes even, Scott Foster combined to post a .901 save percentage as the Hawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
The Hawks have not said what Crawford’s injury is, and where they see the franchise’s future in net going forward.