In a move that looks like it could be very bad news for goaltender Anton Forsberg, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told the media that assembled on Friday that he does not plan on carrying three goalies during the 2018-19 NHL season.
Quenneville met with the media ahead of this weekend’s fan convention.
During the offseason, the Blackhawks signed veteran goaltender Cam Ward to a one-year contract. With veteran goaltender Corey Crawford reportedly ready for a return to the No. 1 spot after missing half of the 2017-18 season with still-undisclosed injuries, that means 2017 acquisition Anton Forsberg could be the odd man out, and as Chicago Sun-Times’ reporter Mark Lazerus mentoined on Twitter.
Forsberg, who turns 26 in November, certainly had his struggles during the prior season, posting a 10-16-4 record with a .908 save percentage and 2.97 goals-against average. But Forsberg’s numbers aren’t all that different from Ward’s stats — except in the win column (23-14-4, .906 SA% and 2.71 GAA).
Regardless of who the backup is, Quenneville again set his expectations for who will be the No. 1 goalie when the 2018-19 season arrives in October:
Q said he expects Corey Crawford to be the starting goalie opening night. #Blackhawks
— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) July 27, 2018
More of Quenneville’s comments to the media can be watched in this 48-second clip from Sporting News reporter Brian Sandalow:
Q speaks. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/b53rg11KRD
— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) July 27, 2018