There is a rumor buzzing around right now that Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford will be sent down to the American Hockey League's Rockford Ice Hogs. The Hogs are the Hawks minor league affiliate, and where Crawford spent his early professional years before being called up to Chicago for the 2010-11 season.
Crawford was sold in his first year in a Hawks sweater, but struggled greatly in his sophomore year in the NHL. He ended up splitting time with free agent signee Ray Emery. Crawford was still regarded as the number one all year, and played every game int the team's first round playoff loss to Phoenix, a series which lasted 6 games.
The idea behind sending Crawford down would be to have hm develop more. New York Rangers defenceman Michael Del Zotto played extremely well in his rookie year with the Blueshirts, but he was, lets be honest, god-awful in his second year with the team. The Rangers sent him to their AHL team in Connecticut, and he spent the year developing. This past season he played the whole year on the Rangers and, as a result of his development, he was one of the Rangers best defencemen, and one of the top offensive-defencemen in the entire National Hockey League.
If the Blackhawks do the same thing with Crawford and they get the same or a similar result as the Rags did with Del Zotto, then the Windy City based franchise will have real stability in net for the first time in as long as anyone can remember (the days of Ed Belfour?)
There is no real news on this yet, so I am unable to confirm anything. As soon as I get another update, I will let you guys know. Stay tuned.
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