With the first game of the 2021-22 NHL season just three days away, it’s time to start examining the players who’ll be taking the ice for the Blackhawks this season. Up first, it’s the goaltenders.
Last season, the Chicago Blackhawks had a trio of contenders for the No. 1 goaltender spot vacated by Corey Crawford after the 2019-20 season. Collin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban all vied for that role, with Lankinen jumping out to an early lead that he never relinquished, remaining atop the depth chart for the pandemic-abbreviated season.
Thanks to an offseason trade, though, there is no such competition happening for the starter’s net this season, although some intrigue remains with the backup spot.