NHL Free Agency has not even started yet and we are already off to a hot start. The latest from the rumor mills is that the Blackhawks are targetting veteran goalies to help bolster the position. Corey Crawford’s status is still up in the air, as of right now, and there are not many viable options in free agency. The only thing we know for sure is that the Blackhawks desperately need help in that area. One big name has already been linked to the Blackhawks on multiple occasions, Cam Ward.
As I reported in last night’s @MadhousePod, the Blackhawks are interested in former Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward. I’m told this morning, from a separate source, that an agreement may already be in the works/close. Ward, 34, had a 2.74 GAA and .906 save percentage in 43 games w/ CAR
— Jay Zawaski (@JayZawaski670) June 27, 2018
There have already been roster moves made to allow for the signing of Cam Ward. Earlier today, the Blackhawks traded one of their goaltenders to free up a roster spot and some cap space for Ward.
The #Blackhawks have acquired forward Jordan Schroeder from Columbus in exchange for goaltender Jean-Francois Berube. pic.twitter.com/Odu89cuVKT
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 27, 2018
What Does Cam Ward Have to Offer?
Cam Ward is what most people categorize as a “proven veteran”. He is a 10-year veteran who has played his whole career as a Carolina Hurricane. Ward is also Stanley Cup champion and he won the Conn Smythe award in 2006. Since then, Ward has had a steady, but unspectacular career. Here are Cam Ward’s career numbers.
Goal Scor Season Age Tm Lg GP GS W L T/O GA SA SV SV% GAA SO MIN QS QS% RBS GA%- GSAA GPS G A PTS PIM Awards 2005-06 21 CAR NHL 28 14 8 2 91 773 682 .882 3.68 0 1484 119 -14.68 3.1 0 2 2 0 Smythe-1 2006-07 22 CAR NHL 60 30 21 6 167 1625 1458 .897 2.93 2 3422 108 -13.02 8.5 0 1 1 6 Byng-69 2007-08 23 CAR NHL 69 67 37 25 5 180 1870 1690 .904 2.75 4 3930 35 .522 14 106 -10.12 10.4 0 1 1 4 2008-09 24 CAR NHL 68 68 39 23 5 160 1901 1741 .916 2.44 6 3928 43 .632 10 92 13.96 12.9 0 1 1 4 AS-7Hart-17Vezina-7 2009-10 25 CAR NHL 47 44 18 23 5 119 1409 1290 .916 2.69 0 2651 25 .568 4 95 6.02 9.2 0 3 3 0 2010-11 26 CAR NHL 74 73 37 26 10 184 2375 2191 .923 2.56 4 4318 43 .589 8 89 22.90 16.8 0 1 1 0 AS-8Byng-48Vezina-7 2011-12 27 CAR NHL 68 68 30 23 13 182 2143 1961 .915 2.74 5 3988 38 .559 10 98 3.29 13.4 1 0 1 4 2012-13 28 CAR NHL 17 16 9 6 1 44 477 433 .908 2.84 0 929 8 .500 3 105 -1.99 2.7 0 0 0 0 2013-14 29 CAR NHL 30 28 10 12 6 84 824 740 .898 3.06 0 1645 11 .393 6 118 -13.00 3.4 0 1 1 2 2014-15 30 CAR NHL 51 50 22 24 5 121 1351 1230 .910 2.40 1 3026 26 .520 7 105 -5.69 7.4 0 0 0 4 2015-16 31 CAR NHL 52 51 23 17 10 122 1343 1221 .909 2.41 1 3038 23 .451 7 107 -7.65 7.0 0 0 0 0 2016-17 32 CAR NHL 61 61 26 22 12 162 1711 1549 .905 2.69 2 3618 30 .492 9 109 -13.93 8.5 0 1 1 6 2017-18 33 CAR NHL 43 42 23 14 4 112 1187 1075 .906 2.73 2 2459 21 .500 10 108 -7.82 5.8 0 0 0 14 Career NHL 668 568 318 244 84 1728 18989 17261 .909 2.70 27 38436 303 .533 88 109.1 1 11 12 44
Provided by Hockey-Reference.com
Cam Ward is now 34 years old and nearing the end of his career. He is past his prime and will be initially signed as a backup. Ward should be seen as a safety net in case Corey Crawford goes down with another injury or is unable to play. Albeit, a safety net with multiple rips in it. He may have another year left in the tank, but do not expect too much more.
Furthermore, all I can envision is Marty Turco 2.0 when it comes to a Cam Ward signing. It truly pains me to bring up those suppressed memories.
Turco was also 34 years old when the Blackhawks signed him in 2010. Here’s to hoping Ward does not fall victim to the same fate as Turco for the sake of Blackhawks’ fans’ sanity. If Ward is forced into a starting role due to Corey Crawford not being healthy enough to play next season, it could get ugly in a hurry. Also, if this signing backfires, StanBo and Coach Q will have earned themselves a one-way ticket out of town.
I really hope Ward can prove me and the rest of the fanbase wrong. A third failed season in a row would just about close the window on what may be the last shot at a Stanley Cup with the current core of players.
Well, you might not like it, but it looks like Cam Ward to Chicago is a done deal. In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed and pray like hell for a healthy Crawford.
