NHL Free Agency: Grading the Blackhawks' signings

NHL Free Agency: Grading the Blackhawks’ signings

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 17: Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and center Jonathan Toews (19) during the third period during a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild on December 17, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Blackhawks won 4-1. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 05: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during warm-ups against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 5, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Cam Ward

Free agency is about fixing holes in the lineup. The Blackhawks’ biggest overall weakness was in net. Corey Crawford was out. With Scott Darling in Carolina it wasn’t easy to find a reliable backup in Chicago — Anton Forsberg. Jeff Glass. Beer league emergency goalie Scott Foster. It was tough, minus Foster; he was outstanding.

Cam Ward is a shade of his former self, and that’s not a dig. That’s just life. A life for a goaltender fluctuates from the untouchable to the unplayable. It’s a harsh reality. Ward struggled mightily in 2017-18, but that doesn’t mean he can’t find his home in the right role.

The signing certainly fills a need, but will the Blackhawks still struggle behind Crawford in 2018-19? What if Crawford misses time; can Ward fill in there?

Last year in Carolina, Ward posted his highest goals against average in four years and in his 42 starts, he gave up 112 goals. Posting a 23-14 record, Ward was on pace for what was the norm the past few years in Carolina.

Also, in terms of 2.5 million for the one year. At 34, that’s a rough bet. The internet agrees.

“Does he fit into the system?” is what you’ll hear about most free agent signings, but this bunch screams loud with that. I want to like Cam Ward in Chicago. I hope for the best.

Grade: C+

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