New Jersey Devils goalkeeper Corey Crawford is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team for personal reasons, the team announced Friday.
Crawford has not trained since the training camp opened for the team last week. His absence was first described by coach Lindy Ruff as ‘maintenance days’ before the team said he was taking personal days on Wednesday and Thursday.
“We need to give him his space,” Devils veteran Travis Zajac told reporters Thursday. “Obviously no one knows himself better than he does, so of course we want him to be part of this team, but I think he has to make the decision going forward. I think he can take all the time he needs “We want him here.”
Crawford, 36, signed a two-year deal with the Devils last season with an average annual value of $ 3.9 million. He’s been the starting lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks since 2010-11 – and helped them out after two Stanley Cup championships – but the team decided not to sign him again this season.
The Devils need a veteran goalkeeper after buying out Cory Schneider, and Crawford had to share the net with 24-year-old Mackenzie Blackwood, who was re-signed for a $ 8.4 million three-year contract before training camp begins. .
New Jersey has three other goalkeepers on its roster: Scott Wedgewood (24 games NHL experience), Gilles Senn (two games NHL experience) and Evan Cormier (0 games NHL experience).
Crawford finished his Blackhawks career in third place in franchise history with 260 wins in the career, just Tony Esposito and Glen Hall behind. Crawford is the Blackhawks’ franchise leader in the post-season victory (52) and is the only goal scorer in team history with several Stanley Cups.