Chicago Blackhawks Convention Not Venue To Judge Crawford’s Health

There isn’t much intrigue heading into this year’s Chicago Blackhawks convention, but many fans likely will be curious for a look at goaltender Corey Crawford. However, it could generate misleading takes on his well-being.

Corey Crawford is scheduled to appear at this weekend’s Chicago Blackhawks Convention, which is being held Friday through Sunday at the Hilton Chicago. This alone is good news, as the guy barely has been seen in public since his injury fiasco of last season.

As such, many Blackhawks fans will be interested in seeing Crow above all else — to confirm he’s actually living and breathing, but also just to see if there are any obvious signs that he was dealing with something like a concussion or vertigo.

And that’s an understandable tact to take as a fan. Crow is a big reason the Blackhawks will either succeed or fail in the very near future, and the team has kept his health status very close to the vest throughout 2018. Supporters want to know if Crow is going to get back to his typical standing for the next season.

That being said, any “hot takes” that comes from interactions with Crow this weekend need to be tempered, or at least carefully examined before they’re made.

This is not an on-ice event. This is going to be an event at which Crow is in formal dress attire, not stopping pucks and sprawling to protect his crease. Very little is going to be learned about Crow’s actual health through this convention, and any comments that are made by Crow or others in the know likely will be limited in scope.

As far as we know, Crow hasn’t even taken to the ice in quite some time. For a goaltender above all else, this does not offer a sense of optimism. It will take Crow quite a bit of time to get back into his typical routine, which includes vulcanized rubber flying at his face (an action which may have hurt him in the first place).

Fans can be plenty happy Crow is out and about, smiling and joking and telling stories with his teammates. But just be careful to declare him a-OK because of what little he might say or do.

Fans can be worried if Crow seems demur or quiet, not as outgoing as they might expect at an event of this nature. But be cautious in trying to publicly examine the guy for some sign of illness or injury.

Those in attendance at the Blackhawks Convention this weekend are going to learn about Crow what the team wants them to, and nothing more. The only time we’ll know for sure how healthy or unhealthy Crow is comes the first time he takes the ice at the Blackhawks’ practice facility.