Chicago Blackhawks: Why Collin Delia’s Extension is Outstanding

Chicago Blackhawks rookie goaltender Collin Delia was signed to a contract extension yesterday. It’s one of a few A+ moves Stan Bowman has made since the season started.

Collin Delia signed a 3-year extension worth $3 million with the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday. Delia, playing in his first NHL season this year, has been nothing short of outstanding for the Blackhawks.

Cam Ward was supposed to hold down the fort in Corey Crawford‘s absence, but Delia had other plans. Here’s NBC Sports Chicago‘s Charlie Roumeliotis‘s quick breakdown of Delia’s numbers:

"“Delia is 6-2-3 with a 2.98 goals against average and .923 save percentage in 12 appearances this season. He was 7-5-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .933 save percentage in 17 games with the Rockford IceHogs this season before his call-up, coming off a Calder Cup playoff run in which he compiled a 2.34 GAA and .924 save percentage in 10 appearances.”"

His NHL numbers this season are good, but they don’t truly represent just how good Delia has been for this team in Crow’s absence. During his 11 games, he’s faced 39+ shots in 5 of them. That isn’t a light workload by any means.

For a little background, of every goaltender who has played at least five NHL games this season (there are 72 of them), Delia ranks 12th in SV%.

That’s pretty good.

With Delia at $1 million a year, the Chicago Blackhawks will (hopefully) have a pretty stellar goaltending tandem between him and Crawford. Together, the Blackhawks combined cap hit at the goalie position will be $7 million dollars until Crawford’s contract expires after the 2019-20 season.

Should Crawford be moved or retire before then, the Blackhawks will have their starting goalie making just $1 million a year. Regardless, anytime you get your “goalie of the future” on that affordable of a contract, it’s a good day.

By comparison, Edmonton Oilers‘ goalie Mikko Koskinen, a 30 year old with a 2.89 GAA and .906 SV%, just signed a 3-year contract worth $4.5 million a year.

Score another one for Stan Bowman.

We aren’t the only ones happy about this deal, either. In case you missed it, here’s Jeremy Colliton on Delia this season:

"“I just think his confidence has really come out,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “I think his first few games in Rockford he didn’t have that as much. Probably was in him but he really believes in himself and nothing seems to rattle him, whether it’s a tough period or a bad goal or a rough stretch. In that position it’s really important. The technical and athletic ability it’s there. But I think a lot of guys I have it. It’s the extra, how do you survive when things go against you? That’s been nice to see.”"

Delia survived when things didn’t go his way, but he’s flourished while they have, too. The Chicago Blackhawks have put together a 7-game win streak and Delia has played a major part in that. So much so, that Blackhawks fans have began to question who should be the started down the stretch while the ‘Hawks chase a playoff birth.

I know who I’d take, but when you have a guy playing so well that fans aren’t certain they want a two-time Stanley Cup Champion in goal, that’s a good sign.

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Stan Bowman made some questionable decisions this past offseason, but he got the Chicago Blackhawks an outstanding bargain with this contract. Additionally, locking up the goalie situation at that price gives the Blackhawks a significant amount of wiggle room for free agency come this offseason.