Chicago Blackhawks: Who is the new backup goalie?

After the Chicago Blackhawks traded Robin Lehner, we ask the question, who will be the new backup goalie?

The Chicago Blackhawks will have a new backup goalie for at least the rest of the season. That backup goalie’s name is Malcolm Subban. Subban has had a rough season, well rough start to his career.

In 20 games this season, Subban is 9-7-3. He has a 3.18 GAA with a .890 save percentage. Let’s hope Corey Crawford can play 20 straight games.

Subban was a former first-round pick back in 2012 by the Bruins. He had a bright future ahead of him but never fully capitalized on it. He’s been a career backup for multiple goalies and has spent a lot of time in the AHL. He’ll now try his luck with his third NHL team, the Blackhawks.

Is the third time the charm? Hopefully, for Subban it is. I’m all for Subban if he can turn his career around and find success as Crawford’s backup. I just don’t see the point of having Subban up with the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks should have called Collin Delia up. Delia found some success during the last two seasons when playing in relief for an injured Crawford. In his career, he is 7-5-3 as a starter, with a .906 save percentage.

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At 25, he still has the potential to take over after Crawford. He hasn’t had the most success in the AHL but he’s had enough to earn him a winning record. Delia also has two shutouts this season for the Ice Hogs.

I just don’t think Subban was the right choice for the Blackhawks. Subban is an RFA this summer, which gives the Blackhawks an advantage if they want to re-sign him. The Blackhawks could also try to trade him on draft day.

Depending on the success he has in Chicago, he could become a key asset for moving up in the draft this season. I wouldn’t keep him through 2020. The Blackhawks have a few solid goalies that can back up Crawford next season.

With Lehner being gone, it’s fair to expect Crawford to re-sign with the Blackhawks soon. Whether it’s soon or in the summer, we have no idea.

We’ll see how this Subban trade works out for the Blackhawks. I’m eager to see what he can do in relief for Crawford. They have a back-to-back coming up in mid-March. That could be the first time we see Subban in action.