Blackhawks: Five options for the team’s goaltending in 2022-23

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to have to think outside of the box for their goaltending tandem after this season. While Marc-Andre Fleury is under contract with the Blackhawks, that deal expires at the end of this season. Whether or not he re-signs with Chicago after the year remains unknown.

The Chicago Blackhawks goalie tandem for 2022-23 is up in the air.

The Blackhawks goalie tandem of Fleury and Lankinen is going to be fun to watch this coming season, but one thing is a little scary for the team, neither netminder is under contract after this season. In fact, the only goalie in the entire Blackhawks organization that will be under contract after this season will be Arvid Soderblom. The team has some work to do to extend their goalies.

Unless Delia and Subban find their way back into the NHL with Chicago I do not think they will re-sign with this team. There is a pretty good chance they extend Lankinen at some point this season, but the dollar amount is up in the air depending on how he performs this year.

So without further ado here are five options for the Blackhawks net this coming season. Keep in mind, with all of these goalies I mention I basically am including Lankinen as the other netminder. So with Fleury being the number one option I am assuming they have Lankinen and Fleury as the duo again.

My guess would be that Lankinen signs a two year 2.5 million dollar extension with the team. That gives him a pay raise while also letting the team get another goalie to play with him. Unless Lankinen goes out and steals the starting job when the season begins I think that is a good number for him.

Let’s jump in with the list of five goalies that could be the starter in 2022-23:

Marc-Andre Fleury

Fleury is finishing up his 7 million dollar contract this season in Chicago. The deal will keep him in Chicago until he is 37 years old and at that point one would think his pay could go down a bit if he wants to be on a winning team again.

If this season goes well for the Blackhawks maybe Fleury does decide to re-sign with the team towards the end of the year for 5 or so million. Obviosly the future hall of famer is going to ask for a high amount of money, but seven million again might not be in the picture with this team.

Fleury staying with the Blackhawks only makes sense if the team has a good season and he enjoys playing here. Otherwise I think it would make sense for him to go back to Pittsburgh to end his career. If that were the case there are some more options available for the Blackhawks.