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Blackhawks Bottom Line: Alex Stalock’s Season

Published

1 year ago

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Over the course of the next month, Chicago Hockey Now will be profiling every Chicago Blackhawks player from the 2022-23 season. Today, will be goaltender Alex Stalock.

Alex Stalock
Goalie
Games Played: 27
(W-L-T-GAA-Save %): 9-15-2; 3.01; .908
Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

The Short View

Stalock was brought in for depth and depth he provided. Petr Mrazek’s history of injuries prompted Kyle Davidson to find a steady veteran who could rotate in and out when needed. Stalock did that and more, which included his nomination for the Bill Masterton Award for perseverance.

He also had a hell of a save that made the national and local highlight reels. For a guy who only played one game in the NHL a year previously, he answered the bell and then some.

The Long View

At 35, Stalock is in backup mode, and won’t come at an expensive price. For a team that is appearing to still be patient in its rebuild approach, Stalock is a good presence to have. Especially with Arvid Soderblom  who will likely have more full time status in Chicago, they’ll need to have steady veterans. Stalock’s nomination for an award that honors those who persevere and show high character qualities certainly gives some credence for sticking around another season.

The Bottom Line for Alex Stalock

Stalock can be brought back for a very reasonable price for what the team is looking to do–nurture its up and coming young players with a wealth of veteran leadership. Stalock is well respected and has shown the chops to handle the job when called into duty. With Mrazek’s health an issue, having a trusted veteran ready to stand in wouldn’t be a bad idea. Ultimately, it really depends on the path that Davidson wants to take between the pipes. There shouldn’t be much in the way of help on the free agent market so re-upping with a known quantity in Stalock seems the likeliest of options.

Previous Blackhawks Bottom Line Entries: Jonathan Toews | Andreas Athanasiou | Tyler Johnson | Seth Jones | MacKenzie Entwistle | Taylor Raddysh | Connor Murphy | Petr Mrazek | Patrick Kane | Jason Dickinson | Ian Mitchell | Nikita Zaitsev

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