Corey Crawford Has Left The New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have announced goaltender Corey Crawford is taking an indefinite leave from the team for personal reasons. The long-time Chicago Blackhawk who signed a multi-year deal in Jersey has left the team and there's been no indication of when he will return.

One of his new teammates, Travis Zajac had this to say about Crawford leaving the team:

I think you give him space. Obviously, no one knows himself better than he does. Obviously, we want him to be part of this team. But I think going forward, he’s got to make that decision and I think he can take all the time he needs. We want him here.

As per Corey Masisak of the Athletic:

Crawford missed the final 47 games of the 2017-18 season and the first two weeks of the 2018-19 campaign because of a concussion in December 2017. He sustained another one in December 2018 when he hit his head off the post and missed a little more than two months.

Crawford and his wife welcomed a second son in April, and now have two small children at home. When the NHL returned this past summer, Crawford missed the start of the Blackhawks’ abbreviated camp because he had tested positive for COVID-19. He returned to play for Chicago in the bubble in Edmonton and was spectacular at times, helping the 12th-seeded Blackhawks upset the fifth-seeded Oilers in the preliminary round.

We wish Crawford and his entire family nothing but the best. The Devils will carry on with Mackenzie Blackwood as their starting goalie as they kick off their season next week.

Photo credit:   Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire