Meet Your Future Blackhawks Starting Goalie
On March 23rd, 2022, the Chicago Blackhawks agreed to terms with NCAA free agent netminder Jaxson Stauber. Stauber, 22, spent the previous two seasons with the Providence Friars under USA World Juniors coach Nate Leeman. Stauber is 6'3 and weighs around 175 pounds. Prior to joining the Friars, Stauber spent parts of 3 seasons in the USHL with Sioux Falls Stampede including a one game stint with the Minnesota State Mavericks before returning to Sioux Falls to finish his 3rd year with the club.
Now who is Jaxson Stauber and what can he provide the Chicago Blackhawks organization? Through 61 career NCAA games, Stauber posted a 33-22-7 record with a 2.13 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. These numbers at face value already looked very impressive. Especially when you look at the Blackhawks goalie depth chart The Hawks organization's goalie depth is pretty weak right now. Right now at the NHL level, the Hawks have Kevin Lankinen and Collin Delia as their tandem for the remainder of the year. Down in the AHL, the Hawks have Arvid Soderblom as well Cale Morris who was just recalled from Indy. Kyle Davidson has already come out and said Lankinen and Delia will be with Chicago the rest of the year, what does that leave for Stauber.
The Rockford Icehogs are currently in the thick of a playoff chase with Soderblom established as their starter. Maybe Stauber gets a shot in Rockford as the backup to Soderblom. Maybe Davidson pivots from his original plan and gives Stauber a crack at the NHL.
Yes the Blackhawks goalie depth isn't among the most elite in the NHL, that doesn't mean one of these guys develops into the next Blackhawks franchise goalie. As of right now, it looks like the Hawks are waiting on Boston University goalie and their 2nd round pick in the 2020 NHL draft, Drew Commesso, to get a little more development in college before making the jump to pro hockey.
College free agents are always an interesting topic when it comes time for players leaving their respective universities/colleges. They can sign anywhere, whether that decision is based on wanting to win immediately or wanting to develop on rebuilding franchises. Either way, the Chicago Blackhawks goalie depth is stronger today than it was a couple days ago and it will be interesting to see what we have in Jaxson Stauber.
https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1506769238379286529?s=20&t=ruwf7cjcxUiMYZNDPKf03A
| POLL | ||
Are you excited for Stauber to make his NHL debut? | ||
| Yes I�ll be watching! | 83 | 56.1 % |
| Nope | 65 | 43.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
