5 Goalies Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin Should Pursue In Free Agency

Corey Crawford

2019-2020 season stats: 40 GP – 16 W – 20 L – 2 OTL – 1 SO – 2.77 GAA – 0.917 SV%

Signing Corey Crawford might be the longshot of longshots for the Montreal Canadiens. The 35-year-old Montreal native has already expressed interest in re-signing with the Chicago Blackhawks, but if the Hawks decide to go hard after one of the other marquee goalie names, Crawford will be looking for another job.

Peak Crawford made jaw-dropping saves and stole games on the regular. He backstopped some truly incredible Blackhawks teams, and the city absolutely loves him. Crawford today is injury prone and is less consistent, but he can still play at an elite level.

If Marc Bergevin can convince Chateauguay’s favourite son to return home for a swan-song as Carey Price’s backup goalie, the Habs will instantly have one of the best goalie tandems in the league.

The two-time Stanley Cup winner and Team Canada gold medalist would be a perfect fit behind Price and can be counted on to play well over 30 games if his health allows.

Ultimately, a goalie of Crawford’s pedigree can pick whichever team he wants to play for, but closing out his career in his hometown might just be exactly what the doctor ordered. One issue that might arise is that Crawford has admitted that he doesn’t feel good about playing backup minutes, but the reality is that his best days are behind him.

Bergevin would be swinging for the fences with Crawford and would signal to the team that he’s serious about competing for the Stanley Cup next season.