Once training camp rolls around in September, Craig Andersson and Michael Leighton are going to get the chance to compete for the backup job to Blackhawks goaltender Jocelyn Thibault.
That should settle a debate within the organization over which is the better prospect.
The goalie who comes out on top–or one general manager Mike Smith acquires if the Hawks decide neither is ready–is going to be asked to play more than 20 games.
Even without playing the final nine games of the season because of post-concussion symptoms, Thibault has played 62 games this season. Last season he played a career-high 67. That’s about 15 too many in coach Bryan Sutter’s opinion.
“Joc needs help,” Sutter said. “Nobody should question Joc last year or this year. For the 50-game mark, give or take a half dozen games, he’s one of the top goalies in hockey.”
Sutter said he likes Thibault’s mentality of wanting to play every game, but as the games piled up, his numbers begin to suffer.
Smith said in training camp he didn’t want Thibault playing as many games as he did last season. But with Thibault playing so well early in the season and with backup Steve Passmore struggling to the point where Sutter lost confidence in him, there was no other option.
Leighton was recalled Tuesday and will join the team for practice Wednesday and the rest of the season, probably playing in two of the three remaining games. Leighton played five games with the Hawks in January, posting an 0-3-1 record.
