If you wondered who else would play goal for the Chicago Blackhawks this season, wonder no more. Scott Powers of The Athletic reports that Alex Stalock has signed a one-year, $750K contract with the team. They also signed Luke Philp to a one-year, two-way deal ($750K NHL / $250K AHL) and Brett Seney to a one-year, two-way deal ($750K NHL / $400K AHL).
Stalock, 34, is an experienced backup goaltender who played in a backup role for the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild from 2013-14 to 2019-20. Stalock did so with moderate success, and he owns a career .908 save percentage. Stalock’s final year in Minnesota was perhaps his most impressive, as he posted a .910 save percentage playing 38 games. After that year, Stalock missed an entire year of hockey battling a heart condition he contracted after an earlier bout of COVID-19.
Stalock made a recovery and returned to the ice in 2021-22, but could not re-discover his game. In 12 games for the AHL San Jose Barracuda, Stalock went 1-8-2 with a .872 save percentage, and in 46 minutes of NHL action Stalock let in six goals on 28 shots.
The Blackhawks are signing Stalock with the hope that he can return to the form that saw him become one of the more reliable backup goalies in hockey, unless, of course, you subscribe to the belief that GM Kyle Davison and the Blackhawks are intentionally fielding a flawed roster in order to land the highest draft pick possible at the 2023 draft. Because if that’s their goal, Stalock having a similar 2022-23 to his 2021-22 could help them to get them there.
Philp, 26, has spent three productive seasons with the AHL’s Stockton Heat after leaving the University of Alberta. After his first 20-goal season in the AHL last year, he’ll be counted on within the top-six forward group next season for the Rockford IceHogs. The same can be said for Seney, although with him having more NHL experience, he could find a home as an extra on the NHL roster with Chicago’s paper-thin NHL depth.
You can’t say they aren’t committed to their tank job…Mrazek and Stalock…
Who’d respond to this ad? Wanted, Goalie who will need to make 70 saves a game, Will have no defense whatsoever, And not be allergic to rubber products. Answer: Alex Stalok. And I thought the Hawks wouldn’t sign anybody. Anybody sane anyway.
I’ll take that job for $700k a year! Save them $50k!
Hawks fans…is Kubalik any good still? Need someone next to Geno or Carter.
Yeah he’s fine if you pair him with the right people. Still? He’s only like 25
Wicked slapper, but defensively liable. Fine power play option and if you roll 4 lines deep, a solid 2nd line option.
Yeah, “still”…they just let him walk for free…worth asking.
Moot now, though.
“The Blackhawks are signing Stalock with the hope that he can return to the form that saw him become one of the more reliable backup goalies in hockey, unless, of course, you subscribe to the belief that GM Kyle Davison and the Blackhawks are intentionally fielding a flawed roster in order to land the highest draft pick possible at the 2023 draft.”
I’ll take the 2nd option. How can you look at what they have done and NOT come away with that?
Hi Gavin,
Can you fix spelling error of Kyle last name? It’s Kyle Davidson not Davison.
‘GM Kyle Davison’ and the Blackhawks
@Josip , we all make spelling mistakes on purpose now just to see your comment , again DAH!
The more I think about it, the more I’m surprised that Luke Richardson took the HC position.
How’s it going to look with a 10 win, 72 loss season on his resume? In his first year as a head coach.