Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville thinks Corey Crawford will play in about 55 games this season. Of course, a lot can change as the season progresses, but this gives us a good idea of how much playing time Crawford is expected to get under normal circumstances. It sounds like whoever ends up with the number two gig, either Alexander Salak or Ray Emery, will get a healthy amount of playing time by backup standards.

Although Corey Crawford is expected to enter the 2010-11 campaign as the Blackhawks number one goaltender, he knows that he can't take the job for granted. Crawford entered the 2010-11 campaign as Marty Turco's understudy, but he out performed the veteran goaltender. Crawford posted an impressive 2.30 GAA and .917 save percentage in 57 games, but he doesn't have to look hard to find examples of goaltenders who faltered after a solid rookie season. "It almost seems like you have to work harder and be a little readier when you're in that position," Crawford said, referring to being a starter. "I still have to battle and I still have to work for my ice time."

Corey Crawford was named as the goaltender on the NHL all-rookie team on Wednesday. Crawford finished fourth in voting for the Calder Trophy with 336 points, well behind the winner, Jeff Skinner who had 1,055. Crawford got a consolation prize of being named the top rookie netminder. He was 33-18-6 this season with a 2.30 GAA and a .917 save percentage and was also outstanding in the Blackhawks first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in which he almost led Chicago to an upset over Vancouver. Crawford heads into the 2011-12 season as the Blackhawks number one netminder.