Blackhawks, Crawford agree to new deal

The Chicago Blackhawks and Corey Crawford have agreed on a three-year contract after a standout rookie season in which he emerged as their top goalie.

The team announced the agreement on Thursday.

The Blackhawks were looking to replace the departed Antti Niemi after he led them to the Stanley Cup last season and signed veteran Marty Turco in the offseason, but the 26-year-old Crawford established himself.

He settled in while the Blackhawks struggled to find consistency, barely making the playoffs before losing to Vancouver in seven games in the first round.

Crawford went 33-18-6 and led rookie goalies in wins while tying for the lead with four shutouts. He was eighth among all goalies with a 2.30 goals-against average during the regular season.

In the playoffs, that average was 2.21 with a .927 save percentage.