Zawaski: LaBarbera Acquisition Gives Hawks Goaltending Depth
By Jay Zawaski-
(CBS) -- Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that they've acquired veteran goaltender Jason LaBarbera from the Edmonton Oilers. He will immediately report to Rockford. In return, the Oilers will receive future considerations.
The acquisition of LaBarbera, 33, bolsters the organization's goaltending depth. With both Corey Crawford and Nikolai Khabibulin injured, an injury to Antti Raanta would be catastrophic. Kent Simpson, who was recalled from Rockford when Crawford went down, is not yet ready for NHL service. I would expect LaBarbera to be called up to Chicago sooner than later.
This season, LaBarbera appeared in seven games for the Oilers. In those games, he posted a 1-3-0 record with a 3.28 goals against average and a .870 save percentage. In two starts with the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL), he posts a 0-1-1 record with a 1.93 goals against average and a .953 save percentage.
Over his 182 game NHL career, LaBarbera has a record of 60-73-19 with a 2.86 goals against and a .907 save percentage.
