Report: Blackhawks reached out to UFA goalie Cam Ward

Add Cam Ward to the list of potential backup goaltenders for the Chicago Blackhawks after the team reached out to the veteran netminder, reports The Athletic's Scott Powers.

Rumors have also connected the Blackhawks to fellow unrestricted-free-agent goalies Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier.

Chicago received subpar goaltending last season when Corey Crawford went down. He missed the bulk of the 2017-18 campaign due to vertigo-like symptoms, and with his health for next season still unclear, the team wants to ensure it has a better contingency plan.

Ward was solid early in his career, though he's likely no longer a name that will excite Blackhawks fans. A Conn Smythe Trophy winner in his rookie season, the 34-year-old hasn't had a year with a save percentage over .910 since 2011-12.

Last season, Ward posted a .906 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against-average in 43 games with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Anton Forsberg, Jeff Glass, and the recently traded J-F Berube started most of the games for Chicago with Crawford sidelined in 2017-18.