Report: Blackhawks expected to re-sign Malcolm Subban

The Chicago Blackhawks will likely hang on to Malcolm Subban after all.

Despite not giving him a qualifying offer before Wednesday's deadline, the team is expected to re-sign the goaltender over the next few days, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Subban became a pending unrestricted free agent after the Blackhawks' decision Wednesday. He would have remained an RFA had Chicago qualified him.

The netminder suited up for one game with the Blackhawks this past season after the Vegas Golden Knights traded him to Chicago as part of the package that netted them Robin Lehner.

Subban will turn 27 in December. He spent parts of the last three seasons in a backup role with the Golden Knights after beginning his career with the Boston Bruins, who drafted him 24th overall in 2012.

Collin Delia, another 26-year-old puck-stopper, is also in the Blackhawks organization. He spent all of 2019-20 in the AHL, but Delia played 18 NHL contests over the previous two campaigns.

Chicago general manager Stan Bowman said earlier Thursday that the club won't retain Corey Crawford. The veteran goalie played 13 seasons with the Blackhawks, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015.