Malcolm Subban agrees to two-year, $1.7 million contract with Blackhawks

The 26-year-old goalie was an unrestricted free agent who went 9-7-3 with a 3.17 goals-against average and .890 save percentage in 21 games (19 starts) for the Blackhawks and Vegas Golden Knights last season. He was traded to the Blackhawks by the Golden Knights Feb. 24.

“I had a brief stint here and for what it was worth, it was an unbelievable time and experience getting to know everyone,” Subban said. “[It’s] a world-class organization, like I said when I got here. Getting familiar with everyone here, getting familiar with the city, it’s been unbelievable so far and I’m so happy that I could sign back and be a part of this for a bit longer. I’m just really excited about that,

Selected by the Boston Bruins in the first round (No. 24) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Subban is 30-23-7 with a 2.97 GAA, .899 save percentage and one shutout in 66 NHL games (60 starts) with the Blackhawks, Golden Knights and Bruins.

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Chicago general manager Stan Bowman said Thursday that two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie Corey Crawford would not be re-signed. The 35-year-old was 16-20-3 with a 2.77 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and one shutout in 40 games (39 starts) last season.

Subban, Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen will have the chance to grab the No. 1 job. Only Subban played in the NHL last season.

“I think I’ve been preparing for it for a long time now. You just have to keep working hard. You put the work in to get the opportunity,” he said of becoming the starter. “It’s good competition. … Our one goal is, whatever opportunity we get, to help the team win and that’s the most important thing. Excited for the opportunity, for sure.”

The Blackhawks also agreed to a two-year, $7.4 million contract ($3.7 million average annual value) with forward Dominik Kubalik. The 30-goal scorer was a finalist in voting for the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL.