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Corey Crawford takes ‘indefinite leave of absence’ from Devils

crawford

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 18: Goaltender Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts after the Vegas Golden Knights score a goal by Mark Stone #61 (not pictured) during the second period of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff at Rogers Place on August 18, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

Corey Crawford will be taking an indefinite leave of absence due to personal reasons, the Devils announced on Friday.

The 36-year-old Crawford has not practiced since training camp opened for the team last week. After his absences were first described as “maintenance days,” head coach Lindy Ruff said the netminder was taking personal days Wednesday and Thursday this week.

“We need to give him his space,” Devils forward Travis Zajac said Thursday. “Obviously, no one knows himself better than he does, so obviously we want him to be part of this team, but I think going forward, he’s got to make that decision. I think he can take all the time he needs. We want him here.”

“I reached out to him; I think it was Sunday or Monday,” said forward Kyle Palmieri. “You want to give him his space. It’s a personal issue for him and his family, what they’re going through. We’ve gotten to know ‘Crow’ a little bit over the first couple days. I think you’re there to support him as a teammate and as a guy who, obviously I have a ton of respect for, for what he’s done in his career.

“But I’m sure [Zajac] kind of said it the same way. It’s a personal issue for him and we’ll be there to support them no matter what happens over the next couple days.”

After 13 seasons with the Blackhawks, Crawford signed a two-year, $7.8M contract with the Devils in October.

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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.