Devils goaltender Corey Crawford goes on indefinite leave for personal reasons

The New Jersey Devils announced Friday that goalie Corey Crawford is taking an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons.

Crawford missed his fifth consecutive practice Friday after skating with the team at the start of training camp.

The Devils signed him to a two-year, $7.8 million contract this offseason in the hopes of creating a strong rotation with Mackenzie Blackwood. Coach Lindy Ruff addressed the situation with his team on Friday after their morning scrimmage.

"I think you give him his space," forward Travis Zajac said. "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."

Crawford joined the Devils this year after 13 seasons with Chicago, where he won two Stanley Cups. The 36-year-old became an attractive option after bouncing back last season with a .917 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average.

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General manager Tom Fitzgerald recently hinted that the Devils would use Crawford in a 50/50 split with Blackwood, who is entering his third season.

"We haven't been told much," defenseman P.K. Subban said. "I know he's got a family. He's got his kids. Whatever it is that's going on, family comes first. You got to take care of that. So right now, we all support him."

Forward Kyle Palmieri said he reached out to Crawford on Sunday or Monday.

"We've gotten to know 'Crow' a little bit over the first couple of days," Palmieri said. "But I think it's between him and his family and making the best decision for himself and his family right now. So you're there to support him as a teammate and as a guy. Obviously I have a ton of respect for what he's done in his career."

Now the question is how the Devils will handle the position while Crawford is away from the team.

Scott Wedgewood has been impressive this preseason and could be an option as the backup. The Devils have also been auditioning goalies Gilles Senn and Evan Cormier at camp. Wedgewood has the most NHL experience with 24 games in the league.

"(Wedgewood) seems to have his game in a real good place," Ruff said. "The other two goaltenders have been working hard at it, but the question was, 'Who do I think is a step above?' I think Wedgewood, he's got the NHL experience. For me, he's had a very, very impressive couple of games."

If necessary, the Devils could explore their options outside the organization. There are still a few goalies on the free agent market, including Jimmy Howard and Mike Condon.

"We have had discussions on, is there a better solution? Is there a better guy?" Ruff said. "I think we do that with every position, regardless of somebody being out."