The Chicago Blackhawks finished with the best record in the Western Conference in 2016-17. After a first-round sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators, it’s clear their record masked major deficiencies in their game. The veteran players on the Blackhawks carried them throughout the regular season. However, with the salary cap placing severe restrictions on the quality of their depth they were completely exposed by the Predators. Chicago will look to reload this summer with a focus on addressing the key concerns that led to their hasty playoff exit. However, with the Blackhawks already $3 million over the projected salary cap for 2017-18, GM Stan Bowman will have his work cut out for him. Here is a look at the offseason plan in Chicago.
3 Things The Blackhawks Have To Work On
1. Create Cap Space
The Blackhawks core players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford helped guide them to the best record in the Western Conference this past season. However, with those five players taking up close to $40 million of a $73 million salary cap it left management with little room to build around them. Chicago committed to youth with Nick Schmaltz, Ryan Hartman and Vinnie Hinostroza all getting opportunities to play up front. Artemi Panarin’s $812K contract was a major coup as well. However, the young guns really struggled in the playoffs and it put far too much pressure on the veteran players. After a first-round sweep, it won’t be a surprise if Bowman attempts to clear out some cap space in an effort to upgrade the roster. Panarin signed a two-year extension that will pay him $6 million per season. That means Chicago will enter the offseason $3 million over the projected cap without Andrew Desjardins, Johnny Oduya or Brian Campbell under contract. Nobody will be surprised if all three are allowed to talk but the Blackhawks still need to shed salary in order to add to their roster. Marian Hossa’s $5.275 million cap hit is a major sore spot, especially considering he is signed through 2020-21. However, it isn’t as if any team would be willing to take on that kind of money over that term. Bowman will have some very tough decisions to make if he wants to clear some cap space. It won’t be a surprise if he decides to move somebody from his core group of Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford in order to do it.
2. Find Value On FA Market
Even if the Blackhawks are able to get below the salary cap they likely won’t have much room to work with in terms of signing free agents. That means Bowman will need to get creative in order to fill out his roster. Justin Williams is one name that might make sense for Chicago. Williams made $3.25 million this past season in Washington and might be a perfect fit among the Blackhawks top-six forwards. Radim Vrbata proved he can still produce this pat year and he made just $1 million with the Arizona Coyotes. Patrick Sharp needed hip surgery but he could provide valuable experience in a depth role at the right price. The Blackhawks need to find the right combination of talent and experience at the right price. It will be very interesting to see what kind of value Bowman finds on the free agent market this summer.
3. Give DeBrincat His Chance
The Blackhawks are going to have a difficult time adding top tier talent to their lineup without the available money to sign them. Chicago was very fortunate to land Panarin for two years at under $2 million per season. Now that he has signed an extension, the Blackhawks need to find help at an affordable price. Their best option might come from within in terms of 2016 second round pick Alex DeBrincat. DeBrincat is still just 19-years-old but he looked dominant with Erie this past season and his talent and maturity could help him make the transition as early as next season. Chicago is desperate for an influx of talent. DeBrincat might fit in perfectly playing on a line with Toews or Kane.
Key Free Agents
Tomas Jurco is a pending restricted free agent but the price will have to be right in order for Chicago to bring him back. Jurco made just $900K last season but the Blackhawks might not even be able to afford that number in 2017-18. Meanwhile, Oduya, Campbell and Desjardins all seem ready to walk. Desjardins made just $800K last season and could be due for a small raise. Meanwhile, Oduya and Campbell combined to make just over $3 million this past year but will need to leave money on the table if they want to return to Chicago. The Blackhawks need to look elsewhere in order to find value on the free agent market this summer. It won’t be a surprise if they don’t bring back any one of their pending free agents this offseason.
