It’s odd to think that at this time of the year the Chicago Blackhawks are focused on the offseason rather than contending for a Stanley Cup. The Hawks tend to deal with there mortal enemy the salary cap only after they are champions.
The Hawks went all in this year. It’s peculiar to see them out so early as many pegged them as the favorites to claim their 4th Stanley Cup in the last 6 years. At the trade deadline, general manager Stan Bowman mortgaged the future by trading draft picks and prospects for rentals that would bolster their depth for a deep playoff run. They made a series of bold moves that on paper seemed to separate them from the pack.
Here is a rundown of what they did at this past years deadline.
Acquired: Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise, Thomas Fleischmann, Christian Ehrhoff.
Traded away: Marko Dano, Phillip Danault, Rob Scuderi, 2016 first round pick, 2018 conditional pick, 2018 second round pick
Chicago’s moves at the deadline were impressive. Fans and analysts marveled at how rapidly Stan Bowman could upgrade his already talented roster. The series of moves was not publicly viewed as risky as it actually was. The Hawks acquired three rental players up front, and traded two young promising forwards for them. In the NHL, it’s very unlikely that a trade deadline acquisition remains with the team that they were traded to at the deadline. Usually, the contending team they are traded to serves as a pit stop to free agency. What is problematic for the Hawks is that when they traded for these players, they traded away two young prospects in Dano and Danault who were preparing to become pieces of the new young nucleus on the roster.
The Blackhawks went 5-8 after the deadline and fell to the St Louis Blues in the first round. The moves didn’t pay off and now it’s back to the drawing board.
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 28: Andrew Ladd #16 of the Chicago Blackhawks particiaptes in warm-ups before a game against the Washington Capitals at the United Center on February 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Hawks will have roughly $7 million free in cap space next season. Barring any future trades or major moves, that leaves approximately $7 million left to fill numerous roster holes. Andrew Shaw, a fixture in the Hawks lineup for the last couple years, is due for a raise. The gritty forward plays a physical game and fits well into the Blackhawks lineup. He’s an RFA and someone Chicago would want to retain. But with such limited breathing room with the salary cap, can they even consider retaining him?
The Hawks are no stranger to salary cap troubles. They’ve had to deal with this year after year, and this season is no different.
So, what’s the plan?
First off, to clear up some space the Hawks are going to have to rid themselves of the regrettable Bryan Bickell contract. The Hawks signed Bickell to a four-year, $16 million contract after an impressive playoff performance in 2012-2013. Bickell’s cap hit has been baggage for the team for the majority of the contract. He only suited up for a mere 25 games for the Hawks this season and spent time in the press box along with 47 games in the AHL with the Rockford Icedogs. If the Hawks were to somehow trade Bickell and his large contract to a team with cap space ( e.g. Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres) along with an attractive draft pick, that’d give them a little more breathing room.
The Hawks have lots of signings to make and will need more capital to do so. Trading Bickell’s contract would help them make the moves necessary to round out the lineup. If giving up a valuable draft pick would be the way to erase Bickell off the payroll, then so be it. The Hawks’ window is now and they need to do everything to continue to contend in the prime years of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
With limited cap space and with rentals unlikely to return, there will be lots of promotions from within. Players will have to step up and take on bigger roles and prospects from Rockford will be competing at camp for spots. Prospects like Ryan Hartman, Nick Schmaltz and Tyler Motte will have ample opportunity to crack the regular lineup. If Chicago can get a surprise season from one of the three or another young prospect, that’d be a big relief. Entry level contracts can do wonders for a team. For a price of just under $1 million, a team can have a young superstar only taking up a tiny fraction of the salary cap.
When speaking about opportunity and the chance for players to take on bigger roles, turn to none other than Teuvo Teravainen. At the start of last season, many expected Teravainen to have a break out year skating alongside Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. It didn’t go as planned and Teravainen found himself in a bottom-six role at center. Teravainen overcame his early struggles (which included a trip to the press box) and he will be counted on to take a leap in his game. The 2012 first-round pick averaged 15:21 minutes of ice time this season, but he’ll certainly be counted upon more next season. With more opportunity could bring more production.
The Blackhawks have defeated the salary cap before. There should be no doubts that they can do it again. But in the ultra competitive Central Division, you always need to be on top of your game. The Hawks may not be able to haul in the big free agents or make major upgrades, but that doesn’t mean they can’t continue to win. Who knows, maybe they have another Artemi Panarin waiting in the wings?
Amidst all the uncertainty, one thing is for sure: You can never count out the Hawks.
