With the offseason underway for a number of teams and the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.
2016-17 Grade: F
The disparity between the regular-season Western Conference champions and the outfit that managed just three goals in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators earns this year's Blackhawks a big fat F.
General manager Stan Bowman himself called the season a "complete failure," after bowing out of the playoffs in the first round for the second time in as many seasons.
The Blackhawks, as usual, are stuck to the salary cap ceiling, and some serious upheaval might be required to make things work, and help an aging, but still star-studded roster take another crack at glory.
Free Agents
| Player (Position) | 2017-18 Status | Age | 2016-17 Cap Hit | 2016-17 Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Desjardins (C) | UFA | 30 | $800K | 1 |
| Dennis Rasmussen (C) | RFA | 26 | $575K | 8 |
| Tomas Jurco (LW) | RFA | 24 | $900K | 1 |
| Brian Campbell (D) | UFA | 38 | $1.5M | 17 |
| Johnny Oduya (D) | UFA | 35 | $3.75M | 9 (2 with Blackhawks) |
None of these expiring contracts are all-too pressing, and the Blackhawks have awarded forward Richard Panik and defenseman Michal Kempny with extensions so far in the offseason.
The most interesting decision surrounds Jurco, the former Red Wings prospect acquired by the club for a third-round pick before the trade deadline. Jurco has struggled to find his stride in parts of four NHL seasons, but he could fit on the wing for the cap-strapped Blackhawks.
2017 Draft Picks
| Round | Picks |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 (From OTT) |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 3 (Own + CAR/STL) |
| 6 | 2 (Own + NYI) |
| 7 | 1 (From ANA) |
Chicago has a bevy of late picks, and while it's a good opportunity to stock its cupboard with promising prospects, Bowman would be wise to attempt to package picks with a high-salary player to create some cap space.
Summer Priorities
1. Don't let Vegas take van Riemsdyk
Due to no-movement clauses in the contracts of defensemen Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Niklas Hjalmarsson, Chicago's expansion protection choices are already made on the back end should it choose the 7-3-1 format.
That would leave Trevor van Riemsdyk exposed for the Golden Knights, something the Blackhawks should nullify by offering Vegas general manager George McPhee one, or multiple of their excess draft picks in exchange for not picking van Riemsdyk in the expansion draft.
Van Riemsdyk, 25, made positive strides last season and is only owed $825,000 for 2017-18. Sorting out a deal to keep the defenseman would make Marcus Kruger the best player available for Vegas, and his potential departure to Sin City would take $3.083 million off Chicago's books.
2. Unload a big contract
This won't be easy, but Bowman needs to explore all options to get rid of one of the numerous long-term contracts burdening the Blackhawks' ledger.
Some of the deals restraining Chicago's flexibility include:
| Player (Position) | Age | Cap Hit | NMC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marian Hossa (RW) | 38 | $5.725M | Yes |
| Artem Anisimov (C) | 29 | $4.55M | Yes |
| Seabrook (D) | 32 | $6.875M | Yes |
| Hjalmarsson (D) | 29 | $4.1M | Yes (inclues modified no-trade clause) |
Again, it won't be easy. If Bowman can find a deal to move any of these players, he should take it, even if it includes retaining salary.
Trading either defenseman makes more sense, as the Blackhawks can ill-afford to further deteriorate their forward depth. However, on the decline, Seabrook might not have many takers, while losing Hjalmarsson would greatly hurt Chicago's defensive-zone play.
In hindsight, choosing any of the above players as a cap casualty rather than, say, Brandon Saad or Teuvo Teravainen, might have helped Chicago avoid this particular pickle in 2017, but it's paramount Bowman analyzes all avenues to afford himself some breathing room.
3. Give DeBrincat a shot
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
This decision will come closer to training camp, but the Blackhawks need to give Alex DeBrincat a serious look for an NHL job.
DeBrincat's size (5-foot-7) pushed him down draft boards to 39th overall last June, where Chicago shrewdly nabbed him. As a member of the Erie Otters, DeBrincat recorded a whopping 65 goals and 62 assists in 2016-17, earning him CHL Player of the Year honors for 2016-17.
In each of his three seasons with Erie, DeBrincat recorded 100-plus points, making him one of just eight players to do so in the OHL's modern era. His height may be a concern, but his junior days are clearly behind him, and Chicago should take advantage of his cheap entry-level cap hit.
2017-18 Outlook
The Blackhawks have been in this position before, but this time around - with their core growing older - it feels like something has to give for the club to rediscover its championship identity.
Writing off Chicago as contenders is a little premature, but in order to maintain and continue its run of success in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks' salary conundrum needs to be resolved this summer.
Offseason Outlook Series
COL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF
DET | DAL | FLA | LAK | CAR
WPG | PHI | TBL | NYI | WSH
TOR | CGY | BOS | SJS | STL
NYR | EDM | MTL | ANA | MIN
CBJ | CHI | OTT | PIT | NAS
LGK
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