The Chicago Blackhawks are currently on their longest break of the year. Until ,of course, the off-season that will start with another miss of the postseason. If you haven’t been watching the TV, looking at the paper, or browsing online, you wouldn’t have known that the Blackhawks are about to have their 2nd annual missed appearance at the playoffs. It’s hard to see them miss the playoffs after their last 9 year playoff run consisted of 3 Stanley Cups, 5 conference finals, and 4 first round exits. The Hawks have fallen deep into the pits of the NHL standings; sitting in 7th place within the division. However, things are looking up for the Blackhawks. From 2003-2008, the Blackhawks have failed to make the playoffs, and had a 5 season playoff drought, I believe that this drought will end next year and here is why.
After being swept by the Nashville Predators in the first round of the NHL playoffs in 2017 the Hawks GM, Stan Bowman, promised change, and followed suit with some big trades. Stan’s moves that offseason helped instill Chicago’s smooth downfall. Bowman was being pushed out the door by fans this season after questionably trading Panarin and giving Seabrook a 6 million dollar contract for long term. In highsight, some of Bowman's moves look horrible, but in the moment they were the best things available.
Bowman’s moves have given the Blackhawks long term cap space, something needed in today's NHL. Whether it be trading Panarin for Saad, who had the same Cap hit for 2 more years, or trading Shmaltz, a soon to be restricted free agent. For Storm, who has 2 more years left on his contract, the Hawks have stability. Eight of the Blackhawks 21 players on the roster are on entry leave contracts, which means the youth of the team is vital. The Hawks are so young and will be remaining young in the upcoming seasons. It is important that the Hawks keep cap space open to sign their future players such as Jokiharju, Delia, Strome, and most importantly DeBrincat. Delia is the only player on this list who we have to worry about as his contract ends this season. The Hawks will most likely bridge a contract with Delia, who may try and ask for to high a price tag considering how well he played. Other than that, Debrincat, Storm, and Jokiharju all have another year on their entry level contract so Chicago will try and create worthwhile contracts to keep those guys here long term. I would imagine anywhere from 3 to 5 million a year for those guys, considering the contracts be long term, otherwise 2 million for a year or 2. That is a problem for next year, now we need to approach the now for the Chicago Blackhawks.
This is a failed season in the standards of many Blackhawks fans. Chicago will not be in the playoffs and therefore it is a failed season. However, here is some sources of optimism.
1 The Future Is Set
The Blackhawks as mentioned before have 8 players playing on entry level contracts as of right now, that does not include Gustav Forsling as he is on injured reserve. (Stats come courtesy of CapFriendly) Although this season is a failure the next of 31 games really can decide the Hawks future going into next year. The power play is up and rookie players are starting to learn in new positions.
Henri Jokiharju had a great trip playing in the World Juniors, winning gold with his country. Jokiharju is now being flipped to play on opposite sides of the ice, learning how to play both the left and right positions on defense. Having a defenseman play both sides is going to be instrumental for the Blackhawks future as both Adam Boqvist and Ian Mitchell shoot right. So the Hawks need someone who can play the right side. Jokiharju has adapted greatly in his first year in the NHL, he could be more defensively sound but luckily he has two hall of fame coaches on his left and right. Keith and Seabrook have their best years behind them at this point, but helping lead the way for the younger players will be key, which leads us to my next point.
2 Learn from the Best
I believe the biggest part of the Blackhawks success will come from the young guys playing with the veterans. Jeremy Colliton has to learn how to correctly utilize all of his players. Matching Toews with younger players so they can learn his defensive game, or matching Kane with young players so they can learn his offensive shot ,and how to view the offensive zone will allow their play to continue on in those young guys. Emulation is going to be how the Hawks succeed.
As Toews and Kane age their game will continue on in guys like Debrincat and Sikura. On the defensive side of things the Hawks have Jokiharju who will learn a lot from Keith and Seabrook, imagine Jokiharju picking up on Keiths defensive mindset and Seabrook’s offensive ability, although I do believe Joki has passed Seabs already on offense. Chicago has a bright future, part of being a hall of famer is the legacy you leave behind. I believe Keith, Toews, Kane and even Seabrook can leave a legacy behind in the young players on the team. That is something to look for in years to come, here is something for this off-season.
3 Going to the Market
The Blackhawks are going to have cap space for the first time in a long time, and can instantly make a splash by signing one of the free agents that will be available this offseason. Matt Duchene’s contract with the Senators ends this offseason, same with Panarin in Columbus, and Anton Stralman in Tampa Bay. 2 players to target would be Anton Stralman and Panarin. Panarin has hinted that he wants out of Columbus, and what a great idea that is. Panarin could totally reunite with Kane to help push Kane into another scoring title. Panarin does not care about the money, considering Panarin could sign with Columbus for a big contract right now. If Panarin did return to the Hawks we would be instantly pushed back into a playoff spot. The Hawks would also have one of the most explosive players in the NHL.
The player that really seems intriguing to me is Stralman. The Hawks need a defenseman, and at 32 years old Stralman should not be looking for anything huge. Stralman could make a big impact on the Hawks blue line sliding into a top 4 role and making an impact on the goal sheet. The Hawks need to find a new scoring defenseman Stralman could definitely be apart of the solution.
It is pretty much set in stone the six defenseman the Hawks have right now will not be the six they have next year, an offseason signing could be apart of the solution.
What about now?
Going into the rest of the year, what is the plan? The Hawks need to start working more and more on developing their young players, and turning away from the older guys. Trading guys like Kruger and Kunitz could help free up a spot for Dylan Sikura and other prospects like Ian Mitchell when his current season is done. By giving younger guys ice time in the NHL will only help the Hawks in the long run.
We here at Under The Lights will continue to share stories on the Hawks deep into the future. I hope you enjoyed our story on where we think the Hawks are at.
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