After years of adding veterans to their squad in hopes of fueling a hybrid rebuilding effort to keep the team in contention of a playoff spot, the Chicago Blackhawks have made quite a statement in the last few days, which included opting not to bring back long-time netminder Corey Crawford as well as Saturday’s Brandon Saad trade, suggest that the team intends to start a rebuild. That isn’t sitting well with the team’s core players, especially captain Jonathan Toews, according to The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus (subscription required).
The 32-year-old was a key element to the Blackhawks’ advancement into the round of 16 when the team eliminated the Edmonton Oilers in four games two months ago. He tallied four goals and seven points in that series before Chicago fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in the following round.
“Bottom line is, I want to win,” Toews told The Athletic on Saturday night. “The expectation for the other leaders on this team and myself is to come ready to training camp every year to be a playoff team. We prepare ourselves to win a Cup for our fans. I’ve never been told that we were going through a rebuild. That has never been communicated to me, for that matter. A lot of this comes as a shock because it’s a completely different direction than we expected.”
All four members of the Blackhawks’ remaining core, including Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Toews have made it clear they wanted to stay in Chicago and weren’t going anywhere. Now, just as the team was showing progress that their youth movement, especially from recent play from Dominik Kubalik, Kirby Dach and Adam Boqvist. However, despite an impressive year from the 35-year-old Crawford, the team has decided to allow their young netminders, Malcolm Subban, Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen to battle it out in the net. The team then sent Saad and most of his $6MM contract to the Avalanche for bruising defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
Lazerus writes that the change comes from the removal of team president and CEO John McDonough during the pause on April 27, who was completely against a teardown of the team. Interim president Danny Wirtz has been more open to the idea of a full rebuild and with an upcoming season with few fans in the stands, this might be the best time to undergo transforming the team.
Of course, all four remaining members of their Stanley Cup core are still under contract for another three years with Seabrook having four more years on his deal. All four players have no-movement clauses in their contracts, but would the team undergoing a full rebuild change their minds on leaving Chicago and waive their no-movement clauses? That’s hard to say as each player likely has a different mindset, although Toews made his stance clear.
“I haven’t been a part of that conversation,” he said. “This has all happened pretty suddenly, but the answer is no. Chicago’s my home, and I want to win here again.”
I don’t fault the players for getting paid but this was inevitable with two players making up so much of the cap. Winning is great, money is great, but you have to give up a bit of one or the other if you want both.
Right? Seabrook’s contract is ridiculous
I actually like the Saad for Zadorov trade for the Hawks, but…the idea of running out that wretched pile of goaltending must be really disheartening for any and all Hawks players.
This is what happens after winning 3 cups in 5 years and then paying contracts earned by the core, saad was not playing like a 6 million a year player, and Crawford is one small push away from his career ending, I think bowman has made some awful moves but I’m not surprised by either of these, johnathan toews shouldn’t be either
If I’m chicago I trade Toews, Kane for huge prospect capital. They are still great players so you could get quiet the haul and be back to contending in no time.
Stop
Did you read the article?
They have NMC’s and at least Toews refuses to waive it.
If they don’t like direction of where they are going they probably wouldn’t mind moving. Can’t see Blackhawks paying 21 million to miss playoffs which they will as currently constructed.
Dear Stan, we, the Barcarlounger Bobs here on the PHR forum, did warn you about making this mess. That sound you hear will get louder – it’s the pitchforks coming. The smell is the torches, lighting the way. And that slogan “We’re going to rebuild this castle with Play-Doh” isn’t the best choice…
It doesn’t sound like a rebuild but getting a bit younger. Still have the core and guys like Dachshund, Kubalik, DeBrincat, Bovquist and another good young D in Mitchell. I do wish they signed a goalie though.
I was just about to type a suggestion that maybe the Hawks can trade Kane to his hometown Buffalo while he’s still elite, get quite a haul in return . . . then learned it looks like the unthinkable happened and they have landed Taylor Hall. So, unless Chicago wants someone like Skinner or Okposo coming back, don’t see the Sabres taking on Kane’s contract, too. Wow! Just wow! Hall sure wants to win! BS!!! LOL
Hawk fans are in for some LONG winter nights. 25.7% for 2 players. You have some young d men you could play. You can score. But you need to bring back Tony O. I know he is 73 but he is better than anything going on for you in net right now. Keith and sSabrook being selfish not waving there no trade protection..
Paying a guy like Seabrook big money until he’s almost 40 is a sure fire way to end up in salary cap oblivion!
No disagreement from a Stars fan.