The Chicago Blackhawks have taken a page from the New York Rangers, issuing a letter to fans explaining their recent moves and their commitment to a rebuild. The letter reads:
We recently said goodbye to a pair of popular, two-time champions and acquired some new players via trade and free agency. We understand it was tough to see those respected veterans go and realize you may have some questions about our direction. We’d like to adress that direction and share why we’re hopeful for the future of Blackhawks hockey.
We’re committed to developing young players and rebuilding our roster. We want more than another window to win; we want to reach the summit again, and stay there–an effort that will require a stockpile of emerging talent to complement our top players. The influx of youth and their progression will provide roster flexibility and depth throughout our lineup.
We were already the youngest team in the 2020 playoffs and several Blackhawks experienced that intensity for the first time; this will help to further establish a culture that embraces the grind of improvement driven by competitors who are relentless, engaged and motivated by a team-first mentality to win.
As our young players develop and learn how to win consistently, they’ll make some mistakes. Inevitably, we’ll miss the mark sometimes, too, but we’ll communicate openly with you on this journey together. We know that what comes next must be more than just words, and that inspires us.
Chicago recently allowed Corey Crawford to leave in free agency and traded Brandon Saad to the Colorado Avalanche. The team is moving forward with an extremely inexperienced tandem in goal and a forward group highlighted by young players like Kirby Dach.
In 2018, the Rangers issued a similar letter to their fans after moving on from core players like Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello. Two and a half years later and the Rangers now have two top picks in the system and a large number of young, talented players ready to take them to the next level.
The Blackhawks obviously are hoping for a similar short turnaround, though there is lots of work to be done in order to get their organization back to contending for the Stanley Cup every year.
Copycat Stan should not be in charge of this rebuild. The core deserves someone who can actually evaluate talent and manage the salary cap.
Totally agree please bring back Tallon!!
Exactly. Get rid of Bowman now if you want to get back to a 2010-2015 run
Rangers have Gorton. Hawks have Bowman. Don’t expect a quick or quality rebuild.
What are the Rangers rebuilding from? Being marginally good? They haven’t won anything in 25 years.
Rangers were probably the leagues most successful team most of the 2010s amongst non cup winners
Which unfortunately means nothing
And wouldn’t the Sharks be the best team of the decade to not win a cup
The Rangers have been a mediocre team lead by a strong goalie since Lundqvist suited up for them. As their mediocre players got older the team got worse. Those players moved on in 1 way or another & the team went into rebuild mode. As per the letter to the fans. Just like the letter Chicago just sent out. But the Rangers are better off since Bowman is a bum. And teams still have to rebuild at some point whether they win or not (see: Leafs, Islanders, Canucks, Sharks, etc).
How many banners are they hanging up for that?
Fire Stan Bowman, he’s totally clueless. He couldn’t rebuild a winning team if he had the top 10 picks in the draft and the list of future All Stars and Hall of Famers highlighted for him.
Blowman only seems to find good players in the draft like DeBrincat in Round 2 and selecting Dach 3rd overall when a lot of bums wanted Turcotte because hes from illinois and who i think is overhyped i personally wanted Byram at the time but Dach looks like he could be the best in that draft.
i thought it was kinda funny i did my own mock trades on my snapchat and i did Panik for Duclair stupid he walked for nothing with the amount of talent he had his speed generated so many chances and breakaways. should’ve had his RFA rights dealt instead of letting him walk as a UFA
As a long time hawk fan I am appalled by this. Stan Boman should resign. He is not committed to winning the Cup. The hawks went 49 years from 1961 to regain the Cup. They never said they were rebuilding. The goal is to win the Cup every year
If you aren’t trying to win the cup then rid the team of the high priced talent and get younger and cheaper talent. No long term no trade contracts. It about what can you do in the next couple of years and not past performance.