Although we’re just two months into the season, the trade deadline is just over a month away. Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Chicago Blackhawks.
No one expected anything for the Blackhawks this season. They were going into the year with an unproven goaltending tandem and their two most dynamic centers have been unavailable the whole year. But with an outstanding rookie in net and a Hart Trophy-level performance from Patrick Kane, they’re right in the thick of the playoff race in the Central Division.
Record
13-9-5, 4th in Central Division
Deadline Status
Opportunistic buyer
Deadline Cap Space
No base cap room, $22.09MM in full-season space using LTIR, 2/3 retention slots used, 48/50 contracts used per CapFriendly.
(The LTIR room that Chicago is using this season includes Jonathan Toews’ $10.5MM cap hit. If Toews is going to come back this season, it would drastically reduce the amount of cap they have to work with at the deadline.)
Upcoming Draft Picks
2021: CHI 1st, CHI 2nd, CHI 4th, CHI 5th, CHI 6th, CHI 7th
2022: CHI 1st, CHi 2nd, CHI 3rd, CHI 4th, CHI 5th, CHI 6th, CHI 7th
Trade Chips
If the Blackhawks lose any ground in the next couple of weeks, their feel-good start won’t matter much in the eyes of GM Stan Bowman. The team was starting a mini rebuild and that shouldn’t be abandoned because of a strong two dozen games. Still, what the team has done this season without Toews or top prospect Kirby Dach is encouraging and will make them have to consider any names that hit the market with some term attached.
One Chicago player that has been in the rumor mill is Dylan Strome, who has just one more year on his contract before restricted free agency. When Toews and Dach are healthy, Strome isn’t a great fit for the third line and he has been passed over by lesser-known names this season. With just eight points in 19 games and a recent concussion on his medical chart, Strome certainly wouldn’t be at peak value. Still, if there is a deal to be had, he is a piece they could part with.
Carl Soderberg also sticks out as a player that has been a nice surprise this year but won’t be involved the next time Chicago is really contending. The 35-year-old forward has 11 points in 22 appearances and could be a nice depth addition for a relatively low cost. Soderberg carries just a $1MM cap hit and is an easy sell if someone like Dach (who has resumed skating recently) comes back into the lineup.
Mattias Janmark could basically have the same thing written about him, though the 28-year-old has been good enough to perhaps deserve another go-round with Chicago next year. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer and carries a $2.25MM cap hit but has nine goals and 15 points in 27 games.
Others to Watch For: D Calvin de Haan ($4.55MM UFA 2022)
Team Needs
1) Depth on the wing – It doesn’t seem like it even needs to be a prospect that the Blackhawks would have to target this year, given the little boost they have had in performance. Adding a reclamation project or middle-six option with some team control could be a useful piece for the end of this season and next—as long as it comes cheap (both in salary and assets).
2) NHL-ready prospects – With Kane still providing MVP-level play, there’s no way Chicago will strip it down to the bolts. A draft pick is nice, but a player ready to make an impact next season would be even nicer. If they do something like move Strome, it won’t likely be for just picks.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
I trashed the Subban – Delia tandem as the most obvious tank job in recent history, but…give Bowman credit. He had faith in Lankinen and he’s been very good.
I’ll respectfully disagree (slightly), with my esteemed colleague, @forwhomjoshbelltolled, on Stan The Man. I’m also nowhere near the point of giving Colliton a pile of credit, either. With the absence of valuable veteran presence guys Crow, Seabs, and Johnny Toews, that leaves Dunc & Kaner to be even more impactful. I believe they have, in spades. The ‘Hawks almost have no business being where they are in the standings, but there they sit in a playoff spot, seven points clear of CBJ. If not for the Swamp Kitties with Q at the helm, they’d be the talk of the league this year. Pretty amazing story, so far…
I can’t help but laugh at all the fans who trashed Bowman. He’s done an incredible job!
Before you get too carried away on the “Stan Train,” let’s see how long it takes them to keep up with VGK and TBL. They aren’t even close yet.
Despite him. Not because if him.
How? Bringing in Kubalik, Sutter, Kurashev, drafting Bovquist, Beaudin. He made several great moves while maneuvering within the cap. All this without Dach (who he drafted) and Toews.
Until the upper management changes last year supposedly Bowman didn’t have full control of the roster. He does now and has done a great job. Still another year or two faway so hopefully it continues. I like the surprises so far. Lankinen was my vote before the year and he has done more than I expected.
I would love to see Tallon come back to the Blackhawks in some capacity
Despite him. Not because if him.
Wrong
More wrong.
Kid. You’re not making any sense. Who do you think assembled this team?????