CHINKS IN THE ARMOR
The trading of picks and prospects to remain a contender was bound to have repercussions
IT WAS ONLY A
matter of time before the Blackhawks’ pseudo-dynastic run ended. Titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015 swelled the core players’ salaries and gutted the franchise of high picks as GM Stan Bowman made “buyer” trades. It was the right thing to do – but now Chicago pays for it. A top-heavy roster struggled to score, goalie Corey Crawford got hurt, and Chicago missed the playoffs after nine straight berths. The question now is: retool or fullon rebuild? Patrick Kane’s and Jonathan Toews’ mammoth contracts will force the former. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Hawks need another top-four D-man. They never recovered after losing Niklas Hjalmarsson, Brian Campbell, Johnny Oduya and Trevor van Riemsdyk last summer. Chicago also finished 19th in offense, its lowest rank since Joel Quenneville became coach in 2008-09. The forward corps needs high-end talent. LONG-TERM NEEDS: Duncan Keith averaged 25-plus minutes in eight of 10 seasons before slipping to about 24 this year. He’s overburdened, slowing down and turns 35 in July. Chicago has some B-grade defense prospects but needs an elite-pedigree pick. Crawford is 33 and dealt with scary concussion symptoms. His career could be in jeopardy. The Blackhawks have no goalies among their top 10 prospects. CAP SITUATION: The Hawks remain in their annual crunch, with just $6.9 million available, though the cap projects to rise. They have no pricey RFA deals to hand out – the likes of Anthony Duclair and John Hayden won’t command much – but have no big contracts coming off the books, either. IN THE SYSTEM 2018-19: Chicago lacks a slam-dunk NHL-ready prospect, but the ‘D’ situation is so dire that top blueline candidate Henri Jokiharju could force his way on to the team with a strong camp. The first of two 2018 firstrounders, eighth overall, has the best chance to make the team – if the pick is a forward. DID YOU KNOW: In 2017-18, Alex DeBrincat joined Eric Lindros and Patrik Laine as the only players 20 or younger in the past three decades to record three hat tricks in a season.