SWINGING & MISSING
ANOTHER YEAR SPENT on the fringes of the playoff picture meant the Blackhawks were able to fish for picks at the deadline, and GM Stan Bowman recouped second- and third-round selections. Now it’s a matter of doing something meaningful with them, which hasn’t been Chicago’s strong suit the past decade. Only five players drafted by the Hawks since 2007, when Patrick Kane went first overall, have played the equivalent of two full seasons with the organization.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Once run by a triumvirate of Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson, the blueline is now in disarray. Adam Boqvist is promising, but the potential top-pairing options are sparse beyond the 19-year-old. The offense remains in good hands with Kane, Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat, so the focus is on supplementing a thinning defense corps. LONG-TERM NEEDS: Corey Crawford’s age and injury history are cause for handwringing. There’s not a single top-tier goalie prospect in the system, and that is concerning given the state of the blueline. Alexis Gravel has the most upside in the crease, but the Blackhawks should throw darts at the board and attempt to find a future NHL starter. CAP SITUATION: Financial flexibility wasn’t easy for the Hawks when they were winning Cups, and cap space still isn’t in abundance despite the team’s drift into the lower half of the standings. Crawford is a notable UFA, but negotiations with RFAs Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome will be intriguing. IN THE SYSTEM 2020-21: Ian Mitchell’s turn at the Spengler Cup was proof he’s ready to take the next step. The Denver captain ranked sixth in scoring among NCAA defensemen with 32 points. He’s a potential topfour fit as early as next season. DID YOU KNOW: Mitchell’s teammate at Denver, defenseman Slava Demin, was a key piece in the trade return for goalie Robin Lehner from Vegas. Born in California to Russian parents, he’s fluent in their native tongue.