Chicago Blackhawks Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits
By Ryan Ritchie
Chicago Blackhawks Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits
Having shed salary this past week sending Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen to Carolina, the Chicago Blackhawks have opened up some space to spend in free agency. The main focus now should be locking down RFA Andrew Shaw.
The only possible player left that can be sacrificed in the Blackhawks annual cap crisis is Marcus Kruger. He has three years remaining at a little over $3 million dollars against the cap. Kruger owns a modified no-trade clause where he must submit a seven team list in which he cannot be traded to.
Chicago had another strong regular season in 2015-16 finishing 3rd in the Western Conference.
Unfortunately, the Central Division was equally powerful at the top with St.Louis, Dallas, and Chicago battling it out all year long for top spot.
It wasn’t until the final stretch when Dallas and Chicago made enough separation.
The new playoff format has some flaws, this past year being a great example. Three of the NHL’s best teams were set to duke it out in the first two rounds, with a pair guaranteed to meet up in the opener.
Related Story: Why Trade of Teravainen Makes Sense
Chicago Blackhawks Free Agency Outlook/Preview
Salary Committed to 2016-17: $66,034,294
Number of Players Signed: 34
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise, Tomas Fleischmann, Brandon Mashinter, Christian Ehrhoff, Michael Leighton, Jay Harrison, Tim Jackman, Kyle Cumiskey
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Andrew Shaw, Dennis Rasmussen, Ryan Haggerty, Mark McNeill, Garret Ross
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It doesn’t look like GM Stan Bowman will have much money to spend in free agency.
Once the dust settles beyond July 1st, Chicago might be able to snag some cheap depth signings or PTOs (professional tryout offers).
The top priority should be retaining Andrew Shaw now that Bickell’s $4 million dollar contract is gone.
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Chicago Blackhawks Free Agency Team Needs
Depth Defense (6-7 type blueliners – on the short-list for AHL callups or sitting in the press box), No.3 Goalie (AHL Starter)
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Beyond Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Viktor Svedberg, and Erik Gustafsson, it’s gets a little hazy for Chicago on the blueline.
It’s conceivable that one or two of David Rundblad, Ville Pokka, Gustav Forsling, Carl Dahlstrom, or Dillon Fournier might be able to step up next season.
It still wouldn’t hurt to sign at least one body with NHL experience to fill in for injuries or struggling young players.
Chicago has a glaring hole between the pipes beyond Corey Crawford and Scott Darling.
GM Stan Bowman may opt to fill the hole via trade, but a few cheap short-term options exist (listed below).
Next: NHL Mock Draft 6.5: 7 Rounds of Prospect Analysis
Potential Chicago Blackhawks Free Agency Targets
Depth Defense: Marc-Andre Gragnani, Matt Taormina, Justin Falk, Andre Benoit, David Warsofsky, Zach Trotman, David Schlemko, Matt Tennyson, Victor Bartley, Chris Butler
No.3 Goalies/AHL Starter: Ben Scrivens, Alex Stalock, Justin Peters, Carter Hutton, Jeremy Smith, Tom McCollum
*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com