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With the recent signings of Johnny Oduya and Jamal Mayers it seems as if Stan Bowman plans on bringing back the 2011-2012 Blackhawks for another try, but that simply isn't the case according to the Blackhawks GM:
“It’s the same we do each year; take a look at the players who are available in July, and there’s always some activity around the draft. I think you have to be open to trying to improve your team,” he said. “We’re not even at July yet; we’re going to look at making additional changes to our team. We’re always looking for players who are coming back to take steps forward… and grow their games, as well.”
Bowman also acknowledged that there is a size issue on defense that is yet to be addressed, and even with Oduya signed that doesn't mean they won't pursue other options. Of course, with the recent development one has to believe that Stan will have to accomplish his goals via trade with just under $3M in cap space heading into the draft and later on, free agency.
If Stan's plan is the trade route, there are three players that you'll have to look out for in the rumor mill and here is why the writing is on the wall for them:
Dave Bolland
[float=left]http://3.cdn.nhle.com/blackhawks/v2/photos/mugs/8471245.jpg[/float]As much as I love Bolland, signs are starting to point to his departure from Chicago. Although he still has two years remaining on his deal, the $3.375M cap hit seems steep for a 3rd line center when the Blackhawks have complete confidence in Marcus Kruger, who still has one more year remaining on his entry-level contract for nearly 1/4th of the cost. With Jamal Mayers receiving an extension for another year, the Blackhawks clearly have their 1st, 3rd, and 4th line centers solidified.
It's no secret that the Blackhawks brass refused (and will continue to refuse) to move Bolland up to the 2nd line despite the fact that Kruger clearly is not ready to handle that role. So much to the point that Patrick Kane was forced to slide to the middle and take over that duty. If they truly believe Bolland will never contribute as a top-2 center in Chicago (although I firmly disagree) perhaps they think it's time to send him packing for someone who can.
Michael Frolik
[float=left]http://1.cdn.nhle.com/blackhawks/v2/photos/mugs/8473564.jpg[/float]There really isn't much that I can say, it's pretty obvious that Frolik has under-performed after signing his $2.333M deal last summer despite his commendable work ethic. With Viktor Stalberg elevating his game to another level, Frolik has found himself out of the top-six and eventually losing his job completely to Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes, finding himself warming the press box until getting a chance to prove himself again in the playoffs where he was one of the Blackhawks few bright spots.
If Bowman gets any offers, he just might take them while Frolik's playoff performance is still fresh in the hockey minds of those who are interested while allowing younger potential such as Andrew Shaw to take over the reigns.
Niklas Hjalmarsson
[float=left]http://1.cdn.nhle.com/blackhawks/v2/photos/mugs/8471769.jpg[/float]Much like Bolland, there is still two years remaining on Hjalmarsson's contract. Although Hjalmarsson certainly isn't a bad defenseman, the Blackhawks publicly recognize that there is still work to be done on defense. Signing Johnny Oduya at a lesser cap hit with more production (189 blocked shots in 2 years, 35 points) won't help Hjalmarsson's chances of staying in Chicago. And again, with Stan publicly admitting that there is the need for a bigger, tougher defenseman then Nik might be the only logical choice of the Blackhawks current top-six to find a new home.
As it stands, there is too much of the same on the Blackhawks backend, trading someone like Hjalmarsson could potentially fix multiple problems with the same stone as well as open up room for the Blackhawks to actively pursue Ryan Suter.
Then again, we've heard this song and dance from Bowman before. Talk is cheap and so far all Stan has done in his short time as GM in Chicago is acknowledge problems without addressing them with viable solutions. If Stan is going to make a deal in order to improve this team as he says he is actively pursuing, he's going to have to make room for them as there is under $3M in cap space remaining. If not, look forward to seeing a few more cheap band-aids to patch the holes or maybe he even blows the entire wad on another average player.
At some point he's going to have to fill those holes... band-aids just aren't cutting it. Overall, from Bowman's tone he sounds as if his focus remains on defense. Although there is no talk about acquiring a center, just remember that more often than not the trade front is kept pretty neatly hidden away from the media until an announcement is going to be made. With Bolland and Kruger suiting up, and neither of them filling the role as a 2nd line center, something will have to give or Bowman will be answering the same questions next April.
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“It’s the same we do each year; take a look at the players who are available in July, and there’s always some activity around the draft. I think you have to be open to trying to improve your team,” he said. “We’re not even at July yet; we’re going to look at making additional changes to our team. We’re always looking for players who are coming back to take steps forward… and grow their games, as well.”
Bowman also acknowledged that there is a size issue on defense that is yet to be addressed, and even with Oduya signed that doesn't mean they won't pursue other options. Of course, with the recent development one has to believe that Stan will have to accomplish his goals via trade with just under $3M in cap space heading into the draft and later on, free agency.
If Stan's plan is the trade route, there are three players that you'll have to look out for in the rumor mill and here is why the writing is on the wall for them:
Dave Bolland
[float=left]http://3.cdn.nhle.com/blackhawks/v2/photos/mugs/8471245.jpg[/float]As much as I love Bolland, signs are starting to point to his departure from Chicago. Although he still has two years remaining on his deal, the $3.375M cap hit seems steep for a 3rd line center when the Blackhawks have complete confidence in Marcus Kruger, who still has one more year remaining on his entry-level contract for nearly 1/4th of the cost. With Jamal Mayers receiving an extension for another year, the Blackhawks clearly have their 1st, 3rd, and 4th line centers solidified.
It's no secret that the Blackhawks brass refused (and will continue to refuse) to move Bolland up to the 2nd line despite the fact that Kruger clearly is not ready to handle that role. So much to the point that Patrick Kane was forced to slide to the middle and take over that duty. If they truly believe Bolland will never contribute as a top-2 center in Chicago (although I firmly disagree) perhaps they think it's time to send him packing for someone who can.
Michael Frolik
[float=left]http://1.cdn.nhle.com/blackhawks/v2/photos/mugs/8473564.jpg[/float]There really isn't much that I can say, it's pretty obvious that Frolik has under-performed after signing his $2.333M deal last summer despite his commendable work ethic. With Viktor Stalberg elevating his game to another level, Frolik has found himself out of the top-six and eventually losing his job completely to Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes, finding himself warming the press box until getting a chance to prove himself again in the playoffs where he was one of the Blackhawks few bright spots.
If Bowman gets any offers, he just might take them while Frolik's playoff performance is still fresh in the hockey minds of those who are interested while allowing younger potential such as Andrew Shaw to take over the reigns.
Niklas Hjalmarsson
[float=left]http://1.cdn.nhle.com/blackhawks/v2/photos/mugs/8471769.jpg[/float]Much like Bolland, there is still two years remaining on Hjalmarsson's contract. Although Hjalmarsson certainly isn't a bad defenseman, the Blackhawks publicly recognize that there is still work to be done on defense. Signing Johnny Oduya at a lesser cap hit with more production (189 blocked shots in 2 years, 35 points) won't help Hjalmarsson's chances of staying in Chicago. And again, with Stan publicly admitting that there is the need for a bigger, tougher defenseman then Nik might be the only logical choice of the Blackhawks current top-six to find a new home.
As it stands, there is too much of the same on the Blackhawks backend, trading someone like Hjalmarsson could potentially fix multiple problems with the same stone as well as open up room for the Blackhawks to actively pursue Ryan Suter.
Then again, we've heard this song and dance from Bowman before. Talk is cheap and so far all Stan has done in his short time as GM in Chicago is acknowledge problems without addressing them with viable solutions. If Stan is going to make a deal in order to improve this team as he says he is actively pursuing, he's going to have to make room for them as there is under $3M in cap space remaining. If not, look forward to seeing a few more cheap band-aids to patch the holes or maybe he even blows the entire wad on another average player.
At some point he's going to have to fill those holes... band-aids just aren't cutting it. Overall, from Bowman's tone he sounds as if his focus remains on defense. Although there is no talk about acquiring a center, just remember that more often than not the trade front is kept pretty neatly hidden away from the media until an announcement is going to be made. With Bolland and Kruger suiting up, and neither of them filling the role as a 2nd line center, something will have to give or Bowman will be answering the same questions next April.
Click here to view the article
