Chicago Blackhawks Projected Lineup And Salary Cap Situation

Oct 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonatan Toews (19) talks with right wing Parick Kane (88) against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Part 2 of our preview of the Chicago Blackhawks looks at their projected roster as well as their current salary cap situation:

FORWARDS

Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Marian Hossa

Patrick Sharp – Brad Richards – Patrick Kane

Bryan Bickell – Andrew Shaw – Kris Versteeg

Ben Smith – Marcus Kruger – Teuvo Teravainen

EXTRAS:  Jeremy Morin, Peter Regin

The Blackhawks have a deep and diverse forward group, and you can pretty much mix and match the top 6 into any combination on any given day, and if that isn’t working you have Versteeg or Bickell to move up depending on the situation. It is an embarassment of riches and I will be most interested to see how Brad Richards is used and how he fits in after his up and down New York experience.  The top end guys are locked in long term, and the 14 forwards  listed carry a cap hit of a shade under $40M.