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.
Jun 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman
Brent Seabrook(7) celebrates with defenseman
Duncan Keith(2) after scoring the game-winning goal against the Boston Bruins during the overtime period in game four of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
DEFENSEMEN
Johnny Oduya – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Nick Leddy – Michal Roszival
EXTRA: David Rundblad
Just like the forwards, the defensive group is remarkably strong led by Norris winning Keith. They have probably the top pair in the league in Keith and Seabrook, while Hjalmarsson would be a top pair blueliner on most clubs. Will Rundblad ever really pan out or is he destined for a career in the press box, or back in Europe? There is $24.5M committed to the 7 blueliners on the roster above.
May 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie
Corey Crawford(50) makes a blocker save as Los Angeles Kings right wing
Marian Gaborik(12) looks for the puck during the first period in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
GOALTENDING
While people keep trying to poke holes in Crawford’s game and refuse to put him in the upper echelon of netminders, all he does is keep his team in games which is all they need him to do. While his numbers weren’t quite as stellar as the lockout shortened year, they were still pretty respectable and earned him a big contract extension.
May 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center
Jonathan Toews(19) celebrates with teammates
Marian Hossa(81) ,
Johnny Oduya(27) ,
Niklas Hjalmarsson(4) and
Bryan Bickell(29) after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
SYNOPSIS
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This is a team that can, and will, continue to spend to the Cap, and they seem to be doing it the right way. Surrounding star players with solid supporters who want to be part of a winner seems to be the way to build a team, and with the core of the Hawks signed long term and still entering their prime, they will be a perennial contender for years to come.