Sunday, July 1st was the 2018 NHL Free Agent Frenzy. In many cities across the league, there were celebrations as teams made moves looking to rebuild or improve their rosters. Fans of several teams were ecstatic as they watched their favourite team “go all in” on the season ahead.<\/p>\n
For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> snagged the top free agent available<\/a> John Tavares<\/a><\/strong>. The Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> signed<\/a> Paul\u00a0Stastny<\/a><\/strong>, and James van\u00a0Riemsdyk<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0signed with the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>. The St. Louis Blues<\/a> also made a splash acquiring<\/a> Ryan O’Reilly<\/a><\/strong> from the Buffalo Sabres<\/a>\u00a0in a trade.<\/p>\n In Chicago however, things were not\u00a0quite\u00a0as rosy. Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> who were still recovering from the teams recent draft<\/a> were left scratching their heads. They watched the 2018 NHL draft as general manager Stan Bowman<\/strong> selected eight picks the weekend before. The draft picks\u00a0were graded\u00a0well<\/a>, but they would need years to develop and did not improve their present team.<\/p>\n After two consecutive first-round playoff losses and then not making the playoffs last season, fans were on edge with the team’s direction. They realized that the team’s core was on the decline and had only a few years left\u00a0to\u00a0make another Cup run. They\u00a0were disappointed\u00a0in the draft but just knew Stan Bowman had a plan to help the present team recover through free agency.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Rumours were rampant with regards to the Blackhawks and potential free agent signings\u00a0and\u00a0trades. They had $9.2 million in cap space and potentially an\u00a0additional\u00a0$5.275 million if they could just trade Marian\u00a0Hossa<\/a><\/strong>‘s\u00a0contract to a team looking to get to the NHL salary cap floor. The free agent\u00a0possibilities\u00a0were endless if they could have made the\u00a0Hossa\u00a0move.<\/p>\n The chatter on social media with the rumours and potential signings was out of control. Then came July 1st and the reality of what it means\u00a0to be\u00a0a fan of the Blackhawks. Stan Bowman<\/strong> made the announcements of the three players he was able to convince to sign with the Blackhawks. He signed goaltender<\/a> Cam Ward<\/a><\/strong>, forward<\/a> Chris\u00a0Kunitz<\/strong><\/a>, and defenseman<\/a> Brandon Manning<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The explosion on social media was immediate and incredible. Multiple media outlets and fans lit up Twitter with rants, tirades, and complaints about what the Blackhawks had done with their signings. Cam Ward<\/a><\/strong> being signed\u00a0must be\u00a0an omen\u00a0“that Corey Crawford<\/a><\/strong>‘s health is still a concern<\/a>.” Chris\u00a0Kunitz<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is almost 40 and based on that age would “make a fitting addition to the Chicago Blackhawks ‘Ambassadors’ instead of on a line.” Brandon Manning<\/a><\/strong> “isn’t a top 4 D-man!” “Well, at least he’s over 6-foot and 200 pounds unlike the petite draft picks<\/a> Bowman loves.”<\/p>\n Sunday’s Twitter buzz went long into the night. Based on the fans outpouring of their emotions, we were able to develop the “Chicago Blackhawks Rebuild Plan A to Z.” This pretty much sums up the thoughts of the Chicago Blackhawks fan on the moves and what it means for their team’s future.<\/p>\n Although this is a lighthearted look into what it means\u00a0to be\u00a0a Blackhawks fan, there are some serious issues with this team. Their defence is suspect, their core is aging, the team has no size or grit, and their goaltending will make or break next season being successful.<\/p>\nChicago Blackhawks Rebuild<\/h1>\n
July 1st Arrives<\/h2>\n
Plan A to Z<\/h2>\n
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Moving On<\/h2>\n