{"id":33920,"date":"2018-08-05T22:55:48","date_gmt":"2018-08-06T02:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=33920"},"modified":"2018-08-05T23:10:04","modified_gmt":"2018-08-06T03:10:04","slug":"checking-in-on-the-chicago-blackhawks-summer-rebuild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/08\/05\/checking-in-on-the-chicago-blackhawks-summer-rebuild\/","title":{"rendered":"Checking In On The Chicago\u00a0Blackhawks\u00a0Summer Rebuild"},"content":{"rendered":"

After missing the playoffs for the first time<\/a> since 2007-08, the Chicago\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0<\/a>summer rebuild was highly anticipated<\/a>. There were many areas of the team that needed addressing\u00a0prior to<\/span>\u00a0the upcoming 2018-19 NHL season. The\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0needed help on defence and goal-tending, both of which they could address with the NHL draft and free agency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chicago\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0Summer Rebuild<\/span><\/h1>\n

Defence First<\/strong><\/h3>\n

General manager Stan Bowman<\/strong> began the roster overhaul early in March by locking up<\/a> his top six defenceman. He signed defencemen<\/a> Jan\u00a0Rutta<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>(1 year-2.3 M) and Erik Gustafsson<\/a><\/strong> (2 years-1.2 M) to extensions. They joined defence anchors Duncan Keith<\/a><\/strong> and Brent Seabrook<\/a><\/strong>, in\u00a0addition<\/span>\u00a0to Connor Murphy<\/a><\/strong> and Gustav\u00a0Forsling<\/span><\/strong>. The shaky defence group featured several raw inexperienced\u00a0blue-liners<\/span>, as well as Seabrook and Keith, both coming\u00a0off of<\/span>\u00a0the worst season of their careers. If the\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0defence was to improve, Stan Bowman still had a lot of work to do in the off-season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drafting Defence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Chicago Blackhawks entered the 2018 NHL Draft needing to restock their team<\/a> with prospects.\u00a0Everyone\u00a0expected<\/span>\u00a0the Blackhawks to draft defence<\/a> as\u00a0a priority with<\/span>\u00a0the 8th and 27th picks in the first round. The team drafted<\/a> Adam\u00a0Boqvist<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0at #8 and Nicolas\u00a0Beaudin<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>at #27<\/a>. Both of them\u00a0are cut<\/span>\u00a0from<\/span>\u00a0the same cloth that Bowman drafts from for his defence.\u00a0Boqvist<\/span>\u00a0is 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds and\u00a0Beaudin<\/span>\u00a0is 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds. They are offensive defencemen<\/a> who can move the puck.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately they both have some filling out to do before they’ll be able to compete against perennial contenders like the Winnipeg Jets<\/a> or Nashville Predators<\/a>. Puck moving defencemen are a great asset, but they still have to defend against the\u00a0much larger<\/span>\u00a0forwards dominating the Western Conference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on the past drafts by Bowman, many Blackhawk fans are still concerned. Since taking over as G.M. in 2009, Bowman’s draft record on defencemen leaves a lot\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0desired. The only defenceman drafted by Bowman currently playing in the NHL is Stephen Johns<\/a><\/strong>. Drafted in 2010 by the\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>, he now plays for the Dallas Stars. Overall the\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a02018 draft drew raves reviews<\/a>, but only time will tell if these two first-rounders can\u00a0contribute<\/span>\u00a0at the NHL level for a team needing immediate help on the back-end.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blackhawks Summer Rebuild and Free Agents<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Chicago\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0summer rebuild led up to the July 1st NHL free agent signing day needing a splash<\/a>. Unfortunately for the Blackhawk faithful, their favourite team was unable to land a big name free agent. This set off<\/a> social media in Chicago as fans took out their frustrations on the\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0via Twitter and other outlets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0did attempt\u00a0to address<\/span>\u00a0their goaltending concerns by signing<\/a> Cam Ward<\/a><\/strong> to a one year $3 million contract. They also signed<\/a> Chris\u00a0Kunitz<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0to a one year $1 million contract, and Brandon Manning<\/a><\/strong> to a two-year $2.25 million contract<\/a>. The\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0expect\u00a0Kunitz<\/span>\u00a0to bring leadership and some grit to the lineup and Manning will add some much-needed size to the\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0defence.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to salary cap limitations, the\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0entry in free agency was not expected\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0a big hit. They still carried the contract of Marion\u00a0Hossa<\/span>\u00a0which kept them restrained<\/a> with free agents. Thankfully the\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0were recently able to unload<\/a> the\u00a0Hossa<\/span>\u00a0contract on the Arizona Coyotes<\/a>. The\u00a0Blackhawks<\/span>\u00a0now have $5.941 million in cap space that they can use during the season or at the NHL trade deadline per CapFriendly.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They also have\u00a0numerous<\/span>\u00a0stars in the making who\u00a0are\u00a0restricted<\/span>\u00a0free agents at the end of the 2018-19 season. Nick Schmaltz<\/a><\/strong>, Victor Ejdsell<\/a><\/strong>, and Dylan Sikura<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0all need to be extended before the end of the season ahead. Following them is Alex DeBrincat<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>who is a restricted free agent after the 2019-20 season. Stan Bowman has his work cut out for him and will be a busy man going forward.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Goaltending Dilemma<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The area still dominating the news in Chicago is the status of Corey Crawford<\/a><\/strong>. After ending his season in December<\/a>, the recovery of Crawford is being kept quiet like a national secret. There have been no definitive answers from the Blackhawks as to his ability to return. The team has said all along that they expect him back by training camp. That has kept the fans of the team content up until the Blackhawks recent fan convention. Crawford responded to numerous questions about his health and return to the lineup during the convention.<\/p>\n

Per a recent article by Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Crawford said he\u2019s \u201cfeeling pretty good right now, [but] I am not at 100 percent yet.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In fact, his eyes reddened a bit and his voice wavered when he was asked about the last seven months and whether he, at any point, feared for his career or his long-term health. He wouldn\u2019t go into specifics about the injury or the recovery process, but his voice betrayed his feelings.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The uncertainty of Crawford’s health and ability to return 100% is unfortunate. The Blackhawks need a healthy Crawford to compete in the tough Western Conference. Backup goaltenders Anton Forsberg<\/a><\/strong> and Cam Ward<\/a><\/strong> cannot be expected to provide the same Vezina level play that Crawford provided.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Chicago Blackhawks still have a lot of questions to answer as they prepare for the upcoming season. Their prospects will get to defend last years championship in Traverse City Michigan next month. Many are hoping for another prospect or two to stand out like Alex DeBrincat<\/a><\/strong> did last year. DeBrincat lit up<\/a> the tournament and earned a spot on Blackhawks opening night roster with his play.<\/p>\n

Blackhawk fans everywhere are also hoping that one or more of their recently drafted defensive prospects can show they’re ready to contribute. That would help settle the nerves of a fan base who worry about their team returning to the playoffs in the near future.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>