{"id":51016,"date":"2019-07-07T12:47:24","date_gmt":"2019-07-07T16:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=51016"},"modified":"2019-07-26T14:21:03","modified_gmt":"2019-07-26T18:21:03","slug":"chicago-blackhawks-roster-moves-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/07\/07\/chicago-blackhawks-roster-moves-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Blackhawks Roster Moves Ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this\u00a0Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>\u00a0‘Roster Moves Ahead’ piece we will cover the current state of the Blackhawks roster and potential changes between now and training camp. The team made it through the 2019 NHL Draft in June with high marks<\/a>. They made several moves with their restricted free agents<\/a> and made a big splash in free agency on July 1st. General manager Stan Bowman<\/strong> is certainly not done with his roster. The question is, what lies ahead?<\/p>\n

Blackhawks Roster Moves Ahead<\/h1>\n

The beleaguered general manager has spent the last several months trying to improve his shaky defence corps. He swung two deals<\/a> for Calvin de Haan<\/a><\/strong> and Olli Maatta<\/a><\/strong> since the season ended. He also signed Slater Koekkoek<\/a><\/strong> and Carl Dahlstrom<\/a><\/strong> to short-term deals. And as speculated in our recent piece on free agent targets<\/a>, Bowman addressed the tenuous goaltending position by signing free agent Vezina Finalist Robin Lehner<\/a><\/strong> on July 1st.<\/p>\n

That leaves the forward position as the only one with questions still unanswered. We are going to cover all three parts of the roster for potential Blackhawks roster moves ahead.<\/p>\n

Blackhawks Forwards<\/h2>\n

The Blackhawks forwards were a big part of Bowman’s rebuild plan. The Blackhawks made a trade<\/a> with the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> for former Blackhawk Andrew Shaw<\/a><\/strong>. Shaw brings with him a lot of versatility, tenacity, and grit. The latter of which the team certainly needs more of every night.<\/p>\n

While many did not like the trade due to the draft picks involved, Shaw’s cap hit comes in at a very reasonable $3.9 million per year through 2021-22. He also adds offence after scoring\u00a019 goals with 47 points in 63 games last season. If Shaw can stay healthy and out of the penalty box, he will be a fan favourite once again in Chicago.<\/p>\n

The Blackhawks did not make a qualifying offer to restricted free agent David Kampf<\/a><\/strong>. They were, however able to sign him to a new two-year deal<\/a> at $1 million per season. The last remaining restricted free agent with the team is Brendan Perlini<\/a><\/strong>. The Blackhawks made him a qualifying offer on June 25th but as of yet Perlini and the team have not finalized a deal.<\/p>\n

The Blackhawks also added another depth player in free agency by signing Ryan Carpenter<\/a> to a three-year deal at $1 million per season. Carpenter brings size and will help fill a role at the centre position for the Blackhawks. He can also chip in on the scoreboard after scoring five goals and 18 points in 68 games last season. As for the Blackhawks own free agent forwards, both Chris Kunitz<\/a><\/strong> and Marcus Kruger<\/a><\/strong> went unsigned with the team.<\/p>\n

Blackhawks Roster Moves – Forwards<\/h3>\n

The Blackhawks currently have 10 forwards signed for the 2019-20 NHL season ahead and signing Brendan Perlini<\/a> would bring that total to 11. Signing Perlini would also use up most of the remaining cap space available. Per capfriendly.com<\/a> the Blackhawks have $1.036 million in cap space.<\/p>\n

Bowman will need to make some moves to get to the normal roster of 12-13 forwards on board. Potential forwards battling for a spot on the opening night roster are Dylan Sikura<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>($750k), recently acquired Aleksi Saarela<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0($753k) and John Quenneville<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>($750k), and also recent signees Anton Wedin<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0($925k) and Dominik Kubalik<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0($925k). To make room for the 12trh and 13th forwards\u00a0Collin Delia<\/a><\/strong> and likely Carl Dahlstrom<\/a><\/strong> will be heading back to the Rockford Ice Hogs. We have more about that below.<\/p>\n

Blackhawks Roster Moves – Defence<\/h3>\n

Bowman has had issues with his defence corps over the last few seasons. He got active and made two moves that should help the defence by trading for Calvin de Haan<\/a> and Olli Maatta<\/a>. Listed below are the current eight defencemen signed for next season.<\/p>\n