Breaking down the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of NHL Trade Deadline Day.
Deadline approach
The Chicago Blackhawks will be: Spectators
Pending free agents
Unrestricted: 8 | Restricted: 9 | See full list
[teamleaders league=”nhl” team=”chi” season”2014″]
Blackhawks overview
The Chicago Blackhawks just know how to win. They’re looking to become the first repeat Stanley Cup champs since the Detroit Red Wings did it in 1997 – 1998, and the management and coaching staff have this Blackhawks team in a good position to do it.
The Blackhawks score more than any other team, they are sound defensively (the Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook pairing is one of the top defensive duos in the NHL) and they have steady goaltending. That’s the formula to win championships.
They recently acquired Peter Regin and Pierre-Marc Bouchard from the New York Islanders to add some depth up front but these aren’t impact players. With world-class talent like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Keith, Seabrook and Corey Crawford — many of them Olympians — the most valuable thing the Blackhawks could use this time of year is some special serum to prevent injuries before the playoffs.
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| Click player positions to see depth chart | ||
Areas to address
The Blackhawks don’t have much cap room to work with at the moment, so if they wish to add a depth forward or defenceman they’ll have to unload salary. Defencemen Sheldon Brookbank and forward Brandon Bollig are UFAs at season’s end, so their contracts would be easy to move.
Up front, there’s not much to improve on besides maybe adding a grinder for insurance if injuries occur in the post-season. An offensive-minded winger could put them over the top, but they might not want to give up a high-draft pick or decent prospect to land one. And, again, cap space is an issue.
Realistically, though, the best target for the Blackhawks might just be someone to play with Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks’ top four D are terrific, but Leddy has been paired with Rozsival, Brookbank and Kostka (who was recently claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning) at various times this season. Rozsival has been the best of that group, but it might be beneficial to find a younger partner with a bit more foot speed to consistently partner with Leddy.
Possible trade targets
Milan Michalek, Ottawa Senators
Clayton Stoner, Minnesota Wild
