For the second consecutive year, the Chicago Blackhawks are out in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This time in dramatic fashion – a sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators.
Factor in the Blackhawks' consecutive first-round exits along with the massive changes in Los Angeles, and it’s an indication of how the power has now shifted in the NHL.
The powerhouse Kings and Blackhawks are no longer powerhouses. Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has done a remarkable job in Chicago finding new and creative ways to keep the championship window open for the Blackhawks and faces a challenge this summer with his aging roster one year older.
Here’s where he should focus:
1. Explore a Brent Seabrook trade
Seabrook is a warrior, a major piece of the Blackhawks' heart and soul. But it’s clear: That heart, soul and playoff experience isn’t going to win a postseason series for Chicago. The back end needs a facelift to closer reflect the youth and speed the rest of the league utilizes, and clearing the $6.875 million salary cap hit each season Seabrook uses would help the cause there.
Defensemen Brian Campbell and Johnny Oduya are both on expiring contracts, and there’s a real opportunity to upgrade the speed and skill on the defense if Chicago can afford to do it.
The problem is there are seven more years on Seabrook's deal, which has a no-movement clause, plus he’s 32 years old. It may be mission impossible.
2. Move Marcus Kruger
Kruger, as good and reliable as he is, is no longer a luxury the Blackhawks can afford. He’s making just over $3 million per season through 2018-19, and he’s never hit double digits in goals. He’s a great fourth-line center and penalty-kill extraordinaire, but Tanner Kero has emerged as a cheaper option in that role.
It would be much more advantageous to lose him in the expansion draft rather than a guy like defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, and the expansion draft may be the best opportunity to get this contract off the books.
3. Replace Scott Darling
In today’s parity-packed NHL, you need two goalies to successfully navigate the rigors of the long regular season. Darling played 32 games for the Blackhawks this season and likely priced himself out of Chicago.
He’s an unrestricted free agent, and there are teams with clear-cut starting goalie positions open and eager to give him an opportunity. The Blackhawks won’t be able to afford both Darling and Corey Crawford.
The challenge is finding a replacement goalie who can post a .924 save percentage and do it while earning less than $1 million per season like Darling. That’s a tall order.