Can the Chicago Blackhawks take another step next season?
Welcome to Part II of our Blackhawks reader Q&A. Let's get right to it.
Q: Even if the Hawks make the playoffs, is it possible for them to take a step forward next season? I'm not sure that the further development of Kirby Dach/Adam Boqvist and the addition of Ian Mitchell will be enough to offset imminent departures and raises throughout the lineup.
@lukestanberry on Twitter
A: The Hawks can absolutely take another step next season.
Assuming they come to terms with Robin Lehner, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik, this team would feature:
• A top-five goalie in Lehner.
• An elite-level scorer and playmaker in Patrick Kane.
• One of the sport's best leaders in Jonathan Toews.
• Talented scorers in Alex DeBrincat, Brandon Saad and Kubalik.
• An improving set of young players in Dach, Boqvist and Mitchell.
That's a good start, but what about the injured Andrew Shaw, Calvin de Haan and Brent Seabrook? Those three take up a whopping $15.325 million worth of cap space. Are they coming back next season?
If they are - and they're effective - that's another good sign for the Hawks. If not, it's a problem.
Stan Bowman has made a truckload of moves over the past few years. Unless something too good to pass up falls into his lap, maybe it's time to just stop and let this team develop.
The best way for the Hawks to take a giant leap is for Dach and Boqvist to turn into stars next season. Imagine if a bigger, stronger Dach scores 25-30 goals and dishes out 40-45 assists, and Boqvist becomes the puck-moving, offensive threat he's supposed to be.
Add all that up, and it's completely plausible that the Hawks not only take another step but also start to make some noise again in the West.
Q: What players do you think are traded to be able to free cap space to get Robin Lehnar, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik signed?
Jennifer Katrein-Bennett, Ottawa
A: According to capfriendly.com, the Hawks have $70.1 million committed to 16 players next season. The salary cap can figures to rise to about $83 million to $85 million, which obviously puts GM Stan Bowman in a bit of a pickle.
I see one of three things happening:
• Bowman trades Brandon Saad, who carries a $6 million cap hit through next season.
• He trades Zack Smith ($3.25M) or Olli Maatta ($4.083M) - or buys one of them out. Buying out Smith would cost the Hawks $1.083 million in 2021-22 and 2022-23; Maatta would cost about $671,000 against the cap for the next four seasons.
• He asks Brent Seabrook and/or Duncan Keith to waive their no-movement clauses. This seems like a longshot, but it's worth throwing in as a possibility. Bowman would certainly be asked to eat a portion of Seabrook's contract, and he'd have to give up a significant talent as well.
• He could also look to move Andrew Shaw or Calvin de Haan, but what general manager wants to take on players with that much injury risk?
Unless Bowman trades Strome or Kubalik, my money's on Options A and/or B.
Q: What are the chances Brent Seabrook and/or Andrew Shaw decide to hang it up?
Melissa Nides, Glenview
A: No chance. Players that retire do not get paid, so if they're not healthy enough to play, they will simply go on long-term injured reserve.
Q: With Dylan Sikura going on 25 and now seemingly younger and more talented players on the way, do you see the Hawks moving him this summer?
Bill Reimnitz, Chicago
A: As my dad always says, everything's for sale. So maybe the Hawks pull off one of those change-of-scenery deals, much like they did last season with John Quenneville and John Hayden.
Sikura is 24 years old, but only in his second full pro season, though, so it's probably better if they remain patient.
Q: Will Stan Bowman be GM next season if Blackhawks don't make playoffs this year?
Jeff Greer, Glendale AZ
A: Yes. Blackhawks President and CEO John McDonough believes in Bowman, and he's going to give him at least one or two more seasons to see if all these moves over the past few years pay off.