• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Chicago Blackhawks

Stan Bowman Faces Familiar Challenge

By Jason Lowenthal July 6th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Columbia, MO (July 6, 2014) – Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman always seems to have cap troubles on his mind during the offseason. After capturing the Stanley Cup in 2010, Bowman was forced to deal key players from that team. Centerpieces such as Dustin Byfuglien (17 G, 17 A), Andrew Ladd (17 G, 21 A), Kris Versteeg (20 G, 24 A), and goaltender Antti Niemi (26-7-4, 2.25 GAA, .925 SV%), among others saw their times come to and end in Chicago as Bowman felt the pressure to stay under the cap. The next season, Chicago stayed elite with a 44-win and 97-point season.

Again in 2013 after winning the Cup for a second time in four years, the ‘Hawks had to shake up the roster in the offseason. Between free agency and trades, fan favorite Dave Bolland along with Viktor Stalberg (9 G, 14 A), penalty killing specialist Michael Frolik, as well as goaltender Ray Emery (17-1-0, 1.94 GAA, .922 SV%) departed. The following year, Chicago was one goal away from reaching the Cup Finals again.

Recent/Expected Moves

Why should this offseason be any different? Bowman once again faces the same challenge of figuring out which guys to pay while satisfying the salary cap. This one may not be quite as hectic, but nonetheless Bowman will have to work his magic. Having signed cheap a second-line center in Brad Richards and traded away Brandon Bollig and his $1.25 million cap hit, the ‘Hawks are in fairly good shape. However, there is still work to be done because Chicago sits $2,216,795 over the cap and still is in negotiations to re-sign Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Although it has been reported that Toews and Kane have asked for $12 million per season, expect each to sign for somewhere closer to $9-10 million.

(Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

(Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

As far as unrestricted free agents go, Bowman has done a nice job of solidifying depth in the roster and has done it inexpensively at that. He inked Antti Raanta, Ben Smith, Jeremy Morin, and Peter Regin for a combined $3.7 million.

Who Else?

Now comes the question of how to shed more salary to make room for the larger contracts of Toews and Kane. The biggest dent in that issue could be made by getting rid of Kris Versteeg’s $2.2 million cap hit. Versteeg is an easily replaceable commodity, especially given the disappointing numbers he put up last season, and at that salary, he just is not worth it. Replace him with Joakim Nordstrom, who has primarily played the center position, but can also fill in on the left side. Nordstrom played in spurts with the ‘Hawks last season, but spent most of his time down in Rockford (AHL). He tallied 17 goals and 33 points over 58 games with the IceHogs. Even more important is that Nordstrom comes at a bargain at $750,000.

Although he is idolized by fans, Bryan Bickell is the next name on the list based on his unimpressive numbers from last season. The 28-year old tallied just 11 goals and 15 points last season after he received a pretty hefty extension for his playoff heroics in 2012-13. Bickell’s $4 million cap hit can be looked at as dead weight. Teuvo Teravainen might need a little more time to develop but could be a nice replacement for Bickell. Doing so would save the ‘Hawks $9,317,499 over the course of three seasons before both become free agents in 2018.

(Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

(Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Switching over to the defensive side, Michal Rozsival is the biggest name to jump out as easily replaceable. His production has slowed every season since 2006-07 and at a $2.2 million cap hit and 35 years of age, Bowman should have no problem finding someone to fill in for him. Take a David Rundblad at $785,000 or seal a new contract with Sheldon Brookbank for a touch over $1 million and either one would save some money without losing much production.

Bowman has been quiet in revealing what the Blackhawks plan to do to shed more salary, but he has plenty of options.

  • Tags
  • Bryan Bickell
  • Kris Versteeg
  • Michal Rozsival
  • Stan Bowman
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 17th 5:15 PM
Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings: Zadina’s Start Sparks the Imagination

Jan 17th 5:05 PM
Archives

Jacques Plante: The Man in the Fiberglass Mask

Jan 17th 4:25 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Make Tough Decision in Waiving Spezza and Dell

Jan 17th 4:05 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Joe Thornton’s First Maple Leafs’ Goal: Just a Little Trickery Out There

Jan 17th 3:55 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues’ Winter 2021 Prospect Pyramid

Jan 17th 3:40 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: White, Batherson, Stützle & More

Jan 17th 3:30 PM
Boston Bruins

First-Year Islanders Shocked Big, Bad Bruins 48 Years Ago

Jan 17th 2:55 PM
Detroit Red Wings

NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Oilers, Canadiens, Flyers, Red Wings, More

Jan 17th 2:45 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Need to Make a Jack Roslovic Trade Happen

Jan 17th 2:35 PM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Matthews, Thornton, Marner & Robertson

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information