Chicago Blackhawks
Additions: Denis Arkhipov, Patrick Lalime, Martin Havlat, Bryan Smolinski, Craig MacDonald, Sebastien Caron, Michal Handzus, Reed Low
Subtractions: Craig Anderson, Curtis Brown, Matthew Barnaby, Mark Cullen, Mark Bell, Michal Barinka, Shawn Thornton, Kyle Calder, Jason Morgan
Analysis
Few teams underwent as many changes as the Blackhawks this summer. Given their disapointing season (understatement by about a hundred degrees) last year, changes have to be for the better. Right?
Trading for Martin Havlat and signing him to a big contract was a mistake, but a good mistake, if that makes any sense. Havlat will bring some excitement to a city that hasn’t seen much on the ice lately. The reason I say it was mistake is that I don’t believe Havlat is or can be a true leader, even in a hockey backwater. Havlat has a very inflated sense of his own worth, and won’t like playing second fiddle if Chicago can lure any more talent in the future. Despite Havlat’s talent, despite his skill and his finesse, he will not stay in Chicago long term and will never lead the team deep into the playoffs. Of course, I’m sure Chicago would be pleased to merely make the playoffs.
Smolinski, also part of the Havlat deal, will help to deepen the team and was a solid addition. However, Smolinski, despite 14 years in the NHL, Smolinski never managed to solidly take over the #1 or 2 center spot in Ottawa, a team that baddly needed someone to fill that gap. There’s no reason to suspect he can take a further step in Chicago.
To acquire those two players, Chicago dealt away Mark Bell. Chicago may be able to join Boston next year and form a club. After changing teams, Joe Thornton exploded and went on to win the scoring race. Bell is expected to be slotted alongside Thornton and last year’s Rocket Richard Trophy winner Jonathan Cheechoo. Expect big things from the big forward.
Chicago also dealt for Michal Handzus. This should be a good deal for both clubs involved. Handzus was not being used to his full potential in Philly, and was a fan favourite. He should get as much responsability as he can handle - and maybe more - now that he’s not squished between Forseberg, Primeau and three promising rookies on the depth chart. He should also give the fans in Chicago another reason to get excited.
So a number of smart additions in the offseason should help Chicago rebound from their last season. They should also benefit from the virtually guaranteed improved seasons Adrian Aucoin and Nikolai Khabibulan will have next year (much like Chicago, they basically can’t possibly have worse seasons). Will the changes be enough to get them into the playoffs? Doubtfull. To do so Chicago would have to jump over Phoenix, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Vancouver and at least one team that did make the playoffs last year. That’s a tall order for any team.
Chicago should be a more exciting team to watch next year, but they likely won’t move up much in the standings. It’s too bad for the fans of what used to be such a strong hockey city.