Chicago Blackhawks: What to Expect This Offseason

What to the Chicago Blackhawks need to do to get back to the playoffs in 2019?

The Chicago Blackhawks are 14 points out of a playoff spot with 12 games remaining on their schedule. With the team unlikely to make the postseason, we see anything of the sort.

Let’s take a look at what the Blackhawks should accomplish this offseason. These moves include bringing back a couple of pieces, making some decent signings in free-agency and compiling a solid draft.

The Current Team:

Vinnie Hinostroza and Anthony Duclair will become restricted free agents this off-season. At the very least they should be tendered standard qualifying offers. You could even argue that they deserve more. Signing them before another team can get to them is paramount.

Hinostroza took up $717,500 thousand worth of salary and was one of the team’s most valuable players. They could add him to any line and get results as if he’d been playing there all season. Offering up at least $1 million for his utility skills seems fair.

Duclair is more of a stretch, but it’s hard to ignore the flashes he’s shown not just with Chicago but with Arizona as well. Sure, he hasn’t put up the numbers to support it. But if the team continues trending downward, then it’s not a bad move to gamble on him.

The Blackhawks spent $1.2 million on Duclair this season, and it’s hard to argue for more than that. If they set a ceiling at $1.5 million and allow him to make a choice, then they let a potentially great winger walk. The upside of that scenario is extra cash to spend during free agency.

Free Agency:

If Duclair decides to go elsewhere and the Blackhawks accept the compensation, there are some decent options entering free-agency unrestricted. It’s a matter of being smart with money though, as they want to be flexible with future re-signings.

The first of a couple options is Evander Kane. The team will go into the off-season with about $10 million worth of cap space, and Kane isn’t going to be a cheap commodity. He’s earned $6 million this season is likely to ask for more this offseason.

This is also a risky locker room move because Brandon Saad holds the top spot on the left wing, something that Kane will covet wherever he goes. With a history of off-ice issues, this probably isn’t the best move. But if they feel they can mold him into their franchise, then, by all means, go for it.

Another option could be James van Riemsdyk – also not a cheap option. He currently makes $5 million under his contract with the Maple Leafs. The upside is that van Riemsdyk doesn’t carry the baggage that Kane does, and if you’re going to wave that kind of money around, it’s nice to know that it won’t be wasted on a head case.

The Draft:

As I outlined in a previous piece, the Blackhawks are in an ideal position in the draft. They’ll likely end up in the middle of the lottery, a spot where there are a lot of defensemen.

One of the best ways for this group to improve is to rebuild their blue line, and that starts in the draft. There are several solid prospects to build on including Quinn Hughes, Evan Bouchard and Bode Wilde. While I already touched on Hughes previously, I’ll break down Bouchard and Wilde below.

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Bouchard has slowly worked his way into top-10 discussion throughout the year. Regarded as the eighth-best prospect in the draft according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, he possesses both solid defensive and offensive skills, fitting the mold of a guy like Duncan Keith.

His best asset may be his vision; it has become a common occurrence for the blue liner to rack up two or three assists in a game. Aside from his skills, he also possesses the intangibles that it takes to be a defensive leader in the league.

Wilde is widely regarded as an offensive-minded defenseman. He posses one of the hardest shots among draft prospects.

He might not sit as high (13th) as some of the other prospects in Marek’s rankings, but he still a solid player that can add an offensive dimension to a struggling defensive unit.

Next: Grading Bears' moves in free agency

While it’s been a disappointing season for the Chicago Blackhawks it’s important that they make the right moves this offseason in order to turn things around.

It starts with signing players that want to be a part of a winning culture and continues through the draft, bringing in guys that can contribute as quickly as possible.