Roster Shuffle Extravaganza! Chicago Blackhawks 2013 NHL Draft Day Recap

After a dizzying array of roster additions and subtractions at the 2013 NHL Draft in New Jersey, the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, made some expected and unexpected moves, but there were moves a plenty.

Let’s start with the additions.

The Hawks selected Forward, Ryan Hartman with their first round pick.  Hartman, from the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers, can play either wing or center, with good hockey sense.  The biggest factor with Hartman, is his agitating style.  Think of Andrew Shaw, but with potentially better skill.

With their 2nd draft pick(51st overall) the Hawks selected Defenseman, Carl Dahlstrom, from Sweden.  Dahlstrom is listed at 6’3, 191 lbs, and is a defenseman who knows how to use his size to defend.

The Hawks, with their 3rd pick(74th overall) selected center, John Hayden.  Hayden is expected to play for Yale, this season, in the NCAA.

With two picks in the 4th round, the Hawks selected defenseman Robin Norell,(111th overall) from Sweden, and center, Tyler Motte,(121st overall) from the USHL.

In the 5th round, the Hawks selected forward, Luke Johnson,(134th overall).  Johnson is expected to play for the University of North Dakota, this season.

The Hawks chose, forward, Anthony Louis,(181st overall), in the 6th round.  Louis will play for the University of Miami of Ohio, this season.

In the 7th round, with their final pick(211th overall), the Hawks selected defenseman, Robin Press, out of Sweden.

None of these players drafted by the Blackhawks, are expected to make any impact what so ever on the NHL team this season.  However, after some seasoning in the junior and minor leagues, we should expect to see some of these guys wearing the Indian Head sweater at the United Center, in the future.  You never know, one of these guys might turn out to be the next Brandon Saad, and shock the world by making the NHL sooner, rather than later.

Now, for the subtractions heard ’round the world.

Dave Bolland, was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for 3 draft picks(51st overall, 117th overall, and a 4th round pick in 2014), the first two of which turned out to be Carl Dahlstrom.  Bolland was traded, primarily, as a means of salary relief.

Michael Frolik, was traded to the Winnipeg Jets for 2 draft picks(74th overall, and 134th overall), which turned out to be John Hayden, and Luke Johnson.  Like Bolland, Frolik was moved mainly as a means of unloading his salary for the return of more wiggle room to work with, under the new salary cap.

With new found freedom under the new, stricter salary cap, Blackhawks General Manager, Stan Bowman, used some of the newly expandable cash to resign winger, Bryan Bickell, to a new, 4-year contract.

It will be interesting to see what other moves come, this offseason, for the Blackhawks, as there are now new holes to fill, along with the remaining unrestricted free-agents.  Short-term wise, it will be interesting to see what Bowman does to fill these holes, and what will happen with the Hawks remaining unrestricted free agents.  Long-term wise, it will be fun to track the new draft picks, as they progress in the Hawks’ farm system.

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Ryan Hartman poses for a photo after being introduced as the number thirty overall pick to the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports