Chicago Blackhawks’ Stan Bowman Deserves Support During Retooling

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CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 25: Stan Bowman, VP and GM of the Chicago Blackhawks, speaks to the press after the Blackhawks make the announcement they are bringing Andrew Ladd back to the team, during the NHL game against the Nashville Predators at the United Center on February 25, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Summary

Bowman has had to make some very unpopular moves this offseason. And, as I previously mentioned in an article detailing Seabrook’s contract and Bowman’s negotiating tactics, some of the large deals Bowman has given out are certainly to blame for the pickle the GM finds himself in now.

But what I can say is this: Bowman and his team of scouts have shown repeatedly that they can evaluate talent, whether it be draft picks or free agency or trades with other teams.

The championship window may be closer to shut than it was a few years ago, when Bowman was making trades at the deadline to try and win another Cup. But Bowman making these moves this summer is stopping the window from completely shutting. It is Bowman putting a crowbar into the sill and trying to jam the thing back open.

It is a lot to ask, but if Murphy takes off and taps into the potential he has, $3.85 million could feel like a steal a few years down the road. If Schmaltz continues to improve and play with aggression, his rookie contract will be an asset to the ‘Hawks over the next two years. If a few more prospects trying to work their way up do end up taking the next step, the roster could be filled out nicely with low-cost rookie deals.

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Bowman knows his team will always be competitive in every game, with the franchise players he has signed long-term serving as the rocks on his roster. Now it is trying to put the other pieces together in the puzzle that is being a salary cap era GM.

But until his plan utterly fails, I will continue to try and be optimistic about the future; in Stan I trust.