Why the Blackhawks Should Extend Brendan Perlini

SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 01: Brendan Perlini #11 of the Chicago Blackhawks shoots the puck to score against the Boston Bruins in the first period during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 1, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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Age

It’s no secret that the Blackhawks’ core is older now and they are running out of time. Over the past couple of seasons, the Blackhawks have watched the rest of the NHL finally catch up to them after 10 years of consistent dominance.

During the 2018-19 NHL season, Stan Bowman made it a priority to replenish the team’s roster depth. In doing so, he began the transition to a youth movement — Perlini will turn 23 in a few days. Dylan Strome (21), Drake Caggiula (24), and Brendan Perlini (22) are the first pieces of a much bigger picture.

Bowman has assembled quite a long list of promising prospects over the past couple of seasons. Although the defense is a problem now, it won’t be for long.

The Blackhawks’ long list of prospects includes multiple young, high upside defensemen such as Henri Jokiharju (19), Adam Boqvist (18), Nicolas Beaudin (19), Ian Mitchell (20), Chad Krys (21), and more.

The team’s future is as bright as ever, and keeping Brendan Perlini around makes it that much brighter.