Chicago Blackhawks: Re-Signing Strome, DeBrincat Is a MUST

Now that the free agency frenzy has died down, the Chicago Blackhawks’ top priority should now shift to getting deals done for Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. When will Stan Bowman re-sign them?

The Chicago Blackhawks have just over $2,000,000 left in their cap space heading into the 2019-20 season. Stan Bowman has made some great moves in the offseason which were a good use of cap space, but now, it’s time to look at the real big picture — the future of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Give Stan Bowman some credit, as he fixed some of the defensive problems by adding Olli Maatta and Calvin de Haan to the roster. He got rid of John Hayden, but brought back everyone’s favorite “goon” in Chicago, the Mutt, Andrew Shaw!

Last, but not least, Stan Bowman added Robin Lehner to give the Blackhawks the best 1-2 punch in net since they lost Scott Darling. With the credit given, Stan Bowman now needs to save Blackhawks’ fans from a heart attack and re-sign Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat to long-term deals.

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Based on how the free agent market panned out this offseason, DeBrincat will probably be worth at least $6,000,000 and Strome will be worth around $5,000,000

Both of those players are RFAs, so they would both have to go on the offer sheets if Bowman somehow lets them slip through his fingers.

That wouldn’t be good, because there are some teams that would overpay either of them and put the Blackhawks in a very tough situation.

Alex DeBrincat NEEDS to be a Blackhawk for life. DeBrincat will be the guy that is going to fill Patrick Kane‘s shoes when Patrick Kane starts to slow down. Dylan Strome NEEDS to be a Blackhawk for life for the same reason as DeBrincat. The difference being Strome will be the one filling Jonathan Toews‘ shoes when he starts to slow down.

Alex DeBrincat proved he is that X-Factor with his play last year while notching up 76 points (41G, 35A) in 82 games. During his rookie season in 2017-18, he was the 2nd highest goal scorer on the Blackhawks, behind Patrick Kane with 28 goals. Alex DeBrincat was the steal of the 2016 NHL Draft and has proved it night in and night out!

Dylan Strome is an interesting guy. If he has an off-year, he might not be worth as much on the market. Strome played 20 games last season with the Arizona Coyotes and only put up 6 points (3G, 3A). He turned it all around when he got traded to Chicago and got to play with his longtime hockey best friend, Alex DeBrincat. Once traded, he played 58 games with the Blackhawks and put up 17G, 34A for a total of 51 points. That is a crazy turn around.

Dylan Strome was a complete stud in the OHL, but it failed to translate to the NHL in his time with Arizona. It doesn’t help that he only got a chance to suit up for 48 games in a Coyotes’ uniform over 3 seasons.

His career high with Arizona was 9 points in 21 games during the 2017-18 season. By actually getting almost a full season under his belt in Chicago, with a linemate that is perfect for him in Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome has given his career a whole fresh start, one he really needed.

At the end of the day, the Chicago Blackhawks have that next Kane and Toews just sitting there on their second line. As long as Coach Colliton keeps DeBrincat and Strome together for the years to come, us lucky Blackhawks’ fans will have a lot more cheering to do than booing and won’t have to hope our beloved Blackhawks get the first pick in each draft after a bunch of disappointing seasons.

Last season was promising, and with about $16,000,000 cap space freeing up next offseason, they will have the money to re-sign the two kids that will be the future. Stan Bowman, get it done!