Blackhawks: Should the play-in series save Stan Bowman?

Stan Bowman could be getting a pass by the Chicago Blackhawks if the team does well in the play-in series.

With the Chicago Blackhawks being the final seed in the Western Conference play-in round, general manager Stan Bowman is closer to the playoffs than he’s been in two seasons. After a quick decline to the bottom of the league, is this enough to save Bowman’s job?

I think no. Chicago should go in a different direction win or lose in 2020-21 when it comes to general manager and head coach. The problem is, if they beat the Oilers, Jeremy Colliton and Stan Bowman will remain with the team, most likely, for the start of the 2020-21 NHL season.

If the team loses to the Oilers and ends up with the Number 1 overall draft choice, Bowman could be saved just by drafting Alexis Lafreniere. There are a few situations here where Bowman is benefited for doing nothing.

The way I see things is if Chicago wins a round in the playoffs, Bowman and Colliton will remain with the team. If Chicago is out in one round and they end up with the first overall selection in the draft, Bowman and Colliton will remain with the team.

The only way Bowman and Colliton are out after this season is the team losing in three to the Oilers and not getting a top draft choice in the 2020 NHL draft. This play-in series has saved Stan Bowman for another season.

Sadly, I think we’ll be having this same conversation a year from now if the team does poorly and he isn’t fired.