Blackhawks Business: Still Work To Do

Marc-Andre Fleury has been added to the team. The Defensive group has been overhauled. The team is in a more competitive position for the 2021-2022 season. But there is still work to do for Stan Bowman and Co.

Now that the chaotic portion of the offseason is complete, let’s review what has changed since the end of last season:

Additions to the roster: Seth Jones (trade), Marc-Andre Fleury (trade). Caleb Jones (trade), Tyler Johnson (trade), Jujhar Khaira (FA), Jake McCabe (FA), Adam Gaudette (re-signed), Brandon Hagel (qualifying offer), Alex Nylander (Q.O.), Lukas Reichel (ELC), Jakob Pour (ELC), Isaak Phillips (ELC), Arvid Soderblom (ELC). You could also count the return of Toews from his illness as an addition.

No longer on the roster: Duncan Keith (trade), Brent Seabrook (trade), Nikita Zadorov (trade), Adam Boqvist (trade), David Kampf (free agent), Pius Suter (free agent), Vinnie Hinostroza (free agent)

Draft picks:  Nolan Allen (LD), Colton Dach (F), Ethan Del Mastro (LD), Taige Harding (LD), Connor Kelley (RD), Jalen Luypen (F), Ilya Safonov (F), Victor Stjernborg (F).

Currently, the ‘Hawks have 13 Forwards on the main roster, plus 3 F that played at least 1 NHL game for the team in the 2021 season (Hardman, Johnson, Entwistle).

They have 7 D-men on the main roster, plus 3 D who played at least 1 NHL game for the team in the 2021 season (Mitchell, Regula, Beaudin).

They have 2 Goalies on the main roster, plus 2 G that played at least 1 NHL game last season (Delia, Subban).

That is a lot of NHL-level players to sort through, and the pipeline is also getting crowded. So what do the ‘Hawks do now?