Fansided

Chicago Blackhawks 2017 Eulogy: End of a dynasty

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 20, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks players react on the bench late in the third period against the Nashville Predators in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-1 to eliminate the Blackhawks. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks players react on the bench late in the third period against the Nashville Predators in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-1 to eliminate the Blackhawks. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Chicago Blackhawks have been swept by the Nashville Predators. Is this the end of the closest thing the NHL has to a dynasty? 

They say all good things must come to an end. After the Chicago Blackhawks Game 4 loss to the Nashville Predators, it’s safe to say a dynasty might have breathed its last breath. The Hawks have won three Stanley Cups in the 21st century but have been eliminated in the first round in consecutive seasons. The salary cap is designed to keep teams like the Hawks from having consistent success and Chicago should be applauded for what they’ve accomplished.

However, moving forward, the Blackhawks dynasty is probably over. Their stars are starting to get old. Marian Hossa dodged old age for an impressive period of time, but as it does with everyone, age has finally caught up to him. Duncan Keith is slowly starting to decline. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will both turn 30 in 2018.

Where do they go from here?

This offseason could be a very tough one for Chicago. Looking at their cap situation, they have just over $2.7 million of cap space before the expansion draft. Their main priority will likely be getting Richard Panik locked up, as he’s their most important restricted free agent. Chicago will have to decide what to do with restricted free agent Tomas Jurco as well. But consider the Hawks gave up a third round pick for him, it would be surprising if they didn’t keep him.

Michel Kempny is another restricted free agent they’ll likely keep since they only have six defensemen signed for the 2017-18 season and they could lose two of them. Michal Roszival might retire, as he’s 35 years old. Trevor van Riemsdyk is a strong candidate to be a Vegas Golden Knight.

RELATED: Updated Stanley Cup bracket

While they’ll get the contracts of Brian Campbell, Scott Darling, Andrew Desjardins and Johnny Oduya off the books, most of their savings are going directly to Artemi Panarin’s extension. Vegas could give Chicago a little bit of help in the expansion draft. They’ll likely expose Marcus Kruger and hope the Golden Knights select him. He would be a sizable loss as he’s an excellent defensive center, but getting rid of his $3.083333 million cap hit would give the Hawks some breathing room.

Don’t be surprised if the Blackhawks trade someone substantial. They can’t trade Toews, Kane, Keith, Brent Seabrook or Artem Anisimov because each of them has a full no movement clause. While Niklas Hjalmarsson and Corey Crawford also have a no movement clause, theirs are only partial. An argument could be had for either. If they have to trade one, it likely comes down to how confident in the other defensemen head coach Joel Quenneville is.

Hope for the future

Despite the Blackhawks future seeming a bit dark, there is quite a bit of hope. They relied heavily on young forwards this year and they flourished. Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz each showed a ton of promise and should be important role players next season. Vinnie Hinostroza and Tyler Motte should see increased roles as well. Chicago still has Panarin for at least the next two seasons. Kane and Panarin give Chicago arguably the best wing duo in the NHL.

Spots on the blue line are slowly starting to open up. Gustav Forsling showed a lot of promise as a puck mover and is a candidate to take over Campbell’s spot in the lineup. Ville Pokka, who had a nice season in the AHL, could help fill a role on the blue line.

Must Read: NHL Mock Expansion Draft: Golden Knights Get Joe Thornton

The 2017-18 season will be a bit of a retooling for Chicago. They’ll probably have to lean on young players even more than they did this season. But as long as Toews, Kane and Keith are around, you can’t completely rule them out as a Stanley Cup contender.

Home/Chicago Blackhawks