NHL Free Agency: Grading the Blackhawks’ signings
By Connor Ulrey
After what was a defining year for disappointment for Chicago Blackhawks hockey, free agency was a big hope with a new cap. Did the Blackhawks do enough to erase 2017-18 from fans’ memory?
Unfortunately, the short answer is that the Chicago Blackhawks did not do enough in free agency to move on from their disappointing 2017-18 season. Not in the slightest.
It’s easy to say a team’s moves are confusing, but it’s hard to admit when you have no idea what a team is doing.
Let’s take a step back. The Blackhawks entered free agency with some wiggle room, finally. Not a lot of wiggle room, but some wiggle room. This year’s cap rose to $79.5 million, and that left room for excitement for fans of a team that hasn’t made a big splash since Marian Hossa.
What ensued was less than stellar. The Blackhawks made three signings that in no way or form really make any impact on this roster. You know the trade machine for the NBA, where you’ll see the analysis on what it means for wins with the moves you’ve made? Add these three and I worry they add less than a handful of wins.
The jokes flew about John Tavares. Could he be a Hawk? No, that wasn’t possible but it was fun to dream about. He’s home in Toronto and the Blackhawks didn’t seem to have anybody else of larger than average value in their sights.
What were the biggest flaws last season? Goaltending and defense. With Corey Crawford out most of the year and a rotating circus of less than stellar defensive plays in front of whoever happened to be in net that night going on, it was scary sights at Madison and abroad.
Fair play then to say the Blackhawks needed someone in Crawford’s stead. Scott Darling wasn’t coming back through that door. Cam Ward is now! Woo. Ward is coming off a historically bad time in recent memory. Will he play up to the role in Chicago?
Chris Kunitz. Sheesh. This one reeks of wonder. The Blackhawks decided to let Anthony Duclair walk (to free up 91 for Tavares, KIDDING) and Kunitz is your man now? Kunitz will be 39 this year and for the folks at home it’s not helping anybody anytime soon. We’ll talk about that.
Brandon Manning. Not of the Manning family of NFL glory but a player with passion nonetheless. And less than stellar speed on the back end.
Let’s talk about the three “key” signings Bowman and Co. have made this off-season and grade them.