It’s not unusual for a Stanley Cup winner to go through significant roster changes after their win, because it’s not easy to keep so much talent under the salary cap. The Blackhawks have been down this road before.

Nevertheless, there have been quite a few changes to the championship roster and that is going to present some challenges as Chicago tries to assimilate the new players into their system.

Up front, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa are foundation pieces and Patrick Kane would be considered one as well, but who knows how his legal issues are going to play out? That uncertainty leaves a lot of room for different potential outcomes. Newcomers Marko Dano, Artemi Panarin, Artem Anisimov and Ryan Garbutt are expected to play regular roles, and Viktor Tikhonov, returning from the KHL, may be able to earn a role as well. Teuvo Teravainen, who showed flashes of skill in the postseason, could be a valuable secondary scorer this season.

As long as the Blackhawks have Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson, they aren’t going to be in terrible shape on the defence, and while they brought in Trevor Daley, depth beyond the top four is a concern. Trevor van Riemsdyk showed promise in a brief stint as a rookie, but David Rundblad hasn’t been able to stick as a regular and that’s currently where he sits on the depth chart. Maybe veteran Jan Hejda will earn a spot in camp and add stability to the group.

There are still salary cap issues hanging over the Blackhawks, but if those can be managed, this is still a team capable of contending for the Cup.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

May 1: Blackhawks agree to terms with Panarin

June 30: Blackhawks ship Saad to Columbus

July 10: Stars acquire Sharp from Blackhawks

August 6: Blackhawks’ Kane reportedly under investigation for sexual assault

 

2015-16 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

* Off-season Addition

 

Projected Lines

LW C RW
Bryan Bickell Jonathan Toews Marian Hossa
Artemi Panarin* Artem Anisimov* Patrick Kane
Ryan Garbutt* Tuevo Teravainen Andrew Shaw
Andrew Desjardins Marcus Kruger Marko Dano*
Viktor Tikhonov*   Corey Tropp

Fighting For Jobs: LW Jeremy Morin, LW Daniel Paille*, RW Ryan Hartman, C Tomas Kopecky (PTO), RW Mark McNeill

 

 

Projected Pairs

LD RD
Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Trevor Daley* Niklas Hjalmarsson
Trevor van Riemsdyk David Runblad
Erik Gustafsson* Ville Pokka

Fighting For Jobs: LD Kyle Cumiskey (PTO), LD Jan Hejda (PTO), RD Michal Rozsival (PTO), LD Viktor Svedberg, LD Lubomir Visnovsky (PTO)

 

 

Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Corey Crawford Scott Darling Michael Leighton

Off-season Departures: LW Brandon Saad, LW Patrick Sharp, D Johnny Oduya, C Antoine Vermette, RW Kris Versteeg, C Brad Richards, C Joakim Nordstrom, D Kimmo Timonen, G Antti Raanta

Projected Lineup: Chris Kuc/Chicago Tribune

 

SERAVALLI'S THREE QUESTIONS

1. Will the investigation of Patrick Kane make his presence a distraction in training camp?

2. How will Hawks fill the left side after losing top three left wings?

3. Which one of the Blackhawks’ five young defencemen will make the cut?

 

BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS

Top 2015-16 Prospect

LW Artemi Panarin (St. Petersberg, KHL): Highly skilled forward who is productive, competitive and versatile. Perfect fit for him and the Hawks.

Long-Term Prospect

D Ville Pokka (Rockford, AHL): Acquired in trade for Nick Leddy and improved skating should help compete for spot soon.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

THREE-YEAR BREAKDOWN (LEAGUE RANK)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 132 (1st) 107 (7th) 102 (7th)
Goals For 3.1 (2nd) 3.2 (2nd) 2.7 (17th)
Goals Against 2.0 (1st) 2.6 (12th) 2.3 (2nd)
Power Play 17% (19th) 20% (T-9th) 18% (20th)
Penalty Killing 87% (3rd) 81% (T-19th) 83% (10th)
SAT% Possession 54% (4th) 56% (2nd) 54% (2nd)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $71.9M/$71.4M

Even after some blockbuster moves to shed salary this summer, the Blackhawks are still hovering around the cap and may need to open the season with a 22-man roster in order to stay in compliance. The ongoing issue with Patrick Kane, who counts $10.5-million against the cap, could make a big difference in Chicago’s financial situation.

 

PARTING SHOT