From Beyond The Grave

From Beyond The Grave

Jimmy Lynch | 5-1-18

The Chicago Blackhawks plays get to participate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a new way this year. They are watching them on the couch, with their fantasy brackets by their side hoping to be able to predict the right final. No onepredicted the downfall of the Blackhawks this year, and few are predicting a dramatic turn around for next year. I am currently watching the Winnipeg, Nashville game and I have to say, somthing has to change in the locker room for the Hawks. If the Blackhawks are going to come back next year it needs to start in the locker room, not the front office suites in the new United Center office building. The Blackhawks dug themselves into a hole this year and could not dig themselves out. Their is still hope for the future.

The Number 8 overall pick

No one is really expecting the number 8 overall pick to fill any role this year for the Blackhawks roster. They most likely will not come in and dramatically change the roster. Even rookies like Hinistrova and Shmaltz took some time to improve. However Debrincat did manage to come in and make a difference but that was a gem of a prospect. The Blackhawks need to address their defensive needs in this draft pick, or something no one wants to really talk about, goaltending. How is Crow doing? I have a hunch there is a reason we have so little information on Crows injury. It is because they do not know what it is wrong either. Crow has been seeing numerous doctors and no one seems to know what the problem is. I think it may be time to look to the future for goaltending. Maybe not with the Number 8 pick, we also have Nashvilles pick, that one could be used for a goaltender. The number 8 pick may go to a forward, but that forward must be ready to go now, otherwise I think the Hawks best bet is to draft a defensmen for the future.

Contract Issues

The Blackhawks need to resign their young guys. Shmaltz and Duclair are two names that are due for contract extensions. However the Blackhawks also need to consider saving some money and resources for the heavey price tag Debrincat has earned from last season. Hopefully these contracts are long term as well. Also the Blackhawks might want to try and shed some dollars from their Cap hit. Maybe finally dropping Seabrook, or maybe Anisimov. Anisimov is still good but not for the 4 million cap hit he carries. We still have a long time to discuss all of the Blackhawks issues, the offseason and summer is not even underway yet!