NHL Free Agency: 6 New Chicago Blackhawks That Add Grit and Experience

The Chicago Blackhawks picked up plenty of veteran presence on Friday in the opening day of NHL free agency.

'Hawks GM Stan Bowman promised change without an emphasis on big names or high-dollar contracts. The host of players he signed Friday indicate that Bowman stuck to the plan he mapped out in the days leading to Friday.

Including Steve Montador, who Bowman got signed Thursday before they lost his exclusive negotiating rights, the Blackhawks nabbed six free agents when the smoke had cleared.

The 'Hawks moved quickly, signing Brett McLean, Jamal Mayers, Sean O'Donnell and Andrew Brunette hours after the floodgates opened at 11:00 a.m.  Late in the day, Chicago announced that they had signed Daniel Carcillo as well.

What Bowman did on Friday was bring in physical veterans for the bottom portion of his roster.  He picked up his role players in an frugal fashion, considering some of the contracts handed out by other clubs.

Aside from Montador, Bowman made no long-term commitments. The 'Hawks bought another year of development for several talented prospects in the organization and made themselves a tougher team in the process.

Last year's Blackhawks team was missing a certain degree of grit and now seem to have more than enough in that department.  They also brought in a couple of guys to provide leadership on the ice and in the locker room.

Let's take a closer look at the six newest Chicago Blackhawks.

D Steve Montador

Age: 31

Contract: Four years, $11 million (cap hit is $2.75 million).

Last Season: 5 G, 21 A, 26 points, plus-16 in 73 games with the Buffalo Sabres.

Role On The Blackhawks: Third-pairing defenseman.

Thoughts: Montador is a pretty versatile, physical player who can play on the penalty kill.  He averaged nearly 20 minutes a game with the Sabres, so he should help cut down on the top line's minutes.

He'll clean up around the net, block shots, and provide some hits alongside either Nick Leddy or Chris Campoli. Possessing a right-handed shot is also a plus.

Montador missed five games with a concussion in the 2010-11 season, but has been healthy for most of his NHL career and is coming off of his best season.  This is the guy the 'Hawks would have loved to have had at the trade deadline a few months ago.  Now they have their man at a decent price.

 

LW Andrew Brunette

Age: 37, will be 38 when the 2011-12 season gets underway.

Contract: One year, $2 million

Last Season: 18 G, 28 A, 46 points, minus-7 in 82 games with the Minnesota Wild

Role On The Blackhawks: Top-six wing, probably on the second line.

Thoughts: Brunette is Bowman's replacement for the departed Troy Brouwer. Brunette is not the hitter Brouwer is, but the physical part of Brouwer's game will be addressed in several of Chicago's other signings.

Brunette had eight power play goals last season, so expect him to see time there with Chicago.  He will get to the front of the net and finish.  He is a durable forward who has missed two games post-NHL lockout.

With guys like Jeremy Morin, Jimmy Hayes, and Kyle Beach in Rockford, Brunette provides at least another season for them to develop.  This was Bowman's key signing on Friday--a durable veteran scorer who didn't break the bank.

D Sean O'Donnell

Age: 39

Contract: One year, $850,000.

Last Season: 1 G, 17 A, 18 points, plus-eight in 81 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Role On The Blackhawks: Sixth or seventh defenseman.

Thoughts: Possibly some insurance in case Campoli isn't resigned, though he's a stay at home defender.  O'Donnell has a cup with the Ducks in 2007 and is a veteran leader.  He's a character guy in the locker room with a bit of a mean streak on the ice.

Another great depth move on the part of Bowman, and a guy that could mentor some of the younger defensemen (which would include everyone in comparison to O'Donnell, who turns 40 in August).

RW Jamal Mayers

Age: 36

Contract: One year, $550,000

Last Season: 3 G, 11 A, 14 points, plus-three in 78 games with the San Jose Sharks.

Role On The Blackhawks: Fourth-line banger.

Thoughts: Mayers has played for coach Joel Quenneville in St. Louis, and brings the chippy element Bowman was looking for. Plays tough defense and knows his role.

He skates pretty well for a bottom-six forward, although he is getting up there in age. Low-risk signing. If he doesn't make the team, he can go to Rockford and toughen up the Ice Hogs.

LW/C Brett McLean

Age: 32

Contract: One year, two-way deal, $525,000 (NHL).

Last Season: 10 G, 17 A, 27 points, plus-eight in 50 games with Bern (Swiss League).

Role On The Blackhawks: Fourth-line forward, provided he makes the team.

Thoughts: Another player with whom Quenneville is familiar, having coached him for two seasons in Colorado. McLean was with the 'Hawks back in the 2003-04 season, where he had 31 points in 76 games.

McLean lacks size but knows the game and can get the puck to team mates.  I wouldn't expect him to be in Chicago much this season.  It's a good bet he'll be mentoring a young group of forwards in Rockford.

LW/RW Daniel Carcillo

Age: 26

Contract: One year, $750,000

Last Season: 4 G, 2 A, six points, minus-14 in 57 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Role On The Blackhawks: Enforcer, occupier of the penalty box.

Thoughts: Carcillo is suspended for the first two games next season because of an altercation with the officials during Philly's series with Boston in the playoffs.

You wanted toughness on the fourth line? You got it in Carcillo, who should contribute 200 penalty minutes if he appears in enough games. Definitely not a scorer.

It might be hard for 'Hawks fans to turn off their hate for Carcillo, at least until he starts assaulting rival forwards. This is the type of protection needed for Chicago's top guys.  A bit of a wild card, literally.

What's Next for the Blackhawks?

Bowman must now turn his attention on his RFA's. Signing Michael Frolik, Campoli and Viktor Stalberg, in that order, is a priority.

Campoli may be pricing himself out of town, so that's a story worth following.

From there, the 'Hawks could use one top-six forward to solidify the lineup. Patrick Sharp's versatility makes it possible to go after a center or a wing. A fourth line veteran may also be in the budget.

Bowman has suggested that he will leave himself some room to make an accquisition in mid-season.  That could be the case, but I feel at least one addition this summer is neccessary before camp opens.

All things considered, Bowman has done a nice job finding some key role players while still leaving room for a bigger impact player down the line.