Chicago Blackhawks '09-'10 Season Preview

I will be previewing all 30 NHL clubs. I will be looking at their available salary cap room, the additions and deletions from the 2008-'09 rosters, and where I think they will stack up in their division and conference for the 2009-'10 season. 

Let's get a move on with the Chicago Blackhawks, who are in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

The Chicago Blackhawks currently have 20 players under one-way contracts: two goaltenders, six defensemen, and 12 forwards. The salary cap hit for these 20 players is $52.46 million. 

Two of the two-way contracts, I think it’s safe to say, have already made the team.  Both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are entering the final year of their respective entry-level contracts.

The third roster spot will probably be taken up by defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson.

The Blackhawks, with these three additional players, have $1.4 million in available salary cap space. Not a lot of wiggle room left. Entering the season, don’t look for the Hawks to make anymore major moves.

Significant Additions

Right winger Marian Hossa signed a 12 year UFA contract, with an average salary of $5.3 million, after playing last seasin with the Detroit Red Wings.

Center Tomas Kopecky signed a two year UFA contract, with an average salary of $1.2 million, also playing last season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Centerm John Madden signed a one year UFA contract, for $2.75 million, having played last year with the New Jersey Devils.   

Significant Deletions

Right winger Martin Havlat signed a UFA contract with the Minnesota Wild.

Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin signed a UFA contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Center Samuel Pahlsson signed a UFA contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Defenseman Matt Walker signed a UFA contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Prospects That Impressed in 2008-09

Dave Bolland

A second round draft pick in 2004, Bolland got his opportunity to stick with the Blackhawks after playing 40 games in the previous two seasons. In his first full season, he racked up 19 goals and 28 assists for 47 points in 81 games.

Bolland has above-average speed and possesses a heavy shot. He drives to the net well and shows no fear in doing it. He loves to finish his checks and can deliver thundering hits despite his size, as he plays a gritty game. Bolland also uses his quickness and good positioning to take away space, which makes him an effective penalty killer. 

Bolland plays a Kevin Dineen type of game. His physical play and solid two-way game make him an ideal checking forward.

Troy Brouwer

This seventh round draft pick in 2004 also got his opportunity to stick with the Blackhawks after playing 12 games in the previous two seasons. In his first full season, Brouwer racked up 10 goals and 16 assists in 69 games. Brouwer also had 50 penalty minutes to go along with his 26 points. 

Brouwer is a prototypical power forward with above average natural hockey instincts. While his skating is only average, he possesses a hard, accurate shot with a lightning quick release. He sees the ice well and is exceptionally adept at both positioning in the offensive zone as well as creating space for linemates.

One of the best aspects of his game is what he does without the puck. Brouwer plays with an aggressive edge and will both deliver punishing hits and drop the gloves when necessary. He is also a good passer, though playmaking is not his forte.

Brouwer is the epitome of a powerful forward. In addition to his edgy play, Brouwer’s ability to put himself in opportunistic scoring situations gives him top-line potential.  

Colin Fraser

Fraser was the third round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2003.  He was acquired by the Blackhawks along with Jim Vandermeer and draft picks for Alexei Zhamnov and draft picks in 2004. 

Fraser received his opportunity to stick with the big club after playing six games the previous two seasons.  In his first full season, Fraser scored six goals and tallied 11 assists in 81 games.

Scouting reports say that Fraser has a good shooting touch, but does not have enough confidence in it. Most of his goals are by hustle. He has never been a prolific goal scorer and it is unlikely he will become one.

Fraser plays an in-your-face style and never gives up on the play. He has the mentality of an effective role player, although he is still learning about the delicate balance between aggression and lack of on-ice discipline.

Fraser is not the biggest guy around—probably smaller than his listed 6'—but he's not intimidated by anyone. He fights for every inch of real estate on the ice. Most importantly, he is fearless crashing the net and back checks willingly.

A self-described "heart-and-soul" player, Fraser has the potential to develop into a good NHL role player, either remaining at center or moving over to the wing.

Kris Versteeg 

Versteeg was a fifth round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2004. He was acquired for Brandon Bochenski in 2007. Versteeg was selected a finalist for the Calder Trophy and lead all rookies with 31 assists in 78 games. He finished second in points behind Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan, with 53.   

A speedy, skilled forward with good agility, Versteeg drives hard to the net and will go into traffic. He possesses a natural scoring ability, and has been successful on the power play and in the shootout. More of a passer by nature, Versteeg has improved his goal scoring output, and has turned into a legitimate scoring threat on the ice.

As a smaller player, he was often overlooked, but it seems his star could be on the rise. Versteeg has grown an inch and added some bulk since he was drafted, and continues to improve his overall offensive performance. He may never be a top line scorer, but could see third or fourth line duty, and possibly time on the power play in the NHL.

Prospects to Watch in 2009-10

Niklas Hjalmarsson

The fourth round draft pick in 2005, Hjalmarsson has played 34 games during the past two seasons, but played in 17 games of the Blackhawks' playoff run last spring. He has cemented himself as a top seven defenseman of the Blackhawks for the 2009-10 season. 

Hjalmarsson is the offensively gifted defensemen who likes to join the rush and shoot the puck. He also controls the physical aspect of the game and does not hesitate to play the body when given the opportunity. At times, Hjalmarsson overworks the puck and gets lost in his defensive coverage.

Given his shooting and skating abilities, Hjalmarsson possesses the necessary skills to be a successful offensive defenseman.

Kyle Beach

Chicago's first round pick in 2008, Beach is coming off a 63 point season spilt between the Everett Silvertips and the Lethbridge Hurricanes. 

Beach is a big, physical force on the ice. He has a nose for the net, is a force on the power play, and will not shy away from dropping the gloves. Beach is as close to a total package as the WHL has to offer.

A bruising forward, Beach is plagued by perceptions of attitude problems. But Beach is capable and he will be given every opportunity to develop as a professional.

Beach has the potential to become a dominating power forward at the next level if he can keep his emotions in check.

Akim Aliu

Chicago's second round pick in 2007, Aliu, who is a native of Nigeria, scored 44 points in 45 games, split between the London Knights and the Sudbury Wolves. 

Aliu has all the characteristics of your prototypical power forward: big with puck sense.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a dark cloud hanging over the player. Most conversations begin with the challenges he faced due to a hazing incident back in Windsor.

If the storm clouds ever disperse, Aliu has all the tools to be a force in the professional ranks. He just needs to find that proverbial tool box.

Aliu has been compared to Shayne Corson. He owns all of the necessary skills to be a prolific power forward but has to show better discipline if his potential is going to be realized.  

Recap of 2008-09

The Black Hawks made the playoffs for only the second time in eleven seasons in '08-'09.  They are coming off a 104 point season and a fourth seed in the Western Conference.  The Hawks were led by a pair of super sophomores, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. 

The Hawks were fourth in the NHL by averaging 3.17 goals per game and defensively, the Hawks were fifth, averaging 2.55 goals against. 

There power play ranked 12th in the NHL and the penalty killing was only 18th.

As this team matures, if new general manager Stan Bowman and can keep it all together under the salary cap,  the Blackhawks will be a force in the Western Conference for years to come.

Outlook for 2009-10

Strengths

Wow, where to start?

Offensively the Hawks are led by Kane, Toews and newly acquired Marian Hossa. Hossa will probably be out until at least Christmas with a shoulder injury he sustained during the playoffs.

The Hawks still have lots of weapons. There were ten double digit scorers on the forward ranks. and that doesn't include Hossa.

Defensively, Seabrooke and Keith established themselves a dynamic shut down tandem. Going up against the like of Jarome Iginla and the Sedin twins, the pair helped to lead a young and improving defensive group to the Western Conference finals.

Along with Keith, Brian Campbell and Cam Barker all recorded more than 40 points from the back end.

Weaknesses

With the departure of Khabibulin to the Oilers, the Hawks are left with Cristobal Huet. Not a bad consolation prize, but the former Capitals and Canadiens goaltender has never won a postseason series in his NHL career.

Huet is proven regular season performer, but can he handle the load during crunch time?

Prediction

The Blackhawks play in the most competitive division in the NHL with perennial Stanley Cup contenders, the Detroit Red Wings, and young teams like the Nashville Predators, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the St. Louis Blues.

The window for the Blackhawks to strike is now. I foresee a second place finish in not only the Central Division, but quite possibly the Western Conference.

I realize that means a fourth seed for the playoffs, but points wise, they may be the second best team. Sorry Hawks fans, you still have to beat the Red Wings. 

On Aug. 13, I will be reviewing Colorado Avalanche as I continue to preview each of the 30 NHL clubs.