Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Veteran Centers Who May Be on the Blackhawks' Radar

The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to shore up their depth at center this summer.  One way GM Stan Bowman may choose to do this is by adding a veteran presence to lead one of the bottom two lines.

The Blackhawks would love a guy to come in and provide leadership, be responsible defensively, win a majority of his faceoffs and to do it all cheaply so that other areas of the roster can be addressed.

On one hand, finding a guy to come in and take less money could be an issue with some players.  On the other, players at the end of their careers are more likely to forgo a bit of cash for a last run with an elite team.  Chicago is certainly an attractive option to a veteran looking to ride off into the sunset with a final title run.

Here are five veterans who may figure in a third or fourth line role next season with the Blackhawks.

Ryan Johnson

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Ryan Johnson #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Florida Panthers at the United Center on March 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Panthers 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Johnson spent six months with the Blackhawks after being signed in December.  It took him a while to get into the mix, but he played valuable minutes down the stretch for the 'Hawks.

There are probably guys with a bit more offensive upside who could be considered in this case.  However, Johnson is a familiar commodity to coach Joel Quenneville and he won over 63 percent of his faceoffs last season.

Johnson, who turns 35 next week, isn't a flashy player.  At his low price he could be a fall-back measure if some bigger names don't work out.

John Madden

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 02: John Madden #11 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 2, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Wild 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The 38-year-old Madden spent last season in Minnesota after the 'Hawks chose not to resign him.  He played for $1 million with the Wild, logging 12 goals and 13 assists in 76 games.

Up until recently, it was thought that Madden, who had his season end with a foot injury, would resign with the Wild or retire.  However, rumblings are that he may be inclined to sign a cap-friendly deal with the Blackhawks.

Provided his foot isn't an issue, bringing Madden back into the fold appears to be a possibility.  Fans who desire a dominating player at the dot should consider Madden's 51 percent success rate on faceoffs this past season. 

Chris Drury

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 19: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Reports from the New York Daily News have surfaced confirming that the Rangers will be buying out the last season of Drury's contract.  This opens the possibility that Bowman could pick up another player with a Stanley Cup in his resume.

Drury will turn 35 in August and isn't the player he was even in his first two seasons in New York.  He played in just 24 games this year due to knee and wrist issues.

His health is a concern, but any potential bargain veteran is a roll of the dice in terms of injuries.  If Drury could reproduce numbers akin to his 2009-10 campaign (14 goals, 18 assists), his defensive tenacity and faceoff skills would be a welcome sight.

The question remains if Drury is looking for bigger money than the 'Hawks could afford to offer.  Considering the buyout, would he be receptive to accepting less to play for a contender?

Marty Reasoner

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - MARCH 10: Marty Reasoner #19 of the Florida Panthers skates against the Ottawa Senators at the BankAtlantic Center on March 10, 2011 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Reasoner was briefly in Chicago last summer, coming over from Atlanta before being shipped to Florida.  He had a solid season (14 goals, 18 assists) and at age 34 has missed just three games in his last four seasons.

At $1.2 million, Reasoner was too much for Chicago to fit financially in the cap crisis that was last summer.  Now Reasoner is an unrestricted free agent who might be had for a bit less, and the 'Hawks have a little more wiggle room in terms of the cap this summer.

Reasoner was 54.5 percent from the dot in 2010-11.  He is a smart, steady player capable of putting up 25-30 points a year and has a pretty good track record in terms of injuries.

Maybe Bowman brings him in for a longer stretch in the next few weeks.

Vernon Fiddler

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Vernon Fiddler #38 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game against he Colorado Avalanche at Jobing.com Arena on April 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo by C

Fiddler is an unrestricted free agent this summer who would figure to be relatively inexpensive addition to the Blackhawks' fourth line.

At 31, he may have a little more in the tank, although he's primarily a defender.  He isn't the banger some might want in a fourth-liner, but he did win nearly 54 percent of his faceoffs this season.

Fiddler may not be a big signing, but may relish a role on a franchise with a bit more stability than Phoenix.

Does Jake Dowell Have a Spot on the 'Hawks?

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 20: Jake Dowell #28 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 20, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 2-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Im

I may be in the minority, but I feel Jake Dowell deserves a bit of consideration to holding down Chicago's fourth-line center spot.

Dowell took a lot of criticism for his lackluster play in the last two months, but there is speculation that an ankle injury slowed him down.  For the first four months of the season, he provided physical play and still wound up with over 20 points.

Dowell, who is a restricted free agent this summer, will be at or near the minimum in terms of price.  He's not afraid to drop gloves and is a good defender.  He doesn't have the pedigree of players like Madden or Drury, but is Dowell worth another look?

The Blackhawks are looking to add a gritty, physical, player at a bargain rate.  Will they find that player elsewhere, or will a player on the current roster get the call? 

We may find out soon.