Chicago Blackhawks: 6 Biggest Targets of the Offseason

Now that the 2010-11 NHL season is in the books, the Chicago Blackhawks should set themselves about picking up some key pieces in the offseason.

The moves made by GM Stan Bowman will hopefully be fewer than were made in shedding salary last season but will be vital to re-establishing the Blackhawks as elite contenders in the Western Conference.

Aiding Bowman in his offseason wheeling and dealing is a salary cap increase to $64 million for the 2011-12 season.  With 16 players currently signed, this will give Bowman almost $10 million to fill out the rest of the roster.

Here are six areas on which Bowman should target his attention as well as some of this year's extra cap funds.

1. A Play-Making Center

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 19: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks congratulates teammate Patrick Sharp #10 after Sharp scored his second goal of the game against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 N

Bowman needs a center for the second line, and he needs to decide who that will be so the 'Hawks can get the rest of the roster in place.  In my opinion, all personnel decisions should fall in line behind Bowman going in one of three directions:

A. Place Dave Bolland on the second line and hope he is healthy enough to make that line a scoring threat all season.  Then look for a third line checking-type.

B. Move Patrick Sharp to the second line and find a wing to complement Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.  This could be done internally or the 'Hawks could choose to spend a few of the cap dollars.

C. Acquire a distributor for the second line via trade or free agency.  The extra cap room may now allow for the serious pursuit of this option.

I would not be surprised at Bowman choosing any of these paths, though I believe that option C would result in the 'Hawks being able to roll four lines most effectively.

2. A Stay-at-Home Defenseman

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Chris Campoli #14 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings battle for the puck at the United Center on April 10, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Hawks have the option of trying to resign RFA Chris Campoli in the coming weeks, but he plays a pinching, offensive style that is more in line with 'Hawks defensemen Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell, and Nick Leddy.

I would really like to see Bowman add a physical, shot blocker to the blue line this summer.  This player would, in theory, play more in line with Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson (provided he remains in Chicago).

Keith and Campbell aren't going anywhere.  This leaves Bowman with the following choices:

A. Let Campoli walk and sign a defender to a salary in the range of what he made this year with the 'Hawks.  The player would preferably be a veteran who could pair with Leddy.

B. Send Leddy to Rockford next season and pair Campoli with a more physical defensive presence.

By all accounts, Bowman seems committed to Leddy learning the pro game in the NHL.  He also is implying that John Scott will see more time at defense.  I can accept the former but shudder at the thought of Scott patrolling the blue line for extended minutes.

Might Jordan Hendry be in Bowman's sights?  It doesn't appear likely.  On the other hand, I was of a similar opinion last summer when Hendry was re-signed, so stay tuned.

3. Some Grit at Forward

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 22: Troy Brouwer #22 of the Chicago Black Hawks skates in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on January 22, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Hawks defeated the Wings 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

A lot has been made of the fact that forwards like John Madden, Ben Eager and Adam Burish were missing from last year's title defense.  That may be the case, but any plan to add that element this summer should start at home with Troy Brouwer.

Re-signing Brouwer should be the first step toward this goal.

Talk of courting a player such as Carolina's Eric Cole is an intriguing possibility, but if Brouwer were to leave town as a result, it's kind of a lateral move for Chicago.  True, Brouwer didn't satisfy in his offensive numbers this past season, but he still carries 40-50 point potential.

Bringing in a power forward to replace Brouwer would be more expensive that simply keeping him on board.  Bowman should be adding some toughness with some inexpensive pieces suited for play on the fourth line.

4. Veteran Competition at Goal for Alexander Salak

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SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 2: Goaltender Alexander Salak #34 of the Florida Panthers watches game action against the Colorado Avalanche on December 2, 2009 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Avalanche 6-5. (Photo by Joel

The 'Hawks took care of their net situation in quick order this offseason, signing Corey Crawford to a three-year deal and inking Salak to a one-way, two year contract.

The nature of Salak's deal suggests that Bowman is confident he can play backup to Crawford.  However, it might not be a bad idea to secure a veteran on the cheap to serve as a bit of competition at training camp.

There will likely be room in Rockford in goal, so Bowman may choose to sign a little insurance later in the summer.

5. An Injection of Youth-Who Will It Be?

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LONDON,ON - SEPTEMBER 14: Jeremy Morin #27 of the Chicago Black Hawks battles with Brian Strait #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in a game during the NHL Rookie Tournament on September 14,2010 at the John Labatt Centre in London,Ontario. The Hawks defeated

Despite a host of young talent waiting in the wings, it's far from a given that we'll see a lot of new faces from Rockford in the regular lineup.

Ben Smith was certainly impressive in the playoffs, leading some to anoint him as a permanent fixture to the team in 2011-12.  Marcus Kruger is also a player on the minds of a lot of fans.

Lost in the haze of his injury-filled season in Rockford is the fact that Jeremy Morin came up in the early stages of the season and looked every bit as good as Smith and Kruger, if not a bit better.

If Bowman brings in talent from outside the organization to satisfy the needs addressed here, there won't be room for all of these guys in Chicago this coming season.  Bowman will then have to target a player he thinks can contribute to the club and decide who could benefit from some more seasoning in Rockford.

The Blackhawks saw five players play their first full seasons in the NHL in 2010-11.  If Bowman does his job this offseason, we should not see as many rookies this fall.

6. A New Assistant Coach

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 16: Assistant coach Mike Haviland of the Chicago Blackhawks, acting as head coach in place of Joel Quenneville, who is ill, watches the action with players including Tomas Kopecky #82 and Jake Dowell #28 against the Minnesota Wild a

It would appear that Bowman will also be in the market for a new assistant for head coach Joel Quenneville's staff.

John Jaeckel at Hockeybuzz.com is reporting that assistant coach Mike Haviland is going to be the new head man in Winnipeg, joining assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff north of the border.

Haviland was an indispensable member of the 'Hawks coaching staff over the last three seasons in addition to three years at the helm of the 'Hawks AHL affiliates in Norfolk and later Rockford.  He will be missed, but it was only a matter of time before Haviland got his shot to lead an NHL team.

Haviland got a lot of credit for the 'Hawks special teams, as he went from working with the power play to the penalty kill this season.  Quenneville got one of his guys, assistant Mike Kitchen, in place last year and now will have another spot to fill with a guy with whom he feels comfortable.

This area, as well as Chicago's needs on the ice, will be addressed by Bowman very soon.

UPDATE, JUNE 23, 1:00 p.m.--It appears that Winnipeg may going to go with Claude Noel at the helm, according to The Hockey News and Al Cimaglia at Hockeyindependent.com.  Looks like an official answer should be coming as soon as today.