Stan Bowman: Rebuilding the Chicago Blackhawks in His Own Image

Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman warned us that there will be new faces on the roster.

Looks like we are potentially looking at a turnover similar to last summer's Great Cap Purge of 2010.

Hard to imagine, but Bowman has certainly shaken up the snow globe again. Last summer it was to get the 'Hawks under the salary cap. This year he is on a different mission.

A year ago, he was taking apart Dale Tallon's team. In the next few days, expect him to put together Stan Bowman's team.

As free agency arrives at the end of this week, the battle lines have been drawn. It's becoming more clear as to the direction Bowman is charting for the next few weeks.

Bowman shipped a piece of Tallon's core, Brian Campbell, back to Tallon in Florida. Troy Brouwer was also sent out of town on draft weekend.

Monday brought news that Bowman had also shipped Tallon the rights to UFA Tomas Kopecky for a seventh-round draft pick. Another cup-winner, and a play some thought may hang around with Brouwer out of the picture, is gone.

Contract offers were tendered to Michael Frolik, Chris Campoli and Viktor Stalberg. Not so for Jake Dowell. Assuming that he passes on his other UFAs, 'Hawks fans will see eight players from the 2010-11 squad changing addresses.

Dowell could be in Bowman's plans as a fall back measure, much like Jordan Hendry was when they chose not to tender him last summer. Quite possibly, Bowman is going to see how his roster plans develop, then sign Dowell to a two-way deal.

Right now, it appears that Bowman is looking to upgrade in a lot of areas that he had to scrimp on a year ago. Adding a big name or two may be in the cards, but the moves on the fourth line will be just as important to contending next season.

Changes are definitely in store in Chicago, and Bowman seems bent on making the changes his own. This is why I wonder if the 'Hawks will pursue familiar names like John Madden, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel.

I'm not ruling out at least one of those players returning at a hometown discount. It would just seem to run in the opposite direction of the course Bowman has plotted.

Deals are expected to be worked out with Frolik, Campoli and Stalberg, all Bowman acquisitions. Bowman made sure to give his vote of confidence in John Scott this weekend, assuring us that Scott was not a mistake, but a valuable reserve defenseman who just might fit on the third pairing.

If Bowman wants to make Scott his pet project, fine. Just to be safe, let's hope a more competent defender is also obtained. You know, just in case Scott doesn't learn to skate this summer.

This summer, Bowman isn't saddled with the burden of cleaning up Tallon's cap mess. Bowman's opening moves suggest that he is looking to remodel the 'Hawks in his image in the next few weeks. In this regard, I applaud the boldness of this strategy.

If the right moves are made, Bowman will deserve a lot of credit.

If he plugs in the wrong pieces, he may be making travel plans next summer.