Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Offseason Needs and How They Were Addressed

The Chicago Blackhawks had some work to do in the offseason. As the 2011-12 campaign looms, have the Blackhawks made the moves needed to fortify a run for a second Stanley Cup in three seasons?

Back in June, I offered targets I felt the 'Hawks should prioritize as the offseason began. We're in the middle of training camp. How successful was GM Stan Bowman in addressing his team's needs over the summer?

The final verdict will come over the course of the next six to eight months. Only a full NHL slate of games can be the true indicator of the effectiveness of Bowman's summer. Let's go through the offseason checklist and see how the Blackhawks addressed each targeted area.

1. A Playmaking Center

I believed then, and still do a week into camp, that a lot hinges on the way the 'Hawks fill the center position on the second forward line.

The search should have been on for a distributor, but Bowman chose to stay in-house to try and fill the position.

Patrick Sharp has recently started skating again after having his appendix removed. Dave Bolland seems to be slotted on the third line. My guess is that both players will skate as center of the second line at some point this season.

Marcus Kruger is not the answer, no matter how badly Bowman tried to convince himself otherwise. Brandon Pirri is probably a year away, but is still up with the team and has looked good in camp.

Bowman approached Patrick Kane earlier this summer with the prospect of moving to center. We may get our first look at Kaner in the middle in Wednesday's preseason game with Detroit.

In short, we're no better off in center depth than we were for the bulk of last season. Judgement will be held on the hope that Bowman makes the midseason deal for which he has saved some cap room. However, right now this is an area that he failed to address.

2. A Stay-at-Home Defenseman

This was one of Bowman's first moves of the offseason. Trading for Steve Montador's rights, he signed the former Sabres defenseman to a four-year deal.

The next day, he added veteran blue-liner Sean O'Donnell. Sami Lepisto came aboard later in July.

All three players give the 'Hawks substantially more depth than they had the previous season, even after trading Brian Campbell on draft weekend. They also have guys that will play physical, stay-at home games in Montador and O'Donnell.

The heart of the Blackhawks' success is in a strong defense, and Bowman was quick to make improvements in this area.

3. Some Grit at Forward

I pushed for the Blackhawks to re-sign Troy Brouwer, but he was traded for Washington's first pick in the 2011 draft. The 'Hawks selected Phillip Danault with the pick. We'll get a better feel for the value of that pick in three or four years.

Jake Dowell was also not resigned. The 'Hawks leader in fights last season signed with Dallas, joining Adam Burish, whose departure along with the trading of Ben Eager changed the dynamic of the 2010-11 team.

Bowman pledged to add some toughness to the lower lines over the summer. To that end, he brought in some rugged players to help protect the top names.

Jamal Mayers seems to be earning a lot of respect in the locker room. We now have a guy who will battle for his teammates.

Daniel Carcillo was a stunning late addition on the first day of free agency, but he bolsters Chicago's energy line with the ability to mix it up and pester opponents.

The Blackhawks have a different look about them that suggests that they won't be pushed around. For those who felt last year's club was too soft, Bowman made significant efforts to toughen up the 'Hawks.

4. Veteran Competition at Goal for Alexander Salak

Salak's competition came in the form of Ray Emery, whom Bowman invited to try out for the backup sport in goal.

Emery may still be signed to the team, allowing Chicago to season Salak a bit more in the AHL in 2011-12. We may not know how the pecking order falls into place until Emery's start Friday. A decision has to be made on Emery by Saturday.

No matter what that decision is, Bowman brought in a veteran presence in net and addressed this need for some competition behind Corey Crawford.

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

The veterans Bowman brought in in July didn't leave a lot of room for the wealth of talented prospects in the organization. That said, several potential rookie seasons could get underway when the 'Hawks get the season underway.

Ben Smith seems to have a hold on a spot in the lineup. He came to camp in shape and should be able to handle a physical NHL schedule.

Kruger isn't the lock for a roster spot that he seemed to be back in June. Management has had less than ringing endorsements of his play at camp. Pirri has outshone Kruger in camp in my opinion.

Brandon Saad is the talk of camp with strong showings with Chicago's rookie team in Toronto as well as a two-goal performance against Pittsburgh last Friday. His chances still seem slim to me as far as spending the season in Chicago. On the other hand, he is still in camp.

Salak could still make the squad as well, though like several other players, he could benefit from a spell in Rockford.

Jeremy Morin is not much closer to a return to the ice than he was three months ago. He is skating with the team and awaits the chance to make his triumphant return to action.

I'll say two or three rookies break camp with the 'Hawks. Over the next few days, those names should be more apparent.

Conclusion:

Bowman didn't have to address my sixth target—a new assistant to replace Mike Haviland. The replacement was Haviland himself, having not secured a head coaching position in Winnepeg as was speculated back in June.

Bowman addressed four out of the other five needs quickly in the offseason. Although I think he could have easily picked up a decent center for the second line, I'm willing to cut him a bit of slack and see what he does to improve on his center depth at the NHL level.

Talking about the offseason moves keeps us all busy until the puck drops to signal the start of the regular season. Taken in good faith, the moves Bowman and the Blackhawks made this year satisfied a lot of needs in terms of rededicating themselves to another season in quest of the Stanley Cup.