Welcome back to another year of Xavierite Sports! What better way to start off a great year than with the 2012-13 Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks.
After winning the Central Division, Western Conference, President’s Trophy and the illustrious Stanley Cup, the Hawks embarked on a very busy off-season in preparation for another action-packed year.
Contract Extensions
Over the past summer months many transactions have taken place in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, many of them promising.
First and foremost, there were some significant contract negotiations that should keep the Hawks a top tier team for years to come. For starters, the Blackhawks have extended Head Coach Joel Quenneville’s contract by 3 years that will run through the end of the 2016-2017 NHL season. Joel has led the Hawks to two Stanley Cup Championship victories and consecutive playoff appearances since taking over as Head Coach. I believe he will continue to instill his wisdom and discipline into the team and continue to carry them to success.
Aside from Joel, many player contracts were extended and renewed as well. One of the biggest contract extensions was that of forward Bryan Bickell. The Blackhawks came to terms with Bickell on a 4-year contract. This is great news for all Hawks fans. Bickell was a huge part of the Blackhawks’ success last regular season and postseason by scoring many crucial goals and assists. It is definitely a plus having his physical and offensive presence on the ice for four more years.
Defenseman Nick Leddy’s contract was also extended to two years. Although Leddy struggled towards the end of the season, registering low points and minimal ice-time, this goes to show that the Hawks still believe in Leddy and his talents. I thought he played a great regular season in 2012-2013 and despite his playoff performances I think he still has a heck of a lot to prove. I look forward to continue watching his development.
Forward Marcus Kruger was also granted a two-year contract. The young Swede has proven his worth from leading the Blackhawks’ noteworthy Penalty Kill to scoring crucial goals in the postseason. He will most likely stay within the third and fourth-line center position where I think he will continue to be a significant force for the Hawks.
The Hawks also extended recently acuired veteran players Michal Rosival (two years) and Michal Handzus (one year) on their contracts. Rosival came up big in the playoffs when Leddy started to dwindle. The big defenseman found himself assisting big time goals and getting more ice-time. Handzus was also a big contributor for the Hawks in the post season, assisting clutch goals and even scoring at opportune times. It is good to have these two veterans back on the ice this season.
New Faces
Aside from contact extensions, the Blackhawks did come to terms with some new faces as well this summer.
Remember goalie Nikolai Khabibulin? Well now he’s back and wearing a Blackhawks uniform once again. The last time he wore the Hawks’ crest was in 2009 after joining them in 2005.
Nikolai is now 40 years old and still playing goalie at the NHL level. He will most likely serve as Corey Crawford’s backup this upcoming season. Why the Hawks brought “Khabi” back…I have no idea. I personally do not like this acquisition.
I would rather bring up a younger goalie like Antti Raanta to help develop his play instead of having a living, breathing fossil as a backup. But then again, I am the writer and Stan Bowman is the General Manager. Hopefully Nikolai can prove me wrong.
The Blackhawks signed another potentially significant player this summer and that is 18-year-old forward Teuvo Teravainen. Teravainen was drafted 18th overall in the 2012 Entry Draft and was signed to a three-year deal with the Hawks.
This kid has impressed many and hopefully we can see his skills in the upcoming future. I will say it may be unlikely that he would play much this season, but you never know! All I know is that Teuvo has been turning some heads and he could definitely contirubute to the future success of the Blackhawks.
Sad Goodbyes
With the signing of great players come the goodbyes of others. Due to new lower salary cap instituted by the 2012 Lockout, many players were traded or lost to free agency.
Longtime core player Dave Bolland was traded this summer to the Toronto Maple Leafs for future draft picks. Although Bolland will be greatly missed, especially for scoring the “dagger in the heart” goal against the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup, he will definitely find success in Toronto.
Forward Michael Frolik was also traded this summer. He was exchanged to the Winnipeg Jets for future draft picks. I believe Frolik will do well in Winnipeg in an organization that has been doing better and better every year since its revival.
Due to free agency, other players are no longer Blackhawks. These include forward Viktor Stalberg, goalie Carter Hutton, and goalie Ray Emery. Stalberg and Hutton were both signed to the Nashville Predators where they will join a solid team in their quest for another Stanley Cup. Stalberg will most likely play in the top six for Nashville while Carter Hutton will serve as Pekka Rinne’s backup in net. Ray Emery has joined a talented Philadelphia Flyers team while serving as what could be a starting goalie position. The goalie question is a big one over in Philly, one that Ray Emery may be able to solve.
With these old faces returning, new faces coming aboard, and old faces leaving, we approach the upcoming season with a valiant effort at another consecutive run at the Stanley Cup. Stay tuned for more developments and pre-season news.
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor