Blackhawks’ GM Stan Bowman held a Pre-Draft press conference on Thursday. Many fans, like myself, were expecting some type of significant news on Corey Crawford, the team’s plans for the 2018 NHL Draft, and offseason priorities. Instead, StanBo gave us more of the same status quo BS that we have been fed since the end of an embarrassing 2017-18 regular season.
One of the biggest unknown’s on the team heading into the 2018-19 season is Corey Crawford and I wrote an article all about it. Will he be able to play? We still have no idea after the press conference, but Bowman did mention the Crawford topic.
GM Stan Bowman gave an update on Corey Crawford’s status.
#Blackhawks expect him in net for 2018-19: https://t.co/z6jAuJD0i0 pic.twitter.com/j97Sp07PYL
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) June 21, 2018
Stan Bowman Talks About the 2018 Offseason
Stan Bowman touched base on many topics, but only shared minimal info about all of them. Over the past few seasons, the biggest problem for the Blackhawks has been their lack of cap space. This season, that is not the case. The NHL salary cap increase will help the Blackhawks’ salary cap issues.
#NHL and #NHLPA announce next season’s salary cap is set at $79.5 million. Could have gone up to as much as $82 million, players opted for 1.25% growth inflator this season.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 21, 2018
The $4.5 million salary cap increase could not have come at a better time. There will be approximately $12 million in cap space this offseason for the Blackhawks to use. They need to sign at least one Top 4 defenseman this offseason if they even want to think about having a successful season.
I listed some of my favorite free agent targets for the Blackhawks in one of my previous articles. Defense should be at the top of the team’s priority list. Free agency officially begins July 1st.
Stan Bowman Talks About NHL Draft Plans
Bowman talked about the NHL Draft and the possibility of making a splash. It is Smokescreen Season in the NHL in regards to the NHL Draft, so it can be hard to gauge how truthful he is being.
Stan Bowman on potential #NHLDraft day splashes: “We’re not close to doing a deal right now before tomorrow…”
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) June 21, 2018
Take it for what it’s worth because he also said the Blackhawks are inquiring about moving up in the draft. Bowman gave a little insight to what the Blackhawks have been working on recently.
Bowman on movement in the draft order: “We’ve had discussions about moving up…” but also the Top 7 teams are not as interested in moving down, due to uncertainty after the Top 2 spots.
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) June 21, 2018
The 2018 NHL Draft starts on Friday, June 22nd and concludes on Saturday, June 23rd. As of right now, it seems like the Blackhawks are planning on taking the best available player with the 8th overall pick.
“…there’s more than eight guys we like.”
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) June 21, 2018
Keeping their options open is not necessarily a bad thing, as there are many holes in the Blackhawks’ current roster. Many fans have known about this draft strategy for months though, so there is nothing new here.
Addressing Team Needs
Everyone knows that the Blackhawks’ defense was a joke last season. They gave up the 8th most goals in the 2017-18 season and were one of the biggest reasons for the failed season. Bowman commented on the team’s current defensive situation.
Bowman on current defensive group: “I’m not trying to shake things up just to shake things up…Our job is to look into those situations and try to improve our team.
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) June 21, 2018
Besides the stats, the team’s top defensemen are growing old at a rapid rate. The NHL Draft could be a way to instantly upgrade the team’s defense at an affordable price. There are a number of prospects, including some elite defensemen, that the Blackhawks have in their sights and I wrote about all of them in a previous article.
This year’s NHL Draft could end up being one of the most important drafts in the organization’s recent history. Stan Bowman and Joel Quenneville’s jobs are on the line. They have to hit on their top draft picks this year. If you are invested in the Blackhawks as much as I am, you do not want to miss the 2018 NHL Draft.
You can catch the 1st Round of the draft on NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), fuboTV, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app at 6:30 pm CST on Friday, June 22nd. Rounds 2-7 will be on the NHL Network starting at 10 am CST on Saturday, June 23rd. Make sure to check your local cable providers. This will be must-see tv for all hockey fans.
