Has there ever been an NHL team to go from Stanley Cup hopefuls at the start of the season, to then completely blow-up the roster by the next year’s draft? With Chicago officially not sending a qualifying offer to Dominik Kubilik or Dylan Strome, the Blackhawks are now in rapid free fall to the bottom of the NHL.
Everything that could have gone wrong for Chicago last season, went wrong. Now, I could say that I was surprised by how horrible the Blackhawks were last season, but that would be a lie.
In truth, we all should have seen the signs that former GM Stan Bowman’s “roster upgrades” were nothing more than a desperate man trying desperately to hold onto his job. Their opening night thrashing by the Colorado Avalanche and all future thrashings, to which there were many, proved it.
Just take a look at these ” roster upgrades” Stan Bowman made last offseason: Acquiring (C) Tyler Johnson and a 2023 2nd-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Brent Seabrook’s contract, acquiring (G) Marc-Andre Fleury from the Vegas Golden Knights for (D) Mikael Hakkarainen, signed free agent (D) Jake Mcabe for a 4-year, $16M contract, and, the greatest of them all, acquiring (D) Seth Jones, 2021 1st-round pick (originally Tampa’s), and a 6th-round pick from Columbus in exchange for (D) Adam Boqvist, 20211st-round pick, 2022 1st-round pick, and a 2021 2nd-round pick.
(PS: Seth Jones was immediately given an 8-year, $76M contract by Bowman after the trade)
Now, that’s a lot to look at, but do you see a horrifying fact? In one offseason, Stan Bowman ruined the Blackhawks future, acquired over $25M in unmovable cap space, and became an even older, brittle, and worse team. That is what I call Mike Milbury approved “GMing”.
No wonder the Blackhawks were atrocious. Bowman was supposed to surround Patrick Kane and an ever-more brittle Jonathan Toews with young, athletic, and healthy talent. 38-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury, injury-prone Tyler Johnson, and a rapidly declining Seth Jones are neither young, athletic, or healthy anymore.
Thankfully, Bowman got his karma for not only destroying the Blackhawks, but also ruining the lives of many innocent people.
As reveled in the beginning of last season, John Quenneville (former Chicago head coach), Kevin Cheveldayoff (former Chicago assistant GM), John McDonagh (former Chicago president), and Bowman himself covered up the Kyle Beach (a former Chicago Blackhawks player) situation that occurred during the Hawks 2010 Cup win, allowing Beach’s abuser to go on and abuse high school children.
Rightfully, the Blackhawks ownership fired Bowman and McDonagh, fittingly ending their reign as two disgraces.
(PS: Joel Quenneville was fired by the Florida Panthers, while Cheveldayoff was surprising not punished for his role and has kept his job as the Winnipeg Jets GM)
Even if you are a part of hockey royalty (as anyone with the Bowman name is), that does not mean you have the right to disregard laws, your players wellbeing, and your own morality in the pursuit of a Stanley Cup. In the grand scheme of things, the Stanely Cup is meaningless compared to the safety of players, coaches, staff, management, etc.
Bowman and his cronies have gotten what they deserved.
Anyway, back to the present-day Blackhawks, Bowman’s contract and draft pick mess has officially sent Chicago into a premature long, lengthy rebuild.
With Alex DeBrincat traded to Ottawa right before the draft for their 2022 1st-round selection (Defenseman: Kevin Korchinski), Kirby Dach sent over to the Canadiens for another 2022 1st-round selection (Center: Frank Nazar), and Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome set to enter free agency as UFAs, what was left of the Blackhawks’ core is now gone.
It is only a matter of time before Patrick Kane is traded to a contender for a haul of draft picks and prospects, which would help to replenish the damage left by Stan Bowman.
Also, Hawks fans should take joy in watching Jonathan Toews next season as it will most likely be his last in a Chicago uniform. With his unmovable, 8-year, $84 contract running out this year, I can’t see the once Cup-winning captain play in a Blackhawks uniform beyond next season. Even if he was willing to take less money, I think it would be best for Chicago to cordially cut ties with Toews and promote their youth in his place
Now is the time for Chicago to stockpile picks, prospects, and pray to win the Connor Bedard draft lottery as the Kane-Toews Hawks dynasty is officially over. It was fun to watch back in the 2010’s, but all great dynasties come to an end. And now Chicago’s time has come as well.
Sadly (for Blackhawks fans ONLY), this dynasty will forever be clouded with stain of Stan Bowman, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Joel Quenneville, and John McDonagh’s cowardice and neglect in the Kyle Beach situation.
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