Eight new players have been drafted into the Chicago Blackhawks’ system, and we introduce you to some of them here.
The Chicago Blackhawks have made another trade on Wednesday, sending goaltender Jean Francois-Berube to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In exchange, the Blackhawks received forward Jordan Schroeder. Schroeder made 21 appearances with the Blue Jackets last season, registering a goal and an assist in those games.
As for Berube, the Blackhawks have moved on from the goaltender as questions remain about who will be manning the net for the team on opening night. Corey Crawford is expected to return, but after months of speculation about his health and carefully-worded updates by the team, there are still questions about whether he’ll be active for that game.
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Beagle could be a solid penalty killer and a face-off specialist for a team that struggled at times in both areas last season, but his potential increased payday due to his Stanley Cup title, and the Blackhawks’ limited cap flexibility, could make him a luxury the team can’t afford. Reports have linked him to the Vancouver Canucks, among other teams.
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The 29-year-old is going to generate a lot of buzz because of his gritty style of play for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but do the Blackhawks want to shell out money for a blue liner whose career high in goals is five? He doesn’t exactly fit the mold of the team’s future, but with a lack of physicality on the roster, he might make sense if Stan Bowman wants to throw Joel Quenneville a bone.
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Taken one pick after the Blackhawks took Kyle Beach in the 2009 NHL Draft, de Haan has had a solid NHL career, with 12 goals and 69 assists in 304 career games with the Islanders. He could be a good value pick-up on the market.
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Filppula could be a good fit on the Blackhawks, as he can win face-offs and can play center on either the second or third line.
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UPDATE: Green has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the Red Wings.
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Maroon is a solid third line winger that can provide some scoring punch, scoring a total of 17 goals between the Oilers and Devils last season. He did have 27 goals the previous season in Anaheim, so if the Blackhawks are looking for a veteran second-to-third line winger, he could be a good fit.
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Blackhawks fans tend to love local products, and the Winnetka-native (and former Chicago Steel standout) could be an interesting target. He would be a bottom-four upgrade on defense, and he does have some scoring touch, with 19 goals over the last two seasons in New Jersey.
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Nash’s numbers last season weren’t staggering, with 15 goals and 26 assists for the Bruins, but his age could intrigue the Blackhawks, as he’s just 29 years old and figures to have several good years left under his belt.
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While his cost could drive the Blackhawks away, van Riemsdyk could be an outstanding fit with the team. He scored a career high 36 goals last season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he would give the Blackhawks an instant upgrade in their forward group.
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The Blackhawks are reportedly looking for a veteran back-up goaltender this offseason, and Ward could fit that bill. He posted a 23-14-4 record with a .906 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average last season, and while he’s going to turn 35 years old next season, the Blackhawks could see him as a valuable insurance policy for Corey Crawford.
Berube made 13 appearances for the Blackhawks last season, going 3-6-1 with a 3.78 goals against average and .894 save percentage as he shared starting duties with Anton Forsberg in Crawford’s absence.
