4th Stanley Cup Push

Team: 2016-17 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 8, 2017

Published: Jan. 8, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Blackhawks need a veteran forward or two for a Stanley Cup push - ideally, a LW. They're not likely to give up any current roster players to get one. They're also not likely to deal their young forwards in the system because they'll need them to get under the cap next season and it would send the wrong message to players drafted by the Blackhawks that left school early and to undrafted players signing with them with hopes to crack their NHL lineup. Stan Bowman also knows that not just any veteran forward will crack the top 6 for Coach Q. I very much doubt that they'll deal for Shane Doan or Jarome Iginla - they're too old and the Blackhawks would have to give up too much in assets to gain a rental that might not even play - see Antoine Vermette (didn't get much playing time until Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final, was even a healthy scratch in the playoffs). I suspect they would make a push for Patrick Sharp though if Dallas isn't in a playoff spot at the deadline. They have depth at defenseman and, while they won't trade their 1st round pick for 2017 because they're hosting the draft, I suspect they would trade their 2018 1st round pick.