Team: 2022-23 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 12, 2022

Published: Jul. 12, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

After the draft, it’s clear that this team is due for a blowup. While this may not be totally realistic, it feels like it’s time for this franchise to reset and build around a new core.
Trades:
1. Toews goes to LI and becomes a veteran presence on a team that looks to rebound. Chi gets a mid pick and a former 1st who needs a change of scenery.
2.Kane gets to play with Panarin on a contender in a big market at 50% retained. Hawks get a depth defender, a potential bottom 6 2 way guy, a former top 10 pick who wants more playing time, and a probable late 1st.
3.Dump the Johnson contract and get a guy you can sign after this year if he does well in the Swiss League.
4. I’m not sure if this would work, but Ron Francis wants to build around defense and getting paid assets to take on a guy who many see as a top pair player seems like a decision he could make. I would keep Driedger until the end of the year, then trade or buy him out depending on how he does. Waiving Jones’s NTC shouldn’t be that hard since I don’t think anyone would wanna play for Chi after this.
5. Wpg needs cheap depth and Vesalainen will never play for them again. Win-win for both teams if Chi can sign Vesalainen.
6. Edm has lots of cap space and needs defense. Chi dumps the McCabe contract and gets a guy who could preform well with middle 6 playing time.
7.This could be any team, but I feel Vegas wants cheap, young defense and Jones could be that. Hawks get more draft capital.
Signings
1. Clague had an ok year in Mtl and should be decent depth.
2. Pitlick had a great year but probably won’t repeat that preformance on this team, but it’s worth a shot.
3.Comrie was good in Wpg in a small sample size, so its time for him to reach his potential from NHL 17 and give him a starting shot.
4. Pickard is depth until Driedger comes back or Soderblom earns the backup role.
5. Steel is a former top prospect who fills a spot in the bottom 6.
6. Turris is a veteran and a meh depth option.
7. Carrick is a placeholder until Murphy comes back.
8. Stetcher is a one-year option who could be traded at the deadline.
9. Grimaldi and Highmore are depth for the bottom 6.
10. Signed Wise and Demin along with others to round out the AHL squad.
Bought out Mrazek

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