By Antoine Mathieu, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
QUEBEC CITY, QC. — Now that I’ve concluded the Eastern Conference, I will reveal my Western Conference predictions!
2014-15 WESTERN CONFERENCE predicted standings
- Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks have been one of the league’s biggest threats in recent years. After winning the Cup in 2010 and repeating that feat in 2013, Chicago fell short against the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Finals. Many labeled that series as the real ‘Stanley Cup finals’ because they felt the two teams were the best in the league and that the East was not worthy of facing either of these teams. Chicago has all the tools to repeat their success, and that for years to come! Their main core of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson are all locked up long term and are still in the best years of their careers.
The Blackhawks only made one move this summer but it solidified their roster in a big way. Brad Richards, who saw his contract get bought out by the New York Rangers in late June, agreed to a one year deal with Chicago for a salary of $2,000,000. Given the fact that the likes of Olli Jokinen (1 year at $2,500,000), Mathieu Perreault ($3,000,000) and Steve Ott ($2,600,000) signed for more, Richards at two million is a huge bargain for them. It is rather obvious that the 34-year-old left some money on the table in order to join the Blackhawks. This signing adds tremendous depth to the team down the middle.
Considering that the Blackhawks tried many experiments this year to fill the second line center void, this will make the coaching staff’s lives a lot easier. Michal Handzus failed miserably with his production of four goals and 16 points last season. Handzus has never been regarded as a great offensive player, his career point per game under 0.5 confirms that. Even with his age, the management expected better production from considering that he played on the second best team in the league offensively and played with Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg. Chicago also tried Kane and Andrew Shaw at center but the two clearly weren’t comfortable playing that position.
The term on Brad Richards’ deal is ideal for the Hawks. It allows highly touted prospect Teuvo Teravainen to develop in the AHL. The Finnish forward who was drafted 18th overall in 2012 has had a very productive stint in the SM-liiga and will look to translate that success in North America. There will definitely be an adapting period for the skilled forward (two goals in five AHL games last season) but many fans are expecting him to NHL ready starting next season which will coincide with the end of Richards’ one year contract.
But unlike this off-season where general manager Stan Bowman barely had to do anything, next summer will the total opposite. Following the contract extensions given to his franchise players (Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews) who will both earn $10,500,000 for the next eight years, the Hawks will be in big cap trouble. Chicago’s management will have to do some tough decisions: which one of Bryan Bickell, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa will be traded? My money is on Bickell considering his salary of $4,000,000 is a tad high for a player who produces at the pace of a third liner during the regular season. To be fair though, Bickell has openly admitted in an interview that he doesn’t perform as well as he could in the regular season because he wouldn’t be able to be at his best for where it matters most: the playoffs. Considering the lack of pure size up front for the Hawks, Bickell might stay.
That leaves one of Hossa or Sharp, both aren’t getting any younger with the former being 35 years of age and the latter is 32. If one of the younger players like Brandon Saad or Jeremy Morin shows they can handle a top six role, they might entertain the idea of trading one of their top six winger. Replacing one of these two veterans with a rookie like Morin or Saad would clear up over four million in cap space for Chicago. It doesn’t hurt either that one of these two would probably fetch a pretty good package for the Hawks. The Blackhawks will also get breathing room considering Michal Rozsival and Johnny Oduya (the two defenders have a combined $5,575,000 cap hit) will both be UFAs at the end of the season.
I have Chicago in first place because I feel like they’re the team with the fewest question marks in the league. They have two stars in Toews and Kane who are both finished in the top 25 for scoring last season. They have some solid wingers in Hossa and Sharp. Add to that offensive group solid guys like Saad, Shaw, Bickell and Ben Smith for secondary scoring. They also have one of the league’s best pairings in Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Plus Niklas Hjalmarsson who is finally getting respect league wide and Nick Leddy who’s emerging as a solid offensive defenseman. Finally, they have a solid coach in Joel Quenneville. Their only concern is in net and that’s only if you’re nitpicking. Corey Crawford has shown to be a good (albeit not great) goalie.
I feel that the St. Louis Blues have too many question marks in net and I think despite the fact that they added an established number one center in Paul Stastny, the loss of Vladimir Sobotka will hurt them. I share the same concerns for the Ducks: Ryan Kesler was a huge addition but I’m not sold on their goaltenders who are both relatively unproven at the NHL level. I think Los Angeles will suffer from a Cup hangover and will barely lose the division to the Hawks. The central division is definitely the most competitive one in the NHL and whoever emerges on top will truly deserve it.
Quick facts about Chicago:
With Richards as their second line center, the Blackhawks could potentially have seven players hit the 50 point mark next season. In today’s league with the presence of a salary cap, that’s unbelievable! Only the Flyers have a shot at accomplishing the same feat.
Chicago finished second in goals for last season and were only beaten by two goals by Anaheim. I think they have a solid shot at finishing first in scoring next season.
Kane and Toews will be the highest paid players in the league in 2015-16.