2015 Blackhawks Cap Math

Now that the party is (mostly) over, it’s time for the hard work.

Trying to assemble the 2015-2016 Blackhawks squad.

And this will not be easy.

General Fanager is a great resource for contract information and shows us that the Blackhawks currently have $76.6M in salary which is counting $64M against the cap.

For 14 players currently signed.  Only 11 of those are skaters.

And the projected salary cap for next year is $71-73M.  That doesn’t leave a lot.

Toews and Kane represent the largest salaries at $10.5M each.  Jonathan Toews certainly isn’t going anywhere.  And it is hard to image that Kane is either.  That leaves Patrick Sharp and his $5.9M salary.  But the reported ask is a 1st round pick, A-level prospect and top 6 forward on entry level contract.  That’s a lot, but so is every initial price offered in an open negotiation.

And then there are the free agents.

Vermette, Richards, Desjardins, Carcillo, Oduya and Rozsival are all Unrestricted Free Agents.  Saad, Kruger, Nordstrom and Rundblad are all Restricted Free Agents.

That’s a lot of bodies to replace.

So what do the Blackhawks need to do?

1. Cross their fingers and hope that the cap number is friendly

We should have the final number within a week.  And it could make a big difference.  GM Stan Bowman shared the possible scenarios with Chris Kuc from the Chicago Tribune:

“I guess everyone wants to know if it’s a good number or a bad number,” Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said. “Obviously, if it were $80 million it would be easier for us. If it’s going to be $70 (million) or 71, whatever it will be, we’ll make it work. If it comes in at 69.5 or 71.5, that could be the difference between what we decide to do.”

2. Figure out what the market will truly pay for Sharp

This is a key piece of the puzzle.  Bowman has opened with his leaked offer.  Now he has to figure out who is really interested and what they will pay.

3. Leverage the dynasty to bring in veterans who will take a pay cut for a championship

This is always possible, especially with strong veterans who may be slightly past their prime but can still contribute.  And the allure of the dynasty is strong.  Especially with the great group of young core players that the Blackhawks will have for many years to come.

Puck Daddy adds:

“One of the things that we talk about is consistency. When you’ve got the best captain in the NHL, a really young core … I think this is now a destination. Free agents want to come here,” said Blackhawks president John McDonough during the Hawks’ celebration.

Sure, it helps when players like Brad Richards are flush with buyout money and can take a contract for peanuts from the Blackhawks for a season. But as their president said: Don’t discount how many free-agent derbies the Blackhawks might win by virtue of being a place where veterans want to play – and potentially win, as Richards did.

Image courtesy of Ron Cogswell.