It’s time for the Chicago Blackhawks to come up with another plan. This team should be very busy at the trade deadline selling off pieces. Since Marian Hossa left town the Blackhawks  have continued to spiral out of control. They are having the same problems with the salary cap. Handcuffed by some mega contracts that need to come off the books. They fired legend Joe Quenneville who led those great Blackhawks to be three time Stanley Cup winners. The new leader, Jeremy Colliton, has not fared well. Perhaps his leadership skills are more suited coaching younger players like he did in the AHL.  The Blackhawks are not supplying enough young talent from the minors either. This team does not have to do a complete overhaul. It’s time to get rid of the old heroes and start bringing a young nucleus to build a solid core out of. I would build this thing around Patrick Kane. The rest of the core has to go which includes the captain Jonathon Toews.

I loved in the beginning of the season to have the luxury of two very talented goalies. If my team is in the playoff hunt and beyond, this idea speaks to me. Ride the hotter hand in the playoffs. St.Louis did with their goalie last season and won the cup. From now and to the end of the season the Blackhawks are not going any where. Cory Crawford is finally a piece you can trade. He has not been sidelined for months with an injury or those concussions that resurface over the last few seasons. He has a .915% save rate which he’s been in the net with a very bad team. That save percentage on a good team  instantly he would have a better record. I would trade him immediately before an injury can occur. I would hold on to Robin Lehner and give him an extension. He would be the new mask in front of the net even though he has played this season for the team. Crawford can help another team do well in the playoffs and have a better chance to reach the Stanley Cup finals that way. Plus now you’re not paying two net minders a good chunk of the cap.

Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook in their prime were fun to watch. They were two guys that helped the Blackhawks with all three Stanley Cups. Who can forget Duncan Keith spitting out teeth like chiclets? Asking the crowd on parade day, “Does anyone know a good dentist?” Seabrook scoring laser shots from half ice. Both of these guys make a ton of money. Both have no trade clauses. Both are on the decline. Both are older and with all the playoff games these two have been involved in with their regular seasons in hockey years turn into dog years. Seabrook has only played in 32 games this season. Some games he has been a healthy scratch. Duncan Keith one of my favorites throughout this run has played in 52 games. Combined between the two they have 4 goals scored. I know they play defense but they used to provide more scoring. Plus the defensive skills are in question. Both these guys need to come off the books somehow, even if you have to pay part of their contracts in a trade with another team.

Brandon Sadd is only 27 years old. This season he has 18 goals in 49 games for the Blackhawks. He will end up with twenty-something goals by the end of the regular season. Brandon Sadd should land the Blackhawks a nice return. He’s young and is a nice offensive threat to have. With plenty of playoff experience. Plus we know in the playoffs his game got better as he scored some big goals in his career. This will help clear some salary and can get you some draft picks or a talented guy on the verge of coming up to the NHL.

The Captain has to go and is the biggest move this team should make. I know it’s like getting rid of Captain America. I love what Jonathan Toews brings to the table every night. An obvious leader. A grinder. A very important cog in the machine. A guy that can win face offs. A guy you do not want to see go anywhere else. What would he look like not wearing the indian on his sweater? The problem is they pay him like the Penguins pay Sidney Crosby. Toews’ numbers should be higher than what they pay him. He has already played 13 seasons in the NHL. He is only 31 years old but hockey years are like dog years for him as well. Last season Toews scored 35 goals. This season he only has 16. If you are able to trade Toews, there’s a huge chunk of cap relief in an instant. The amount you pay Toews, the Blackhawks can pay three talented younger players and build a deeper roster.

I think the Blackhawks could take a page out of the Pittsburgh Penguins book with their superstar, Sidney Crosby.  Crosby came into the league playing and learning  from hockey great  Mario Lemieux. Sidney Crosby quickly took over Penguins hockey. When Marion Hossa came to the Blackhawks that was when the team took off with all the young talent they had. Building around Patrick Kane with plenty of youngsters, a salary cap not holding you hostage can turn this team around very quickly. Love to see the Blackhawks get rid of Stan Bowman. I think I’ve seen enough from him as general manager. Maybe Jeremy Colliton can still work out. Rather have Joel Quenneville with this plan. Robin Lehner as the goalie. Patrick Kane your superstar you’re building around. You have some nice young pieces like the rise of 22 year old Alex DeBruincat. Plus 19 year old rookie Kirby Dach has been a nice addition and looks to have a very talented future ahead.