Blackhawks 2019-20 Season Preview

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2197 days ago

As we wind down the 2019 offseason for the Chicago Blackhawks, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the offseason moves and predictions for the 2019-20 NHL Season. Last year they finished last in the Central Division (36-34-12 84 points). After missing the playoffs the second straight season, the Blackhawks had to make some changes in the offseason.

Offseason Moves

First off, they acquired Olli Maatta from the Pittsburgh Penguins as well as a 5th round pick for Dominik Kahun. A promising 24-year-old defenseman will help bolster the Blackhawks defense.

Calvin De Haan and Aleksi Saarela were both acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Anton Forsberg And Gustav Forsling. In DeHaan’s seven year NHL Career he has (13G,82A) 95 points. A change of scenery is what De Haan needs. Saarela was a 3rd round pick by the New York Rangers in 2015. Has no prior NHL experience, it’s quite a gamble for the Blackhawks.

Stan Bowman decided to bring back a familiar face in Andrew Shaw, who recently played in Montreal. Shaw had shown chemistry playing alongside Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Hopefully, it continues and this wasn’t just another swing and a miss.

With Corey Crawford Missing 30+ games over the last two seasons, The Blackhawks were looking for a backup goalie. So, they went out and signed Robin Lehner for (1yr/$5M). Coming off the best NHL season of his career (25-13-5 with a 2.13 GAA), Lehner was a surprise pickup for the Blackhawks.

Ryan Carpenter, after two years in Vegas, signed with the Blackhawks (3yr/$3M). He’ll slide right in on the 4th line and win faceoffs.

Late in the Offseason, Stan Bowman decided to move on from Henri Jokiharju. Trading the young defenseman to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Alex Nylander. Nylander, a former 8th overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft, struggled in three years in Buffalo (3G,3A) 6 points in 19 games played. Wanting to prove himself, and prove he was worthy of a top draft pick, a change of scenery was a must for him. All the Blackhawks can hope is he turns it around and becomes another Dylan Strome type player.

The Goalie Situation

The Robin Lehner signing was HUGE for the Blackhawks. Lehner finally figured himself out last year and ended up finishing top 3 in the Vezina Trophy voting. With one more year on Crawford’s Contract and him being 34 years old, This could be the last year we see him in a Blackhawks uniform. If Lehner outperforms Crawford this year then they have their future #1 goalie.

Rookies

Kirby Dach who was drafted 3rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. A surprise pick by Stan Bowman and a surprise to all Blackhawks fans, Dach was invited to Development camp and showed coaches why he was drafted #3 overall. Showed off his skill and speed. When the Blackhawks moved on from Artem Anisimov this offseason, That gave Dach the chance.

Adam Boqvist was also invited to a Development camp. He showed off his skill as a defenseman and shocked the coaches. He can slide right in on that top defensive pairing.