On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Three offseason areas that Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman should look at.
- Look at trading Andrew Shaw – Shaw does a lot for Chicago, but the pending RFA has probably priced himself out of their lineup. Shaw’s experience would be welcomed on teams like the Sabres and Oilers. The Blackhawks are going to want young, cheap talent in return for Shaw.
- Get Bryan Bickell’s contract off the books – Some think the Blackhawks were close to moving Bickell and his $4 million cap hit at the deadline. Maybe Bowman could move Shaw and Bickell in the same deal, or they could include a pick to move him. Maybe the Hurricanes would take on his contract.
- Sign Artemi Panarin to an extension – The Blackhawks should sign him to a long-term deal this offseason. He has one year left on his deal.
On the Florida Panthers …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Three offseason areas that Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon should look at.
- Bring Jaromir Jagr back – Despite not scoring in the playoffs (he hasn’t scored in his last 37 playoff games), he’s a valuable piece to the franchise. He’s a role model for the young players.
- Sign Vincent Trocheck to a long-term contract – He’s shown he can be a No. 2 center for them after putting up 53 points in 76 games this year. That would give the Panthers their three young centers under contract long-term. Tallon could then look at signing Aaron Ekblad to a contract extension.
- Sign Andrew Ladd – Tallon tried to improve the Panthers on the wing by adding Teddy Purcell and Jiri Hudler at the deadline. Wouldn’t be smart to give him six-years and $36 million that he turned down from the Jets, but if they could sign him to a deal closer to what the Capitals signed Justin Williams to last offseason (two-years, $6.5 million), they should do it.