SCORE ONE FOR NOSTALGIA

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The Chicago Blackhawks have not made the playoffs since 2020 (bubble), in fact the Blackhawks have finished last in the Central Division each of the last four seasons. GM Kyle Davidson has handed out some interesting contracts throughout his tenure : Teuvo Teravainen three years 16.2 million dollars (5.4 million AAV) In his return to Chicago Teravainen has posted 29 goals and 93 points and is a -53. Tyler Bertuzzi signed a four year 22 million dollar contract (5.5 million AAV) and has posted 55 goals and 104 points and is -55. Now for the money those contracts are pretty good for the production. 

But this offseason has been a bit of a different story, Connor Bedard got a massive contract extension as the face of the franchise. Five years 75 Million Dollars (15 million AAV) for the next face of the franchise. But the one that still gets me is trading and signing Bowen Byram. Byram was acquired with Forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for picks 4 and 45 in this year’s draft. Byram then signed a six year 75 million dollar contract (12.5 AAV). Byram posted a career high 11 goals and 42 points for the Sabres this past season. Byram is 25 years old and is a former top five pick in 2019. So there’s a ton of upside to his game and even with the cap rising that contract doesn’t seem bad, but you’re paying him to be your version of Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes, both of whom the Blackhawks will see a lot of over the next couple of seasons. 

On Thursday it was announced the Blackhawks are bringing back Winger Patrick Kane on a two year contract. Kane, the first overall pick in 2007 helped the Blackhawks secure three Stanley Cup Championships (2010,2013, 2015) and in 2013 won the Conn Smythe as the Playoffs MVP. Since leaving Chicago Kane has played for the New York Rangers and has spent the last three seasons in Detroit, where he posted 57 goals and 163 points in 189 games. There’s a cool nostalgia factor with Kane being back in Chicago especially if it’s his final two seasons. But there’s a part that bothers me and it does coincide with Byram, if the Blackhawks wanted an established winger to play with Bedard, they could’ve used that pick to get a big time player, but instead go Byram and sign Kane, who will provide leadership to the room. But is this a passing of the torch signing? 

Even with Kane’s return the Blackhawks are still not a playoff team, yes they have building blocks and have a ton of pieces to move. But is signing Kane just to appease the fans or is there something more there. Kyle Davidson has hit on some signings, but eventually it has to parlay into winning, the way the Central Division is shaped I’m not sure Patrick Kane makes the Hawks a playoff team. But hey score one for nostalgia.