Are the Western Conference Finalists Ready for 2010?
All of the top free agents have been signed and the draft has passed us by. Many teams have locked up their restricted free agents and signed their possible unrestricted free agents. The bulk of the National Hockey League off-season has come to an end. Last year's Western Conference finalists, the San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks, have both made several moves, but are they ready for next season?
San Jose Sharks
At a quick glance, not a great deal has changed in the Sharks roster. They still have the vast majority of the forwards and much of their defence from last year.
Goaltending
The one gaping hole, however, is with the goaltending. After several years of playoff ineptitude, general manager (GM) Doug Wilson elected to let go of Evgeni Nabokov. The former Sharks star accepted a contract in Russia’s Kontinetal Hockey League (KHL), and the Sharks were left without a net-minder. Wilson brought in Antero Niittymaki, however, most Sharks fans are hoping this is not his last move at the position.
Forwards
Up front, it looks as though the Sharks will head into October with the same line-up as last season. They resigned Patrick Marleau to a four year $6.9 million dollar deal in order to retain the most offensively potent line in the NHL last season.
Wilson lost no one of consequence to the free agent market, and looks to be on track in signing winger Devin Setoguchi. It is safe to say that Wilson has elected to stay on course. The only possible move could come in a trade to acquire either a defenseman or a goaltender.
Defence
The Sharks back end took a hit from the retirement of Rob Blake, but outside of losing the team captain, everything remains normal. It is thought that Wilson is on the lookout for a third or fourth blue liner, but if he were to head into the season as-is, San Jose would still have one of the best defensive cores in the league.
Sharks Chances
The Sharks chances lay heavily with goaltending, there is no doubt that this team can compete upfront and at the back end, but without a proper net-minder, it will all be for not. Wilson may have to go after Marty Turco or move a prized prospect like Devin Setoguchi, in order to be ready for next season.
Chicago Blackhawks
More than any other team, Chicago has had to make wholesale changes to their line-up, which is just one of the costs of winning in the new NHL.
Goaltending
Currently sitting above the cap, GM Stan Bowman has his work cut out for him, in all aspects of the line-up, but perhaps most importantly in net. Antti Niemi is still an restricted free agent (RFA), and unless he plans to go back to Cristobal Huet for all of next season, he will have to make a move in order to keep the youngster.
Forwards
The Hawks have lost their talent upfront, parting ways with key role players Kris Versteeg and Dustin Byfuglien, however, without these two core players the Hawks are still very strong upfront. Bowman has a full forward crop and will not be expected to change it to much before the puck drops in 2010.
Defence
The real trouble for Chicago lays in defence. They currently have only five NHL defenseman signed, and none currently as RFA’s. Bowman simply has no choice but to go at and get a couple blue liners, in order to round out his line-up. However, he is already above the cap, and will have to move another forward or even two if he hopes to fill out the defence and keep Niemi.
Blackhawks Chances
With the amount of young talent the Blackhawks have up front, they should be able to challenge for the conference again, however, like the Sharks, their success will be based on their goaltending. Bowman has not done enough to shore up that position, and will have to attend to it before October.
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