Chicago Blackhawks add momentum and experience to line-up during NHL Free Agency –Part 1
Winners of the 2010 Stanley Cup, Chicago Blackhawks has had a tough time making a big impression after the finals against Philadelphia Flyers. Its performance during the last 2010-2011 regular season was miserable as the team struggled and barely made it
into the playoffs, only to be eliminated in round-one.
Chicago Blackhawks' general manager, Stan Bowman, is about to have that all changed and rejuvenate the club to make it as glorious as it once was.
He signed five veteran players who were unrestricted free agents, each to a one-year contract, but different financial conditions, depending on how the player can change the club for its betterment.
Having a reasonably young line-up, Bowman considers the addition of players of a more experienced age would build Hawks' playing abilities and overall techniques.
Bowman was especially excited after the signings were done and over with on Friday, day-one of the NHL free agency.
Veteran left wing, Andrew Brunette, also had a mutual understanding of the idea and what Bowman was intending on doing.
"They probably have the best young core of hockey players in the NHL and at this stage in my career I just want an opportunity to have a chance to win a Stanley Cup", Brunette said. "I felt this was as good as any club out there. The city obviously appeals
to a lot of guys in the NHL, myself included. I just thought it would be a good fit".
Andrew Brunette
Brunette, a 37-year-old forward has played for 15 seasons in the NHL and was drafted in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft as a 174th overall pick in round-seven by Washington Capitals.
Throughout his vast career, Brunette played with teams like Washington, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche.
The Sudbury, Ontario, Canada native, has played nearly all 82 games during the past 12 seasons which makes for unmatched consistency.
He potted 46 points, 18 goals and 28 assists, last season and ended with a plus-minus rating of -7.
Brunette’s best season came in 2007 with Colorado Avalanche as he boasted a record of 83 points, 27 goals and 56 assists, in 82 games.
Standing at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Brunette signed a one-year, $2 million contract with Chicago on Friday. His power-play killing abilities will best suit the younger players to gain unprecedented experience.
Daniel Carcillo
Carcillo might not be as experienced as the rest who signed, but he certainly is capable at the position he plays.
The 26-year-old left winger hails from King City, Ontario, Canada, and has played six seasons in the NHL with Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers.
Signing a one-year, $775,000 contract on Friday, the 6-foot, 205 pound player is expected to bring on a sense of physicality and showing the younger generation how to take the puck all the way to the other side without losing it.
Picked 73rd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by Pittsburgh Penguins, Carcillo managed to register six points, 4 goals and 2 assists, last season in 57 games with Philadelphia.
He collected over 127 penalty minutes, which just goes to show how physical at times Carcillo can get, and Blackhawks certainly need a touch of that to its game.
A great aspect about Carcillo’s playing abilities is that he can take the puck straight down and not worry about being penalised for a penalty or even blocked.
To be continued in part 2....
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