The 2023-24 NHL offseason has been nothing short of a whirlwind, as teams across the league have been rigorously strategizing and making impactful moves to prepare for the upcoming season. Notably, the Chicago Blackhawks have emerged as one of the most proactive franchises, engaging in key trades and signings that seem poised to reshape their fortunes significantly.
Even before the Florida Panthers clinched the Stanley Cup, the offseason began fervently with marquee moves. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, this period was characterized by a pivotal trade as they acquired Jake Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes. This move also marked the end of an era for Tampa Bay, with their iconic captain, Steven Stamkos, bidding farewell to the team.
Resurgence in Chicago
Yet, the most eye-catching developments have come from the Windy City. The Chicago Blackhawks, after enduring a challenging season, have been aggressively active in the offseason market. Last season, the Blackhawks were painfully aware of their shortcomings, most notably finishing at the bottom of the league in scoring with a mere 2.17 goals per game. Their net goals above replacement (GAR) metrics painted a somber picture: an overall GAR of 12.0, with an offense GAR of minus-13.2 and a defense GAR of 18.6.
This year, the narrative promises to be different. Chicago has made strategic additions to both their offense and defense, aiming to overhaul last season’s dismal performance. Teuvo Teravainen, with a GAR of 12.3, headlines their acquisitions, bringing a much-needed offensive spark. Joining him are Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Mikheyev, with GARs of 7.2 and 3.6 respectively, both expected to be influential in revitalizing the Blackhawks' scoring capabilities.
Defensive Stabilization
Defensively, the Blackhawks' vulnerabilities were evident, allowing the fifth-most shots per game last season. However, the addition of TJ Brodie, with a GAR of 5.4, aims to provide stability and veteran experience to Chicago’s back-end. The defensive revamp is further complemented by Alec Martinez, who holds a GAR of 3.2. These signings are crucial as they address the core issues that plagued the team last season.
Shutdown Between the Pipes
Chicago’s goalie situation has also seen a significant boost. Laurent Brossoit, boasting a GAR of 10.4, joins the Blackhawks to form a formidable goalie tandem with Petr Mrazek. This addition is expected to solidify the team’s last line of defense, reflecting the Blackhawks' net defense GAR improvement of plus-15.5 and a net goalie GAR increase of plus-10.4.
Moving Pieces
In the midst of these acquisitions, the Blackhawks also parted ways with several players. Among them are Sam Lafferty, who had a GAR of 3.6, and Colin Blackwell, whose GAR stood at 0.5. Additionally, Taylor Raddysh, MacKenzie Entwistle, and Reese Johnson have also exited, signaling a shift towards a restructured and rejuvenated roster.
Overall, the Blackhawks' offseason activity is underscored by an impressive net offense GAR of plus-30.6 and an overall net GAR addition ascending to a significant plus-56.5. The deliberate and calculated moves by the Blackhawks indicate a strong desire to not just participate in, but rather to dominate the upcoming season.