The root of the Chicago Blackhawks issues can be tied to the draft issues detailed in the first part of our “State of the Franchise” series.
Without success in the draft, the Blackhawks have had to look elsewhere to fill out their rosters, but salary cap limitations hampered their ability to make trades or sign free agents. But after several years of cost-cutting measures, Chicago finally had a chance to do something — and did nothing. That’s the short version of the story.
The longer version largely revolves around the 8-year contract extension worth $55 million ($6.