Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman won’t commit to anything before he has all the facts, and the one thing he doesn’t know right now is what the NHL’s salary cap will be for 2016-17.
Currently, all Bowman has to work with is an estimate -- $74 million, up slightly from this season’s $71.4 million limit.
But that estimate assumes the NHLPA will sign off on the standard five percent escalator. And considering how the players feel about escrow -- long story short: they hate it! -- GMs like Bowman can’t afford to assume anything.
And, so, for the time being, Bowman can’t say if the Blackhawks will be able to re-sign restricted free agent Andrew Shaw.
Bowman on Shaw: "I don't have an answer for you now. We certainly like what Andrew brings to the table." Waiting on cap number.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 27, 2016
Nor can he say if Bryan Bickell will be bought out. Bickell has one year left on his contract, with a cap hit of $4 million.
Buyout on Bickell? Bowman: "We have a lot of options with players. Buy out is one of them. Tough one to answer that this point." #Blackhawks
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) April 27, 2016
Bowman didn’t deny that the Blackhawks are facing some cap challenges. For that reason, he emphasized the importance of the youngsters currently in Rockford graduating to the NHL level next season.
Bowman mentions McNeill, Hartman, Hinostroza, Kero, Motte, Baun & Pokka in Rockford.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) April 27, 2016
But then, he added, there’s a pretty good reason the ‘Hawks will be up against the cap again this summer:
#Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman on cap situation: "The teams that have cap flexibility are the teams that haven't really accomplished anything."
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) April 27, 2016
Last year, the NHL revealed the 2015-16 salary cap on June 23.
Expect a similarly timed announcement this year, i.e. before the draft, before the buyout window closes, and before the bidding for free agents begins.
Related: Three major challenges facing the Chicago Blackhawks