Jonathan Daniel / Getty ImagesSigned through 2017-18 season ($863,333 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 76 games, 19 goals, 12 assists, 31 points, plus-13. Had a rough playoffs, but figures to play a key role next season thanks to his versatility and newfound scoring ability.
Nathan Denette / APRestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 29 games, 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, minus-12. A deadline acquisition who didn't develop quite how Hawks hoped. But Stan Bowman is high on him, and Hawks may give him another look.
David Zalubowski / APSigned through 2018-19 ($6 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 82 games, 31 goals, 43 assists, 74 points, plus-18. Extension kicks in, plus will have additional cap hit of around $2.5 million because of bonuses from this season. Will be an important goal scorer so long he's in Chicago.
Mark Humphrey / APSigned through 2019-20 ($6 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 55 games, 32-18-4, 2.55 GAA, .918 save percentage. Has cemented himself as a top-tier goaltender in the league and should be in net the next few years, much to the chagrin of some fans.
Nuccio DiNuzzo / baiduhaiSigned through 2018-19 ($925,000 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 33 games, 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points, plus-2. Young winger showed promise early before knee injury stunted his development, but could play a significant role again next season.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiSigned through 2018-19 ($3.083 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 70 games, 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points, plus-7. Unlikely he'll beback. The Hawks need to make room for Artemi Panarin's contract and Kruger's deal is a prime candidate to be moved for cap space.
Nuccio DiNuzzo / baiduhaiSigned through 2018-19 ($872,500 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 38 games, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, plus-3. Showed flashes of promise early before spending most of second half in Rockford. Could be a regular on the blue line next season.
Mark Humphrey / APSigned through 2022-23 ($10.5 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 82 games, 34 goals, 55 assists, 89 points, plus-11. Had another head-turning season and figures to be in the running for the Art Ross Trophy again after losing out to Connor McDavid.
Nuccio DiNuzzo / TNSSigned through 2020-21 ($5.275 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 73 games, 26 goals, 19 assists, 45 points, plus-7. Veteran had a big rebound season and figures to be a key cog in the team even as he turns 39 next season.
Mark J. Terrill / APSigned through 2017-18 season ($925,000 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 12 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, plus-3. Looked the part in his first stint in the NHL out of Yale. Expect him to start next season on the roster.
Matthew Stockman / Getty ImagesUnrestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 46 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, minus-6. Took less money to stay with Hawks two seasons ago, had an injury-riddled season, but could be a cheap depth forward again next year.
David Zalubowski / APSigned through 2017-18 ($717,500 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 49 games, 6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points, minus-1. Has great speed but would need to develop more scoring punch and strength if he wants to stick around next season.
Mark Humphrey / APSigned through 2022-23 ($10.5 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 21 goals, 37 assists, 58 points, plus-7. Captain had an up-and-down year by his standards but is still vital in almost every facet.
David Banks / APSigned through 2018-19 ($4.1 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 73 games, 5 goals, 13 assists, 18 points, plus-12. One of toughest players on the team, set a career high in blocked shots and is an anchor of the Hawks' blue line.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiRestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 68 games, 4 goals, 4 assists, 8 points, minus-4. Had a strong year as a bottom-line forward for a salary of only $575,000. Would be a good fit to round out forward depth if he signs a similar deal.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiUnrestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 32 games, 27-18-5 record, 2.38 GAA, .924 save percentage. Darling will likely command a big payday and a chance to be somebody's No. 1 goaltender. Be prepared to say goodbye to the Lemont native.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiSigned through 2018-19 ($925,000 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 61 games, 6 goals, 22 assists, 28 points, plus-10. Had a strong second-half and will be an important player whose development will be a major storyline next season.
David Banks / APSigned through 2018-19 ($750,000 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 47 games, 6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points, plus-15. Solidified his spot in second half of season and should be valuable defensive center if Hawks have to make Marcus Kruger a salary-cap casualty.
Mark Humphrey / APRestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 82 games, 22 goals, 22 assists, 44 points, plus-14. Due a raise over his $875,000 salary after a career year, but can Hawks make enough room to keep him aboard?
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiSigned through 2017-18 ($700,000 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 50 games, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, minus-6. Veteran is a significant voice in the Hawks room and will likely be back to provide that again next season.
Joel Auerbach / APUnrestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 52 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, minus-4. Coming off an injury-plagued campaign, but could still command a salary likely out of reach for the Hawks.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiSigned through 2020-21 ($4.55 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 64 games, 22 goals, 23 assists, 45 points, plus-9. A foot injury derailed his season and he wasn't the same in the playoffs. Will be an integral part of core going forward.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiSigned through 2022-23 ($5.5 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 80 games, 6 goals, 47 assists, 53 points, plus-22. Former Norris Trophy winner is still a top defenseman, but will he begin showing signs of age at 34?
Dilip Vishwanat / Getty ImagesRestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 50 games, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points, plus-1. Showed signs of promise. With questions on the blue line, the Hawks would like to have him back for another season.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiSigned through 2023-24 ($6.875 million cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 79 games, 3 goals, 36 assists, 39 points, plus-9. Seabrook is a mainstay and his contract, plus his no-movement clause, would make him hard to move even if Hawks wanted.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiUnrestricted free agent. 2016-17 stats: 80 games, 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points, plus-12. Veteran has family planted in Chicago and would return at a discounted rate, like he did this season for $2.25 million, so long as the deal isn't too low.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiSigned through 2017-18 ($825,000 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 58 games, 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points, plus-17. Versatile defenseman has seen the ice a lot the last two seasons but could be a candidate for the Vegas Golden Knights to take in expansion draft.
Stacey Wescott / TNSSigned through 2017-18 ($650,000 cap hit). 2016-17 stats: 22 games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, minus-3. Played sparingly this season and helps Hawks meet quotas for expansion draft, but would only be a depth defenseman again next season.
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
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Signed through 2017-18 season ($863,333 cap hit).
2016-17 stats: 76 games, 19 goals, 12 assists, 31 points, plus-13.
Had a rough playoffs, but figures to play a key role next season thanks to his versatility and newfound scoring ability.
ExpandBy Chris Hine
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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The NHL salary cap will increase to $75 million next season.
The league and NHL Players’ Association announced the cap and the salary floor of $55.4 million in a joint statement Sunday. The figures are set by the league’s hockey-related revenue.
That would be an increase of $2 million over last season’s $73 million cap.
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That extra space would benefit the Blackhawks next season in that it may bring them just under the cap if they move the contract of Marcus Kruger and his approximate cap hit of $3.1 million. It is possible Kruger will be headed to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a deal in the upcoming expansion draft.
Capfriendly.com projects the Hawks will have a cap hit of around $77.5 million before removing Kruger’s contract, thanks to various bonuses and overages accumulated last season. But the increased salary cap still would not give general manager Stan Bowman, who vowed change after the first-round playoff exit to the Nashville Predators, much wiggle room to tweak the roster without moving a significant contract.
Twitter @ChristopherHine
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