Key departures
Duncan Keith, D: A three-time Stanley Cup winner with Chicago (2010, 2013, 2015), Keith scored 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 54 games and led the Blackhawks in average ice time per game (23:25) last season. He ranks second in Blackhawks history in games (1,192) and 10th in points (625) ... Adam Boqvist, D: He scored 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 35 games last season. … Nikita Zadorov, D: Traded to the Calgary Flames on July 28, the restricted free agent scored eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 55 games last season. … Pius Suter, F: He agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 28 after he did not receive a qualifying offer. Suter scored 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 55 games last season. … David Kampf, F: He signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 28 after scoring 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 56 games last season.
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On the cusp
Wyatt Kalynuk, D:The 24-year-old scored nine points (four goals, five assists) in 21 games last season and 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in eight games with Rockford of the American Hockey League. … Lukas Reichel, F: The 19-year-old scored 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 38 games last season with Eisbaren in Deutsche Eishokey Liga (DEL), the top professional league in Germany.
What they still need
A healthy Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks captain, who helped them win the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015), missed last season with what he called chronic immune response syndrome. It's uncertain whether Toews will be ready for training camp but he is expected to play at some point this season. He gives the Blackhawks depth at center, along with Kirby Dach and Johnson. Toews also gives them another scoring threat; he scored 60 points (18 goals, 42 assists) in 70 regular-season games in 2019-20 and nine points (five goals, four assists) in nine games in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Toews is also strong at face-offs; he's won 56.9 percent of them in the NHL.
They said it
"For sure, when you bring in experienced players who have won Cups and had success, there's reason for optimism and excitement. This is an extension of our plan. We're not changing course. What we're trying to do is surround young players, give them a good foundation and have a strong team on the ice." -- general manager Stan Bowman
Fantasy focus
Jones should be considered a top 10 fantasy defenseman option following the trade. Jones had three seasons of at least 42 points for the Blue Jackets, including an NHL career-high 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) and 24 power-play points in 2017-18. He also can boost Chicago's power play, which was strong last season (21.7 percent, 11th in NHL). Jones has the ceiling of surpassing his best point total with exposure to elite right wing Patrick Kane and valuable fantasy forwards Alex DeBrincat, Dominik Kubalik, Toews and Dach. -- Pete Jensen
Projected lineup
Alex DeBrincat -- Kirby Dach -- Patrick Kane
Lukas Reichel -- Jonathan Toews -- Dominik Kubalik
Philipp Kurashev -- Tyler Johnson -- Dylan Strome
Brandon Hagel -- Jujhar Khaira -- Ryan Carpenter
Jake McCabe -- Seth Jones
Calvin de Haan -- Connor Murphy
Riley Stillman -- Wyatt Kalynuk
Marc-Andre Fleury
Kevin Lankinen
Photo courtesy: Chase Agnello-Dean/Chicago Blackhawks
