Emma: With Stan Bowman, Blackhawks' Success Is Here To Stay
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) Six years ago, Stan Bowman took over as Blackhawks general manager with something to prove. He was the son of a hockey legend, Scotty Bowman, named Stanley after the Cup and given a great chance in Chicago.
Bowman didn't establish Chicago's hockey core of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and so on. That was the work of Dale Tallon, bounced from the organization prior to the 2010 season. Bowman inherited a team with championship potential, just as many great hockey opportunities have come along before.
On Tuesday morning, the Blackhawks unveiled a three-year contract extension for Bowman, which runs his deal through the 2020-'21 season. Overseeing multiple roster revamps, constant cap dancing and, of course, three Stanley Cup championships is the legacy of Bowman as Chicago's general manager. Oh, and he's just 42 years old -- he's just getting started.
Such short time has seen Bowman pull off some truly remarkable moves. His successful, championship-level work in building and rebuilding, constructing and tearing down to evade the NHL's salary-cap restrictions is something never seen before in this modern game. Teams aren't supposed to win three championships in six seasons, but Bowman's work has gotten the Blackhawks there.
In the past year, Bowman made moves in acquiring the right pieces like Antoine Vermette, Andrew Desjardins and Kimmo Timonen to help the Blackhawks be strong enough to hoist the Cup in 2015. Then he was forced to move Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg, letting a load of talent walk and before finding a way to get it done again in 2015-'16.
The Blackhawks may be even better this year than they were a year ago. Bowman identified Artem Anisimov and got a strong return there from the Blue Jackets in a second-line center, and he hit a home run with Calder Trophy favorite Artemi Panarin, another budding superstar for the core.
Bowman has done arguably his most brilliant work here recently. Chicago has 70 points entering Tuesday's tilt in Carolina and are atop the Western Conference. This team has found a way to become the Stanley Cup favorite again, even after so much change.
By locking up Bowman, the Blackhawks have stability for years to come. Coach Joel Quenneville is locked in through the 2019-'20 season, while Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith are secured through 2022-'23. Brent Seabrook is signed through 2023-'24, and Anisimov and Marian Hossa are inked through 2020-'21. Corey Crawford is in net through 2019-'20. The next expiring contract of great concern is Niklas Hjalmarsson, whose $4.1 million deal goes through the 2018-'19 season.
Now, Bowman will be in charge to oversee the next phase of Blackhawks hockey. With that comes his sensational scouting and ability to identify the next stars for Chicago.
The Blackhawks have become hockey's model franchise and modern dynasty. What owner Rocky Wirtz established with president John McDonough, Bowman, Quenneville and the core is remarkable.
Bowman has brought the Blackhawks success in sustaining their core and working around the cap. He's brought his namesake, the Stanley Cup, to Chicago three times. Without question, Bowman has more than proved himself.
Success for the Blackhawks is here to stay in Chicago.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.