Emma: Blackhawks' Roster Breakdown, 2015-'16 Outlook
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) The Stanley Cup has established residence in Chicago this summer. The city celebrated the Blackhawks' third title in six years with a parade and rally Thursday, and the party is only beginning.
Amid the salary-cap era in hockey that encourages parity throughout the league, a dynasty isn't supposed to form like what's been cherished in Chicago. But the Blackhawks have found a way.
As the Cup makes its rounds throughout the city, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has some tough decisions to make. One of the reasons this team has established such success is because Bowman has built around the core of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and other household names with strong role players.
For 2015-'16, the Blackhawks have 14 players on the books for about $64 million, and the salary cap is projected to be about $71 million. That means Chicago will be busy this offseason.
Bowman must do it again if the Blackhawks hope to repeat as champions. Let's look at the roster and what's to come.
Note: This only accounts for one-way contracts.
Forwards
Jonathan Toews -- center, 27
Contract: 8 years, $10.5 million per
Status: Untouchable
Note: Toews is the heart and soul of the team, and he'll retire as a Blackhawk and one of the franchise's all-time greats.
Patrick Kane -- winger, 26
Contract: 8 years, $10.5 million per
Status: Untouchable
Note: A few years ago, Kane's immaturity upset the organization. Now, he's a franchise face.
Marian Hossa -- winger, 36
Contract: 6 years, 5.3 million per
Status: Likely returning
Note: While Hossa's contract runs through age 42, there's no reason to think he'll slow down anytime soon.
Patrick Sharp -- winger, 33
Contract: 2 years, $5.9 million per
Status: Trade bait
Note: Sharp's the Blackhawks' most versatile trade asset.
Brandon Saad -- winger, 22
Contract: Restricted free agent
Status: Almost certain to return
Note: While Saad is going to be one of the hottest free agents available, the Blackhawks will pay whatever is necessary, then work around whatever cap room remains.
Antoine Vermette -- forward, 32
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
Status: Likely leaving
Note: Vermette was a terrific trade acquisition, but it's likely he'll move elsewhere.
Kris Versteeg -- winger, 29
Contract: 1 year, $2.2 million
Status: Likely returning
Note: Coach Joel Quenneville trusts Versteeg, and he carries a low salary.
Bryan Bickell -- winger, 29
Contract: 2 years, $4 million per
Status: Trade bait
Note: This looks like a bad contract, but Bickell still has trade value.
Brad Richards -- center, 35
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
Status: Uncertain
Note: The Blackhawks gave Richards a one-year chance, and he more than lived up to the hope.
Andrew Shaw -- forward, 23
Contract: 1 year, $2 million
Status: Returning
Note: Count on Shaw to bring his versatility and tenacious play back next season.
Teuvo Teravainen -- forward, 20
Contract: 2 years, $894,167 per
Status: Returning
Note: Meet one the key pieces to the Blackhawks' future
Marcus Kruger -- center, 25
Contract: Restricted free agent
Status: Uncertain
Note: Kruger is an important role player but could be a cap casualty.
Joakim Nordstrom -- center, 23
Contract: Restricted free agent
Status: Uncertain
Note: Nordstrom is a quality player at a position of great depth.
Andrew Desjardins -- winger, 28
Remaining Salary: Unrestricted free agent
Status: Likely to return
Note: Desjardins overachieved on the Blackhawks' fourth line and doesn't require a big contract.
Daniel Carcillo -- winger, 30
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
Status: Likely leaving
Note: The Blackhawks have too much depth on the wings.
Defensemen
Duncan Keith -- defenseman, 31
Contract: 8 years, $5.5 million per
Status: Untouchable
Note: Keith is a future Hall of Famer who was once locked into a 13-year deal.
Brent Seabrook -- defenseman, 30
Contract: 1 year, $5.8 million
Status: Uncertain
Note: While the Blackhawks could lock in Seabrook long term, his salary could open cap room.
Niklas Hjalmarsson -- defenseman, 28
Contract: 4 years, $4.1 million per
Status: Returning
Note: Hjalmarsson is one of the NHL's most underrated defensemen.
Johnny Oduya -- defenseman, 33
Remaining Salary: Unrestricted free agent
Status: Likely leaving
Note: With some promising prospects moving up, it's hard to see Oduya returning
Michal Rozsival -- defenseman, 36
Contract: Unrestricted Free Agent
Status: Likely leaving
Note: Even if Rozsival wasn't coming off a gruesome ankle fracture, he wouldn't fit with the Blackhawks.
David Rundblad -- defenseman, 24
Contract: Restricted free agent
Status: Uncertain
Note: He's a young player with upside, the Blackhawks may bring Rundblad back.
Kyle Cumiskey -- defenseman, 28
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
Status: Uncertain
Note: Cumiskey's a decent defenseman who could add depth.
Goaltenders
Corey Crawford -- goalie, 30
Contract: 5 years, $6 million per
Status: Returning
Note: GM Stan Bowman confirmed that Crawford isn't going anywhere.
Antti Raanta -- goalie, 26
Contract: 1 year, $750,000
Status: Trade Bait
Note: With a recent contract extension, Scott Darling is the Blackhawks' backup moving forward.
Scott Darling -- goalie, 26
Contract: 2 years, $587,000 per
Status: Returning
Note: The Blackhawks are committed to Darling.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
