TALKING POINTS: Bowman discusses the signing of Mangiapane & more from Free Agency

As the summer of 2024 unfolds, NHL teams are looking to solidify their rosters for the upcoming season. One team that made significant moves during the free agency period is the Chicago Blackhawks, led by General Manager Stan Bowman. Bowman has been in the spotlight, answering tough questions and addressing the franchise’s future direction as the team attempts to return to contention in the highly competitive Western Conference.

A key move for the Blackhawks in this year’s free agency was the signing of Andrew Mangiapane, the skilled left winger previously with the Calgary Flames. The signing of Mangiapane, who is coming off a career year with Calgary, was widely hailed as a positive step forward for a team that’s been in a rebuilding phase for the past few seasons. But the move, along with others made by the Blackhawks in free agency, raised some important questions about the team’s strategy and overall plan for the coming season.

Bowman sat down with the media recently to discuss the Mangiapane signing, the team’s overall free-agent strategy, and the direction the Blackhawks are heading as they look to build around their young core of players. Here are the key talking points from Bowman’s interview regarding the Mangiapane signing, free agency, and what it means for the Blackhawks.

Bowman opened the discussion by highlighting the importance of Mangiapane’s signing to the Blackhawks’ future. The 27-year-old forward is coming off a 34-goal season, finishing as one of the NHL’s top goal-scorers. His addition is seen as a major coup for the Blackhawks, a team in need of proven scoring depth to complement their growing stable of young stars.

“Andrew’s skillset fits exactly what we need right now,” Bowman said. “He’s a dynamic offensive player who has the ability to drive play, score goals, and create opportunities for his teammates. He’s still in the prime of his career, and we believe he can help us in the short term while being a key part of our future.”

The Blackhawks were in dire need of reliable scoring outside of their young core, and Mangiapane’s ability to contribute on both ends of the ice is a perfect match. His two-way game is one of the main reasons why the Blackhawks felt confident in signing him to a long-term contract.

“We’ve been looking for players who can complement our emerging stars,” Bowman continued. “Andrew is not just a goal scorer, he’s a two-way player who can play in all situations. He’ll bring stability to our forward group while helping to mentor the younger players.”

Mangiapane’s arrival in Chicago is part of a broader strategy by the Blackhawks to surround their young talents with experienced players who can lead by example and help accelerate their development. The Blackhawks’ recent draft picks, including top picks Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski, are expected to be the faces of the franchise in the near future. Bowman emphasized that Mangiapane’s leadership and experience will be essential in guiding these young stars through their formative years.

“We’ve made a concerted effort to surround our younger players with veterans who can show them the ropes,” Bowman explained. “Andrew has been through the grind of the NHL and knows what it takes to be successful in this league. He’ll help bring structure to our lineup and make sure that our young players have the right support system in place as they grow into their roles.”

Mangiapane’s leadership qualities also align with the team’s desire to foster a winning culture. His success in Calgary, including multiple seasons of 20+ goals, is proof of his reliability and his ability to elevate those around him. Having played under Darryl Sutter’s structured system with the Flames, Mangiapane has developed the discipline and work ethic that Bowman hopes will rub off on the Blackhawks’ emerging stars.

While Mangiapane was the headline signing for the Blackhawks, Bowman was quick to point out that the team’s free-agent acquisitions were part of a broader, well-thought-out plan to bring balance to the roster. In addition to Mangiapane, the Blackhawks made several smaller moves that provide depth and leadership. Bowman stressed that free agency was never about making a splash for the sake of it, but rather about adding pieces that fit the team’s long-term vision.

“We weren’t looking to just make big moves for the sake of it. We wanted to make calculated decisions that would fit our system and our team culture,” Bowman said. “Mangiapane was a priority for us because he brings a lot of what we need right now, but we also added players who can fill important roles and provide leadership in the locker room.”

The Blackhawks also made an effort to bolster their defensive depth and add stability in goal, areas that were identified as weak spots from the previous season. Bowman mentioned that the team had targeted specific players who would help in these areas without disrupting the team’s salary cap flexibility.

“We’re always looking to improve every position, but it’s also about the long-term health of the team. We’ve seen the importance of having depth and balance, and that’s what we’ve been trying to achieve in this free agency period,” Bowman said.

The signing of Mangiapane, along with the other acquisitions, came with a careful balancing act concerning the team’s salary cap. While the Blackhawks are still in the midst of a rebuild, Bowman made it clear that the team wants to remain flexible enough to take advantage of future opportunities. Chicago has significant cap space over the next few seasons, which gives them the ability to make further moves if necessary.

“We’ve been intentional about managing our cap space,” Bowman noted. “We’re in a situation where we’re building a team for the long-term, but we also want to remain competitive now. Signing Andrew was part of our vision for both the short and long-term. We want to make sure we have the cap flexibility to continue to make improvements as we see fit.”

Bowman’s ability to manage the cap in such a way that allows the team to improve now while keeping the door open for future moves has been a key factor in the Blackhawks’ rebuilding efforts. With Bedard and Korchinski expected to be key pieces for years to come, the Blackhawks are positioning themselves to make significant moves when the time is right.

Bowman also looked ahead to the 2024-2025 season, acknowledging that while the team is still in a rebuilding phase, the goal is to continue developing while remaining competitive. The addition of Mangiapane, along with other key signings, should provide the team with a better chance to compete for a playoff spot.

“We’re not in a situation where we’re just looking for the future. We want to be competitive now and set the foundation for sustained success,” Bowman explained. “We’ve got a young core that is going to be very exciting to watch, and we’re committed to developing them properly. At the same time, we need to build around them with players who can help us win now and in the years to come.”

The Blackhawks will face a tough test in the Central Division, which is known for its highly competitive nature. However, Bowman is optimistic that the moves made in free agency, along with the continued growth of the team’s younger players, will give the Blackhawks a solid foundation to build upon.

“We know that the road ahead isn’t going to be easy. But we’re putting the right pieces in place to take the next step. We’ve got the right leadership, the right development system, and the right mindset to start moving toward a more competitive team.”

Despite the short-term additions, Bowman emphasized that the Blackhawks’ ultimate goal is to return to Stanley Cup contention. The team’s rebuild is centered around developing elite talent, but Bowman acknowledged that it will take time and patience to return the Blackhawks to their former glory.

“We’re building for the long haul,” Bowman stated. “The vision is clear: we want to develop our young players, surround them with the right leadership, and make sure that we’re building a team that can compete for championships down the road. We’re committed to that process, and the moves we’ve made this summer are just one piece of the puzzle.”

Mangiapane’s signing is just one part of the larger puzzle for the Blackhawks, but it signals an important step in the right direction. With Bedard, Korchinski, and a strong supporting cast, the Blackhawks hope to build a team that can once again compete for the ultimate prize in the NHL.

In the end, Bowman’s comments made it clear that the Blackhawks are entering a new era, one that will be driven by both the growth of their young stars and strategic moves in free agency. The addition of Mangiapane is a major step in this process, bringing in a proven talent who can help lead the team both on and off the ice.

As the team continues to evolve and adjust to the changing landscape of the NHL, Bowman’s vision for the future remains grounded in a balanced approach—one that allows for both short-term competitiveness and long-term success. Whether or not the Blackhawks can immediately return to playoff contention remains to be seen, but with key additions like Mangiapane and a promising core of young players, the franchise is positioning itself for success in the years to come.

For now, the Blackhawks are setting the stage for a season that could be a turning point in the rebuilding process, with high hopes and expectations surrounding a team that is on the cusp of something bigger.