Blackhawks GM not 'itching' to make a trade despite available cap space
Stan Bowman
The Blackhawks spent three days in Las Vegas before Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights but  general manager Stan Bowman  said  he  stayed away from the casinos.
"I have not gambled for one second "  Bowman  said with a smile Tuesday.
That doesn't match up with who  Bowman  is as a general manager  the type of executive who isn't afraid to put all of  his  chips in to make a trade deadline acquisition. And with about $2.5 million in cap space to play with after putting winger Marian Hossa on long-term injured reserve to start the season   Bowman  has room to make a move.
But 10 games into the season   Bowman   who spoke with reporters Tuesday  said he isn't "itching to make a trade" just because he has cap room.  He  has liked how the Hawks have started the season  especially against a schedule that included eight consecutive games against playoff teams from last season.
"We have got a lot of good players who are sitting out every night  so I don't know if we're going to be acquiring another player "  Bowman  said. "Things are going to change. Whether players' play will drop off  or players get injured. … If there's something that makes sense down the road  whether it's in a month or in three months  then we would look into it. But I don't think that's a top priority right now."
 Bowman  likes that the Hawks have become a more physical team on the bottom line  an emphasis of  Bowman 's in the offseason  with the addition of Lance Bouma and Tommy Wingels  and  he  said some of the Hawks' younger players such as forwards Nick Schmaltz and Alex DeBrincat have exceeded expectations so far.
"I'm a little surprised in a good way that Alex has been as good as he has been "  Bowman  said. "Over the summer  I expected  him  to play in Chicago. I wasn't sure if it was going to be October  or if it was going to be January  but  he  has played really well. That has been a pleasant surprise. Nick missed some time (injured)  but obviously he's showing the signs of having a breakout year."
 Bowman  also singled out defenseman Jan Rutta  who the Hawks signed out of the Czech league  as another player who has stood out.
 His  play has helped create a logjam of defensemen for the Hawks. The Hawks have eight capable blue-liners and it has been difficult for coach Joel Quenneville to balance who will play on a nightly basis. The Hawks scratched Cody Franson and Michal Kempny for Tuesday's game.  Bowman  said this wasn't a bad thing.
"Until someone starts struggling or until we have injuries  it's probably going to be that a good player who is playing well is going to be sitting out "  Bowman  said. "If you want to say it's a good problem to have  it's better than the alternative when you have (only) four defensemen you have faith in and you're scrambling to find five and six. We have to stay patient and things change quickly."
 Bowman  may be a gambler  but  he  doesn't believe now isn't the time to strike.
The Blackhawks spent three days in Las Vegas before Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights but  [TGT]said  [TGT]  stayed away from the casinos.
"I have not gambled for one second [TGT]said with a smile Tuesday.
That doesn't match up with who  [TGT]is as a general manager  the type of executive who isn't afraid to put all of  [TGT]  chips in to make a trade deadline acquisition. And with about $2.5 million in cap space to play with after putting winger Marian Hossa on long-term injured reserve to start the season   [TGT]has room to make a move.
But 10 games into the season   Bowman   who spoke with reporters Tuesday  said [TGT] isn't "itching to make a trade" just because [TGT] has cap room.  [TGT]  has liked how the Hawks have started the season  especially against a schedule that included eight consecutive games against playoff teams from last season.
"We have got a lot of good players who are sitting out every night  so I don't know if we're going to be acquiring another player "  [TGT]said. "Things are going to change. Whether players' play will drop off  or players get injured. … If there's something that makes sense down the road  whether it's in a month or in three months  then we would look into it. But I don't think that's a top priority right now."
 Bowman  likes that the Hawks have become a more physical team on the bottom line  an emphasis of  Bowman 's in the offseason  with the addition of Lance Bouma and Tommy Wingels  and  he  said some of the Hawks' younger players such as forwards Nick Schmaltz and Alex DeBrincat have exceeded expectations so far.
"I'm a little surprised in a good way that Alex has been as good as he has been "  Bowman  said. "Over the summer  I expected  him  to play in Chicago. I wasn't sure if it was going to be October  or if it was going to be January  but  he  has played really well. That has been a pleasant surprise. Nick missed some time (injured)  but obviously he's showing the signs of having a breakout year."
 Bowman  also singled out defenseman Jan Rutta  who the Hawks signed out of the Czech league  as another player who has stood out.
 His  play has helped create a logjam of defensemen for the Hawks. The Hawks have eight capable blue-liners and it has been difficult for coach Joel Quenneville to balance who will play on a nightly basis. The Hawks scratched Cody Franson and Michal Kempny for Tuesday's game.  Bowman  said this wasn't a bad thing.
"Until someone starts struggling or until we have injuries  it's probably going to be that a good player who is playing well is going to be sitting out "  Bowman  said. "If you want to say it's a good problem to have  it's better than the alternative when you have (only) four defensemen you have faith in and you're scrambling to find five and six. We have to stay patient and things change quickly."
 Bowman  may be a gambler  but  he  doesn't believe now isn't the time to strike.