The architect of a Chicago Blackhawks team that has won three Stanley Cup championships in the last six NHL seasons now has a new year on his contract for every Cup the Hawks have hoisted. On Tuesday, Chicago ownership announced a three-year contract extension for senior vice president and general manager Stan Bowman.
"I am proud of how much Stan and his staff have accomplished and have great confidence in his leadership as our organization continues to strive for consistent excellence," Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough said, per the team's website. "Under Stan's guidance, our Hockey Operations Department is strong across all levels, including scouting, player evaluation and development, and salary cap management. He has created a sound structure that Blackhawks fans can be excited about for many years to come."
Bowman is now in his 15th season with the club, sixth as general manager.
Under the Bowman's guidance, the Blackhawks have become one of the truest rarities in a league built on the principle of parity - a dynasty. Through shrewd drafting and developing and locking up stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane long-term, Bowman has provided Chicago with a core base of talent that rivals any team in the league.
As such, he's afforded himself the ability to make jarring, if ultimately necessary moves like shipping off promising young forward Brandon Saad once it became clear that a contract extension was not possible. But perhaps Bowman's most impressive work has been done with recruiting and churning the bottom portion of the roster.
Just this season, Bowman plugged in players like Artemi Panarin and Teuvo Teravainen and not only has the entire roster not missed a beat, those young players have excelled in their expanded roles. With players like Marko Dano, Nick Schmaltz and Ville Pokka in the NHL pipeline and Bowman handed a contract extension, the future remains bright in Chicago.
