Realistic Expectations a Must for Blackhawks Front Office

CHICAGO (FOX Chicago News) -

Blackhawk rosters before the good fortune of selecting Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews in the NHL Entry Draft had a few things in common. The clubs were not equipped with a strong enough core and too many players were asked to be something they were not capable of being. A roster short of high end talent and players being slotted over their head is a recipe for disaster. In the NHL that translates into a club which continually misses the playoffs and a balance sheet full of red ink.

Today the Hawks possess a much stronger core, although some would say the most talented players haven’t been as consistent as needed in the past two seasons. That point could be debated but what has been true is too many players since the Stanley Cup season have been asked to be something they haven’t been in the past.

Too much has been expected of too many which led to barely qualifying for post season play in 2010-2011 and then losing in the first round. Last season was an up and down campaign and in the end another first round playoff defeat came about.

Over the weekend the Blackhawks inked forward Jamal Mayers to a one year contract extension. It was announced on Monday GM Stan Bowman also locked up defenseman Johnny Oduya for the next three years. Oduya will be a $3.375 annual cap hit and with a three year deal he can enjoy some security.

Judging from feedback from many Blackhawk fans these two signings have not been overwhelmingly accepted. There seems to be a fear in the air the Hawks front office will look for small fixes to patch holes. That thinking could turn out to be correct although it is still too early to tell. There is trepidation GM Bowman will not build the correct roster and another long summer awaits Hawk fans next year as well.

So what does the Mayers and Oduya signings mean?

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