Blackhawks Thu Sep 12 2013

Stan Bowman Earns Extension After Locking In Winner

By Jim Crago

After rebuilding a team to its second Stanley Cup in four seasons, and re-signing players to contracts -- which should keep the renaissance on West Madison intact for some time -- Blackhawks vice president and general manager Stan Bowman was rewarded with a contract extension of his own. Bowman, who is entering his thirteenth season within the Blackhawks organization, will stay on board after inking a two-year deal, which will keep him around through the 2017-'18 season.

There's no question that Bowman, who prior to last season was on the receiving end of biting criticism, which may or may not have been deserved, turned things around after being dealt a hand with a few aces and not much else. Many fans asked for the 40-year-old executive to skate out of town, especially with his decision to keep the team, for the most part, as-is prior to last season. Turns out it was the decision that turned Bowman from heel to hero.

Former general manager Dale Tallon, now with the Florida Panthers, built the core of this current team, including selecting Jonathan Toews number one overall in 2006; drafting Patrick Kane number one overall in 2007; signing Brian Campbell and Antti Niemi in 2008, and so on and so forth. The result was the franchise's fourth Cup (2010) in its history and its first since 1960, which almost sounds absurd for an Original Six team.

The catch, however, was that Tallon inked these key figures to monstrous deals as a way to win and win now, without looking ahead to the future. It was all well and good, as everyone marched the streets of Michigan Avenue with the red and black iconic sweater. But questions began to arise about the team being an astounding $4.15 million over the cap limit and how that was going to be handled.

Eventually, the guillotine came down on Tallon and half the team, Bowman was thrust onto the throne and began making right to ensure what would end up being the franchise's fifth Cup and a chance to make an unprecedented run in the salary-cap era. There's no official word on the monetary amount Bowman received, but you can bet what's in your wallet it's worth it.

NEWS AND NOTES

-- Training camp finally starts Thursday at Notre Dame's Compton Family Ice Arena, but team members made their way to the United Center yesterday for physicals to play a little round of "turn your head and cough."

-- Some of the youngsters will look to make an impression early with the likes of 2013 first-round draft pick Ryan Hartman, as well as 2012 picks Teuvo Teravainen, Travis Brown, Dillon Fournier and Brandon Whitney. Other draft picks from 2011 and 2010 will also make the trip.