"Like I said all along, we have some ideas of what we're going to do," Bowman said. "A lot of things happen once camps open, both for us and for other teams, in terms of players maybe you expect to meet expectations don't quite do it and certain teams are looking around trying to find players. I always think you're always in a good position when you have a lot of established players. I think that's better than the other way around."

The Blackhawks have 23 players under contract for next year, according to CapGeek, but one of them is top prospect Teuvo Teravainen, a forward who might start the year with Rockford of the American Hockey League. Without his $894,167 salary-cap charge included, the Blackhawks are $1.3 million over.

Somebody has to go. Those who get mentioned most are defensemen Johnny Oduya, forward Patrick Sharp, defenseman Brent Seabrook and defenseman Michal Rozsival. Forward Bryan Bickell also gets mentioned on occasion.

Hedger continues and talks with Oduya and Sharp regarding their uncertain futures...