from Madeline Kenney of the Chicago Sun-Times,

In 2016, the Blackhawks’ future looked bright despite being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

At the time, general manager Stan Bowman believed he held the pieces that were going to develop and improve the team. He pointed to budding prospects such as Vinnie Hinostroza, Ryan Hartman, Tyler Motte and Nick Schmaltz, who were going to lead the next successful generation of Hawks.

But after Schmaltz was dealt to the Coyotes for center Dylan Strome and winger Brendan Perlini on Sunday, none of those players Bowman mentioned are with the team. Neither is longtime coach Joel Quenneville, who was fired Nov. 6....

“We’re trying to improve,” Bowman said Monday. “To put it simply, I think we’re trying to have our younger players take the next step and become impact players. At the same time, we’re trying to have our established players continue to be difference-makers. We’re a better team today than we were yesterday simply because we have more depth up front, we have more options.”

Coach Jeremy Colliton said the Hawks didn’t trade Schmaltz to light a fire under some of the slumping young forwards. Rather, Colliton and Bowman saw it as an opportunity to get two “very promising” young forwards for the price of one. Bowman also said the addition of Strome and Perlini “gives us the chance to be competitive this season.”

Competitive, sure. But will it be enough to make the playoffs?

For now, Bowman spoke of being patient with the team as it adjusts to Colliton’s system.

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