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general manager Stan Bowman isnt even 48 hours removed from his team claiming its third Stanley Cup in six years, but the gears are already turning when it comes to 2015-16. He has a difficult task ahead with a salary cap to maneuver under while trying to keep the Blackhawks among the elite in the NHL.Bowman addre sed the Chicago media Wednesday to discu s both the year that was and the work that Tony Bradley Jersey remains ahead of him.The extensions of star players and at a combined $21 million annually kicking in next season is going to put immediate strain on Chicagos salary cap situation.Chicago has seven players that have been major contributors to the team's last three Stanley Cup wins, but they're going to end up accounting for about $47.6 million of cap space next season if they all remain on the team. Though next years cap has not officially been set by the league, commi sioner Gary Bettman has said he expects it to be in the $71 million range.Without knowing that number definitively, theres not much Bowman can say about his plans, but he tried to give a general idea Wednesday.I certainly hope so, Bowman said when asked if hed like to keep the Blackhawks core group intact. Theres a lot of questions we have to answer over the next 10 days.Were going to do our best. Wed like to have some stability. Thats been a hallmark over the years. A lot of our key players are back. There are some variables we havent locked down yet, but its John Stockton Jersey too early to tell. keeping the Blackhawks core intact will be difficult under the projected salary cap.One of the biggest items on Bowmans to-do list is to find a way to keep restricted free agent . Hes a prime candidate for an offer sheet from another team, but it sounds like it would take a lot for Chicago not to match and worry about the details later.Brandons grown as a player and we want him to continue Bojan Bogdanovic Jersey to grow and take on a bigger role next year, Bowman said. Hes going to be a big part of our group for many years. Well make it work. Saad sounds like he wants to be back as well.Its something thats cro sed my mind, for sure, Saad said of the looming negotiations . The moneys going to come and go. But to win championships and play on a great team, thats what its all about. We have a tight group here. Im close with a lot of the guys, and its fun out there on the ice and off the ice. The goal is to be in Chicago.Saad also noted that hed like to .It wont get done right away, though. Bowman said the team needs to find out what the salary cap is going to be first. Once that happens, Jeff Green Jersey then we should start seeing the maneuvering, perhaps as soon as the NHL Draft.Whatever the case, Saad should be on the receiving end of a healthy raise, whether it comes from the Blackhawks or via offer sheet. A two-time Stanley Cup winner already at age 22, Saad is coming off a career year in which he posted 23 goals and 29 a sists. He also posted eight goals and three a sists during 23 playoff games on the road to the Stanley Cup.Other players with expiring deals like fourth-line center , himself a two-time Stanley Cup champion, and deadline acquisitions and will also be candidates for new deals that Bowman will explore as he said he hasnt ruled anything out.Bowman admitted that there would have to be changes, just as there often is for every Stanley Cup champion. He also likes the idea of adding fresh blood, particularly players that haven't won the Stanley Cup before. With that in mind, the team has also been loading up on free agents on entry-level contracts over the years, most recently undrafted college free agent Kyle Baun and skilled Ru sian forward Artemy Panarin. The club also has prospects in their pipeline that could be ready for a full-time role on the team like defenseman Stephen Johns and forward .Those are the types of players that can help ease the salary cap burden with their cheaper deals.Keeping the core together is going to be quite difficult for the Blackhawks. Theres a good chance one of the seven players that has been through all three titles will be on the way out. Others outside the core like defenseman could end up departing via Elijah Hughes Jersey free agency. As Bowman said, there will be changes, but probably not enough to knock the Blackhawks out of contention anytime soon.