Blackhawks GM Bowman on getting under cap: 'We have ideas of what we're going to do'

After falling one win short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in five years, the Chicago Blackhawks remain in good position to contend once again in 2014-15. 

But with the free agent signing of Brad Richards to a one-year, $2-million contract, general manager Stan Bowman faces a $2.2-million overage and is tasked with shedding some salary prior to the start of the season.

Bowman, however, doesn't appear too fazed about the look of his team's Capgeek page.

"We certainly have to be ready to go by October, that's the goal," Bowman said Friday at the annual Blackhawks Convention, as per NHL.com. "A lot of things change between now and then. You have to display some patience."

He is, of course, a man with a plan, and while he wouldn't tip his hand, he feels his team is in a good spot to make moves without sacrificing the fabric of the core:

Like I said all along, we have some ideas of what we're going to do. 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.

Two names that have been bandied around are Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya, both of whom are taking the speculation in stride.

If it's not one of those two, someone else will have to be moved, and they may have to wait until the end of the offseason to find out who.