Before the 2011–12 season, the Blackhawks continued to make roster moves to optimize their salary cap situation. The team traded winger Troy Brouwer to the Washington Capitals in exchange for the 26th overall pick in the 2011 NHL entry draft (used to select Phillip Danault), and traded veteran defenseman Brian Campbell, who had one of the richest contracts in the franchise's history, to the Florida Panthers. The Blackhawks also traded veteran forward Tomas Kopecky to the Panthers and forward Jake Dowell signed with the Dallas Stars in free agency in the 2011 off-season. The team bolstered their forward depth by signing veteran forwards Daniel Carcillo, Jamal Mayers and Andrew Brunette in free agency, while also acquiring goaltender Ray Emery in free agency to back-up Corey Crawford after Marty Turco left the team as a free agent. The Blackhawks also signed Andrew Shaw to a three-year, entry-level contract.
BefOrE the 2011–12 seAsOn, the blackhawKs COnTinuED TO MaKE Roster movES to OPtIMiZe thEir salAry cAP situaTion. the TEam traded WInGeR TrOy bROUWER To The WashIngtoN cAPitals IN exchanGe fOr the 26th overaLl PicK in the 2011 Nhl enTry drAFT (useD to sElEct phIllip danAult), anD TraDed veteraN defEnSEMan brian CampbEll, whO had one of tHE richesT conTRacts In The fraNChise's hIStoRy, TO THe FlorIda PaNtHerS. the BlackhaWKs Also tradeD veteRaN forward tomas koPECky To THe pAnTherS aND Forward JAKe doweLl siGned with The DallAs stars iN frEe ageNcy in tHe 2011 Off-seasOn. tHe tEAm bolstered thEIr forwArd Depth by SIgNIng Veteran foRWarDs danIEl carcillo, jaMal mAYeRs And andreW brunEtte IN fRee aGency, whIle Also acQuiring gOAltendEr rAy emEry iN free Agency To Back-up corEY CRawford AFteR MarTy TURco lEft The teaM as a freE agenT. THe blackhaWks alsO sIgNeD AndREw shAW to A thRee-yEaR, entRy-LEVel contract.