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Chicago Blackhawks fans shouldn’t expect fireworks at the NHL trade deadline for a crucial reason motivating the team’s plans.
Chicago Blackhawks fans may be expecting some fireworks at the NHL trade deadline. But the fact is that this year, the club might likely push back from the table.
The rationale is simple. The team has so much talent coming up the pipeline, it doesn’t make any sense to sell, much less buy.
In a February 11 mailbag, Scott Powers of The Athletic delved into this matter. Powers pulled out his crystal ball and rightfully identified that the Blackhawks would not likely be making any major moves at this point. With so much talent coming into the NHL, it’s tough to envision the Blackhawks making any significant moves.
The Blackhawks won’t likely make any other splashes in the offseason. The team’s roster is pretty much set. The only major question mark at this point would be signing Connor Bedard to an extension. That’s essentially a given, especially since it would be unfathomable to imagine Bedard going anywhere.
That said, veterans like Tyler Bertuzzi and Andre Burakovsky may be pieces that could draw some attention on the trade market. Burakovsky will be entering the final year of his current deal next season. That situation might draw some teams looking for a middle-six scorer.
Bertuzzi is under contract for two more seasons. If push comes to shove, for instance, if someone like Anton Frondell makes a serious case for playing time, Bertuzzi could become expendable.
But that’s a bridge the organization will cross when it comes to it.
Blackhawks Have Major Decisions Regarding Free Agents
The Blackhawks have several impending UFAs. The most notable is captain Nick Foligno. The chatter is that Foligno will determine if he’ll be back. If he wants to, Chicago will find a spot for him.
If he opts to move on or retire, that will be his choice.
Forwards Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev are question marks. While the Blackhawks could use some veteran support, there might not be much room for them in next year’s lineup. Plus, signing them to multi-year deals might get in the way of up-and-coming prospects.
That said, GM Kyle Davidson might not want to take any chances. He could be looking to hedge his bets by keeping serviceable veterans on palatable deals, of course.
Chicago Blue Line Has No Room for Vets
The biggest name making the rounds in Blackhawks rumors is Connor Murphy. The 32-year-old is in the final year of his deal and purportedly on various teams’ radars. That situation could mean Murphy might be the only deal the Blackhawks pull off this season.
With the glut of young talent potentially hitting the NHL next season, there won’t be any room for someone like Murphy. The same goes for Matt Grzelcyk. However, one or perhaps both might return next season, if they are willing to sign team-friendly deals.
That’s a major question mark at this point. It doesn’t seem like the Blackhawks are overly eager to sign veterans to multi-year deals, especially if it means blocking young players’ path to the NHL.
Ultimately, Chicago will likely have a quiet trade deadline, unless it means moving out a veteran to a desperate team.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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