{"id":550334,"date":"2026-04-11T13:39:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T13:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/550334\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T13:39:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T13:39:18","slug":"buying-out-andre-burakovsky-makes-sense-for-the-chicago-blackhawks-the-hockey-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/550334\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying Out Andre Burakovsky Makes Sense for the Chicago Blackhawks – The Hockey Writers –"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Blackhawks\u2019 youth movement is in full effect. Connor Bedard is emerging as a superstar<\/a>. Spencer Knight has been elite this season. Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert<\/a> are both getting their first taste of NHL hockey. There is so much to say about the team\u2019s young players, but one of my biggest frustrations has been Andre Burakovsky<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Burakovsky started strong, posting 17 points in the first 20 games. However, as the season progressed, he cooled off and has struggled to regain his form. In the last 19 games, he has just two points. What\u2019s more frustrating is how much head coach Jeff Blashill has played him. It took everything out of Blashill to take Burakovsky off the top line.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t make sense. Obviously, Burakovsky wasn\u2019t producing, and it wasn\u2019t just bad luck. This season, he has a 13.1 percent shooting percentage (S%), which is around his career average of 13.3 percent. He has also struggled on the defensive side of the puck. Teams rely on their veterans to be good defensively, especially with a young roster.<\/p>\n

\"AndreOct 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andre Burakovsky (28) celebrates after he scores past Utah Mammoth goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Of every forward who has suited up for the Blackhawks this season, Burakovsky is fourth-worst in expected goals against per 60 minutes<\/a> (xGA\/60). The only forwards who are worse are: Frondell, Bedard and Ryan Greene.<\/p>\n

Frondell is still finding his way through his first taste of NHL hockey, so we can expect him to struggle defensively. Bedard\u2019s good outweighs his bad, so that\u2019s not a real concern, and Greene is another young player finding his way in the league.<\/p>\n

Blashill has noted more than once that Burakovsky is doing well with the details of the game, and he still trusts him. I understand being patient, and there are other little aspects to the game, but if he isn\u2019t scoring or playing well defensively, he should be moved down the lineup, especially on a team with a plethora of young players who need ice time.<\/p>\n

Coach Blashill on Burakovsky’s goal: #Blackhawks<\/a> <\/p>\n

“If he wasn’t working as hard as he’s worked. If he wasn’t caring as much as he’s cared, maybe we don’t keep him up there (on the top line). \u2026 Eventually it felt like it was going to happen for him, and glad it did.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Gail Kauchak (@littlegailk) March 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

On top of his struggles, Burakovsky carries a $5.5 million cap hit<\/a> heading into next season, which is very expensive, even for a team with a lot of cap space.<\/p>\n

Why Buying Out Burakovsky Makes Sense<\/p>\n

I\u2019m always wary of buying out players who are entering the last year of their contract. Why not ride out one more season to get rid of the cap hit, but after putting his contract through the PuckPedia buyout calculator<\/a>, it makes sense.<\/p>\n

If the Blackhawks buy out Burakovsky\u2019s contract before the 2026-27 season, his dead cap hit would be $3 million, saving Chicago $2.5 million against the cap. The dead cap penalty would only drag on for one season after that, sitting at $1.25 million for 2027-28.<\/p>\n

Related: Blackhawks Are in a Perfect Position for the Offseason<\/a><\/p>\n

The salary cap is expected to rise to around $113.5 million<\/a> by 2027-28, and if that\u2019s the case, Burakovsky\u2019s dead cap hit would account for just over one per cent of the team\u2019s salary that season. Buying out Burakovsky would open up a roster spot for younger players at minimal cost. It would also move him off the roster without having to give up any assets, and might prompt general manager Kyle Davidson to take a swing at a trade or a signing this offseason. We\u2019ll see what management decides to do when the time comes. <\/p>\n

\"SUBSCRIBE<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t