The Chicago Blackhawks are priced about $16 million below the salary cap, with roughly nine roster spots to fill next season. General Manager Kyle Davidson’s most pressing need is strong Top six and a power-play unit, so Conor Beddard can thrive as a projected first overall pick in his rookie season. As a result, open roster spots must be filled with short-term free agent signings in order to go deeper, and they must take on bad contracts to add assets for the future.
Related: Blackhawks Free Agent Goals for 2023: DefeTwo breezes
The maximum salary is only expected Soared $1 million next season to $82.5 million. This presents the perfect opportunity to add players from tie-breaking teams needing maximum space for high-quality assets in turn. Here are some players the Blackhawks can look forward to trading this season.
Mike Hoffman
Hoffman is a one-dimensional offensive sniper who has achieved great power play success during his career. His power play production would give the Blackhawks a capable six-goal midfield winger who can attack no matter who he plays with. Hoffman’s game is similar to former Blackhawk (and Montreal Canadiens) Max Domi in that he scores but would not be confused with someone who plays a two-way game.
While the Canadiens are also a rebuilding team, they might be desperate to create cap space if they traded a disgruntled Winnipeg Jet, Pierre-Luc Dubois. They have several bloated contracts, and Hoffman appears to be the easiest to transition with only a year remaining on his deal.
Anthony Mantha
Mantha would be a low-risk, high-reward candidate running back for the Blackhawks. Very High Average Annual Net Worth of $5.7 Million (AAV) Insiders prognosticate The Washington Capitals will need to drop an asset or two to move 6-foot-5 forward. Mantha doesn’t play the imposing power steering role, but he does bring a unique size and mix of skills to the table. Being on a team like Chicago with low expectations during a contract year has all the makings of a rebounding year for the Canadian forward.
Latest news and highlights
Barclay Goodrow
Barclay Goodrow can provide the toughness and proven leadership Chicago needs. He is a capable but overpaid third baseman that the New York Rangers can no longer afford; He signed for $3.67 million from AAV for the next four seasons. Goodrow has a 16-team non-trade clause, but that shouldn’t be an issue for Chicago who will immediately become a bigger draw with Bédard and his ability to speed up rebuilding. I expect other teams trying to land inflated contracts, like the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers, will also be on Goodrow’s no-trade list.
Michael Granlund
Granlund possesses the kind of skill that general managers want in their advanced core. He can play all three forward positions and on special teams. He is also an excellent playmaker, but very dangerous. However, Granlund has been particularly bad after being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, putting up five points in 22 games. The Penguins are likely in the market to replace suspended unrestricted free agent Jason Zucker, and if Granlund is not seen as the inside replacement in the top six, he will be traded or bought.
Newly appointed Chief of Hockey Operations Kyle Dupas hasn’t been shy about giving up salary in the past (Patrick Marlowe’s trade) and even more recently with the Blackhawks (Peter Mrazek’s trade). Trading in Granlund would require a significant asset as a sweetener, so a buyout might be more likely, but it would cost Pittsburgh nearly $2 million in dead space for four years.
Mike Riley/ Derek Forport
Mike Riley and Derek Forport could pool significant assets to provide Boston with $6 million in roof space. Forbort would add left-handed defensive depth to a Chicago team that needed him, while Reilly is an everyday NHL defensive player who was forced out of the lineup due to the Bruins’ defensive depth.
Riley is a Chicago native who has demonstrated his talent for playing in the top four as a mobile defensive lineman in stretches during his career. He needs a fresh start, a coach who inspires confidence in him, and space to make mistakes in order to succeed again. Chicago can provide all of that for Riley, and the worst case scenario for getting him would be if he helps the team hit the limit.
With patience, you get what you want
Assuming Bedard picks first overall, the hardest part of rebuilding the Blackhawks is over. Now is the time to stay the course and keep adding quality pieces and prospects to their system. Trading bloated contracts will help the team hit the pay floor while adding depth and assets that can be flipped for a modest return on the trade deadline. With a relatively flat cap, Chicago can strike while the irons are hot and take advantage of the tied teams before the cap goes up in a few years.