Deadline Primer: Chicago Blackhawks

With the trade deadline fast approaching, we will be taking a closer look at the situation for each team.  Where do they stand, what do they need to do, and what assets do they have to fill those needs?  Next up is a look at the Chicago Blackhawks.

2018 looks like it will bring the end of a decade of playoff appearances for the Chicago Blackhawks, who came as close to a dynasty as you can in today’s NHL by winning three Stanley Cups in six seasons. The team sits last in the Central Division and started selling today by moving Michal Kempny for a third-round pick. That should be followed by several other moves, but more substantial changes may have to wait for the summer.

Record

25-26-8, seventh in Central Division

Deadline Status

Seller

Deadline Cap Space

$3.9MM full-season cap hit, 0/3 retained salary transactions, 46/50 contracts per CapFriendly

Draft Picks

2018: CHI 1st, CHI 3rd, WSH/TOR 3rd*, CHI 5th, CBJ 5th, CHI 6th, CHI 7th
2019: CHI 1st, CHI 2nd, CHI 3rd, CHI 4th, CHI 5th, CHI 6th, CHI 7th, ANA 7th

*Chicago will receive the earlier of the two picks

Trade Chips

Despite some interest from Blackhawks fans in a rebuild, Chicago isn’t in a position to tear it all down. With Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith all still signed through at least the 2022-23 season it will be some time before a new leadership group comes to town.

That said, there have been interesting rumors surrounding several of the other top names on the club. Brandon Saad’s name has surfaced after he hasn’t made the immediate impact expected, and Artem Anisimov has drawn interest despite his full no-movement clause (which drops to a 10-team no-trade list after this season). Both could bring back nice packages, but are tough trades to make in-season.

Beyond the top names, expiring contracts like Lance Bouma, Tommy Wingels and Cody Franson (who is currently in the minor leagues) could all be swapped for a draft pick before the deadline. Restricted free agents like Ryan Hartman and Tomas Jurco could also draw interest, as could Connor Murphy if a team is willing to take on his long-term deal.

Five Players To Watch For: F Ryan Hartman, F Tommy Wingels, D Cody Franson, D Connor Murphy, F Artem Anisimov

Team Needs

1) Draft Picks & Prospects: Despite it not being a full tear down in Chicago, the team still needs to keep restocking their system with young players. That’s the only way to compete when so much of your cap is committed to an aging quartet, and they’ve dealt away much of their future in previous seasons. If GM Stan Bowman believes the Blackhawks can still compete next season, prospects close to NHL-ready could be more valuable than draft picks, though tough to acquire with certainty.

2) Defensive Help: After watching players like Trevor van Riemsdyk and Niklas Hjalmarsson forced out of town over the past few seasons, the team hoped that Murphy could handle a large role and grow with the team. Instead, they’ve had to lean on a rapidly declining Seabrook and install Jordan Oesterle as one of their top options. While Oesterle has performed better than anyone could expect, the Blackhawks need to find the next group of defenders to take some of the strain off Keith as he heads into his mid-thirties.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images