There’s been no shortage of turnover in Chicago this summer, with the team acquiring Olli Maatta, Calvin de Haan, Andrew Shaw, and Alexander Nylander, signing Robin Lehner, and drafting Kirby Dach, while watching Dominik Kahun, John Hayden, Gustav Forsling, Marcus Kruger, and Henri Jokiharju depart. Yet, the re-shaping of the roster may not be done yet. Blackhawks insider Jay Zawaski of the Madhouse Chicago Hockey Podcast reports that the team is actively shopping young forward Brendan Perlini.
Perlini, 23, is currently a restricted free agent looking for his first deal following the expiration of his entry-level contract. While the big winger was trending towards a nice pay day through his first two NHL seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, the status quo is much less clear since Perlini was dealt to the Blackhawks this past season alongside Dylan Strome. While Strome took off in Chicago, Perlini struggled and only began to find his game late in the season. Altogether, Perlini recorded just 15 points in more than half a season with the Blackhawks and never looked to fully gain the trust of the coaching staff. While it’s obvious that this could cause a rift between the team and player when it comes to contract negotiations, there was never any indication that it went so far as Chicago seeking to trade Perlini rather than re-sign him, at least until now.
With very little salary cap space remaining – approximately $2.04MM according to CapFriendly – and a lineup that still needs three more forwards, the Blackhawks have to be both creative and careful with how they fill out the roster. If the team is struggling to convince Perlini, a player they might not be sold on, to take a deal that fits within their cap constraints, then shopping him makes sense. On the other hand, they could be giving up too quickly on a young player who dealt with a change of scenery but has previously looked like a future 20-goal scorer. It never hurts to test the trade waters and see what the return may be for a player, but Chicago will have to make sure that they’re moving Perlini for the right reasons and for a fair return or risk ending up on the wrong side of a potential deal.
Oilers would be smart to get in on this. Maybe he could find some chemistry with McDavid and the Oilers need cheap, skilled wingers.
I really like Perlini. He’s got a frame and skill set that suggest he can be a Jamie Benn type (<–keyword) player.
The Pens should offer Adam Johnson and a 5th round pick for him.
Wander if Edmonton would bring Ethan Bear into discussion for Perlini. Pittsburgh deal is enticing offer.
So many teams with cap problems this offseason. Who has real space?
He must have something else going on with him. You don’t usually see young guys with promise moved (or shopped) so early in their careers.
Jd,
What he has going on is that he sucks !
JD, commenting on a Hawks post about trading promising young players, maybe you should have done a little bit of research. Lol, Stan alone has pulled the trigger on countless deals moving “promising” young players such as Hartman, Hayes, Joki, etc. I get your point, but this happens all the time+. I do like Perlini…he is one of the fastest players and has shown flashes of being a darn good winger on a 3rd Line. I believe that the Hawks are going to be back in the playoffs in 2019-2020 and be very difficult to play against. The Defense was improved and it is starting to look like they will be able to roll all 4 lines and be able to consistently create matchup problems. GO HAWKS 2019!
Agree with HOFhoss. as a Black Hawks fan for some time even down here in Tennessee , Chicago has made some good moves, through trades and draft, and show promise that may get them back in contention for the playoffs as few teams in Central Division have taken a step back , that will make the Black Hawks contenders for playoffs again, I like the moves Stan has made this year on offense and defense, through draft, giving the Hawks better options now and in future, I am a Happy Black Hawk fan once again. Hawks Win, Hawks Win, The Mighty Black Hawks, Go Hawks!!!!
Bowman sucks
Leprechaun , what team do you like, or are you just a hater, was just wandering so I can hate on your team later.
And there it is!
I have a box lower level Hawks that I share with another company. I’m a Hawks fan and have seen enough to know that Bowman is in over his bald ass head. Without Daddy he would be the Zamboni driver.
Maybe your lucky lower level box, I am a Big Fan of the Hawks for years, since days of Roenick, Savard, Chelios, I am a Hawks fanatic from Tennessee, you claim to be a fan of the Hawks, but you hate on Bowman , calling him everything in the book, I am pretty sure all fans of all teams have problems with their GM , or who their daddy is , and first I was liking statements by Hoss , just don’t care about your negative remarks to a lot of people on here because you hate Bowman , it’s all you talk about, now this conversation is Over!
Perlini can’t score against 3rd/4th liners let alone 1st/2nd liners. Lol Oiler fans.
I’m just saying he’s a young guy who is looking like he’ll be on the move for the second time in a short career. Usually when that happens it’s with guys who have a little baggage like Deangelo or Duclair so I wonder if that’s the case. But I can definitely buy if it’s just a numbers game right now.
Why don’t you worry about the Predators and let me worry about the Hawks enjoy Nashville
I don’t root for the Preds and not from nowhere near Nashville, repeat in leprechaun language I am a Black Hawk fan,
Let’s see what happens this season concerning the Hawks and Bowman’s job. I would think his job will be in jeopardy after the amount of moves he made if this season is not successful. I like what Stan has done for the most part. The Hawk’s have definitely improved, how much is something that the fans will find out soon enough. We know the offense can score. The big question to me is can the defense keep up with the faster league?
Thanks Darkhorse I agree with you. hard to concentrate when have to deal with a wee little Leprechaun.
You dont follow the Blackhawks then…
Agreed. The worst on here
WalterNYR
This site will tell you what teams have cap space good sir! link to capfriendly.com
Lep,
We all know about your Stan blowup doll please leave it in the closet ;)