One of the biggest strategies for rebuilding clubs is signing buy-low candidates and then flipping them at the deadline, and the Chicago Blackhawks look like they’ll follow that path. Scott Powers of The Athletic reports that the Blackhawks have signed both Andreas Athanasiou and Max Domi today. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic notes that it will be one-year deals for both, worth $3MM each.
With these two signings, the Blackhawks’ plan is starting to become more clear. GM Kyle Davidson’s intentions with signing Domi and Athanasiou are relatively transparent. These are two offense-first players who have in the past shown the ability to score at a valuable level. Max Domi has a 72-point season on his resume, as well as other years where he scored around a 50-point pace. Athanasiou, known best for his blazing speed, has scored 30 goals in the past and offers a tantalizing offensive toolbox that he’s never quite put together.
On a Chicago team that figures to be quite bad, both Domi and Athanasiou will likely get greater offensive roles than they’d receive on contending teams. So, Davidson is likely making these signings with the hope that the increased role can help them author a productive first half to their seasons, making them valuable trade assets at the 2023 trade deadline. Both Domi and Athanasiou could be had by contenders at just a 50% cap hit (if Chicago retains) meaning if either is able to reach similar production to what they’ve been able to do in the past, they could return the Blackhawks a decent prospect or draft pick.
Neither Athanasiou or Domi figures to be a long-term fixture in Chicago. But with the direction the Blackhawks are going, these signings could be beneficial for both the team and players. For Chicago, they have the potential to net them some more long-term assets, the kinds of prospects and draft picks Davidson has been stockpiling so far in his tenure. For the players, they get a chance at a greater role than what they’d receive anywhere else and their best opportunity to re-enter the market on stronger footing next summer.
Eww
Pens need a mid-six LW. These were two of the guys I thought they might target.
Max Domi? Wtf…
Only thing I see is hope he rebounds with ample playing time and they can flip for assets at the deadline.
That’s what I’m thinking too…but ewww.
I can’t see it backfiring…if both contracts don’t work out, it’s just a one-year deal…they are most likely gonna get flipped for like 2nd-3rd rounders
Bodies to replace Kane and Toews..LOL
Tanking to do list: Trade your stars-check, non-tender anyone with a qualifying offer over $900K-check, trade for the worst goalie you could plausibly use as a number 1-check, sign a couple low end free agents to have something to try to sell your fanbase on-check. Now just sit back and hope for luck on lottery day.
Kubalik any good still?
They didn’t QO him, so he is as good as gone.
Ah, future draft picks…
The only good thing about this signing is some of the Hawks players might get free Golf lessons from Nelly Korda. Cause they won’t be playing in the playoffs so they might as well learn golf.