The Chicago Blackhawks are beginning their weekend off with a bang. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic printed an article detailing the most recent information he’s listening to across the league, together with some pertinent Blackhawks data.
LeBrun reported that normal supervisor Kyle Davidson continues to make calls “wanting round for a top-six ahead and maybe a middle-six ahead too.” (from ‘ NHL rumblings: Commerce Discuss heats up on Laine, Necas, Ehlers and extra, plus newest on Cooper-Canada’ – The Athletic – 06/13/2024).
This isn’t precisely a bombshell, contemplating there was speak in regards to the Blackhawks being linked to Carolina Hurricanes’ ahead Jake Guentzel. Nonetheless, it does give validity to the Hawks presumably eager to improve their ahead group. With that, let’s take a look at essentially the most outstanding commerce names and see in the event that they make sense for Chicago to discover.
1. Nikolaj Ehlers – Nay
I wish to begin with Nikolaj Ehlers as a result of I discussed him final month as a match for the Blackhawks. He has one 12 months left on his contract ($6 million AAV), and at 28 years outdated, he may arrive with the choice of it turning right into a longer-term deal if he had been to pan out. Realistically, there’s a good probability it will, as he has been a constant 40-plus level producer all through his nine-year profession with the Winnipeg Jets. His accountable two-way play may work wonders subsequent to Connor Bedard.
A report from Darren Deger of TSN mentioned that Jets normal supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff wish to preserve Ehlers, however realizing that Kyle Connor is due for an extension makes it difficult. So, the Jets aren’t simply going to present Ehlers up as strictly a cap dump. He was their fourth-best scorer this season. Our Jets contributor, Connor Hrabchak, instructed me the Jets might be in search of a top-4 right-hand defenseman, a mid to late first-round choose, and a B-C degree prospect. He did emphasize the defenseman, although.
If that’s the case, the Blackhawks may not have that to supply in addition to Connor Murphy. Nonetheless, he isn’t precisely a high defenseman, and he has some harm issues. If it labored out with Ehler’s 10-team no-trade record, his cap hit for one 12 months is affordable, however I’m unsure in regards to the match anymore. It will be enjoyable, but it surely in all probability received’t occur, particularly since Hrabchak talked about Winnipeg doesn’t sometimes make these offers with division rivals.
2. Martin Nečas – Yae
The story of Hurricanes’ ahead Martin Nečas will dwell all summer season lengthy, as he’s in all probability the most well liked commerce bait going. He looks as if a terrific match for the Blackhawks, however in truth, he is a wonderful match for any NHL crew. A 25-year-old who has blossomed right into a participant that seemingly will get higher yearly. His greatest season was 2022-23, the place he recorded 71 factors in 82 video games. Nonetheless, his manufacturing noticed a dip this 12 months with 53 factors in 77 video games, however that’s nonetheless higher than common.
Elliotte Friedman reported that the Hurricanes need “star energy” in a potential commerce return. In one other twist, LeBrun reported that the Blackhawks confirmed curiosity in Necas whereas elaborating, “The Canes have instructed groups they’re able to preserve him” in the event that they don’t get the package deal they’re in search of.
Suppose the Hawks are in search of a younger participant to proceed to develop alongside Bedard whereas already being a longtime participant. In that case, this transfer makes all of the sense on this planet since Necas is a middle and wing (he was drafted as a middle however primarily performed wing on Carolina). That would take some stress off of Bedard, having the ability to interchange them as wanted and nonetheless present an elite scoring contact.
Figuring out that the Hurricanes are prepared to play hardball and preserve him makes me surprise if the Hawks even have the “star energy” the Hurricanes need since Bedard is the crew’s largest star. A former MVP in Taylor Corridor might be attractive, however that doesn’t appear lifelike since he missed most of final season with an ACL harm, and there’s danger there. Our Hurricanes’ contributor, Zach Martin, talked about Philipp Kurashev or Lukas Reichel as potential gamers the Hurricanes may take a look at. Although Kurashev had a profession 12 months, I do suppose they might half with him for Nečas, however I’m unsure that Kurashev being a focus is sufficient to get one thing accomplished. However who is aware of? If Nečas desires out, and it’s reported he does, and the Hurricanes don’t need him to stroll for nothing, perhaps each side can work one thing out.
3. Jake Guentzel – Yea
The Jake Guentzel to Chicago rumors began at first of June when insider Elliotte Friedman shared a concept that the Blackhawks might be a match for him as a free agent signing, and it has picked up steam ever since. Now, we all know that the Hurricanes are asking for a mid-round choose in trade for his signing rights since they may not be capable to afford his subsequent contract. We even have perception from Davidson on whether or not he desires to go down that path.
Associated: Jake Guentzel-to-Blackhawks Free Company Prediction Highlights Workforce’s Wants
Davidson spoke on the Guentzel rumors and had a “we’ll see” method, saying he wouldn’t tackle it however that for any participant they understand as invaluable, they’ll discover the chance. It looks as if a no brainer to commerce a mid-round choose to garner a high-end goal-scorer. The issue is, it’s as much as Davidson whether or not he desires to decide to the 29-year-old long-term since they wish to be aware of cap house, and he’s presumably commanding $8 million AAV. Nonetheless, for somebody who’s a constant 30-plus objective scorer, it’s not a nasty gamble to aim to amass his signing rights. If not, they will attempt to signal him in July, however he can have many suitors.
4. Patrik Laine – Yea And Nay
For the final large candidate, TSN Insider Buying and selling reported that ahead Patrik Laine and the Columbus Blue Jackets are working to facilitate a commerce as he seeks a recent begin. This was an enormous bombshell, contemplating Laine has two years left on his four-year deal ($8.7 million) and a 10-team no-trade record.
Laine is understood for being a 26-year-old objective scorer, with 204 objectives in 480 profession video games. His greatest season was 2017-18, when he notched 44 objectives with Winnipeg. A younger, pure-scoring winger is what each crew craves, however there have been issues. The primary is that he final performed a whole 82-game season in 2018-19, and he solely performed in 18 video games (9 factors) this season because of accidents and getting into the Participant Help Program. Moreover, Blue Jackets normal supervisor Don Waddell mentioned Laine not too long ago had shoulder surgical procedure, but it surely was a “cleanup” and nothing regarding. The second hesitation is his wage is excessive. But, contemplating that may be a concern for a lot of groups, Columbus retaining wage will not be out of the realm of chance.
Associated: Blue Jackets’ 3 Potential Commerce Locations for Patrik Laine
I perceive the variables of a high-cap hit participant being out and in of the lineup being a dangerous transfer. But when Laine is sad along with his present scenario, typically bringing out a participant’s greatest takes a brand new surroundings. If he needed to return to Chicago, taking part in with Bedard may definitely try this. It’s unclear what the Blue Jackets could be asking for in return, however they may have a restricted quantity of leverage for a participant who noticed a dip in stats and desires out. This may intrigue the Blackhawks in the event that they don’t should half with vital belongings and if they might work with Columbus for them to retain some wage. I just like the time period on Laine’s contract as a result of it’s quick. If he didn’t work out, then it’s not that a lot of a hindrance. It’s one thing to consider. Waddell referred to him as a “distinction maker,” and when he’s at peak Laine, he’s.
General, the Blackhawks are in a enjoyable place as a result of they’ve the wage cap house ($33 million) and draft capital (26 picks within the subsequent three drafts) to commerce for large names in the event that they select to take action. In the event that they had been to amass any of the names listed, their 2024 18th total choose would doubtless be in play, which might be key. LeBrun mentioned the Blackhawks are working to get Bedard some assist, and little doubt any of those names could be an enormous improve, however I imagine Laine and Guentzel are those to look at primarily based on the reported commerce packages.
