Could the Chicago Blackhawks use their cap space to try to acquire high-profile players on expiring contracts? A rumor last week made some waves over the weekend.
Alex Vlasic battles with Elias Pettersson in an April 2023 matchup.The Vancouver Canucks' efforts to re-sign Elias Pettersson and the Toronto Maple Leafs' contract extension negotiations with William Nylander have, at times this season, made both players the subject of trade speculation.
On Thursday, Matt Murley of the podcast Chiclets Game Notes raised eyebrows by claiming he'd heard a rumor linking Pettersson and Nylander to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Murley said we shouldn't be surprised if the 25-year-old Petterson tried to make his way to the Blackhawks to play with Connor Bedard. He added that there was also a lot of talk about Nylander, 27, heading to the Windy City.
Petterson is slated to become an RFA with arbitration rights on July 1, while Nylander is due to become a UFA. Murley acknowledged Pettersson's RFA status, admitting he's “not exactly sure” how the Canucks star could end up with the Blackhawks. Nevertheless, he noted that they have lots of salary-cap space to make it happen.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussed this rumor the following day on their 32 Thoughts podcast. Friedman didn't dismiss or discredit Murley's report but said any talk of Pettersson leaving Vancouver was “premature.” He said he believes the Canucks will throw a lot of money in Pettersson's direction once he's ready to start talking contract.
With more than $49 million in cap space for 2024-25, the Blackhawks have the room to make a big splash in next summer's trade and free-agent markets. However, that would be a significant change from their current plan to rebuild with promising young talent like Bedard.
Nylander has expressed his wish to remain in Toronto. Meanwhile, Pettersson is considering his contract term options while gauging the Canucks performance this season. Neither player has suggested an intent to move on.