The Trade Deadline is fast approaching in the National Hockey League. We’ve already seen big moves involving stars like Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall, Marty Necas, J.T. Miller, and Seth Jones. That won’t be the end of the list come Friday afternoon.
The Chicago Blackhawks are going to be involved in this as sellers. They are the team that shipped Seth Jones and Taylor Hall out, and they aren’t done either.
You can expect Kyle Davidson to keep the rebuild going as the week progresses. They aren’t necessarily tanking as they have been in recent years, but they’d like to make sure they are smart. Having a top-five pick is already a foregone conclusion.
If more Blackhawks are going to follow Seth Jones and Taylor Hall out the door, these are three that are the most likely to go:
1. Ryan Donato
The Chicago Blackhawks have gotten everything they could have ever imagined from Ryan Donato and more. On an individual level, he is having a great season.
In a limited role on the team, Donato has blown past his career high in goals (16). Entering deadline week, Donato has 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in 58 games. He isn’t Nathan MacKinnon out there but has been a solid contributor.
A contending team should be all over Donato for their middle six. The Blackhawks should keep the price tag high because they will get it for a guy with 20 goals on the season. Plenty of teams need more depth and Donato can provide that.
In addition to the offense, Donato plays the game the right way. He’s been in the playoffs before and brings leadership that can go a long way for a team looking to get over the hump.
2. Petr Mrazek
The Blackhawks acquired young stud goalie Spencer Knight in the Seth Jones trade. In theory, he is the goalie of the future. That changes the entire outlook of the team’s core.
Before Knight’s arrival, Chicago had Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom on the active roster. Laurent Brossoit is hurt and Drew Commesso is in the AHL. All those guys figured to be getting some time in Chicago’s net but it doesn’t feel realistic anymore.
Who knows what Brossoit’s health will be like going forward, giving up on good young goalies is an impossible decision. Soderblom or Commesso could each help the team in the future. In theory, it would be backing up Spencer Knight.
Out of all the names, veteran Petr Mrazek has to be the one goalie who comes to mind first in a trade. Everyone is worth listening to, but Mrazek would work best. Other teams would be getting a smart, reliable, athletic goalie who can help them win.
If Mrazek is moved before the deadline, the Hawks can run with a tandem of Soderblom and Knight for the rest of the season. Brossoit is likely not coming back this year but has next year on his deal while Soderblom is an RFA. Not having Mrazek to worry about would make navigating this summer easier for Kyle Davidson.
Mrazek has been a great veteran in Chicago over the last couple of years and has played well. With that said, moving him following the acquisition of Knight is something to consider.
3. Pat Maroon
The Chicago Blackhawks don't have the same Pat Maroon that played on the Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, or St. Louis Blues. The guy with 27 goals in a single season or three straight Stanley Cups isn't there anymore but he has a lot to bring to a contender.
Sometimes, teams make subtle trades for guys who can be the 12th forward in the lineup but have a large character in the room. Except for tanking teams, most have found success with Pat Maroon on their roster. He is someone who could give a boost to a squad in need of some leadership.
Maroon wouldn't fetch the Chicago Blackhawks much in a trade but it would be doing him a nice favor if he wants to go. He's on an expiring contract that doesn't cost much so a team out there could take a chance.
The trade deadline is uncomfortable for a lot of players around the league and the Hawks have been amongst the most active teams. There is more to come before Friday.
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