While the Blackhawks need to bring in another skilled, offense-generating forward, an "identity-piece" like Joshua could be a great fit on the team as well.
The Chicago Blackhawks plan to get better next season after a 31st place finish in 2023-24. With likely Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard, as well as the second overall draft pick in 2024 and a lot of promising prospects, Chicago's time to start rising up the standings is now.
The Blackhawks may not make the playoffs next season, but a jump upward and finishing higher is a step in the right direction. The team isn't going to do that without bringing in some talent this offseason, whether that be through free agency or a trade.
With nearly $33 million of cap space available, the Blackhawks have been named in a number of rumors concerning many players believed to be available in the next week or so. One of those is potential UFA Dakota Joshua of the Vancouver Canucks.
The physical 28-year-old winger's two-year, $825,000 AAV contract is set to run out and he's in line for a raise after a solid 2023-24 season. He fits the definition of an "identity piece" that Blackhawks alternate captains Nick Foligno and Seth Jones say their team needs. See video.
Joshua May Be Out
It was reported by Rick Dhaliwal that both the Canucks and Joshua want him return next season to Vancouver, but the money has to work. Joshua wants to cash in after a great 2023-24 season, so it's up to the Canucks to free up the cap space and make it work. While the player in question to be moved to free up that cap space is Ilya Mikheyev, Vancouver has its work cut out to make something happen quickly in order to bring Joshua back.
A number of teams will have interest in a bottom-6 player like Joshua who is physical and can score, but two in particular are the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
A Spot in Chicago for Joshua
While the Blackhawks are expected to take a legitimate swing at one of the big dogs in free agency, that isn't all they could target. Even though their bottom-6 may be filled with some younger talent competing for everyday spots in the NHL, there has to be more competition and sure- fire players who will be locked into a spot every night and compete.
There were already rumors involving the Blackhawks and a player like Tampa Bay's Tanner Jeannot, so it seems like a physical bottom-six player with some offensive potential would fit nicely in Chicago.
Joshua could be great upgrade from Taylor Raddysh who really went downhill last season and may not even be qualified. The Blackhawks would likely have to dish out $3-3.5 million AAV for three or four seasons, but if the 28-year-old Joshua continues to put in the great work like he did in 2023-24 by scoring 18 goals and recording 245 hits in just 63 games, it would be a big boost to Chicago's lineup.
Joshua may be a late bloomer, but he also contributes on the power play and penalty kill. There isn't much risk for the Blackhawks in a deal like this if the Canucks forward becomes a free agent. He will most definitely help the Blackhawks improve and come closer to competing over his time in Chicago.
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