The Chicago Blackhawks are tied with the lowest points percentage in the NHL this season, and it's no surprise that the team has struggled without Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. The team is four games under .500 and have 14 wins in 39 games, so it would be a long road back. They have already seemingly established themselves as sellers, and that makes sense as plenty more young players are on their way and still before their primes. The more assets Chicago gets, the better.
David Pagnotta said, "Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy, Ilya Mikheyev, and Jason Dickinson will garner trade interest." These are four veterans who don't really fit in what the Blackhawks are building for the future. The team will still have veterans on the team, but most of these players have been placeholders until the future arrives, which it has.
Murphy is one of two veteran defenseman on the Blackhawks, the other being Matt Grzelcyk. Murphy has been more consistent and it would open up room for the three NHL-ready defenseman in the AHL for Chicago right now. All four of the players Pagnotta named are pending UFAs after the season.
Foligno may be at the end of the road and could get one more chance at a Stanley Cup. He's 38 years old and a great leader, but his production has really taken a hit as his role diminishes. He has a goal and seven points in 17 games with a cap hit of $4.5 million AAV, so it won't be easy to move without 50% retention.
Mikheyev has been the most productive of the four possible trade targets names. He is having a worse season than 2024-25, but has six goals and 10 points in 39 games as well as logging three minutes on the penalty kill per game. The 31-year-old has a $4.037 million AAV cap hit and is a strong two-way player.
Dickinson had a strong second season with the Blackhawks in 2023-24, but with less of a role, hasn't been able to come close to replicating that. He is also a strong two-way player, but his cap hit is also above $4 million at $4.25 million AAV.
Of the four who will more than likely be traded, Mikheyev has a 12-team no-trade clause and Murphy has a 10-team no-trade clause.
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