GM Kyle Davidson and staff aren't under heavy pressure to make deals. Chicago could stand pat with little downside. Story with videos.
Last year, Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson had to be busy heading into the NHL trade deadline.
Patrick Kane, now a Red Wing, was dealt to the Rangers last year.He faced housekeeping and asset management tasks as part of his team's gut-rebuild. The eight-year $84 million contracts of franchise pillars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were running out and both were set to become unrestricted free agents.
Kane was sent to the New York Rangers for draft picks and minor leaguers. The worn-down Toews simply stopped playing at the end of the season, so no deal was completed or probably possible.
Davidson made seven other moves in the lead-up to the 2023 trade deadline. But there seems to be no such urgency this year for last-place Chicago, which has completed its roster tear-down and stocked up on draft picks.
Johnson (90), who had three assists on Tuesday, is set to become a UFA. If Davidson does deal anyone, veteran forwards Tyler Johnson, Anthony Beauvillier, Colin Blackwell and Taylor Raddysh top the list. All four are set to become unrestricted free agents. The most Chicago might get in return for any is a mid-range draft pick. See following story.
Richardson Says It Seems Calm, But...
Coaches don't make the decisions, but the Blackhawks Luke Richardson said the trade front seemed calm before Tuesday's 5-2 win at Arizona. The solid victory ended Chicago's team-record 22-game road losing streak and seven-game overall slide.
"I think it's been pretty quiet on our end this year," Richardson said. "I think we expected that this year after last year was kind of like the big year for moving assets. This year, we have what we have and we're starting to build up now, but you never know.
"We may fit in for one or two players, but right now as far as I know, it's pretty quiet." See following video.
Well-Traveled Blackwell's Name in Rumors
Blackwell's name surfaced in scuttlebutt. The 30-year-old has come back with verve from hernia surgery and has been one of Chicago's most-visible energy forwards since his return on Dec. 19.
The stocky 5-foot-9, 190-pound Harvard grad gets plenty of chances on hustle, but doesn't always connect despite flashy in-tight finishing moves. Blackwell has five goals and three assists in 33 games, scoring on just 6.8% of his 74 shots on goals.
The well-travelled Blackwell is wrapping up a two-year contact that pays $1.2 million annually. He's feisty and said he's felt underestimated as an NHLer.
Blackwell was drafted in the seventh round, 194th overall, by San Jose in 2011. He debuted in the NHL at age 25 with Nashville in January 2019 after finishing four years at Harvard and several seasons in the AHL.
Richardson has called on Blackwell for just under 15 minutes of work per game and is happy to have him on the current Blackhawks team. See the following video.
2023 Trade Deadline Run-Up and Review
Besides dealing Kane to the Rangers — and just letting Toews play out the season with Chicago — some of Davidson's deals last year were:
- Defenseman Jake McCabe, forward Sam Lafferty and two conditional draft picks went to Toronto for forwards Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev and 2025 first-round and 2026 second-round picks. The hard-working, hockey-smart Anderson has been a pleasant surprise in Chicago.
- Forward Max Domi and Dylan Wells were sent to Dallas for a 2025 second-round pick and aging Russian goalie Anton Khudobin, who returned to the KHL. The 29-year-old Domi is averaging 13:15 of ice time per game with his hometown Maple Leafs this season after signing with Toronto. He has seven goals and 31 points in 61 games.
- Defenseman Jack Johnson was sent to Colorado for D-man Andreas Englund. The 37-year-old Johnson is playing about 15 minutes a game with Colorado. Englund is skating for Los Angeles.
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