The Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks] might seem a little improvement overall, but should still be a ways away from the playoffs. They didn't make any major additions so far this offseason, the biggest being Andre Burakovsky, and have to hope there is a good amount of internal growth. There has to be patience as the Blackhawks have a lot of talented young players, but as the team projects to be bad again, there will likely be some players traded during the season closer to the trade deadline. Here's a look at the five who are most likely to be moved. CONNOR MURPHY Connor Murphy may still be traded this summer, but the Blackhawks would have no veteran d-men left. The most experienced would be 24-year-old Alex Vlasic. While it isn't a bad thing for the Blackhawks to have a young defense group as it gives more time for more players, many will have to mature pretty quickly. Fortunately, it seems like Vlasic and Sam Rinzel have matured enough to handle a large workload and carry the back-end. Murphy is going into the final year of his deal with a cap hit of $4.4 million AAV. He also has a 10-team no-trade clause on his contract, but that shouldn't make it too tough to trade him as Chicago has two retention spots and right defensemen are a little tougher to come by. He could be a good fit for many contenders and he will be moved before the Blackhawks lose him for nothing next offseason. ANDRE BURAKOVSKY Though Burakovsky was acquired from the Seattle Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken] this offseason, the Blackhawks could realistically turn around and move him to a contender at a reduced cap hit with retention. He has two years left on his deal at $5.5 million AAV and it might be easier to move him next offseason or at the trade deadline in his final year, but he has solid production as a middle-6 winger to warrant early attention. He should at least play the majority of next season for Chicago and the team will likely gauge how much interest he has and the price teams are willing to pay. ILYA MIKHEYEV Ilya Mikheyev had an impressive first season with the Blackhawks and surprised considering he was a cap dump from the Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks]. He is a very good penalty killer and played a strong two-way game, plus he bounced back with a 20-goal season. He is in the final year of his contract at $4.037 million AAV and would likely require a little retention for a contender to execute a trade. Unless the Blackhawks want to re-sign Mikheyev, they should have no problem trading him, even with a 12-team no-trade list. JASON DICKINSON In Jason Dickinson's second season with the Blackhawks, he broke out offensively for 22 goals and 35 points in 2023-24, but regressed back to where he is more expected to be last season with the new additions and a smaller role. He is a third line shutdown center at best and is in the last year of his contract at $4.25 million AAV with no trade protection. He finished 12th in Selke Trophy voting in his breakout offensive season and also with retention, would be a great depth addition for a contender. While multiple Blackhawks may need salary retention to move mid-season, some teams could unexpectedly have more than enough cap space too. LUKAS REICHEL Lukas Reichel is the most talked about Blackhawk this offseason when it comes to a trade. He is a young talent, but older than all of the prospects on their way or young players already in the NHL. He doesn't have a ton of time to prove that he is an effective NHLer and can live up to his expectations, but maybe a change in scenery could help him get there. He continues to be in trade rumors and it may end up being a bad trade if Chicago does move on from him, but it doesn't seem like he is going to get the opportunity in the Windy City. He is in the final year of his deal at $1.2 million AAV and he is a RFA. There are a few other players that should be mentioned, but I don't think are as likely to be moved during the season as the five listed above. Nick Foligno is a solid veteran piece and has great leadership, but his production may drop and his cap hit is high. Kevin Korchinski might not get the opportunity in the NHL much again and could be a trade chip for someone bigger and more impactful. Louis Crevier may be traded before the season as he is an unsigned RFA and there isn't space on the back-end. Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/] team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more.
