The dead-last Chicago Blackhawks aren't under heavy pressure to unload players as the March 8 NHL trade deadline approaches. Johnson (90) connects in close. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzMjY1MjI0NTQxNzQyNjU5/usatsi_22191785_168401008_lowres.jpg] Johnson (90) connects in close. If general manager Kyle Davidson does trade anyone, veteran forwards Tyler Johnson, Anthony Beauvillier, Colin Blackwell and Taylor Raddysh top the list. All four have contracts that run out and are set to become unrestricted free agents. The most Chicago might get in return for any is a mid-range draft pick. CHICAGO DEEP ON DRAFT ASSETS The Blackhawks already have stockpiled plenty of draft selections. For 2024, that includes two in the first round, three in the second and two in the fourth. Chicago's own first-round selection might turn into No. 1 overall for the second straight year. Anthony Beauvillier. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0Mzk2MzIzMjM4MDYxMTMz/beauvillier-return-wrist-injury.jpg] Anthony Beauvillier. Right now, the Blackhawks have the best odds of winning the draft lottery. If they do, expect Macklin Celebrini to join fellow Vancouver-area product Connor Bedard on the roster. Still injury-depleted, the Blackhawks could be better off hanging on to any or all of these player to limp through the season. TYLER JOHNSON The 33-year-old Johnson is a savvy veteran and can play all three forward positions. He has 12 goals and 18 points in 45 games this season and has come back strong after broken toes on his left foot sidelined him from New Year's Eve until Feb. 7. Johnson is a thoughtful, quiet leader and drives to hard territory on the ice despite his 5-foot-8 frame. He'd know how to fit in and contribute on a top team, having played as mostly a top-six forward for Tampa Bay until the he was dealt to Chicago in July 2021. Johnson could be a solid third-line addition to a contender and might move up in a pinch. He carries a cap hit of $5 million this season as his seven-year, $35 contract runs out. Johnson talks about the trade deadline in the following video. Blackhawks veteran Tyler Johnson is one the few players Chicago might move at the trade deadline. ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER Davidson picked up Beauvillier and the final year of his three-year, $12.45 million contract from Vancouver in a trade on Nov. 28. The deal was completed hours after Chicago cut Corey Perry for violating team policies. A New York Islanders first-round draft pick (28th) in 2015, the speedy but smallish Beauvillier has never consistently lived up to his projected potential. He's reached the 20-goal and 40-points marks only once each in eight seasons. Beauvillier has four goals and 10 assists in 42 games this season. He was out from Jan. 2 until Feb. 19 with a broken left wrist. COLIN BLACKWELL The 30-year-old Blackwell 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 30 games. The well-travelled Blackwell is wrapping up a two-year contact that pays $1.2 million annually. TAYLOR RADDYSH Raddysh has size and strength at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. He came on strong at the end of the 2022-23 season and was one of only two returning 20-goal scorers from last year's Blackhawks team. Taylor Raddysh in action. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzQ4ODU0OTU5MDIzNjA4/usatsi_22079466_168401008_lowres.jpg] Taylor Raddysh in action. One of three Blackhawks forward from Georgetown, Ontario (Jason Dickinson and MacKenzie Entwistle are the others.), Raddysh hasn't been able to follow through production-wise. He's gone 27 games without scoring though March 2, not connecting since Dec. 14. Raddysh hasn't buried prime chances and has only five goal and six assists in 56 games. His annual salary is just $758,333 as he completes a three-year, $2.275 million contract he signed while with Tampa Bay. THESE GUYS ARE KEEPERS Davidson signed three productive players — forwards Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson, and goalie Petr Mrazek — to two-year contract extensions in January. Chicago hopes they'll contribute and stabilize the team's rebuild around Bedard. Foligno has been terrific as the team's de facto captain and played nearly 18 minutes per game in even-strength, power-play and penalty- killing roles. He has 14 goals and 13 assist in a resurgent season after two years in a depth role on the loaded Boston Bruins. Dickinson, has had a breakout year as a shutdown center who has scored a career-high 17 goals — tied with Bedard for the team lead. If the Blackhawks weren't at the bottom of the league, Dickinson might be getting some attention as a Selke Trophy candidate. Mrazek has been mostly magnificent in a huge bounceback year and should be a top Masterton Tophy candidate. The 32-year-old Czech has consistently kept his team in games after a groin/core injury hindered him badly the previous two seasons with Toronto, then Chicago. Mrazek is 13-23-4, but has a 3.04 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He's had the worst goal support of any No. 1 netminder in the NHL.
