Deal or No Deal: Last Minute Options The Blackhawks Can Provide Buyers

While Anthony Beauvillier is off to Nashville, the Blackhawks may have a few more other options as Friday’s trade deadline inches closer.

The market has been interesting–and the Hawks may even have a few names that could be very interesting to teams that may have missed out on another player.

A look at what they could do.

Deal One: Blackhawks Weaponize The Cap To Get A Prospect or Pick

The Blackhawks have a ton of space, upwards of $40M. There are still some interesting names that could make their way to the forefront of trade talks and there are also some teams who could try and get creative to get over the top. If a big enough name pops ups, why not eat some of that contract?

But here’s the issue: the Flyers absorbed nearly $2.5M of Noah Hanifin’s contract to help out Vegas and were tossed only a fifth-round pick in 2024. While that money will slide off at season’s end, it’s going to potentially only garner a late round pick.

So while the Hawks are flush with cap room, this might not hit as big as one would like.

Deal Two: A Veteran Who Could Put A Team Over the Top

This is the Tyler Johnson or Colin Blackwell category. Blackwell won’t cost much and he’d likely get what could be a contingent fifth round pick that might become a fourth if the team gets to the Conference Final or beyond. I’ve argued that Blackwell might be a guy to hang onto as his attitude really taps into what the Hawks are trying to become. But if the right deal comes along, it’s likely Blackwell heads elsewhere.

Johnson has a heftier cap hit but could half could be retained. Johnson is fourth in goals with 12, and on a team with more talent could be a valuable commodity on a third or fourth line–as well as on the special teams. The Blackhawks could try and pry a prospect under team control on the cusp of being in the NHL.

Deal Three: A Bit of a Surprise

One name, even though he’s injured, that could be intriguing might be Connor Murphy. The veteran defenseman would still have two years left on his deal and has some say as to where he’ll go with a 10-team no-trade clause. Murphy is still only 30, a right hand shot, and has been one of the more important veteran voices in the locker room. The intriguing part for Murphy would be getting a shot with a contender sooner. But this one wound hinge on the return, and whether or not the Blackhawks are comfortable with their defensive corps to rotate out a veteran like Murphy as they try to get out of the rebuild.

Murphy would be a terrific depth option for a team looking to bolster its top six and could net a decent return, too. This one might be a season early in terms of it happening, but could be in the peripheral if indeed the price is right.

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