Chicago Blackhawks reporter Mark Lazerus reveals a monster trade is underway

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Sam Walker
August 10, 2024 (8:43)

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Mark Lazerus, an NHL reporter who covers the Chicago Blackhawks for The Athletic, reported that the Blackhawks are interested in John Tavares and Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Both players are approaching the last year of their contracts with Toronto.

Tavares, who is the teams captain, and Marner could become free agents next July if they don't get new contracts from the Maple Leafs' GM Brad Treliving.

Lazerus suggested that if they become free agents, the Blackhawks might try to sign them.

He noted that other players like Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers will also be free agents, making the next offseason an interesting one.

The Blackhawks are still rebuilding, but signing either player could boost the team's performance.

«With Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Shea Theodore, and Aaron Ekblad among the players slated for unrestricted free agency next summer, just as players such as Oliver Moore and Levshunov are ready to break into the NHL for good, things could get interesting very quickly,» Lazerus wrote in his article.

Tavares scored 65 points and Marner 85 points last season.

Despite the Blackhawks' interest, both players have expressed a desire to stay in Toronto. Marner grew up there and Tavares left the New York Islanders to play in his hometown, both sharing strong ties to the city and team.

We'll see what happens next summer when Treliving decides whether to keep both players or let them go.