Chicago Blackhawks to part ways with 8 players in the New Year

GM Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks spent like a drunken sailor during free agency in July 2024.

He added big names such as Pat Maroon, Ilya Mikheyev, Alec Martinez, TJ Brodie, Teuvo Teravainen, Craig Smith, and Laurent Brossoit. All in the name of improvement and some of these players have failed to make significant contributions to make the team better.

While spending $25 Million on free agents, and achieving only 8th in the Central Division, with a 12-24-2 record means changes are coming.

While the addition of top talent in June is an exciting prospect, failing to deliver on your promises as advertised has costs.

And here are eight current Blackhawks who could be gone at some point in the season.

Hall was brought into the Blackhawks to be a mentor and an offensive weapon. With the 2023-2024 season being a bust for the forward, he returned to the lineup this season healthy and has found a spot on the 1st line with Connor Bedard. As a free agent experiencing an upswing in production, he could be traded for draft capital or a prospect to help the rebuild along.

Philipp Kurashev is one Blackhawk who has seen a massive regression compared to last season when he scored 54 points( 18 G, 36 A) on Bedard's line. This season he's been scratched multiple times, and posted only 5 points in 30 games, no longer the emerging star we once thought he was. With a depth of forward prospects waiting on a callup in Rockford, could we see Kurashev shipped out for assets as another NHL team could give him a fresh start?

Both veteran defensemen were a stopgap for the Blackhawks blueline, while prospects like Ethan Del Mastro, and Artyom Levshunov develop in Rockford. If Martinez could prove himself a reliable defenseman once he returns from injury, the Blackhawks could trade the veteran as a rental. But if he can't turn around his performance, the Blackhawks could let him test free agency.

TJ Brodie has been a failed experiment in the Blackhawks system, he's been undressed by players like Andrew Mangiapane recently, and buying him out might not be the worst idea, considering his latest showing.

The Chicago Blackhawks have some players with upside they could trade, with Ryan Donato and Arvid Soderblom.

Donato has been a valuable forward who has stepped up his play with the Blackhawks this season. Once a depth forward, he's played himself into the top-six and found himself on the power-play. He leads the team in goals, and plays with heart not seen by many other Hawks in the lineup. If the best the team can get for Donato is a fourth-rounder, they should extend him but if they can get a good pick or prospect out of the forward, they should make a deal happen as soon as possible.

Arvid Soderblom has been a stalwart for the Blackhawks this season, having to step into a role he'd never thought he'd play again after last season. With Laurent Brossoit's knee-surgery, it has kept him out of the lineup this season, and Soderblom has had to play backup to Petr Mrazek in the meantime.

With his improvement in play this season, the Blackhawks will have to consider whether dealing him is the right move, as he could be claimed by another team if he is put on waivers. A scenario that would be horrific for a team whose put time and effort into improving his game.

These two veteran forwards were signed in order to let Colton Dach, and Landon Slagget get more development time in the AHL.

Maroon has been a great mentor for Lukas Reichel and has positively impacted the lineup, as Reichel has finally found his game on the fourth line.

While Reichel's next moves are hard to predict, Maroon is heading towards age 40 and past his prime, while Craig Smith is a player the Blackhawks could let walk if Slaggert and Dach are ready to take the next steps in 2025.