Insider Confirms The Chicago Blackhawks Are Acquiring Superstar Support For Connor Bedard
Photo credit: NHL.COM
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the middle of a long rebuild, and Connor Bedard's prime is ticking. Support is needed and it is up to general manager Kyle Davidson to acquire securing talent to surround the 19-year old sensation, and according to reports, he prepares to make a large acquisition this summer.
Bedard is surrounded by 'some' solid depth pieces in Tyler Bertuzzi, Nick Foligno but not many others that aren't aging-veterans. There is no true 'raw' talent around Bedard, aside from Frank Nazar.
As Kyle Davidson declared that the rebuild is over on Monday, during his mid-season interview, a couple of insiders have made hints at the Blackhawks targeting one of two NHL star forwards- both who would largely compliment Bedard.
In a recent column by Blackhawks reporters Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus, they revealed that Kyle Davidson is targeting two of the biggest names on the market this summer, they stated:
«Davidson will be more aggressive in his pursuit of that high-end type of player come July. He's gotten a good look at how far the Blackhawks still are from being a competitive team, despite last season's offseason additions, and has to see the Blackhawks need a major upgrade while the prospects develop, particularly among his forward group With most of the replacements for any departing players coming from within, there'll be plenty of cap space to make a serious run at Rantanen, Marner or anyone else.»
They also noted that the Hurricanes have first dibs on signing Rantanen, as goes for Marner and the Maple Leafs, but the Blackhawks have money to disturb the piece and acquire either of them.
Blackhawks heading into 2024-25 off-season with deep pockets
The Blackhawks are projected to have a whopping $28 million in cap space this off-season, heading into the 2025-26 season. As we all know, Kyle Davidson is no stranger to making off-season signings, as he did with Tyler Bertuzzi, TJ Brodie, Pat Maroon, Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and many more.
Davidson has to be aware that his off-seasons so far, filled with signings of aging veterans has not helped Bedard or the Blackhawks place in the NHL standings whatsoever, and now it's time to acquire real talent.
Mitch Marner Toronto Maple Leafs
Getting both Marner and Rantanen is likely off the table considering they could both be looking at massive pay raises in the range of $12-14 million annually. While they could fit them both in, it doesn't make sense to bring them both in with no money left over to fill out the rest of their roster.
Stated Jesse Courville-Lynch, THWElliotte Friedman also confirmed the potential fit of Rantanen to the Blackhawks, mentioning that he wouldn't be surprised if they took a run at him.
After all, the Blackhawks do not need two superstars brought in as that could overshadow Bedard's ice time, but one of Rantanen or Marner would be massive, and it seems as though it'll be a busy off-season working the phones for general manager Kyle Davidson.
As the 2024-25 season progresses, be sure to continue checking out Hawks Insider for the most trusted Blackhawks news and rumors surrounding the NHL, and the organization.
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