The Chicago Blackhawks could shock the NHL with offer-sheeting two star-studded players

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Jim
August 23, 2024 (12:36)

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The news of the St Louis Blues extending an offer sheet to and stealing young defenseman Philip Broberg and young forward Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers whipped the hockey world right up into a frenzy.

Afterwards, the media asked Blues GM Doug Armstrong if there was some sort of «GM code» that was in place to not do what he did, in which he replied «no.» Well, if there's one team who's able to do what the Blues did, it's the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks have loads of cap space and can utilize it to snag some players on offer sheets.

A lot of players' contracts are up on big teams, but those big teams don't have a lot of cap space left. There are two players the Blackhawks can get.

Jake Oettinger is one of the best goalies in the league. Oettinger at 26 years old would fit the window the Hawks want to be in, since he'd be around 30 by our next playoff appearance, according to Davidson's playoff timeline. Jake is on the least year of his deal and is a RFA, making $4 million this season.

Sure, Chicago has goalies in the tank with the likes of Adam Gajan and Drew Commesso, but what if one of them doesn't pan out? You have that safety net with Oettinger. Dallas is also in a cap dilemma, having over $50 million strapped to just nine players for the 2025-26 season.

Now, you're going to have to pay and commit long-term with Oettinger, which is something the Blackhawks haven't done in a while, however, it can hurt the Stars if you offer a lot. But, he's someone you want to have in between the pipes, especially during a playoff run, with a career 2.46 GAA and a .916 SV% in the playoffs.

JJ Peterka is a rising star on the Buffalo Sabres. Unlike the Stars, the Sabres aren't in cap trouble, per say. However, they have $38 million locked into Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dhalin, and Dylan Cozens long into the future. If you're the Blackhawks, you want Peterka.

Peterka is 22 years old and had 50 points in only his second full season in Buffalo. Kyle should be willing to pay $7-8 million a year, as he can fill in the winger void the Hawks have right now on who is going to be the first line winger of the future if he keeps improving.

Fans will probably be turned away by paying players long-term this soon. But not all prospects are going to work out. Plus, Chicago already has Alex Vlasic locked in for six years at only $4.6 million per year. And the cap is rising. At some point, they'll have to stop being cautious and go after the needed positions, because it won't be before long that the team will be ready to take a shot at the playoffs, maybe even make a run.

Credit: Sports Mockery
Sports Mockery