Three Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of being traded away

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Joshua Deeds
July 22, 2024 (7:12 PM)

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While "hot seat" is a term often used for NHL coaches in trouble, we can use this to describe players who need to step up their game. Some players can consider their jobs safe, but that is also dictated by their play, season to season.

Of course, there were three players who were thought to be in trouble last season and had to prove they belonged in the Blackhawks lineup. Only one of those remain, as Petr Mrazek has got another contract, while the team let go of Mackenzie Entwistle and Jarred Tinordi.

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Credit: Arena du Rocket Inc.

But this year's three players have one thing in common, they're wingers and they will have to be under a lot of scrutiny to remain in Chicago.

Taylor Hall

The former Hart Trophy winner will have much to prove with the Blackhawks this season. As he had an injury-plagued 2023-2024, his future in Chicago is anything but secure. He just survived what could be a career-ending injury for many, injuring his ACL at 32 years old. After being away for so long, will have issues returning to the lineup? Will he have problems gelling with his new teammates?

Hall wouldn't be under the microscope if it wasn't for the fact he's entering a contract year with the Blackhawks for $6 M AAV, the highest-paid forward on the team.

Even after a tough injury, he'll have to perform up to expectations to earn a new contract.

Lukas Reichel

This one should be obvious, as Lukas Reichel was sent down near the end of the 2023-2024 season in order to find his game again.

He's been expected to grow into the team's future 2nd line center, role instead disappeared at points during the season, only scoring 16 points in 65 games. He'd be moved up and down the lineup before being sent down to the Rockford IceHogs. He seemed to find his game again in the AHL, but with a new contract inked in May at $2.4 M AAV, will face high expectations.

As someone who has been viewed as a foundational piece for the future Blackhawks dynasty, he'll instead find skepticism and concern. If his play remains the same the next two seasons, it's likely he'll find a fresh start elsewhere.

Andreas Athanasiou

Hall and Athanasiou both missed the majority of last season, due to injury(Athanasiou suffered a groin injury only playing 28 games). However, Athanasiou isn't a former Hart trophy winner and wasn't expected to play on the 1st line with Connor Bedard during the last season. Although it is unfair to put him on the hot seat due to his injury, when he was healthy he only contributed 9 points last season. It seems like he'd be the odd man out, coming at the end of the 2025 campaign.

Given how transformed the forward core is, Athanasiou may find himself an unsigned UFA should he not find his game again.

He has one year left on his current contract which pays him $4.25 M AAV, he could find himself with a pay cut and a fresh start, should he not perform up to expectations.

Source: Sports Mockey
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