5 Players the Blackhawks Should Target This Free Agency

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Jim
April 25, 2023 (2:37 PM)

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The Blackhawks have about $40 million to work with this free agency. They also need about $20 million to even hit the cap floor, so Kyle Davidson is going to have to make some moves whether he wants to spend money or not. Davidson recently mentioned that no long-term contracts are going to be signed to save money for the future. With him having to make some things happen, let's look at five players Davidson should target (in no particular order).

1: Adin Hill - The Hawks are in need of a goaltender. Alex Stalock is most likely getting kicked out the door, and Petr Mrazek is not cutting it as a goalie. Plus, Mrazek only has one more year left on his contract. Recently signed to an entry level contract, Drew Commesso, is nowhere near NHL ready, and will most likely have to spend some time in the AHL. So, that leaves us with two: Arvid Soderblom and Jaxson Stauber. Stauber is being called up, no doubt about it. But Soderblom continued to struggle in the AHL, even after being sent down from the NHL. So why not bring in 26 year old Adin Hill. He's currently making a little over 2 million dollars a year, but will probably want an increase in pay after the season he's had. Hill had a 2.49 GAA with a .914 SV%. This was his breakout year, and since we're in a rebuild, why not bring him in and try him out?

2: J.T. Compher - J.T. is a 28 year old center currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche. For reference, he'd probably be a signing like Andreas Athanasiou, but maybe for 2-3 years instead of one. He's currently making $3,500,000 and would most likely get a contract like Athanasiou and Domi did. Compher had 17 goals and 35 assists, adding up to 52 points in a full played season of 82 games. He's a reliable, good center, and I would be happy to have him on the team.

3: Max Domi - Max, like Compher, is 28 years old. However, unlike J.T., he spent most of this season in a Hawks sweater. While on the topic of him and Compher, they could make a solid line together if Richardson wanted to test it. Domi had 55 points in 80 games this season, while having 49 points in 60 games in Chicago. Max is a fan-favorite, and Davidson already hinted at him possibly returning to the Windy City.

4: Matt Dumba - The Blackhawks need defensive help, and Dumba would certainly help with that. Wild fans have been calling for him to be traded, but I think he's a decent player and will fit the mold here pretty well. Dumba had 14 points in 79 games with a -8. If the Blackhawks are going to trade defenseman Connor Murphy and let go of Caleb Jones and Ian Mitchell, you're going to need some defensive help and the position filled. Prospects like Kevin Korchinski, Sam Rinzel, and Alec Regula need more time. So why not Dumba for 2-3 years, just to get us through the rebuild process and give the young defenseman some more time?

5: Miles Wood - Davidson said he's looking for 1-2 year contracts. Well, why not look at Miles Wood. Wood is 27 years old and is on the New Jersey Devils. Right now he's making a little over $3 million, which brings me back to the Domi and Athanasiou contracts. This is a perfect scenario. If he does well, maybe you try to trade him for a pick or two like we did with Domi. If he does decent, we keep him like we did Athanasiou, and figure out where to go with him from there. Miles had 27 points in 79 games with the Devils this year.