Blackhawks tried to land one of the most popular UFAs?
One of the most exciting moments in an NHL player's career, especially for a star, is when they become an unrestricted free agent. At this point in their career, they have no ties to any specific team and can sign with any team willing to pay them what they're worth.
Former stars like Milan Lucic, who have experienced a decline in their abilities as NHL players, still carry some weight. Multiple teams would consider him a potential veteran presence with some offensive skills that he still possesses.
Lucic's confidence in himself grew after the season when he was invited to participate in the world championships, where he and his Canadian teammates won the gold medal. This move allowed NHL teams to see that he still had a lot to offer, resulting in 10 to 15 teams reaching out to acquire his services including the Blackhawks.
The 35-year-old left winger, currently standing at 6 foot 3 and weighing 240 pounds, spent the last four years playing in Calgary. During the 2022-2023 season, he played 77 games, scoring seven goals with 12 assists, totalling 19 points. However, he had a -13 plus/minus rating and accumulated 43 penalty minutes.
In the end, the Boston Bruins acquired Lucic's services, signing him to a $1 million contract for one season.
| POLL | ||
Should the Blackhawks have pushed harder for Milan Lucic? | ||
| Yes | 150 | 24.8 % |
| No | 455 | 75.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
