Free Agent Targets For 2022-23 Chicago Blackhawks
Every Chicago Blackhawks fan has to be dissatisfied with their mediocre 28-42-12 record gaining just 68 points for the 2021-22 season.
Avoiding the obvious, there will be changes next season... that's a no-brainer. With newly appointed GM Kyle Davidson onboard with a rebuild, many unanswered questions remain. What must happen, is the team must be improved.
One way almost all GM's accomplish this feat is by acquiring players through free agency. Come July 13th a ton of free agents will flood the market looking for the best deal they can get moving forward.
Evaluating the team statistics will display where this team needs to improve. Their average goals scored per game was 2.60, which ranked them 28th in the NHL. Their goals against per game was 3.52, placing them 26th.
The power play needs to get better with just a 19.2 percent success rate, putting them 21st. The penalty kill was at 76.2 percent, for a 24th place finish.
One player who the Hawks should try to sign is a premier defenseman in the league. Kris Letang will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He just turned 35 years old, but is not slowing down.
Letang averaged almost 26 minutes a game with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. He has played in 941 games, gathering 144 goals, 506 assists. He also has 46 career power play tallies, along with 201 helpers.
He would certainly help the hapless Hawks power play issues. But, wait... he has been earning $7.25 million and is certainly worth it. The Blackhawks will have about $21.3 million in cap space next season.
While most rebuilds don't include veteran players, this team needs that leadership and mentoring to succeed. Offer Letang $8.5 million for two years and see if he bites.
Another area of improvement that the Hawks must address is in net. Both Kevin Lankinen and Colin Delia just weren't stopping enough pucks.
A premier goaltender like Kuemper will allow the Blackhawks some reprieve from rubber turning on their red light constantly. Kuemper is having a great season in Colorado with a 37-12-4 record. He has a sparkling save percentage of .921, and an excellent 2.54 goals-against-average. It doesn't get much better than that.
He is making $4.5 million and may need a bump from that to attract him to the Windy City. He is accustomed to facing a lot of shots, but does get injured a bit too.
This upgrade is a vital improvement for the Hawks. While Kuemper will turn 32 in a few days, he is still a performer in net that can deliver wins.
Phil Kessel
Here is a forward to add to the roster, who knows how to score. While he only had eight goals, his playmaking abilities were above average with 44 assists. Of course if there's a game on the schedule, Kessel will be out on the ice. He is soon to be the Ironman of the NHL by not missing game in... forever.
He is no youngster either at 34, but he is not going to allow that to slow him down. What he brings, as he showed in Arizona, is leadership and mentoring of the young players.
While his $6.8 million salary may be a deterrent, he realizes that he is in the twilight of his NHL career. He would more than likely take a decrease to the $4 million range to sign. The other hangup is Phil wanted to go to a contender, but no team was willing to trade for him.
Comeon, Phil Chicago hot dogs are the best!
So, in conclusion we have suggested a defenseman, goalie, and forward to help with the rebuild next season. There will still be many young players, but every team still needs veterans to guide them along.
The 2022-23 Chicago Blackhawks will be better with these additions.
| POLL | ||
Which free agent player do you want the 2022-23 Chicago Blackhawks to sign in free agency? | ||
| Kris Letang | 88 | 24.5 % |
| Darcy Keumper | 108 | 30.1 % |
| Phil Kessel | 55 | 15.3 % |
| ALL THREE! | 108 | 30.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
