Transaction: NHL Veteran and Stanley Cup Champion to the Chicago Blackhawks?
Photo credit: The Hockey news
With the Florida Panthers Stanley Cup victory, they have lost players to the Stanley Cup tax, including defenseman Brandon Montour.
It appears, now they are ready to move on from one of their top defenseman, as they want to gain more cap space.
That could result in the team, trading
Aaron Ekblad, who is in the final year of his 8-year, $60 Million dollar deal with the team.
Ekblad, 28, right-shot defenseman's current cap hit with the Florida Panthers is $7.5 Million AAV. Could he end up finding a new home elsewhere in the NHL? One team who could use the depth on defense, is the Blackhawks and one of many few teams who could fit his cap hit easily.
Should Bill Zito try and move Ekblad, he should retain money on the contract, not only for a better return but to make the deal happen quicker.
Ekblad returned from an injury this season to play 51 games with the Panthers, scoring 18 points( 4 G, 14 A) with a +27 rating on ice. He played all 24 playoff games with the team, scoring 5 points( 1G , 4 A) and a +4.
GM Kyle Davidson could call on Zito to see what the price for Ekblad would be, as even though Ekblad's play has declined in recent years he could be a great addition to a not-so-deep Blackhawks defense.
But if it costs an arm and a leg, which it shouldn't Davidson should add the Stanley Cup champion and let the prospects get a little more seasoning in the AHL in 2024-2025.
Previously on HawksInsider
POLL |
AOUT 6 | 61 ANSWERS Transaction: NHL Veteran and Stanley Cup Champion to the Chicago Blackhawks? Should Kyle Davidson trade for Aaron Ekblad? |
Yes | 43 | 70.5 % |
No | 18 | 29.5 % |
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