Rumored: Blackhawks Have Interest In Three Defenseman This Offseason
The Blackhawks have since floundered as their playoff hopes were ended in early March. In the off-season, they will look to add to their defensive ranks to bolster roster quality.
These acquisitions will happen throughout free agency, and they have targeted three defensemen, who could help the squad.
The three defensemen who are rumored to be targeted by the Chicago Blackhawks are Brendan Dillon of the Winnipeg Jets, Ian Cole of the Vancouver Canucks, and Justin Schultz of the Seattle Kraken.
Brenden Dillon blasts one home from way downtown, bringing the Jets back within 1!#GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/gla56Lrw05� Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 27, 2024
Brendan Dillon would be a great short-term deal to help bolster their young blue lines, as a mobile, left-handed defenseman who has 8 goals and 19 points with a +17 plus/minus rating, in 69 games played. Dillon has leadership and remains consistent which are qualities that remind you of Connor Murphy.
That's 5'7 165 lbs Alex Debrincat vs 6'1 225 lbs Ian Cole. #LGRW #Canuckspic.twitter.com/PVAhsidUH3� NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) February 10, 2024
Ian Cole could be a great veteran defenseman who could be a reliable option in the defensive zone for the Blackhawks. The 35-year-old has had a great season in Vancouver, with 2 goals, 10 points a +10 plus/minus rating, with 150 shots blocked, and 73 hits this season.
He would offer a great mentorship to younger defensemen, while being a great penalty kill option as well.
Justin Schultz zips home Donato's pretty cross-ice feed to knot up the score at 2 for the Kraken!#SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/IT8cXinXBI� Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 3, 2023
The Seattle Kraken's Justin Schultz could be a great offensive option, as he has great puck-moving abilities, and could add some skillful options to the Blackhawks defensive core.
In the 33-year-old's 12 NHL season, he has 6 goals, 22 points, -20 plus/minus, and 59 blocked shots in 62 games this season.
He could be a decent third-pair option for the Blackhawks could help generate scoring opportunities and could help be a huge compliment to the team's offensive structure.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 1 | 167 ANSWERS Rumored: Blackhawks Have Interest In Three Defenseman This Offseason Who do you think the Blackhawks should target? | ||
| Justin Schultz | 62 | 37.1 % |
| Ian Cole | 42 | 25.1 % |
| Brendan Dillon | 63 | 37.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
