So much of the Blackhawks’ offseason will be determined at the NHL Draft Lottery on May 8.
If the Blackhawks land one of the first two picks, they’ll plan their offseason knowing they’re going to have Connor Bedard or Adam Fantilli in their NHL lineup next season. If they end up with any other pick, they’ll plan for the likelihood their draft choice won’t play in the NHL next season.
The Blackhawks’ roster-building will begin after the lottery and as free agency approaches. But for now, there is some sense of whom the Blackhawks might re-sign or let walk among their pending unrestricted and restricted free agents. Let’s examine.
Unrestricted free agents
Possibility to re-sign
The Blackhawks were originally hoping to flip Athanasiou at the trade deadline when they signed him. That didn’t happen, but the Blackhawks were still pleased with his overall season. Chicago probably is going to overpay a few players this offseason on short-term deals to get to the cap floor. Athanasiou could be among them, especially with their familiarity with him on and off the ice. He played well with Lukas Reichel late in the season, too. Something like a two-year deal with a $5 million cap hit could be enticing to Athanasiou and help the Blackhawks in a few different ways.
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Jujhar Khaira
Khaira was a solid contributor for the Blackhawks when healthy. The problem is that he struggled with injuries. He played in 78 games over the last two seasons. He did play some of his best hockey at the end of this past season. He also seemed to be well-liked in the room. He could fill a bottom-six role again.
Unlikely to re-sign
The Blackhawks acquired Englund in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche for Jack Johnson. With so many defensemen coming in next season, Englund was going to really have to blow away management to earn another contract.
Anton Khudobin
The Blackhawks accepted Khudobin and his contract to make the Max Domi trade work with the Dallas Stars. Khudobin played one game for the Blackhawks and none for the Rockford IceHogs.
Buddy Robinson
The Blackhawks signed a number of veterans to play in Rockford this season. Robinson had a quiet season compared to the others. He produced nine goals and 11 assists in 52 regular-season games in the AHL.
Alex Stalock
The Blackhawks would probably happily have Stalock back if they didn’t already have Petr Mrazek signed for next season and weren’t looking to promote Arvid Soderblom. It’s just a numbers game in net. You would think Stalock will get an opportunity elsewhere next season.
Jonathan Toews
Andy Welinski
Welinski was part of the Patrick Kane trade and has played in 14 games for the IceHogs. At 29, he isn’t someone the Blackhawks would likely bring back.
Restricted free agents
Definitely will re-sign
The Blackhawks were pleased with Kurashev’s progress this season. He probably isn’t a future top-six forward for them, but he proved he can be a reliable everyday NHL player and can move up the lineup when needed. He’ll likely get a small bump in his new contract, too.
Arvid Söderblom
Söderblom is one of the Blackhawks’ top prospects. He probably spent a little too much time in the NHL this season, but the organization liked how he progressed. He’s expected to share the NHL net with Mrazek next season.
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Possibility to re-sign
Anderson may have earned at least a two-way deal with how he played with the Blackhawks after he was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the deadline. He was a great fit alongside Khaira and Boris Katchouk on the fourth line. That line probably won the Blackhawks a game or two down the stretch.
Anders Bjork
Bjork may have been the biggest surprise of the Blackhawks’ additions at the deadline. He had a 55.14 expected goals percentage in his 13 games with them. That’s the highest percentage of anyone who played at least 10 games for the Blackhawks this season. His qualifying offer would be $1.8 million.
Jones’ situation is complicated. He had some ups and downs this season. He is also, obviously, the brother of Seth Jones, who is expected to be with the Blackhawks for many years. The issue is the Blackhawks have a lot of younger defensemen, especially left-handed ones, coming in, and they need to make some room for them. Nothing has been decided on Jones, but it feels like the situation could go either way.
Ian Mitchell
Mitchell was in the NHL for much of the season. He and the Blackhawks were probably hoping he would have fared better. His expected goals percentage of 35.87 was the worst on the team among players with a minimum of 30 games. The Blackhawks could bring him back as a depth NHL defenseman or at least to play in Rockford.
Alec Regula
Regula seemed to be on track to be an NHL defenseman two seasons ago. He played in 15 NHL games during the 2021-22 season. But he didn’t take that next step this season and played in just four NHL games. He hasn’t been written off, but there is more competition among young defensemen.
Austin Wagner
Wagner played only seven games for the Blackhawks after being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings. He has the speed the Blackhawks covet. You could see them re-signing him at a low cap hit or letting him walk. The Blackhawks could look to negotiate contracts with players like Anderson, Bjork and Wanger outside of their qualifying offers.
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Unlikely to re-sign
Hunter Drew
The Blackhawks sought to give Josiah Slavin a chance with another organization and traded him to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Drew. Drew played 16 games for the IceHogs in the regular season.
Jakub Galvas
It sounds like Galvas may end up returning to play in Europe after the season.
Maxim Golod
The Blackhawks acquired Golod in exchange for Dylan Sikura around the trade deadline, creating roster space for other AHL players. Golod has played three games for the IceHogs and 10 games for the Indy Fuel in the ECHL.
Cameron Hillis
The Blackhawks acquired Hillis in a trade from the Montreal Canadiens for Nicolas Beaudin. Hillis has played 16 games for the IceHogs and 45 games for the Indy Fuel this season.
(Photo of Caleb Jones: Joe Camporeale / USA Today)
