Earlier this month, the Chicago Blackhawks writing crew right here at The Hockey Writers had been introduced with a possible commerce state of affairs by a colleague. To the Blackhawks: Mika Zibanejad with the New York Rangers retaining $1.7 million of his $8.5 million contract and a second-round choose. To the Rangers: Future concerns. This hypothetical was first proposed by Arthur Staple at The Athletic (from ‘What would a super Rangers offseason appear like? And a nightmare one?,’ The Athletic, Might 2025).
After I first heard this, I assumed, “Thanks, however no thanks.” I used to be additionally curious how my colleagues would reply in case I missed some potential upside. To my nice shock, everybody agreed: Hold Zibanejad. We don’t need him.
This prompted a comment from the person who shared the state of affairs with us and shall stay nameless (his title rhymes with Schark Meig), “Appears the Blackhawks are seen because the dumping floor nonetheless.”
Ouch. The phrases that lower deepest are those that ring most true, and Mark’s remark carried some weight. Over the previous few years, the Blackhawks have signed older gamers with giant cap hits, being compelled to tackle “lifeless weight” contracts to fulfill the cap ground. Given the crew’s current historical past, it’s completely affordable to decide on the Blackhawks because the commerce associate for Zibanejad. However our writing crew’s resounding “No!” inspired me. One thing has shifted each within the entrance workplace and the fanbase’s minds.
Blackhawks’ Tough Years
In March, the Blackhawks acquired retired Corridor of Fame defenseman Shea Weber’s contract from the Utah Mammoth. His $7.857 million deal ensured the crew met the $70.6 million wage ground imposed by the NHL. It’s a crucial transfer, nevertheless it didn’t breed confidence within the crew’s competitiveness. Aggressive groups aren’t attempting to fulfill the cap ground.
Associated: Blackhawks Identify Jeff Blashill the forty second Head Coach in Franchise Historical past
These are the pure penalties of a rebuild, and that rebuild frames each choice administration makes. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the crew signed TJ Brodie ($3.75 million), Pat Maroon ($1.3 million), Alec Martinez ($4 million), and Ilya Mikheyev ($4.037 million). The Blackhawks wished veteran gamers to spherical out the roster, and the crew may afford a lot of these contracts. I perceive. However each participant listed right here is 30 or older. Two retired (Maroon and Martinez), one will most certainly retire (Brodie), and Mikheyev will proceed to maneuver down the depth chart as youthful expertise blossoms.
seems, Frank Nazar’s toes don’t even should be touching the ice for him to attain a aim 🤷
🎥: @usahockey pic.twitter.com/MQb3t3MdIs
— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) Might 18, 2025
Extra to the purpose, these acquisitions additionally signaled to the remainder of the league that the Blackhawks had been prepared and capable of take gamers and contracts that had turn into burdensome. That’s why the crew retained $4.625 million of Mikko Rantanen’s contract when the Colorado Avalanche traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blackhawks additionally burned considered one of three retention slots when Seth Jones was moved to the Florida Panthers.
There are different examples: Josh Bailey from the New York Islanders in 2023 and Jake McCabe to the Toronto Maple Leafs that very same yr. For years now, the Blackhawks have been the primary crew that involves thoughts when numbers are tight, and a contract must be moved.
One thing Has Modified in Chicago
I concede that the Blackhawks crew right here at The Hockey Writers is a small pattern dimension, however I’d argue we admirably and precisely characterize the overall disposition of the fanbase. So, after we say we don’t need Zibanejad, I believe most would agree. However why don’t we wish him?
The Blackhawks don’t need to be the dumping floor for the NHL anymore. Certain, the rebuild remains to be underway, however the crew has taken important strides ahead. The main target is not on surrounding the younger expertise with veterans. The time has come for the younger gamers—Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Sam Rinzel—to step into management roles with the help of seasoned professionals. That’s what common supervisor Kyle Davidson reiterated after hiring Jeff Blashill as the following head coach:
[Blashill’s] thrived when ready to develop younger gamers and has proven he’s able to mixing that into total crew success, a imaginative and prescient and philosophy we share for the place we’re right now and the place we see our crew sooner or later.
Gamers like Zibanejad don’t match into that imaginative and prescient or philosophy, particularly when the Blackhawks have management figures like captain Nick Foligno. It’s a refined departure from years of acquiescence to the rebuild. The group is not involved with the longer term, permitting participant and contract dumps to be swallowed with a bitter style. The main target is the current, and if a participant or coach isn’t going to assist the crew now, respectfully hold him.
Encouraging Indicators for Blackhawks
I’ve ended my current items with an identical sentiment: these are encouraging indicators. Whether or not it’s draft priorities or participant growth, the Blackhawks aren’t in the identical part of the rebuild they had been in at the start of final season or the yr earlier than. This enjoyable hypothetical with Zibanejad solely underscores that additional.
