With the Stanley Cup Final complete, it is time for the offseason to take shape. Unlike previous offseason prediction articles I have written, I decided to write this one before the draft. The reason being that the draft may be where the Chicago Blackhawks are busiest.
This offseason is beyond important for Chicago, and, most importantly, for Kyle Davidson. Despite his re-signing, the pressure has never been higher to swing big. The Blackhawks appear ready to move on from bottom-feeder to playoff contender. With over $40 million in projected cap space, now is the time to do so, and here are a few of my predictions for the Blackhawks 2026 offseason.
Sign Connor Bedard long term
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“Well duh,” you’re probably saying to yourself reading this. This is the obvious priority, and should be taken care of before July 1. The more time passes without an extension, the less time the front office has to address other offseason concerns.
Move on from Andre Burakovsky
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An addition by subtraction. It is clear that Andre Burakovsky fell out of favor with fans and head coach Jeff Blashill at the end of the season. Four points in his final 35 games is unacceptable. With a desire to add, room has to be made.
Although trading the final year of his contract is preferable, the Blackhawks may have to bite the buyout bullet. If bought out, his $5.5 million cap hit would turn into $2.5 million of cap space next season, with $1.25 million being owed to Burakovsky in the 2027-28 season.
Sell high for Ilya Mikheyev’s signing rights
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Ilya Mikheyev proved to be a trade steal for the Blackhawks. The 31-year-old forward brought speed and penalty killing to the bottom six.
The Blackhawks saw his value and decided against trading him at the deadline. Now, with reports that Mikheyev turned down a three-year contract extension, Chicago has begun shopping his signing rights. Mikheyev hopes to cash in long term with his next contract.
Despite his value, giving term to a 31-year-old forward with a skillset predicated on speed does not make sense. Recouping value on Mikheyev should be a priority before the draft.
Decide on the backup goaltender
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An interesting battle going into next season will be the backup goaltender spot. Will it be Arvid Soderblom or Drew Commesso?
To me, the answer is becoming obvious. It should be Commesso. Statistically, Soderblom has been one of the worst NHL goalies for three seasons. It is time to give Commesso the reigns.
With that, the Blackhawks would need to figure out what to do with Soderblom. With one more year on his contract paying him $2.75 million, it would be difficult to find a trade partner willing otherwise take that on. Edmonton? Detroit? Florida? The Rangers? I highly doubt it.
Because of this, waiving Soderblom may be the solution. If claimed, the cap hit is taken off the books. If not, the Rockford IceHogs reunite with a veteran goaltender with NHL experience.
Decide on Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro
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There are two NHL-level left-handed defensemen on the NHL roster: Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser. With Matt Grzelcyk unlikely to be re-signed, that leaves one possible lineup spot for two unproven lefties.
Will Chicago choose to go with the upside of Kevin Korchinski? The defensive game of Ethan Del Mastro? Or will they choose to bring back both defensemen and hope one of them emerges? Time will tell, but I doubt term would be offered to both.
A “prove it” deal makes sense for both of them. Neither has proven enough to deserve term, and if keeping one of them is the right move, a maximum of a two-year contract should be offered. If it were up to me, I would go with the upside of Korchinski over Del Mastro.
Big-fish hunt for top-six winger(s)
This is the most obvious need for the Blackhawks. With recent reports stating that the Blackhawks want to maintain a center depth chart of Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar, the need to surround these young guys with talent is apparent. There are few free agents who could fill the role, but the trade market could prove fruitful.
Jason Robertson
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The crown jewel of the trade market, pending restricted free agent (RFA) Jason Robertson is the type of winger the Blackhawks desperately need. A three-time 40-goal scorer, including 45 goals this season, Robertson would immediately bolster the top line.
The problem becomes obvious. Robertson is still under control of the Dallas Stars. The asking price shoots up when dealing in division. However, with reports coming out that Robertson is looking for at least $14 million average annual value (AAV) on his next contract, the teams that can afford to trade for and sign Robertson are few. Chicago fits the requirements.
Matthew Knies
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Significant cold water has been thrown on the Matthew Knies trade rumors since the draft lottery. With a new front office and the first overall pick in their grasps, the Toronto Maple Leafs may wish to pivot back into adding.
That being said, who knows? It has been reported by David Pagnotta that a trade nearly went down at the deadline that would have sent Knies to the Montreal Canadians for top prospect Alexander Zharovsky, two first round picks and another top prospect. Although Brad Treliving said no, maybe a similar offer, or even better one, could be presented to new Leafs general manager John Chayka.
At 23 years old and a contract that does not expire until 2031, Knies lines up perfectly with the rest of the young Blackhawk roster.
Alex Tuch
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The only unrestricted free agent (UFA) in this section, Alex Tuch allows Chicago to add to their top six without giving up draft or prospect capital.
With the Buffalo Sabres and Tuch reportedly “far apart” in negotiations, the Blackhawks should strike on July 1.
The issue with Tuch is his age. At 30 years old, Tuch may begin to fade as the rest of the young roster grows. The hope is that he does not become an anchor contract if he were to be signed to a seven-year contract. However, with 66 points this season, Tuch continues to improve his scoring touch with time. His two-way game should age well, even if his offensive skill were to dwindle.
Pavel Dorofeyev
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The Stanley Cup finalists found yet another diamond in their constant pursuit of success. The former third-round pick is coming off back-to-back regular seasons of 35+ goals. Dorofeyev has exploded onto the scene in these playoffs, greatly increasing his stock and his price.
Like with Robertson, Dorofeyev is an RFA this offseason. The constantly cap-strapped Vegas Golden Knights may need to move their prized youngster, with Chicago taking advantage. The added bonus of proven playoff success from the 25-year-old may increase the asking price, but that is nothing Chicago cannot handle.
Tomas Hertl
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More of an “if not A, then B” situation, the second Golden Knight in a row is likely a more realistic option. Vegas will do whatever it takes to retain Dorofeyev. If it becomes clear that obtaining Dorofeyev is an impossibility for Chicago, pivoting to Tomas Hertl makes some sense.
A three-time 30-goal scorer in his 13-year NHL career, Hertl remained healthy this season, playing all 82 regular season games, recording 58 points.
At 32 years old, Hertl may not be a long-term piece, but he is a top-six option. With his contract expiring after the 2029-30 season, Hertl may prove cheap to acquire. His cap hit of $6.75 million is significant, and there is plenty of risk, but the upside is there.
Jordan Kyrou
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Like with Robertson, acquiring Jordan Kyrou comes with the increase in asking price from the St. Louis Blues. Despite the down season, the 28-year-old winger will cost an arm and a leg.
If the returns for Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk are any indication, the Blackhawks must be ready to pay up for Kyrou’s services. The 70-point scorer’s contract runs until the 2030-31 season.
Alexis Lafreniere
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The much-maligned former first-overall draft pick may be a quiet target of the Blackhawks. At 24 years old, Lafreniere tied a career high in points this season with 57.
Like with Knies and Robertson, his age lines up very well with the young Chicago core, and could find the potential that made him the top pick in 2019.
At a cap hit of $7.45 million through the 2031-32 season, acquiring Lafreniere would require the Rangers to completely embrace a full teardown. With the trade of Artemi Panarin at the deadline and the rumored shopping of Vincent Trocheck, perhaps the Rangers could be convinced to provide the Blackhawks a young top-six winger.
Add to the left side of the blue line
Even if the Blackhawks were to bring back both Korchinski and Del Mastro, the same issue that plagued last years roster threatens again. The roster is young, way too young. Vlasic cannot be the elder statesman at 24 years old.
The priority should not be just to add experience, but experience with talent. A Grzelcyk-like signing would not cut it for this upcoming season. A left-handed defenseman who can at least play on the second pair should be prioritized. Here are a few options:
Mario Ferraro
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The soon-to-be UFA Mario Ferraro is reportedly projected for a contract with an AAV around $5.1 million. At 27 years old, it is fair to say that the defenseman is entering his physical prime, and the Blackahwks make sense as a team looking to add Ferraro’s talents.
After a career high in points and goals, Ferraro should immediately slot in the second pair, becoming a reliable partner for young righties like Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel.
Morgan Rielly
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The leader of the Maple Leafs’ defense struggled this past season. With his lowest point total in a season when he has played at least 60 games since the 2016-17 season, Rielly’s large contract is one that Toronto would like to move.
At 32 years old, Rielly’s contract runs until the 2029-30 season at a $7.5 million cap hit. Despite his previous season woes, Rielly can move the puck to the tune of 50+ assists per season. His defensive metrics have slipped with age, but his value cannot be ignored.
With some retention, Chicago could add a valuable piece to their top four.
Jeremy Lauzon
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The third Golden Knight in this article, Jeremy Lauzon can add a physical edge to the second pairing. Coming off a Stanley Cup appearance, the cost of retaining Lauzon could be going up, to the benefit of a buyer like Chicago. The 29-year-old defenseman would slot in immediately as a subtle game-changer to the blue line.
Darnell Nurse
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One of the most maligned players in the league, Darnell Nurse is still a valuable defenseman. With recent reports that the Edmonton Oilers want to trade Nurse away, Chicago could take advantage by acquiring a top-four defenseman at the bottom of his value.
It would be a tough sell to purchase the entire contact of Nurse. Retention would be a necessity. Edmonton may be desperate to move Nurse and the four years remaining on his contract. Nurse at $9.25 million a year is rough, but Nurse at 33% retention, which comes out to roughly $6.19 million, is reasonable.
This all become a moot point if Nurse does not waive for the Blackhawks, but with recent reports that the pending divorce is mutual, it is not an impossibility.
Bowen Byram
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The former fourth-overall draft pick may be on the cutting block for Buffalo. With the impending free agency of Tuch, Buffalo may look to offload the final season of Byram’s contract. His $6.25 million cap hit could be easily absorbed by Chicago.
Byram brings Stanley Cup experience, and at 24 years old, there is room to improve. Byram may achieve his first-pairing potential with the Blackhawks.
Add speculative value to the bottom-six
A small priority, the Blackhawks should look to improve down the lineup. The market for players in this mold is extensive, which allows Chicago to see if they can bring someone in with low expectations but intriguing upside.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
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Now, before everyone freaks out, I will explain. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been in Rod Brind’Amour’s doghouse while with the Carolina Hurricanes. With nine points in 42 regular season games, Kotkaniemi’s game has completely fallen off a cliff, remaining in the press box during Carolina’s run to the Stanley Cup.
Here is where Chicago swoops in. Kotkaniemi is a buyout candidate. The Blackhawks could see him as a bounce-back candidate.
At only 25 years old, the idea that he could return to form is not absurd. A low-risk buy who could become a 20/20 player if he can add a defensive game, what harm could a one-year contract do?
Brandon Duhaime
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Like Kotkaniemi, Brandon Duhaime lost his offensive touch this season. Despite playing all 82 regular season games for the Washington Capitals, Duhaime only managed nine points.
Never scoring more than 21 points in a season, Duhaime brings a physical, defensive game to the bottom six that would be vacated by a departing Mikheyev. A bounce back on the offensive side of the ice is reasonable. The 29-year-old still offers upside.
Victor Olofsson
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The well-traveled veteran Victor Olofsson is quietly a solid target for Chicago. After an underwhelming stint with the Calgary Flames after a deadline trade, questions remain as to whether he will be re-signed.
Coming off back-to-back one-year contracts, the soon-to-be-31-year-old winger has seen a dip in offensive production since his time in Buffalo, but that should not scare off Chicago in their quest for skilled depth.
Analysis
It is time to swing for the fences. Although I would argue missing the playoffs would not cause Davidson to lose his job, another season of not even sniffing them would put Davidson on the hot seat. The contract extension is a reflection that ownership trusts Davidson; it is now time to reward that trust.
Bigger expectations may lead to bigger heartbreak and frustration, but that is why teams go for it. Davidson should willingly put his feet to the fire. Risks must be taken. The prospect pool is loaded, but that will mean nothing if talent cannot be added elsewhere.