Team: 2023-24 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 21, 2023

Published: Jun. 21, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Isles Trade - KD acquires a cap dump. He has shown in the past a willingness to give a later round pick in order to get a pick of his desired return (like the two 5ths in the McCabe/Laf trade and the two 4ths in Hagel deal). For the sake of argument we can say NYI thinks a 2nd rounder to dump Bailey is too rich and KD throws a 6th their way for better value.

Caps Trade - Acquiring Mantha as a big bodied NHL ready player as a possible reclamation project. Going the other way would be Katchouk, who presents as a cost controlled 4th liner giving the Caps further flexibility in filling out their roster.

VAN Trade - Canucks unload Myers contract and create some flexibility. Offered up Mitchell as a potential RHD in return. Blackhawks have an opportunity to flip Myers with retention at the deadline.
RFAs - Kurashev is a lock to get a deal. I'd think it will likely be 2-3 years between 2.5-3 mil, so I split the difference. Caleb Jones gets a 1 year "prove it" type of deal to show that he should be a part of the rebuild. He improved immensely under Luke Richardson and I would be interested to see if the trajectory continues. Regula gets another chance, as the RHD pool is thin for the Hawks. I think Wagner, Bjork, and Anderson are redundant assets, but I could see them signing 1 of them.

Roster F - These move give Bedard some NHL talent to play with, surrounding him with players who can help him transition to the NHL. The "veteran mentor" role is filled by TyJo (2 time cup winner) and Seth Jones (high draft pick with high expectations placed on him).

Roster D - I think Vlasic and Phillips will get a shot. I think it is most likely that Korchinski gets a little bit of action to start the year and then is sent back down to the WHL. Kaiser gets the "Vlasic" treatment in Rockford and has the chance to pop up and down while playing a top pair role with the Ice Hogs. Buying out Zaitsev keeps some of his money on the books while also freeing up a D slot.

Overall this lineup will still be in the lottery this upcoming year while also not throwing 1OA into the deep end with no help. In season I would expect a further weaponization of cap space around the deadline.

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