Team: 2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 7, 2023

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Chicago has too much cap space to not go out and spend a lot this offseason. They also have to know that next season can't be another year of Bedard with zero support around him. This doesn't include the potential of Celebrini or Eiserman being drafted.

I think Nylander tests the open market and wants to play with Bedard, and Reinhart would be a perfect 2nd line center as well. I think they want to keep trying with Reichel, and a low AAV prove-it deal is the only reason they'll do it. I was against bringing Kane back like so many people wanted, but he's shown that he's healthy and could be the perfect player to feed Bedard. Foligno returns as team dad and Nazar makes the jump from Michigan to the NHL after a brief stint to end 2024 in Rockford.

On the back end, they really seem to like Vlasic's game, and I think they lock him up on a long-term, low AAV deal. Seth Jones is here to stay, and Korchinski continues his development. Nolan Allan makes the jump to the NHL after a full year in Rockford and brings a defense-first approach and Hakanpää is brought in as a veteran, third pair guy.

Connor Murphy gets shipped to Boston for Linus Ullmark. Boston get a defenseman with 2 years of term left for a goalie on an expiring deal who's splitting the net with a younger goalie who will be getting a bigger contract this offseason.

I've always liked Durzi's game. Not sure where AZ might stand financially and if Kurashev and a 2nd gets it done for his rights. He could QB the PP and be a good young RHD to put on the 2nd pair with a player like Vlasic.

Hall and Athanasiou leave in free agency and open up spots for players like Oliver Moore in 2025/26.

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