Team: 2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: May 8, 2024

Published: May 9, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Just my opinion from a non-Blackhawk fan.

The Jones-Marner trade may be underwhelming for Toronto fans, but people seem to forget how much Seth Jones is valued by old-school GMs. The Leafs are also desperate for a defenseman because they have absolutely no depth.

Ian Cole can be a good 3D (6.5 defensive rating) for a season while other defensemen are developing, and Roy is a solid 2D (6.2 defensive rating).

I also revamped the bottom-6, and it actually looks like an above-average unit. Teddy Blueger had a 3.3 defensive rating but was underwhelming offensively; he is the ideal bottom-6 center. Jake Debrusk is a two-way forward who could really be a risk-reward player for Chicago. I do believe that he would command more than 4.5 million, but he had a down year compared to the one before.

Finally, I had Chicago drafting a defenseman, which might anger some Hawks fans, but I feel like it's the bigger need after trading away Seth Jones. Also, Demidov will be in a similar situation as Michkov, although he hasn't shown as much at the KHL level. Additionally, the Hawks could potentially acquire a forward next draft or with their later pick that could help them sooner.

Edit: I changed Matt Roy's contract to 4.5m

For those that don't know what defensive rating is:

Defensive Rating: A weighted combination of blocked shots, faceoffs, penalties taken, expected goals against impact at five-on-five, goals against impact at five-on-five, penalty kill impact and usage.