The Chicago Blackhawks have a brand new head coach in Jeff Blashill. Blashill’s arrival rings in what the crew hopes is one other period of championship glory. Chicago has rebuilt its roster because the late 2010s, they usually really feel they’ll lastly flip the nook with Blashill and star ahead Connor Bedard main the way in which. The work towards this aim begins in 2025 NHL Free Company.
Chicago had a horrific season in 2024-25. They usually need to keep away from the same destiny this upcoming season. In consequence, the Blackhawks are anticipated to be aggressive this summer time. They need to add a star subsequent to Bedard to assist take a number of the workload off him. They usually hope this celebrity will help him come into his personal as a star in his personal proper.
The Blackhawks have quite a few choices they’ll discover this summer time. Nonetheless, NHL Free Company will be very misleading. We head into it hyping up influence gamers who could make a distinction on the ice. However those self same gamers can fully fall off a cliff after signing a brand new contract.
Let’s check out a nightmare situation for Blashill’s Blackhawks with 2025 NHL Free Company lower than a month away.
Mitch Marner rejects Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have been linked relatively closely to Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner in NHL Free Company. And it is sensible why they’ve been linked to him. Marner would be the finest free agent out there if he makes it to July 1. At this level, all indications are that he’ll hit the open market.
Marner is likely one of the finest gamers within the league. His 286 factors over the past three seasons is nice for eighth amongst NHL skaters, in accordance with Evolving Hockey. He has extra factors in that span than the likes of Sidney Crosby, Auston Matthews, and Brayden Level.
Article Continues Beneath
Marner additionally ranks eleventh within the league for WAR over the past three seasons. His WAR is greater than the likes of Level, Matthew Tkachuk, and Aleksander Barkov. This can be a unbelievable participant who compares nicely with a number of the finest on this planet.
The Blackhawks are skeptical of Marner’s worth on the open market. Nonetheless, he’s precisely the kind of participant they want. Sadly, on this situation, he turns them down. The place he goes is unclear. He might go to a crew just like the Vegas Golden Knights, or be a part of an up-and-coming crew just like the Detroit Pink Wings. All that issues is that he’s not taking his skills to the Windy Metropolis.
Chicago panics in NHL Free Company
The Blackhawks want to show their consideration to the remainder of the market in free company. And in a way, they find yourself panicking. There is not one other star like Marner on the open market. However they want a star, in order that they overpay to fill their holes.
One goal might be veteran defender Aaron Ekblad. He is an effective match for the crew, however he’s more likely to obtain a large chunk of change this summer time. One other participant they may goal is ahead Matt Duchene. Duchene is taking a look at a significant payday of his personal after being the very best worth signing within the league over the past two seasons.
The Blackhawks are higher within the quick time period with these gamers. Nonetheless, they’ve huge long-term threat that would backfire in important methods. Chicago can’t afford to have any hindrances on the ice as they appear to return to playoff rivalry earlier than the tip of the last decade.