It’s been a long time since the Chicago Blackhawks were in this position entering an NHL trade deadline. The team is no longer a buyer looking to put a potential Cup contender over the top, but more of a seller fielding offers from other teams on players who could be moved for future assets.
That’s a stark contrast from the approach we saw GM Stan Bowman take in past seasons, when the Blackhawks were among the most aggressive buyers on the market. Just in 2015 and 2016 alone, the team gave up both its first-round picks, a second-round pick, Phillip Danault, Marko Dano, and other pieces for short-term upgrades.
Now the Blackhawks are last in their division, so the team is executing a much different strategy this year. It’s not quite a rebuild, but there’s little doubt that the focus has shifted to 2018-19 at this point.
All of the team’s upcoming unrestricted free agents seem like prime trade candidates, and some other players could be discussed, too. Here’s a breakdown of what the Blackhawks can realistically offer to other teams this week.
With all that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Blackhawks trade rumors leading up to the deadline on Feb. 26. We’ll keep regularly updating this post over the next few days with the latest.
Completed deals
Kempny to Washington
To BLACKHAWKS: 2018 third-round pick
To CAPITALS: Michal Kempny
Pokka to Ottawa
To BLACKHAWKS: Chris DiDomenico
To SENATORS: Ville Pokka
Every major Blackhawks trade rumor
Feb. 21
Blue Jackets asked about Artem Anisimov, but Hawks may prefer to keep him.
Tommy Wingels is included on TSN’s latest Trade Bait board.
“Keep an eye on” Anisimov and Ryan Hartman as trade candidates.
Feb. 19
Jets have “kicked the tires” on a potential Ryan Hartman deal
Artem Anisimov hasn’t heard from the team about any potential trades
Earlier rumors
Could the Blackhawks be open to trading Brandon Saad?
Stan Bowman says the Blackhawks are open to making a “hockey trade” this month
Bowman says Blackhawks won’t be buyers at trade deadline