With free agency just around the corner, the NHL news cycle is going to become a frenzy as teams sort out their rosters for next season. The Blackhawks won’t be as active as many other teams given how much of their roster is already set in stone, but they’ll be making moves all the same to get ready for another possible Stanley Cup run.
Already this offseason, we’ve seen the Hawks trade Andrew Shaw, Teuvo Teravainan and Bryan Bickell, so GM Stan Bowman hasn’t been shy about making changes to manage under the salary cap. The team currently has around $3 million in salary cap space to work with entering free agency, so Bowman will be able to acquire a new piece or two soon.
NHL free agency opens on Friday, and already we’ve heard a number of rumors about what the team intends to do in the coming days. Here’s a look at every major Hawks-related rumor that we’ve covered at Second City Hockey this summer, and we’ll continue updating this throughout the offseason.
July 19: Could the Hawks be talking with Radim Vrbata?
July 1: Hawks could be a dark horse suitor for Jimmy Vesey
July 1: Panthers offered $4.75 million, but Brian Campbell turned it down
July 1: Brian Campbell, Hawks nearing 1-year, $2 million deal
July 1: Dale Weise returning to Montreal “is a strong possibility”
June 30: Stars want Brian Campbell, but he’s expected to sign with Hawks
June 30: Hawks “reach out” to Thomas Vanek
June 30: It “sounds like” Brian Campbell will sign with the Hawks
June 29: Hawks interesting in re-signing Dale Weise
June 29: Brian Campbell likely heading back to Hawks
June 26: Hawks don’t plan to re-sign Michael Leighton
June 23: Hawks “ready to move on” from Mark McNeill
June 22: Hawks “exploring markets” for Andrew Shaw, Marcus Kruger
June 22: Brian Campbell has “serious interest” in returning to Hawks
June 21: The Evgeni Malkin rumor pops up again, but remains crazy
June 9: Hawks, Artemi Panarin have begun preliminary contract talks
June 6: Hawks trying hard to trade Bickell, but it could cost Teuvo
June 1: Andrew Ladd says new deal with Hawks is unlikely