3 free agents the Chicago Blackhawks could acquire for an immediate impact
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2025 should be the year Kyle Davidson utilizes free agency to build around Connor Bedard, and there are three players who could upgrade the Blackhawks' top six, one of them is JJ Peterka.
The Chicago Blackhawks' free agent additions in 2024 didn't move the needle far enough to justify staying around, aside from Ryan Donato.
The rest, GM Kyle Davidson should let walk into free agency and utilize the cap space available to sign younger free agents who fit the Blackhawks' rebuild timeline.
According to PuckPedia, the team will start with a projected amount of $$30.9 million in cap space to work with headed into 2025-2026.
Here are three free agents who could upgrade the lineup significantly.
JJ Peterka
JJ Peterka is one of the Buffalo Sabres' most productive forwards, who scored a total of 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) and plays on the top-six. The last game of the Sabres' season saw him centered by Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn flanking on the right. The 6'0", 189 lb left-winger isn't afraid of forechecking, and could be the player who not only digs in the dirty areas for pucks, but unlike Tyler Bertuzzi is as advertised.
Per Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:
"He's a middle-lane driver who shoots a lot and works to get to the front of the net to finish off plays. He's just naturally athletic and it fits well with his up-tempo, north-south game. As the season progressed, though, he never really showed me he had the tools to be more than that."
Peterka's cap hit is currently $856K, and the former 2nd-round pick is due a qualifying offer of $874K by the Sabres to retain his rights.
An offer sheet might be the way to pry him out of Buffalo, which might cost the Hawks more.
Mikael Granlund turned his career around on a terrible San Jose Sharks team after being jettisoned by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The former 9th overall pick in the 1st-round of the 2010 NHL Draft has already exceeded his 2023-2024 totals playing with both the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks this season. He's scored a total of 66 points (22 goals, 44 assists) and could be a highly sought-after free agent in July, Stanley Cup or not.
He'd be a perfect placeholder on the second line and would make the team competitive, unlike other veteran free agents we've acquired have achieved.
The New York Rangers will be in a cap crunch and won't be able to save all their RFAs especially after handing out deals to Will Borgen and Igor Shesterkin.
This 45 point (20 goals, 25 assists) power-forward would be an ideal addition to the lineup due to the fact the Blackhawks don't have the kind of prototypical power-forward rostered, like the Capitals do with Tom Wilson.
He can play on special teams, he can forecheck, and lay the body with ease.
We're only counting on GM Chris Drury's hubris and leaving him by the wayside as the Rangers' debacle continues on into the postseason.
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 28 | 158 ANSWERS 3 free agents the Chicago Blackhawks could acquire for an immediate impact Who do you think GM Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks should sign in July? | ||
| Will Cuylle | 26 | 16.5 % |
| Mikael Granlund | 68 | 43 % |
| JJ Peterka | 64 | 40.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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