3 players who shouldn't return to the Chicago Blackhawks next year
Photo credit: NHL
The time has come-it's May. The playoffs are in full swing, with the first round wrapping up and going into the second round. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks are not in the playoffs.
So, the focus, again for Chicago, is on the off-season plans.
The draft lottery coming up on Monday, the actual draft on June 28th, Free Agency on July 1st.
But another thing is contracts that are running out and players who shouldn't return next year.
So who are the three players who are getting kicked out the door?
Up first is TJ Brodie. Brodie's contract isn't ending; in fact, he's signed for next year. But that's the problem.
Brodie is not very good...at all, and at one point in the season was taking up spots from the young defensemen who actually deserved the chance to play.
And he's still going to next year.
TJ is always out of position and looks lost in most plays; Brodie was a -18 in 54 games this year and only had ten points-why have him take a spot over someone like Nolan Allan, Artyom Levshunov, or Louis Crevier?
Secondly, Philipp Kurashev. Kurashev really broke out in the 2023-24 season, having 54 points in a span of 75 games and really took off with Connor Bedard.
Going into this year at 25 years old and always showing a little upside, Hawks fans were hoping he could continue down the road.
Well, unfortunately, in a contract year, he didn't and only tallied 14 points in 51 games.
The Blackhawks should just let him go, as this is the least amount of points that he put up in his career.
Last but not least, Ryan Donato. Donato was a huge conversion in the trade talks, but ultimately ended up staying in the Windy City.
Donato signed with the Blackhawks and instantly took off and completed the season as a member of the 30-goal scorer club with 31 of them. Ryan also tallied 62 points in 80 games.
Whether or not Kyle should bring him back varies; if he wants to come back on short-term and low money, fine, let him.
But you cannot give him a long-term deal and big AAV- there's still a chance this is a one-year pony type of deal.
The only person who should have a shot at coming back next year is Donato.
| POLL | ||
MAI 3 | 192 ANSWERS 3 players who shouldn't return to the Chicago Blackhawks next year Who do you think should have no chance at coming back? | ||
| TJ Brodie | 121 | 63 % |
| Philipp Kurashev | 30 | 15.6 % |
| Ryan Donato | 41 | 21.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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