Ideal reinforcement to help Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks: Top remaining 2026 UFAs
Photo credit: The New York Times
There are going to be multiple potential UFAs available on the open market next summer that the Blackhawks could be eying to bolster their team.
The Chicago Blackhawks are already off to an impressive start this year with 5 wins in their opening 10 games in their 100th NHL season.
Their strong play is mostly thanks to young players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar along with goaltender Spencer Knight, who was re-signed to a new contract recently.
But there are going to be multiple UFAs available next summer, including a former member of the Blackhawks, who could prove intriguing to Chicago GM Kyle Davidson.
Per a new report from NHL Trade Rumours, the top available UFAs next summer will include Artemi Panarin, Rasmus Andersson, Sergei Bobrovsky, Alex Tuch and Adrian Kempe.
Per analyst David Litman, Panarin doesn't plan on taking any kind of discount from his current AAV (average annual value) of $11.6 million and could even be a trade candidate for the Rangers if they're out of the playoff race in March.
The Bread Man is already baking with an expiring $11.6M AAV, and though he is 34, not many around the league are expecting him to take any kind of discount on his next deal. The Rangers might even look to trade him by the deadline.
Artemi Panarin Began His NHL Career With The Blackhawks In 2015
Panarin joined the Blackhawks as an undrafted UFA after playing in the KHL in his native Russia.
He earned the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie in 2016, but was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in what many Chicago fans consider to be among the worst trades in team history.
He's in the last year of a contract he signed with the Rangers in 2019.
TRENDING NOW
