Trade completed between the Kraken and Blackhawks for a Stanley Cup Champion: "We can become a contender"
Photo credit: ESPN
GM Kyle Davidson thought he was cooking when he acquired former Stanley Cup champion Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken, as he believes he could put the Blackhawks back into winning territory.
The Chicago Blackhawks finished the 2024-25 season with an 18-43-5 record and last in the Central Division.
The Blackhawks would see a decline in key players' production, while Bedard would suffer from multiple slumps this season.
They've hired Jeff Blashill and realigned the team under his new regime. Davidson didn't stop, as he completed a trade for former Stanley Cup champion Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken.
Burakovsky scored 37 points (10-27) in an 80-game campaign with the Kraken, and could be poised to break out in 2025-26 in the Windy City.
Burakovsky's New Depth Role In Chicago
Burakovsky could find himself in a similar role with the Blackhawks, he's held elsewhere in the NHL, as a middle-nine forward. He could be someone who scores in clutch moments and maintains possession of the puck as a checker.
He's played the same role in Washington and Colorado, becoming a vital piece in both teams' Stanley Cup playoff runs.
In Colorado, the forward played 191 games and scored 150 points, while playing 328 games in Washington, scoring 145 points.
Burakovsky plays best when the spotlight isn't focused on him:
I think I'm going to fit in right where I can help them to be better and to create more opportunities for them, set up some plays,» Burakovsky said on an interview with Clutch Points. «Just doing my thing to try and help them out and become better and help the team be better. There's a lot of talent, a lot of really good players on the team that are young who can really take the next step, and we can become a contender here.»
His campaigns in Washington and Colorado have prepared him for a possible top-line role in Chicago, alongside Connor Bedard.
Burakovsky has lofty goals and ambitious words for the Blackhawks fans, but what matters most is if he can make it happen.
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 1 | 514 ANSWERS Trade completed between the Kraken and Blackhawks for a Stanley Cup Champion: "We can become a contender" Will forward Andre Burakovsky, a Chicago Blackhawk, help put the team back into playoff contention? | ||
| Yes | 207 | 40.3 % |
| No | 307 | 59.7 % |
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