3 Blackhawks Defenseman Who Will Likely Be Traded Away
The Blackhawks need to consider who they want to keep long-term before entering the five-year rebuild. With a relatively deep prospect pool, the team will eventually need to make room for rookies by flipping other players at the deadline. With the amount of younger defensemen who could turn into the future defensive core, who do the Hawks need to trade in order for space?
Chicago acquired former Buffalo Sabre McCabe last summer and signed him to a four-year deal. With 22 points (4G, 18A) in 75 games, -27 plus/minus and a lack of physicality, he doesn't seem to offer much. He has three more years left on his $4 million AAV contract; if a team is looking for someone who's quick on his feet, he could fit.
Although the Hawks just signed him a few weeks ago, Johnson's one-year, $950,000 contract is the type that Kyle Davidson would hope to flip at the deadline. As a seasoned veteran, Johnson offers experience on and off the ice; the hope is to have him pass his knowledge on to the younger players. Davidson will likely trade his contract for whatever he can get, but only time will tell.
Connor Murphy or Riley Stillman
If uninjured, both Murphy and Stillman serve as the team's resident enforcers, they earned 10 (4G, 6A) and 12 (2G, 10A) points in 57 and 52 games, respectively. They're all-around good players to have, but the team might have to choose between one or the other soon. It's more likely that Stillman would stay through the rebuild, but it will most likely come down to whoever stays healthy.
idea via dawindycity.com
| POLL | ||
Which defenseman would you like to see gone? | ||
| Jake McCabe | 77 | 38.3 % |
| Connor Murphy | 41 | 20.4 % |
| Riley Stillman | 24 | 11.9 % |
| Someone else... | 59 | 29.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
