Obviously the Stanley Cup Finals featuring the high-flying Avalanche and the reigning back-to-back champion Lightning is taking center stage at the moment. Despite a few league-wide transactions, it's been quiet especially for the Blackhawks.
But don't be fooled as the organization may just be in the eye of the hurricane right now. Once the 2022 champs are crowned, the offseason will ratchet up a couple of notches with the entry draft, trades, and free agency.
So even though player movement has been pretty much non-existent for the Hawks, fans should expect that the squad that ended the 2021-22 season will look substantially different once training camp opens in September.
The buzz lately has been around the inevitability of Alex DeBrincat being traded. If he's shipped out, there may be a chain reaction which amplifies the likelihood that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews ask out and waive their NMCs.
In addition to the remaining vestiges of the historic Cup core, a few other forwards have been in rumors. It's not looking like Dylan Strome will get a new contract while the Oilers and Ducks have expressed interest in Dominik Kubalik.
Teams are also placing calls on Kirby Dach. Putting aside criticisms of his attitude and work ethic, general manager Kyle Davidson doesn't have to trade him just. The same goes for DeBrincat. Both are still worth building around.
Then there's Seth Jones. His hefty $9.5M AAV for 8 years kicks in soon so he may not be going anywhere or at least the ability to trade him is extremely difficult. Not many teams -- if any -- would take that cap hit on even if interested.
However, Davidson may pull out all the stops to start the rebuild without Jones' fat contract on the books for almost a decade. Who knows what his opinion is of Jones in regards to whether how he values him: building block or trade chip?
RHD tend to be coveted on the trade market. Like Jones, Connor Murphy is also a rightie. Some teams are beginning to poke around trying to acquire one like the Sabres to play alongside Owen Power and Penguins if Kris Letang departs.
Could Murphy be leveraged in a trade this summer? What about LHD veteran and fellow defensive defenseman Jake McCabe? Pending sustained health, both have attractive contracts at Murphy's $4.4M AAV x 4 years and McCabe's $4M AAV x 3 years.
Lastly, the Hawks need to sign and/or trade for goaltenders to be the starter and backup or platoon in a 1A/1B scenario for the short term in order to provide ample time for touted goalie of the future Drew Commesso to be NHL ready.
There's a chance one of Kevin Lankinen or Collin Delia is re-signed. Arvid Soderblom and Jaxson Stauber are the only netminders signed to NHL contracts but neither are viable yet for the NHL and should be the duo in Rockford next season.
It was a dozen years ago this week when arguably the most tumultuous offseason began that ransacked the Hawks roster after their 2010 championship as the salary cap was like a boa constrictor squeezing out vital players.
* Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel, and Akim Aliu were traded to the Thrashers for a 2010 1st round pick, 2010 2nd round pick, Jeremy Morin, Marty Reasoner, and Joey Crabb.
* Andrew Ladd was traded to the Thrashers for Ivan Vishnevskiy and a 2011 2nd round pick.
* Kris Versteeg and Bill Sweatt were traded to the Maple Leafs for Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico, and Philippe Paradis.
* Colin Fraser was traded to the Oilers for a 2010 6th round pick.
* Jimmy Hayes was acquired from the Maple Leafs for a 2010 2nd round pick.
* Marty Turco signed as a free agent.
* Nick Leddy signed an ELC.
* Brandon Pirri signed an ELC.
This offseason could be an even bigger storm for the Hawks particularly given the Hawks are at rock bottom and need to rebuild versus in 2010 when they were still poised to keep competing for Cups despite the cap being an impediment.
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Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, NBC Sports Chicago, The Athletic Chicago
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