John Tavares, Mitch Marner, Aaron Ekblad and Shea Theodore to the Blackhawks?

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Josh Tupper
July 27, 2024 (9:06 PM)

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Chicago Blackhawks Eye Big Moves in 2025 Free Agency

The Chicago Blackhawks are aiming to make significant strides this upcoming season and claw their way out of the bottom of the Central Division and Western Conference standings. General Manager Kyle Davidson has been active this offseason, adding key players like Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and T.J. Brodie, along with depth pieces such as Craig Smith, Alec Martinez, Pat Maroon, and Ilya Mikheyev.

While these additions position the Blackhawks to improve in the 2024-25 season, the path to a playoff spot in the Western Conference remains challenging. However, the team's prospects for the 2025-26 season look brighter, with expectations of becoming more competitive and potentially making significant moves in the free agent market next summer.

In a recent mailbag article on The Athletic, Mark Lazerus addressed the possibility of the Blackhawks being aggressive in the free agent market in 2025. He noted that Davidson's willingness to trade next year's unprotected top pick to Columbus for the chance to draft Demidov signals the team's readiness to focus on the present rather than living years in the future.

Do you expect the Hawks to be more aggressive in free agency next year, maybe even trading away important picks for players? � Lucy B.

"The fact that Davidson was ready to trade next year's unprotected top pick (almost certainly a top-10 pick) to Columbus for the ability to draft Demidov is as clear a sign as any that the Blackhawks are ready to stop living years in the future. Could they deal away future picks for players? It's possible, but unlikely. Trades like that are rare, and it's not as if they'll be in the rental market at the trade deadline. But perhaps they look for this generation's Brian Campbell and/or Marian Hossa next summer � the player who signals to both the team and its fans that it's time to start taking the Blackhawks seriously again." Lazerus said.

He added, "With Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Shea Theodore and Aaron Ekblad among the players slated for unrestricted free agency next summer, just as players such as Oliver Moore and Levshunov are ready to break into the NHL for good, things could get interesting very quickly."

The potential to land marquee free agents like Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Shea Theodore, and Aaron Ekblad could significantly bolster the Blackhawks' roster. These moves would signal a shift towards serious contention and align with the development of young talents such as Oliver Moore and Levshunov, who are expected to make a more substantial impact in the NHL by 2025.

This season will also be pivotal for Connor Bedard, who aims to elevate his game and potentially become the Blackhawks' first 100-point player since Patrick Kane in the 2018-19 season. Bedard's progression will be crucial to the team's success and attractiveness to potential free agents.

As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, the Chicago Blackhawks are set for an intriguing year both on and off the ice. With Connor Bedard leading the charge and the potential for significant free agent acquisitions next summer, the Blackhawks are positioning themselves to return to prominence and become serious contenders in the near future. Kyle Davidson's decisions in the coming months will be critical in shaping the future of the franchise and reigniting hope among the team's fanbase.

Source: The Athletic
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