Dylan Strome Not in the Blackhawks Future Plans?

With the NHL deadline approaching, some wonder if Dylan Strome might enter the market as a potential trade chip for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

The 24-year-old comes with an affordable contract at a $3 million average annual value. On a team with Kirby Dach, Jonathan Toews, Philipp Kurashev, Pius Suter and David Kampf down the middle, The Athletic's Ian Mendes and Sean Gentille figure he might find himself on the outside looking in. 

The pair writes that the Blackhawks' decisions on what moves they'll make in the lead-up to the deadline could become clearer after their next six games against the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning - two teams ahead of them in the Central Division. 

The Blackhawks are in a weird spot. They’re not an actual contender, but they really weren’t supposed to be, either. Despite that — largely because the Central turned out to be so top-heavy — they’re in a playoff spot. So, what do you do if you’re GM Stan Bowman? 

In 19 games this year, Strome has four goals and four assists, averaging 16:31 of ice time. When Dach and Toews return to the lineup, Strome might be the odd man out on the roster. Given his age and contract, teams might come calling with enticing deals for GM Bowman. 

More likely, the team's trade chips are Carl Soderberg and Mattias Janmark The Athletic reports. 

Soderberg's contributions thus far this year have been a nice surprise. The 35-year-old has chipped in with 11 points in 22 games. His contract is only a $1 million AAV, making him an attractive depth player for teams looking to add heading into the playoffs. 

Janmark is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and may have earned another shot with the Blackhawks heading into next season. But, teams could come calling on the 28-year-old who carries a $2.25 million cap hit.

Defenseman Calvin De Haan is on track to be exposed for the NHL expansion draft but might become available at the deadline as well. However, his contract could be one deterrent - coming in at $4.55 million AAV. But with a defensive market that is a bit thin, teams may be willing to help Bowman find him a new home. 

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