5 Trade Candidates Listed From Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks defencemen Matt Grzelcyk and Connor Murphy

The first month+ of the NHL season saw the Chicago Blackhawks get off to an unexpectedly strong start, going 10-5-4 and sitting in a playoff spot. But things came crashing down to earth, and the Hawks' rebuild will have to wait another year to advance to the next level.

The team currently sits with a 22-26-9 record, and thoughts of a playoff spot are a distant memory. They will be sellers at the trade deadline after the Olympic Break is done. Scott Powers, Mark Lazerus and Chris Johnston unveiled a Blackhawks trade board in The Athletic, and have proposed five players—all pending UFAs—who are the most likely to be dealt:

Connor Murphy, RD
Jason Dickinson, C
Ilya Mikheyev, F
Matt Grzelcyk, LD
Nick Foligno, F

Murphy & Dickinson will be Blackhawks UFAs in demand at trade deadline

The top two on the list play the highest in-demand positions at this deadline. Murphy is a right-side defenseman, who can be a top-four addition for many teams as a shutdown D. At 32, he also brings veteran know-how and leadership as well as a physical game, all qualities that would be highly in demand come playoff time.

The Athletic trio figure Murphy is the most likely to go, for a couple of reasons:

"He’s one of the precious few valuable assets the Blackhawks have to trade, and considering Murphy has been in the league for 13 seasons and has yet to experience a true playoff atmosphere (his only postseason experience came in the bubble in Edmonton in 2020), it might be the right thing to do for the player, too."

Dickinson, as a reliable, defensive third-line center, also fills a lot of needs that teams are looking for entering the playoffs. He has size, can win you faceoffs, and can lock down opposing centers.

Mikheyev has had a superb two seasons since coming to the Windy City, even recording his second 20-goal season last year (the offensive numbers have dipped this season). Will the Blackhawks want to keep the 31-year-old around on a short-term extension to help them get to the cap floor, or free up his spot for a younger forward?

Grzelcyk might not bring back much in a trade, as he doesn't possess the size and physicality that teams look for in depth on the blue line heading into the playoffs.

Does Foligno stick around the Hawks in a mentoring role, or try one last run with a playoff team?

Does Foligno, at 38, want one more shot at the playoffs? He's really excelled in his captaincy role in Chicago, mentoring the young Blackhawks. "But his high character and intangible qualities are still things a top team would covet" if he chose to give the postseason one more run in a new situation.